Jerry Actually – Page 56

Sadplant – The Kids Are Alright

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[rating:3/5]

The prolific Connecticut punks of Sadplant are back at it again with another DIY release. This one entitled, “The Kids Are Alright.” 14 tracks of driving punk with short track lengths with matter of fact lyrics and a straight for the throat attack. Sadplant has a definite consistency in their sound. This is certainly not a bad thing, but as opposed to very distinct releases, the albums (that I’ve heard) seem more of a continuation on a theme. There is, of note, some of the rippinist harmonica jams on track nine, “Total Piece of Shit” … so enjoy that!

What I admire the most is the tenacity in which this band attacks the DIY punk scene. They take a no holds barred approach to writing, recording and distributing rock solid punk on no terms but their own. “The Kids Are Alright” starts with the requisite intro and briskly jumps into the remaining tracks, including a gem of a cover in Suicidal’s “Possessed to Skate.” This, of course, occurs directly after the “bonus” bash the bass player segment.

So, the bottom line, Sadplant continues to deliver a consistent high quality product that doesn’t drift too far from the scope of what I’ve come to expect of the Sadplant sound. Of course by the time I finish typing these words they will have at least four new releases. Take it for what it’s worth.

–Jerry Actually

Life of Agony

Life Of Agony and I Scream Records sign worldwide deal.

I Scream Records is very excited and proud to welcome Life Of Agony to the family.

On Saturday April 3rd 2010 I Scream Records will be recording & filming Life Of Agony’s performance at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium, the second show of their exclusive European “20 Years Strong” tour. In late 2009 the band performed their debut album “River Runs Red” in its entirety during a few exclusive, sold out, US shows and now, after popular demand, they’re also heading over to Europe to perform a set built around this amazing, legendary album.

The release of this “20 Years Strong” live album, which will also include a free bonus DVD of the complete show at the Ancienne Belgique, exclusive footage and much more, is set for early this Summer.

Crossover-metal kings, Life of Agony, formed in the summer of ’89 and quickly built a cult-following upon the release their now classic, debut album, “River Runs Red” released through Roadrunner Records. The band’s unique sound and honest lyrics have captivated audiences for two decades now. In celebration of this huge milestone, the group has been performing the record that started it all!!

“We’re really excited to capture this moment in time. Twenty years, man, that’s no joke! If you would’ve asked us when we were kids growin’ up in Brooklyn, if we thought that we’d ever make something this important to people around the world, we probably would’ve laughed in your face. But, here we are, still selling out shows after all this time and turning people’s tragedy into hope. Somehow, through the music, we’ve helped a lot of folks out there. And that’s what’s always been most important to us.” – LOA Bassist, Alan Robert

Laurens Kusters says: “We’re very excited about this collaboration. This will be an amazing release, recorded at the Ancienne Belgique, one of the most exclusive European clubs, in Brussels Belgium, the city where I Scream Records was founded in 1994.”

Life Of Agony “20 Years Strong” – European Tour 2010

April 2nd – Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands (sold out)

April 3rd – Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium

April 4th – Matrix in Bochum, Germany

NOFX – Cokie the Clown

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I wasn’t planning on doing a review of this disc. It is tracks that didn’t make the first cut of Coaster. It is decent stuff. It totally merits a mention, so … mention. The important part is the picture of Cokie the Clown, so enjoy. Oh, and the acoustic version of “My Orphan Year”, that is some sad stuff man. So have a beer, shed a tear. For the superist of fans, ladies and gentlemen, Cokie the Clown. Oh and on and non-review related note, Fat Mike had the greatist mugging in Buenos Aires. I’m happy to report that no one was harmed and only an iPhone was stolen. Not bad given the possibilites.

–Jerry Actually

Spawn Atomic – PowerPlant EP

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Please stay tuned for this important message, “Whoa whoaa whoa oo oo, whoa whoa whoa. That is all.” San Franciso Horror Punk trio Spawn Atomic knows how it goes. If you want any sort of cred as a horror punk band at all, you gotta have the whoa whoa whoas, and let me tell ya boy they gots ’em.

I know that The Misfits were/are like some sort of ultra-revered be all end all when it comes to the genre, maybe they are, I don’t really care. Mighty Morphin Power Glen can eat it. But you can’t really review the genre without some thinly veiled reference to how much whatever band you are reviewing is or isn’t like The Misfits. So here it comes. Spawn Atomic is reminiscent of a band, who shall remain nameless, known for its early work in the genre. But enough ancient history.

Spawn Atomic PowerPlant EP thrusts upward from the atomic wasteland with six tracks of vampire hunters, zombies and sick sick sex with the aforementioned. The short track length, the uptempo and the raw sound, rarely found outside of a trio, really works. There’s a post-apocalyptic garage band vibe that while certainly is super-scary, is also fun and dare I say endearing.

Beyond the makeup and the intent to shock, the songs have solid structure and musicianship. The vox aren’t caught between a scream and a growl. I for one appreciate the hell out of that. The guitar is distorted. The bass is punchy, the drums percussive. What more do you need? Word on the street is that the band will have a full length out by summer and they have a few West Coast and AZ shows (Phoenix Comicon) set up to back up their releases.

Here’s what it really boils down to. Spawn Atomic, all gimmicks aside (and I’m a sucker for a good gimmick) really screw it on. If you are a fan of punk rock, horror punk, 50s punk etc. then for the evil overlord’s sake, check these sonofatomic mutants out.

–Jerry Actually

Street Dogs – Rabble Rousing

STREET DOGS RETURN TO STUDIO FOR

“RABBLE ROUSING” NEW ALBUM

February 1, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA – Punk rock proponents for social justice, Street Dogs, have announced plans to return to the studio in February to record their fifth studio album and follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2008 Hellcat debut State of Grace. The band will be recording with bassist Johnny Rioux as producer and Rick Barton (original Dropkick Murphys guitarist) co-producing at the infamous punk rock studio the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado which was built by members of Descendents, All and Black Flag.

Punk rock runs deep in the veins of Street Dogs, with former Dropkick Murphys singer Mike McColgan’s uncompromising lyrics alongside bassist Johnny Rioux, guitarists Marcus Hollar and Tobe Bean III and drummer Paul Rucker’s fist pumping street punk anthems. The band burst onto the scene in 2002 and has released a string of classic albums including 2008’s State of Grace, which critics called “a raucous and purposeful working man’s ride” (Dallas Morning News) with “the kind of political streak rarely heard since the Clash” (Cleveland Scene).

After incessant tours around the world alongside bands like The Offspring, Alkaline Trio, Anit-Flag, Reverend Horton Heat and headlining tours in US and UK in support of State of Grace, Street Dogs will enter the studio in February ready to shake the system and rally the people like never before on their fifth studio album.

“Every time we go into the studio we are trying to make our finest record,” says McColgan. “So on February ninth when we enter the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado that is the goal to make our best record. Also this record will be more of a rabble rousing punk record than our previous records and have more of an edge and an attack on it. We will work to all of our strengths on this effort and we are very excited to have Rick Barton co-producing the record.”

“Our next and fifth record will capture the purest form of the band to date,” adds Rioux. “We are making it as if it were our first record. The punk and hardcore songs will be MORE punk and hardcore. Our Celtic influence and songs will be more Celtic, the folk, folkier and so on. It’s almost as if we are making records in the reverse of most bands. Ending up back at square one, and square one never sounded better. Basically, we want to make our new favorite record.”

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For More Information:

www.myspace.com/streetdogs

Neck – Come Out Fighting

[rating:3.5/5]

It is hard to review Celt-Punk music of any pedigree without referencing The Pogues. This is especially true when the CD is the new release from London based Celtic Folk Punkers, Neck. The obvious tie-ins are there: Tin whistles, Irish themes, traditional covers et al. There really is no denying the obvious influence, but influences aside, “Come Out Fighting”, the new release from Neck, still stands on its own two feet. This, their first official US release (in this modern age, do national boundaries really mean that much for music relases?) proffers 14 tracks of dashing daring and swaggering and a cover of MacAlpine’s Fusiliers (can’t go wrong with that one). The blend of modern and traditional keeps things lively and encourages the whisky to flow freely. Admittedly I have a particular bent for punked up traditional Celt/Folk sounds, but I imagine that I’m not exactly alone in that. If you’re a fan of Dropkick and/or Flogging Molly then “Come Out Fighting” is a perfect addition for your audio collection. On a slightly related note, the tin whistle parts throughout track four, “Tink” could easily find a home in an Irish style cover of Centerfold from J. Geils Band. I think it’d make a bang up cover. So if any of you up-and-coming McBands out there want to grab a sweet idea, it’s all yours. Bottom line: Solid Irish influenced Rock and Roll with a leaning towards the Punk side of rock. I would have gone slightly higher on the star-o-meter, but for a couple of too slow tracks, but hell, that is my call to make. Come Out troid a théann!

–Jerry Actually

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MayOrWest – We The End

[rating:2/5]

Sometimes writing a reasonable and objective review is challenging. Right now I’m listening to “we, the end” from Hoboken New Jersey’s MayOrWest. Self-described as alternative/punk-rock, I would venture that they are more alt-emo / post punk with major metal overtones, something of an anamorph between AFI and Queensryche. The disc features 12 tracks of mid-tempo melodic rock ranging between one and five minutes in length, though arguably some of the shorter duration tracks really qualify as intros. The individual songs seem to start off well enough, but within seconds they become far too operatic for my preference. While the songs are well arranged and executed, I really am not getting it. If MayOrWest could/would harness the energy that the backup vocal chant portion of track three, “Icarus” has, I think that I could get behind this a little more, but as it sits, I’m left wondering how fast I can change the station. That said, I appreciate the double entendre of their name. Intentional or not, there is some interesting confusion in “May or West” ala mixing time and direction with a logical operator, or “Mayor West” of Family Guy fame. Bottom line is that while done well, I don’t like what it is that they are doing.

–Jerry Actually

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Ruder Than You – Creation Sounds

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[rating:3.5/5]

You know what I miss? Ska. Maybe because it was foundational in my youth and I pine for the long gone days, or more likely because ska is full on awesome, I miss ska. Thankfully I have a mailbox that occasionally gets laced with some of the good stuff. What do I have here (hear) you might ask. Well what I have is a brand new CD, Creation Sounds from Ruder Than You. This Philly ska band has been bustin’ it since back ’89 at Penn State. Eight great tracks of pick it up, dit dit dit, horn laden ska. For the uninitiated, ska music was invented by future robots that came back to the past disguised as Dutch colonists to the island for Grenada. After they invented the bicycle they grew bored and started ska bands. Ok, no really, there is a reasonably apt history of Ska on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska The jazz and calypso roots are unmistakable on Creation Sounds as is the love of music. Honestly I’m at a small loss for words, but I want to bring you the honest truth (in so far as I perceive it) I’m not as stoked on this as I would be a new MU330 disc, but I’m pretty damn pleased. Support your local ska band ladies and gents, and local or not, support ska by (buy) getting a copy of Creation Sounds new to you from Ruder Than You!

–Jerry Actually

The Singularity – A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Drunkenness

[rating:4/5]

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In the interest of brevity (no, I’m not running late on deadline again. I make my own deadlines, so just shut it already.) I want to say that I love the f-ing guts out of this EP. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Drunkenness brings five originals and a Crimpshrine cover (Another Day) and let me say that it brings it well. If you like your punk rock with nicely layered and alternated vocals and hook laden riffs then by all means head on over to www.myspace.com/thesingularity and check this Bay Area band out and help spread the word. My only regret is that it is only an EP. (Oh, I also dig the album artwork)

–Jerry Actually

Alkaline Trio – This Addiction Tour

ALKALINE TRIO ANNOUNCE TOUR WITH CURSIVE
IN SUPPORT OF THIS ADDICTION

December 22, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – As anticipation builds for their Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull debut, seminal punk rockers Alkaline Trio have announced plans for a US headlining tour with indie rock band Cursive, in support of their forthcoming studio album, This Addiction, which is due out February 23.

Beginning December 22nd at 10AM local venue time, fans will be given the chance to get a discounted pre-order of This Addiction with a presale through Ticketmaster.com OR Ducatking.com, depending on the market. A list of dates are below with the corresponding presale option next them.

Since emerging in 1996, Alkaline Trio have become one of the punk rock’s most progressive and unique bands of the last decade, commanding an enormous cult following with six fan-adored albums and relentless world-wide touring. This Addiction is the next chapter in the band’s celebrated career.

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Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:
Feb 16 – Pomona, CA – Glass House
Feb 17 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues (Sunset)
Feb 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
Feb 19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Feb 20 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
Feb 23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Feb 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue
Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
Feb 26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Feb 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Metro
March 2 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak
March 3 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
March 4 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
March 6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
March 8 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Light
March 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre
March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Tracadero
March 12 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre
March 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland
March 14 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
March 16 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
March 17 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
March 18 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
March 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
March 20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live
March 22 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
March 25 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
March 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
March 30 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
April 1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
April 2 – Los Angeles – House of Blues

For More Information:
www.alkalinetrio.com
www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio
www.epitaph.com