I can’t classify Raleigh’s Thirsty Curses. Alt-Country? Folky-Americana? Garage-Punk? Indie-Rock (gasp!)? Your significant other that doesn’t appreciate your taste in punk music will probably like half this album. Great, but why are you reading about this band on Dying Scene, you’re rightfully asking. Because as soon as I start to think Thirsty Curses’ music might not qualify for Dying Scene, a pissed off, fast paced track with gang backed “whoah-ohs” comes out of nowhere and seems to pull them back into the realm of acceptable Dying Scene standards. As schizophrenic as their genre influences seems to be, the one common denominator is that I dig every single track I’m hearing. If you have trouble getting into anything outside your typical skate-punk or hardcore, this one won’t be for you. If you occasionally like to dabble in rock ‘n roll, folk, or God forbid, more contemporary indie rock like Modest Mouse or Mumford and Sons you might want to give this quirky album a spin below. I defy you not to get hooked by the track “Dimlit Cathedral.”

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Chicago’s Smoking Popes have announced a list of dates they will be visiting this November. The band will be touring in support of their new album Into the Agony which will be released on October 12 via Asian Man Records.

See the tour dates below.

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Grazie Governo is the sophomore full length from Brighton, UK’s The Barstool Preachers, who are known for their ska influenced street punk with a strong dedication to social justice.

This a a fantastic street punk album with a heavy UK ska influence. It features angry protest songs like the title track “Grazie Governo”, the stand out “DLTDHYOTWO” and reggae punk toe tapper “Cry Wolf.” Then there is the rock and roll ode to love in “8.6 days (All the broken hearts)” which explores people overcoming their own faults and allowing themselves to be loved. The heart wrenching line of “I love you, I don’t get it because I don’t know what you ever saw in me darling” just sums up the whole experience. This type of disjointed love is further explored in “Choose my Friends” which features Amiee Interrupter, which is very fitting because sonically it would easily fit on any one of the Interrupters albums or perhaps a Rancid B-side.

In the song “Drink” we get an upbeat pop-punk sound that belies the darkness of using alcohol to numb the failings in our lives. While “Drive” gives us a Sublime-esque look into the inner monologue of depression. It’s like these two songs where deliberately written as a cause and effect. The happiness of having a few drinks mixed with the dive into drunken self examination.

There is an underlying unrest which borders on depression and anger in most of the songs on this album. However it does not give up all hope as the very last track “High Horse” is an upbeat pop-ska chill, with the beautiful sounds of a happy piano filling the the background. It’s a reminder that paradise is not lost, at least not yet.

This album delivers so much in such a short period. There is enough anger and disillusionment to satisfy fans of old school punk, there’s enough upstrokes and piano/organ accompaniment to keep the ska fans happy, and it is catchy enough to keep everyone coming back for more.

4/5 Stars

SF punks Culture Abuse kicked off a two month world tour in Washington, DC, last night. In honor of the event, the band also announced a tag-team giveaway with Fender as a way to try to give someone their first guitar. Here’s Culture Abuse frontman David Kelling:

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SoCal punk rock mainstays Face To Face have unveiled a brand new music video for the track “All For Nothing.” Check it out right here!

This particular version of “All For Nothing” comes from the band’s most recent release, Hold Fast, which features acoustic reworkings of previously recorded Face To Face tracks. Hold Fast was released on July 27th via Fat Wreck Chords. In its original form, “All For Nothing” appeared on the band’s 2011 full-length, Laugh Now, Laugh Later. Check out Face To Face’s upcoming Hold Fast: Acoustic Sessions tour dates right here.

The brand new music just keeps on coming, this weekend. Next out of the gate is a track called “Gotta Be Cool” from Asbury Park punk quartet The Ratchets. It’s the lead single on the band’s upcoming full-length, First Light, and you can check it out below!

First Light is slated for release on November 9th via Pirates Press Records. The band’s debut full-length, Glory Bound, was released back in 2006, and maintains a special spot in punk rock history as the first ever Pirates Press Records LP release!

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There’s a whole bunch of kick-ass Direct Hit news to get your weekend fired up!

First and foremost, we’ve got official details on the Wisconsonite quartet’s forthcoming album. It’s titled Crown Of Nothing, and it’s due out this fall on Fat Wreck Chords. The fourteen-track release is something of a concept album, reportedly centering on the idea that heaven and hell are the same place. According to frontman Nick Woods, the album “describes the relationship between a vengeful angel, put to death by a demon she then torments in the afterlife for eternity.” Pre-orders for the traditional digital/vinyl/CD release are available here, or you can go here to check out the deluxe bundle options, which include a slipmat and a four-issue comic book/zine series inspired by the album!

OH WAIT WE ALMOST FORGOT! There’s also a brand new DH video out! It’s for the Crown Of Nothing track “Welcome To Heaven” and you can check it out below!

Direct Hit’s last full-length, Wasted Mind, was released back in 2016.

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If you didn’t get your fix of Reel Big Fish on the 24th and final Vans Warped Tour this summer, you’re in luck. The ska-punk stalwarts a slew of headlining dates on what they’re dubbing the Tickle My Tiki TOURch tour. The run kicks off October 4th in Santa Cruz, CA, and winds up in Athens, GA on November 29th. Support on the bulk of those dates comes from Ballyhoo! and We Are The Union. RBF will also be featured on a couple dates of the upcoming Scallywag Fest in Washington and Idaho. Check out full tour details below. 

Reel Big Fish’s latest album Candy Coated Fury came out in 2012 through Rock Ridge Music.

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Buckle up, punk fans, Southern California skate-punk act Chaser have premiered a music video for a new track off their brand new Dying Scene Records release. “Silencer” is one of the more aggressive, fast paced gems on an album chock full of stand-out tracks. But don’t take my word for it, check out the video for it below.

“Silencer” appears on the band’s new album “Sound The Sirens” released digitally through Dying Scene Records (purchase) and physically through Effervescence Records (purchase) on July 20th.

Stream the entire release on bandcamp.

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Today, on the Dying Scene docket, a debut smasher from Dutch indie punks Lone Wolf.

We hope you like dancing, because these garage rockers will help give your ‘favorite pair of romping boots’ a new meaning. Invoking the charming lyricism of Merel Shaap and 70’s-era style riffage with a party-punk feel, Lone Wolf LP brings us back to the indie/garage rock scene of the early 2000’s. This self-titled inaugural release from the Rotterdam natives is being brought to us by Bearded Punk Records and Stardumb Records on September 8, 2018, and Dying Scene is happy as a clam in a conch shell to have the exclusive-stream for all you undead scensters a few daze early. Pre-orders are available NOW for both CD and LP pressings with a white and blue marble version from The Machine Shop in the U.S.A., and a white and pink variant courtesy of Bearded Punk Records. (Visit these locations for your appropriate merch fix: Stardumb, Bearded Punk, The Machine Shop)

Lone Wolf has quite a few shows coming up in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany so be sure and check them out if they make their way to your hometown. Stream Lone Wolf below and don’t forget to “get-get along, if you wanna… Do you wanna?” [Read more…]