Ever wonder what the folks who run Dying Scene have been listening to lately? We’re going to pretend you said “yes” to that question and feature a curated playlist from a different DS editor each week with the intent of exposing you to some new kickass punk bands. This week’s installment comes to you courtesy of editor Ben Van Nelson (Midwest Punk).
Check out the list (and see if you can figure out the two patterns) below.
1. Success! – “Believe In”
A great leading track on their new album, and a great leading track for any list. If you haven’t heard this one, seriously, go listen to the whole thing right now. (Success! – Radio Recovery – Red Scare Industries. Buy here.)
2. Local Resident Failure – “A Friend Named Hope”
This one just describes a feeling I’m sure most of us have had at some point or another. (Local Resident Failure – This Here’s The Hard Part – Pee Records, Oxford Records, Disconnect Disconnect Records. Buy here (Australia), here (US), here (Europe).
3. Strung Out – “The Animal And The Machine”
“Can’t save the world but you can always tend the neighborhood. I wanna live and die for something good. Emancipate the soul, tell your brother he’s not alone. Life’s too fucking short to become victims of each other… We are serrated by the things we always hated, but what’s the point of it all?” Right? (Strung Out – Transmission.Alpha.Delta. – Fat Wreck Chords. Buy here.)
4. Well Aren’t You Precious – “These Moments”
This song helps me get through most weeks. We all know the feeling. (Full disclosure/shameless plug: I’m putting out the new EP from these guys this summer on Coastless Records!) (Well Aren’t You Precious – Awwwww – Self-released. Buy here.)
5. The Muffs – “Take A Take A Me”
If there’s one thing that sums up how I usually feel about my week, it’s Kim Shattuck’s scream. (The Muffs – Whoop Dee Doo – Burger Records. Buy here.)
6. Teenage Bottlerocket – “Welcome To The Nuthouse”
You don’t know some of the things I have to deal with on a weekly (daily) basis, but I’m sure you understand what I mean here. (Teenage Bottlerocket – Warning Device – Red Scare Industries. Buy here.)
7. PEARS – “Terrible”
I’ve missed these guys live about half a dozen times over the past year, and I’m determined to make that end this year. In fact, I’m on schedule to see them twice within the next month and a half, and it’s going to kick so much ass. (PEARS – Go To Prison – Self-released/Anxious and Angry. Buy here.)
8. Off With Their Heads – “Janie”
This one holds a very special meaning for me and my wife, Nicole, and I listen to it at least once every week (often times much more than once). (Off With Their Heads – Home – Epitaph Records. Buy here.)
9. Agnostic Front – “Police Violence”
Without going into a diatribe against police forces across the nation, I’m sure you get the significance here. There are good cops, and there are bad cops. We need to get rid of the bad cops, except Bad Cop/Bad Cop, ’cause they’re rad. (Agnostic Front – The American Dream Died – Nuclear Blast Records. Buy here.)
10. The Copyrights – “Wishbone”
I could have picked pretty much any song off this album, but here’s just one. “I got a wishbone, not a backbone. I got a big brain, full of big dreams, and no clue what I’m doing.” (The Copyrights – Report – Red Scare Industries. Buy here.)
11. Success! – “Resignation”
This was only supposed to be a list of 10, but I feel like this needed to be here, because it sums up a lot for me. Plus, much like the first song on this album is a great lead song, this one is a perfect closer. Seriously, check out this album! It’s one of the current front-runners for my “best of 2015” list. (Success! – Radio Recovery – Red Scare Industries. Buy here.)