The world lost Joe Strummer 13 years ago today. His work with The Clash, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, and his individual contributions to punk and the world at large continue to be sorely missed.
-Jerry Actually
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Bankshot EP
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© 2015 Bankshot
[rating:8/10]
At this very moment, I’m listening to a new EP from a band called Bankshot. They are a ska punk band outta Davenport, IA. The five tracks on the self-titled release bring me back to the sweet 3rd wave days when all of my favorite bands came out of the Midwest and college towns, and sometimes from Midwest college towns. As I listen I’m reminded of old Mustard Plug, Los Rudiments, new acts like I Voted for Kodos, and the combined roots of multiple generations of punk and ska.
The music on the whole is energetic and upbeat the way in the way that you’d assume if you knew anything about skapunk. In keeping with the nature of the genre, track length is short (generally) and the songs are rather rapid paced. The tracks can, at times, seem a bit busy and perhaps careening towards falling apart. That’s not a bad thing per se, as within those same attributes, there’s the raw urgency of youth. a quality which rarely transcends later years. The production is sparse and suited to the material. There’s a very garage rock / old school sound to the recording. I think it provides a sense of how the band might sound live.
With only five tracks, it is a brief introduction into what has the potential to be a very promising band if they can keep on refining and defining their sound.
You can listen to the Bankshot EP here.
Cheers!
Jerry Actually
Leftover Crack – Constructs of the State
© 2015 Fat Wreck Chords
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[rating:8.5/10]
There’s a warm feeling that overcomes some people when certain sounds, something familiar and inviting plays. I’m getting those kind of feelings now as I listen to the new Leftover Crack album, Constructs of the State. It’s been the better part of a decade since the controversial and exceptional Fuck World Trade was released. Just in time for the holiday season, for your gatherings with kith and kin are the crack rocksteady sounds both old and new to warm your cold dead hearts.
The new release stays true to form with 13 scathing salvos against a broken system, what’s new is more sonic diversity. Track five, Slave to the Throne is a brutally metallic track with speed metal thrash riffs more akin to Slayer or Obituary than more common ska-punk outfits. There’s also a wider range of instrumentation in play with folkish sounds of banjo and possibly a washboard on track six, Bedbugs and Beyond.
Many of the tracks feature film or tv soundtrack backdrops to frame the context of the lyrics. “Of course I’m dangerous, I’m police. I can do terrible things to people..with impunity.” from True Detective sets the tone of the track Corrupt Vision. In addition to the tonal variety of the individual tracks, there’s plenty of guest vocals including track four, System Fucked featuring Jesse Michaels of Op Ivy.
The album continues in a consistent manner, lashing out at broken systems of finance, patriarchy, healthcare and prison systems. The sounds of the songs may change from track to track but the tone is the same. There’s something very broken. I don’t know if an album can provide solutions to the complex problems that we face as a society, but if it can make people think it’s a start.
The album does get to a point where I believe that it’s almost too overproduced. It’s a fine example of production, but the it serves to burnish the raw edge that I’m missing. Between that and what I think is an imbalance of more ska heavy content I’ve had to knock the score down a bit. All aside it’s a fantastic album, fit for a time when things are in constant threat of being ripped apart at the seams.
Final note: I’ve been going over this release for about a week now. Initially I didn’t feel quite so strongly about it as I’ve become over successive listens. The more times I hear it, the more the music sinks in and the impact of the band’s rage takes hold. We’re living during some incredible times, but we’re also living through some incredibly fucked up times. If you ask me, it’s times like these that music is the best weapon against a war to which we’ve all been blindly conscripted.
–Jerry Actually
Hollowpoints – Rocket to Rainier
© 2015 Sailor’s Grave Records
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[rating:9/10]
It’s been a statistically significant amount of time since I’ve heard anything from the Seattle, WA punk rock getup The Hollowpoints. It’s been over five years since I reviewed “Old Haunts”, and well, that’s just been too damn long. Hell, it’s damn near a third of the time that I’ve been reviewing music. I’d just about given up. Thankfully now I can continue trucking on.
A bit over five years ago, the previous Hollowpoints release was the darling of the day. I pegged it as a must have album and my favorite thus far in 2010. (It actually landed at the #5 spot for my Top 10 or 2010) Now I’ve got my hot little hands on Rocket to Rainier. The new album drops on October 2, 2015 (Did you totally just read me saying “The new album DROPS?” Yeah, I’m pretty insidery and shit, but enough about me. Here’s some important things that you might want to know about the new record: It contains 13 songs. They are all rad. The material is face paced and melodic but with the rough edges left intact.
The band has stayed consistent to my perception of them from time past. The songs are sonically rich with excellent arrangement. However, I don’t want to mislead you. The songs are not technically complex or all bizarre wanking fusion or some such thing. They are orchestrated well, musically and sonically, for fast-paced punk rock tunes. The tracks still resonate with my lyrically as well; poignant, anthemic, without attempting to become (too) epic. Combined, it’s the kind of music that captures the existential angst of a begrudgingly depressing life in America. It’s the kind of tunes that I’d imagine that Springsteen or Petty would make if they would have been born decades after their respective births. (except with vocals that sound eerily reminiscent of Roger from Less Than Jake on occasion)
As I dig my heels into this record, it is in turn latching its hooks into my brain. I have a feeling that this is going to get a bit of heavy rotation though this month. As far as influences go, at least ones that I’m perceiving, the reminders of the Clash and Cheap Trick are still there. I can’t help thinking of American Steele too. In fact, everything I loved about the last album is here, only perhaps more so. Once again I am inclined to highly recommend Hollowpoints. Support your local punk rock band kids. Go to the shows. Buy some records and t-shirts!
–Jerry Actually
Greg Graffin Releases New Book, Population Wars
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September 15, 2015 – Los Angeles, CA – Revered frontman for iconic punk band Bad Religion and esteemed Cornell University lecturer Greg Graffin has released his highly anticipated new book “POPULATION WARS: A New Perspective on Competition and Coexistence” today via Thomas Dunne Books. Purchase the book now at Amazon, Kings Road and all other digital and physical retailers.
According to popular opinion, the history of humanity has largely been defined by war from the beginning, with war between populations seen as an inevitable part of the evolutionary process. Darwin’s widely accepted notion of “the survival of the fittest” explains and often excuses these actions. But what if Darwin was wrong?
In POPULATION WARS: A New Perspective on Competition and Coexistence (Thomas Dunne Books; September 15, 2015; $27.99), Greg Graffin, lead singer of Bad Religion and author of Anarchy Evolution, offers a fresh argument on the biological roots of competition. A paradigm- shifting book about why humans behave the way they do and the ancient history that explains that behavior, Graffin argues that we need to rethink the reasons for war, not only the human military kind, but also Darwin’s ‘war of nature,’ and find hope for a less violent future for mankind.
Fascinating and original, POPULATION WARS contradicts Darwin’s reigning ‘war of nature’ theory, offering a completely fresh perspective on war, competition, and survival that will redefine the ways in which we understand conflicts of the past, present, and future. Graffin contends that humans have oversimplified the notion of war and in doing so we have become too quick to justify it, thereby preventing us from responding to the real problems we face. He rejects the idea that competition is a driving force of evolution, seeing evolution rather as the product of symbiotic relationships. Ultimately, he argues that we need to rethink the reasons for war, not only the human military kind but also Darwin’s “war of nature,” and find hope for a less violent future for mankind.
GREG GRAFFIN is the lead singer and a songwriter in Bad Religion. He obtained his PhD in zoology at Cornell University, and has lectured at UCLA and Cornell. He is the coauthor of Anarchy Evolution, with Steve Olson. He travels regularly between the cities he considers home, Ithaca, New York, and Los Angeles, California.
To mark the release of “POPULATION WARS,” Graffin will embark on a series of special live appearances. These unique events will offer an unprecedented perspective into the longstanding relationship between Graffin’s academic and musical spheres, examining the correlation between song lyrics and topics expressed in his new book. The events will feature some live acoustic performances of songs related to the book interspersed with spoken word and followed with a question and answer segment.
“POPULATION WARS” is available through Bad Religion’s online store (http://bit.ly/1V4Nwmh) and includes a limited edition 7” EP of specially re-recorded Graffin songs that helped inspire the book.
Greg Graffin “POPULATION WARS”: an event to celebrate the release of his new book:
Fri 9/18/15 – Washington, DC – Rock N Roll Hotel
Sat 9/19/15 – Philadelphia, PA – Coda
Sun 9/20/15 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
Wed 9/23/15 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
Fri 9/25/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg
Sun 9/27/15 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation
Americana-Na
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Americana-Na
© 2015
[rating:8/10]
Welcome to the debut release by Wichita, KS based folk/rock/garage/americana/tejano/cowpunk act, Americana-Na. The self-titled debut brings about an intriguing blend of musical genres. The songs are uptempo and of short duration in the vein of punk rock, but with less vitriol and intensity that is often associated with the aforementioned genre. The prior has been replaced with tongue-in-cheek (I assume) storytelling about American flag t-shirts ala the opener, “American” and what seems to be the Spanglish, or maybe it’s Gringlish stylings of “Eclipse”. Musically, the songs are simple chord driven 4/4 numbers with a “kick/snare, kick/snare, kick/snare, fill” cowboy/country rhythm.
The overall vibe comes across as slightly less than serious. This isn’t a bad thing mind you, so much as something to note. Vocally, the tunes sound a bit tortured, as though someone was trying to wring a note out of a old worn boot. I think that, in significant part, helps with the less-than-serious overtone. The songs are raw and rough around the edges. I think the mutli-colored duct tape cover provides a nice visual compliment to the tracks being haphazardly held together, perhaps by the very mystical properties of duct tape itself.
I’d be hard pressed to list all of the influences that are melded into the sound, but there’s a little band that I’m reminded of continually as I listen to this: Awesome and the Ass-kickers. … If you haven’t heard them, look them up.
At the end of it, the debut release by Americana-Na is 8 short, fun tracks and one track that is about double the length of the others. … that’s like getting ten tracks I’d say. Good deal!
If you’re in the Midwest and/or upper-ish Midwest, word on the street is the the boys are doing a mini-tour coming up soon. Have some fun. Check them out.
Cheers,
Jerry Actually
Revolt Revolt Video Premier for Hold On Let’s Go
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Here at !upstarter we’re happy to premier the brand new video for Hold On Let’s Go.
Revolt Revolt comes to us from the population metropolis of the Inter-mountain West, aka Boise ID. The put together a blend of rock and psychedelic and the occasional foray into more aggressive territory. The video track is spacial and trippy, with stabs of noise and reverberated lush backing. If it’s your thing, I’d bet this would be a freaking awesome jam to get really really wasted whilst listening too. It’s really kinda freaking me out and I’m totally sober right now.
At any rate, watch and enjoy!
-Jerry Actually
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Revolt Revolt
“Hold On Let’s Let Go”
Wild Unraveling
2015
20 Sided Records
The footage for the video to “Hold On Let’s Let Go” was captured by Joseph David Lockhart while on tour with Revolt Revolt & Mindrips in May of 2015. The band(s) toured from Idaho through Las Vegas, and made their way up the California coastline on into Oregon and Washington. Some of the footage includes scenes from Venice Beach, Portland, Olympia, and Seattle. Cameos include Members of Mindrips, Joseph Lockhart, & Ben Brunn (Stereo Embers/Past RevoltRevolt)
Hold On Let’s Let Go was recorded at Audio Lab Studios Boise, Idaho by Todd Dunnigan. This is an original song by RevoltRevolt which additionally features the talents of Dug Marstch (Built to Spill) on guitars, Todd Dunnigan on The Hammond Organ, and Legendary Earl Huges on Steel Guitar. Dunnigan’s gospel tinged organ gives the poignant melody of “Hold On Let’s Let Go” a dark, unnerving tone. Bock’s bluesy, distorted solo duels with Martsch’s mixed down, metallic shredding to disturb the song’s calm, quiet feel, then quickly vanishes to let the woeful vocals and mournful sustained notes of special guest Earl Hughes’s steel guitar take the tune home. Lyrically this song speaks of the importance of remembering to let go.. fear less live more.
SHAI HULUD TEAMS UP WITH NO SLEEP RECORDS ON UPCOMING RECORD
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July 23, 2015 – Los Angeles, CA – Huntington Beach independent label No Sleep Records announces today they’ve partnered with revered and influential Florida bred hardcore band, Shai Hulud. Recently, the label leaked a new song from the band called “Colder Than The Cold World,” which will be featured on the band’s upcoming record and can be streamed now at http://bit.ly/1D4akIv. Fans can sign up at https://nosleeprecords.com/product/7789 for notifications about the upcoming release.
Statement From Shai Hulud:
“Warmth and gratefulness runs as deeply within Shai Hulud as cynicism and misanthropy. Since the band’s inception we have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to affiliate ourselves with record labels we not only respect, but whose output helped shape both our band and our individual lives. This is something we could never take for granted. Having been respectively welcomed into the Revelation Records and Metal Blade Records families has been a boon, professionally, and personally, nothing short of a fanciful dream made real.
Come 2015, this continual windfall of opportunity led us to work with No Sleep Records, arguably a leading underground label with drive, heart and ethics. We have respected Chris Hansen and company years before No Sleep became a staple label who broke some important and game-changing bands. At risk of repeating a same sentiment, it’s an honor to have been brought into such a discerning and respectable fold – fully contradicting Groucho Marx’s classic take on membership.
As a band who came from less than nothing, recognizing we are not owed anything by anyone, our long and often arduous journey has been given seemingly inexhaustible secular blessings. It’s with inexpressible gratitude we announce our collaboration with No Sleep Records on the upcoming release. It’s the latest in a series of very fortunate events. Now, if we only had a fraction of such a blessing with tour vehicles, we’d truly be unstoppable.
Excelsiors, one and all.”
-Matt Fox / Shai Hulud
Shai Hulud formed in Pompano Beach, FL in 1995 and were originally signed to Revelation Records and featured a young, unknown singer Chad Gilbert, who would eventually go on to found New Found Glory. Over the years the band consisted of an array of musicians with Matt Fox (guitar) and Matt Fletcher (bass) being the longest standing members.
Shai Hulud’s legacy was cemented with the release of their 1997 debut full-length record, Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion, which received critical acclaim and influenced hardcore bands over the next decade. The band would follow their intrepid release with three more records, including their most recent, 2013’s Reach Beyond the Sun.
Now Shai Hulud begins the next chapter of their storied career in partnership with No Sleep Records. Follow the band at https://www.facebook.com/ShaiHuludUninc for more information and catch them on their current summer tour. Dates are listed below.
Shai Hulud Tour Dates:
July 22 – Milwaukee, WI – Borg Ward (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 23 – Green Bay, WI – Lyric Room (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 24 – Peoria, IL – The Brass Rail (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 25 – Lakewood, OH – The Foundry (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 26 – Amityville, NY – Revolution
July 28 – Lynchburg, VA – Parkview Church
July 29 – Greensboro, NC – Greene Street Club
July 31 – Tallahassee, FL – Pug’s Live (w/No Forty Winters)
Aug 1 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 2 – Huntsville, AL – Lowe Mill (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 3 – New Albany, IN – New Albany Production House (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 4 – Chicago, IL – Reggies (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 5 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary Detroit (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 6 – Indianapolis, IN – Emerson Theater (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 7 – Altoona, PA – The Anvil (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 8 – Erie, PA – Basement Transmissions (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 10 – Albany, NY – The Fuzebox (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 11 – New York, NY – Webster Hall (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 12 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 13 – Fredericksburg, VA – KC’s Music Alley (w/Bishop)
Aug 14 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern (w/Bishop)
Aug 15 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Rockin’ Hard Saloon (w/Bishop)
Aug 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Burro Bar (w/Bishop)
Aug 17 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 18 – Houston, TX – Walters (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 19 – El Paso, TX – Mesa Music Hall (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 20 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 21 – San Diego, CA – Soma (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 22 – Bakersfield, CA – The Gate (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 23 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 24 – Salinas, CA – La Movida (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 25 – Portland, OR – Analog Cafe (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 26 – Seattle, WA – Studio Seven (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 28 – Edmonton, AB – Rendezvous (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 29 – Calgary, AB – Distortion (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Bar (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 31 – Denver, CO – Roxy Theater (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 1 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Conservatory (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 2 – St. Louis, MO – Fubar (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 3 – Lansing, MI – The Loft (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 4 – Guelph, ON – DSTRCT (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 5 – Gatineau, QC – Heart Fest (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 6 – Salem, NH – Salem VFW (w/Lions Lions)
For More Information:
Slim Wray – Post No Bills
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[rating: 8/10]
It’s a rare stormy day here in San Diego. I’m kicking it on the sofa with my headphones on, listening to a new EP by the garage/surf act Slim Wray. If I had to to choose one word to describe this new release, (even a made up word) I’d go with “retrolicious.”
The new EP, eponymously titled “The Slim Wray EP” (As it turns out, this EP is actually entitled “Post No Bills”, but you try telling that to my media player du jour! Never the less, all else applies except where prohibited) provides six tracks of 60s flavored garage rock tinted with pop sensibilities akin to Neil Diamond, Tommy James, and The Monkees. The throwback aside you get modern quality recording (so the garage aspect must be by design) and a sound that is well balanced and engineered.
This release is a bit on the outside of my typical genre spectrum, but if you dig retro 60s pop rock, I suspect you’ll wanna check this one out.
The lightning is cutting through the sky outside my window. I can hear a slight rumble of thunder through the cans and rain hitting the concrete in the space in between the tracks. I’m gonna rock The Slim Wray EP out until the tracks end.
Cheers!
Jerry Actually
The Caustics – The Beat Up
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Here’s a brand new video from Montreal Quebec punk/rock band The Caustics. Edgy and raw with vocals that sound oddly like Axl Rose at times. Give a whirl!
For more info, check them out here:
Bandcamp:
Facebook:
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