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Astronuts
Founded by members of pop punk veterans THE BARBECUTIES (Monster Zero Records) and SPYHOLE (Yo-Yo Records) in late 2018, ASTRONUTS dropped their debut EP ‘SPACEMENT MISSION’ in summer 2019. Their first full-length album ‘DARK MATTERS’ was released in September 2021 and is available on CD and digitally on any common streaming platform. Go check out the brand-new videos from Dark Matters on the bands YouTube channel.
Stylistically, ASTRONUTS play melodic Punk Rock in the vein of bands like Good Riddance or No Use for a Name, and blend it with poppy influences that remind of acts like The Menzingers, Ataris or Red City Radio. It is the wide spectrum of musical influences that makes up the band’s very own trademark sound, ranging from fast and melodic hardcore sing-alongs to melancholic downtempo anthems with a punky edge. By teaming up with new guitar player and Co-frontman Chris, who also fronts Ska-Punk powerhouse TEQUILA TERMINATORS, the quartet ultimately perfected their polyphonic vocal style, which amalgamates with crisp guitar harmonies, rolling bass and a powerful drumming.
With all four band members being deeply rooted in the punk scene since the nineteen nineties, ASTRONUTS lyrics clearly identify with the ethos of anti -racism, anti-discrimination and anti-capitalism. Their songs tell intimate stories of loss and despair in an ever-changing world full of injustice and segregation, meant to take heart and not to resign.
DS Band Spotlight: Austrian punks 7 Years Bad Luck make triumphant return with new album “No Shame”
My favorite thing about writing for Dying Scene (aside from the money, fame, and numerous accolades) has always been discovering lesser known bands from all over the world; 7 Years Bad Luck was one of the first bands I stumbled upon when I come on board in the early 2010’s and I’ve remained a loyal […]
My favorite thing about writing for Dying Scene (aside from the money, fame, and numerous accolades) has always been discovering lesser known bands from all over the world; 7 Years Bad Luck was one of the first bands I stumbled upon when I come on board in the early 2010’s and I’ve remained a loyal fan ever since.
The three piece punk band hailing from Innsbruck, Austria has been around over 20 years. They’ve released sixth full-length albums, with the most recent No Shame coming out earlier this month on Monster Zero Records. 2017’s Great, Big, Nothing was was an excellent album, and No Shame is a worthy successor. Check it out below, grab the record here, and hit up Bandcamp to catch up on 7 Years Bad Luck’s extensive back catalog.
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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (AFI “Sing the Sorrow” 20th Anniversary, Rancid, The Lillingtons, Alkaline Trio & more)
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. It was another very busy week and we once again have a […]
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. It was another very busy week and we once again have a shitload of records to cover. So kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!
But first, new this week: It’s the very first video edition of the Dying Scene Record Radar! Presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:
In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, AFI‘s Sing the Sorrow is getting reissued on vinyl in honor of its 20th birthday. Two variants have been revealed so far; the Red & Black Pinwheel Splatter” one we told you about earlier this week (get it here). There’s also a Red w/ Black Smoke color variant that was initially thought to be limited to 2,000 copies and exclusive to the anniversary show in LA, which has since popped up on the official AFI webstore. I’m sure that’ll make all those eBay flippers nice and pissed.
Most of Streetlight Manifesto‘s records are getting reissued through their own Pentimento Music Company. Everything Went Numb, Somewhere In The Between, 99 Songs Of Revolution: Volume 1, and The Hands That Thieve are all back in print on white colored vinyl. Head over to the band’s webstore to snatch these up.
Also from Epitaph: a new pressing of Tim Armstrong’s lone solo album A Poet’s Life on white w/ black splatter colored wax. Once again, “limited” to 1,000 copies and the only place you can get it is Epitaph’s Kings Road Merch store in the land of the free.
And because good things come in threes, we have a third reissue from Epitaph this week. It’s the 20th Anniversary of The Weakerthans’ Reconstruction Site. If you live in Canada, you can get the “brown/apple” color variant here. And if you live anywhere else, here‘s a handy page with links to where you can buy the record depending on your region.
Alright, that’s enough reissues for now. We’ll cover more further down the page, I promise. How ’bout some new music? New music’s cool, right? Here’s some new music from another awesome Canadian band, Brutal Youth! Their first new record in seven years Rebuilding Year is due out April 21st on Stomp Records. Check out the lead single “Moonstones” below and pre-order the LP here.
Here’s a brand new record from a brand new band called Seitans! Check out these Italian Ramonescore newcomers if you’re into Teenage Bottlerocket, Screeching Weasel, The Queers, etc. And hey, they’re on Monster Zero so you know they gotta be good. Listen below and get the record here.
More new music! We’re on a fuckin’ roll, folks. Pretty sure we covered this a few weeks back, but the pre-order just went live so fuck it, we’re circling back. Manchester, UK punks Clayface‘s debut album Ailments is due out in May. It’s being co-released by Punk Rock Radar, Cat’s Claw Records & White Russian Records. Check out the new single “Employee of the Year” below and find links to all the places you can pre-order the record here.
The next stop on our punk rock trip around the world is the Netherlands, where Harsh Realms are putting out their first new album in nine years! CVLT is coming out on April 1st (those silly jokesters) via Shield Recordings. 200 copies on black wax, 300 copies on “Dracula” color vinyl. Check out the new single “Saltwater” below and grab the record here.
Aaaand back to new plastic with old music pressed into it. Cowpunk veterans the Supersuckers’ 1997 album Must’ve Been High is back in print for the first time in a long time, but that’s not all! The Steve Earle & The Supersuckers EP and the Must’ve Been High demos are getting their first-ever vinyl releases. Get ’em all here.
Our friends at 1-2-3-4 Go! Records are always cranking out bitchin’ exclusive variants, with the latest being these Alkaline Trio records. Goddamnit and Maybe I’ll Catch Fire are each limited to 1,000 hand numbered copies. Both can be purchased for money here.
Beer City Records is releasing a new Boris The Sprinkler compilation LP called Bits O’ Boris. The record “collects a veritable cornucopia of 19 stray Boris tracks (all restored and remastered) from 1992-2003 that originally appeared on singles, compilations, and whatever else!”. There’s a shitload of color variants, all available here.
Originally released as a CD box set in 2005, The Lillingtons‘ Technically Unsound is finally getting the vinyl release it deserves. The 2xLP reissue features awesome new cover art from Chris Shary, and copies are going fast. Get yours here before they’re gone.
Hey, while you’re grabbing that Lillingtons record from Clearview Records be sure to pick up the new Flight Kamikaze album! These guys are a killer new pop-punk band from Denver. Listen below, buy the record here.
Dutch punks Antillectual have launched pre-orders for their new LP Together. This is being released by 20(?) labels worldwide, but Thousand Islands Records is distributing it in North America. Check out the new single “From City to City” below and pre-order Together here.
Holy shit, you made it to the end! Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next week!
Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!
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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (MxPx, Suicide Machines, Reel Big Fish & More)
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!
Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:
New MxPx record! Find A Way Home is due out August 25th. There are a bunch of color variants, including one with a die cut cover, and a picture disc. Pre-orders are live now on mxpx.com and they seem to be shipping immediately (mine did, at least). Check out the new single “Stay Up All Night”:
The Suicide Machines are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their 2003 album A Match And Some Gasoline. In addition to playing the album in full on a brief tour with Against All Authority and Kill Lincoln this December, they are also releasing it on vinyl for the first time ever! SideOneDummy has a few color variants on their webstore, and Zia Records has an exclusive blue galaxy variant limited to 300 copies.
Reel Big Fish‘s Candy Coated Fury is getting a Deluxe Edition reissue, with five bonus tracks and a gatefold jacket with glow in the dark cover art. Enjoy the Ride Records pressed a bunch of sweet color variants, but the only one still in stock is the Alternative Press exclusive variant, limited to 200 copies. Get it here before it’s gone, too.
On an unrelated note: word on the street is Turn the Radio Off will be getting a repress of its own in the near future. Stay tuned for more on that!
Austrian punk veterans 7 Years Bad Luck are back with a new album. No Shame is due out August 4th on Monster Zero Records. Their last album Great, Big, Nothing is a hard act to follow, but the first single “I’ll Forget You” makes me think they’re up to the task. Check that out below and get the record on aquatic blue colored vinyl here.
The Gaslight Anthem announced their new album History Books will be released on October 27th. This is the band’s first new record in almost a decade. There are like a trillion color variants of this thing and I’m not gonna bother trying to name them all. Here‘s where you can get some of them.
Five Iron Frenzy is releasing a full-discography box set called Put Your Waste In Its Place. You get 10 records for $250 in a box that looks like a flaming dumpster. That’s a value that can’t be beat, folks! Get it here (you can also grab the individual records here).
Portland, Maine pop-punks Borderlines‘ debut album Keep Pretending is out now on Hey Pizza! Records, Mom’s Basement Records, and Memorable But Not Honorable Records. Check out my favorite track “The Greatest Resignation” below and get it on vinyl here, CD here, or cassette here.
SACK‘s Get Wrecked is getting a new pressing from Clearview Records, limited to 300 copies on canary yellow colored vinyl. This goes up on the label’s webstore Wednesday, July 26th at 6pm Eastern Time.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes‘ latest album Are We Not Men? We Are Diva! is getting its first new pressing in nearly a decade. There are an undisclosed number of copies on red w/ black splatter colored vinyl (as seen in this very poorly cropped image). Get yours here.
Asian Man Records is reissuing the Taxpayers‘ God, Forgive These Bastards: Songs From The Forgotten Life Of Henry Turner. The 2xLP on red and black swirl colored vinyl features b-sides, demos, and interviews with band members. Get it here.
Agnostic Front‘s Victim in Pain is back in print, with a fancy new embossed cover. There are a bunch of variants exclusive to different retailers, including Generation Records (red, 200 copies), Revelation Records (yellow, 1,000 copies), and Revolver Magazine (black platinum swirl, 500 copies). Bridge Nine has the blue and silver color variants on their webstore.
Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next week!
Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!
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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (No Fun At All, Alkaline Trio, Snuff & more)
Greetings, fellow degenerates! Welcome to the latest installment of the Dying Scene Record Radar, the weekly column where we recap all the recent happenings in the world of punk rock vinyl. Some quick housekeeping: this will be our last Record Radar of 2022, as there’s a major holiday next week that you may have heard […]
Greetings, fellow degenerates! Welcome to the latest installment of the Dying Scene Record Radar, the weekly column where we recap all the recent happenings in the world of punk rock vinyl. Some quick housekeeping: this will be our last Record Radar of 2022, as there’s a major holiday next week that you may have heard of. With that out of the way, kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time!
No Fun At All gets us started this week, with a reissue of the highly underrated (in my opinion) State of Flow. Back in print for the first time in over 20 years! There are three variants: white (200 copies), cyan blue (200 copies), and black (600 copies). If you’re in Europe, or are willing to pay out the ass for shipping to the US, La Agonía de Vivir has all three colors available on their webstore. If you wanna save on shipping, our friends at Thousand Islands Records have some copies on black wax; grab your copy here.
Alkaline Trio‘s Remains is getting its first new pressing since 2007. There are two new variants of the double LP: red w/ black splatter (available here), and white w/ red splatter (available here). These are kinda pricey, but considering old pressings fetch over $200 on Discogs, 40-ish bucks ain’t such a bad deal!
Hardcore legends 7Seconds‘ Walk Together, Rock Together is back in print. I haven’t been able to find an official announcement regarding this, but I have seen it listed for sale in a lot of places, at a lot of different prices. Garageland is selling pictured variant for $32, while Target has the “Trust Edition” listed for $15. Sounds like February 3, 2023 is the release date.
The Manges seem to have dug up some long-lost copies of their 1999 Clean Cut Kids 7″. This four-song EP features probably their most well-known song “I Will Always Do”. Essential record for any old school pop-punk collector. Grab your copy here before they’re gone!
TNS Records‘ latest release is from up-and-coming British punks Bruise Control. The band’s debut album Useless for Something is due out in early 2023. Check out the first single below and pre-order the LP here.
And because you can never have enough British bands in your life, Liverpool’s Mark Murphy & The Meds have launched pre-orders for their sophomore album Monochrome. Give the first single a listen below and grab the wax (250 copies on smoky clear colored vinyl) here.
Punk Rock Vinyl (who you may know from their very popular Instagram page) is releasing a compilation LP, featuring songs by bands like NOFX, the Bouncing Souls, and the Raging Nathans, among many others. There are two color variants, each limited to 250 copies, with cover art by Mark de Salvo. Get your copy here.
Our friends at Mom’s Basement are back on the Record Radar once again, announcing they are now carrying releases from Japan’s Waterslide Records in their distro. They also have a bunch of old school Mutant Pop 7″s in stock now, as well as that Riverdales covers LP we told you about last week. Hit up their webstore to see what’s up.
Last but not least, we have some more holiday deals for you, courtesy of Austrian pop-punk merchants Monster Zero Records! Through the end of 2022, get 25% off your order on their webstore with code “CHRISTMAS”. Records from 7 Years Bad Luck, The Mugwumps, The Windowsill, and a ton of other great bands. Don’t miss out!
And that’s all, folks! Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs. See ya next year!
*Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Type “Record Radar” in the search bar at the top of the page! Or, just click here. That’s probably easier.
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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (Wasei, Joker’s Republic, Fat Mike Gets Strung Out, Keep Flying & More)
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. For the second week in a row, we’ve got an absolutely massive […]
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. For the second week in a row, we’ve got an absolutely massive column, featuring nearly 20 records that got announced this week! So kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!
Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:
One of my favorite records of 2023, Italian skate punks Wasei‘s new album Vulgar Misplay of Burkett, is now available in the US! Head over to Punk Rock Radar’s webstore to grab this ripper on pink vinyl, along with other awesome releases from Clayface, Baxter, Weekend Cigarettes & more.
This project was announced months ago, but now it’s available on vinyl! Fat Mike Gets Strung Out is a collection of songs Mr. Burkett has written (for NOFX and otherwise), which have been reimagined as orchestral pieces. If that’s something you feel like you need in your life, get the record here. Standalone colored vinyl sold out, but you can still get it on black wax (or fork over for one of the bundles with a colored LP and shirt).
Australian punks Clowns have a new album on the way! It’s called Endless, and it’s due out October 20th on Fat Wreck Chords. On the vinyl side of things, there are a ton of color variants for this thing – at least 9 that I’m aware of. Pre-order the record here (US), here (EU, pink), here (EU, green w/ white & silver splater), or here (AUS). There will be a ton of indie variants as well, so check with your local record store on those.
New Jersey’s Joker’s Republic released one of my favorite ska-punk albums last year, but until now it was only available on CD. The band has joined forces with Ska Punk International to give Necessary Evil the vinyl release it deserves. This album was recorded and produced by Less Than Jake’s Roger Lima at The Moathouse. Read my review here, check out one of the tracks below, and get it on “mystery colored vinyl” here.
Long running German street punk band Stomper 98 have announced their new self-titled album, due out September 1st. It’s the band’s seventh LP in their 25 year career, and the second to feature Rancid‘s Lars Frederiksen on guitar. Check out the music video for lead single “Alex – Schatten der Nacht” below and pre-order the record here.
Cleveland pop-punks Normy follow up their 2022 EP What on God’s Green Earth? with a new 6-song 12″ titled What the Fuck Planet Are These Guys From?. It’s due out September 8th on Smartpunk Records – check out the first single “Idiot” below. Pre-order the record here, there are three color variants, each with a screen printed B-Side.
Another awesome upcoming release from Smartpunk Records: Keep Flying‘s debut LP Daylight is coming August 15th. Check out the new single “Transparency” below and pre-order the record here.
Seattle pop-punk band The Subjunctives (fronted by Ean Hernandez of Sicko) will release their sophomore album Let’s Try This Again on September 16th. Check out the first single below and pre-order the record here. Also go back and check out their last album Sunshine and Rainbows if you haven’t already heard that.
Mom’s Basement and Monster Zero Records rarely miss, and they hit a fucking grand slam with their latest release from The Haermorrhoids. I’m calling it now, At the Earth’s Core is the Ramonescore record of the year. Absolutely essential listening for fans of Screeching Weasel, The Lillingtons, etc. Check out my favorite track “Timewarp Incest” below and get the record here (US) or here (EU).
Connecticut melodic hardcore band With Honor have a new record coming soon. Boundless is due out September 9th on Pure Noise Records. Check out their killer new single “My Anchor” below and pre-order the record here.
Camp Punksylvania is a three-day punk rock festival happening September 1st-3rd in Scranton, PA. A few names on the absolutely bitchin’ lineup include the Suicide Machines, A Wilhelm Scream, Belvedere & Tsunami Bomb. They’ve teamed up with the friendly people at Sell the Heart Records to release a compilation LP. Get it here.
Devon Kay & The Solutions‘ new EP Fine: A Ska EP is out now on Bad Time Records! Check it out below, buy it here, and catch the band on tour with Less Than Jake.
Our last new release of the week comes from Pirates Press Records, back at it again with another split 7″. It’s The Drowns and Wonk Unit, contributing one new song each. Check out The Drowns’ track below and get the 7″ here!
Now, to wrap things up with some reissues / represses. Up first: Jawbreaker – Bivouac! A new exclusive variant from Oakland’s own 1-2-3-4 Go! Records. Limited to 550 copies on Metallic Gold colored vinyl. First new pressing in 6 years. Get it here.
Also from 1-2-3-4 Go! Records: Kid Dynamite‘s self-titled debut LP on an exclusive “Dragonfruit” color variant, limited to 350 copies. Get dat here.
Los Angeles hardcore veterans DFL‘s 1993 debut My Crazy Life is getting its first-ever vinyl release, thanks to Trust Records. Two color variants: blue wax is limited to 250 copies, green is limited to 500. The record has been remastered and comes with a sweet looking fanzine. Get it here.
Pirates Press released a Subhumans box set earlier this year. It sold out instantly and is now selling for over $400 on Discogs. Good news for those who missed out: it’s getting a second pressing! Pre-orders go live here on Tuesday, July 25th. I know that’s still a ways away, just wanted to give ya a heads up.
Last piece of housekeeping this week: the friendly Canadians at Thousand Islands Records are having a sale in their webstore! Get 35% off through July 31st with Code SUMMER35. This does not apply to distro items, only Thousand Islands releases. But there’s no shortage of awesome records in their catalog, so you should have no problem filling your cart up.
Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next week!
Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!
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DS Show Review & Gallery: Death and Memphis; The Linden Method; and Fire Cat! in Chicago (04.21.2023)
Death and Memphis, out of Joliet, IL, with support from The Linden Method, and Fire Cat! both of Chicago, headlined at Burlington Bar for a diverting night of music on April 21, 2023 on the Second City’s north side. Recently, I’ve documented several shows at Burlington Bar. It’s always a terrific experience. Burlington Bar is […]
Death and Memphis, out of Joliet, IL, with support from The Linden Method, and Fire Cat! both of Chicago, headlined at Burlington Bar for a diverting night of music on April 21, 2023 on the Second City’s north side.
Recently, I’ve documented several shows at Burlington Bar. It’s always a terrific experience. Burlington Bar is a cozy spot tucked along a well-known street on the north side of Chicago. With the actual bar up front and the music room in the back, separated by two doors, there is a warm and welcoming ambiance to the place. Whilst every show I have been to at the venue thus far has featured highly energetic bands, said shows have also been quite mellow. It may sound contrary but it’s not. Burlington Bar is a cool little joint working hard to provide its customers with good times. The Burlington’s vibe, set by the staff, and its physical appearance, is just relaxing and laidback sans pretension. We could use a few more of these types of places nearby.
Death and Memphis takes inspiration for its name from the song “Alex Chilton,” by the Replacements. Its music is a potent mix, frequently of sorrow and longing. Singer and guitar player Paul Garcia’s voice grittily conveys both sadness and hope. If the music was ever added to a soundtrack, surely the film would about a fighter (literal or metaphoric — either will work) who has been knocked down, but the full count has yet been given. In “Exhausted,” the title track from the band’s 2019 release is a prime example:
“So exhausted
I’m sick of feelin’
So exhausted
(My feet are broken
My knees are broken
My back is broken
But my spirit’s holdin’ fast)…”
Steev Custer, razor thin and leaning sharply forward, appears almost elastic while swinging his guitar loose and low. However, his tight shredding adds an integral jolt of intensity into the music.
The group is rounded out by the very strong backline of Devin Morris on bass (also on vocals), and newest member, Dave Spearman, on drums. Working in conjunction, Morris and Spearman, contribute a rhythmic gravitas and growl suited to the lyrical content and howling guitars. In addition to “Exhausted,” the band also tore through “Way Back Home,” “Maybe It’s The Way,” “Change,” and “Satisfied.” In the end the members may have been exhausted themselves, as they appear to put everything they had into the performance.
The twin heartbeats of Death and Memphis are Steev Custer and Paul Garcia. Friends since their teens the two have played together in numerous precursors to Death and Memphis. It’s the type of friendship and musical partnership in which they seem to share their own language. An often-mournful language with a slight inflection of twang. But rather than merely being two copies of one thing, Custer and Garcia, complement each other with their individual playing styles. Days after the show, I asked the two men about their relationship. Garcia responded,
“To answer your question, Steev and I are almost always on the same page. We can read each other. We’ve been doing this together for so long we developed a sense, similar to a married couple. We all as individuals as well as a whole have a passion for making music so we put in 100% right outta the gate. We are a family. Though we’ve been through other members Steev and I try to make everyone feel comfortable and an integral part of what is happening.”
Custer describes their relationship this way,
“Paul and I have been in bands together for 35 years now. He’s the only person I’ve ever met whose drive and passion for music is a match for mine. I’m certain there is no other way.“
But lest you think Death and Memphis is all melancholy, I assure you it is not. The band brings a rollicking good time as well. Garcia, Custer, Morris, and Spearman can be counted amongst some of the more positive people you’re bound to meet in the Chicago area punk scene.
Death and Memphis has a new EP coming out in the near future, to be released by Bypolar Records. Until then, members are keeping busy in various ways. For Steev Custer,
“Right now I’m focusing on the upcoming Death and Memphis release, playing in Space Age Zeros and teaching music which is a full-time job in itself.” Custer’s teaching takes place mostly at Fine Tunes Center For the Arts, a business he founded, owns and of which he is the director. He also added,
“The new EP should be out within the next couple of months. There’s a couple of other projects that go along with it, so there are several announcements coming.”
At the same time, Custer reflected on this evening,
“I thought the show was a blast. All the bands were awesome and it was great to see everyone having a good time.“
Chicago skate punk crew, The Linden Method (TLM), used this night to showcase its latest album “Grief.” The band, comprised of singer/guitar player Alex Wight, Xack Brame on bass, and Jake Fritzler, drove through “November,” “Reverent,” “Original Sin,” and “Is This Thing Even On?”
TLM also performed “Monsters Inside,” a searing portrait of mistakes made and redemption being sought:
“It’s past the past-time
‘Cuz I’m trying to be better than the prick you knew from the suburbs
And I’m not running from memories
Not passive or patient
I’m trying and failing
And still not prevailing and clinically struggling.”
Robby Di Domenico, TLM bassist for several years, joined the band on secondary vocals for “Better Off Dead.” Di Domenico played on the recording of the tune from the group’s EP “Falling Short.”
Echoing the sentiments of Death and Memphis’ Steev Custer, Wight was ecstatic with how the evening went. A day or two later I touched base with him to get his feelings on it,
“I thought the show was a perfect intimate punk show at a great venue. We all had an absolute blast and are thankful that Death and Memphis and Fire Cat! had us out for the evening.“
The night’s bill also marked the first show of 2023 for Chicago’s Fire Cat! The band is in the planning stages for more events this year per singer/guitarist Tim Robaczewski. Fire Cat!, which also includes Lou Pontillo on bass, guitar player/backing vocalist Justin Saunders, and drummer/backing vocalist Liam O’Brien lit up its set with “Sleepless in Chicago,” “Big Business,” Wide Awake,” and “Eastland.” The band seems to address the idea of last stands in the face of futility in “Battlecry!,” the title track from its 2018 EP, which they played as well.
“All differences aside, this is goodbye, I try to accept
But I can’t help but sympathize
I see them all running like it’s the end
Like they have something to live for
Hum their battle cry: next time I’ll try.”
Fire Cat! may sing of trying “next time,” but this time it succeeded kicking off the show in a very lively way. Hoping the band finds itself quite busy during the remainder of the year.
Please see below for more images from the show!
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
Death and Memphis 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method 
The Linden Method Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat! 
Fire Cat!
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DS Staff Picks: Dylan’s Favorite Punk Albums, EPs & Things of June, 2023 (Presented by Punk Rock Radar)
Hello, and welcome to the June, 2023 edition of Dylan’s Favorite Punk Albums, EPs & Things! This is the column where I, Dylan aka Screeching Bottlerocket, tell you what new punk rock albums, EPs and singles I enjoyed the most this month. This is a collaborative effort with our friends at Punk Rock Radar, with whom I’ll […]
Hello, and welcome to the June, 2023 edition of Dylan’s Favorite Punk Albums, EPs & Things! This is the column where I, Dylan aka Screeching Bottlerocket, tell you what new punk rock albums, EPs and singles I enjoyed the most this month.
This is a collaborative effort with our friends at Punk Rock Radar, with whom I’ll be doing a video version of this Best Of wrap-up each month. If you like discovering awesome new bands as much as I do, be sure to follow Punk Rock Radar on Instagram and YouTube, and keep tabs on their Upcoming Release Calendar.
Here’s our video for June (let us know what your favorite releases of the month were in the YouTube comments):
RANCID
Tomorrow Never Comes
This new Rancid record is pretty solid. Nothing earth shattering or anything like that, just a solid record. Probably won’t make my end of year Top 10 list (not that you care), but I think it’s a lot better than their last two albums.
DOWNSTATER
Cruelest Defeats
Anyone who tunes into these monthly columns is probably aware of my affinity for Canadian melodic punk. Quebec City’s is the latest band to come on my radar, with their new album Cruelest Defeats, out now on People of Punk Rock Records. For fans of riffy melodic punk heavyweights like Belvedere and MUTE.
TIGHTWIRE
Head Full of Snakes
It’s hard to go wrong with Midwest pop-punk, and Minneapolis’ Tightwire prove they’re the cream of the crop on their new album Head Full of Snakes. Recommended if you like The Dopamines, Dear Landlord, The Copyrights, etc. Buy the record and see them at The Fest.
FIVE STATE DRIVE
Five State Drive
Nagoya, Japan’s Five State Drive play super fun, blazing fast skacore-infused skate punk. Their self-titled debut album is stellar. Think Hi-Standard meets Kemuri with hints of influence from Less Than Jake, Operation Ivy, and 90’s west coast punk. Listen below, buy it on compact disc here.
JAGGER HOLLY
Rivotella
Not many bands can pull of a 29-song double album, but Austrian pop-punk powerhouse Jagger Holly does just that on their brand new record Rivoltella. I can think of many 12-song albums that have more filler than this thing; it’s a beast! Too many great songs to name all my favorites. Buy the 2xLP here (US) / here (EU).
McRACKINS
Wake the Fun Up!
A Canadian pop-punk institution since 1994, the McRackins are back with their first new studio album in over a decade. If you like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, etc. this is essential listening. Stop sleeping on the McRackins and Wake the Fun Up! Listen below, get the record here.
MERCY MUSIC
What You Stand to Lose
Mercy Music‘s new album is all over the place – in a good way! Some songs remind me of the Descendents (which makes sense since this was recorded at the Blasting Room), others have more of an Alkaline Trio-ish feel… a few sound kinda like Weezer! “Love You/Need You” and “Watch Me Drown” are bangers. Get the record here.
DON’T SLEEP
See Change
Don’t Sleep is the latest project from legendary punk frontman Dave Smalley, who you may know from bands like Down By Law, Dag Nasty, and ALL. See Change is their second LP; if you like any of Smalley’s past work, you’ll dig this. I think it sounds more like Dag Nasty than anything else. Check it out below and buy it here (US) or here (EU).
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED
I’ll Follow You Anywhere
Mr. Cribb used to be in an Australian punk band called The Decline (not to be confused with the NOFX song of the same name). I’ll Follow You Anywhere is the second album he has released with his current band Dan Cribb & The Isolated. Fans of More Betterness era No Use For A Name will enjoy this record. A bunch of songs feature Nick Diener of The Swellers on guitar and vocals. “What You Believe” is my favorite track.
ALL COASTED
Never Ending Puppet Show
Vicenza, Italy’s All Coasted provides a much-needed hit of Epifat inspired melodic punk rock on their new EP Never Ending Puppet Show, out now on Striped Records. Check it out below and buy the record here.
THE GREATEST SONS
When The Music Will End
I was not alerted to The Greatest Sons’ until I heard one of their new songs on Punk Rock Radar’s New Music Friday Spotify playlist. Check out their new EP! 3 songs in 9 minutes, it’s a nice little introduction for anyone else who’s never heard of these guys. They put out a full-length album a few years ago, too.
No shortage of new singles this month! Here are the ones that stood out the most (check out the Spotify playlist below for even more):
• Diesel Boy – “Dirty Dishes” – Another song from their new album Gets Old, due out July 28th on SBÄM Records! This is one of my favorites on the record. Pre-order on vinyl (or CD!) here (US) / here (EU).
• Making Friends – “ATM” – Killer new song from up-and-coming UK skate punks Making Friends. From their debut album Fine Dying, due out later this year on these fine labels: Punk Rock Radar (US), Cat’s Claw Records (UK), Waterslide Records (Japan) & High End Denim Records (Canada).
• Chaneys – “Archangel” – The best way I can describe this is “If the Misfits were a skate punk band”. Moscow’s Chaneys put their stamp on this Samhain cover. This shit rips. Check out their Bandcamp for more like this. Start with the Brains for Friends EP.
• Clowns – “Formaldehyde” – I have no clue why it’s taken me so long to check out Clowns, but I’m kicking myself after hearing their new single. This shit makes me wanna run through a brick wall! Some people tell me they’ve got a new album on the way; I’ll be catching up on everything I missed for now.
• Borderlines – “F.B.T.” – The pride of Portland, Maine, Borderlines will be releasing their debut album Keep Pretending this summer on Hey Pizza Records (LP), Mom’s Basement Records (CD), and Memorable But Not Honorable (Cassette). Check out the latest single!
• Acid Snot – “Amsterdam” – After going 7 years without releasing any new music, Barcelona melodic punks Acid Snot just released their second single in as many months. Check it out and lookout for their TBA record on Thousand Islands Records and Lockjaw Records.
• Evening Shadows – “Beach Queen” – Eccentric Pop Records only puts out good records. That’s a hill I’m more than willing to die on. So when they launched pre-orders for record from a mysterious new band called Evening Shadows in 2021, I didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. That record was killer and their new single “Beach Queen” is great, too! Check it out and look out for Evening Shadows’ sophomore LP.
Anywho, that concludes the June installment of the column. Thanks for checking it out! Keep your eyes glued to Dying Scene for all things punk rock and follow our friends Punk Rock Radar on Instagram, YouTube, etc. Join us again next month!
Check out this Spotify playlist for for songs from all these albums, EPs, and singles (plus some I didn’t have time to type a bunch of words about):
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Dying Scene Record Radar: New punk vinyl releases & reissues (Green Day, New Found Glory, OFF! & more)
Welcome to the first installment of the Dying Scene Record Radar! This is a weekly round up of all things punk rock vinyl. We’ll be highlighting new releases to look out for, as well as all those ultra limited reissues that get the collector nerds’ hearts racing. So, let’s get into it… Kicking things off, […]
Welcome to the first installment of the Dying Scene Record Radar! This is a weekly round up of all things punk rock vinyl. We’ll be highlighting new releases to look out for, as well as all those ultra limited reissues that get the collector nerds’ hearts racing. So, let’s get into it…
Kicking things off, New Found Glory! Back in April they released a 20th anniversary reissue of Sticks and Stones. Well, that shit sold out really quick, so they’re doing a second pressing of the reissue, limited to 2,000 copies. Go here this Friday, July 1st at Noon Eastern time to get your hands on it. Or wait ’til they sell out again and pay some clown $100 for it on Discogs.
Bad Religion is also reissuing two of their classic albums. Up first is Generator getting a 30th anniversary reissue. There are different variants for the US, UK, and Australia. Links to order all of those can be found here.
2002’s The Process of Belief is also getting the same reissue treatment for its 20th birthday. This one was announced a few weeks ago but there’s still plenty available. Links to order those are here.
Up next on the reissue train is the best band to name themselves after a Frenzal Rhomb song, Local Resident Failure, with the 10th anniversary reissue of their debut album A Breath of Stale Air. The variants are quite pretty! Americans and Canadians can get it here, Europeans here, and Aussies right here. And you can listen to it, right here! ∨∨∨
Nitro Records participated in Record Store Day 2022 with a reissue of their classic 1996 comp Go Ahead Punk… Make My Day. The compilation features AFI, The Vandals, Guttermouth, The Offspring and Jughead’s Revenge. 5,000 copies were made, and this is its first release on wax. There are still plenty of these out there. You can even get it on Discogs at a very reasonable price.
Now, here’s something that’s sure to ruffle some feathers: Walmart’s Exclusive pressings of Green Day‘s Dookie, American Idiot, and International Superhits. “Green Day? Walmart? That’s not punk!” No fucking shit, but who really cares? Sure the Waltons are one of the most despised families in America and they don’t need any more of your money, but look at the pretty colors! Help fund Billie Joe’s move to the UK, I’m sure he could really use the money.
The Bouncing Souls‘ self-titled record turns 25 this year, so they’re celebrating with four colorful polyvinyl chloride discs. Links to get all the different variants can be found here. East coast! Fuck you!
More reissues! Keith Morris’ OFF! is offering up new pressings of their back catalog, including the stellar First Four EPs, which is now available as a 12″ LP for the first time. These records kick ass. Buy, buy, buy.
Hey, here’s some new music! Screeching Weasel has a new record coming out on July 15th. It’s called The Awful Disclosures of Screeching Weasel. The LP is pricey at $30, but the two songs Mr. Weasel has put up for streaming have been good (stream below), and I enjoyed their last album a lot. Americans can pre-order here, and Europeans can get it here.
Skate punk veterans Cigar have stepped out of a time machine from 1999 to release their sophomore album. The Visitor is due out on September 9th through Fat Wreck Chords. Colored variants are long sold out, but I urge all self respecting skate punk fans to grab it on black wax here in America, here in Europe, and here in Australia. Listen to the debut single while you order!
1-2-3-4 Go! Records has spent the last year reissuing the entire Pinhead Gunpowder discography. The latest installment includes the Shoot the Moon LP (my personal favorite) and 8 Chords, 328 Words 7″. Everything in this series has been Grade A quality, and these reissues are a lot more affordable than original pressings of these records. You can get your hands on these here.
Pop-punk tastemakers Eccentric Pop Records have a bunch of new stuff up on their webstore. For the ridiculously low price of $16 (seriously Travis, how can you sell shit this cheap?!), you can get your hands on Dan Vapid and the Cheats‘ new LP Escape Velocity (listen below), and a new prepress of Horror Section’s long out of print self-titled record. Support a great label and add some awesome records to your collection!
Here’s a highly recommended pickup for those who worship at the altar of Joey Ramone. The Budweisers are a fantastic pop-punk band from Spain, and their new record Look Out Below is great! Plenty of fan service here for everyone who longs for the days when Lookout! Records ruled the pop-punk universe. Monster Zero has it up for pre-order now.
Target joins the “big box store reissuing classic punk albums” party with an exclusive 40th anniversary pressing of The Clash‘s Combat Rock on red vinyl. I grabbed this from my local Target a few weeks ago, and it sounds fantastic. I even signed up for the Red Card and saved 5% – what a deal! I love this record. “Rock the Casbah” is one of mankind’s greatest achievements. There’s a UK pressing on green vinyl as well – you can get that one here.
And I think that oughta do it! There’s undoubtedly a lot of stuff I missed, but hey, shit happens. The world keeps spinning, and we live to see another day. Like I said earlier, these recaps of new colorful plastic discs to waste your money on should be a weekly thing, but I could use a little help. Is there a new record you think should be highlighted in next week’s Record Radar? Suggestions are welcome – send us a message on Facebook or Instagram and we’ll look into it!