Record Reviews! More Excuses To Stay Indoors And Ignore The Harsh Cruel World

Black Heart Breakers – Rotting Out EP (Self Released)

Almost squeezing out an LP, this record contains 6 songs from this band of young Australian upstarts. I don’t know if it’s just because I know they’re from Australia, but I can’t shake the Radio Birdman comparisons. The second song of this record is total Ramones greatness though. Black Heart Breakers don’t solely warship rock gods form yesteryear however. While taking nods from the past, the songs all have a contemporary feel to them. In particular the tunes “Angles Take Me Away” and “Save Me” have a strong mid 1990’s Green Day/Rancid allure.  – JC

Cheap Cassettes – Worse N’ Better b/w Hieroglyphics in Lipstick EP (Cassettes on Record)

I’ve been a fan of this band since their 2017 debut LP All Anxious All The Time came out. I’m hesitant to call Cheap Cassettes “power pop” but if you hear that anywhere else, remember the emphasis is on the power. This Seattle band plays exquisite guitar driven, melodic rock n roll with a punk punch. The A-Side and title track of this record is my favorite Cheap Cassettes song so far and it was recorded and mixed by Kurt Blotch! A match made in rock n roll heaven! If you’re into late 70’s punk bands like Teenage Head, The Boys, Real Kids, Generation X, bands that had equal parts heart and fire, then you’ll dig these guys a lot.  – JC

C.H.E.W. – Feeding Frenzy LP (Drunken Sailor/Iron Lung)

Chicago’s C.H.E.W. play blazing fast, rapid punch to the face hardcore that gives you the dizzying feeling of someone swinging you around the room by the ankles. First thing that stood out to me was the production of this record. It’s slightly under produced, giving the music an edge. To be honest though, anyone that reads this blog on a regular basis knows this kind of music is not my cuppa. Not that I dislike it or anything, I just rarely get in the mood for it. When I do I’ll usually put on G.L.O.S.S. or Ceremony’s first record. But C.H.E.W. will certainly be added to that short list of “go to” records of this sort as of today.  – JC

Columna – Las Cosas Que Perdemos LP (Dirt Cult/Last Hour/Sabotage)

Columna are a female fronted band from Spain and this here is their debut LP. The lyrics are sung in Spanish as you’re hopefully not surprised or deterred by this. The band plays sharp, shadowy yet melodic punky, indie rock/post punk not unlike Sleater Kinney, Pretty Girls Make Graves or Savages. The songs are right up there in quality with all of those afore mentioned groups too. The tunes are tight and the production compliments the style of music Columna play. The guitars and bass lines burn bright, keeping everything moving at a good pace and not allowing the music to totally sink into murky darkness. Good stuff! – JC

Crack Pipes – Fake Eyelashes LP (Super Secret)

This band has been playing around Austin TX since the late 1990’s. If this album is any indication, these guys play a really eclectic style of rock. At times they sound like they could have been from Athens, GA in the mid 80’s, other times they can be found worshiping at the Flamin Groovies alter. They also have a heavy Chicago Blues and Motown feel to their songs. Sometimes they even come off as a supped up Doors. Now try to imagine all of the above with a singer that sounds like David Johansen mixed with Iggy Pop.  Yes, this band has all that and yes it’s a lot of fun to listen to. You never know what you’ll get next!  – JC

Des Demonas – Bay of Pigs EP (Slovenly/Black Gladiator)

This band if from Washington DC and play Beatle boot heel stomping, organ pounding garage rock n roll whose songs stick and move with fury and style effortlessly like a heavyweight prizefighter. The A-Side and title track is a swirling fever dream of sound that’ll enter your brain and commandeer your senses. The B-Side is more of a head on organ/guitar tandem assault on your skull.  This 7” is an extension of their impressive 2017 self-titled debut LP. Both songs are exclusive to this record though.  So if you dug their full length, this is essential. If you’ve never heard this band, this is a good place to start.  – JC

Leftover Crack – Leftover Leftover Crack: The E-Sides and F-Sides LP (Fat Wreck Chords)

I’m not sure if I’m the one best suited to review this record since I can barely choke down this band in small doses as it is much less 30 glorious songs of “outtakes” gold. Because everyone knows bands save their best songs for comp records like this. This here record contains more throaty pissed off vocals over “Fat Wreck Chords” type metal guitar punk. If you are new to this band, their ska stuff may come as a stunner, they switch to upstroke gear faster than a Le Mans Ferrari. As most of their label mates, these guys hate religion, Nazis, and probably Republicans and all that punk cliché crap. I can’t really listen intently enough to music like this to really care what I’m supposed to hate this month anymore. – JC

Th’ Losin’ Streaks – This Band Will Self-Destruct in T-Minus LP (Slovenly/Black Gladiator)

This band has been around since the early 2000’s and this is barley their second album, the first being 2004’s underrated garage stunner The Sounds of Violence. But why rush creativity right? I always thought how difficult it would be being a musician under contract forced to pump out records every couple of years. But Sacramento’s Losin’ Streaks took their time and did it right. These guys play loud, rowdy, energetic rock n roll with 60’s fringe dangling all around. After putting on this record, if it’s not the band that “Self-Destructs,” something in the room will.  Standout track for me is “Room and Board” – it’s got  in your face guitar hooks for days!   – JC

 

Mystery Girl – Wild and Mean EP (Feral Kid)

YES! This band had me at very beginning with the guttural guitar sound of the title track! This band are currently from Albany NY but sound like they could have been from NYC in the mid 1970’s. They ooze New York Dolls sleaze, Dead Boys fury and Real Kids charisma but have the gall to give you a middle finger and call it their own. The only bad part about this 4 song EP is that it’s only 4 songs! I need me a Mystery Girl LP now damn you!  This is my first time hearing this band but I’ve already listened to this record about 25 times. Easily one of the best bands around still carrying the torch for this type of music and they’re on an uphill battle with high winds.  – JC 

Priors – New Pleasure LP (Slovenly)

Listening to this record for the first time feels similar to what I imagine it would be like to drive thought that Willy Wonka tunnel of psychedelic horror at 150 mph in an F1 racing boat. This album drips equal parts desperation and chutzpah wrapped in boss garage punk guitar riffs.  It’s really strange to me how Priors music is so minimalistic yet they make it sound so big at the same time.  New Pleasures is an appropriate title for this record indeed. The music is macabre/post-apocalyptic garage punk with keyboard noodling swirling about. Kind of like Lost Sounds or Spits doused with gasoline. Get the oven mitts out kids, this one’s a bonafide cooker!   – JC

  

Radon – More of Their Lies LP (Tiger Force Ultra/Rubber Factory/Dirt Cult)

Gainesville Florida’s longtime resident punks Radon play a style of punk rock that falls somewhere between 7 Seconds and Face to Face. The guitars are loud and melodic and the socially conscious lyrics are riddled with humor and irony but delivered earnestly none the less, I can’t speak for any other of Radon’s records, since this is my first time hearing them but this record has a sense of scrappy charisma to it. Every time I listen to it I like it more and more. The production compliments the music well. It reminds me of pop punk in the early 1990’s, before big time produces, studios and labels got involved.  For more from Radon go to Facebook.com/radonradon and Instagram: @Radon_Gaineville  – JC

 

Savage Beat – Wired LP (Rebellion/LSM)

Rocketing out of the Netherlands comes this quintet of, well I think the name of the band pretty much says it all. Amsterdam’s Savage Beat play fast driven, hard drinking, two fists in the air ready to brawl rock n’ roll. The songs on this record hit with power and ferocity. The singer sounds like he gargles glass shards every morning and breathes fire on command. These guys remind me of bands like Candy Snatchers or a more stripped down Glucifer. With songs like “So Much Hate”, “Man’s Thunder”, and “Leather On Leather”, it’s best if you don’t understand to just stay out of the way. 

– JC

Slovenians – Al Dente LP (Pogo)

Pretty cool debut LP from these Belgians who play quick, hard pounding punk similar to Suffer era Bad Religion or other Epitaph bands from the mid 1990’s like Offspring or Pennywise. The singer has a voice that’s kind of on the deeper side, sometimes sounding like Glen Danzig or Interpol’s Paul Banks.  The drums on this record can seriously turn boulders into powder. The bass and guitars sear the air around them doing a good job of staying out of the way, yet causing a substantial amount of damage on their own.  Standout track: a tune titled “I’m Not Batman”. And no, I don’t like it just because it mentions Batman, it is a pretty cool tune none the less.  – JC

Mark Sultan – Let Me Out LP (Modern Sky/Dirty Water/Burger)

Mark Sultan (AKA BBQ) from the famed King Khan & BBQ Show once again displays his song writing talents on this, his 6^th LP. The songs on this record are pretty cool, straight forward organ driven, tambourine on the hip sassy smacking 1960’s rock. It reminds me of bands like The Seeds or Question Mark and the Mysterians, more the latter than the former. This collection of tunes collected here are a lot more polished up than the rawer, gritty garage stuff from his stellar debut The Sultanic Verses (2007) which was mastered by Jay Reatard.  Still a good record though, don’t get me wrong. – JC

 

Vegas with Randolph – Legs and Luggage LP (Caged Giant)

I remember reviewing a VWR’s 2013 LP Rings Around The Sun years ago and being really surprised that a band this good could exist without more people knowing about them! This Washington D.C. band plays contemporary lovelorn power pop with a punk-y twist that reminds me of groups like The Parasites mixed with Dramarama. This is the bands fourth LP and they just seem to get better with age. Stand out track for me is the 4^th song in titled “You Could Say Yes.” Just the title alone pretty much embodies what Vegas with Randolph is all about.  The next song called “Three Red Hooks” is really cool too, this one radiating a Mathew Sweet vibe.  – JC

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More Music to Fuel The Savage Spirit!

The Dahlmanns – American Heartbeat LP (Beluga/Ghost Highway)

This is my first time hearing The Dahlmanns, I’ve heard the band’s name around before of course but this is my first exposure to them. All I keep thinking as I’m sitting here listening to this record is why haven’t I gotten off my lazy ass and checked out this band before! This is the band’s 2^nd LP but they’ve released a bunch of EP’s since their debut in 2010.  If you don’t fall in love with these songs just from Line Dahlmann’s vocals alone, then you have no soul! It also helps that the tunes here are so super catchy and well written, they have a timeless feel to them. What a marvelous LP, I’m going on the hunt for more Dahlmanns records! – J Castro

Direct Hit! – Crown of Nothing LP (Fat Wreck Chords)

This is the band’s 5^th LP and they continue to tweak their sound slightly, keeping it similar yet not letting it become stagnant. Out of all the current “Fat” bands with the classic “Fat” sound, Direct Hit are my favorites. Their 2013 LP Brainless God is an absolute masterpiece in pop punk lore and Crown of Nothing doesn’t fall too far from it. Direct Hit’s kind of remind me of Propagandhi if Propagandhi were actually good. They cram loud guitars coupled with strong yet snotty vocals, laid over catchy as measles in an unvaccinated kindergarten class room melodies. Great record to add to an untarnished discography.  – J Castro

Flesh Rag – Inside Your Mind LP (Schizophonic/Loose Lips)

It’s about that time for the mighty Flesh Rag to reawaken from their slumber deep within the mountains of the north, swinging their mighty battle axe reminding us how puny and weak we all really are. This is the band’s second LP, continuing their unique brand of tough, macabre psych that sounds like the Pink Fairies cut with the MC5 or imagine The Stooges writing music on a bad acid trip at a morgue. Flesh Rag sounds tight and mighty as ever on this album, the songs fly by you like a hurled hatched narrowly missing your head.  Remember, if not handled properly Flesh Rag records can cause permanent damage. – J Castro

Isolation Party – Fiberoptic Holiday LP (No Front Teeth)

This London Ontario band’s debut LP comes in like a comet from the north, leaving a fiery trail of destruction in its wake.  Isolation Party takes angular post punk guitars and wraps them around power pop melodies to create one of the year’s most exciting LP’s! If you’ve ever said to yourself:  “Swell Maps would be so great if they weren’t SO weird” or “I’d like more power pop bands if they weren’t so sappy,” then Isolation Party are the band for you.  Their song “Mr. Telephone” is an instant classic and once listened to, will hug your brain for days. If you dig early XTC, Pere Ubu, or Magazine then you’ll instantly want to raise a glass to these guys. – J Castro

Ben Katzman’s De-Greaser – Quarter Life Crisis LP (BUFU)

These guys come from Miami Beach, FL and play a paint peeling, face melting brand of loud ass rock with punk rock ferocity. I mean, the first thing that hits you when listening to this record is the guitars, everyone else in the band seems to be running to catch up to them. This isn’t a bad thing at all. And those guitars aren’t just a hard open palmed slap to the face hit either. I mean they hit like wrecking ball to the chest.  Once you get the air back into your lungs you’ll be begging for it again! If you’re into bands like Turbonegro, Zeke, and Electric Frankenstein then I highly recommend these malcontents. – J Castro 

Johnny Mafia – Princes de L‘Amour LP (Dirty Water)

Johnny Mafia are a pretty cool band from Sens France, listening to this record is my first time hearing them. The band has been around since 2010 and this here is their second LP, the first on the Dirty Water label.  The band lists Jay Reatard and The Ramones as influences but the songs on this LP seem to me to fall more towards the Libertines, Cribs, Vaccines sound instead. Let me state that there is nothing wrong with that mind you, I like every one of those bands and I mean listing Johnny Mafia amongst them as a compliment. But if you’re looking for that manic, under produced, recorded in my mother’s garage sound, you won’t find it here.  – J Castro

Neighborhood Brats – Claw Marks LP (Dirt Cult)

This band has been scorching the earth with releases since 2011 and in my opinion, after 2 LP’s and 6 EP’s hasn’t given us a clunker yet. If you’re not familiar with this band, this is as good a place to start as any. I love it when punk bands grab what’s great about different genres of punk, smash them all together and come up with something that sounds familiar yet totally unique. That’s exactly what Neighborhood Brads have done and continues to do so in brilliant fashion on this LP. If you get the chance, go see this band live while they’re touring in support of this LP right now, you won’t leave disappointed. – J Castro

Pale Lips –After Dark LP (Spaghetty Town/Alien Snatch/Gods Candy/)

How can you not like this band? I mean seriously, if you claim to be a rock n roll fan you’ve got to dig Montreal’s Pale Lips. They play short, fun, catchy tunes that when played at high volume feels like someone opened the windows to your musty old soul and let in a cool breeze. They take the core fundamentals of classic rock n roll from the 50’s and 60’s and add their own unique, contemporary spin to it. So like the old adage goes, “what once was old is new again.” This is Pale Lips second LP, hopefully there will be many more to come. The universe needs more bands like this. – J Castro

Quitters – Singing Like Nobody’s Listening 12” EP (Red Toad Music)

Quitters are from Montpelier, France and have been around since 2015. This is their 3^rd release and already seem to have found a sure footing in their sound. This quartet plays loud, catchy songs that have an emo and indie rock touch to them. If you’re into bands like 00’s emo punk heroes like Get Up Kids, The Movielife and The Anniversary you’re going to go seriously nuts for Quitters.  This kind of music isn’t necessarily my first “go to” but even I can tell this band puts a lot into their craft and for that alone I can admire what they set out to do. – J Castro

The Sensations – Just Let Me Turn You Up LP (Paper and Plastick)

Tokyo’s Sensations play wild, good time pop punk with Ska influence. Just from the opening song “Dig Your Own Grave” you can tell these guys are all about a good time like early Fishbone. That opening song pretty much sets the tone for the entire record. I know some cringe at the mention of “ska” but the hons are used sparingly on this record and I don’t get that cheese ball frat boy feel from these guys that I used to get from band like Mustard Plug or MU330. These guys have more in common with bands like Less Than Jake or a less scrappy Operation Ivy. The Sensations must be absolutely explosive live. – J Castro

Territories - S/T LP (Pirate Press)

WOW, Territories are a really great band from Calgary, Alberta! I’m really digging this quite a bit. This record of starts off with really thick, melodic guitars and a rhythm section that sounds like distant thunder echoing in the mountains during the monsoon season. The vocalist has an earnest Springsteen style about him that makes listening to this record feel like putting on your favorite worn in denim jacket. All of the songs ooze this charismatic heartfelt sincerity you don’t get much in punk rock, not the real deal like this anyway. Territories goes well on the same shelf as groups like Iron Chic and Gaslight Anthem.  – J Castro

Useless ID – 7 Hits From Hell 7” (Fat Wreck Chords)

These guys have been around since the mid 1990’s and have released a crap ton of LP’s and EP’s on a myriad of different labels, probably outlasting most of them. The fact that this band has been around for as long as they have is to be commended for sure. From what I can tell, this is the band’s 11^th EP and they released their 10^th LP on Fat Wreck Chords in 2016. If you’ve never heard Useless I.D. before, let’s just say they’re right at home on Fat Wreck Chords. They play tight, fun loving, baggy shorts/backwards baseball cap, riding your skateboard down a steep hill style of punk rock.   – J Castro

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Record Reviews: Fresh Crop

I was always the guy that made mix tapes for everyone. I thought the music I listened to was criminally underrated and deserved to be shared and enjoyed by as many as would listen. So doing this blog and reviewing records for you all to read is sort of my way of still doing that. Hopefully you'll find something cool to listen to here. There are a lot of real gems, something for everyone it seems.  With summer coming to an end soon, you're going to need some savory tunes to get you through that long stretch to Halloween! - J Castro

Black Panties – Dirt From The Mop 7” (Total Punk)

Black Panties play 100% bonafide fuzzed up, blown out, torn down punk rock that’s reminiscent of first album era Reatards.  I don’t know where this band is from but wherever it is, wherever they gather to record or to consume sustenance I fear for their neighbors or whatever poor patron happens to be next to them when they finally blow.  Rest assured that it will happen too. It may not be tomorrow or next week but it will happen and when it does they will try to take as many innocents as they possibly can with them.  Back to whatever pit of hellfire damnation they clawed their way out of. - JC

The Bombpops – Dear Beer EP (Fat Wreck Chords)

Four new songs from this Oceanside, CA quartet. I don’t listen to too many of the new Fat Wreck Chords bands much, at least not on a regular basis (except toyGuitar, Night Birds and Masked Intruder of course!) and The Bombpops are also one of them. There’s something about those hard driving melodic power chords, thundering drums under Jen Razavi and Poli Van Dam’s vocals that really works for me. Their songs as a whole are kind of your typical “Fat Sound” though. In some ways The Bombpops remind me a lot of bands like Tilt and Discount, good stuff!. - JC

Color Me Wednesday – Counting Pennies in the Afterlife LP (KROD)

The first thing I noticed about this band is that they describe themselves as being political, feminist, and vegan. However you would never really know just by casually listening to their music. Color Me Wednesday deliver their message on a sweeping, melodic bed of indie pop that goes down easy.  Their music is not abrasive or in your face.  In a time when it seems everyone is shouting their political stance from their social media proverbial roof tops, it’s nice to hear a band that quietly puts out their message instead of smashing you over the head with it.  You can choose to hear it in the lyrics or you can just let these dreamy pop songs help you escape for a while.  – JC

Counter Intuits – Vietnamese Lighter 7” (Total Punk)

If you want to get somewhat of a feel of this record, try to imagine what it would sound like if Jonathan Richmond, Lou Reed and Mike Hudson got together in the basement of an old burned out house.  Now also try to think of what it would sound like if these guys started playing instruments that were partially burned in that same fire and recorded that session.  Now you’ve got a faint scent of what the Avant fractured pop Counter Intuits bring on this here new 7”.  It’s disdainful, it’s contemptuous, its Total Punk! - JC

Dark/Light – Dark Slash Light 7” (Dirt Cult)

Dark/Light play a shadowy yet urgent brand of punk/post punk reminiscent of fellow Portlandians The Stops and Red Dons but also have the scrappiness of bands like Piss Test. Listening to Dark/Light’s is similar to watching masked ninja marauders moving and weaving in the darkness, closing in on their prey. The music is energetic and captivating but also has an air of uneasiness to it as well.   The standout track for me is the last tune called “Rotting” which is a relentless, full frontal audio assault of screaming guitar pummeling.  If you’ve never heard this band, this 7” is the perfect place to start. - JC

Future Girls – Motivation Problems LP (Dirt Cult)

This band had me by the throat form the very first song! The band compares themselves to Superchunk and calls themselves “bummer punk” but that may not me entirely fair. Future Girls have a brilliant energy and they do have Superchunk style guitar riffs but they also have a tremendous presence to them.  Try to imagine a band from the Lookout Records heyday (like Monsula, Fifteen, MTX) of the 90’s with a post punk/Joy Division production and you’ve got just a taste of this LP.  I find what Future Girls do to be quite magnificent, this is definitely going in the contenders pile for record of the year!  - JC

Hollywood Sinners – Khome Kakka LP (Dirty Water)

Hollywood Sinners have now unleashed their 4^th LP out among the masses.  These guys play scrappy, energetic, 1960’s style garage punk like The Sonics, Question Mark & The Mysterians, or like early 90’s Makers. The band is from Spain so yes the songs on here are all sung in Spanish.  The title itself is a play on words meaning “Eat Shit”.  It doesn’t really matter if you can’t understand the lyrics, I speak Spanish fluently and I still can barely understand them.  Khome Kakka explodes with bravado, swagger and a charismatic vitality that is essential when playing this type of music.  I bet these guys rock HARD live too! After all, that’s what music like this was invented for.  – JC

Krang – Singalong LP (Bird Attack/Melodic Punk Style)

This band is from the Czech Republic and plays a pretty straight forward skate style punk rock riddled with pop culture references. Krang sound like they’d be right at home on Fat Wreck Chords or Side One Dummy touring with bands like Lag Wagon and Good Riddance.  The drums beat at an almost superhuman speed and the songs are tough yet melodic.  The snotty factor is set to a minimal on the vocals, buy there’s plenty of guitars and harmonized backing vocals to go around. If you’re getting tired of the old records you used to put on while playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater then check out Krang.  – JC

Brad Marino - Four Track Attack 7” (Beluga)

The Connection’s front man strikes out on his own on this new 7” of all original tunes. Brad’s songs here have a similar good time rock n’ roll/Buddy Holly-esq vibe to them as his band The Connection does. All of these songs are fun, guitar driven tunes that sound like they could have been on The Rolling Stone’s Tattoo You record.  Brad Marino’s songs have no politics, no social commentary they’re just pure, untainted, top shelf rock n roll. That may sound simple to do but it isn’t, not as good as this guy does it anyway. If it is in fact that easy, I wish more people would make records like this. - JC

Bruce Moody – Get Fresh 7” (Meanbean)

Bruce Moody plays a similar style of power pop as The Nerves used to. The kind that’s derived from the same blueprint as a lot of the bands from the 1960’s like The Hollies and Herman’s Hermits. Bruce Moody’s music is refreshingly quaint and irresistible. If you’re a fan of power pop at all and you aren’t acquainted with Mr. Moody’s music, I recommend you remedy this immediately. From the two Bruce Moody 7”’s that Meanbean has put out previously I have yet to hear a shabby tune from him and this record is no exception. Living in such turbulent times it’s so nice to turn on records like this and just let the catchy melodies ease all your tensions. - JC

Pandemix – Rank & File 7” (Dirt Cult)

Fantastic 7” from this political hardcore punk band causing a commotion out in the Boston area. Apparently this band has only been around for a couple of years but already have a full length and released their much sought after demo they put out in 2016. Pandemix kind of fall into the East Coast crust punk realm of The Pist or Aus Rotten but their songs have catchier riffs and they have the urgency and charisma of fellow Bostonians Showcase Showdown (one of the most highly underrates bands ever in my humble opinion).  Both songs on this 7” are certified gut punchers, highly recommended! - JC

 Please Stop – Built To Die 7” (No Front Teeth)

Just so you all know, this 7” actually contains 11 songs, an LP on an EP! This band’s core consists of another phenomenal No Front Teeth band I liked a lot called The Ills who were active a few years ago.  They tweaked their roster a tad, tuned up everything that was awesome about The Ills and voila – we’ve got Please Stop!  This band would have fit perfectly on Kill Rock Star Records back in the 90’s Olympia Riot Grrrl scene among bands like Excuse 17, The Frumpies and Heavens to Betsy. Comparisons aside, Please Stop do have their own unique brand of raw, ferocious, minimalist punk with a force that these days is hard to parallel. Awesome record, another one that’s going in this year’s best contenders list. - JC

 

Predator – No Face 7” (Total Punk)

Predator are a band from Atlanta GA who play a mean, tough, blunt force trauma to the face style of punk rock which reminds me a little of NJ’s Wretched Ones in that way. You can’t put easy prefixes like “pop” or “post” in front of Predator's description and try to put them in a can.  They’re just simply a punk band and that’s enough when done right. The two songs on this here 7” fortify my above testimony to this band.  The B-side has a slight new wave feel to it but rest assured it will still send your teeth down your throat quite easily. - JC

Prey Drive – Tabula Rasa EP (KROD)

This Norwich based quartet plays crisp, clean, tunes that are as dynamic as they are moody. Their sound is not unlike 30 Seconds to Mars or Taking Back Sunday. I know there’s probably been more current bands that have taken on this style of music and ran with it but those bands mentioned above are the few I still like. I guess back in the day this would have been referred to as an “emo” record but that seems to be a dirty word these days. This four track EP also happens to be the band’s debut. Prey Drive certainly have the inspiration and musicianship to pull off this kind of music and seem to do it with ease.  – JC

Strung Out – Black Out The Sky LP (Fat Wreck Chords)

You may not believe me, but I have never heard Strung Out before until reviewing this record. Sure I’ve heard OF them before, they’ve been around for a long time. I expected the classic NOFX/classic 90's Fat Wreck Chords type of sound but this is full on alt-metal stuff like Staind or Puddle of Mud. The whole record is pretty slow, the only time it picks up just a tad is on the 6^th song called “Duke of Sorrow” and even then it evolves into a mid-tempo tune.  It’s very well produced and the band sounds tight but it don't got that zip nor does it shake my hips.  - JC

Regular Guys – It’s A Secret 7” (Meanbean)

I for one am so very happy there are labels around like Meanbean Records that fish around and find  remarkable old records and reissue them. I love listening to new music and discovering bands but I (and I know many will scoff at this) am not a vinyl collector. I will listen to music on whatever format I can get my hands on.  There is one of the original 1980 copies of this record for sale on Discogs right now for $75. Will I ever pay that? Not on your life!  But thanks to Meanbean I get to enjoy this 4 song EP with new inserts packed with band pics, show fliers etc for the modest price of  $7.99! Lawrence, Kansas' Regular Guys were around in the late 70's/early 80's and recorded this here power pop masterpiece that leans more on the pop than on the power. But due to poor promotion their record fell through the cracks. But it's briefly seeing the light of day once again, jump on it now though before it goes back into hiding, Meanbean is only pressing 300 copies!!  - JC

The Thingz – Supersonic Saucer LP (Coffee Addict)

Long Beach CA’s most beloved graveyard garage rock stompers are back with, if I’m counting correctly their seventh LP?!?  Now that’s an achievement all its own! The Thingz play a fun mix of B52’s meet The Cramps at the back of a Monks show type of tunes.  And when I say “back” I’m not talking about the back of the room, I’m talking in the back alley behind the venue where one can speak of macabre affairs more freely. This record’s 12 songs are quick, fun and slightly disturbing in a campy, B-Movie kind of way. Tacked on at the very end is a blazing rendition of The Count Five’s “Psychotic Reaction” which fits in quite well in the band’s repertoire.  - JC

Tommy and the Commies – Here Come… LP (Slovenly Recordings)

Ontario’s Tommy and the Commies rule the school with a sound reminiscent of fellow Mods the Odd Numbers or early Jam, early Who/High Numbers. This band features members of Strange Attractor and The Statues.  One of the hang ups about bands like this is that the songs tend to be too long so they linger thus becoming stagnate. Not here though, the songs are loud, melodic, and move right along.  It’s hard to believe this is the band’s debut LP. They already sound so confident and tightened up. If we had a rating system, Tommy and the Commies would take the tall shiny trophy, earn the 5 out of 5 whatevers or get pinned with a gold something or other!   - JC

  

Violence Creeps – Nephew Melting 7” (Total Punk)

Another punk band moaning and talking smack about good people. The first song and title track is apparently about Mathew Melton of Warm Soda/Bare Wires fame. You know that long, kindly mustachioed fellow that sings sweet songs with titles like “Waiting For Your Call” and “Young 

Reckless Hearts”. How can you hate a guy like that, am I right?  The B-Side, a song called “Ford Go Bikes” is calling out all the monetarily successful non-cool Oakland hipsters that have ruined the landscape with their condos and fancy speak.  I’ve been told if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.  I don’t know if that’s true but an alternative to that is writing hate songs like these about them and admittedly this is way more fun for everyone. Except for maybe the hipstes but everyone knows they are a cold unfeeling sort devoid of any real sentiment.  - JC

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