Bar Stool Preachers – Grazie Governo LP (Pirates Press)
Is ska making a
comeback? Did it never really go away? I won’t bore you on its evolution, but a
little band called The Interrupters having been hoping so. Wait a minute; this
is a review about Bar Stool Preachers. Is Bar Stool Preachers in the same
school? Yes and no. I make a connection because the Interrupters singer does
sing backup on a track called “Choose Friends.” Grazie Governo is a little like the Newtown Neurotics playing ska.
Bar Stool Preachers mix ’77 and Fat Wreck style punk, rock and ska all together
with politically and socially conscious lyrics on their second LP, Grazie Governo. More Clash influence
than Specials. – Ed Stuart
Cyber Bullies – Leather and Lazers Cassette (More Power Tapes)
Cyber Bullies
are a fast, sloppy mess. The Bullies hail from Buffalo, NY and feature two
members of Radiation Risks. Leather and
Lazers is like a lo-fi garage punk with some So Cal influence keyboards
added. Cyber Bullies play five songs in five minutes with quirky vocals. I have
a feeling there may not be a middle ground on this one. – Ed Stuart
Dee Rangers – All You Need Tonight LP (Low
Impact)
This record is
such a treasure that it made my Top Ten of last year. Dee Rangers, from
Stockholm, Sweden is combination of power pop, ‘60’s garage, R&B and rock
n’ roll. All You Need Tonight is a
like a shot of ‘70’s era Flamin’ Groovies mixed with Sonics fury. This is the
band’s seventh LP, yes, you read this right, and it’s as good as some band’s
debuts. Melodic, fun, and upbeat, what more do you want? – Ed Stuart
Night Birds – Roll Credits LP (Fat
Wreck)
If you have read
any of my other Night Birds, you know I’m a fan. This LP is no different. Night
Birds are now a five piece since their original guitarist re-joined the ranks. Roll Credits adds a touch more pop,
listen to “Radium Girls” and their cover “I Need A Torch” by Suicide Commandos.
Yes, Night Birds still has rippers like “My Dad is the BTK” and “White Noise
Machine” and overall they still tap into all the classic ‘80’s So Cal sound
mixed with their surf sound. Roll Credits
is also available as a 7” box set with different songs having the covers
drawn by different artists. – Ed Stuart
NOFX – Live In A Dive - Ribbed LP (Fat
Wreck)
This is the
eighth LP in the Live In A Dive series. Live In A Dive is a series that was on
hiatus, but gets a rebirth with NOFX’s offering Ribbed. Ribbed, originally in 1991 and this live recording is from
2012, features the NOFX classic “The Moron Brothers.” Ribbed was the last LP to
feature Brett Guerwitz as producer and the last LP to feature a different
guitarist than El Hefe before he took over guitar duties. What can I say about
this LP? Ribbed is more punk/metal than later NOFX records, which might have
influenced later Fat bands like Propagandhi and Lagwagon. Ribbed did also help
build the NOFX sound which they have stayed with ever since. This live LP has
commentary by the band about how hard these songs are to play live, which is
pretty funny considering how many years these have been playing these
songs. – Ed Stuart
Sad Hill – Good If It Goes LP (Self-Release)
Sad Hill is
right on the borderline. Good If It Goes
has each foot in different worlds. One being late ‘80s college rock and the
other being melodic ‘90’s alternative rock like a Jimmy Eat World meets
Everclear. Sad Hill, from Western Australia, definitely employs the melodic
verse and crunchy power chorus to good effect, which was featured heavily in
both decades. – Ed Stuart
Steady Hands – Truth In Comedy LP (Lame-O)
Steady Hands is
Sean Huber’s solo effort. Who is Sean Huber? He was the drummer in the widely
popular Modern Baseball. Huber, backed by a group of Philadelphia musicians,
wisely did not recreate his previous band. Truth
In Comedy is more emo meets Americana with Huber out front and center. Steady
Hands is a chance for the drummer to show his stuff and not be behind the kit. – Ed Stuart
Wood Chickens Must Die – S/T EP (Crush Grove)
“We Skate In
Boots,” might be the driver of this EP. Wood Chickens, supposedly cow punks,
but sounding more like a skate punk on this EP to me. I’m thinking JFA, early
DRI, maybe a touch of early Supersuckers on this S/T EP. “Return of Skunk Ape,” is an answer to the earlier “Skunk
Ape,” which is more country punk. I’m not sure. Wood Chickens want to keep you
guessing and sometimes that isn’t bad. – Ed Stuart
