Month: August 2010

The Gozerians – Squatter EP

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(c) 2010 The Gozerians
[rating:3.5/5]

Charming yet quirky, a bit rough around the edges and the kind of attitude that only comes from the suburbs. That is roughly what I’d say if someone asked me I thought about The Gozerians new EP, Squatter. Ok really I wouldn’ answer a direct question in that manner. People would likely think that I’m more of an asshole than they already do. What I would really say is, “They’re pretty cool. Punk rock kinda like Guttermouth only a bit more melody oriented.”

I don’t know necessary if that is apt or not, but a five song sampling isn’t the world to go on. Perhaps a bit about the band will help you cement your own opinion. The band originally formed in 2009, comprised of in-laws and friends, all veterans of the local punk rock scene. The band commenced to jigglin’ After the summer of ‘09 and a struggle to find the right lead guitar player, the band opted instead to rock forward as a three piece. Frankly I’m a fan of the trio format. It’s like you’re totally equipped to do nothing but rock, dig?

Ok, for reals, final note. I quite enjoy Squatter. The tracks are peppy and short. The songs overall are catchy and fun, albeit a bit on the juevenile side, but hey what the hell isn’t these days. If’n you’re in the great St. Louis, MO area, go out of your house and check out The Gozerians. Enjoy. In that order.

-Jerry Actually

Weezer Pre-Order

WEEZER PRE-ORDER LINKS:

 

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WEEZER RETURN TO INDIE-ROCK ROOTS WITH NEW ALBUM

Alternative Rock Heroes Are Back With New Album via
Epitaph Records on Sept 14

August 11, 2010 – Influential multi-platinum, Grammy® winning alternative rock band Weezer have announced plans to release a new studio album entitled Hurley this September 14th on Epitaph Records.  Starting today, fans are invited to pre-order the physical album now at EpitaphStore.com or on Amazon.com.  The album’s first single, “Memories,” can be streamed now at MySpace.com/Weezer and purchased on iTunes.

Innovative rockers Weezer have inked a deal with leading independent label Epitaph Records signaling the next phase of their acclaimed career and the return to their indie roots with a highly personal and sonically exploratory album guaranteed to delight their fans.

“So far we’ve had a really good creative collaboration with Brett Gurewitz and the other people at the label, and I’m looking forward to collaboration with other like-minded alternative music fans at the label,” Rivers Cuomo recently shared with Los Angeles Times.

“I’ve been a fan of Weezer from the beginning, and I’ve loved all their records,” says Epitaph president and founder Gurewitz.  “So it’s amazing to find myself working with them on the new one!”

“Weezer is a great band,” adds labelmate and Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong.  “I’m stoked they’re going to be part of the Epitaph family.” Continue reading WEEZER RETURN TO INDIE-ROCK ROOTS WITH NEW ALBUM

Hounds & Harlots – Demo

© 2010 Hounds & Harlots

[rating:4/5]

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“What and or who are these Hounds & Harlots”, you may ask. “Am I with or am I not with them”, that is another damn fine question, one of several I fix on answering to some degree in the next few sentences. Well let’s start with the former.  Hounds & Harlots is a punk rock band rising up outta the San Francisco Bay.

The punk rock quartet consists of (at the time of this recording) Greg De Hoot on Bass and Vox, Bryan Zimmerman on Guitar and Vox, “Nice Guy” Brandon on Guitar and Vox and Cory Cunningham on Drums. What you have here is the basic ingredients for punk rock, four strapping young lads from the dark heart of the city by the bay.

The demo disc that I received is done up in modern era DIY fashion; A burned 3-track CD, hand markered for identification purpose and a b/w photocopy liner. I applaud the effort and am glad it wasn’t on cassette, ‘cause I don’t even have a cassette deck anymore. Something more to mention about the DIY ethic of the band, they are constantly rocking the social media. I, in fact, first heard of them through some mutual friends on Twitter. Way to capitalize on the new means to network.

The aforementioned disc contains three tracks: Divisadero, Wasted and Lots to Learn. They are all strong, but the clear leader is the opener, Divisadero. The track is a rollicking sing-a-long punk rock number that’ll like have you packing your bags for the neighborhood for which the band espouses so much pride. The two following tracks are both solid in their own right, but lack the catchy chorus of the lead-in number.

I will leave you with this, am I with them? Yes I am.

–Jerry Actually

The Assasinators – Weaving Spiders Come Not Here

(c) 2009 The Assasinators

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The Assisantors started out in Shelton, Wa in 2004. They recorded their first album later that year, having already played with UK Subs, Agent Orange and Poison Idea to name a few. After taking a year off playing shows in ’07 and a line-up change, they officially released their debut album, Rumour Of War in 2008. They then recorded ‘Weaving Spiders Come Not Here’, with help from Mike Herrera of Christian pop-punkers MxPx. The (ever changing) line-up currently consists of Paul- Vocals, Parris- Guitar, Zebrana (of now defunct Bastard Child)- Bass, and Drew- Drums.

As soon as you press play, the impression is given that this is on the borderline of punk and metal. It’s very heavy and fast, and the guitar riffs would fit in on a metal record. Paul’s vocals would even be suited to a metal band, but there’s a snarly and in-your-face attitude to their sound, and that’s what makes them punk rock.

‘Econarchy’ is, even though it’s heavy, a middle finger in the air number, and is one of those songs that has such a ‘fuck you’ attitude, it makes you feel like you’re not punk if you don’t sing along. ‘Got A Deal WIth The FBI’ has the same effect.

There’s a bit of a political and socio-political theme to many of the songs on this album. They manage to demonstrate their opinions, on topics most of us can relate to, but aren’t pushing their beliefs onto the listener. A good example of this is ‘Welfare Checks And Balances’.

There are two covers on Weaving Spiders…, the first is GG Allin’s ‘Drink, Fight And Fuck’ a great choice, and they manage to make it work for them well. The 2nd is ‘Out Of Control’, by the legendary Rancid- a daring choice for an underground band, but they do it justice, as the heavier Rancid sound fits the Assasinators’ sound. Not quite as good as the original, but covers rarely are.

‘Badge And Gun’ and ‘Doin’ Fine’ are the punkiest tunes on the album, with their attitude and sound, and will go down brilliantly live.

The title track is the slowest, showing there’s more to them than heavy punk/metal.  This one is the closest to traditional new-school punk, and is definitely the highlight of the record.

The Assasinators have lots of potential. Expect to hear a lot more from this band in the near future, especially if they can write more songs like the title track to this impressive sophomore release.

-Frankii