Jerry Actually – Page 40

The Vandon Arms – No Loyalty Among Thieves

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[rating:8.5/10]

Did you realize there was Celtic style “folk” punk coming outta Des Moines, IA? I sure didn’t. I’m rather pleased and completely taken by surprise with “No Loyalty Among Thieves”, a new release by The Vandon Arms.

The disc offers 13 tracks of mostly original (and original arrangements) of rollicking drunken barroom fare. I’m blasting it in the living right now and it sure is making these beers go down faster.

I’ll say this, the band is not paving new ground. If you wanted to, you could probably call them The Poguing Mollys. Don’t let that dissuade you though, because I don’t believe that paving a new way is their goal. The important part is the fun, and The Vandon Arms has that in spades.

Bottom line is that if you like celtic inspired tunes to drink and be rowdy to, and you’re tired of listening to the same releases that you’ve got laying around, then please do give “No Loyaly Among Thieves” a spin.

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Pogues, Flogging Molly, The Tossers

The Welch Boys – Bring Back The Fight

[rating:9/10]

The Welch Boys are indeed bringing back the fight. Hand’s down my favorite release so far this year brings back these Boston stalwarts. I haven’t taken much time to write as of late, but I felt I owed it to you to tell you about this. If you haven’t caught on by now, I’m talking about “Bring Back The Fight”, the brand new album from The Welch Boys. Grit, vitriol, and punk rock are all well intact in the new one. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This time around, the tunes bring a whole new level of polish. Not that things were shabby before, but time, and time well spent, bring about the next level of songcraft. It’s fucking here. It’s fucking now. It lets you realize that hardcore punk rock and roll is still alive!

Slight aside, but I’m a little bit concerned that The Welch Boys are so poorly represented here on the left coast, and hopefully my little bit of lip service will help to remedy that. Maybe it’s California where the sun never sets and it never gets cold where folks just don’t appreciate anthems of angst, hardship, and hope? I don’t know. Maybe I have an east coast soul that draws me to the aforementioned. No matter what it is, this is the real deal.

I’ll quit boring you with my gushing. At the end of the of a hard working day, what more do you need than a fist full of beers and a new album to ease you back into the world of the living?

–Jerry Actually

Los Gatos Negros

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I’m listening to some new vinyl. The self-titled from Los Gatos Negros showed up in my mailbox today. Of course, I threw it down on the turntable.

Garage style punk. Can’t quite make out if it’s kids or girls singing half the time, but I don’t care. I like how it sounds. It’s crunchy and fresh. The tracks are short and fun.

I’d tell you more about the band, but well, the album cover is all black, front and back and there is no record jacket. I like the mystery of it. Speaking of mystery it seems like the “B” side is blank. That’s kinda crazy.

At any rate, the “A” side is fun. So if you can track it down, check out the new self-titled album from Los Gatos Negros.

–Jerry Actually

Bracket – Rare Cuts Vol. 1

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Well, it’s been a long dang time since I listened to Bracket. Honestly I didn’t know that they were still around. A few weeks ago, outta the blue, I get an email inquiring if I’d review their latest material. Given the horrible job I did back in 2000 reviewing the Fat Wreck Chords release “When All Else Fails” I figure I owe them at least this much.

Bracket, if you aren’t old enough to remember, is a pop-punkish band from the North Bay town of Forestville. Their tracks generally had the sounds familiar to the pop punk genre, but with a bit more of an emo factor, if you will. Rare Cuts Vol. 1 is no different in this regard. That stands well to reason, given that the tracks on the recent effort are all rarities and/or previously unreleased material. Also of note is that this release is the first in a series to be released exclusively through Bandcamp in order to fund two future Bracket projects. So, by all means check out their Bandcamp page and support some DIY rock! http://bracket.bandcamp.com/

For better or worse, Rare Cuts Vol. 1 offers 10 tracks of vintage and/or rare Bracket tracks. You get things like string mixes, live acoustic versions, 4-track demos, alternate mixes and covers. For the discriminating Bracket fan, what more could you want?

If you’re not already a past or present fan, I recommend you start with my introduction to the band, the aforementioned “When All Else Fails” to get you started. After that you can transition into some of these more challenging tracks. Beyond that there’s some good stuff on here. The John Wilkes Isolation Booth (Demo) with its juxtaposed blues breakdown is particularly intriguing.

If you’re curious, hit the Bandcamp link about and help support one of your old, or possibly new, favorite bands. Seriously, what have you got to lose? For your $10 bucks, no matter what, you get the warm all over feeling of having helped a band put out records DIY and what’s more, a Bracket cover of “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?”! Enjoy.

–Jerry Actually

The Big Ska Gamble

[rating: 9/10]

Here’s a little slice of magic for you ska fans out there: Seven 7” records. Seven artists. Seven flavors of ska.

A bad ass little box set of vinyl featuring: The Shifters, The Action League, Lockstep, The Georgetown Orbits, Do It With Malice, Stop The Presses, Sammy K & The Los East 3, and Jorge & The Landladies.

If you’re a fan of ska, reggae, calypso, northern soul, and more, do yourself a big ol’ favor and get a hold of one or more of these records. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. (for the record, if you are disappointed afterwards, I’m sorry. Maybe you need to reevaluate your listening ability.) The range on this collection is impressive. I don’t like to pigeonhole bands, but fans, of DHC, Buck-0-Nine, and The Pietasters ought to find some major enjoyment here.

It’s often a challenge to review a compilation. That’s true now. What I’d like to impart is that this is music, this is real. There are bands out there giving their all for you. I think it’d be kind of you to give it a listen.

The takeaway is this. Ska! (and really good ska, at that) So cheers to your ears! Enjoy! Need I say more? ok, I will. In the words of Ryan Lewis, “This is fucking awesome!”

–Jerry Actually

Find out for yourself:
http://www.bigskagamble.com
http://grandpascasino.com

Touch My Rash – Destined for Disaster

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Here’s a little freakin’ slice of awesome for ya. I’m listening to “Destined for Disaster” by a charming little trio called Touch My Rash. The name alone draws you in. It’s like a car wreck. You can’t not look, or in this case, listen.

Here’s the skinny. 12 tracks of multi-vocal layered punk rock and roll. A good time feel while the bad times roll. The songs are peppy and poppy but infused with guts and power. The trio makes great use of their respective abilities. The vocals are sweet yet snotty. The guitar riffs are solid. The bass thumps. The percussion pops. The use of the the call/report vocals are used to quite excellent effect. What more could you ask for?

The one sheet indicates that Touch My Rash is most likely a Ramones-core band with a RIYL of “Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Copyrights, Teenage Bottlerocket, Masked Intruder”. Sure there is some of that, but what modern pop punk bands don’t owe a bit to bands like the Ramones? I say that the band is more than a pigeonhole derivative reference list can define though. This group has charisma. I should add, this band reminds me a shit-ton of The Acrobrats. Shared/past members? I don’t know. Either way both great.

With that I say, check this band out. Check the hell outta them. They’re a lot of fun and a refreshing blast of energy in what can be a pretty stodgy punk rock scene these days. http://www.touchmyrash.com

-Jerry Actually

Hemorrhage – Chapter One E.P.

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Hey you! Yeah, you. You like new CA hardcore that sounds a little old school but not quite, right? I thought so. Well here’s something for you. Hemorrhage is a badass little combo out of Huntington Beach, CA. You’ve heard of that place right? I think you have.

Following in the veins of, well, I’m not sure. This new EP from Hemorrhage is pretty freakin’ brutal. If I had to describe the sound, I’d say, aggressive. To further clarify, I’d say it’s somewhere between Helmet and Snapcase or even more so, a combination of the two. I don’t want you, the reader, to think that this band is entirely derivative though, they got their own mojo going on. I’ve been rocking the CD in my car for the past few days and I can say with certainty that Hemorrhage has some songcraft skill. Songs are brief; two minute style, which we all know I prefer. They vocals aren’t so filled with broken glass that you can’t pick out the words. The music is artfully complex without being pompous. All and all, a solid start from a energetic upcoming band.

The gist of it is seven tracks of crushing music filled with both angst and spirit. (By spirit I’m talking about the fact that the band didn’t bother with labels. They made their own. They have that much dedication.) So seriously, if you like west coast hardcore (or any fast heavy music) check this band out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

www.hemorrhage.bandcamp.com

-Jerry Actually

Moonraker – Pathetic Little Arsenal

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[rating:8/10]

Moonraker is a L.A. based 3-piece punk band, heavily influenced by some of the more well known emo-punk acts. If you’re a fan of bands like Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, and Dear Landlord, then there is no reason that you won’t like the bands new EP. Pathetic Little Arsenal kicks down 5 tracks of none-too-shabby punk in the vein of the aforementioned bands.

Go ahead, have a listen: http://moonraker.bandcamp.com/

-Jerry Actually

DBTB – Super!!

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I’m listening to a new EP by DBTB, aka Dani Band Traveling Band, aaka Dani Barstad. Maybe you’ve heard of Dani? Maybe you have heard some of his other projects. He’s the drummer for acts like Mall’d To Death and The Terrordactyls. Well, this go around is a bit different in that Dani busts out the “one man band” action for his 2nd relase, “Super!!” (There are some additional vocals not performed by Dani, but instead performed by Caiti Allison. So, you know, it’s still technically a one man band.)

What you get on Super!! is 5 fresh tracks of punkish indie alternarock. For the ancient (or the retro) among us, It’s got a huge 120 Minutes vibe, lo-fi like old school Sonic Youth, but without as much of the whole noise thing. The tracks, in general, are mid-tempo rockers running the clock anywhere between a minute and six. There is an overall garage-ish feel that is not without it’s charm. Lyrically, I would suggest the songs are done as a bit of a catharsis. The content is somber and seems sincere by virtue of the insecurity that is interlaced into the context of the songs. I like that. The world could use a bit more humility.

I guess that the bottom line is that whether you are fans of Dani’s other bands, or totally wax nostalgic for the alternative days of yore, then check out Super!!. You can listen to the tracks here: http://dbtb.bandcamp.com/

Tracks:
1. BackPack 01:43
2. Sweating, Crying 03:13
3. Let the Butthurt Flow 01:00
4. Super!! 03:21
5. Shut Up & Go Pie! 05:52

–Jerry Actually

Getting to Know KevoCantDance

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KevoCantDance is an Indie/Pop-Punk/Folk acoustic music project started by Kevo in 2011.

Let’s take some time and learn a bit more about Kevo, shall we?

Where are you from and when did you get started?

I am from a small town called Huntingdon in central Pennsylvania. I think my interest in playing music really started when I was 11. I was on the school bus listening to some rap metal band on my walkman and this older kid named Brandon handed me a mix-tape and told me to stop listening to shitty music. The mix-tape he gave me had Screeching weasel, Bad Religion, Blink 182 (Chesire Cat days before they sucked!), and just a mix of awesome 90’s punk bands. As soon as I popped the tape in and heard Screeching Weasels “Dummy Up” I knew that’s what I wanted to do the rest of my life. So 15 years and 9 bands later…….here I am ha.

Who are you and who does what in the band?

Hi my name is Kevo and I am the band! I play acoustic guitar and I sing my lungs out :P.

How would you best describe the sound?

My sound is a mix of Acoustic Folk, Pop-Punk, and Indie rock thrown into a blender and pureed into a raspy sound that I like to call “Acoustacore”. My influences are Chuck Ragan, Tom Waits, The Frontbottoms, The Mountain Goats, Justin Sane(Anti-Flag), & Mike Ness.

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

I really wanna headline a show @ The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, I’ve been to dozens of shows there and it would be great to see the view from the musicians perspective. Plus I like to fill beat up acoustic guitars with confetti and smash them on stage from time to time and I think that place would look quite lovely with colorful confetti flying through the air :). So yea that’s definitely my goal within the next year or so, besides that I would just like to go on tour forever (or until the van broke down).

Still got day jobs?

Yes :(…..I work in IT (Ima nerd n stuff)

Any regrets?

No regrets…….well maybe that gas station hoagie that I ate a couple hours ago; (my stomach regrets that mostly).

You can find out more about KevoCantDance below

[youtube uUyJWby_AB4]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kevo-Cant-Dance/230111337071105?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/KevoCantDance

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