teamupstarter – Page 6

The Johnny Five – Stay Black!

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Stay Black! is a peppy little EP from The Johnny Five, a three-piece get up outta Texas. Musically in the vein of Screechin Weasel, Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket … [insert modern era Ramones-core band name here]

Don’t let the “Ramones-core” label throw ya though. The songs are quick little pop punk bursts with clever, albeit somewhat juvenile lyrics complemented with three-chord riffery and a solid rhythm section backing them up.

The Johnny Five has been around since 2000, but as life tends to do, life got in the way. School was attended. Degrees were conferred. Children were born. Now that life has jammed its ugly head back in the sand, The Johnny Five are back with this new EP, plans for a new full length and some touring.

If you’re down with the poppy punk thang and you especially dig tongue-in-cheek tales of robot legs and David Hasselhoff, Stay Black! is right the hell up your alley.

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Queers, Riverdales, Ramones, Bands that sound like the Ramones.

Band Links: http://www.myspace.com/thejohnnyfive

Phat Meegz – M.S.G. To Rudy

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[rating:3/5]

Damn, sometimes I wish this was my job so I could be all like, “Damn, I love my job!” As it is, the only payment I get from this little hobby is the whole world of music that I get left on my doorstep, if you will.

What I’m listening to right now is “M.S.G. To Rudy” (as in the oh so delicious seasoning that makes you crave the Colonel’s chicken fortnightly) from the band Phat Meegz. The band hails from that tiny island at the bottom of Australia. You know the one famous for devils and commercial meat slicers? (ok, maybe Hobart Corp isn’t from Australia, but Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, therefore it should be from there.) At any rate, straight outta Tasmania, Phat Meegz is self-described as, “crusty reggae hardcore shit on like, a sublime/crack rock steady tip, with all the retarded braindead flavour so typical to Australia.” I will not disagree.

M.S.G. To Rudy delivers 12 gritty tracks with a heavy dose reggae swagger (and maybe Old Spice Swagger) as well as the more crack rocksteady punkish flavor of Leftover Crack, INDK, Morning Glory etc. On top of that, track 11 reminds me of the ska/punk band, Knowledge (a Link 80 related project off of Asianman a few years back) It is intriguing though, beneath the rather convoluted veneer, there seems to be some genuine soul. Track six, for instance, with a title like “For a Girl” things might seem immediately trite. However, I feel like there is a little more going on there. Damnit, there is some emotion going on in these songs. … I guess that isn’t so crack rocksteady after all, is it?

When you boil it all down though, M.S.G To Rudy has got enough back beat and horns to please the ska kids and a generous amount of down note calypso for those that prefer their island sound a bit slower. As if that wasn’t already enough, there is still the whole crust-o-matic throat sheering thrash explosion that graces a few tracks. If you like reggae and/or ska at all, or if you’re just some kind of d-bag hater, check Phat Meegz out, why don’t ya?

–Jerry Actually

Check the band out and stream the album here: www.phatmeegz.bandcamp.com or if you want to order a real object made out of plastic and other space age polymers, try sending an email here: emandc at gmail dot com

Scream – Complete Control Sessions

Washington DC’s punk rock is back!
By Stella Bruk

The boy’s grew up and went their separate ways, and now they return, and come back with surprises.

Since 1993’s Fumble album which was actually recorded in 1990, Pete, Franz, Skeeter and Kent haven’t met for a single project.

The idea of getting together began to take shape in 2009 when Pete and Franz played together at Black Cat in Washington on December 2009 and again almost a year later in October 2010 at the Echo in LA. They all met at the Redwood last February to an insane audience, with the presence of former band member Dave Grohl, as the ordinary fan. When Dave joined Scream in 1987 he lied about his age claiming he was 20 when he was actually 17. On that night they played old songs “Still Screaming” and “This Side Up,” and new ones that included – “Stopwatch” and the one off “Jammin’ at Redwood” (originally titled Jammin’ at 606). The barrier separating the audience from the band no longer mattered because Pete Stahl and members of the audience were crowd surfing in true punk rock style.

In February2011, the four original band members Pete Stahl (vocals), Franz Stahl (guitar), Skeeter Thompson (bass) and Kent Stax (drums), went in the studio to record plus the new guitarist Clint Walsh and Dave Grohl, who ‘indirectly participated’, coz the new album was recorded entirely at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606. They met and practised what would be the second album of the project Complete Control Session. These series of studio recordings are on Side One of Dummy Records co-owners nationally syndicated all punk rock “Complete Control Radio” show. The music is released on 10” vinyl and via digital download on August 16th, 2011 via Side One Dummy Records. The first official release in the series was done by The Bouncing Souls in April 2011.

To complete this and give the album the Midas touch, John Lousteau was in charge of producing the seven-track EP Scream’s Complete Control Session which features the following tracks : Stopwatch, Get Free, Jamin at 606, Elevate, The Year Bald Head Singers Were In, Move All, Demolition Dancing.

With loads of post-hardcore riffs, power chords, multi-tracked duelling guitar tones and raw screams, the EP makes us push the furniture to the side of the room and mosh like we did years ago.

Listen the track “Stopwatch”, on their website http://www.screamdc.com/

Punk rock is not dead that’s for sure!

ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD TO RELEASE “KNIFE MAN” IN SEPTEMBER

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July 28, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – Andrew Jackson Jihad have announced the release of their fourth studio album, Knife Man, on September 20 via Asian Man Records. The band has debuted a new track, “Hate, Rain on me,” today exclusively at Altpress.com:

http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/exclusive_stream_andrew_jackson_jihads_hate_rain_on_me/

Continue reading ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD TO RELEASE “KNIFE MAN” IN SEPTEMBER

Nekromantix – New Release and Tour

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NEKROMANTIX UNLEASH “WHAT HAPPENS IN HELL, STAYS IN HELL” AUG 2nd

North American Tour Begins July 26^th/VIP Packages Available May 26th
Revered psychobilly trio Nekromantix have emerged from the depths of isolation to unleash their latest sonic creation, a monstrous slab of demonic rock and roll entitled “What Happens In Hell, Stays In Hell.” This dangerously hypnotic album careens into stores on August 2, 2011 via Hellcat Records and includes thirteen songs of blistering death defying rock. In anticipation, the band will be offering special VIP Packages to their most dedicated fans on May 26^th through the website below.

Led by charismatic rock and roll rebel Kim Nekroman and his legendary coffin bass, the Nekromantix have emerged as preeminent purveyors of a powerful and haunting psychobilly sound, an intoxicating mixture of surging anthemic punk and seductive reverb soaked rockabilly. The new record What Happens In Hell, Stays In Hell offers up frantic energetic romps like lead off track “Bats In My Pants,” the riotous revelry moves along with the ominous anthem “Sleepwalker With A Gun,” followed by a tribute to the immortal Hollywood horror legend with “Bela Lugosi’s Star.”

In support of the new album, Nekromantix will be loading up their hot-rod hearse to blaze across North America, igniting the festivities with a performance in the scorched desert landscape of Southern California on July 26^th.

The band will also be offering special presale VIP packages for their most dedicated fans. These packages will include:

– A CD copy of What Happens In Hell, Stays In Hell
– One general admission ticket
– Access to meet & greet Nekromantix
– One Nekromantix 3D Laminate
– An autographed Nekromantix tour poster
– Anyone who pre-orders tickets and the VIP package or tickets and CD will get a free download of “Bats In My Pants”
– VIP packages are limited 30 per market

Purchase presale tickets for the tour at: http://tixx1.artistarena.com/nekromantix

Nekromantix Tour Dates:

TUE, JUL 26, 2011 VICTORVILLE CA VVEC
WED, JUL 27, 2011 SAN LUIS OBISPO CA Downtown Brew
THU, JUL 28, 2011 SANTA CRUZ CA The Catalyst- The AtriumRoom
FRI, JUL 29, 2011 OAKLAND CA Oakland Metro Operahouse
SAT, JUL 30, 2011 SACRAMENTO CA Ace of Spades
SUN, JUL 31, 2011 RENO NV Knitting Factory – Reno
TUE, AUG 2, 2011 SEATTLE WA El Corazon
WED, AUG 3, 2011 PORTLAND OR Hawthorne Theater
TUE, AUG 9, 2011 BOISE ID Knitting Factory
WED, AUG 10, 2011 SALT LAKE CITY UT The Complex- Grand Room
THU, AUG 11, 2011 LAS VEGAS NV House of Blues – Las Vegas
FRI, AUG 12, 2011 LOS ANGELES CA House of Blues Los Angeles
SAT, AUG 13, 2011 SAN DIEGO CA Epicenter
SUN, AUG 14, 2011 SANTA ANA CA Yost Theater
WED, AUG 24, 2011 TUCSON AZ The Rock
THU, AUG 25, 2011 EL PASO TX Badland Billiards
FRI, AUG 26, 2011 AUSTIN TX Red Seven
SAT, AUG 27, 2011 CORPUS CHRISTI TX Theo’s
SUN, AUG 28, 2011 SAN ANTONIO TX , White Rabbit
TUE, AUG 30, 2011 DALLAS TX LaGrange
WED, AUG 31, 2011 HOUSTON TX Warehouse Live
THU, SEP 1, 2011 NEW ORLEANS LA House Of Blues NO-Parish
FRI, SEP 2, 2011 PENSACOLA FL Vinyl Music Hall
SUN, SEP 4, 2011 TAMPA FL The Local 662
TUE, SEP 6, 2011 ORLANDO FL The Social
WED, SEP 7, 2011 JACKSONVIILLE FL Jack Rabbits
THU, SEP 8, 2011 GREENSBORO NC Green Street
FRI, SEP 9, 2011 VIRGINIA BEACH VA Jewish Mother
SAT, SEP 10, 2011 BALTIMORE MD Otto Bar
SUN, SEP 11, 2011 WEST CHESTER PA The Note- West Chester
TUE, SEP 13, 2011 NEW YORK NY The Lounge @ Gramercy
WED, SEP 14, 2011 ASBURY PARK NJ Asbury Lanes
THU, SEP 15, 2011 ALLSTON MA Great Scott
TUE, SEP 20, 2011 CLEVELAND OH Beachland Ballroom
WED, SEP 21, 2011 DETROIT MI Small’s
THU, SEP 22, 2011 NEWPORT KY The Southgate House
FRI, SEP 23, 2011 CHICAGO IL Reggies Rock Club
SUN, SEP 25, 2011 DES MOINES IA House Of Bricks
MON, SEP 26, 2011 ST. LOUIS MO Firebird
WED, SEP 28, 2011 DENVER CO Bluebird Theater
THU, SEP 29, 2011 ALBUQUERQUE NM Launchpad
FRI, SEP 30, 2011 TEMPE AZ Club House

Getting to know Holding Onto Sound

Where are you from and when did you get started?

We’re Holding Onto Sound from Las Vegas, NV. We formed in 2003 and have been playing live almost every weekend since. We were drawn together by our love of certain bands & styles. Punk, reggae (not ska), Metal, Hip-Hop. We wanted to make something new, while using all the old styles.

Who are you and who does what in the band?

I am Senor Bennett Mains. I sing lead vocals and am one of the many guitar players for HOTS. We’ve also got Zabi Naqshband on the low end, he’s a bass playing maniac. He also brings the backing vocals and sings lead on a few tracks. Sitting behind the drum kit is Vanessa Tidwell. She blows my mind and the minds of all around with her drumtastic beat bangin’. Last but not least, our brand new addition, Bob Gates. Bob lends both rythym and lead guitars and some backing vocals, also. We tracked Bob down like an animal and captured him, forcing him to play guitar for us. We’re fuckin’ savage.

How would you best describe the sound?

Aggressive and passionate and energetic. We love everything from The Clash to The Deftones to Genghis Tron to Bob Marley to Johnny Cash to Rx Bandits to Thrice to the Moody Blues to Interpol. haha. Some of us like Lady Gaga & Kesha. I don’t think we sound like any of them though. Maybe a little like Kesha. I often find myself wearing blue lipstick, with a pound of eyeliner running down my cheeks. And that has alot to do with our sound. We go for that ‘recently drugged & fucked’ sound.

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

Very real. We opened for the greatest band of all time, NoFx, January 2009. For me that was my moment. It’s all down hill after that. Any time you catch someone you’ve never met singing the words to your song with you, that’s a dream moment for anybody who ever decided they wanted to be in a band. Gotta love it man.

Still got day jobs?

But of course. Collectively we sell clothes, fix bikes and clean pools. What a life.

Any regrets?

Nope. Well….Maybe my ‘recently drugged & fucked’ remark earlier. Love you mom.

SET YOUR GOALS NEW ALBUM OUT JUNE 28TH

BURNING AT BOTH ENDS PRE-ORDER STARTS TODAY!

The Bay Area’s busiest pop punk heroes, Set Your Goals will release their highly anticipated new album, Burning At Both Ends on June 28th via Epitaph Records. Produced by Brian McTernan, the album features thirteen powerful tracks available now for pre-order at www.sygstore.com. Check out their newest song “Exit Summer” here.

Back in full force, Set Your Goals will keep the momentum going with the follow-up to their infectious and dynamic album, This Will Be The Death of Us. Duel vocalists Matt Wilson and Jordan Brown’s flawless delivery on the opening track “Cure For Apathy” captures the SYG sound and energy we know so well as they trade off singing duties. “Certain,” a soon to be fan favorite, highlights Joe Saucedo’s solid bass lines with passionate lyrics and engaging guitar solos.

Keeping it real for die hard fans, Burning At Both Ends has a definitive Set Your Goals sound with their energetic, head-bobbing riffs and gang vocals while staying completely fresh with sing-along choruses and lyrics everyone can relate to. The album delivers with the fast and hard-hitting track, “Trenches” that showcases Dan Coddaire and Audelio Flores’ catchy melodies and guitar riffs. “Exit Summer,” brings back 90’s hardcore with a melodic twist, an irresistible combination. SYG finishes the album with “Not As Bad” where Mike Ambrose demonstrates his tightknit drumming with crazy fills on top of pleasant harmonies – a great way to close out the album.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of the most energized performances of the summer as Set Your Goals will hit the road for the entire Vans Warped Tour this year.

CD Track Listing:

Cure For Apathy– 2:22
Start The Reactor– 2:42
Certain– 3:02
Happy New Year– 3:16
London Heathrow– 2:59
Trenches– 3:03
The Last American Virgin– 3:07
Exit Summer– 2:25
Unconditional– 3:26
Product Of The 80’s– 2:42
Raphael– 3:12
Illuminated Youth– 2:48
Not As Bad– 18:53

For more information please visit:
www.epitaph.com
www.sygstore.com

Tom Page Trio – Dust Bowl Demos part 1

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This demo from Wichita KS country/blues/other act goes a bit outside the scope of what I generally review, so I apologize in advance if I step on too many toes.

Dust Bowl Demos part one features 5 tracks of guitar (ala namesake Tom Page) driven folksy/bluesy/rock tinged country. The first 3 penned by page with the trailing two being attributed as “traditional” It reminds me considerably of Townes Van Zandt / Guy Clark style Southwest Texas rambling cowboy music especially on the opening track, Alpine. The guitar work is impressive in quality and range and the rhythm section backs the solid lead ably.

The tracks are a mix of both instrumental and with vocals. The vocals have a unique quality for the musical stylings. I almost want to draw a comparison to either John Linnell or John Flansburgh, but I can’t quite decide which; maybe both.

At any rate, a decent demo and I’m glad to see that the Wichita music scene is alive and keeping and keeping it real to its roots.

www.facebook.com/tompagetrio

-Jerry Actually

For fans of: Townes Van Zandt, TMBG, Lowsome wailing cowboy songs.

Tracks:
1. Alpine
2. Walk All Over Me
3. Spicy Tomato Puree
4. Nobody’s Fault
5. G Boogie

Can Toker – Six Sick Sixty Second Songs

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Assuming that they made it through the recent tidal waves, Can Toker is a low-fi punk rock quintent from outta Santa Cruz, CA. The band consists of: Jack Mehauf (raging vocals), Chappy Left Standing (blazing guitar), Bon Gripper (thunderous bass) and JT Murdoc (earth shaking drums).

Six Sick Sixty Second Songs is the new demo out by the band and in all fairness, the songs, all six of them are sick, however not a single one of them is, in fact, sixty seconds long. This, to me, seems like a glaring oversight. I’m willing to let this slide because I like the raw garage punk thats barreling into my eardrums right now.

In truth, you get six tracks that clock (mostly) in around the minute mark. Snarly vocals, snarly guitar, snarly bass, drums (not snarly) The tracks are mostly about day-to-day goings on. Life in a tiny town. Smoking out a improvised can pipe. You know, living the American dream.

You can find more about ’em on the wide wide world of webs: http://cantoker.com/

-Jerry Actually

For fans of: The Meatmen, Awesome and the Asskickers, smoking things from cans.

Tracks:
1. Just My Job
2. Wheelbite
3. Decay
4. Implant
5. Fishbowl Town
6. Can Toker

BAD RELIGION RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR WRONG WAY KIDS

Band Celebrates Fans and Band History with Song & New Video

Influential punk rockers Bad Religion have released a moving video for the new single, “Wrong Way Kids” from the group’s critically heralded album, The Dissent of Man. The song is an up-tempo, powerfully melodic tribute to the band and their fan’s shared histories as rebellious yet durable outsiders.The new video can be viewed here.

The footage begins in present day with lead singer Greg Graffin offering a knowing message of hope for Bad Religion’s many fans: “Even though they’re misfits,” he states, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” A subsequent shot reveals a defiantly unconventional Graffin on stage with the band back in 1984 counting down the song intro. From there it’s a surging beat, powerful guitars and signature sing-along chorus set against a stirring non stop montage of found footage showing the band’s remarkable rise from teen rebels to international punk luminaries.

Bad Religion is continuing to inspire generations and earning enthusiastic reviews on a tour of North America with hardcore stars Rise Against.

Bad Religion Tour Dates (with Rise Against)

Apr. 20 – Concrete Street Amphitheater – Corpus Christi, TX
Apr. 22 – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL
Apr. 23 – Sunset Cove Amphitheater – Boca Raton, FL
Apr. 25 – House of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC
Apr. 26 – 9:30 Club – Washington, D.C.
Apr. 27 – Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD
Apr. 29 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
May 02 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
May 03 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
May 05 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY
May 06 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY
May 07 – Nautica Pavilion – Cleveland, OH
May 08 – Assembly Hall – Champaign, IL
May 10 – Pops – Sauget, IL
May 11 – Midland Theatre – Kansas City, MO
May 13 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
May 14 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL