Jerry Actually – Page 42

Lili Champ – Vientos

[rating: 8/10]

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Did you know that there is punk rock in Chile? Seriously! It is fucking rad. I’ve said it before, but I’m so glad that I can be a part of it. I can’t travel the world nearly as much as I like, but when bands like Lili Champ are kind enough to send their music to me, I feel like I am a much bigger part of it than I really am.

Vientos is an eight track of upper mid-tempo punk rock in somewhat of a Social Distortion vein, musically but with vocal lines and sing-a-longs that are much more resplendent of bands like Millencolin or … you know, I don’t really know. It is a punk rock sound that I dig and I’m not sure that I need much more than that.

The songs are a blend of Spanish and English language. Some I get. Some I do not. My Spanish is at about an ADD two year old’s level, so that isn’t the most helpful. I’m pretty sure track five, “Entrecerros” is a cover, but I can’t quite tell. That isn’t really the point though. The point is. I’m rocking out in San Diego to punk rock from Santiago! That is pretty much fate, isn’t it?

Bottom line is some kick ass new tunes for you and your amigos to rock the hell out too, right? http://lilichamp.bandcamp.com/

–Jerry Actually

The Pink Elephants – We Hate You

[rating: 8.5/10]

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We Hate You is an album that clocked in late 2011 from Spanish punk rockers, The Pink Elephants. This new disc is the follow up to the 2009 release of 100% R&R Liquor. On the new album, this Barcelona band offers 13 tracks of punk / pop punk blend in a manner similar to a lot of early 90s punk (at least to my American ears) The accent brings a nice new spin to it that keeps it fresh.

The tracks are mid-tempo and clocking in around the late two to three minute mark. A bit lengthy for me, but by no means a stretch of the attention span. The sounds are familiar (hard to not have that anymore) but the band is plenty able to make those familiar sounds their own.

At the end of it all, what I get from this is the grand idea that if I ever visit Barcelona, and The Pink Elephants are playing, I know I’m going to try to catch that show.

–Jerry Actually

Lay It On The Line – A Lesson In Personal Finance

[rating:8/10]

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A Lesson In Personal Finance is the new EP from South London Hardcore act Lay It On The Line. This four track follow up to Midnight In The Bellagio shreds through those tracks with a mighty fury. The music is intense with elements befitting both the hardcore and metal monikers.

Short, sweet track length for the short attention span and more than enough aggression to rock the room. I’d recommend playing it about six times in a row to get the full dosage. Fans of Snapcase and those who enjoy a subtle hint of Maiden in their Hardcore should definitely check this band out: http://layitontheline.bandcamp.com/

–Jerry Actually

Sundials – When I Couldn’t Breathe

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Please join me in saying welcome to Sundials. Relatively new to the Asian Man Records roster and totally new to !upstarter, this Richmond, VA based outfit makes nice with their 90s alt vibe.

“When I Couldn’t Breathe” is jammed to the gills with alt-pop-rock melody laden goodness. At the core, isn’t that all you really need to know? I suppose you want to hear things about their casual cool rockishness, or maybe some bits about how college generates a lifestyle that begets band such as Sundials. Maybe I will say something about that. … Really, I generally like to offer something in the way of directional guidance, but Sundials’ sound is hanging just beyond my periphery. it’s a good sound though, one that could just as easily rock you as rock you to sleep (track dependent of course). Some people have made reference to the Lemonheads, personally, I’m thinking Short Round. Do with that what you wish.

At the end of it, what you get is 13 tracks of quality music that, at least for me, takes a time machine ride back to the dreamy 90s alt rock of days gone by.

–Jerry Actually

Getting to know Iwanaga

Iwanaga! (pronounced “e-wa-nah-gah”) a six member ska band that formed in 2008 in the wasteland Fresno, CA. Known for stirring up a lot of commotion in the local music scene. Iwanaga has toured up and down California and has opened up for many touring bands like voodoo glow skulls, the sheds, isolated victims, ska skank redemption and potato pirates. for more about iwanaga visit their Facebook, twitter and reverbnation.

Facebook.com/iwanagaska

Twitter @iwanagaska

Reverbnation.com/iwanaga

Let’s learn a little more about them, shall we?

Where are you from and when did you get started?

We are from Fresno, California. And we started in 2008, Andrew started the band and members came and went so now we’re at the line up we have now. Which is pretty rad. Let’s hope it stays this way for a long time.

Who are you and who does what in the band?

Guitar/vocals/mom– Andrew Pereida

Bass/inspirational coach– Roxanne medina/Nick Chacon

Trombone/vocals/fedora lover– Leo Esparza

Alto sax/Deaignated Asian– Will Melendez

Drums/Dance Coach– Jeff McCobb

Trumpet/Awesome– Armando Mancinas

How would you best describe the sound?

Our sound is a whole lot ska with a dash of everything from 2 tone to pop punk to Latin feels. You’ll have to check us out to hear our sound.

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

Opening up for voodoo glow skulls is up there. And being able to play with new bands and areas in California that we’ve never played before is pretty rad. As for a fake dream moment would be able to be signed and touring with big acts like reel big fish and such.

Still got day jobs?

You bet your sweet goodies we do. Andrew works at a Laserquest, Leo works for GameStop. Jeff works at an Italian restaurant, Nick works for Fresno State, and Armando works for a movie theater. We all have some pretty awesome jobs.

Any regrets?

None… well there was this one time in San Francisco.

Morning Glory – Poets Were My Heroes

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I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been waiting years for this CD to come out. Ever since way back in the day when the world was all Choking Victim this and Leftover Crack (rock steady) that, I’ve been looking forward to hearing more from Morning Glory. Well about ten long years after the bands formation and nearly as many since I was listening to “This Is No Time Ta Sleep” and “The Whole World Is Watching”, there is finally something new for me to jam into my ears.

“Poets Were My Heroes” is the brand new full length from Morning Glory. You might be familiar with the band if you are familiar with front man Ezra Kire’s past projects, the aforementioned Choking Victim and Leftover Crack as well as InDK, or perhaps not. Morning Glory presents a more orchestrated and compellingly complex example of sounds perpetuated by the other bands; more anthemic and more epic.

The new release consists of “official” tracks, 1 – 13 and an unlisted track. They are all, seriously, stellar. The overall sound blends more common place punk and ska beats and riffs with sing-a-long chorus melodies and eerie horn stabs. Overall the effect is pretty damned impressive. The arrangement flows well from each track to the next, building, swelling, subsiding, and continually progressing until the album culminates in the alarmingly sincere, not unlike a shockingly sober Shane McGowan, vocals and piano of the final track, “Care of Me”. (I have it on good faith that the whole CD was opted just based on this track.)

To close, this album is one of those rare classics that exemplify the idea of being more than the sum of its parts. Each piece builds together to form a whole that is, thus far, the best release of 2012.

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Chocking Victim, InDK, Team Spider

Tracks:
01. Stevie Dinner
02. Everything’s A Song (To Me)
03. Shelter From The Spoon
04. Poets Were My Heroes
05. March Of The Asylum
06. Quemar Las Fronteras
07. Divide By
08. Orphan’s Holiday
09. Touch
10. Patiently
11. Life’s A Long Revenge
12. Another Way (Outside The Walls Of Eden)
13. Born To December
14. Care Of Me

http://www.fatwreck.com/band/index/105

Chotto Ghetto – Sparkles

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I’m not immediately sure what to make of Chotto Ghetto. Their music is a bit of a mystery, the good kind of mystery though. I’ve heard folks say that they are “progressive hardcore”. I suppose that is as reasonable a description as is needed for the time being. Reasonable, that is, if you think that unusual structures, instrumentation and odd melodies are progressive.

Vague descriptions aside (to be followed by vague postulation) Chotto Ghetto brings an interesting amalgam of sounds that you are sure you like but aren’t quite sure where they are from. If I had to try to pigeon hole this, which will be hard, I’d go with this. The band is a largely unidentifiable hybrid of Yes, Death by Stereo, The Police, Sound Garden, Pink Floyd and Voivod, only with more hardcore riffs and beats. You’re probably thinking, wtf, but I assure you that it works. I think their website says it all, “Chotto Ghetto is a band from Los Angeles California.”

Anyhow, their new release, “Sparkles”, out now on Asian Man Records, offers 15 tracks of musical diversity and a rare fresh sound that you just aren’t hearing much of these days. Some of the stand out tracks, at least for me are 3. Ghost Finders and 5. These Kids Crave Discipline.

Overall, this release is a winner and a great choice for any serious fan of the arcane art of music collection. It may not be for everyone. However, if you like you music (mostly) fast, diverse and complex, then this is a must have for you.

–Jerry Actually

PROPAGANDHI STREAM NEW RECORD

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Failed States Out 9/4

Band To Tour North America This Fall
August 27, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA – In anticipation of the September 4th Epitaph release, Propagandhi are streaming their brand new record Failed States in its entirety. The album stream comes as the band prepares for an all-out North American tour beginning in September.

Fans can stream the new record by going to Propagandhi’s Facebook page:http://on.fb.me/U6csdA and are also invited to share the stream by posting this embeddable code:

Failed States is a milestone in Propagandhi’s musical journey as they willfully careen between brazen metallic tendencies and the ragged punk rock roots of their earlier work, picking up where their critically-acclaimed 2009 release,Supporting Caste, left off.

The first surprise for listeners will be the opening salvo “Note To Self”, a sprawling, swerving, cinematic journey through the mind of a smoldering first-world inmate, escalating into the full throttle siege of the title track, “Failed States”. The ride doesn’t get any less outrageous from there, reaching new levels of volatility with fierce, exacting tracks like the album closer “Duplicate Keys Icaro (An Interim Report)” and the borderline barbaric “Rattan Cane”. Keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times, people.

Propagandhi has created a truly monumental sixth album that is the band’s most forward thinking and musically varied albums to date. Failed States is not simply proof of Propagandhi’s continued dedication to pushing their musical boundaries, but an evocative (and provocative) meditation on human nature, meaning and life under an expanding, planet-wide technocracy.

Fans can pre-order Failed States now at The Epitaph Store. Additionally, Propagandhi will kick off a North American tour in September with support from Comback Kid. Dates are listed below.

Stay tuned to www.propagandhi.com and www.epitaph.com to hear more news about Propagandhi!

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Propagandhi Tour Dates:

9/25/12	London Music Hall	London	ON
9/26/12	Phoenix Theatre	Toronto	ON
9/27/12	Ritual	Ottawa	ON
9/28/12	La Tulipe	Montreal	QC
9/29/12	Hotel la Sagueneenne	Chicoutimi	QC
9/30/12	Imperial de Quebec	Quebec City	QC
10/2/12	Middle East Club	Cambridge	MA
10/3/12	Highline Ballroom	New York	NY
10/4/12	Le Poisson Rouge	New York	NY
10/5/12	Union Transfer	Philadelphia	PA
10/6/12	Otto Bar	Baltimore	MD
10/7/12	Altar Bar	Pittsburgh	PA
10/9/12	Grog Shop	Cleveland Heights	OH
10/10/12	Magic Stick	Detroit	MI
10/11/12	Town Ballroom	Buffalo	NY

No Means No – Close Minded (EP)

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[rating:9/10]

Agro eighties hardcore. Very syncopated. Short and sweet! I guess if you want some pissed off hardcore, this will float your boat. If you aren’t into that, then never mind. You’ve read it all before. You’ve heard it all before. So you’re saying, “what’s there for me?” nothing! You’re a jaded prick that doesn’t’ like anything. So go! Rock it! If you have made it past that section, then maybe, just maybe, this is for you.

It is hardcore punk. It’s rowdy. It’s angry. It’ll shake the floorboards a bit if your stereo plays along.

Enjoy while you can. The Fascist state will take it away soon enough.!

(I would normally take points away for band name reuse, but this time, it is unnecessary.)

Cheers,

Jerry Actually

Money In The Banana Stand – Giant Steps II

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[rating:8/10]

Do you like subtle irony? Do you? I don’t care what your response was. Listen to this band. A reference to one of the most genius TV shows is enough to garner a listen, but wait, there’s more.

Money In The Banana Stand crafts clever songs; songs which are both well instrumented and well articulated. It is poetry done with music and done quite well.

I’m doing the micro review thing here, so get this CD (EP) ok? OK!

–Jerry Actually