Month: April 2018

Ease Up – Return to Sender

I’m giving a quick listen to the new three track EP by ska/punk/reggae band Ease Up. I suppose that two and a half songs may be more apt. There are certainly three tracks, but two are very distinct versions of the same song, “Return to Sender” (not a cover). Bear in mind, the order that I am listening to the tracks is not the order that they will be on the release. (See below)

If you are down with any of the above mentioned genres, I think you’ll be pleased with the results of the band’s efforts. The two versions of “Return to Sender” alternate between a decidedly 3rd wave initial take into an sun-drenched island reggae version, heavy on the sleepy ganja-laced vibe. The final track cuts back to the faster and heavier vibe of the first, but with a rather Sublime vs. Less Than Jake appeal.

At the end of it all, this is quintessential SoCal summer beach music. Ska and Reggae vibes mixed with a decent dose of punk swagger.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Track Listing:
1. Return to Sender (2:43)
2. Turnaround (2:58)
3. Return to Sender (Mix) (3:35)

Get some: http://www.easeupmusic.net

Fire Next Time – Knives

I’ve not heard of Fire Next Time until just today, but in all fairness, I’m so far out of the loop that I don’t know shit from Shinola any longer. Nevertheless, Knives is the brand new release from the punk rock band out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The one sheet says the band is “folk punk”. I don’t know that’s really the case. We can nitpick about genres/subgenres all damn day and never agree. I’m going to go ahead and call them punk. The tunes aren’t out of place on set with Against Me, Dead to Me, American Steel, Street Dogs or Social Distortion, so you file that however ya like.

Knives provides 10 tracks of riff heavy, hard rocking storytelling. I suppose that is where people might slap on the “folk” badge. The band has something to say. Good for them, say it.

What I hear though, is a great album of heavy driving punk rock, with some amount of sensible pop melody.

The band is on tour this spring / summer in Canada, if you live in the area, or are visiting our neighbors to the North, check ‘em out:

ON TOUR!
05.11 – Calgary, AB – Dickens
05.12 – Edmonton, AB – Brixx
05.13 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
05.14 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
05.16 – Timmons, ON – The Working Class
05.17 – Hamilton, AB – Absinthe
05.18 – Toronto, ON – Hard Luck
05.19 – Montreal, QC – Pouzza Fest!
05.20 – Ottawa, ON – Maverick’s
05.25 – Regina, SK – The Mercury
05.26 – Medicine Hat, AB – The Silver Buckle

https://twitter.com/firenexttime

FIRE NEXT TIME – Knives
CD/LP/DIGI Release Date: May 4, 2018
With ten years under their belt, Fire Next Time’s latest album KNIVES is a culmination of shared experience, heartbreak and triumph. “My spirit is broken” are the first words screamed over a sea of distortion on the first track Wanderlust. The anthemic anguish meanders with Collars reading like a confession letter that will never be sent. Never afraid to proudly display their influences, a haunting Nebraska-esque quality is brought to Old Scratch thanks to the support of stellar Vancouver vocalist Jody Glenham. KNIVES is Packed with visceral imagery and leaves little room to breathe. The themes explored on the album are sure to please your inner cynic. In Walking Blind they are eager to remind us that, in the end, “we all choke.”

For Fans of: Against Me, Gaslight Anthem, Flatliners, Tom Waits, Off With Their Heads

SQUIDHAT RECORDS WELCOMES BAY AREA SKA LEGENDS MONKEY TO THEIR ROSTER

SQUIDHAT RECORDS WELCOMES BAY AREA SKA LEGENDS MONKEY TO THEIR ROSTER WITH THE RELEASE OF “INTERMITTENT” ON CD & LIMITED EDITION ORANGE VINYL

Las Vegas, NV, April 14, 2018 –SquidHat Records is proud to announce the release of Intermittent waves, the new album from Monkey. Available digitally, on CD or limited edition orange vinyl nationally and internationally through MVD Entertainment. The street date is 5/5/18.

The hardest working band on the West Coast is back with their sizzling sixth album! This 5 piece high-energy ska group from the SF Bay Area is famous for intense live shows and rock-steady rhythms that not only get the crowds dancing but have won them several awards, including the prestigious California Music Award. Monkey sets the pace for in-your-face ska, performing over 200 shows per year, while constantly recording and touring.

Archie and The Bunkers Cover The Screamers

Stream “122 Hours of Fear” via Dangerous Minds

Songs From The Lodge Out 4/20 on Dirty Water Records (pre-order)
Archie and The Bunkers is the Cleveland-based duo of Emmett and Cullen O’Connor, brothers who have been playing music together for as long as they can remember. With Cullen on organ and Emmett on drums, they play “hi-fi organ punk” and have made a big splash since forming in 2013, sharing stages with everyone from Iggy Pop and The Sonics to Echo and the Bunnymen, Black Lips, and Thee Oh Sees and releasing music on Norton, In The Red, and Jack White’s Third Man Records.

Today, they share a cover by one of their biggest influences, LA synth-punk band The Screamers. Dangerous Minds caught up with the O’Connors to chat about their journey — which started when they were just thirteen and fifteen years old — and their new album, Songs From The Lodge, due out next week on Dirty Water Records. You can read the piece (which also includes anecdotes from former Cramps member Nick Knox & Norton Records founder Miriam Linna) here, and stream the duo’s take on “122 Hours of Fear” via SoundCloud.
Archie and The Bunkers will celebrate the release of their new album with a hometown show at Mahall’s on April 28th — more info here.

Songs From The Lodge is currently available for pre-order.
   Track Listing:           
1. Bill’s Bad Day
2. You’re My Pacemaker
3. She’s A Rockin’ Machine
4. The Cutting Edge
5. Riot City
6. Fire Walk With Me
7. The Roaring ’20s
8. Laura
9. Lost in Today
10. Midnight Attraction
11. 122 Hours of Fear