Inland Empire punk rockers Backside have posted three new songs “No Time For Reality,” “Runaway Train” and “Stay Awake” on their MySpace page. The songs will appear on their upcoming album “The Element of Surprise,” which according to MySpace, is due out June 13th on Isolated Records.
Inland Empire punk rockers Backside have posted three new songs “No Time For Reality,” “Runaway Train” and “Stay Awake” on their MySpace page.
The songs will appear on their upcoming album “The Element of Surprise,” which according to MySpace, is due out June 13th on Isolated Records.
Thrice has posted an update on the progress of their newest album. They discus the final stages of writing and their love of Hot Water Music. Here’s a snippet, As far as the final stages of writing goes, it’s been intense, but good intense… we have really been trying to be observant of flow, tempo, […]
Thrice has posted an update on the progress of their newest album. They discus the final stages of writing and their love of Hot Water Music. Here’s a snippet,
As far as the final stages of writing goes, it’s been intense, but good intense… we have really been trying to be observant of flow, tempo, key, dynamics and the storyline of the song. This has meant multiple key changes, tempo changes, and adjustments to dynamics that change mood, flow and synergy between instruments. The past few days specifically we’re working out the details/possible overdub sounds/harmonies/and so on. It’s great, we’ve been trying out all the possible options. We will be going into the studio working with Dave Schiffman (who worked with us on Vheissu (eng.) and Beggars(mix)) starting the day after we get home from the east coast shows. Can’t wait… I’m excited to get these songs tracked and out to you guys soon. Thanks to all who have been patient. Soon… SOOOOOON!!! MUSICS! Ed
Read the full update here.
Thrice’s latest record, Beggars, was released in 2009 on Vagrant Records.
Long Island hardcore band This Is Hell have announced that they will be recording a new album. Here’s what they had to say, “We’re recording a new record this July! It will be even less like Sundowning than Weight of the World was. 10 bangers coming everyones way!” The band released their latest album “Weight […]
Long Island hardcore band This Is Hell have announced that they will be recording a new album. Here’s what they had to say,
“We’re recording a new record this July! It will be even less like Sundowning than Weight of the World was. 10 bangers coming everyones way!”
The band released their latest album “Weight Of The World” last year on Rise Records.
Florida’s Nightlights have revealed the cover art for their upcoming debut full-length album “So it Goes.” You can check it out here. No official release date yet on “So It Goes” but fans can expect it out this Spring on Eulogy Recordings. “So it Goes” will be a follow-up to 2010′s debut EP “Long Way Home” […]
Florida’s Nightlights have revealed the cover art for their upcoming debut full-length album “So it Goes.”
You can check it out here.
No official release date yet on “So It Goes” but fans can expect it out this Spring on Eulogy Recordings.
“So it Goes” will be a follow-up to 2010′s debut EP “Long Way Home” on Anchorless Records and Get Outta Town Records. Check out our interview with the band here.
Former Good Riddance vocalist and current Only Crime singer Russ Rankin, recently performed his new solo songs “Remember Me,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Seven Hours” and “Wrong Train” at a gig in Ottawa. Furthermore, Tony Sly performed a new song titled “Devonshire and Crown,” his Music 4 Caner song “Exit,” “Amends” and a bunch of acoustic versions […]
Former Good Riddance vocalist and current Only Crime singer Russ Rankin, recently performed his new solo songs “Remember Me,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Seven Hours” and “Wrong Train” at a gig in Ottawa. Furthermore, Tony Sly performed a new song titled “Devonshire and Crown,” his Music 4 Caner song “Exit,” “Amends” and a bunch of acoustic versions of old No Use For A Name songs.
You can check out the performances here.
Tony is working on a new solo album and a new album with his band. Russ is also working on his solo debut. You can read my interview with Russ Rankin here.
Arizona-based powerpoppers The Maine have posted video of a live, acoustic video performance of “Don’t Stop Now,” the first track from last year’s “Black & White” album. The video features John (lead vocals) and Jared (lead guitar), and was filmed on cell phone by none other than Pat Kirch, who doubles as the band’s drummer. […]
Arizona-based powerpoppers The Maine have posted video of a live, acoustic video performance of “Don’t Stop Now,” the first track from last year’s “Black & White” album. The video features John (lead vocals) and Jared (lead guitar), and was filmed on cell phone by none other than Pat Kirch, who doubles as the band’s drummer.
Watch the video here (the music starts around two minutes in, but watch the whole thing if you are into discussions of the band’s merch table, John’s fake teeth, and Jesus’ views on sodomy).
If you like what you see, The Maine will be on tour North America with Augustana in May and June. Check dates here.
Portland, Maine, based pop punk band Sparks The Rescue continued the promotional barrage for their upcoming album by releasing a lyric video for the new track “The Weirdest Way.” The track is set to appear on their forthcoming LP “What I’ve Been Cursed With,” which drops May 10th on Fearless Records. Sparks The Rescue are […]
Portland, Maine, based pop punk band Sparks The Rescue continued the promotional barrage for their upcoming album by releasing a lyric video for the new track “The Weirdest Way.” The track is set to appear on their forthcoming LP “What I’ve Been Cursed With,” which drops May 10th on Fearless Records.
Sparks The Rescue are currently on the road through most of the United States and will be for the foreseeable future. You can check out dates here.
And, for the record, that is two stories from Maine in the same night!
Yes, folks, you read that headline right. In a story that is sure to make the “Most Punk Rock Moments of 2011” list at year’s end, the Westboro Baptist Church has decided that God hates skanking. As such, the Kansas-based protest group saw fit to take their act on the road to Pensacola, Florida, to […]
Yes, folks, you read that headline right.
In a story that is sure to make the “Most Punk Rock Moments of 2011” list at year’s end, the Westboro Baptist Church has decided that God hates skanking. As such, the Kansas-based protest group saw fit to take their act on the road to Pensacola, Florida, to picket a gig by old school ska-punkers Less Than Jake.
In case you aren’t familiar with the WBC and don’t feel like Googling them (which, by the way, you should really do), they’ve made a name for themselves via their outspoken hatred of homosexuality, abortion, rock and roll music, devil worship and the military, though they tend to take their “God Hates Fags” signs gay rights events, military funerals and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial. In case you aren’t familiar with LTJ, well, you probably aren’t reading this site.
No real word on what it was about Less Than Jake that provoked the WBC, but to quote LTJ drummer Vinnie Fiorello, “it must have been a slow night at Bible study.” Read more of Vinnie’s comments here.
Social Distortion continues to dominate all things punk rock for the first half of 2011. As you know (because you downloaded it a long time ago), the OC legends released “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes” earlier this year after a seven year absence. The band have been busy headlining shows here and abroad, and are […]
Social Distortion continues to dominate all things punk rock for the first half of 2011.
As you know (because you downloaded it a long time ago), the OC legends released “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes” earlier this year after a seven year absence. The band have been busy headlining shows here and abroad, and are now releasing a short film, which doubles as an extended video for “Machine Gun Blues.” The best part? The band are throwing a red carpet event in Hollywood to mark the film’s debut, and they are broadcasting the whole thing live for your enjoyment tomorrow night.
Head over to Rollingstone.com around 11:15pm ET tomorrow (8:15pm for you West Coasters) to watch the red carpet portion of the festivities. The video will premiere around 11:45pm, and will be followed by an hour-long set.
You can watch the film’s kick ass trailer here while you wait.
For the past 20 years Fat Wreck has been the premier punk label. Sure Epitaph was great and Nitro had its moments, but the house that Fat Mike built has remained at the top. The “classic” Fat bands include names such as Lagwagon, Propaghandi, No Use for a Name, and Swingin’ Utters. Over the last […]
For the past 20 years Fat Wreck has been the premier punk label. Sure Epitaph was great and Nitro had its moments, but the house that Fat Mike built has remained at the top. The “classic” Fat bands include names such as Lagwagon, Propaghandi, No Use for a Name, and Swingin’ Utters. Over the last few years these bands have either left or become a lot less active than they were in their heyday, and a new wave of bands like Teenage Bottlerocket, the Flatliners, and Cobra Skulls have started taking the spotlight (and deservedly so). Every so often, though, one of the classic bands awakens to deliver something that schools even the best of these newer bands. The Utters’ “Here, Under Protest” does just that.
Eight years is a long time. It’s the amount of time that we waited for George W. Bush to leave office, it’s how many years you’ve been in college still trying to figure out what you wanna do, and it’s how many years it took me to learn how to do laundry properly (laziness played into this a lot) . It’s also the length of time that has elapsed since Swingin’ Utters put out a studio album. The previous mentioned classic Fat bands were the ones that I grew up with and loved, so I get a little extra excited when there is some activity from one of these staples.
In this writer’s opinion, Swingin’ Utters have been the best band on Fat for years now. The gap of eight years between records has been noticeable: I believe the Utters knew this next one had to be great to keep the long-waiting fans happy. What they came up with is one of the best records that Fat Wreck has ever put out.
The album starts off blazing with the track “Brand New Lungs.” As soon as the first few chords are struck you know you’ve found something special. An uplifting song about not looking to the past and getting your shit together and giving yourself a fresh start. The following track, “Take The Long Way Home,” is among the best songs the Utters have ever made. Super catchy, perfect melodies and the dueling vocals of Mr. Johnny Peebucks and guitarist Darius Koski. Other highlight tracks include “Reds And Blues And Beggars,” the Beatles-inspired “Bent Collector of 1,000 Limbs,” and the pit starting “Give It All To The Man.” There isnt a weak track on this album: it’s one of those rare records that you can listen all the way through and not get bored. Seventeen tracks of punk rock perfection.
“Here, Under Protest” wields strong country, bluegrass and even blues influences, all wrapped up in the unique UK77-meets-classic-90s-Fat sound that the Utters have honed over the years. Singer Johnny Peebucks has one of the most distinctive voices in punk rock: rasp meets sincerity, the perfect sound of optimism while still being pissed off. The band is tight. Darius Koski is one of the most talented guitarists in punk rock and shines on this album. Though Spike Slawson is perhaps better known for his singing with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, his bass playing is impeccable.
This record will be on many best of 2011 lists and will likely be the best that Fat releases this year (assuming Lagwagon doesn’t have a gem like this waiting). The mixture of genres and heartfelt lyrics give this album staying power. I can see looking back on this in a decade like I do with a classic like 1998’s “Five Lessons Learned.” Swingin’ Utters make the type of music that avoids the current trends of the punk rock scene yet always stays relevant. Here’s to another eight years. Maybe I’ll learn to cook by the time we get the next album. “Here, Under Protest” is beef burgers.