Category: Reviews

All reviews

Street Dogs

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© 2010 Hellcat Records

[rating:4/5]

So, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there is a new Street Dogs release out. It came out a couple weeks ago on Hellcat Records. I’ve been rolling the new release in my car for a couple weeks now more or less nonstop and it is pretty damn amazing.

The self-titled disc has 18 tracks of anthemic, workin’ man’s angry, yet sing-a-long punk rock. Seriously, the disc is invigorating; the kind of music that will inspire you to go a little bit father than you’ve gone before. Its the kind of disc that makes you think that you don’t have to abandon all hope, and I think there is a good reason for that. Not to diminish the roles of the other band members, I think that the major force for the inspiration that Street Dogs bring is from Mike McColgan. For real, the guy is a near dictionary definition of American Badass.

Before the Street Dogs, McColgan served in the US Army in the first gulf war. After returning home he was the lead singer for Dropkick Murphys (I’d imagine you’ve heard of them, right?) Inspired by family, McColgan left the promising band to become a Boston Firefighter. Pretty freakin’ badass, no? McColgan, however, still had the punk rock in his veins. After several years he started a new band. Now with five full length releases under their belt, I think that brings us up to present.

2010’s self-titled release really has blown me away with the quality of the songs, the lyrics, the musicianship the presentation is all top notch. Some of my personal favorites on the release are 2. Rattle & Roll, 4. Punk Rock and Roll and the closer 18. Poor, Poor Jimmy. Seriously, if you’re going to pick up some new music anytime soon, I’d consider this. … and to paraphrase Comic Book Guy, I say, “Best Street Dogs ever.”

–Jerry Actually

Cherry Bomb

by Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna

SSE 2008

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[rating:2.5/5]

I always thought of myself as a rock chick so I thought Cherry Bomb would be a fun read. My overall conclusion is that it is a cute book but I not sure it can make me a better rock chick. Well, if I lived in Hollywood it might. It has some good parts and some boring parts.

The book starts off with a lessons on drinking Absinthe and making apple martinis which I may have to try someday. Carrie bounces back and forth between how to land a rock star boyfriend and how to dress like a rock star. Not being one who cares too much about fashion and designer clothing I found the chapters about famous rock designers boring.

Also I find that I have no need for a rock star boyfriend due to the fact that I have been married for 16 years. I believe being a rock chick is a state of mind, not the because I am wearing Gaultier or have my tongue pierced. In my book, rock chicks care less about what others think and do whatever the hell they want. Seems more like a promotion for her famous friends than a guide on how to bring out the inner rock chick.

–Kiki D

The Real McKenzies – Shine Not Burn

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© 2010 Fat Wreck Chords

[rating:3/5]

Shine Not Burn is a new 21 track live album, available now on Fat Wreck Chords, from the Scotch-Canadian folk punkers, The Real McKenzies. It is filled with rowdy booze fueled antics and 21 tracks powered by Scotts and scotch.

If you’re not familiar with The Real McKenzies, they’ve been around for a hundred years or so. Their music is to Scotland what the Dropkick Murphys are to Ireland. Is it folk? is it punk? Mostly a lot of both as well as being a lot of fun.

I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the lads live, but by way of this disc, I can only imagine that it is a hell of a lot of positive fun. As an example of the positivity, in contrast to Flogging Molly, The McKenzies sing about the best day until tomorrow as opposed to the worst day since yesterday. Take that for what it’s worth I suppose. I like both of the bands.

At any rate, if you’re a fan of live albums, then by all means rock this one out. If not, I encourage to opt for the more polished studio discs; either way you’d be doing ok.

–Jerry Actually

The Adicts – Life Goes On

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© 2010 People Like You Records

[rating:3.5/5]

I have to admit that I’m not terribly familiar with The Adicts at all. Sure I’ve seen their logo safety pinned to the backs of countless punk rock jackets. I even know them well enough to identify them by their Clockwork Orange style. I’m sure I’ve heard plenty of their material on comps and over the PA before shows, however this is the first CD that I’ve actually sat down and listened to; Better late than never, right?

As I’m sure you all know well more than I about the band, I’ll skip the drudgery of the last 30 some years and get straight to the fresh meat. Life Goes On is a 13 track peppy catchy punk rock dish that keeps interesting and lively throughout. And while I’m admittedly a bit in the dark about the band, I can certainly tell you that it is refreshing for a band that has been playing punk rock for as many decades as The Adicts to not have watered it down.

The majority of the tracks on Life Goes On will have you singing along. Some of my personal favs for the sing along bits are tracks 3. Reaky Deaky Boys & Girls and 4. I’m Not Scared of You. Honestly, its a pretty decent disc altogether. Its chock filled with quirky and somewhat sophomoric punk rock and albeit a bit on the cartoonish side, it still has the maturity of a band that has been at it for this long. My one gripe is track 12. Mr. Hard. Every time I hear it I just can’t stop thinking that it should be about Michael Caine instead. … oh well they can’t all be songs about Michael Caine.

–Jerry Actually

The Gozerians – Squatter EP

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

Charming yet quirky, a bit rough around the edges and the kind of attitude that only comes from the suburbs. That is roughly what I’d say if someone asked me I thought about The Gozerians new EP, Squatter. Ok really I wouldn’ answer a direct question in that manner. People would likely think that I’m more of an asshole than they already do. What I would really say is, “They’re pretty cool. Punk rock kinda like Guttermouth only a bit more melody oriented.”

I don’t know necessary if that is apt or not, but a five song sampling isn’t the world to go on. Perhaps a bit about the band will help you cement your own opinion. The band originally formed in 2009, comprised of in-laws and friends, all veterans of the local punk rock scene. The band commenced to jigglin’ After the summer of ‘09 and a struggle to find the right lead guitar player, the band opted instead to rock forward as a three piece. Frankly I’m a fan of the trio format. It’s like you’re totally equipped to do nothing but rock, dig?

Ok, for reals, final note. I quite enjoy Squatter. The tracks are peppy and short. The songs overall are catchy and fun, albeit a bit on the juevenile side, but hey what the hell isn’t these days. If’n you’re in the great St. Louis, MO area, go out of your house and check out The Gozerians. Enjoy. In that order.

-Jerry Actually

Hounds & Harlots – Demo

© 2010 Hounds & Harlots

[rating:4/5]

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“What and or who are these Hounds & Harlots”, you may ask. “Am I with or am I not with them”, that is another damn fine question, one of several I fix on answering to some degree in the next few sentences. Well let’s start with the former.  Hounds & Harlots is a punk rock band rising up outta the San Francisco Bay.

The punk rock quartet consists of (at the time of this recording) Greg De Hoot on Bass and Vox, Bryan Zimmerman on Guitar and Vox, “Nice Guy” Brandon on Guitar and Vox and Cory Cunningham on Drums. What you have here is the basic ingredients for punk rock, four strapping young lads from the dark heart of the city by the bay.

The demo disc that I received is done up in modern era DIY fashion; A burned 3-track CD, hand markered for identification purpose and a b/w photocopy liner. I applaud the effort and am glad it wasn’t on cassette, ‘cause I don’t even have a cassette deck anymore. Something more to mention about the DIY ethic of the band, they are constantly rocking the social media. I, in fact, first heard of them through some mutual friends on Twitter. Way to capitalize on the new means to network.

The aforementioned disc contains three tracks: Divisadero, Wasted and Lots to Learn. They are all strong, but the clear leader is the opener, Divisadero. The track is a rollicking sing-a-long punk rock number that’ll like have you packing your bags for the neighborhood for which the band espouses so much pride. The two following tracks are both solid in their own right, but lack the catchy chorus of the lead-in number.

I will leave you with this, am I with them? Yes I am.

–Jerry Actually

The Assasinators – Weaving Spiders Come Not Here

(c) 2009 The Assasinators

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The Assisantors started out in Shelton, Wa in 2004. They recorded their first album later that year, having already played with UK Subs, Agent Orange and Poison Idea to name a few. After taking a year off playing shows in ’07 and a line-up change, they officially released their debut album, Rumour Of War in 2008. They then recorded ‘Weaving Spiders Come Not Here’, with help from Mike Herrera of Christian pop-punkers MxPx. The (ever changing) line-up currently consists of Paul- Vocals, Parris- Guitar, Zebrana (of now defunct Bastard Child)- Bass, and Drew- Drums.

As soon as you press play, the impression is given that this is on the borderline of punk and metal. It’s very heavy and fast, and the guitar riffs would fit in on a metal record. Paul’s vocals would even be suited to a metal band, but there’s a snarly and in-your-face attitude to their sound, and that’s what makes them punk rock.

‘Econarchy’ is, even though it’s heavy, a middle finger in the air number, and is one of those songs that has such a ‘fuck you’ attitude, it makes you feel like you’re not punk if you don’t sing along. ‘Got A Deal WIth The FBI’ has the same effect.

There’s a bit of a political and socio-political theme to many of the songs on this album. They manage to demonstrate their opinions, on topics most of us can relate to, but aren’t pushing their beliefs onto the listener. A good example of this is ‘Welfare Checks And Balances’.

There are two covers on Weaving Spiders…, the first is GG Allin’s ‘Drink, Fight And Fuck’ a great choice, and they manage to make it work for them well. The 2nd is ‘Out Of Control’, by the legendary Rancid- a daring choice for an underground band, but they do it justice, as the heavier Rancid sound fits the Assasinators’ sound. Not quite as good as the original, but covers rarely are.

‘Badge And Gun’ and ‘Doin’ Fine’ are the punkiest tunes on the album, with their attitude and sound, and will go down brilliantly live.

The title track is the slowest, showing there’s more to them than heavy punk/metal.  This one is the closest to traditional new-school punk, and is definitely the highlight of the record.

The Assasinators have lots of potential. Expect to hear a lot more from this band in the near future, especially if they can write more songs like the title track to this impressive sophomore release.

-Frankii

Mad Sin – Burn and Rise

(c) 2010 People Like You Records

[rating:4.5/5]

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Legendary Psychobilly band-deluxe, Mad Sin, is back with a brand new release.  Burn and , released on 04/23/2010, marks the eleventh release from these German born psychos.  It has been twenty three some odd years since Mad Sin was born out of youthful ideals and punk rock attitude.

Twenty three years appears to be the magic number for breathing new life. While 2005’s Dead Moon’s Calling was no slouch of a release, it lacks that vitality that is apparent on Burn and Rise. It appears that unlike a lot of bands who somehow keep trucking over the years, spewing out increasing blandness and living off their past, Mad Sin keeps getting better and stronger. I think that it is fair to say that Burn and Rise is my favorite release yet.

From what I understand, 2009 was a rough year for Mad Sin, including the death of friends, infighting amongst the band and a brush with death for Koefte Deville. Life in general and a hard living rock-n-roll lifestyle were taking their toll. Yet after all the hardship, the band persevered. They rallied and came back to record a power-house of a release; a true testament to the idea that what doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger.

The nineteen tracks in total (with intros and outros and all that rot) don’t fail to impress with speed, intensity, demon fueled guitar riffs, characteristic vocal inflections and a very full solid sound. Despite the darkness and gloom that is so closely associated with the genre, Burn and Rise is spewing forth with brand new life.

The last word is this, Mad Sin is an integral part of the core of Psychobilly today and Burn and Rise is a juicy bit of blood red icing on a coffin shaped cake.

–Jerry Actually

Promises – Hopeless Sons

(c) 2010 Pee Records

Queensland, Australia’s Promises have only been playing together as a band since January 2010, but have still managed to get into the studio, and get signed to a label. This, their first EP, was written and recorded in two months. A week after they’d finished recording, they were signed by independent label, Pee Records.

Right from the beginning it’s clear this isn’t going to be true, old-school hardcore. Realistically, it’s metal- whether the band or the fans like it or not, that’s the truth. Yeah they’ve got the image right, but their sound is nothing like the original heroes of hardcore.

As soon as the vocals kick in on opener ‘No Story Left Untold’, the thing that strikes you is Zaca’s, unusual style. Though it’s not unusual in a good way. He seems to struggle in between the traditional hardcore scream/growl and normal, albeit angry, singing. It becomes unbearable at times, with the voice changing so frequently, with each word comes the ups and downs of growls and singing.

Then there’s ‘Flint Soles’. Only certain bands can pull off really short songs (Agnostic Front’s ‘Victim in Pain’ or Good Riddance and their ‘Overcoming Learned Behaviour’ for example) and even they aren’t as short as this one. It’s not even like it carries on into the next song, or is an outtro to the one before it- it’s just 19 pointless thrashy seconds.

Instrumentally, they’re adequate. Just the typical (so called) hardcore, nothing out of the ordinary.

The drastically varying track lengths add to the disappointment of this CD too. It’s so hard to tell whether this is meant to be heavy, fast hardcore, or verbose metalcore, it’s like even the band don’t know.

Unfortunately, this type of music is becoming increasingly popular the world over, with scene (destroying) kids thinking they know decent music, when they really don’t. If you’re a fan of real hardcore (Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All or even Black Flag, etc.) stay clear of this band.

-Frankii

Good Riddance – Capricorn One

© 2010 Fat Wreck Chords

[rating:3.5/5]

I’ll admit that I’m not super familiar with Good Riddance. Ok, sure I know who they are. I have a couple discs but I was never that into them. From this singles collection that I’m listening to right now, I’m thinking that I have been quite remiss. Capricorn One is some seriously sweet punk rock that spans a career that I intend to spend more time looking into. The earlier more hardcore material easily evolves into the tighter more articulate punk rock that I am more familiar with.

My lack of familiarity notwithstanding, Capricorn One dishes up 21 track of to-the-point punk rock and leaves you wanting more. I’d like to note, however, that this disc, thankfully doesn’t leave me wanting more of a “Phenomenon of Craving” … not my favorite Good Riddance.

At any rate, if you’re a fan, get this. If you’re not a fan, start.

-Jerry Actually