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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An interview with Patsy's Rats!

Christian Blunda and Patsy Gelb aka Portland's Patsy's Rats play the kind of rock n' roll music that gets wedged in the folds of your damaged brain the very first time you hear it. Their songs pop and burst all around you with well paced tempos, strong yet melodic guitar hooks reminiscent of Peter Case and delightful vocals that are a cross between Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry.  It's music that's too good to pigeonhole as "punk" and too interesting to dismiss simply as "pop".  It's not noisy or avant garde, Patsy's Rats simply make magnetic music that instantly charms the human soul.

Interview by J Castro

CB = Christian Blunda  PG = Patsy Gelb

How did you two meet and decide to play music together?

CB: Patsy and I were fans of each other's bands 4 years ago, mine being Mean Jeans and hers being Scavenger Cunt. We started writing songs together, though the first time we performed together was playing guitars in Patsy's dad's band Giant Sand at a Portland festival called Pickathon 3 summers ago.

PG: I’ve always believed the best way to start a band is to set up a show, before you have members or songs or even a concept, then let the deadline do its work.  We did that. Oh and we did have a name, it was The Rat.

CB: As members started rotating in and out, the project became Patsy’s Rats. I am the constant rat, the others come and go as they please. Bass and drums have been played by Aaron Levy formerly of The Memories, Kyle Raquipiso of Meth Teeth, Nat Brower from Nancy, Jeff Taylor from Sleeptalker, and Stevie Pohlman from Mope Grooves.

If you can single out who the most influential person in your musical career and have the opportunity to speak to them face to face, who would that be and what would you say to them?

CB: Tough question, but it would really be an impossible dream come true if I could get Phil Lynott, Joey Ramone, and Harry Nilsson around a table with an open bar tab for a night. I'm fascinated by all three of them, plus it would be a heck of a party.

PG: Oh yes, maybe we could throw Alice Cooper in there too just for fun, I would love to sit at that table no question. But honestly I think the most influential person in my musical career is my old man. He has had this kind of career my entire life and I think has gone about it in a completely unique way, for better or worse. I respect that and definitely look up to him. I get valuable insight on every aspect of a musicians life, from recording vocals to getting your guitar onto an airplane as a carry on (not easy). He is also responsible for putting some pretty special instruments in my hands, like the loud red Gretsch that is my senior by about 20 years.

CB: Yeah, Alice circa 1970 can come to the fantasy party too.

What sorts of things influence you’re song lyrics?  Are there any subjects you try to stay away from, if so why?

CB: By now, practically every thought and every turn of phrase have found their way into a song, and most of them are awful, so it can be hard to find your own voice. We're a new band still uncovering ours, but lyrically we aim to be rascally, romantic, and genuine.

PG: I agree with that, I also think our songs are playfully dark. We have song titles like “Its Gonna Hurt” “Hard Time Karen” “Empty Bottle” and “Nowhere Close”, though not intended to be strictly cynical or depressing I think that this dark side of life or whatever is just something both of us have always been respectful of.

I’ve read that playing and/or writing music can be therapeutic.  Do you find that to be true at all?

CB: I obsess over every song I write, often to their detriment I'm sure, but molding the song and evolving it into its final form is always really satisfying, no matter how long it takes or how simple the song is in the end.

PG: I think I am the opposite, I end up writing when I don’t mean to. I’m usually driving or walking or working on something else. Melodies must come from a part of my brain that works well while this other part is distracted and can’t bother it. I think I am learning a lot from working with an experienced songwriter like CB, we have completely different approaches (if you can call mine an approach) and I think they end up expanding on each other nicely. I like happy accidents and he is much more methodical. Oh maybe that didn’t answer the question… I find playing shows to be therapeutic for sure, its a special kind of “high”.

Patsy’s Rats are currently based out of Portland.  What’s it like playing shows for your band in a town like that, a town with so much going on musically?  Do you ever feel any sort of competition?

CB: I've been playing in the Portland 'punk' scene for 8 years with Mean Jeans and it's always been changing, some eras better than others. With Patsy's Rats, which is more of a pop rock project, I'm interested in branching out and playing new venues with new bands. I suppose we're lucky to live in a town with such a wide variety of both.

PG: Yeah I suppose too.  And I don’t get a competitive vibe from the Portland scene really.

And speaking of playing shows, what feeling or sentiment do you hope your audience walks away with after seeing a Patsy’s Rats show?

 CB: I just want people to walk out with the songs in their head. 

PG: Yeah!

You’re debut single is coming out soon on La-Ti-Da Records (one of our favorite labels!).  How did you hook up with the fine folks over there?

CB: Right when we finished our first recording session, we played a show at The Know that Tim Horner from La-ti-da attended. He wound up crashing on our couch, and right after he left I thought, 'shit, why didn't I ask him to put out our first record?'. So I wrote him and he obliged. The single is Rock & Roll Friend b/w Hard Time Karen and we're really excited to release it. 

If you got exiled to a deserted island but were allowed to take one meal, one person and one record to live out the rest of your days there, what would these all be?

CB: Patsy and I would bring a bucket of mushrooms and the Donny Denim Hey You! single, as long as there's a 45 adapter.

PG: But wouldn’t we wish we brought a full length album instead?  Siiiike. It IS that good.  Drugie mushrooms or normal?  I like both.

I’ve read about how many “life lessons” a person can learn by playing golf.  What sorts of these “life lessons” do you think people can learn by being in a band?

CB: The only thing I ever learned from playing golf was that I’d rather be playing guitar. Talk to me in ten years about the rest.

Where are the best places to go or log on to hear Patsy’s Rats music?

 patsysrats.bandcamp.com

What lies ahead for the band?  Any more recording or touring news?

RATS: Lots of exciting news. We have a 7-song cassette coming out in November on Burger Records. The La-Ti-Da single should be out soon, and we just filmed a music video for "Burnin' Honey" - a song that will be on our second single on Dig Records. We will be on a Europe tour opening for Giant Sand from Nov 28 - Dec 13. In early 2016 we’d like to record our first LP which we're writing now and do some US tour dates. 

Follow Patsy's Rats!  

https://www.facebook.com/patsysrats

patsysrats.bandcamp.com

https://instagram.com/patsysrats/

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Reviews

Atlantic Thrills – A Day at The Beach 7” (Almost Ready Records)

According to the bands bio, this Providence, RI band can play anything from full blown nuclear mushroom cloud garage punk to fun in the sun drenched surf ditties; let this record stand as exhibit “A” as evidence to why the above statement is 100% truthful. The A side, “A Day at The Beach” is the perfect soundtrack to a warm day on the sand, dancing, frolicking about and even playing volleyball with an oversized beach ball.  The B Side, “Hold Your Tongue,” is a 1960’s garage Rock N’ Roll stomp-o-rama similar to The Monk’s song “Complication.” Atlantic Thrills effortlessly deliver the goods . . . and then some! – Jay Castro

1-800-BAND – Diver Blue 12” EP (Almost Ready Records)

When I was growing up in the 1980’s, these are the type of songs I would hear anytime the radio was turned on. Now, I realize writing statements like this date me and possibly rears the ugly head of a “My generation is better than your generation” article, but it is a little sad that to find the songs that 1-800-BAND writes are ones that have to be searched for. Diver Blue is full of a mix of American Power Pop (think early Tom Petty and The Beat) mixed with ‘80’s pop that nestles it’s way into your head like an earwig. Memorable and catchy choruses mixed with earnest vocals with a splash of Dwight Tilley thrown in. – Ed Stuart

Ausmuteants – Amusements LP (Goner Records)

Dusty Australian synth-punk band of apocalyptic doomsayers Ausmutants bring us songs pieced together with duct tape, scrap metal and ultra melodic hooks all wrapped in shell casings of bleakness and urgency.  Ausmutants immediately remind me of contemporary bands like Miscalculations and Sex Crime with hints of bands from the way back machine like Screamers. This long player delivers songs that are short, sharp, and dark.  Ausmutants aren’t a carbon copy of the above-mentioned bands make no mistake about that. They push and shove their way right to the top of their game and stand side by side next to the genera’s best. – Jay Castro

Liquor Store – In The Garden LP (Almost Ready Records)

Years ago, Canadian Club whisky ran an ad campaign entitled “Damn Right Your Dad Drank It.” The ads featured a series of vintage pictures of young versions of “dads” pictured with women other than their wives, hanging out with friends, and proclaiming the virtues of having a van. Where am I going with this? Liquor Store seems like the kids of these vintage “dads” and upon finding “dad’s” long hidden record collection and old photos were so influenced that they decided to start a band. Liquor Store plays a mix of garage and classic rock, which upon first thought you might think wouldn’t work, but on In The Garden it does. Liquor Store plays the kind of rock that is heavy on guitar chops and falls somewhere between MC5 “Kick out the Jams” and Credence Clearwater Revival influenced southern Rock by way of New Jersey.  – Ed Stuart

The Reigning Sound – Live at Goner Records LP (Goner Records)

This record was recorded June 26^th, 2005 and was originally available only as a limited edition CD, until now that is! If any of you aren’t familiar with The Reigning Sound, I have but one question: WHY NOT? Greg and the boys deliver some brilliantly melodic, well-crafted punk Rock N’ Roll tunes that ooze warmth, charm and style that is nearly unsurpassed by any of their contemporaries. This record is as good a place to start listening to this band as any. The sound quality is excellent plus you get a sample of the oomph that Reigning Sound brings to the stage. In the land of Rock N’ Roll, The Reigning Sound is giants among men. – Jay Castro

Ex-Cult – Midnight Passenger LP (Goner Records)

Ex-Cult live in a world where punk and post-punk meet. Midnight Passenger is an arguable equivalent to Wipers, Mission of Burma and X (Australia not Los Angeles). Razorblade guitars with an art-damaged, noise punk urgency set against a bubbling punk cauldron on some songs while others are a full of 1960’s psychedelic mood and atmosphere.  – Ed Stuart

Hard Girls – A Thousand Surfaces LP (Asian Man Records)

The San Jose, CA power trio’s second album has songs that are tightly packed with their unique brand of melodic, intelligent ferocity. To me, the qualities I hear in this band are similar to the ones I love in bands like Jawbreaker, J Church and Superchunk. A swirling blurred force of guitars and drums whisking quickly and violently around you with honest vocals that serve as the anchor to keep everything from getting too out of control.  On the band’s Facebook profile they list “havin’ fun” and “gettin’ over depression” as some of their interests. Thankfully we have bands like Hard Girls that makes those things easier for the rest of us to get through! – Jay Castro

Ricky C Quartet – I Miss You b/w Feed The Crocodiles 7” (Wanda Records)

With a LP coming out this summer, I’m wondering if I Miss You b/w Feed The Crocodiles is a teaser single to hold us over until the summer. If it is, then I will patiently wait. This single is a ripping two songer that finds Ricky C Quartet (or RCQ) playing a mix of Saints, The Kids and 1960’s proto-punk. “I Miss You” has an intro that seems to be a missing part to a Mick Jones sung Clash song that doubles as both influence and homage. Solid release! – Ed Stuart

Stalins of Sound – Tank Tracks LP (Slovenly Recordings)

Stalins of Sound hurl dark and damaged punk rock that rides a black sound tidal wave of synthesizers and anxiety. The name of the band and the cover photo of the record, that shows a tank on a busy freeway mowing down motorists, pretty much sums up their music. These San Diego residents deliver the soundtrack to the harsh reality of when (not if) the machines finally take over and humanity’s days are numbered. The human race resists their extinction agenda however, and a rag tag crew of cold, calculating militant types band together and fight back. The Stalins of Sound are geared up for the first strike against the enemy stronghold. – Jay Castro

Hobocop – Half Man Half Cop LP (Slovenly Recordings)

From what I could gather from various sources was that Hobocop was a two-person band from Oakland around 2010, but are no more. The ex-Hobocop members are Cody, currently is in Shannon and The Clams and King Lollipop, and Owen, who moved to New York City to pursue an animation job. While this is nothing like what Cody does in either of his current bands, Hobocop are a mix of fuzzy, dirty, bedroom and/or basement recordings that have the 4-track spirit of Sebodah while playing a lo-lo-fi 1960’s garage punk. – Ed Stuart

Wavelengths – S/T LP (Rubber Brother Records)

Wavelengths summon up the fun, lighthearted spirits of the 1960’s and manage to funnel them into your speakers and into your uptight cranium. Enjoyable tunes of loose psychedelic, kick back lounge and garage splatter about. I am certain this record has been specifically written to raise your good time mood to a near uncontrollable level. Never taking themselves too seriously, which is a good thing with song titles like “Take It Sleazy,” and at the same time deliver some straight rock right outta the garage with songs like “I Don’t Wanna.” Wavelengths keep the rock rollicking throughout the album’s duration. – Jay Castro

Wolvves – Go Demon or Go Home (Rubber Brother Records)

Wolvves is one-part lo-fi garage rock, one-part Spits, one-part rap and one-part psychedelic. If you learn anything from Go Demon or Go Home, it’s that these guys like smokin’ weed and preferably all day if you let them. Much like Fidlar, New Swears and a host of other bands, that have tapped the teenage party lyrical vibe, Wolvves is covering similar ground but what they do is mix it up musically by shifting garage-punk, rap verses and psych to arguably become another soundtrack for a growing number of kids. - Ed Stuart

Los Puchos – S/T Cassette EP (Rubber Brother Records)

Jordan of Petty Things along with his brother formed the heart of this now defunct Tempe, AZ band. “Puchos” is what the Argentineans refer to as cigarettes, in case anyone is wondering. This cassette reels out some easy going summer lazy tunes that remind me what it would be like to take the mule ride down the Grand Canyon: fun, moving, spiritual, but by no means in any hurry. In my opinion, the standout tracks are “Victoria” which blends what the Puchos do best plus add some garage rock stomp and strut. The other being “Joanne” which reminds me of something Van Morrison could have written.  When all is said and done, Los Puchos graced us with an absolutely solid release, a shame that the band called it a day. – Jay Castro

Playboy Manbaby – Bummeritaville LP (Rubber Brother Records)

Punk? Ska? Funk? No wave? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Playboy Manbaby is like James White and The Contortions fronted by an art-damaged/hardcore raspy vocal singer. Just like The Contortions, Playboy Manbaby is always seeking to strike the balance of when to turn on the punk and when to break it down to funk and on Bummeritaville the band does this exceptionally well. No wave punk-funk with a horn, which brings to mind the New York No Wave scene and the arguably underappreciated Go Go Go Airheart. – Ed Stuart

Durban Poison – Thunderwolf Cassette (Shake! Records)

The Thunderwolf is a mythological creature that seems to exist in different cultures. To the Japanese, the creature is a white wolf wrapped in blue lightening and is said to be pretty calm and harmless except when there is a thunderstorm then it becomes agitated and leaps all around in trees and rooftops scorching all it touches. This same reaction also comes from listening to Durban Poison brand of high-octane music. The Victoria B.C band of ladies and gentlemen shoot bolts of melodic, aggressive punk Rock N’ Roll out of their fingertips that causes one’s soul to stir. Like the Thunderwolf creature this cassette will leave scorch marks on your tape player no matter what the weather condition. – Jay Castro

Bad Doctors – Burning City LP (FDH Records/P. Trash Records)

For all the kids who were born too late for the 1980’s (another thing to blame on your parents), but are totally enamored by the decade, Bad Doctors is a band to claim as your own. Bad Doctors has a steady list of classic influences like New Order, Fascination Street era The Cure, Depeche Mode and later Devo to create a musical tapestry that has everything you would associate with these bands. Pop melodies set against moody rhythms with vocals reminiscent of Ian Curtis. Synth-punk-new wave, when done wrong, can sound like a bad cliché, but on Burning City, Bad Doctors are doing it just right. – Ed Stuart

Primitive Hearts – High and Tight LP, (Resurrection Records/FDH Records/P-Trash Records) & S/T 7” EP (Resurrection Records/No Rules! Records)

These records came out last year but they just recently arrived at the drawbridge of the Audio Ammunition secret mountain castle/fortress. We played them (a lot) and loved ‘em so we want to share the experience with you, our friends. Just because they came out a year ago doesn’t make them any less relevant by any means. Primitive Hearts play a kind of pop punk/power pop hybrid that not a lot of bands have been able to pull off: The Yum Yums, The Basement Brats, and The Parasites are just a few that come to mind at the moment. They sing about loves won and lost, the good times of yesterday and the ones that are yet to be had. Primitive hearts are the band you put on when your best lady stomped on your heart and when you’re getting psyched for the big Saturday night. – Jay Castro

Hector’s Pets – Pet-O-Feelia LP (Oops Baby Records)

Hector’s Pets takes a lot of cues from Too Tough To Die-era Ramones, Dictators, Chuck Berry riffs, Thin Lizzy-esque vocals and Beach Boys harmonies to make a guitar driven Rock N’ Roll, Dirtbombs influenced LP with enough pop for the power-popper in you. Pet-O-Feelia has tongue firmly planted in cheek, as if the title wasn’t indication enough, songs like “Station Wagon” and “Teenacher” are catchy reminder of how early ‘70’s Punk N’ Roll could be tough and fun just like Hector’s Pets. – Ed Stuart

Cat Party – A Thousand Shades of Gray 7” EP (Resurrection Records)

This band is a current band from California, but sounds like they came from England in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s marching with the likes of The Cure, Echo and The Bunnymen and Joy Division. Although they share a dark romanticism with the above-mentioned bands, Cat Party put a bit more velocity behind it. Unlike a lot of bands that share the same influences, when you listen to Cat Party their music doesn’t just make you want to listen to the originals, their music makes you want to listen to more Cat Party: melodic, melancholy with just a hint of late 1970’s punk bubbling beneath the surface to keep things moving. Me being a huge fan of this type of music (yes, I’m a lover not a fighter) I cry brilliance! – Jay Castro

Snookys – Steroids 7” (Self-release)

Garage-punk from Italy that would fit right at home with anything Rip Off had ever put out. “Steriods” has a riff that is as mean as anything from The Infections catalog. On Steroids, Snookys have given the world three ripping songs of short, raw, energetic punk rock that mixes 70’s Australian punk (think Fun Things “Savage”) with late 90’s garage (Infections). – Ed Stuart

Honey Badgers – Buena Park LP (Resurrection Records)

California’s Honey Badgers bring forth a brand of catchy, fun, ferocious, Billy Childish influenced garage Rock N’ Roll to us in matching black suits and skinny ties. This album is a bi-polar rollercoaster ride of emotion; from playful little ditties like the song “Funky C” to full swing garage mayhem demonstrated in the songs “Bumstick” and “Bone Zone” where you can almost feel the lead singer screaming at you two inches away from your face. The band does employ keyboards, and it is utilized in some songs way more than in others, but it doesn’t by any means take away from the 1960’s garage kick that this record was meant to be an homage to. I think the forefathers would be proud. – Jay Castro

Lunch – Quinn Touched The Sun LP (Resurrection Records)

On Quinn Touched The Sun, Lunch has added the ingredients of Gun Club, Wipers, Minutemen, No Wave and garage rock to its noisy punk rock stew. Lunch, like many other new bands, has been baptized at the church of garage punk rock, but they do not just stop there. Songs like “Monochrome Lust” have taken Gun Club’s punkabilly and taken it to new directions while “Frill and Lace” and “Teen Guitar” can not hide Lunch’s love of pop melodies employed in much the same way as Wipers did.  – Ed Stuart

The Shrills – Melt Down LP, Pink Hotel Cassette EP, Ghoul Kids Cassette EP (Resurrection Records)

The Shrills fire away cannon blasts of lo-fi, trashy Rock N’ Roll chaos with slathers of 1950’s rockabilly and doo-wop incased in bombshells of 1960’s garage pandemonium.  Imagine if Flat Duo Jets and Supercharger came together in a remote part of the universe like some sort of unstoppable Rock N’ Roll Voltron robot but instead of a sword is armed with a keyboard. Now it heads towards earth on a strict mission to rid the world of all that is dull and tedious in contemporary music. This gives you some idea of what I’m trying to keep from exploding my speakers for the last few days. All three of these releases contain the same high proof mixture with little to no let up! – Jay Castro 

The Rich Hands – Out Of My Head LP (Fountain Records/Burger Records)

Out of My Head could be the bubblegum soundtrack for this generation of lovelorn kids looking for first dates and the perils of dating with a lack of funds. The Rich Hands mix Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry three-chords and a riff simplicity with ‘60’s bubblegum pop and ’70 American power-pop with outsider cool to make some highly catchy power-pop Rock N’ Roll. “So Fine” sounds like something Teenage Head would have written while “Teenager” is the soundtrack of late night car races where trying to impress your girl might end by driving off a cliff. – Ed Stuart

V/A – No Rules! No Fun Compilation LP (No Rules Records)

Holy Smokes, this is one of the best comp records I’ve heard from beginning to end in a really long time. It’s as if they had Audio Ammunition in mind when the fab folks over at No Rules concocted it. The fun starts off with Oakland’s Top Ten and their cover of The Real Kids “Hit You Hard” sung with female vocals, which adds a new twist to an already killer song. The record keeps up the pace with some of my already favorites like Youthbitch, Primitive Hearts, Mean Jeans, and Chemicals just to name a few. Bands I discovered on here that I now love are Piss Test, Huff Stuff, and Perfect Look. If you’re a fan of fun pop punk that’s high on the melodic side and bursting with energy, then you owe it to yourself to get this record NOW! – Jay Castro 

Dime Runner – Race To Nowhere LP – (Resurrection Records)

Orange County has a very storied history of punk and has produced many seminal bands from its two area codes, Adolescents, Social Distortion and The Stitches to name just a few. Dime Runner takes a more punk Rock N’ Roll approach to their OC sound much like The Pushers did and other Hostage released bands have done. Race To Nowhere (which came out late 2012/early 2013) is full of razor sharp guitar and the county’s trademark snotty vocals. Dime Runner, while they may not reside behind the Orange Curtain, certainly has the trademarks of the county’s best punk bands. – Ed Stuart

The Shanghais – Pretty Mean 7” (No Rules Records)

The parade of fantastic releases just keeps coming from the lads at No Rules Records this time with this EP by these Oakland, California girls (and boy) The Shanghai’s! What we got here is (and I wanna add that’s it’s not nearly enough) some cat claw catchy, pop punk with thick buzz saw guitars and furious drum bashing accompanied by melodic female vocals and on occasion some doo wop-y backing vocals. The production on the record is just minimal enough to give the songs that edge and abrasion that music of this sort needs yet isn’t so lo-fi that it blocks the melodies from beaming through. I look forward to living in a world with a band like The Shanghai’s walking amongst us and making music. – Jay Castro 

Bad Coyotes – Time for Sex Positions 7”  – (Resurrection Records)

Self billed as “Oakland rock n roll sex punks,” Bad Coyotes play a Rip Offs/Infections style of high-energy budget rock with a guitar sound that sounds like a chainsaw cutting through sludge at an early The Kids pace. “Rat Breeders” keep up that intensity while adding traces of Walk Among Us Misfits into the mix. Time for Sex Positions is mixed high into the red for maximum energy and minimal clarity. Greg Lowery would be proud!  – Ed Stuart

Sex Scheme – S/T 7” EP (Puppet Combo Records)

Brooklyn, New York’s Sex Scheme scruffily thrust at you some brutally blown out, lo-fi, broken blues, with harmonica and all. Supposedly the band spent 60 dollars recording this record. Not that it matters; hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent to produce absolute rubbish. When playing this record however, be warned that the humidity level of the room suddenly rises to the levels that are unmatched by the southern states of the union in the middle of the summer months, the room you’re in suddenly has dirty maroon shag carpeting and the paintings on the wall turn into velvet renditions of what they once were. Turned up, sleazy out, and fuming all around: this is the order of the day for the band Sex Scheme and they execute this order quite well. – Jay Castro

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