The Menzingers – Chamberlain Waits

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(c) 2010 Red Scare
[rating:4/5]

I might be overstepping my bounds, but I think that songwriting is back in a big way. Much of the material that has been sliding across my desk as of late has been big into well structured, well arranged music that is exceedingly well executed and dynamic yet in no way pretentious or insistent. Not the least of these is “Chamberlain Waits” from Scranton, PA.

To borrow the words from their Wikipedia page (repetition only makes it more true, right?) The Menzingers formed in the wake of of former ska-punk acts, Bob and the Sagets and Kos Mos. While it appears that much of the ska got left in the same wake, there are elements that still shine through such as sparing lead guitar runs over a solid back beat.

“Chamberlain Waits” delivers on its 12 tracks in a convincing heartfelt manner. Excellent vocal harmonies and hints of Lawrence Arms and Bruce Springsteen and The Clash come to mind upon repeated listening.

This disc was the first Menzingers for me, but I can assure that it won’t be the last. “Chamberlain Waits” offers the right mix of aggression, depression, humility and introspection that makes it work just right for any number of listening occasions. I look forward to more damn fine tunes from this band.

-Jerry Actually

Braincell Graveyard – Drunk Punk Anthems

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(c) 2010 Braincell Graveyard
[rating:2.5/5]

Here’s another odd review coming out of the dark (and apparently perverted) land of Canada. Toronto, to be more specific, but that hardly matter since most of you reading this don’t really have much grasp on geography anyway. (Yeah I’m talking to you USA)

“Drunk Punk Anthems” (or what may possibly be entitled, “Pink on the Inside”) knuckle shuffles forth 11 tracks of sophomoric sexual frustration remarkably disguised as punk rock. It’s a whole lot like Stephen Lynch got a distortion pedal. The music (lyrical content notwithstanding) on the other hand is actually rather enjoyable. I really brings back the late 80’s thrash that I grew up on. Seriously though, the goofy, campy, pervy nature of the lyrics prevent my from really latching on to this release. It’s the exact reason that I never really got into Mucky Pup or Scatterbrain.

It is almost too bad though, because musically it is spot on for a bygone era that I miss and love, even down to the metal ballad ways of track six, Canadian Psycho. If I could give more points for effort, I probably would. (Who am I kidding? I can give or take points as I see fit)

What it really all boils down to is some rockin’ thrash punk that I enjoy horribly entwined with a far too lowbrow theme. To be fair, however, there are 2.5 positive stars. This would seriously kick ass at a frat party and if I was still in high school I might be a bit more forgiving of the thematic elements.

I look forward to hearing more for Braincell Graveyard in the future, if only to see if stop writing songs straight from the crotch. … Time will tell.

-Jerry Actually

Hirnsäule – Salto

(c) 2010 Hirnsäule
[rating:3.5/5]

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Ok, so here’s some weird cool stuff if you’re a punk rock fan that doesn’t speak German, but doesn’t mind or thinks it’s neat when others do. From the best I can tell, this release is called “Salto” from the German band, Hirnsäule. The band’s name appears to mean “brain pillar”, which I take to probably mean “spine” … I could be way the hell off. This “disc” was a digital download, so I don’t have any concrete publishing information, so I just attributed it to the band.

On to the music though. Salto contains 15 tracks of DK/Dickies-esque warbling vocal frenzied punk. Some of the tracks are in English, some in German. Honestly it isn’t the easiest to decipher which are which. This doesn’t detract in any way from the enjoyment. I’d venture to guess that the tracks with the English titles are the ones that are done in English. I’ll let you be the judge of that though. http://www.hirnsaeule.de

The similarity to Dead Kennedys is both apparent and apparently genuine. That aside, the music is quick paced and quirky. The overall feel is garagey with just enough polish to make you want a catch a live show to compare the difference.

This is good stuff and just goes to show that in the crazy digital age, music is more accessible than ever. Maybe that takes some of the eliteist fun out of it, but so what. It’s a big damn world get out there and explore it a bit, even it you never leave your house.

–Jerry Actually

The Decay – This Months Rent

(c) 2010 The Decay
[rating:3.5/5]

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The Decay, hailing from Guelph, Ontario, Canada (which makes me think of the 12th/13th century conflict between the papacy and the holy roman empire, but I digress) are a punk rock band and they graciously sent me a CD. I happen to be listening to it right now.

“This Months Rent” contains 14 tracks and an intro of reasonably snotty and rowdy punk rock, but with more song-craft than you’d initially suspect from my pigeon hole description. I’m lead to believe that the cost to produce and distribute this disc was the cost of a month’s rent. Presumably the band is either now homeless or have successfully worked things out with their landlord. … and I digress further.

The Decay bridges the gap between straight up punk and rock and roll by adding emphasis on melodic hooks and well structured choruses as evident on track four, The Street. Speaking of that particular track, it reminds me a lot of Gaslight Anthem. Without being overly verbose, because I keep getting distracted, let it suffice that “This Months Rent” is a rock solid DIY punk rock release with a serious nod to its roots of rock and roll.

On another note, there is a track on here that is over the four minute mark. Normally I’d start to complain about anything past three. In this case, I think the harmonica interlude divided it up enough to maintain my attention. When all is said and done, I like this and it makes a damn fine road CD.

–Jerry Actually

For fans of: Street Dogs, Gaslight Anthem, Hudson Falcons, Welchboys

Cobra Skulls Join Fat

We’re stoked: Cobra Skulls have an urgent political message and are one of the hottest bands in the punk scene. And with a name like Cobra Skulls, their music has to be extra good, right?!? Originally from Reno, they released a couple great LPs with Red Scare and have been playing clubs and basements in North America and Europe over the past couple years. Their dynamic sound takes influences from all sorts of bands: classic punk like Misfits and Clash mixed with newer stuff akin to Against Me! and Bad Religion. Whether it’s leftist anthems or punky love songs, Cobra Skulls craft the hits for the pit. These guys are busy in 2010 as they will be on tour from March through June and already have upcoming shows with Dead To Me, Strike Anywhere, Flatliners, and some dates on Warped Tour. We welcome these sexy serpents to the Fat family and hope to bring you a new record from them soon.

No Piece For The Wicked

We here at Sailor’s Grave Records  are proud to announce, in conjunction with our partners at DRAVEN CLOTHING, PUNKNEWS.ORG and MERCHNOW, the NO PIECE FOR THE WICKED tour featuring THE BUSINESS and THE HOLLOWPOINTS.  The tour commences on April 22nd in Brooklyn, NY and after winding through the eastern two thirds of the country, wraps up back in the Big Apple aboard The Jewel with a Rocks Off Concert Cruise.

If you are anywhere within driving distance of Boston, MA, be sure to make plans to attend the SAILOR’S GRAVE RECORDS SHOWCASE on April 23rd at CLUB LIDO! The event will feature THE BUSINESS, THE HOLLOWPOINTS, REFUSE RESIST, BEANTOWN BOOZEHOUNDS, and BURNING STREETS.  It’ll be a helluva night, so come on out and raise yer glass!! Continue reading No Piece For The Wicked

Sadplant – The Kids Are Alright

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(c) 2009 Sadplant

[rating:3/5]

The prolific Connecticut punks of Sadplant are back at it again with another DIY release. This one entitled, “The Kids Are Alright.” 14 tracks of driving punk with short track lengths with matter of fact lyrics and a straight for the throat attack. Sadplant has a definite consistency in their sound. This is certainly not a bad thing, but as opposed to very distinct releases, the albums (that I’ve heard) seem more of a continuation on a theme. There is, of note, some of the rippinist harmonica jams on track nine, “Total Piece of Shit” … so enjoy that!

What I admire the most is the tenacity in which this band attacks the DIY punk scene. They take a no holds barred approach to writing, recording and distributing rock solid punk on no terms but their own. “The Kids Are Alright” starts with the requisite intro and briskly jumps into the remaining tracks, including a gem of a cover in Suicidal’s “Possessed to Skate.” This, of course, occurs directly after the “bonus” bash the bass player segment.

So, the bottom line, Sadplant continues to deliver a consistent high quality product that doesn’t drift too far from the scope of what I’ve come to expect of the Sadplant sound. Of course by the time I finish typing these words they will have at least four new releases. Take it for what it’s worth.

–Jerry Actually

Story of the Year – The Constant

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(c) 2010 Epitaph Records

[rating:0/5]

Adding slightly distorted power chords and brutish drumming isn’t enough to make emo any less bland.  “The Ghost of You and I” has a clever intro, but that’s about the only bright spot on this album.  Fans of emo: surely you can find something better than this.

-Ozymandias

Life of Agony

Life Of Agony and I Scream Records sign worldwide deal.

I Scream Records is very excited and proud to welcome Life Of Agony to the family.

On Saturday April 3rd 2010 I Scream Records will be recording & filming Life Of Agony’s performance at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium, the second show of their exclusive European “20 Years Strong” tour. In late 2009 the band performed their debut album “River Runs Red” in its entirety during a few exclusive, sold out, US shows and now, after popular demand, they’re also heading over to Europe to perform a set built around this amazing, legendary album.

The release of this “20 Years Strong” live album, which will also include a free bonus DVD of the complete show at the Ancienne Belgique, exclusive footage and much more, is set for early this Summer.

Crossover-metal kings, Life of Agony, formed in the summer of ’89 and quickly built a cult-following upon the release their now classic, debut album, “River Runs Red” released through Roadrunner Records. The band’s unique sound and honest lyrics have captivated audiences for two decades now. In celebration of this huge milestone, the group has been performing the record that started it all!!

“We’re really excited to capture this moment in time. Twenty years, man, that’s no joke! If you would’ve asked us when we were kids growin’ up in Brooklyn, if we thought that we’d ever make something this important to people around the world, we probably would’ve laughed in your face. But, here we are, still selling out shows after all this time and turning people’s tragedy into hope. Somehow, through the music, we’ve helped a lot of folks out there. And that’s what’s always been most important to us.” – LOA Bassist, Alan Robert

Laurens Kusters says: “We’re very excited about this collaboration. This will be an amazing release, recorded at the Ancienne Belgique, one of the most exclusive European clubs, in Brussels Belgium, the city where I Scream Records was founded in 1994.”

Life Of Agony “20 Years Strong” – European Tour 2010

April 2nd – Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands (sold out)

April 3rd – Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium

April 4th – Matrix in Bochum, Germany

NOFX – Cokie the Clown

(c) 2009 Fat Wreck Chords
[rating:3/5]

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I wasn’t planning on doing a review of this disc. It is tracks that didn’t make the first cut of Coaster. It is decent stuff. It totally merits a mention, so … mention. The important part is the picture of Cokie the Clown, so enjoy. Oh, and the acoustic version of “My Orphan Year”, that is some sad stuff man. So have a beer, shed a tear. For the superist of fans, ladies and gentlemen, Cokie the Clown. Oh and on and non-review related note, Fat Mike had the greatist mugging in Buenos Aires. I’m happy to report that no one was harmed and only an iPhone was stolen. Not bad given the possibilites.

–Jerry Actually