Bum City Saints – Spirit of the City

[ad]

[rating:8.5/10]

bum_city_saints_spirit_of_the_citySpirit of the City is fast becoming one of my favorite releases. The disc came out in 2013. I’m just getting around to reviewing. My laziness often betrays me. As a saving grace, I had this CD in my car for a couple weeks and kept listening to it on my daily commute. The more I listen, the more hooked I become.

For those that don’t know about this band, (including myself) They hail from the bay area and have been rocking the fuck out since around 2007. Like many other badass rock and rollers, they’re a trio. And, as if you didn’t already know it, the triangle is the strongest geometric shape found in nature. Don’t believe me? Look it up.

At any rate, Spirit of the City is an intense blast of punk rock channeling the energy of both West Coast punk and East Coast hardcore. The sound, while distinct is reminiscient of Rancid, Jughead’s Revenge and Agnostic Front (albeit with more whoa whoa whoas)

The release kicks out 13 tracks. You can check out their Reverb Nation (http://www.reverbnation.com/bumcitysaints) page for a sample.

Support local punk rock, kids! Go find some of this and go see them live if you can. And stay tuned, ‘cause I hear there’s some new music from Bum City Saints coming out in the next few months.

–Jerry Actually

The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute

I’m so late on this review that I hardly think it’s fair for me to even write this, so I’m going to clip the press release for you, and tell you that this is an inspirational album in tribute to a punk rock legend. The profits from this release go to the Tony Sly Memorial Fund, so please help if you can and pick up a copy of this release.

[ad]

PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

tony_slyLegendary San Francisco-based punk label Fat Wreck Chords has announced the release of The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute. Set for an October 29 release, the 26-track covers album was recently compiled to celebrate the life of the late No Use For A Name frontman Tony Sly, who passed away on July 31, 2012 at the age of 41. Featuring bands such as Rise Against, NOFX,Yellowcard, Simple Plan, Bad Religion, The Bouncing Souls, Frank Turner and many more covering No Use For A Name songs, The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute is a unique showcase of Sly’s poetic and philosophical songwriting gift delivered through this varied assemblage of artists, fans and musical colleagues. Profits from the sale of the album will go towards the Tony Sly Memorial Fund(http://www.tonysly.org), which has been established to assist Sly’s wife, Brigitte, and their daughters, Fiona and Keira.

With over one million albums sold collectively throughout its 25-year career, No Use For A Name are one of the most successful and prolific acts to come out of the ’90s skate-punk scene. In 1987, at the age of 17, Sly joined No Use For A Name and immediately proved to be an essential part of the band due to his knack for effortless songwriting. He helped the band release its full-length debut,Incognito, in 1990, which was produced by Bad Religion guitarist/songwriter and Epitaph Records label head Brett Gurewitz and released by Bay Area record label, New Red Archives.

In 1993, No Use For A Name would go on to sign with Fat Wreck Chords for the release of their album The Daily Grind. But it would be the release of the band’s next full-length album, Leche Con Carne, in 1995 that would be credited for providing the band with an increase in wider popularity. This album featured the song “Soulmate” which was the first Fat Wreck Chords single to ever receive airplay on MTV. Collectively, Sly recorded nine studio and live albums with No Use For A Name and spent 23 years extensively touring the world, including five Warped Tour stints and countless music festivals throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America.

Sly was loved and respected by a wide variety of artists and musicians, and nowhere is that more evident than the roster of contributors to The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute. Bands from the Americas, Europe, Australia, UK, and even Israel contributed to this final chapter in the storied career of No Use For A Name and serves as an essential body of work honoring Sly’s celebrated talent and memory.

The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute track listing:

01. Karina Denike – “Biggest Lie”
02. Mad Caddies – “AM”
03. Strung Out – “Soulmate”
04. Rise Against – “For Fiona”
05. Bad Religion – “Let It Slide”
06. NOFX – “The Shortest Pier”
07. Snuff – “On The Outside”
08. The Bouncing Souls – “Homecoming”
09. Old Man Markley – “Feel Good Song of the Year”
10. Lagwagon – “Discomfort Inn”
11. Teenage Bottlerocket – “Via Munich”
12. Frank Turner – “Keira”
13. Get Dead – “Premedicated Murder”
14. Pennywise – “Devonshire and Crown”
15. Alkaline Trio – “Straight from the Jacket”
16. Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem – “Capo 4th Fret”
17. Yellowcard – “Already Won”
18. Swingin’ Utters – “Not Your Savoir”
19. The Flatliners – “Fireball”
20. Simple Plan – “Justified Black Eye”
21. Useless ID – “Frances Stewart”
22. Jon Snodgrass & the Dead Peasants – “On The Outside”
23. American Steel – “Dark Corner”
24. Frenzal Rhomb – “Flying South”
25. Anti-Flag – “Toaster in the Bathtub”
26. Joey Cape with Scorpios – International You Day”

Morning Glory Complete Work on New Album

[ad]

MORNING GLORY have completed work on their new album War Psalms. It’s packed with 13 memorable songs and will be released on March 4th. Listen to the brand new song, “Nationality Anthem,” which appears on both War Psalms and the limited edition split EP with Off With Their Heads. Read what Ezra Kire, singer of Morning Glory, had to say:

We took the summer off to record this record. We were driving Jesse (Cannon) nuts by camping out in his studio. I was up to writing at all hours of the night, taking brief naps under the piano. In the end we had 27 tracks from which to assemble this album. People who like earlier M-glory are definitely gonna like it. It’s faster, heavier, & more raw & stripped down than Poets, but retains that anthemic morning glory message. Brian Viglione (dresden dolls, and now violent femmes) added massive strength to the entire record with his powerhouse drumming style. Music is a forward moving journey & I can’t wait for it to be released. Everyone who’s heard it agrees that this record rocks.

War Psalms track listing:

1. Calm and Alarm
2. Standard Issue
3. Natas Behind Me
4. I Am Machine Gun
5. Nationality Anthem
6. I Want Control
7. War Haka
8. War Dance
9. Punx Not Dead, I Am
10. Karry On
11. This Kool-Aid Is Delicious
12. Know Your Wrongs
13. Home Free

Barren Womb – Kill Hicks

[ad]

[youtube NuuunEc-nCs]

SPARTAN RECORDS SIGNS NORWEGIAN HARDCORE BAND BARREN WOMB;
NEW ALBUM OUT MARCH 11TH
Stream Barren Womb’s Hard Hitting New Track “Kill Hicks” Today At BrooklynVegan.com
January 28, 2014 – Los Angeles, CA – Seattle based indie label Spartan Records is proud to announce the signing of Norwegian hardcore band Barren Womb and the upcoming release of their debut full-length album, The sun’s not yellow, it’s chicken, onMarch 11th .  The record will be available digitally and on limited edition vinyl, which can be pre-ordered now athttp://spr.tn/barrenwomb.
In anticipation for the upcoming release, BrooklynVegan.com has premiered the first new track, “Kill Hicks,” today.  Stream it now at http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/01/norwegian_hardc.html.
“”Kill Hicks” was one of the last songs we finished up for the record, and it came together fast,” says guitarist/vocalist Tony Gonzahl.  “We had this kind of bluegrass influenced riff kicking about for a little while, but hadn’t really had the chance to do much with it. Then one day we started jamming and that riff came up. A couple of hours later we had the song pretty much done.  Although there is a lot of beauty to humanity, I feel that right now the negative far outweighs the positive. This is not a holier-than-thou attitude, I most definitely see myself as part of the problem.  Lyrically Kill Hicks deals with apathy and the bleak future ahead of us if we continue on this path.”

Continue reading Barren Womb – Kill Hicks

15 Years

I was checking on my domain registration recently and it turns out that upstarter.com is officially 15 years old today.

I’d like to say thank you to all the bands and labels and fans and friends that have helped make !upstarter what it is through good times and bad.

Cheers,
Jerry Actually

Booze & Glory – As Bold As Brass

[ad]

© 2014 Sailor’s Grave Records

[rating:8/10]

booze_and_gloryFresh off the presses! (as of 01/28/2014) “As Bold As Brass”, the brand new LP from London’s hard working Oi! band Booze & Glory. It’s a rollicking and rowdy one indeed and sure to be a hit with all you street punks and Oi! fans out there. To be honest, this is my first listen to the band, but I like what I’ve heard thus far.

Seriously though, as fans of Oi! and street punk know, any self-respecting band of the genre is going to have driving rhythms, blue collar themes, a whole lot of loyalty to friends and fans, and of course, choruses that are chock full of, “Oi! Oi! Oi!”. “As Bold As Brass” doesn’t disappoint in that department at all.

The songs are solid and well played. This is a band that, while admittedly crafts simple, straight-forward songs, does what they do well. You know what? There’s nothing in the world wrong with that. I like my rock and roll to have a little bit of street edge and a chorus that I can scream along with at the top of my lungs to the point where the next day I’m so hoarse that you can barely understand a word that I’m saying. That’s what the fun’s all about, isn’t it?

Speaking of “about”, as a sidebar, the band’s vocals and syncopation reminds me subtly of Scottish/Canadian punk rockers the Real McKenzies. Odd perhaps, but I guess not entirely out of the vein. At any rate, this an album worth checking out for fans of both Oi! and punk rock.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Off We Go!
2. Leave The Kids Alone
3. Down and Out
4. Waiting For Tomorrow
5. One of Them
6. Julie
7. Only Fools Get Caught
8. Sick of You
9. Farewell Goodbye
10. I Hope You Still Remember
11. Cock & Bull Story
12. We’ll Stick Together
13. Always on the Wrong Side (Bonus Acoustic Track)

Booze & Glory – Only Fools Get Caught

[ad]

[youtube 6HtoYVkbQks]

BOOZE & GLORY suffer no curiosity towards anything but their tried and true brand of hook-laden, red-brick sidewalk stompin’, Skinhead Oi! Rock ‘N’ Roll. They have no interest in detouring into awkward metal riffs, compromising mainstream tendencies or any other fraudulent leanings.  BOOZE & GLORY stick to who they are, what they know, and what they love — working class Oi!
They herald their love of their favorite football team, West Ham United. They recant the tales of pub sessions with good friends and cold booze and the struggles of being a drinking man on a workingman’s wage. And they tell the stories of friends gone wrong and life gone astray. Influenced by their English forefathers such as The Cockney Rejects, The Business and the 4-Skins, BOOZE & GLORY are poised to charge forward hard and far as the primary contemporary carriers of the British Oi! torch.
Follow BOOZE & GLORY for upcoming news and information at http://boozeandglory.com.

 

Gold Daggers

[ad]

[rating:8.5/10]

gold_daggersHere’s an interesting one. Gold Daggers are a two piece self-described “alternative/punk/shred” band from Los Angeles, CA. The new self-titled release is largely as described: “drums, bass, and yelling, which is rad.”

I’ve got to tell ya, I was both concerned and intrigued by the description. I’m glad I took the chance to give it a listen. The combination of sludging distorted bass and frenzied drums really works. I’m also happy to report that despite the description, there yelling isn’t omnipresent. The band mentions Fugazi, Deftones, Mastodon, Black Flag and Retox as references, but at the moment, I’m really thinking a more punkish Sonic Youth (with considerably less Kim Gordon), Helmet, and definitely some Motorhead bass influence.

Sometimes working with a minimal palette yields incredible results. By forcing the medium, the overly derivative and trite can sometimes be overcome. Not to gloss over things, but I’m writing this as I listen, and trying to play catch up (as always), so I’ll keep it to this: Great stuff with a refreshingly different sonic profile. Bass heavy with some amount of yelling, albeit less yelling than anticipated.

Check out the new self-title release from Gold Daggers here: golddaggers.bandcamp.com

Looters – s/t 45

[ad]

(c) 2013 Full Tilt Recordings

lootersI’ve got my hot little hands on some new vinyl; the self-titled 45 from Brooklyn New York’s Looters. The band is a four piece consisting of Eliot Pride on guitar/vocals, Shane E. Kerton on drums/backing vocals, Gerard Smith on bass/backing vocals, and Dante Tuxedo on guitar. As mentioned, the band is outta Brooklyn NYC. The 45 showcases two tracks of Looters chops, with Fall Alone on the A-side and Looters on the flip.

The cuts on the record are very heavy rock influenced as much by punk as by 60s garage and 70s heavy metal. The 70s can be distinctly heard in both the bass lines and the guitar solos. Perhaps oddly, the vocals, at least in the way words are drawn out and certain line breaks, I find reminiscent of Danzig. Not the style/tone mind you, just a certain approach. Combined, it adds up to a pretty decent sound. It’s fresh and new. Not in a new car smell sort of way, but in a full on restoration way. New paint on old parts if you will.

If you’re interested, you can listed to seven full tracks on their Bandcamp site.

Cheers,

Jerry Actually