Category: Punk

Punk Reviews

The Welch Boys

The Welch Boys
(c) 2006 Sailor’s Grave Records

The Welch Boys are doing their part to keep Boston, MA on the punk rock map. With the official release of their self-titled CD out now on Sailor's Grave Records. The Welch Boys are a 5 member street punk band from straight outta Boston replete with aggressive guitar work crashing drums and rowdy sing-a-long choruses. Comprised of members of legendary acts such as The Blue Bloods and Slapshot, The pedigree of The Welch Boys doesn't fail to impress. If you're a fan of Dropkick or Streetdogs, odds are great that you'll also be a fan of The Welch Boys. The 15 tracks clock in at just over a half an hour so those with short attention spans need not be concerned. The songs contain many usual punk concerns such as unity, false friendship, emotional struggle, and as with most of the Boston punk, there is an overwhelming sense of civic pride. Though they run around a lot of familar territory, The Welch Boys bring a fresh sound and voice to the anthemic Boston punk sound. Bottom line, The Welch Boys don't dissapoint.

U.S. Bombs – We Are The Problem

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(c) 2006 Sailor's Grave Records
Rating: ★★★★☆

The U.S. Bombs are back with a new CD — fronted per usual by the venerable Duane Peters. Peter's is arguably one of the hardest working guys in punk rock with The skating, the shoe and clothing lines and of course the myriad of musical projects: U.S. Bombs, Die' Huns and The Duane Peters Gunfight.

"We Are The Problem" brings 15 new surprisingly diverse tracks of punk, from sing-a-long anthems like the opening title track, flanged out 50's style punk like "Just Like You" and near folksy ballads like "Guns of the West"

"We Are The Problem" shows that old punks need not fade away, but why? because they're a shit ton better than the bullshit radio baby pablum that the hot topic punks can muster today.

–Jerry Actually

The Dirtier Inch: Volume 2

V/A – The Dirtier Inch: Volume 2©2005 Beer Metal Records Punk Rock from Seattle? You freakin' bet your ass! What we have here is "The Dirtier Inch: Volume 2" 28 Old School, skull bustin, mohawk sportin' punk rock songs from the land of grunge. I am not going to expound on any of the 28 tracks in specific, but sufficed to say, this comp rocks. I don't know anything about Volue 1, but if that is available, go damn get 'em both. www.beermetalrecords.com

It’ll Grow Back

It'll Grow Back – Seduce & Destroy© 2005 Getfaced RecordsThis week I'm reviewing Seduce & Destroy by Fresno's own It'll Grow Back. I must ask myself, will it? Will it grow back? And further more, what happened?Picture, or more importantly hear, this; the bastard 3 way love child between Danzig, Newbomb Turks and Dead Kennedys. Seducy & Destroy is a quirky and crunching 10 song disc of short sweet tracks. Clocking in at just under 20 minutes it is totally perfect for that morning commute (provided that your's is also just under 20 minutes)The big seller here for me is that It'll Grow Back, despite having somewhat obvious influence, aren't a knockoff band. The have a genuine punk rock and roll quality all their own. The mix seems a little muddy to me right now, but that may well be my head.Bottom Line: Fresno you say? Go Figure!www.myspace.com/itllgrowback<J /> 

The Specs

Declaration of Independence – (c) 2005 The Specs New Jersey's The Specs (formerly The Superspecs) are a 6 piece band out of the North side of the state. "Declaration of Independece" is a plus sized EP featuring 6 full length tracks and 2 musical preamble/interlude parts. The songs are an eclectic mix of pop, punk and bits of emo. Track 3 (Good Luck (This Time)) has a striking reminiscence to the song writing style of Less Than Jake, albeit minus the horns. Not that The Specs are completely lacking in horns, but on Declaration of Independence, it appears they like to more strongly feature them in intro pieces. An amusing cover of "Straight Up" is also included. Kudos to the specs for a unique EP that shows that you can have a likeable sound without being a cookie cutter.http://www.specsrock.comJerry Actually   

The Phlegms

The Phlegms – S/T © 2005

Fuck Yeah! I love The Phlegms! Snotty Upbeat Euro-Ramones style good time punk rock. This self-produced CD is really quite a treat. I’m sorry that I haven’t had the chance to review it sooner.

Based out of Bangor, Gwynedd (That is on the other side of the pond for my American audience) The Phlegms came to be in October of 2004 – most bands should be so great to put this kind of raw energy together in such a short amount of time. At any rate, The Phlegms are a 3 piece with influences such as The Clash, The Ramones, NOFX, Dropkick Murphy’s and others.

The songs (as you may know) are how I like ’em, really flippin’ short. Basically The Phlegms offer good fun fast short old school 3 chord punk. With any luck The Phlegms will get some label attention and get a bonified release out to the world and following that, a world tour. (though I’ll settle for a San Diego tour)

Go Get your self some beers and rock the hell out with The Phlegms www.thephlegms.com Free Phlegms Downloads

-Jerry Actually

Screeching Weasel – How to Make Enemies and Irritate People

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(c) 2005 Asian Man Records

“How to Make Enemies and Irritate People” is already my favorite Screeching Weasel album, having been re-mastered only makes it sweeter. Personal favorites on the album include ’99’ ‘Time Bomb’ and ‘I Wrote Holden Caulfield’.

I believe that there is little else that need be said about it; I mean it freakin’ rocks, but I do suppose that when you’re reading this you may well have crawled out of the primordial ooze somewhere and logged into the internet for the very first time just to see what the heck punk rock was all about, or alternately, you are receiving this on a remote satellite transmission in outer space. So very well, Screeching Weasel are pop punk pioneers who helped hone an affinity for the Ramones into a staggeringly huge sub-genre of its own, as well as being the progenitors of other influential bands like The Queers and the Riverdales.

Their music takes a comedic approach and reflects the quasi-casual partly cornered attitude of modern suburbia. Though unlike the suburban restlessness and boredom that spawned the punk rock of a prior generation, Screeching Weasel seem more content to be goofy and often sappy. I would contend that they probably had a pretty decent time growing up in suburban Chicago.

I suppose I am kind of rambling on here, so, “How to Make Enemies and Irritate People” re-mastered and re-released brand sparkin’ new liner notes; Out now on Asian Man Records. Buy it now. That makes it brand new for you!

http://www.screechingweasel.com

http://www.asianmanrecords.com

-Jerry Actually

Coquettish [High Energy Politics]

Coquettish – High Energy Politics (c) 2005 Asian Man Recordsco·quette n. (ko-ket') – A woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic overtures; a flirt.Coquettish on the other hand are a sweet ska-tinged punk rock band outta Yokohama (where also sweet tires come from) Japan. “High Energy Politics” is the full-length debut from this quintet, the follow up to the “Total Pops Madness” EP and their first release in over 4 years. 4 years seems to be an exceedingly long amount of time for a band to wait between releases. Usually this signifies a breakup or lineup change. I can't say for certain what was the case, but I think it was worth the wait. Listen to “High Energy Politics” and see if you don't say to yourself, “I'll be damned. This sounds like Japanese-accented Suicide Machines.” This stands all too well to reason, as it is produced by the Suicide Machine's own Dan Lukacinsky. Not to say that Coquettish are coping on someone else's sound, they certainly have style of their own, but the influence is certainly there. “High Energy Politics” is a fun fast rocking CD. It's out now on Asian Man Records. Go'n get yerself a copy. Oh, and for the record, they are ninja, not geisha.http://www.justrock-store.comhttp://www.asianmanrecords.com-Jerry Actually

Screeching Weasel [Wiggle]

Screeching Weasel – Wiggle(re-release) © 2005 Asian Man Records Wiggle was their fourth full length album originally released in '92 on Lookout Records. Its been out of print for quite some time. Now its back, Remastered and redesigned with bonus tracks, never before seen photos, and special liner notes. This is a fantastic album with the rockin' and rollin' line up consisting of who else but Ben Weasel on vocs, Jughead on Guitar, Johnny Personallity on 2nd guitar, Dan Panic on Drums and Dan Vapid on bass. With their silly lack of seriousness in lyrics add some great music and voila you have a magical mix of wonderfullness. I highly recommend this album to all Screeching Weasel fans and everyone else because it totally rocks!http://www.screechingweasel.comhttp://www.asianmanrecords.com -Shann13

The Lawrence Arms

The Lawrence Arms [Cocktails & Dreams] © 2005 Asian Man Records“Cocktails & Dreams” is the long awaited B-sides release from Chicago’s The Lawrence Arms. The disc contains mostly tracks from now out-of-print split cd’s, however it isn’t just factory seconds and cans of creamed asparagus. There is an exclusive new song and 2 (count ‘em 1, 2) new versions of previously recorded material. Fans of the member’s former bands The Broadways and Slapstick will appreciate the melodic Chicago style punk rock. I know that I am pigeon-holing but the Chicago sound seems to be embodied by a quick paced (relatively) emo-laden punk. “Cocktails & Dreams” is 16 tracks of bittersweet melodies and cold grey weather anxiety. With songs about drinking, drinking too much, and not doing so in the future, cocktails and dreams is a must have for anyone that likes to sit in dimly lit rooms knocking back the last swig of malt liquor before finding their bottle of booze, all the while wondering where the hell this life is going to; Probably Pensacola.http://www.thelawrencearms.nethttp://www.asianmanrecords.com-Jerry Actually