Sludgeworth Release Losers of the Year on Vinyl

SLUDGEWORTH, CHICAGO PUNK PIONEERS, TO RELEASE ’95 COMPILATION, LOSERS OF THE YEAR, ON VINYL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

For the uninitiated, Sludgeworth are Chicago punk pioneers from the 1980’s that released a posthumous collection/discography album on Lookout Records back in the day — and it sold tens of thousands of copies, which was impressive for a defunct band. With members of Screeching Weasel, they had obvious leanings towards melodic punk, but they also had a quintessential Midwest sound mixed in with some post-punk. Think Naked Raygun and Fugazi.

And now, for the first time ever, Red Scare Industries is releasing Sludgeworth’s first and only LP, Losers of the Year, on vinyl and streaming services. The CD/digital version is getting two previously unreleased tracks: “To Be The Same” and “Here For A While.”

The reissue also comes with live photos from back in the day and liner notes featuring contributions from Naked Raygun’s Jeff Pezzati, Rise Against’s Joe Principe, Mikey Erg, Dillinger Four’s Patrick Costello, and more. It comes out on Friday, December 9 (pre-order).
“This has been in the works for well over 5 years. I know Dan (Sludgeworth singer) from The Methadones records we did. He gave me the green light, but it took ages to track down the audio for this. When I finally had the good sense to contact Chrisser (Appelgren, President/Owner of Lookout Records) he immediately wrote back that he had one last shoe box of tapes, but it was unlikely. Minutes later I got an email that was basically, ‘Ope, I’ll be damned, it’s in here!’ He overnighted me the DAT tape and that was the first promising sign! He’s one of the real heroes of this salvage project. Something else I found out: not easy to transfer a DAT tape these days! I know all sortsa fancy studios, but no one can keep a machine in working order because they’re impossible to maintain. And since THE VERY LAST copy of the master audio were in my hands, I wasn’t about to put it in the mail. Next stroke of luck was that I learned Arik from Creep Records still had a working machine and he hooked me up. He’s hero #2 in this tale! When we were transferring files he was like, ‘Damn, this is good!’ Yet another promising sign! Obviously the art was lost to the winds and there’s literally no band pic or promo shot, so Eric from Wall of Youth had his work cut out for him, but he pulled it off. The final package came out great: we got a buncha live shots and some blurbs from Sludgeworth’s contemporaries. Folks like Jeff from Naked Raygun, Joe from Rise Against, Mikey Erg, Patrick from Dillinger Four, etc. It took some time to cobble together, but I think people will be stoked to finally have a vinyl copy of this.” – Toby, Red Scare
1. Waste It Away
2. Someday
3. Anytime
4. Only One
5. Another Day
6. I Analyze
7. Never Say Never
8. Follow
9. Over And Over
10. She’s Not Disposable
11. Cry Baby
12. Nearest One To Stand Behind
13. Angry Man
14. Two Feet On The Ground
15. You And I
16. To Be The Same*
17. Here For A While*
*CD Only Bonus Tracks

HILLBILLY MOON EXPLOSION Reissue 3rd Album & Release Special 7” Vinyl!


Zürich Rockabilly Icons THE HILLBILLY MOON EXPLOSION Reissue 3rd Album & Release Special 7” Vinyl!

Los Angeles, CA – When last we heard from Swiss rockabilly phenoms The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, they had just inked a deal with U.S.-based label Cleopatra Records to reissue their first two albums, the incredible 2002 debut album, fittingly entitled Introducing The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, as well as the sophomore effort, Bourgeois Baby. Now comes the third album, the exquisite All Grown Up, which is being released on both CD in a slick digipak as well as on a limited-edition PURPLE SPLATTER vinyl in gatefold jacket. Originally released in 2007, All Grown Up, as the title suggests, shows the band maturing in both their songwriting and arranging talents, offering a diverse palette of blues, ska, jazz and early rock stylings.

Order the CD/LP:https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=hillbilly+moon+explosion+all+grown+up&post_type=product

Stream/download All Grown Up:https://orcd.co/o0vkq1a

And for an extra special holiday treat, the band has prepped a rockin’ RED & WHITE splatter 7″ featuring the lead-off track “Chick Habit” from their debut album backed with a gorgeous ballad “Many Tears Ago” from Bourgeois Baby. Makes for a perfect stocking stuffer!

Order the 7”:https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/the-hillbilly-moon-explosion-chick-habit-limited-edition-7-splatter-vinyl/

All Grown Up Tracklist:
1. Walk Italian
2. Need You to Stay
3. Live the Life
4. The Long Way Down
5. Putty in Your Hands
6. Brown Eyed Boy
7. Tornado
8. House of Bamboo
9. Somebody Changed the Lock
10. All Grown Up
11. Oh Oh Mojo
12. Little Lil
13. Midnight Track
14. Moonshine Song

The Interrupters ‘Live in Tokyo!’ Out Now + Documentary Film Premiere June 24

Hellcat Records

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2021
Contact: michele@epitaph.com

THE INTERRUPTERS
LIVE IN TOKYO!
OUT NOW DIGITALLY & ON VINYL
CD AVAILABLE JULY 9


LIVE IN TOKYO – THIS IS MY FAMILY!
FILM PREMIERE
6/24 @ 6PM PT/9PM ET

BAND ON THE HELLA MEGA TOUR THIS SUMMER
Supporting Green Day, Fall Out Boy, & Weezer

PHOTO CREDIT: MITCH IKEDA

Los Angeles-based band The Interrupters have just released Live In Tokyo! via Hellcat Records. The live record, produced by guitarist Kevin Bivona, is taken from the band’s 2019 performance at Tokyo’s Summer Sonic Festivalin support of their latest album, Fight the Good Fight(2018).

CHECK OUT LIVE IN TOKYO! NOW

The past few years have been pivotal for The Interrupters. Fight the Good Fightdebuted #1 Heatseekers, #5 Current Rock, and #5 Current Alternative Album on the Billboard charts. The lead single, “She’s Kerosene” charted #5 at Alternative Radio in US, #1 Alternative in Canada, and #1 Rock in Canada making The Interrupters the first female-fronted band with an Alternative Radio hit since No Doubt. The follow-up single, “Gave You Everything”charted #19 at Alternative Radio in US, and #2 Rock in Canada. In addition, the band made their US TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and were featured as iHeartRadio’s On The Verge Artist (Fall 2018).

On top of this success, The Interrupters toured extensively worldwide including sold out headlining dates as well as appearances at Coachella, Punk Rock Bowling, Warped Tour (Main Stage), Hang Out, Epicenter, Sonic Temple, Aftershock Festival, Slam Dunk, Download, Hellfest, and support runs with 311 & The Dirty Heads, and Rancid to name a few.

If you’ve been fortunate enough to attend an Interrupters show, you know that it is not just your typical concert, it is an event. It is a big energy sing-a-long where everyone feels like family. “You want to go to a show to feel better, put your arm around your friend, and dance, and sing, and have a release,” notes Aimee Interrupter. “Celebrate life and forget about your problems. We want to participate in that whole exchange”

In celebration of the release, the band will premiere their documentary film Live in Tokyo – This Is My Family! on June 24 for North & South America at 6pm PT/9pm ET. The film features the live performance from Summer Sonic, behind the scenes footage, and exclusive interviews. The film will rebroadcast twice on June 25; the first being 6pm JST/7pm UTC for Asia & Australia and the second at 6pm BST/7pm CEST for UK, Europe, and Africa. Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased
via https://www.momenthouse.com/theinterrupters. During the premiere and rebroadcasts, fans will have a chance to purchase exclusive merch items.

LIVE IN TOKYO TRACK LISTING
1.    Intro / A Friend Like Me (Live)
2.    By My Side (Live) 
3.    Take Back The Power (Live) 
4.    Title Holder (Live) 
5.    She Got Arrested (Live) 
6.    Bad Guy (Live) 
7.    Gave You Everything (Live) 
8.    On A Turntable (Live) 
9.    She’s Kerosene (Live) 
10.  Family (Live) 

The Interrupters will appear as special guests on the Hella Mega stadium tour supporting Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit www.hellamegatour.com.

THE HELLA MEGA TOUR NORTH AMERICAN DATES:
7/29          Houston, TX                Minute Maid Park
7/31          Jacksonville, FL          TIAA Bank Field
8/1            Miami, FL                    Hard Rock Stadium
8/4            Flushing, NY               Citi Field
8/5            Boston, MA                 Fenway Park
8/8            Washington, DC         Nationals Park
8/10          Detroit, MI                   Comerica Park
8/13          Hershey, PA               Hersheypark Stadium
8/15          Chicago, IL                  Wrigley Field
8/17          Columbus, OH            Historic Crew Stadium
8/19          Pittsburgh, PA             PNC Park
8/20          Philadelphia, PA         Citizen’s Bank Park
8/23          Minneapolis, MN         Target Field
8/25          Denver, CO                 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
8/27          San Francisco, CA     Oracle Park
8/29          San Diego, CA            PetCo Park
9/1            Milwaukee, WI            Summerfest
9/3            Los Angeles, CA         Dodger Stadium
9/6            Seattle, WA                 T Mobile Park

The Interrupters are Aimee Interrupter (vocals) and the Bivona brothers (guitarist Kevin Bivona, bassist Justin Bivona, drummer Jesse Bivona).

ARTWORK

For More Information on The Interrupters, visit:
 WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Duck & Cover – Two Shots

Ever find yourself missing a band from the past and serendipitously stumbling into them, or an iteration of the sound you missed, some time in the future?

Well biggity bam, fam, here I am.

I got an email a couple weeks ago about a new 7” from Duck & Cover. The name of the band didn’t ring a bell at all, but as I started listening, there was a familiarity that couldn’t be missed. A quick scan of the sidebar revealed “(ex/current The Coffin Lids, The Acro-brats, Bang Camaro, Black Cheers, Vampire Lezbos, The Throwaways, The Drags, Wild Zero…)”

I want to digress a bit here to say that anyone currently aged 15 – 80 is very likely also a ex/current member of Bang Camaro, it’s just one of those things.

Anyway, I’ve long enjoyed The Acro-brats, specifically. This is documented by the long since faded sticker on my car. It’s nice to hear some new material with a familiar sound.

I don’t want to detract from Duck & Cover with my nostalgic opine, however. The band and their new 7” Two Shots have merit on their own.

Three tracks of bouncy rock and roll, with a bit of a post new wave vibe about it. It’s like what an alternate 80s timeline could have been if hair metal never took to the high seas and bomb-blasted us all with their Hollywood sleaze.

I suppose this all distills down to where I tell you what you get. Well, what you get is a solid rock and roll band, tempered by punk and new wave of yesteryear. The culmination of that is a damn fine 7” record.

Tracks:

1. Two Shots

2. Bleeding Edge

3. Unlucky 17

NEW RELEASE: THE SLACKERS “REDLIGHT” 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION COMES WITH 3 BONUS TRACKS!

Long out-of-print, this classic sophomore album by one of the greatest ska bands ever has been given the proper 20th anniversary treatment. This is a must-have for any Slackers fan, regardless of whether you own the original or not. Having been remastered for vinyl, and pressed on 180gram vinyl, “Redlight” has never sounded as good; and with a two-color foil stamped cover, exclusive art-print insert, and lyric sleeve, it’s never looked so good!

Originally released by Hellcat Records in 1997, this album truly solidified the Slackers’ iconic sound, blending ska, reggae, soul, jazz and dub, seamlessly, with the passion and integrity that the band has embodied for over 25 years.
TRACK LISTING:
A Side
1. Cooking For Tommy
2. Watch This
3. Married Girl
4. I Still Love You
5. Solider
6. Fried Chicken / Mary, MaryB Side
1. You Must Be Good
2. Redlight
3. Tin Tin Deo
4. She Wants To Be Alone
5. Rude And Reckless
6. Come Back Baby

Bonus Digital Tracks:
1. When I Find A Place Where I Belong
2. Calypso Jazz (Iron Bar)
3. Come Back Baby (Glen Adams Mix)

THE SLACKERS’ TOUR DATES:
March 10 – Riverside, CA – Romanos
March 11 – Los Angeles, CA – Skankin Reggae Festival
March 12 – Oakland, CA – Skankin Reggae Festival
March 22 – New Smyrna, Fl – Beachside Tavern
March 23 – Jupiter Beach, FL – Guanabanas
March 24 – Miami, Fl – Churchills
March 25 – Orlando, Fl – Beacham
March 26 – Jacksonville, Fl – Jack Rabbits
March 31 – Winchester, VA – Bright Box
April 1 – Washington DC – Rock and Roll Hotel
April 5 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
April 6 – London, ON – Rum Runners
April 8 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
April 9 – Syracuse, NY – Funk & Waffles
April 22 – Garwood, NJ – Crossroads
April 26 – Yuma, AZ – Alement
April 27 – Phoenix, Az – Crescent Ballroom
April 28 – Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad
April 29 – El Paso, Tx – Rockhouse Bar
April 30 – Tuscon, Az – 181 Toole
May 2 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
May 3 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
May 19 – Montreal, QC – Pouzza Fest
May 27 – Las Vegas, NV – Punk Rock Bowling
June 16 – Boston, MA – Boat Cruise
June 23 – New York, NY – Rocks Off Cruise

Los Gatos Negros

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I’m listening to some new vinyl. The self-titled from Los Gatos Negros showed up in my mailbox today. Of course, I threw it down on the turntable.

Garage style punk. Can’t quite make out if it’s kids or girls singing half the time, but I don’t care. I like how it sounds. It’s crunchy and fresh. The tracks are short and fun.

I’d tell you more about the band, but well, the album cover is all black, front and back and there is no record jacket. I like the mystery of it. Speaking of mystery it seems like the “B” side is blank. That’s kinda crazy.

At any rate, the “A” side is fun. So if you can track it down, check out the new self-titled album from Los Gatos Negros.

–Jerry Actually

The Big Ska Gamble

(c) 2013 Grandpa’s Casino

[rating: 9/10]

big_ska_gambleHere’s a little slice of magic for you ska fans out there: Seven 7” records. Seven artists. Seven flavors of ska.

A bad ass little box set of vinyl featuring: The Shifters, The Action League, Lockstep, The Georgetown Orbits, Do It With Malice, Stop The Presses, Sammy K & The Los East 3, and Jorge & The Landladies.

If you’re a fan of ska, reggae, calypso, northern soul, and more, do yourself a big ol’ favor and get a hold of one or more of these records. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. (for the record, if you are disappointed afterwards, I’m sorry. Maybe you need to reevaluate your listening ability.) The range on this collection is impressive. I don’t like to pigeonhole bands, but fans, of DHC, Buck-0-Nine, and The Pietasters ought to find some major enjoyment here.

It’s often a challenge to review a compilation. That’s true now. What I’d like to impart is that this is music, this is real. There are bands out there giving their all for you. I think it’d be kind of you to give it a listen.

The takeaway is this. Ska! (and really good ska, at that) So cheers to your ears! Enjoy! Need I say more? ok, I will. In the words of Ryan Lewis, “This is fucking awesome!”

–Jerry Actually

Find out for yourself:
http://www.bigskagamble.com
http://grandpascasino.com