Upstarter – Page 55 – PUNK | SKA

Swing For The Fences “If You Only Knew…”

Well, let’s start off with the fact that I am not usually a pop punk fan. To my surprise, after giving this disc a few spins, it has grown on me. These gents from Detroit have a strong sound, good writing, and the production captures what I would guess is a tight live band. The lyric matter is usually what isn’t my cup o’ punk rock tea with regards to the pop end of the genre, but this EP strikes so much musically and vocally that I can overlook this with ease. The last two tracks really stand out to me, with their punch and nods to hardcore. If pop punk is you thing, check this release out. If it isn’t, give it a chance or check out their live shows and see what happens, you never know, right? Kudos on the title track gents.

–Ry-Not

The Rumblers – Resistor Radio

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Right now I’m listening to Resistor Radio, the new full-length release from The Rumblers. The release marks eight years since the band’s debut. While I’m not familiar with “Hold On Tight”, I can only assume that the new work represents a more focused and enlightened version of the past.

Resistor Radio features 12 tracks of politically tinged American punk rock. It isn’t quite to the level of social commentary as The Clash for instance. Instead it feels like a sampling of Social Distortion, Pennywise and Bad Religion. The sonic structure has a great level of depth with the blend of horn and organ sounds of the more expected drum/bass/guitar experience. The dynamic and well crafted songs lend to easy enjoyment. It is the type of disc that gains appreciation and respect the more you listen to it.

Aside from the more greaser style punk rock and roll there are tracks like “Bring Me Back” which are more in the vein of newer bands like Dead to Me, Menzingers and American Steel. Additional deviations are the low cowboy ballad, “The Long Con” and the slightly ska/reggae/punk “Final Words”. It shows an excellent level of diversity and writing ability for the band. Like I said, the more I listen, the more I appreciate The Rumblers.

You can find more here: www.therumblers.com

-Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Your Future’s Been Determined
2. Days Gone By
3. Smash Your Television
4. Border Town
5. Bring Me Back
6. Time Can Have a Way
7. The Long Con
8. Final Words
9. You’ve Got Your Guns
10. download 10. Rebel Heart
11. Run Away
12. City Lights

Swing For The Fences

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Here’s a five track demo from Swing for the Fences, a pop punk band outta the Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights. Pretty straight forward power pop riffs, snappy drum beats and rocking riffs, some solid sing-a-long chorus parts and emo enough lyrics that your girlfriend will totally make you take her to the show. (you know, if you have a girlfriend that is)

The band isn’t breaking much in the way of new ground. It is very Blink 182 influenced from my limited experience with the genre. The vocals strangely make me think that they’d be what Weird Al would sound like if he were singing in a pop punk band. I suspect that Swing for the Fences take themselves a bit more seriously, but then again, maybe not.

The production quality is excellent for a demo, so kudos to everyone that played and produced this. I’m not sure what bandwidth is left in the market for more material of this variety, but since Blink tours again there is always hope. While the demo has plenty of polish and skills, it is all a little too saccharin for me, but if pop punk is your thing, check the band out at their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/sftfmusic

–Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Running Away
2. Spill Your Heart
3. You Shoot For The Stars Because You’re Afraid To Land
4. Just Being Honest
5. If Only You Knew

Dead Dick Hammer – Welcome Home Babydoll

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Dead Dick Hammer and the TBA Band is a ghoulish undead trio from the hellbilly area of Kentucky’s Temple Hill. Apparently the band died in their rockabilly prime sometime, I gather, around All Hallows Eve, 1957. The opening haunt, 10.30.57 is an eerie tribute to their demise.

Welcome Home Babydoll unearths eight rocking tracks (and a mystery number) all very much focusing on the macabre. Themes center on such pleasantries as stalking, domestic violence, murder and necrophilia; All the things that you love, of course. Presumably tongue-in-cheek, but the disc does have an overwhelming air of misogyny about it. I suspect it is merely thematic, but if it were any other genre of band, it would sit pretty uneasy.

The music is a dark combination of 50s style rock and rockabilly. Think of perhaps: Big Bopper meets Elvis Hitler with a bit more hillbilly swagger in the mix. The sound is a mix of rockabilly and harder more distorted punk ala many psychobilly acts. It is solid, performed and recorded well and certainly blends well to the dark nature of the subject matter.

Overall, a solid debut from Dead Dick Hammer, though I should certainly hope that they’d be able to hone their craft in the over 50 years of practice time they’ve had. At any rate if you like your rockabilly server dark cold and dead, then Dead Dick Hammer has got just what (whether you want it or not)

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Elvis Hitler, Sour Mash Whiskey, Stabbing

Tracks:
1. 10.30.57
2. Elcumino
3. Welcome Home Babydoll
4. She Likes It Ruff (My Baby)
5. Sweet Connie
6. Creep’r Creep’n
7. Girl I Won’t Hit You
8. Black & Blue

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

Off With Their Heads U.S. Summer Tour

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS U.S. SUMMER TOUR WITH DEAD TO ME & RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS
April 19, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – Having already toured most of the U.S. this year, seasoned punk road warriors Off With Their Heads have just announced a nationwide summer tour with Dead To Me and Riverboat Gamblers. Including punk rock pit stops at the Punk Rock Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas with Dropkick Murphy’s on May 28^th and Chaos in Tejas Fest June 4th, Epitaph label head and Bad Religion founder Brett Gurewitz proclaims, “Off With Their Heads might just be the best punk band going right now.”

Recently coming off of a full Dropkick Murphy’s tour and a two month stint with Bad Religion, the band will be playing songs from the heralded new album In Desolation which the band admits was recorded while drinking cheap beer and watching nightmarish episodes of Jersey Shore. Alternative Press described OWTH by saying “If Against Me! and The Ramones had a bastard love child and taught the kid to brush his teeth with cement mix, you’d get Off With Their Heads.”

Off With Their Heads video for “Clear The Air” – http://tinyurl.com/3tbj758

May 28 – Las Vegas, NV – Punk Rock Bowling * with Dropkick Murphys
May 29 – Las Vegas, NV – The Bunkhouse
Jun. 01 – Tucson, AZ – The Hut * w. The Krum Bums
Jun. 02 – Las Cruces, NM – Train Yard * w. The Krum Bums
Jun. 03 – Midland, TX – The Pine Box Collective * w. The Krum Bums
Jun. 04 – Austin, TX – Red Seven *Chaos In Tejas
Jul. 06 – San Diego, CA *– Casbah w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 07 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 08 – San Francisco, CA – Thee Parkside * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 09 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Downtown Brew *w.Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 10 – Sacramento, CA– Fire Escape Bar & Grill * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 12 – Portland, OR – Branx * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 13 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 14 – Boise, ID – The Read Room * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 16 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 17 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 19 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 20 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 21 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 22 – Madison, WI – The Frequency * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 23 – Chicago, IL – Wicker Park Festival * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 24 – Saint Louis, MO – Firebird * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 26 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 27 – Fort Wayne, IN – The Brass Rail * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 28 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 30 – Cleveland, OH –Now That’s Class * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Jul. 31 – Rochester, NY – Bug Jar * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 01 – Albany, NY – Valentines * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 02 – Dover, NH – Dover Brick House *w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 03 – Allston, MA – Great Scott *w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 04 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 05 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 06 – Philadelphia, PA – The Barbary * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 07 – Baltimore, MD – Otto Bar * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 08 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall * w. Dead To Me & The Holy Mess
Aug. 11 – Tampa, FL – Orpheum *w. Dead To Me & The Riot Before
Aug. 12 – Miami, FL – Churchill’s *w. Dead To Me & The Riot Before
Aug. 13 – Orlando, FL – Back Booth *w. Dead To Me & The Riot Before
Aug. 14 – Gainesville, FL – The Atlantic Night Spot *w. Dead To Me & The Riot Before
Aug. 19 – Richmond, VA – Best Friends Day *w. Dead To Me
Aug. 25 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia *w. Dead To Me
Aug. 26 – Houston, TX – Walter’s * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Aug. 27 – Austin, TX – Red Seven * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Aug. 28 – Denton, TX – Rubber Gloves * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Aug. 29 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Conservatory * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Aug. 31 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad * w. Dead To Me & Riverboat Gamblers
Sep. 01 – Scottsdale, AZ – Chaser’s

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

Hotspot THE JOINT Re-Vamps

Hotspot THE JOINT Re-Vamps Into

Los Angeles’ Newest Reggae Lounge + Restaurant

(Los Angeles, CA – April 18, 2011) Located in the heart of Los Angeles, THE JOINT reggae lounge and restaurant has provided a forum for both up & coming and professional musicians for over 10 years. Artists such as, Keith Richards, Stevie Nicks, Waddy Wachtel have graced the stage behind the walls of this legendary music venue.

With new management and direction, THE JOINT has been revitalized by Eddie Donaldson, owner/founder of The Marketing Division & Guerilla One and partner Sire Dhonie Johnson a Reggae Industry Heavy-Weight who started the legendary Wild Hare Reggae Club in Chicago, The Dub Club in St Louis, and Jimmy’s Reggae Club in Denver.

Amid the fresh guidance of this nightlife power-team; THE JOINT is once again a mecca of culture, hosting weekly exclusive events such as “Reggae All Star Jam” every Wednesday night hosted by Elan Atias from the Wailers and Native Wayne from INDIE 103.1 Radio with additional special guests arriving nightly. “Reggae All Star Jam” treats patrons to the melodic sounds of their favorite Reggae songs performed LIVE by a slew of music and Reggae heavy-hitters including: Elan Atias (Wailers), Bobby Alt (Street Drum Corps), Adrian Young (No Doubt), Remi Kabaka (Percussion), Ronny McQueen (Steele Pulse), “Santa” Davis (Drummer, Ziggy Marley, Peter Tosh), Maiya Sykes, Pepper, Wayne Lothian (English Beat), and more TBA. Additionally, THE JOINT will also be featuring Funky Reggae every Friday night hosted by DJ Matt Robinson with special guest hosts Boostsy Collins from P-Funk and Norwood from Fishbone.

THE JOINT will serve up a Jamaican themed menu offering patrons authentic Caribbean Cuisine; their menu boasts classic dishes including, Caribbean Jerk Chicken, marinated in jerk sauce and grilled tenderly over open fire; Jamaican Beef Patties, mini turnovers filled with seasoned ground beef; and Coco Bread. The design aesthetics of THE JOINT feature progressive pop-culture artists which display works by renowned photographer and artist Estevan Oriol, a mural by famed graffiti artist Retna, original works by graphic artist Shepard Fairey, along with works by action sports photographer Theo Hand.

Donaldson and Johnson also plan to house a one-of-a-kind Rum Bar inside THE JOINT featuring a large variety of white and dark rum from all over the world, slated to open in Fall 2011.

For Reservations Contact:

THE JOINT

8771 West Pico Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90035

(310) 275-2619