Blinded Black – Under the Sunrise (c) 2007 SideCho Records”Sir?”, “Yes minion. What is it this time?”, “Sir, there seems to be a problem with the Bandtronic.”, “The Band what?”, “The Bandtronic, Sir.”, “The Band Tronic? Didn’t I fire them in the 80’s?”, “No Sir, the Bandtronic 7431XR Talent Emulation Variable Audio Copier.”, “You know, that very expensive piece of equipment that we have that takes ideas from a bunch of current bands and then makes any band in the world seem palatable and sincere to the 14 – 25 year old New Rock demographic.”, “Well then, out with it boy. What is the problem?”, “Well Sir, it … it seems to be making every band sound exactly the same.” Welcome to “Under the Sunrise by Blinded Black. Out now on SideCho Records. It’s sudo aggressive. It’s melodic sometimes. It’s totally emotional. It makes me sick. I guess people tend to emulate what they like. It is too bad that Blinded Black seem to emulate so many of the sounds I hate. If you like to listen to New Rock Radio, then, by all mean, go get yourself a copy of Under the Sunrise and listen to it six times and pretend that it is your six bestest favoritist new bands.–Jerry Actually
Sin Voz [Death to the IMF]
Sin Voz – Death to the IMF (c) 2006 Sin VozStraight outta Berkeley comes Sin Voz (that's Without Voice for those of you too inept to use an online translator). They submit for your approval "Death to the IMF" I can only assume that they are referring to the "Interplanetary Magnetic Field" when they espouse their desire to destroy something that bears its initials. Aside from plotting something that would obviously irreversibly alter the world as we know it, "Death to the IMF" is also a sonicaly diverse eight song E.P. Vaguely like a cross species of Morrisey and Sublime, yet oddly Sonic Youth. Add a splash of some post Grundge Eddie Vetter. Speed it up a notch, on some of the tracks, and you've got some sort of idea of what I'm listening to right now. It seems to me that Sin Voz is working on making some rather transcendent music. I should expect no less from folks that haunt the UC Berkely campus. Overall a refreshing sound in comparison to much of the tripe slid across my desk, however it also is a bit on the depressive side. I think the mix would benefit from a little more edge. It seems as though it was softened up a wee bit too much. That aside if you like moody tempermental alternative, give ol' Sin Voz back some of their voice in the form of cold hard cash. Their E.P. is available via iTunes and CD Baby . –Jerry Actually
Headed for the Smoke
Headed for the Smoke – Dance & Destroy (c) 2006 A.T.S. RecordsHello hard rockin' 70's. Welcome back. Where ya been? Well Jerry, we've been hangin' out with Headed for the Smoke and teaching them our guitar powered, arena drummin, thunder bass, Bon Scott vocal ways. I see. I see. Yes indeed, Dance & Destroy, the new EP from Headed for the Smoke contains some serious Rock & Roll. As with a lot of rock from both yesterday and today, Headed for the Smoke hails from Boston. It seems as though you can't shake a stick at Boston these days with out knocking the weed out of the hands of some Rock & Roll band. I'm not the biggest fan of rock out there by any stretch of the imagination, but these fellas seem pretty genuine and they got some catchy hooks. If you like the rock, you go buy this EP now and support a few workin' class rockers.–Jerry Actually
Blood Vessels
Blood Vessels – S/T (c) 2006 Teenage Heart Records They were just another band out of Boston. Livin' out of bars, sleepin' in their cars. They practiced every night in the street. Well ok, maybe they didn't go to MIT or have day jobs at Polaroid, but Blood Vessels is, in fact, outta Boston. Blood Vessel's self-titled release out now on Teenage Heart Records evoke a more rock version of some of Zeke's better material. Along with that rock however, you get some of the elements of rock that I could live with out: wankin solos, songs over a brazillian years long. I can get past the former if they are short, but having the epic four plus minute tracks make this disc seem a lot longer than its 35 minutes. All of this aside, this is good rock. It beats the shit out of The Strokes or The Hives or The Vines or any of the radio rock crap your likely to hear. Bottom line: punk flavored rock that sometimes rocks too hard. –Jerry Actually
So This Is Readin?
So This Is Readin? – Tripp Underwood Life on the road with The Unseen (c) 2006 So This Is Readin? the seminal release from Tripp Underwood, bass player for the Boston punk band The Unseen, is light hearted easy flowing read. I was surprised at first, but then I realized that Tripp has in fact been to college. That aside So This Is Readin? chronicles the molasses like rise to the middle of a young suburban punk band. All the trials tribulations and tragedies in tow. The story isn’t incredibly different from ones you’ll hear from any other young punks in a world touring band, with the exception that The Unseen seem to have near limitless motivation. I think this idea is paramount and takes the meaning of the book beyond the mere words in the text. If you are motivated, if you have drive, you can achieve some of what you want. That said, I think the book ends on a little bit of a sour note. It feels to me like the author is trying to justify the current position of the band. He doesn’t come right out and say it, but I suspect that he is trying to defend himself from accusations of selling out. For some final thoughts: from cover to cover the book is 163 pages and a reasonably easy read. I think young punk bands could learn a lot by hearing about the mistakes that bands have made before them. And one more thing, Tripp, a spell check does not a copy editor make.–Jerry Actually
The Pinstripes [Higer Ground]
The Pinstripes – Higher Ground (c)2006 The PinstripesWelcome to Cincinnati Ska, Pinstripes style. Higher Ground, the new full length disc from Ohio ska outfit The Pinstripes shows some hard earned depth and maturity. It has been a while since I reviewed the EP prior to this release and I have to say that I'm impressed with the growth both in musicianship and songwriting. Vocals (mostly female fronted) and the horns are smoother. The musical structure is more refined and the group is tighter as a whole. The Pinstripes are bringing some much need energy back to the lagging ska scene. The songs range from quirky covers: "Walk like a Jamaican" and both political and socio-ethical concerns: "Immigration Song" and the re-released perennial favorite "Fast Food Economy. Beyond that the band has toned down the youthful goofiness and schtick of the previous release. They are learning the ropes of what works for the band and what does not. Above all The Pinstripes, through dedication and continued effort, are a refreshing breath of air in the current stagnant rock star nightmare of todays music.{mos_sb_discuss:3} –Jerry Actually
The Press Fire [New Dress New Rules]
The Press Fire – New Dress New Rules (c) 2006 Indivisible by Zero MusicSo… Some of the !upstarter team were less than enchanted with The Press Fire's release, “New dress, New rules”. Personally, I liked it. Grrrls Rule! There are a few moments of chaos but all together, a good album the the grrrl who doesn't die. Lots of fun, lots of energy, lots o' grrrl. It has a sort of Babes sound which I can appreciate. MY TWO THUMBS UP!Krystal Tolle
Ill Nino [Under Cover Sessions]
Ill Nino The Under Cover Sessions (c) 2006 Cement Shoes RecordsPrior to the release of their next LP, Ill Nino (or their label) attempts to cash in with a brief 5 song e.p. It contains 2 original studio tracks that suck and 3 covers. The Peter Gabriel cover and the Nirvana cover are good everything else is pretty lame. They have a Sepulturaesque tribal drum thing going and that is cool. Here is the deal though, growling vocals suck a goat. Get over your self and learn to sing. It you can’t do that, at least learn to annunciate. Get it? Got it? Good! They sent me a sticker though and I appreciate that. Yet still Two thumbs up, 8 thumbs down.With all our love,Team !upstarter
Endwell [Homeland Insecurity]
Endwell – Homeland Insecurity (c) 2006 Victory RecordsEndwell? It doesn’t even start well. Jimmy says, �It’s like they have all this mello music with someone screaming over it. If you’re gonna be screaming like that have the music to support it. It’s top heavy. Jerry Actually says, �This CD is pointless and pissed. Every time you listen to this CD god kills a kitten and Jebus cries. I give it 18 thumbs down. Eject. Sincerely,Team !upstarter
Dennis Bagwell [Paid in Full]
Dennis Bagwell – Paid in Full (c) 2006 Batteryface Records Dennis Bagwell, the modern day beat poet, brings back more angry diatribe. He lashes out at governments and stupid war. He's equally brutal to big religion. I could deal without the xenophobia though. His ability to use a poetic, spoken word format to share his opinions is phenomenal. Some of these tracks are downright, flippin awesome. Much love,Team !Upstarter.