Upstarter – Page 65 – PUNK | SKA

Neck – Come Out Fighting

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It is hard to review Celt-Punk music of any pedigree without referencing The Pogues. This is especially true when the CD is the new release from London based Celtic Folk Punkers, Neck. The obvious tie-ins are there: Tin whistles, Irish themes, traditional covers et al. There really is no denying the obvious influence, but influences aside, “Come Out Fighting”, the new release from Neck, still stands on its own two feet. This, their first official US release (in this modern age, do national boundaries really mean that much for music relases?) proffers 14 tracks of dashing daring and swaggering and a cover of MacAlpine’s Fusiliers (can’t go wrong with that one). The blend of modern and traditional keeps things lively and encourages the whisky to flow freely. Admittedly I have a particular bent for punked up traditional Celt/Folk sounds, but I imagine that I’m not exactly alone in that. If you’re a fan of Dropkick and/or Flogging Molly then “Come Out Fighting” is a perfect addition for your audio collection. On a slightly related note, the tin whistle parts throughout track four, “Tink” could easily find a home in an Irish style cover of Centerfold from J. Geils Band. I think it’d make a bang up cover. So if any of you up-and-coming McBands out there want to grab a sweet idea, it’s all yours. Bottom line: Solid Irish influenced Rock and Roll with a leaning towards the Punk side of rock. I would have gone slightly higher on the star-o-meter, but for a couple of too slow tracks, but hell, that is my call to make. Come Out troid a théann!

–Jerry Actually

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MayOrWest – We The End

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Sometimes writing a reasonable and objective review is challenging. Right now I’m listening to “we, the end” from Hoboken New Jersey’s MayOrWest. Self-described as alternative/punk-rock, I would venture that they are more alt-emo / post punk with major metal overtones, something of an anamorph between AFI and Queensryche. The disc features 12 tracks of mid-tempo melodic rock ranging between one and five minutes in length, though arguably some of the shorter duration tracks really qualify as intros. The individual songs seem to start off well enough, but within seconds they become far too operatic for my preference. While the songs are well arranged and executed, I really am not getting it. If MayOrWest could/would harness the energy that the backup vocal chant portion of track three, “Icarus” has, I think that I could get behind this a little more, but as it sits, I’m left wondering how fast I can change the station. That said, I appreciate the double entendre of their name. Intentional or not, there is some interesting confusion in “May or West” ala mixing time and direction with a logical operator, or “Mayor West” of Family Guy fame. Bottom line is that while done well, I don’t like what it is that they are doing.

–Jerry Actually

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Ruder Than You – Creation Sounds

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You know what I miss? Ska. Maybe because it was foundational in my youth and I pine for the long gone days, or more likely because ska is full on awesome, I miss ska. Thankfully I have a mailbox that occasionally gets laced with some of the good stuff. What do I have here (hear) you might ask. Well what I have is a brand new CD, Creation Sounds from Ruder Than You. This Philly ska band has been bustin’ it since back ’89 at Penn State. Eight great tracks of pick it up, dit dit dit, horn laden ska. For the uninitiated, ska music was invented by future robots that came back to the past disguised as Dutch colonists to the island for Grenada. After they invented the bicycle they grew bored and started ska bands. Ok, no really, there is a reasonably apt history of Ska on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska The jazz and calypso roots are unmistakable on Creation Sounds as is the love of music. Honestly I’m at a small loss for words, but I want to bring you the honest truth (in so far as I perceive it) I’m not as stoked on this as I would be a new MU330 disc, but I’m pretty damn pleased. Support your local ska band ladies and gents, and local or not, support ska by (buy) getting a copy of Creation Sounds new to you from Ruder Than You!

–Jerry Actually

The Singularity – A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Drunkenness

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In the interest of brevity (no, I’m not running late on deadline again. I make my own deadlines, so just shut it already.) I want to say that I love the f-ing guts out of this EP. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Drunkenness brings five originals and a Crimpshrine cover (Another Day) and let me say that it brings it well. If you like your punk rock with nicely layered and alternated vocals and hook laden riffs then by all means head on over to www.myspace.com/thesingularity and check this Bay Area band out and help spread the word. My only regret is that it is only an EP. (Oh, I also dig the album artwork)

–Jerry Actually

Alkaline Trio – This Addiction Tour

ALKALINE TRIO ANNOUNCE TOUR WITH CURSIVE
IN SUPPORT OF THIS ADDICTION

December 22, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – As anticipation builds for their Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull debut, seminal punk rockers Alkaline Trio have announced plans for a US headlining tour with indie rock band Cursive, in support of their forthcoming studio album, This Addiction, which is due out February 23.

Beginning December 22nd at 10AM local venue time, fans will be given the chance to get a discounted pre-order of This Addiction with a presale through Ticketmaster.com OR Ducatking.com, depending on the market. A list of dates are below with the corresponding presale option next them.

Since emerging in 1996, Alkaline Trio have become one of the punk rock’s most progressive and unique bands of the last decade, commanding an enormous cult following with six fan-adored albums and relentless world-wide touring. This Addiction is the next chapter in the band’s celebrated career.

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Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:
Feb 16 – Pomona, CA – Glass House
Feb 17 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues (Sunset)
Feb 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
Feb 19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Feb 20 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
Feb 23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Feb 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue
Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
Feb 26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Feb 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Metro
March 2 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak
March 3 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
March 4 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
March 6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
March 8 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Light
March 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre
March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Tracadero
March 12 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre
March 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland
March 14 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
March 16 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
March 17 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
March 18 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
March 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
March 20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live
March 22 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
March 25 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
March 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
March 30 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
April 1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
April 2 – Los Angeles – House of Blues

For More Information:
www.alkalinetrio.com
www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio
www.epitaph.com

Damn The Empire – With Trends Like These

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This CD works straight out the gate! Damn The Empire is pissed. The world is going to hell. The government is fucked. The music industry is right down the toilet. The scene sucks. Prius owners are self-righteous pricks. “With Trends Like These…” doesn’t hold back on the anti-everything vitriol. I find it refreshing. This disc has something that a lot of punk rock has been lacking as of late, conviction. Damn The Empire means it without being smug or overly attitudinal. The band is fuming about meaningful timely issues, almost as if they were culturally aware with what is going on in America. … Here’s the thing though, they’re from Melbourne. It really serves to hammer home the homogeneity of the problems of the world (at least the Western World) Despite the gravity of the content, the band, thankfully, isn’t humorless. Tracks like 3. The Last Gasp Of An Entire Scene, Neutered and 12. This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich let in some welcome cynical comedy. So here’s what you get 16 tracks of punk rock that is about as real as anything out there. I detect a lot of H2O and Down by Law as I’m listening to it. Of note, this disc was mixed at The Blasting Room. There is something magical about that place I tell ya. Cheers to Damn The Empire for a damn fine disc from Down Under and for uniting the world one punk rock song at a time.

–Jerry Actually

Strength Approach – All The Plans We Made Are Going To Fail

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Up until recently, and by that I mean when this disc hit my door, I hadn’t ever heard of Strenght Approach. This is, of course, too bad for me. It is also too bad for fans (who also haven’t heard them) of anthemic hardcore punk in the vein of H2O and Sick Of It All (albeit more of the former than the later) Despite my shallow knowledge pool of all things international hardcore, Italy’s own Strength Approach has a new disc out on Pee Records. (at least for Aussie distribution) “All The Plans We Made Are Going To Fail” packs 15 original musical numbers, 1 obnoxious noise track and 2 covers (Black Flag and the aforementioned Sick Of It All) 18 tracks in just under 35 minutes. I like the sound of that. By that I mean that I like the sound of this disk. Now that I’m thinking about it, the vox remind my ever-so-slightly of John Connely of Nuclear Assault. You? … Here’s the important bits though: Good disk, action packed. There is some interesting guitar work and the music is tight and a piece of listening advice, this disc sounds good loud. Tell your neighbors that I said it was ok to crank the stereo.

-Jerry Actually

Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Pin Points & Gin Joints

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THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES
PIN POINTS AND GIN JOINTS OUT TODAY
ON THE BAND’S OWN BIG RIG RECORDS

SEE THEM ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE ON DECEMBER 11
for tickets go to:
http://www.1iota.com/events,4490,Jimmy-Kimmel-MIGHTY-MIGHTY-BOSSTONES-outdoor-mini-concert.html

HOMETOWN THROWDOWN #12
HOUSE OF BLUES BOSTON ON DECEMBER 26, 27, & 28

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have stuck more pins in the map and pulled more Gin from taps than they care to remember. Over the years they’ve earned the reputation as one of the hardest touring bands in rock. Now they are back with their first full length studio release in seven years. Featuring 14 new songs “Pin Points and Gin Joints” produced by BossTones Dicky Barrett, Joe Gittleman and producer Ted Hutt (Flogging Molly, Street Dogs, Gaslight Anthem) out today on the BossTones Big Rig Records.

The BossTones, comfortable in almost any genre, are also patient and passionate songwriters. Blending ska, soul, punk and metal, and arrow to the heart pop in a way only The BossTones can pull off, singer and lyricist Dicky Barrett is at the top of his game as a brash cynic, a harsh critic and a 60-grit crooner with a heart of gold. His voice as both a storyteller and poet is highlighted in songs about family life, politics, war, art, biker gangs, baseball, ska music legends and blue collar stiffs.

“I’m quite proud of our newest recording Pin Points and Gin Joints. We created this one for the BossTone faithful, for ourselves, and for you. Enjoy.”
— Says Barrett

It’s that time of year again so get set for the BossTones to throw the biggest party of the holiday season, the 12th annual Hometown Throwdown kicks off on December 26 – 28 at the House of Blues in Boston.

www.BosstonesMusic.com

http://www.myspace.com/themightymightybosstones

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mighty-Mighty Bosstones/6218402444?v=app_96687436973

www.twitter.com/mmbosstones

Skarhead – Drugs, Music & Sex

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A. There isn’t enough good Hardcore anymore. B. East Coast Hardcore is the straight up goods. C. Skarhead freakin’ kills it. Skarhead returns with Drugs, Music & Sex, out now on I Sream Records. What’s in it for you? 13 tracks of crushing Hardcore and some insight on the well founded urban confluence of Hardcore Punk and Hardcore Rap. Perhaps I should explain that. In most situations you get Hardcore bands bridging the genre from Hardcore to Rap by being more “rap-like”. In the case of Skarhead the idea happens in reverse. Traditional hip-hop/rap devices (like scratching) are transmuted into hardcore. The effect works. Genre comparisons aside, Drugs, Music & Sex is a pretty damn decent disc. 13 tracks that shred your guts out, vocals that sound like Overkill on track 4, “Bomb the System”, a whole mess of tracks that are acronyms for titles and a shit ton of self-aggrandizing name drops. Like I mentioned before, it works.

–Jerry Actually

Dead To Me – African Elephants

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Somehow along the way I missed the bus when it comes to Dead To Me. I’m not sure how, but that is in the past now and we don’t have to dwell on it, do we? I can’t help but be curious about the prior LP and EP that I missed, but what if I listen to them and it takes away from how I feel about the new album African Elephants? I think I’ll hold off for now and bask in the glory of what is currently my favorite disc. San Francisco punk rockers, Dead To Me, have crafted an album that is at once both familiar, yet novel. The band wears their influences on their sleeve. The Clash, Police, Nirvana, perhaps even Violent Femmes? The effort, however, is far from cookie cutter or pandering to fans of their influences. Instead it is 13 tracks of diverse and unique punk rock. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but there is something about trios. When done right, as it is here, they are a musical powerhouse. Flat out, African Elephants has the guts and sincerity to be a serious contender as one of my all time favorite discs.

–Jerry Actually