All Bets On Death – Home Away From Hell

(c) 2008 Horns Up Records
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Here’s a pretty pedestrian and sophomoric effort from a band that could have potential if they would evolve past their neanderthal nihilism and misogyny. 12 tracks plus a “mystery” cut at the end, all of which are filled with recess level anger and an obvious sense of inadequacy. I thought that by the time that 2009 rolled around we could all grow a bit. Apparently I was mistaken. I guess that if you like your days filled with hate and strippers then maybe you’ll enjoy, but frankly I’ve got better ways to spend my time.

–Jerry Actually

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The Aggrolites

Back in Studio for Fourth Album
Open for Michael Franti & Spearhead
Selected to Join Flogging Molly’s Green 17 Tour

“The Aggrolites are one of the most unique bands out there today. In an era where way too many groups sound the same, it’s nice to have a group that is like a breath of fresh air. Their tunes can turn any bad day into a good one and their lyrics will have you singing along in no time.” – Quinnipiac Chronicle (Oct. 2008)

The Aggrolites have returned to the studio to craft their fourth full-length album and follow-up to the acclaimed Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat Records). Recording at Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles, and scheduled for release in May 2009, the new album is guaranteed to deliver even more of their signature hard-hitting, soul-infused reggae.

The Aggrolites join socially conscious roots rockers Michael Franti & Spearhead at the new Club Nokia at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles on January 31. Poet, musician and composer, Franti blends hip-hop, funk and reggae together with his outspoken political and progressive lyrics, and has gone on to become a worldwide million-selling artist and a leader in the peace and social justice movement. This show is part of Michael Franti & Spearhead’s 2009 Hey World Tour in support of All Rebel Rockers (Anti- Records), their first Top 40 album. This is the debut pairing of these two truly progressive bands with equally diverse and devoted fan bases. www.spearheadvibrations.com

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Them Damned Young Livers

Let The Sin Begin
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Remember that one time when Hank III and the Butthole Surfers got in a fist fight in a Southern Babtist churh over who was going to get drunk and repent the most and the good preacher tried to set ’em all right or send ’em right to Hell? Neither do I, but Let The Sin Begin is something what like that might sound like. Scruffy growl and cow punk. Prostelitizing while carousing. Them Damn Young Livers muster up 15 rabblerousing songs to help you demoralize your previously chaste life. Kansas City’s Freight train cow punk for the young and drunk.

–Jerry Actually

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My Life In Black & White

Cloudy Skies
(c) 2008 Horns Up Records
Rating: ★★★★☆

Where the heck were these guys when I lived in Portland? Not around I guess. I wish I would have would have been in town though. They sound like a hella good band. Folksy and punky with songs of sailing the seas and the drinking of beer. They swagger like Swingin’ Utters and The Pogues and rock out with less melodrama than most of the rain-addled cock-n-roll of many Portland bands. Cloudy Skies contains 12.5 tracks of the aforementioned variety of rock and it does not dissapoint. If you like the drinking and the singalongs and music that may make you want to steal a boat, then this one is for you. There’s more to it of course, but the jist of it is good time rock and roll. Enjoy!

–Jerry Actually

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Get Dead – Letters Home

(c) 2008 Horns Up Records
Rating: ★★★½☆

Have you ever, as an ever tough punk rocker wanted to let you inner-emo out?  But how could you and still  save face with all your extra tough punk rock friends?  San Francisco’s Get Dead holds the answers to your fears.  Their “punkcoustic” anthems reek with their innermost feelings but still come across as cool and nonchalant.  I venture to say that you can safely listen to Letters Home and you will still command the respect of your spike-bedazzled friends and maybe you’ll even show that cute little pale girl all dressed in black a little bit of your own tortured soul (but not too much) Aside all that, Get Dead brings some fine non-electrical punk rock in an anthemic and almost piratical way. If I had to make up some adjectives that you can use to tell your friends about them, I’d go so far as to say that they are both Clashtastic and SwinginUtteriffic.  For those of you back east, you can say that they’re wicked sweet!

–Jerry Actually

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Swingin’ Utters – Hatest Grits

(c) 2008 Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: ★★★★☆

Welcome to the B-side. What have we here but no less than 32 tracks of B-side, demos, 4-track takes and BS schlock from none other than Swingin’ Utters. It is generally easy to dismiss B-side compilations as strictly for the die hard fan. Generally they consist of crap to lackluster to otherwise distribute. That is only partially true for Hatest Grits. Instead of the usual 90% garbage 10% diamond, the Utters give you a sketchbook chronology of one of the best bands of the hybrid folk punk genre. Of course you also get some crap to lackluster to otherwise distribute, meant only for the die hard fan. But thanks to the good graces of the band, the ratio is more like 75% kick ass takes and 25% filler. You slice it how you like it though. I for one am down with their brand of rock and roll. Highly recommended from your friends at !upstarter.

–Jerry Actually

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Black President Tour Dates

For Los Angeles-based punk band Black President, all it took was one song, penned by guitarist and founder Charlie Paulson and titled “Last F__king Hope,” to detonate a musical explosion.  Black President self-titled debut out now on Cobra Music.

“With Black President, a hot hard band with attitude AND a message, Paulson’s finally found a perfect fit”
–My Fox LA

After finishing up a successful trek on the Vans Warped Tour 08 and a stint of hometown dates Black President is gearing up for a full national tour with TSOL kicking off January 23, 2009 in Pomona, CA.

“The journey that Black President takes you on is full of twists and turns that any roller coaster designer would be proud of”
–Online Drummer.com

The buzz continues to grow as the band recently garnered a featured artist spot on myspace music and an appearance on Dave Navarro’s SpreadTV on maniaTV:
http://www.maniatv.com/shows/spread-entertainment/videos

It has been a long time since a punk rock band with something to really say about the status of the world we live in has come along and shaken the foundations of the scene
–Guestlist.com
Continue reading Black President Tour Dates

Punk Rock Bowling

Hey Folks,

We’re just about 5 weeks away for the best party all year long: The  11th ANNUAL PUNK ROCK BOWLING TOURNAMENT!! There are still rooms available, so please head over to www.punkrockbowling to book ’em  before they’re gone.

New venues and updated lineups for our shows are below.  Tickets can be purchased at www.punkrockbowling.com on the shows page:

FRIDAY JANUARY 16, 2009
Premiere Nightclub
3015 Fremont St, Las Vegas
Doors: 8pm / 18 and over / Full Bar with ID Bowlers get in for FREE / Free Shuttle buses Tickets $16 COCKNEY REJECTS THE DWARVES AMERICAN STEEL OFF WITH THEIR HEADS THE IGNORANT

SATURDAY JANUARY 17, 2009
Special Show
Tickets on Sale Dec. 15

SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2009
Premiere Nightclub
3015 Fremont St, Las Vegas
Doors: 8pm / 18 and over / Full Bar with ID Bowlers get in for FREE / Free Shuttle buses Tickets $15 MANIC HISPANIC
CH3
THE BODIES
TILTWHEEL

**please note, if you previously purchased tickets we are working on  contacting you directly, or you can email: bowling@byorecords.com

See you Vegas!

Love,
PRB

The Drama Club

(c)2008 Label Group (aka EMI)
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

The Dram Club offers, yes, you guessed it, DRAMA! … They are the soundtrack to whatever crappy new MTV reality show du jour. This disc is pretty damn milk toast. If you have sold your soul to the devil, listening to this is the price that you must pay! Maybe when you do what you can to get played, that feeling projects out from you where ever you go … if ya know what I mean.

–Jerry Actually