Drug Church‘s sound has been this constantly developing and evolving being, but they’ve never found their feet quite as strongly as they have in Cheer. Their prior album, Hit Your Head from 2015, played with some experimental elements and explored their take on punk, and leads so well into their sound on Cheer. Released on November 2nd, 2018 via Pure Noise, the album has this aura about it, listening in feels nostalgic in an odd way, like hearing a band you love finally find themselves and hit a sound you feel will make them explode.

Lyrically the album is quite dark, an approach on growing up and fitting in with a hopeless backdrop, focusing in on poverty and mental illness as foundation. Starting with the opening track ‘Grubby,’ someone unwilling to grow up and a comment on conformity meaning an easier ride, but a shorter one. This rolls into ‘Strong References,’ a track based on vocalist Patrick Kindlon’s nude modelling experience when he was younger. It doesn’t have quite the impact of a lot of the other songs, but it certainly paints an uncomfortable picture and leads into the quite direct conversation on the black dog of depression in ‘Avoidarama.’ The latter has an energetic and addictive sonic atmosphere, from the constant flowing beat to the scratch of the guitar.

Some of the imagery and language used is quite bleak, particularly within ‘Dollar Story,’ painting a vivid picture of poverty outlined with mental illness. “There’s an energy to poverty you can’t run from,” followed later by a raw and telling line “You can adjust to anything if you’re leaving.” The anger and determination in the song is complimented by the ending, rejecting the previous message desperately.

On top of the fantastic lyricism and vocal performance from Kindlon is a sonic triumph still firmly in the grit of the genre. Tracks like ‘Unlicensed Hall Monitor’ echo their way in and beg for the listener to move with it. There’s a distinct flow to their sound, a style amongst a grunge leaning punk atmosphere. As Kindlon screams out; “A grown man who can’t handle his life for shit, a scummy fraud who wants to be your boss, can’t handle his shit,” the music swells and explodes along with him. Then on Conflict Minded the band switches perfectly from chaotic and aggressive with Kindlon’s vocals to a softer gentle sound with the fantastic guest vocals from Carina Zachary of Husbandry.

The final track, Tillary,’ has that gentler beat to it, still bursting forth in peaks of emotion, but the band shows a mastery of range. The soft plucking rolls into their sound so well, combined with the subject matter of police and the poison of power, and the intensity Kindlon puts into it, ‘Tillary’ becomes an iconic part of Drug Church’s whole discography as we’re led out of the album.

Drug Church bring forth their previous aura, this strange nostalgic feeling of the trashier side of growing up, Kindlon has said it himself before. It’s raw, his hoarse voice, the whine of the guitars, the energy and emotion of the performance from all side. It’s growing up in the suburbs in a bad neighborhood, it’s finding yourself while there are no solid footholds for you. And most of all, it gets under your skin and truly stays there. Cheer is an amazing album, front to back, that explores this side of life like never before.

Stream the album below.

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The Von Tramps are a rising punk & ska-core act from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Front woman Jenna Enemy took some to answer a few questions while the band gets ready to make a sensible escape from Minnesota in January. Check out the interview below for hot tips on what to do when touring the west coast, the band’s next release, and life with DIY! [Read more…]

Two years ago, Venezuelan hardcore act, The Zeta filed with US Customs as touring musicians so that they could legally work in the US. Once approved, the boys started touring the United States extensively and literally haven’t stopped since. After being here for a year or so, they made the decision to become permanent residents and began the arduous process of applying for a resident petition. After months and months of back and forth emails and calls in an attempt to prove their legitimacy, providing evidence of their illustrious fifteen year career in a five hundred page deposition that had to be translated word for word from their native language into English, all members were approved with the exception of guitarist and founding member Dani. With there being no evidence found on his record that would negate his petition, the US Government’s only reasoning for unilaterally denying his application (after formally recognizing the band’s international acclaim and legitimacy) was that they didn’t see why Dani was an integral piece of the band. They literally told him that they didn’t see why, as a founding member of a band who is almost sixteen years old, his role as a guitar player was vital to the band’s continued success. Now, he has only a few days to appeal the decision or leave the country.

I first heard Dani’s unfortunate situation a few days ago story from a friend who had played a few shows with them a couple years ago. They asked if I could help in any way, telling me “We played with The Zeta over three years ago in Miami, Florida. We didn’t know much about them besides that they were from Venezuela. Before the show, they made us and all of the other bands playing that night, ceviche. Who does that? Then they absolutely blew our minds with their performance.  I say ‘performance’ because it’s not your typical show. Literally, the best I’ve seen in my four years of touring and Dani was a huge part of it. On top of that, he’s a genuine guy who cares about the well being of others. During their sets, he stops in between songs to make sure everyone has had enough water that day to stay hydrated and that they’ve had enough fruits and vegetables to keep healthy. He also talks a lot about ideas of sustainability and working together to benefit one’s own self. A lot of people ask ‘How are you’ but Dani actually cares.”

Since I too, was unfamiliar with the South Americans, I decided to do some digging before agreeing to do a write up. Before I could even get full two days into my research, I started receiving multiple unsolicited emails, comments and DMs from other concerned fans that wanted to speak up on behalf of Dani and the band, pleading for any help I could give. One of the first DMs I received was from a local photographer here in Denver  “The Zeta has made a huge impact on the Colorado music scene and there would be a void left on the calendar if they couldn’t play here anymore because Dani had to leave.” Shortly after that, I got an email that read “I first saw The Zeta at a show in Austin and have been a fan ever since. The music is perfectly aggressive and has a unique sound, in part due the ethereal playing style of Dani.“. Then on a Facebook thread regarding the topic, a commenter replied “If you’ve ever gotten to see them, you’d know that what they have is pure magic. It’s nothing that’s ever been done before—truly special. It would be a shame to lose a narrative like theirs (if Dani had to leave).“

It was then that I realized, that all of these fans that have been to shows and know these guys on a personal level, recognize something that the US Government doesn’t see from their sheltered, safe little bubble. The Zeta is a one of a kind talent whose sound is defined by Dani’s passionate guitar playing and the years of tireless work he put into creating it as a founding member. There’s nothing you can quantify or isolate as a specific reason why he’s a necessity to the band. He IS the band. His DNA is woven into the fabric of The Zeta and the two are inseparable. What defines you as a person? Show me. On paper. It’s not easy, is it? The fact that this rabid fan base would be robbed of a chance to see this talented group of musicians because of something as stupid and insignificant as red tape would be untenable and unfair to both the band as well as those fans. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t ever want a government deciding who is and isn’t a vital part of a band I enjoy. It’s overreach at it’s finest. Do what you can, people.

It’s that time of year again! To kick off 2019, we’re taking a look back at our favorite albums from 2018! We’ll tell you why they were our favorites and play some of the best tracks from those albums. Sound good? Alrighty then! Check out our special 2018 Albums of the Year Episode, below!

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Spoilers have been around the UK scene for a couple of years now so this, their debut album, has been hotly anticipated by those in the know.  The band features ex and current members of Southport, 7 Day Conspiracy and More Than Normal and the release is a four-way collaboration by Boss Tuneage, Brassneck Records, Little Rocket Records and SBAM Records.  The guys play driving melodic punk rock that brings to mind bands like Leatherface, Snuff and Goober Patrol.  The album is generally on the poppier end of the spectrum and liberally sprinkled with Hammond organ (provided by Lee ‘the Mod’ from Snuff).  Tracks such as See You Ringside and Pushover switch gear and have more of a straight up punk leaning and it will be interesting to see if the band incorporate more of this sound moving forwards.  This is an extremely solid release which will certainly tick all the boxes for fans of their aforementioned musical forefathers.

Spoilers are supporting the legendary Guns’n’Wankers on their upcoming UK reunion shows so, if you’re lucky enough to be able to get to one of those, make sure you get there in good time to check them out.

4/5 Stars

Syracuse, NY pop-punks Talk Wrong are streaming another  song from their upcoming EP, Feral Bearings. Following recent track “Natural Causes”, the band have uploaded “Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Left”. Both songs are from “Feral Bearings EP”, out January 25th.

Have a listen below.

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Portugal’s hardcore exports Push! have released advance single “With Love”, ahead of their upcoming third album Dark Dive, which is released on February 8th.

Pre-orders for the album are up now; you can watch the video for the single below.

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The Old Firm Casuals have announced the release date for their upcoming album. Holger Danske is out on March 15th.

The album is being co-released on Pirates Press and Demons Run Amok Entertainment. No advance tracks or pre-order links have yet surfaced, but you can check out the track listing below.

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Boston pop-punk trio A Crash Republic will release their debut EP Homewreckers: Sweet Apathy on February 1st. However, the band have been good enough to let you hear their new single “Overture” today.

According to A Crash Republic, the track is about hating your town and all of the people you find yourself around. Cheerful!

You can check out “Overture” below.

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Orlando-based punk rock outfit Dial Drive have just completed their latest full-length album and it’s prepping to be released in March with A Jam Records.

It’s titled Wasted Time and will feature a total of 10 new tunes produced, recorded, and mixed by Brooks Daniel Paschal.

Nathan Durazzo, guitarist/singer of Dial Drive had the following to say about the record:

“It’s like getting shot in the dick with a shotgun. But in a good way! It’s a little heavy, a little poppy and some skankin’ songs”.