Jerry Actually – Page 43

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!

###

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

Backyard Surgeons – No Anesthetic

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[rating:9/10]

It’s been a while since I’ve done a DVD review. This one is well worth the wait. (the DVD, not the review)

If you are a fan of travel, roadtrip movies and things like NOFX: Backstage Pass, this little travel doc from Melbourne’s Backyard Surgeons is a must see.

DIY funded and booked, a largely unknown band (at least here in USA) sets out to bring their brand of poppy punk rock to China. It’s heartfelt and real. Train rides, beers and good times abound.

Sorry for the bevity, but I’m on a tight deadline (self-imposed)

At any rate, this is so worth seeing. If you’re a fan of making your own way in this world and would like to bring punk rock to the masses, by all means, get a hold of this DVD. I think you can find them here for the time being: https://www.facebook.com/Backyardsurgeons

On a more personal note, having owned a Gibson Explorer for 20+ years, I know what a bitch it can be lugging that thing around, kudos to you brother. I never had to lug mine that far in such a short time.

–Jerry Actually

PROBLEMS – Make it Through the Night

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[rating:8/10]

Life is shitty. We all have problems. Life would be less shitty if we all had the new CD by Portland punk rock and rollers, P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. ! (well, I suspect life would be piled with cash for the band if everyone in the world bought a copy of this, but I digress) Out in time for the summer west coast tour and the up and coming European tour, P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S has a shiny new compact disc available for your listening pleasure. (as a side note, I have no idea if P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. stands for anything or if they fellas are just totally down with the full stop.)

Make it Through the Night is the latest release from P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. The disc kicks down 18 tracks of sonic bombast that reminds me a combination of Zeke and Nerve Agents. For those of you that know (and enjoy) those other bands, I suspect that this is right up your alley. Technically, Make It Through The Night is 9 official tracks and 9 “Bonus” tracks of previously released material. Technically you could put it in a box and call it box set, so you do what you want with that information.

The important thing is that P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. is badass and they have a pedigree to back that shit up. Some might dare to say they are a bit of a “Super Group”. Featuring former members of bands such as: Resist, Poison Idea, Detestation, The Weaklings, Masskontrol and Defiance might bring a certain amount of credibility to the aforementioned, but unlike other “Super Groups”, like the Damn Yankees, P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. is not all about the douchebaggery. (as far as I can tell). There is another band I know of that has members of some of these same bands. Oh sure, they’re good, but not nearly as cool.

Some of the stand out tracks include the opener, “D.U.M.B” and track 6, Bad News. For the cover fans among you, there is also a great cover of The Cortinas “Fascist Dictator”.

The bottom line is that Portland, OR is still kicking out some hard rocking tunes and P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S is right there at its gritty rain-soaked core.

If you’re interested in picking up a copy of this disc, I suppose you could contact the band here: http://problemspdx.com/contact of course there is a link to their MySpace page, so I wouldn’t blame you if you thought they broke up half a decade ago.

–Jerry Actually

Harrington Saints – Pride & Tradition

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With a name like “Harrington Saints”, I’m immediately struck with the idea that this is a serious business, no holds barred, blue collar, in your face, working man’s street punk band. Maybe it’s familiarity with the genre, but there was no mistake in my assumption. These particular saints hail out of a little east bay town know as Oakland. You may have heard of it.

The band has been around since 2005 and Pride and Tradition is their second full-length. This one is produced by Lars Frederiksen. You may have heard of him. With it you get 11 tracks planted firmly in the vein of Oi and Street Punk; Blue collar rock and roll for the poor souls that have had their back broken by the man and get nothing in return.

The music is short, crisp, poignant, and timely yet timeless. (until such a time as people aren’t getting the short end of the stick I guess … so yeah, timeless.) That said, Street Punk isn’t the be all, end all for me. There is a strong tendency to get a bit repetitive. The Harrington Saints work to remedy this by not sticking strictly by the books. Tempos shift and not every track is a full on shout along. The themes run constant though; A desire for more, the tenuous grasp on the American Dream, white collar bandits, the ones who don’t put the effort in for their fair share.

Bottom line: If you like punk rock and you feel like you’ve constantly got the boot against your neck, rock the hell out and shout along with the Harrington Saints when they come crushing through your town.

–Jerry Actually