Upstarter – Page 40 – PUNK | SKA

The Welch Boys – Bring Back The Fight

[rating:9/10]

The Welch Boys are indeed bringing back the fight. Hand’s down my favorite release so far this year brings back these Boston stalwarts. I haven’t taken much time to write as of late, but I felt I owed it to you to tell you about this. If you haven’t caught on by now, I’m talking about “Bring Back The Fight”, the brand new album from The Welch Boys. Grit, vitriol, and punk rock are all well intact in the new one. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This time around, the tunes bring a whole new level of polish. Not that things were shabby before, but time, and time well spent, bring about the next level of songcraft. It’s fucking here. It’s fucking now. It lets you realize that hardcore punk rock and roll is still alive!

Slight aside, but I’m a little bit concerned that The Welch Boys are so poorly represented here on the left coast, and hopefully my little bit of lip service will help to remedy that. Maybe it’s California where the sun never sets and it never gets cold where folks just don’t appreciate anthems of angst, hardship, and hope? I don’t know. Maybe I have an east coast soul that draws me to the aforementioned. No matter what it is, this is the real deal.

I’ll quit boring you with my gushing. At the end of the of a hard working day, what more do you need than a fist full of beers and a new album to ease you back into the world of the living?

–Jerry Actually

Los Gatos Negros

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I’m listening to some new vinyl. The self-titled from Los Gatos Negros showed up in my mailbox today. Of course, I threw it down on the turntable.

Garage style punk. Can’t quite make out if it’s kids or girls singing half the time, but I don’t care. I like how it sounds. It’s crunchy and fresh. The tracks are short and fun.

I’d tell you more about the band, but well, the album cover is all black, front and back and there is no record jacket. I like the mystery of it. Speaking of mystery it seems like the “B” side is blank. That’s kinda crazy.

At any rate, the “A” side is fun. So if you can track it down, check out the new self-titled album from Los Gatos Negros.

–Jerry Actually

Retox Documentary

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RETOX RELEASE NEW DOCUMENTARY

with guest appearances by Nick Zinner (Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs), Buzz Osbourne (The Melvins)

YPLL OUT MAY 28th via Epitaph

Band On Tour Now

(April 15th, Los Angeles, CA) RETOX have released a 60 minute documentary that is available with purchase of their forthcoming record, YPLL out May 28th. The documentary explores the realities of making an album, what it’s like to be in a touring band today and features interviews with Buzz Osborne from The Melvins and Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who also appears on the new record.

The full documentary is currently available to watch courtesy of alarm-magazine.com, who also named YPLL, one of their favorites of the week here: http://alarm-magazine.com/?p=63248

“You kind of have to ruin your life to be in a punk band,” states Justin Pearson, currently on tour with new band Retox and renowned for his work with groundbreaking noise outfit THE LOCUST. Retox, along with some high-profile guests, shed light on the hardships and rewards of doing what you love instead of what you’re “supposed to,” discuss days and nights of relentless touring and the intense emotions experienced on stage and making music.

With YPLL, Retox deliver a mission statement in 12 blistering tracks, the vast majority of them clocking in at two minutes or less. It’s the type of rallying battle cry that inspires lingering and dormant primal urges and too-long-suppressed societal dissatisfaction in those who encounter its punk rock lineage and postmodern crash-and-ban.

RETOX is on tour now.

RETOX Tour Dates:

5/15/2013	The Middle East Upstairs	Cambridge	MA
5/16/2013	The Acheron	Brooklyn	NY
5/17/2013	Pianos	New York	NY
5/18/2013	Philamoca	Philadelphia	PA
5/19/2013	Golden West Cafe	Baltimore	MD
5/20/2013	The Milestone	Charlotte	NC
5/21/2013	Purgatory at the Masquerade	Atlanta	GA
5/22/2013	Circle Bar	New Orleans	LA
5/23/2013	Rudyards	Houston	TX
5/24/2013	The Mohawk	Austin	TX
5/25/2013	Train Yard	Las Cruces	NM
5/26/2013	Trunk Space	Phoenix	AZ
5/27/2013	Punk Rock Bowling	Las Vegas	NV
5/28/2013	Che Cafe	San Diego	CA
5/29/2013	Vacation Vinyl	Los Angeles	CA
5/30/2013	The Smell	Los Angeles	CA

Bracket – Rare Cuts Vol. 1

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Well, it’s been a long dang time since I listened to Bracket. Honestly I didn’t know that they were still around. A few weeks ago, outta the blue, I get an email inquiring if I’d review their latest material. Given the horrible job I did back in 2000 reviewing the Fat Wreck Chords release “When All Else Fails” I figure I owe them at least this much.

Bracket, if you aren’t old enough to remember, is a pop-punkish band from the North Bay town of Forestville. Their tracks generally had the sounds familiar to the pop punk genre, but with a bit more of an emo factor, if you will. Rare Cuts Vol. 1 is no different in this regard. That stands well to reason, given that the tracks on the recent effort are all rarities and/or previously unreleased material. Also of note is that this release is the first in a series to be released exclusively through Bandcamp in order to fund two future Bracket projects. So, by all means check out their Bandcamp page and support some DIY rock! http://bracket.bandcamp.com/

For better or worse, Rare Cuts Vol. 1 offers 10 tracks of vintage and/or rare Bracket tracks. You get things like string mixes, live acoustic versions, 4-track demos, alternate mixes and covers. For the discriminating Bracket fan, what more could you want?

If you’re not already a past or present fan, I recommend you start with my introduction to the band, the aforementioned “When All Else Fails” to get you started. After that you can transition into some of these more challenging tracks. Beyond that there’s some good stuff on here. The John Wilkes Isolation Booth (Demo) with its juxtaposed blues breakdown is particularly intriguing.

If you’re curious, hit the Bandcamp link about and help support one of your old, or possibly new, favorite bands. Seriously, what have you got to lose? For your $10 bucks, no matter what, you get the warm all over feeling of having helped a band put out records DIY and what’s more, a Bracket cover of “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?”! Enjoy.

–Jerry Actually

Getting to Know the Buckaroux Banshees

www.buckarouxbanshees.com

Where are you from and when did you get started?

Formed in St. Paul Minnesota! – 4 guys (We’ve since added a drummer! We were 3 members originally w/ no drummer) who felt a serious void of music (All their other groups had called a hiatus or disbanded i.e. – Grimace – Conquistadores – Streetwise Professors – Corp D… You know, typical obscure Twin Cities Punk Groups..) in their lives so one winter day in 2011 they decided to form “Buckaroux Banshees” – A hybrid of all previous group members projects that would try harder promoting themselves. Create sharper songs. And most importantly play stellar live shows!

Who are you and who does what in the band?

4 piece band!
Matt Graske (Me) Rhythm Gtr
Gregg Schmitt – Lead Gtr
Chad Medellin – Bass
Ryan Blue – Drums
* Everybody writes lyrics and sings them!
We have an awesome eclectic mix of singers in this group and this keeps the songs very interesting. There’s no clear front man. – But we don’t care! We ‘ve been working hard on the music! It’s coming together nicely!

How would you best describe the sound?

Fugazi type “progressive” punk music
We challenge ourselves to not write the same song over again repeatedly.
We take turns singing and changing time signatures
We have a disco song
We have a 3/5 timed song. We need to keep ourselves entertained and couldn’t do it by simple four chord punk music
We also enjoy “classic?” metal very much so
We are a very lead guitar oriented band with guitar inspirations from groups like Iron Maiden / Judas Priest / Black Sabbath

Influences include: Fugazi / Descendents / Superchunk / Judas Priest / Iron Maiden / etc

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

To be able to afford to take 1 month off of work ; pack up the van and tour the whole United States (Do-able right?)
We wanna see some of the world… at least what’s in our own country. We’re young and energetic. We hope to make this a reality

Still got day jobs?

Of Course we do… we’re not fuckin rock stars

Matt Graske – Cooks in various twin cities restauraunts (Carbone’s Pizzeria / Corner Cafe mostly)
Gregg Schmitt – Walmart Tire Lube Express Technician
Chad Medellin – Various Blue Collar jobs (Metal Fabrication / Cleaning Screens for a printing company / Occasional Prostitution Work)
Ryan Blue – Gordy’s Steak House! (A REal beast in the kitchen!)

Any regrets?

Yes We should have formed this band when we were in highschool instead of college!

The Big Ska Gamble

[rating: 9/10]

Here’s a little slice of magic for you ska fans out there: Seven 7” records. Seven artists. Seven flavors of ska.

A bad ass little box set of vinyl featuring: The Shifters, The Action League, Lockstep, The Georgetown Orbits, Do It With Malice, Stop The Presses, Sammy K & The Los East 3, and Jorge & The Landladies.

If you’re a fan of ska, reggae, calypso, northern soul, and more, do yourself a big ol’ favor and get a hold of one or more of these records. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. (for the record, if you are disappointed afterwards, I’m sorry. Maybe you need to reevaluate your listening ability.) The range on this collection is impressive. I don’t like to pigeonhole bands, but fans, of DHC, Buck-0-Nine, and The Pietasters ought to find some major enjoyment here.

It’s often a challenge to review a compilation. That’s true now. What I’d like to impart is that this is music, this is real. There are bands out there giving their all for you. I think it’d be kind of you to give it a listen.

The takeaway is this. Ska! (and really good ska, at that) So cheers to your ears! Enjoy! Need I say more? ok, I will. In the words of Ryan Lewis, “This is fucking awesome!”

–Jerry Actually

Find out for yourself:
http://www.bigskagamble.com
http://grandpascasino.com

RETOX RELEASE BLOODY NEW VIDEO FOR ‘MATURE SCIENCE’

(March 27th, Los Angeles, CA) The provocative SoCal band RETOX have unleashed a brand new video, a heart – stopping thriller that portrays the band’s kinetic, challenging energy in their latest track release, “MATURE SCIENCE.” Combining the jagged edges of stripped down/back-to-basics rock n’ roll with bombastic attitude and art-rock intelligentsia, using the prism of the past to look toward the potential brilliance of the future, RETOX’s YPLL arrives via Epitaph Records on May 7th, 2013.

Directed by Simon Chan, the new video features the band in a riot-like scenario, where the band kidnaps a police officer and brings him to an undisclosed location. The disturbing story unfolds in 2:47 minutes, ending in an intense, bloody scene that can only be fully realized by watching the video.

Check out the new video via Lambgoat.com here: http://lambgoat.com/features/69/Retox-Mature-Science-video-premiere

Guitarist Michael Crain offers, “Retox does not in any way condone or advocate the harming of police officers. We do however feel that our society as a whole would be far safer and not as unjustly regulated if local, state, and federal law enforcement were required to memorize the lyrics to Black Flag’s “Police Story” and N.W.A’s “Fuck tha Police!”

Retox deliver a mission statement in 12 blistering tracks, the vast majority of them clocking in at two minutes or less. It’s the type of rallying battle cry that inspires lingering and dormant primal urges and too-long-suppressed societal dissatisfaction in those who encounter its punk rock lineage and postmodern crash-and-ban.

In May, the band will take their energetic live performance across North America.

PRE-ORDERS are now live for RETOX’s YPLL, which will arrive in-stores and online on May 7th. Please go to: www.kingsroadmerch.com/epitaphrecords

RETOX Tour Dates:

5/8/2013	Moonroom	Denver	CO
5/9/2013	Brother’s Lounge	Omaha	NE
5/10/2013	The Hexagon	Minneapolis	MN
5/11/2013	Township	Chicago	IL
5/12/2013	Smalls	Hamtramck	MI
5/15/2013	The Middle East Upstairs	Cambridge	MA
5/16/2013	The Acheron	Brooklyn	NY
5/17/2013	Pianos	New York	NY
5/19/2013	Golden West Cafe	Baltimore	MD
5/20/2013	The Milestone	Charlotte	NC
5/23/2013	Rudyards	Houston	TX
5/25/2013	Train Yard	Las Cruces	NM
5/26/2013	Trunk Space	Phoenix	AZ
5/27/2013	Punk Rock Bowling	Las Vegas	NV

ALKALINE TRIO STREAM NEW ALBUM VIA SPIN.COM

My Shame Is True Out April 2nd

Band To Play Live At The 98-7fm Penthouse at The Historic Hollywood Tower Next Week

US Tour Starts April 25th

March 26th, 2013 – Los Angeles, CA – Chicago’s celebrated punk rock cult heroes, Alkaline Trio, are set to return with the exhilarating new album My Shame Is True out April 2nd via Epitaph Records. Fans are invited to stream the album in full starting today via Spin.com by going here: http://www.spin.com/articles/alkaline-trio-my-shame-is-true-album-stream-matt-skiba-interview-epitaph

On April 1st, Alkaline Trio will play an exclusive live set at the 987FM Penthouse at The Historic Hollywood Tower in Los Angeles. In addition, the band will hit the road at the end of the month with brooding punk rockers Bayside and Off With Their Heads for an exuberant live tour which already has numerous sold out dates throughout the country, including Chicago LA, and NYC.

Since emerging in 1996, Alkaline Trio have become one of the punk rock’s most progressive and unique bands of the last decade, rousing a dedicated legion of passionate supporters with eight fan-adored albums and relentless world-wide touring. My Shame Is True is the next chapter in the band’s celebrated career.

What’s being said about Alkaline Trio?

“Rockers show their punk bite is as strong as ever…” – Rolling Stone

“ A gnarled, zeitgeisty gem from the beloved Chicago outfit’s forthcoming ‘My Shame Is True…”– Spin

“…the band finds itself in its most vital place in years.” – Billboard

My Shame Is True is now available for pre-order via Epitaph by going to www.alkalinetriostore.com.

Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:

4/25/2013	The Observatory	Santa Ana	CA	SOLD OUT
4/26/2013	House of Blues	San Diego	CA	SOLD OUT
4/27/2013	Fremont Country Club	Las Vegas	NV
4/28/2013	Marquee Theatre	Tempe	AZ
4/29/2013	Sunshine Theater	Albuquerque	NM
5/1/2013	Cains Ballroom	Tulsa	OK
5/2/2013	House of Blues	Dallas	TX
5/3/2013	House of Blues	Houston	TX
5/4/2013	Emo’s East	Austin	TX
5/8/2013	Revolution	Ft. Lauderdale	FL
5/9/2013	The Florida Theater	Gainesville	FL
5/10/2013	House of Blues- Orlando	Orlando	FL
5/11/2013	Center Stage	Atlanta	GA
5/12/2013	Marathon Music Works	Nashville	TN
5/14/2013	Cats Cradle	Carrboro	NC
5/15/2013	The National	Richmond	VA
5/16/2013	The Norva Theater	Norfolk	VA
5/17/2013	Rams Head Live	Baltimore	MD
5/18/2013	House of Blues	Boston	MA
5/19/2013	Toads Place	New Haven	CT
5/21/2013	Irving Plaza	New York	NY	SOLD OUT
5/22/2013	Chameleon Club	Lancaster	PA
5/23/2013	Electric Factory	Philadelphia	PA
5/24/2013	Best Buy Theater	New York	NY	SOLD OUT
5/25/2013	Water Street Music Hall	Rochester	NY
5/26/2013	Newport Music Hall	Columbus	OH
5/28/2013	House of Blues	Cleveland	OH
5/29/2013	Clutch Cargo’s	Pontiac	MI
5/30/2013	Metro	Chicago	IL	SOLD OUT
5/31/2013	Metro	Chicago	IL	SOLD OUT
6/1/2013	The Rave	Milwaukee	WI
6/2/2013	Pops	St. Louis	MO
6/4/2013	The Summit Music Hall	Denver	CO
6/4/2013	The Venue	Salt Lake City	UT
6/7/2013	Showbox Showroom	Seattle	WA
6/8/2013	Hawthorne Theater	Portland	OR
6/9/2013	The Regency Ballroom	San Francisco	CA
6/11/2013	House of Blues	West Hollywood	CA	SOLD OUT
6/12/2013	House Of Blues	Anaheim	CA

For more information:
www.epitaph.com

Touch My Rash – Destined for Disaster

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Here’s a little freakin’ slice of awesome for ya. I’m listening to “Destined for Disaster” by a charming little trio called Touch My Rash. The name alone draws you in. It’s like a car wreck. You can’t not look, or in this case, listen.

Here’s the skinny. 12 tracks of multi-vocal layered punk rock and roll. A good time feel while the bad times roll. The songs are peppy and poppy but infused with guts and power. The trio makes great use of their respective abilities. The vocals are sweet yet snotty. The guitar riffs are solid. The bass thumps. The percussion pops. The use of the the call/report vocals are used to quite excellent effect. What more could you ask for?

The one sheet indicates that Touch My Rash is most likely a Ramones-core band with a RIYL of “Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Copyrights, Teenage Bottlerocket, Masked Intruder”. Sure there is some of that, but what modern pop punk bands don’t owe a bit to bands like the Ramones? I say that the band is more than a pigeonhole derivative reference list can define though. This group has charisma. I should add, this band reminds me a shit-ton of The Acrobrats. Shared/past members? I don’t know. Either way both great.

With that I say, check this band out. Check the hell outta them. They’re a lot of fun and a refreshing blast of energy in what can be a pretty stodgy punk rock scene these days. http://www.touchmyrash.com

-Jerry Actually

Hemorrhage – Chapter One E.P.

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Hey you! Yeah, you. You like new CA hardcore that sounds a little old school but not quite, right? I thought so. Well here’s something for you. Hemorrhage is a badass little combo out of Huntington Beach, CA. You’ve heard of that place right? I think you have.

Following in the veins of, well, I’m not sure. This new EP from Hemorrhage is pretty freakin’ brutal. If I had to describe the sound, I’d say, aggressive. To further clarify, I’d say it’s somewhere between Helmet and Snapcase or even more so, a combination of the two. I don’t want you, the reader, to think that this band is entirely derivative though, they got their own mojo going on. I’ve been rocking the CD in my car for the past few days and I can say with certainty that Hemorrhage has some songcraft skill. Songs are brief; two minute style, which we all know I prefer. They vocals aren’t so filled with broken glass that you can’t pick out the words. The music is artfully complex without being pompous. All and all, a solid start from a energetic upcoming band.

The gist of it is seven tracks of crushing music filled with both angst and spirit. (By spirit I’m talking about the fact that the band didn’t bother with labels. They made their own. They have that much dedication.) So seriously, if you like west coast hardcore (or any fast heavy music) check this band out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

www.hemorrhage.bandcamp.com

-Jerry Actually