Author: Jerry Actually

Swing For The Fences

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© 2011
[rating:2/5]

Here’s a five track demo from Swing for the Fences, a pop punk band outta the Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights. Pretty straight forward power pop riffs, snappy drum beats and rocking riffs, some solid sing-a-long chorus parts and emo enough lyrics that your girlfriend will totally make you take her to the show. (you know, if you have a girlfriend that is)

The band isn’t breaking much in the way of new ground. It is very Blink 182 influenced from my limited experience with the genre. The vocals strangely make me think that they’d be what Weird Al would sound like if he were singing in a pop punk band. I suspect that Swing for the Fences take themselves a bit more seriously, but then again, maybe not.

The production quality is excellent for a demo, so kudos to everyone that played and produced this. I’m not sure what bandwidth is left in the market for more material of this variety, but since Blink tours again there is always hope. While the demo has plenty of polish and skills, it is all a little too saccharin for me, but if pop punk is your thing, check the band out at their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/sftfmusic

–Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Running Away
2. Spill Your Heart
3. You Shoot For The Stars Because You’re Afraid To Land
4. Just Being Honest
5. If Only You Knew

Dead Dick Hammer – Welcome Home Babydoll

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© 2010 Dead Dick Records
[rating:3/5]

Dead Dick Hammer and the TBA Band is a ghoulish undead trio from the hellbilly area of Kentucky’s Temple Hill. Apparently the band died in their rockabilly prime sometime, I gather, around All Hallows Eve, 1957. The opening haunt, 10.30.57 is an eerie tribute to their demise.

Welcome Home Babydoll unearths eight rocking tracks (and a mystery number) all very much focusing on the macabre. Themes center on such pleasantries as stalking, domestic violence, murder and necrophilia; All the things that you love, of course. Presumably tongue-in-cheek, but the disc does have an overwhelming air of misogyny about it. I suspect it is merely thematic, but if it were any other genre of band, it would sit pretty uneasy.

The music is a dark combination of 50s style rock and rockabilly. Think of perhaps: Big Bopper meets Elvis Hitler with a bit more hillbilly swagger in the mix. The sound is a mix of rockabilly and harder more distorted punk ala many psychobilly acts. It is solid, performed and recorded well and certainly blends well to the dark nature of the subject matter.

Overall, a solid debut from Dead Dick Hammer, though I should certainly hope that they’d be able to hone their craft in the over 50 years of practice time they’ve had. At any rate if you like your rockabilly server dark cold and dead, then Dead Dick Hammer has got just what (whether you want it or not)

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Elvis Hitler, Sour Mash Whiskey, Stabbing

Tracks:
1. 10.30.57
2. Elcumino
3. Welcome Home Babydoll
4. She Likes It Ruff (My Baby)
5. Sweet Connie
6. Creep’r Creep’n
7. Girl I Won’t Hit You
8. Black & Blue

Überband – Live In Poland

Uberband

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© 2009 Teknobabble Music
[rating:4/5]

The end of the Cold War brought many things. For the West, a long hard battle was won. For the East, doors to unfamiliar lands and individual commerce were opened. Along with that came new freedoms. For instance, the freedom to rock! Flash forward a couple decades and the culmination of the good fight has finally been realized.

Live in Poland, from the planet’s, dare I say, most uber band, Überband. Is a frenetic electric rock monster of the highest order. I’m gonna drop a spoiler here, but, well… Originally released in 2009, and apparently taking several years to makes its way to the West, Überband’s new disc is neither live nor from Poland. This in no manner, stops the rock.

Nine tracks of inane madness are thrust forth with a level of attack that makes you think that Faith No More and Mr. Bungle have been condensed into a singularity. The vocals are hauntingly Pattonesque and the musical melange is both rock and roll, and carnival side show. Songs like, Fuck I’m Richard Marx and Heinz 57 and Cocaine are the slightest indications of the rock laced ironic humor that comprises this Überband.

All said, you get quality rock and roll with a serious Faith No More vibe. More humor based than the aforementioned is, but irony aside, a powerhouse of a disc. I recommend it to you, your mom, your mom’s friend Mary, your mailman, your buddy Steve.

Serve with ample liquor.

–Jerry Actually

Track listing:

1. Intro
2. Fuck! I’m Richard Marx
3. The Net
4. Yello Vulva
5. I Am an Attorney
6. Heinz 57 and Cocaine
7. Sperm
8. Ballad of the Intergalactic Hitman Underwear Fetishist
9. Tonight We’re Going to Drink Alcohol at a Party We Will Attend to Get Drunk [Explicit]

Heads Held High – Dogs and Cats, Living Together

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© 2010 Failsafe Records
[rating:3.5/5]

Because I’m so disorganized as of late, I’m not only running behind on reviews, but losing bios and other materials. At least I didn’t lose the CD, right? At whatever rate, I present to you Heads Held High, a melodic hardcore band hailing from Cincinnati, OH. Turns out they are actually from Cleveland. My apologies. (at least the interwebs indicate as such) Dogs and Cats, Living Together is their new release, out now on Failsafe Records (not that I could find them on the Failsafe site)

Dogs and Cats, Living Together is 10 tracks of melodic yet rhythmic hardcore punk with a mid-fast tempo and angsty growling, yet articulate vocals. It isn’t quite hardcore in the sense of SOIA or Blood for Blood. As opposed to the initial punch in the face, it is more the linger pain as the bruises heal. At the time of recording, the band’s lineup consisted of Elliot, Jack, David, Kevin and Rob. The album related feats of these mono-named entities shall remain unknown.

The tracks tend towards guitar riff oriented with overlayed talk/sing vocals in a manner that reminds me of a more aggressive Bouncing Souls meets Hogan’s Heros, with the exception of track 9, Van on Fire, Head Hurt which has more of a jangly sing-a-long road track sound. Track length is quick with all 10 clocking in at just under 23 minutes. There are pithy movie sound clips on many tracks including personal favorite, track 5, Groundhog Day. (I’ll just bet you guess what movie gets referenced.) The lyrics are philosophical and searching. While I rarely comment on lyrics, I appreciate the thought and emotion that goes into work that seeks deeper meaning. That said, open your ears when you listen to Dogs and Cats, Living Together

Overall, a decent release. I generally prefer things more anthemic. (see track 9) I’d like a few more tunes in that flavor, but maybe I’m not singing along, ’cause I just haven’t read the words enough. I would absolutely see these guys live.

–Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Refurbished Kids
2. I’m Probably Wasting My Breath, But?
3. Ex Machina
4. Waiting for the Barbarians
5. Groundhog Day
6. Dear Kilgore Trout
7. Live Average, Die Average
8. Stay Mad, Stay Outrage, Stay Puft!
9. Van on Fire, Head Hurt
10. This Too Shall Pass

Cobra Skulls Bringing The War Home

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© 2011 Fat Wreck Chords
[rating:3.5/5]

Bringing The War Home is the new five track E.P. From Reno’s boys done good, Cobra Skulls. In addition it is their first release on their new home at Fat Wreck Chords. I hope everyone welcomes them warmly to their new label by going out and buying the disc and supporting them at shows.

I’ve been listening the Cobra Skulls for a while now and I like the vibe they are throwing down. They have a sound and a presentation that I truly enjoy. It isn’t overtly aggressive punk, and it isn’t quite hard rock folk. It is somewhere slightly in between while being outside the scope of either. The songs are tinged with the politics of injustice and lash out at perceived ignorance. If I had to marginalize, I’d probably label them something on the order of “roots punk”, but I think the music is accessible beyond the confines of narrow genres.

The tracks offered on the EP serve up 4 originals of the variety previously noted as well as a very unique tack on Bad Religion’s I Give You Nothing, done with an interesting blend of rockabilly and something that reminds me of Stepping Stone. At any rate, I love the EP (I’d give more stars, but well, gimme more songs) and you get five tasty tracks in the vein of a few other bands of similar sound such as, Dead to Me, American Steel, Menzingers and The Loved Ones.

These bands all have something similar in their sound, and I think is is a strong reminiscence of The Clash: Punk rock with political overtones and a nature that encompasses more than one sound can confine. So maybe forget what I said about “roots punk” I think now I’m going with “Clash-ic Rock”. No, I kid, I kid. I’m not going to say that.

–Jerry Actually

Freedom Assault – Welcome to 1984

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© 2010 Freedom Assault
[rating:2.5/5]

Welcome to 1984 is a newer (Oct 2010) release from multi-regional (both Maine and Arizona) “peace punk” band Freedom Assault. From the band’s website: “We are a political and socially conscience punk rock influenced band. We play mid to fast paced music with dual female and male vocals. We are Travis, Les, Brand-o and Rob.” The sound is very very garage/lo-fi with distorted hyper-fuzz guitar and drum over low-in-the-mix vox. A very DIY sounding effort indeed. I’m not saying that is a bad thing, I like raw music, but if you like a little more polish, Welcome to 1984 may not be for you.

The lyrics are passionate and topical focusing on things like animal testing, terrorism and, you know, zombies. The tracks are quick almost entirely clocking in at under the two minute mark, just fine for me. Actually you get eight songs in just around 14 minutes. (a bonus Queers cover if you are one of the lucky ones to have the pre-order download.)

Overall, I like the spirit and I like the intensity. However, I would like just a little bit more control behind the production. The mix seems out of balance, way to guitar heavy and way too muddy in a way that it sounds like somebody hit record on a jam box during band practice. That said, Welcome to 1984 is a decent blast of DIY punk rock.

–Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1)Many Will Die…
2)Terror Front
3)Zombies!!!
4)Terrorized
5)DIY Pride
6)Survival of the Richest
7)System Failure*
8)Life Dogmatic With Pat Robertson*
9)Live This Life**

tracks 1-3, 8:
Travis – guitar, bass, vocals
les – vocals
Brand-O – drums, back up vocals

tracks 4-7, 9:
Travis – guitar, vocals
les – vocals
Rob – drums
Fernando – bass, back up vocals

*Included on the digital download
**Included on the preorder digital download, written by the Queers.
You can visit their website read more about Freedom Assault

Rebuke – Wouldworks

[rating:2/5]
(c) 2010 Kickass Records / Disconnect Records

Somewhere in Gothenburg, Sweden, there is a mad punk rock scientist toiling away in his punk rock lab. His creation? Rebuke.

The latest album from the Swedish quartet, Wouldworks, is an aggressive hybrid of the band’s varied influences. The melodic Gothenburg metal style is painted all over the California punk sound, so much so that at times it leaves you wondering if In Flames was jamming with Bad Religion with the occasional hardcore yell thrown in from time to time. With more tempo and time signature changes than Metallica’s …And Justice For All, Rebuke seems not unsure, but unwilling to settle on which direction they are heading in, with the short punk-rock-length songs (the majority of the album’s songs are under 2:30) resembling a teenager flipping between 6 different TV channels in 1 minute. Not one song of the 13 ever starts with a distinct sound and sticks to it.

Simply put, remember when you used to take a cup at the soda fountain and put some of each different flavor in it? Yeah, it’s sorta like that (and it tastes worse than you remember).

In the end, Wouldworks could have been a decent metal-tinged punk album, but just gets too mired in its own ADHD to come together.

Getting to know Mall’d to Death

Mall'd To Death

Getting to know Mall’d to Death:
Where are you from and when did you get started?

We’re from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.  We first got started way back in late spring/early summer of 2009.

Who are you and who does what in the band?

Dani – drums and sometimes backing vocals
Tyler – bass and vocals
Dan – guitar and 2-inch tape

How would you best describe the sound?

Tyler: Melodic punk for the ADD Generation.

Dani: Sergei Prokofiev of punk.

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

Dani: Playing drums for Katy Perry. I guess that’s not a moment though.

Tyler: I’m not sure. Having our album [Can’t Make a Living] put out on GC Records and a vinyl release [out soon on Bitter Melody Records] is cool enough for me.

Still got day jobs?

Dani:  I just got laid off, actually. But I worked at a grocery store.
Tyler: Yeah.  I guess I default with the Chuck Dukowski philosophy claiming he’d rather work a day job for the rest of his life than ever become dependent on his music.

Any regrets?

Dani: Telling Tyler he could take credit for all the songs I wrote.
Tyler: Telling Dani he could take part in this interview.

Mall’d To Death’s latest release, Can’t Make A Living, is out now on GC Records

Getting to know Mall’d to Death:

Where are you from and when did you get started?

We’re from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.  We first got started way back in late spring/early summer of 2009.

Who are you and who does what in the band?

Dani – drums and sometimes backing vocals
Tyler – bass and vocals
Dan – guitar and 2-inch tape

How would you best describe the sound?

Tyler: Melodic punk for the ADD Generation.

Dani: Sergei Prokofiev of punk.

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

Dani: Playing drums for Katy Perry. I guess that’s not a moment though.

Tyler: I’m not sure. Having our album [Can’t Make a Living] put out on GC Records and a vinyl release [out soon on Bitter Melody Records] is cool enough for me.

Still got day jobs?

Dani:  I just got laid off, actually. But I worked at a grocery store.
Tyler: Yeah.  I guess I default with the Chuck Bukowski philosophy claiming he’d rather work a day job for the rest of his life than ever become dependent on his music.

Any regrets?

Dani: Telling Tyler he could take credit for all the songs I wrote.
Tyler: Telling Dani he could take part in this interview.

FREE SXSW Party Hosted By Shirts for a Cure

Paint It Black, Fake Problems, BANE, Title Fight, Riverboat Gamblers Dave Hause and The Flatliners Are Set To Play A FREE SXSW Party Hosted By Shirts for a Cure

The Shirts for a Cure Project is very excited to announce this year’s SXSW day party will feature Paint It Black, Fake Problems, BANE, Title Fight, Riverboat Gamblers Dave Hause and The Flatliners. This FREE event will be held at Red 7 (611 East 7th Street) on Friday March 18th, doors open at noon sharp. Donations will be collected at the door and are strong encouraged.

This is the sixth year Shirts for a Cure has produced a showcase for SXSW.  Performers in the past have included My Chemical Romance, Hot Water Music, The Bouncing Souls, 7 Seconds, Circa Survive, Head Automatica, Lifetime and many more.  This years show promises to be one of the best.

There will be limited space at this event, so please arrive early to be assured entry.

www.syrentha.org

http://sfac.merchnow.com

A LOSS FOR WORDS SIGNS WITH VELOCITY/RISE RECORDS

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Velocity/Rise Records are proud to announce the signing of Boston’s own A LOSS FOR WORDS.

“We are so excited to a part of the Velocity/Rise Records family,” says A LOSS FOR WORDS front man Matt Arsenault. “Everyone at the label and every band on it has the same passion for and dedication to music that we do.  We couldn’t be happier.”

A LOSS FOR WORDS have released a special YouTube video to their fans about their recent signing to the Velocity/Rise Records family. Fans can view the video here.

The band are currently in the writing stages in between tours for their as-of-yet untitled Velocity/Rise debut, and will be recording with acclaimed producer Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, Versa Emerge, Our Last Night) in May/June. The album is currently slated for a September release.

Prior to joining the Velocity/Rise Records family, A LOSS FOR WORDS have released a plethora of music that has garnered fans the world over. With their first self released EP, THESE PAST FIVE YEARS along with their highly successful cover album, entitled MOTOWN CLASSICS, and full length THE KIDS CAN’T LOSE, A LOSS FOR WORDS have put themselves on the map showing they have what it takes to make a serious impact.

A LOSS FOR WORDS are a group that shows no signs of stopping. These five guys are filled with such passion, dedication, and creativity, that everyone is taking notice. Members of such well-known bands as BAYSIDE, FOUR YEAR STRONG, and BANE regard A LOSS FOR WORDS as one of the hardest working bands in their genre today.

Continue reading A LOSS FOR WORDS SIGNS WITH VELOCITY/RISE RECORDS