Author: Jerry Actually

LESS THAN JAKE STREAM NEW EP, ‘SOUND THE ALARM,’ AT ALTPRESS.COM

[ad]

NEW RECORD OUT FEB 3RD ON PURE NOISE RECORDS

January 27, 2017 – Los Angeles, CA – Influential Gainesville punk band Less Than Jake are back with a new EP, Sound The Alarm, that’s due out on February 3rd via Pure Noise Records. Today, the band has partnered with AltPress.com to stream the record in its entirety. Fans can also pre-order the record now at http://smarturl.it/LTJ.
Stream Sound The Alarm now at AltPress.com: http://bit.ly/2kb92fS
“Right when you get your footing, and you get a foothold, that’s when your life flips upside down. That’s the world we live in sometimes, where calm turns into chaos and we have to push forward to gain some clarity. These seven songs could be the soundtrack to that passing moment, from calm to chaos back to clarity. We continue to push forward as a band, and mix everything we learned along the way into these tracks. You learn from history or are doomed to repeat the mistakes is what someone said and that is a truth on everything we do in this world. Sound The Alarm has Roger Lima at the helm again as was Jason Livermore from Blasting Room mixing and this release feels like a good continuing arc from our last full length See The Light. We keep refining what the modern LTJ is.” – Vinnie Fiorello (drums)
Fans can catch Less Than Jake live on their current co-headline U.S. tour with San Diego rock band Pepper. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.lessthanjake.com/.
Follow the band at https://www.facebook.com/lessthanjake for additional updates.
Less Than Jake Tour Dates (w/Pepper):
Jan 27 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
Jan 28 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield
Jan 30 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Jan 31 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Feb 02 – SLC, UT – The Complex
Feb 03 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
Feb 04 – Sioux City, IA – Hard Rock
Feb 06 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
Feb 07 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
Feb 08 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
Feb 09 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
Feb 10 – Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
Feb 11 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
Feb 12 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
Feb 15 – Portland, ME – State Theater
Feb 16 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues
Feb 17 – NYC, NY – Playstation Theater
Feb 18 – Huntington, NY – Paramount
Feb 19 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Feb 21 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
Feb 22 – Richmond, VA – The National
Feb 23 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
Feb 24 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Feb 25 – St Augustine, FL – St Augustine Amphitheater
Feb 26 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Revolution (Outdoor Stage)
Feb 28 – St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
For More Information:

The Hangmen release long-awaited new studio material in March

[ad]

Punk-rockabilly trio The Hangmen release long-awaited new studio material in March on vinyl and download.

https://youtu.be/Iy3gcOQHC14

The cult UK-band’s long-travelled international collision course to oblivion landed them again within earshot of recording equipment in 2016 (and someone reckless enough to turn it on). This alignment borne the three-track EP, ‘Necronomicon’.

Summoning part of an ever-expanding original repertoire to shatter the occasion, the new release offers a glimpse into the current state of the rock & roll band’s dark and wild sound. It complimenting a discography of eight albums, a handful of other EPs and several compilation appearances over the past 25 years.

In homage to the movie ‘Evil Dead’, the title track ‘Necronomicon’ takes the horrorbilly-punk association a disturbed step or three further than most.

But the song and accompanying video offer more than just another horror movie-themed rock ‘n’ roll track, as the band deliver a frantic composition and twisted visuals that mirror the rollercoaster-ride-to-madness experience of the cult terrorfest that inspired them.

Available on limited edition 10″ vinyl as well as download, additional tracks ‘Collarbomb’ and ‘The Great Brain Robbery’ serve to assure that the band’s insanity prevails and still rocks in readiness for the next full length studio album, currently in progress.

The Hangmen are for the no-frills ‘Play Loud’ crowd, regulars on the international psychobilly scene and punk scenes, but set are apart by a knack for never repeating themselves (or anyone else) and a distinctive sound so raw that it attracts bacteria.

Play this and run…

Pre-order here: https://hangmen666.bandcamp.com/album/necronomicon-ep

The EP ‘Necronomicon’ is released on Moon Skull Records March 11 2017 on limited edition 10” vinyl (Cat.# HANG10) and digital download (Cat.# HANG10DL).

The limited edition 10″ vinyl version is available to pre-order now and comes with free instant gratification download of the title track, followed by free downloads of the remaining tracks on the release date.After pre-orders, the next available copies of the vinyl record will be on sale at Bedlam Breakout Psychobilly Festival in Northampton, England, when the band performs there on the Saturday night (March 11 2017) of the event.

The download-only version will be available from the usual major online outlets.

PUNK ROCK BOWLING 2017 LAS VEGAS LINEUP

[ad]

PUNK ROCK BOWLING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
ANNOUNCES FULL 2017 LAS VEGAS LINEUP
FULL LINEUP: IGGY POP, BAD RELIGION, COCK SPARRER, PENNYWISE,
FIDLAR, ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES & MORE
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
19th ANNUAL PUNK ROCK BOWLING & MUSIC FESTIVAL- MAY 26-29, 2017

(January 26, 2017, Las Vegas, NV) – Since its humble beginnings as a DIY bowling tournament in 1999, Punk Rock Bowling has prided itself on combining the perfect mixture of classic competition with an anti-authoritarian spirit, and the 2017 edition of PRB is sure to be the biggest and best yet. Punks from around the world will flock to Las Vegas from May 26-29 for a multi-day event like none other, says Punk Rock Bowling co-founder Mark Stern.

“My brother Shawn and I started this thing as a party with our friends in the punk scene: Bands, independent labels, fanzines, college radio, the whole underground punk community that lived and thrived on its own,” Stern explains. “It was a celebration of the underdogs doing what we wanted and not compromising. It’s been growing every year since, and more shows were happening around Vegas during that weekend, so we decided to turn it into a festival and move the whole thing downtown, allowing the music to become more of a centerpiece.”

Kicking off May 26 with a series of intimate club shows, Punk Rock Bowling is expected to draw more than 20,000 fans to downtown Las Vegas for four straight days of madness and mayhem. Alongside the festival itself, there is the annual bowling tournament which gave Punk Rock Bowling its name, as well as a poker tournament, comedy shows, pop-up art galleries and more—plus all the booze and gambling your wallet can handle.

While the list of bands who have previously played Punk Rock Bowling is a murderer’s row of some of the most influential punk acts of all time (previous headliners have included Descendents, Rancid, Devo and Refused), this year’s lineup is more stacked than ever before. Headlining Punk Rock Bowling Las Vegas this year is none other than Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer Iggy Pop. He will be joined by a lineup peppered with fellow punk legends, including Bad Religion, Cock Sparrer and Pennywise, plus exciting new-school acts such as FIDLAR, Plague Vendor and The Interrupters. More than two dozen bands are included in the festival lineups, including groups from Canada, France, the U.K. and Australia. Find the full lineup below.

“Diversity is the most important thing about the festival,” Stern comments. “We’ve had everyone from Wanda Jackson to Ministry to Devo to Roy Ellis. We really try to expand as much as possible on the musical genres that still fall into the punk aesthetic. Ska, soul, hardcore, acoustic—there are so many different styles in punk rock and we want to celebrate them all. This year we have Iggy Pop, the godfather of all of this! The Stooges paved the way for great bands that weren’t accepted in the commercial music world. They’re the fuel that started the whole punk scene.”

Three-day tickets for Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival are $125 and are on sale now. Single-day tickets go on sale February 7 and are $50, and the daily lineups will be announced at that time.

For more information, visit  www.punkrockbowling.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates and news around the festival.
19TH ANNUAL PUNK ROCK BOWLING & MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 27-29, 2017
Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
200 S 3rd St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Iggy Pop
Bad Religion
Cock Sparrer (UK)
Pennywise
FIDLAR
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
Choking Victim
The Adicts
Bouncing Souls
OFF!
Discharge (UK)
The Spits
The Dickies
The Interrupters
The Real McKenzies
Booze & Glory (UK)
Plague Vendor
Lions Law (France)
Drug Church
WolfPack (Australia)
Lost In Society
Mobina Galore (Canada)
Ten Can Riot
Roadside Bombs
New Trends (Australia)
The Quitters
Venomous Pinks

The Scutches announce west coast tour dates

[ad]

New York punk act, The Scutches, have announced a handful of west coast tour dates.

TOUR DATES:
4/6- Double Down Saloon, Las Vegas, NV
4/7- Palo Verde Lounge, Tempe/Phoenix, AZ
4/8- Tower Bar, San Diego, CA
4/9- Redwood Bar, Manhattan Beach, LA
4/10- The Caravan, San Jose, CA

SOCIAL LINKS:
https://twitter.com/theScutches
https://www.facebook.com/thescutches/
https://thescutches.bandcamp.com/

The Pope Virgins – Confessions

[rating:8/10]

[ad]

How about a little bit of “Local Punk Friday”? That’s a thing now. I said so. So, for Local Punk Friday I’m listening to the debut album from San Diego punk upstarts, The Pope Virgins. (It is important to note that this does not include all popes, as some may assume. To that end, here’s a list of sexually active popes.) Historical footnotes aside, I’m rocking out right now to “Confessions” which is, as I mentioned, the debut release from The Pope Virgins.

According to the band, and I’m paraphrasing here, they are working on reviving the local punk scene. They are a genre diverse band with ska and metal influences as well as straight up punk rock. The songs are largely politically driven, but also include songs about struggles with poverty and a joke song or two.

I should also note that the band supports a very community / scene minded effort to produce physical products, to promote the people and bands involved. (as opposed to streaming content that has become all too popular and convenient these days)

On the whole the music is raw and very “punk”; 4:4 tracks with chunky guitars, bass, snotty vocals, and spitfire drums. There’s a sense of chaos in the tracks as if they are a bit unhinged and could fly apart at any moment. I like that. The band’s sound is reminiscent of older influences like Reagan Youth, Black Flag, DRI, Vandals (after Peace Through Vandalism) and a sound, occasionally similar to, Awesome and the Asskickers. (this is likely a coincidence)

I like the album, by and large. One thing I could live without thought is songs about boning. It just does nothing for me to have a porno script set to a punk rock track. Maybe I’ve made it over the hill and juvenile antics just don’t cut it for me. To each their own though.

One more thing I suppose, the horn playing, while admirable in its attempt, is hilariously bad. Ska is not for everyone, but hell yeah get out there and strangle that fucking saxophone! (I assume it’s a saxophone. It could be a really really sad clarinet.)

Bottom line is fresh faced punk rock in my town. Fuck yeah!

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Happy
2. Keep Your Beer Close But Your Cocaine Closer
3. Confessions
4. God is Sold
5. Amerecock
6. Chromes Lullaby
7. City Streets
8. Muhnolo
9. I Kinda Love You
10. Process of Elimination
11. Humes Paradox
12. Unnamed Poem
13. Now He Watches Anime
14. Virgins Good, Trump Bad
15. Jesus Fucked Up
16. Sad Man

Less Thank Jake New Album on Feb 3rd

[ad]

LESS THAN JAKE WILL RELEASE NEW EP, ‘SOUND THE ALARM,’ ON FEB 3RD;
PRE-ORDER THE RECORD AND STREAM THEIR NEW SONG, “THINGS CHANGE,” NOW!
January 4, 2017 – Los Angeles, CA – Influential Gainesville punk band Less Than Jake has announced plans to release a new EP titled Sound The Alarm on February 3rd with their new label Pure Noise Records.
Fans can pre-order the record and stream a brand new song called “Things Change” now at http://smarturl.it/LTJ.
Speaking about the new song, lyricist and drummer Vinnie Fiorello says “the only thing constant is change” is one of the lines in the chorus of the song and such a massive truth to me. The sooner you could realize this, digest it, and embrace it the better off you’re going to be. Let it all move forward, at lightning speed. Everything and everyone changes, the world keeps on spinning like it or not.”
Less Than Jake’s new EP, Sound The Alarm, marks an exciting new chapter for the band as they celebrate 25 years together and a newly inked deal with Pure Noise Records. Featuring 7, ska infused punk songs that quickly remind listeners of the band’s incredible ability to craft memorable, hook-filled music.
“We started writing this set of songs, similar to our last record See The Light, sitting around a table in our warehouse with some acoustic guitars, lyrics scribbled on scraps of paper, and a constant barrage of ideas,” Fiorello explains. “Trying ideas as they would come out, sometimes chasing the idea, or getting connected or not connected to an idea right away. We had been writing and were planning on fleshing out the ideas while on Warped Tour.” 
Sound The Alarm was recorded and produced by Roger Lima and mixed at the famed punk recording studio, The Blasting Room, in Fort Collins, CO. The band wrapped the record following their run on last summer’s Vans Warped Tour.
After years of releasing records through various major and independent labels Less Than Jake has found a new home at the Southern California based Pure Noise Records.
“When I met Jake at the San Francisco stop of Warped Tour, we talked about working together,” Fiorello adds. “He is a longtime fan, knows the history and the arch of LTJ and that’s important to know where we have to go. It’s always great to have a mutual respect between band and label and that is exactly what we have between LTJ and Pure Noise.”
Fans can catch Less Than Jake live this winter on their co-headline U.S. tour with San Diego rock band Pepper, which starts in Dallas, TX on January 20th and wraps in St. Petersburg, FL on February 28th. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.lessthanjake.com/.
Follow the band at https://www.facebook.com/lessthanjake for additional updates.
Less Than Jake Tour Dates (w/Pepper):
Jan 20 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey
Jan 21 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Jan 22 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
Jan 25 – San Diego, CA – North Park
Jan 26 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
Jan 27 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
Jan 28 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield
Jan 30 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Jan 31 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Feb 02 – SLC, UT – The Complex
Feb 03 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
Feb 04 – Sioux City, IA – Hard Rock
Feb 06 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
Feb 07 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
Feb 08 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
Feb 09 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
Feb 10 – Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
Feb 11 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
Feb 12 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
Feb 15 – Portland, ME – State Theater
Feb 16 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues
Feb 17 – NYC, NY – Playstation Theater
Feb 18 – Huntington, NY – Paramount
Feb 19 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Feb 21 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
Feb 22 – Richmond, VA – The National
Feb 23 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
Feb 24 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Feb 25 – St Augustine, FL – St Augustine Amphitheater
Feb 26 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Revolution (Outdoor Stage)
Feb 28 – St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
For More Information:

Corrupted Youth – Class Struggle

© 2016 Evacuate Record

[ad]

[rating:8.5/10]

What’s this that I’ve got course through my earholes? I’ll tell you what som’bitch. I’ve got some screaming bloody fucking murder, backyard crust punk from right out of East L.A. Class Struggle, the recently released album by L.A. underground punk band Corrupted Youth is a blistering salvo aimed squarely at the shit storm that has hit the USA hard in 2016.

Straight out of the gate the band establishes a breakneck pace and rarely lets up during the 40 minute audio assault. The album features 14 scathing tracks. The tracks cut to the bone and continue beyond that. These are songs that call out the problems of war, abuse, life on the streets, poverty, degradation, immigrant life, and the day to day struggle that the working class, the poor, the disenfranchised, the despised, the down and out face in the day of holier-than-though, self-aggrandizing, knee-jerk douche canoes everywhere.

Lyrics are done in both English and Spanish, depending on the track. I’m not fluent in Spanish, but based on the lyrical content of the ones in English, I will suffice it to assume that the core message doesn’t deviate. Thank goodness, by the way for the lyric sheet on the album. If it weren’t for that I’d never be able to discern half the things being spouted. Which brings me to my only real complaint about the release.

SCREAMO vocals. I don’t dig ‘em. … some folks are inclined to disagree. They can disagree all they want. I’m not the one who’s going to blow out my vocal chords and fuck up my throat. Bare that in mind and have a damn lozenge or something. My personal gripes aside, the album is solid in both message and music. The band reminds me sonically of The Casualties meets Leftover Crack (and Star Fucking Hipsters due to the guest vox on track 7, Abuse)

The big take away is that people are still struggling. It’s recognized at the lower spectrum of our society, and people are pissed. How long does this go on before something breaks? As they say, something’s gotta give. So get out there, read something, make yourself aware. Go see shows and support the ones who are calling out the struggle and if anything at least providing a brief reprieve to the day-to-day crap that a lot of people face.

They have some shows coming up in the LA area. Go check ’em.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
War
Immigrantes
Wasted Youth
Confusion
Beer for Breakfast
Death on the Streets
Abuse
Heartless Bastards
Class Struggle
Bigotry
No End
Power for Control
Endless Blockades (GISM)
System Corruption

Bitter Grounds – Hollowlands

© 2016

[ad]
[rating: 9/10]

bitter-grounds-hollowlandsBoom! Ska-tinged punk rock fired like a rocket out of Netherlands. I’m rocking a brand new release (December 2016) from Bitter Grounds. 11 smashing tracks that are simultaneously, a breath of fresh air, and a nod to late 90’s punk / ska punk. Hollowlands is a DIY effort done in conjunction with the band and Ring of Fire Records, Bad Granola Records, and Nextpunk Records.

On initial listen, the vocals strike me as a curious approximation of Lemmy, Leatherface, and Lars Frederiksen. Layer this on top of very fluid guitar melodies, reggae chop, and solid backing rhythms and you’re at the core of Bitter Ground’s sound. Don’t let me pigeonhole the album, however, that’s merely the gist of it. There’s plenty more variety going on up here.

As much as there’s Rancid influence, I’m also picking up reminders of Classic’s of Love and the vocal delivery method of Jesse Michaels. Maybe I’m inventing it in my head, or perhaps the band is as big of Op Ivy fans as I am.

Bottom line is that though the struggle continues, music is still being made. Art that addresses life’s concerns, society’s problems, humanity, solidarity, all the feelings that are challenging to express outside of the realm of art. Without struggle we wouldn’t find catharsis. Maybe struggle is worth it? Just remember, Ska’s not dead. Punk’s not dead. Check this shit out. It’s got all things that are good.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Hollowlands 02:39
2. Struck Out 03:11
3. Tell Me Now 02:46
4. Life of Violence 03:27
5. Human Touch 02:55
6. Patience 02:31
7. Pressure 03:04
8. Fine, Alright 02:10
9. Dead in my Head 01:30
10. Breakdown 03:46
11. Trouble 03:11

Labels:
Ring of Fire records ( http://rof-records.com/ )
Nextpunk Records ( http://www.nextpunk.ch/ )
Bad Granola Records ( https://www.facebook.com/Badgranola/ )

Behind Deadlines – Status Quo

[ad]

[rating:8.5/10]

behind_deadlines_status_quo

Yay! New Ska!

I’m listening to “Status Quo” the forthcoming debut full-length album from Philadelphia based ska punk band, Behind Deadlines. The release features 10 peppy tracks, and is a damn nice way to start into this holiday season. [Edit, the album actually will have 11 tracks when released. The updated track listing is below.] I think the band and I may differ slightly with the punk to ska ratio. I’d say, that the punk portion is tempered a bit with funk. But hey, I’m not the arbiter of such things (or am I) Overall it’s a winning combination and more of what this world needs.

The album sounds polished. Mix is clean and the levels all seem to sit right where they ought to. I suppose this stands to reason. The production has a solid pedigree, having been recorded by Dan Malsch (Bigwig, Four Year Strong, Forever the Sickest Kids) and mixed by Mark Michalik (The Swellers, We Are The Union, Fireworks, Into It Over It, The Wonder Years).

Over the years I swear it’s become more challenging for me to decide on specific influences that bands have. They have to be pretty blatantly obvious. If I had to throw a few out there, I’d suggest Less Than Jake, Mustard Plug, Deal’s Gone Bad, and Bosstones. I might just be name dropping. Who knows? The takeaway is that fan’s of the aforementioned bands, will probably find some affinity for Behind Deadlines as well. Give it a whirl.

A few notes on individual tracks: I’m not a big fan of guitar solos, but the first solo on track 4, “Hey Dear Friend” is tasteful as all getout. I fully approve. As well, the horns that kick in around the 8 second mark on track 5, “Making Change” are damn tasty too.

I won’t spend a whole lot of time telling you what you already know. If you like ska, punk, fun danceable rock and roll, or any combination thereof, please checkout Status Quo and if you can, go check out a live show. If you’re not on the East Coast, the band is playing a few select dates on the Best Coast too.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Biochemistry
2. Sick Of It All
3. Laid Off
4. Hey Dear Friend
5. Making Change
6. Six Months
7. Sink or Swim
8. Optimism
9. Worthless
10. Escape From Philadelphia
11. Drinking to Brazil

Neverlearn – Start Tomorrow EP

[ad]

[rating:8/10]

neverlearn

I know I sometimes slack off, a lot, the last few years, but something that still inspires me to “pick up the pen” as it were, is getting refreshing new music from around the globe. Today is one of those days. Seriously, music, from around the planet, is linking us all. That is a seriously awesome connection. The technology we have available makes so much more possible. I suppose that maybe it takes away the former coveted knowledge, secret band thing of the old tape trading days, but waxing nostalgic aside, the unprecedented access to new music from far flung markets is fantastic. But I digress.

I’m listening to the Start Tomorrow EP by Finnish (Oulu, Finland) band Neverlearn. The four tracks are a quick burst of energetic, melodic punk rock. It’s maybe a bit on the pop punk tip with a hint of AFI-esque emo to it. On the whole I dig it.

The guitar leads are as smooth as the rhythm is tight. This is especially present on track 3, Gravel Pit. The vocals are pulled back and ever so slightly washed out. It gives the song an interesting far away sound.

Though there are only four tracks on the EP, it starts strong, keeps ramping up, and finishes stronger that it started.

Get some!

-Jerry Actually