South Bay Represent!!
The Darlings Unveil Their New Video For “Where Do We Go”
Band To Open For Street Dogs, Strung Out In June
Added To KROQ “Locals Only” Show June 25th At The Roxy In Los Angeles
[youtube 3wL8jjb1mKk]
The Bolsheviks – Action Reaction
(c) 2009 Red Square Records
[rating:4/5]
Here’s a headline: Bristol’s Bolsheviks’ Bring It! … “Ok”, you say, “smart guy”. “What is it that these Bolsheviks are bringing?” Well sir, it’s the muthafukin’ rock and roll for one and for two refer to number one. Seriously though, Action Reaction, the new CD from The Bolsheviks is hard to place but hard to put down at the same time. It is an eclectic mix of sound. I hear flashes of spacial sounding guitars ala Voivod and hard driving bass lines akin to Hogan’s Heroes. Hell they even remind me a bit of the Cadillac Tramps on track 6 “Stole My Name”. With all that is a crazy mash up of haunted house psychobilly grooves and an undeniable mod rock Clash factor. Though in all fairness I have no idea if these blokes ever listened to either of those bands, I do know there is a bit o’ psycho in ’em. The Bolsheviks formed in 2005 from the remnants of bands such as Lux, Rout and Misdormeanour. The wide-ranging prior influences of the collective memebers comes together for what works out to be a damn good CD. Apparently the band forewent any digital recording on the CD and went full analog. This decision lends well to the rather basement dwelling / garage haunting vibe that Action Reaction is all about. 11 tracks that combine punk, rock, psycho and and a strong retro vibe. If you can find them on this side of the pond, by all means do. Otherwise I suggest packin’ up the fam and moving to jolly ol’ England to catch some of this.
–Jerry Actually
[ad]
Aggrolites Kick Off US Tour
THE AGGROLITES KICK OFF US TOUR IN ANTICIPATION OF NEW ALBUM
Soulful Dirty Reggae Group Embarks On US Tour In Support of Their New Album, IV, Due Out June 9th
“Through sheer force of will (not to mention grooves so enticing you can’t help but fall into them), this quintet simply commands you to buy into their music, which they call “dirty reggae.” It’s rock-steady with a punk-funk edge, with frontman Jesse Wagner’s white-soul vocals and Roger Rivas’ crazy organ lines giving it a party-or-die feel.” – Kevin Bronson, buzzbands.la
Continue reading Aggrolites Kick Off US Tour
Heads Held High – So Say We All
(c)2008 Heads Held High on Crossface Records
[rating:4.5/5]
Hot damn, it’s good to listen to old-fashioned, ass-kicking hardcore punk! I hope these guys have stock in bass drum heads and throat lozenges; I’m sure they go through a lot of them.
So Say We All is an 11-track musical masterpiece. You get screamish vocals from a frontman who can also sing, classic punk guitar notched up with nu-metal riffs, staunch and strumbly bass support, and insanely exceptional drumming. Clever nuggets of movie quotes pop up between songs with lyrics ranging from introspective, self-abasing, life-loving and regime challenging — brilliant.
Heads Held High deliver an album that makes you want to go out and drive fast, drink hard, and kiss beautiful strangers. I can’t wait til they tour the West Coast — go get this CD, learn the lyrics so we can go sing along when they’re here.
-HK-47
Joshua Lanes – The Dance Thunder EP
(c)2008 Spillway Records
[rating:4.5/5]
The Dance Thunder EP is strange and good and cool…reminds me of weird early 90’s bootleg tapes that we’d listen to in the high school photo lab, or mid 90’s albums you’d hear wafting through dorm halls on move-in day. It’s a bit Pixies, a tad Modest Mouse, a smidge mellow Sonic Youth. The songs have that fun sound of indie tracks peppered into Chuck or this-season’s-Juno movies.
I adore what they say on their press sheet: “Joshua Lanes never proclaim to be creating music that has never been done before, like so many of the delusional bands today. All Joshua Lanes want is to play music that they enjoy rocking out to on a daily basis and play it for the world.” Play on.
-HK-47
NOFX – Coaster Out Today
Fat Mike has great news to report from across the pond:
Things I learned going to Ireland: Don’t order Bushmills in Dublin. Don’t order Jameson in Belfast. Don’t drink too much on the ferry, or too little, cuz either way, you will get sick.
Oh, this is the important news: the NOFX record comes out today. What’s more important is that it will be priced under $10 in every store in North America. This is not a sale. This is how much this CD costs, and not only that, but EVERY CD on Fat Wreck Chords will now be under $10 and most will be under $8.
No, we are not crazy. We just think that having a very low CD price is a fair way for scene supporting music fans to support their favorite independent bands and labels. Sound crazy? I think it sounds reasonable. We make less profit, but bands hopefully will sell more CDs to more people, which is why we started doing this in the first place.
Ok, I’m off the ferry now, but still seasick. I think this whole island might be floating.
Cheers,
Mike
*NOFX – COASTER – OUT TODAY!
NOFX have your coffee table in mind today with the release of their 12th full length studio record, Coaster. Not only will Coaster protect your favorite end table from that offending gin and juice cocktail, but music is also included! That’s 12 brand new songs to sip that drink to.
And for all you athletic types, the record is also available on a vinyl 12” Frisbee! Who’s up for a game of golf? Frisbee golf that is. Wheeeee!
Stream the entire record on PunkNews.org here.
Download “The Quitter” and “Creeping Out Sara” from Coaster right now.
Watch a live interview and performance by NOFX at MySpace’s Transmission session here.
Make your own “Creeping Out Sara” music video, submit it to NOFX’s contest right here and win a bunch of free NOFX shit.
NOFX are currently finishing up their European tour with The Flatliners & Pour Habit. Make sure to check out their summer Warped Tour dates and Fall tour in Australia and New Zealand with Bad Religion right here.
[ad]
Animo – Blood in the Water
(c)2008 Animo Music
[rating:4/5]
I saw these guys at Warped Tour last year and thought they were a perfect fit. They’ve got a high energy live act and were adored by the throngs of screaming girls in the audience. While giving Blood in the Water a first listen, I browsed other review sites to see what was being said…sigh.
I fully believe MC Lars when he tells us that “Hot Topic is not punk rock,” but there’s no need to slam the kids who like the music they promote, or the bands who capitalize on the sound. Animo perfectly capture the summer fest’s style, and Blood in the Water is a very decent, albeit short, album. While I agree with the general web consensus that these guys don’t fit the classic definition of punk, they’re poster children for pop-punk. Their songs are amazingly catchy, their lyrics don’t drag into the total emo-therapy downturn that lesser Warped acts have. They’ve got a brilliant drummer, great guitar hooks, slappy bass support, and amazing vocals. Radio pop-punk isn’t disrespectful to the pioneers of the 70’s, it’s a natural progression supported by America’s youth who are bound to adore Animo.
-HK-47
Jaya the Cat – More Late Night Transmissions With…
(c)2007 I Scream Records
[rating:4/5]
Bosterdamian group Jaya the Cat deliver a unique fusion of punk, reggae, rock, and ska that took a few listens before it gelled into awesome. More Late Night Transmissions With… bounces across the Atlantic like Cannabis Cup winning weed followed by a dram of 20 yr barrel aged Glensomething whiskey — oh-so-hazy and smoother than a mo’fo’.
Continue reading Jaya the Cat – More Late Night Transmissions With…
The Loved Ones – Distractions
(c)2009 Fat Wreck Chords
[rating:4/5]
Philly punkers The Loved Ones dropped this 6 track EP earlier this year, needing to give fans something to hold between whirlwind touring. Half originals, half covers, it performs well as it stands. EPs should leave you wanting more than their scant offerings, and Distractions does just that.
Starting with a powerful song of a woman overcoming domestic violence, rocking through to a drunkard’s lament, and punking out on an awesome weekend anthem, the original tracks show promising writing and talented performances. The covers are mixed: a wonderful electric version of Bruce Springsteen’s Johnny 99 (just as moving in today’s economic climate), Billy Bragg’s Lovers Town Revisited, and Joe Strummer’s Coma Girl. While they fit the feel of the album, I love to hear a more original interpretation in covers than just excellent reproductions. For an EP, Distractions impresses, and I am eagerly awaiting a new full-length.
-HK-47
Mute – The Raven
(c)2008 Mute on 2nd Wave Records
[rating:5/5]
I’m kicking myself for never listening to Mute before. This CD hasn’t left my player since it was sent, but it was time to take it out to write a review. GO GET THIS NOW. Seriously, if you like music, you should like Mute. This an amazing album — skate-punk steeped in metal, sweetened with power chords and harmonies, served up with a twist of punch-the-air songs to quench your music thirst.
I can taste the Lagwagon flavor, but Mute takes it over the edge…like a hotdog compares to gourmet imported Italian sausage. The Raven serves up 12 tasty tracks, amazingly crafted — both lyrically and musically — and beautifully presented. These guys are technically proficient, crisp, punchy, and savory. Some lyrics toe the edge of heartbreak and come back swinging, others have you banging your head or shaking it in empathy. They sing “Can’t be slowing down…” and here’s hoping they don’t.
The Raven is perfect for an afternoon barbeque or a raging party — you may need to re-up on beer, but you can just hit repeat on this CD and be sated.
-HK-47