Circle Jerks, Pennywise, Descendents, The Dwarves, Goldfinger, A Wilhelm Scream, The Lawrence Arms, The Suicide Machines and more will play Punk in the Park 2023. That's November 4 and 5 at Oak canyon Park at Orange County, CA.
Dentist comes from the oceanfront urban landscape of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Their sound combines the freedom of the beach atmosphere and the urgency of the city into a fuzzed out, surf punk-tinged brand of indie pop with hooks and infectious melodies to spare. The ethereal vocals of Emily Bornemann are countered by the sometimes aggressive, but always addictive sounds of Justin Bornemann on guitar and Matt Hockenjos on drums.
Dentist formed in 2013, built around the songwriting partnership of Emily and Justin. The pair had been writing songs and performing together in various ways since their first meeting at the legendary punk hangout, TGI Friday’s. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2014, which Pandora described as “a deliriously infectious collection of fuzzy, California-styled, indie pop jangle and sun dappled garage rock crunch.”
Dentist released their sophomore album, Ceilings in the summer of 2016 via Little Dickman Records to critical acclaim. The band began touring regularly and Dentist’s notoriety continued to grow along the way. During this time period Dentist received praise from the likes of Stereogum, Noisey, Flood Magazine, and Collide and were also named one of the top bands at SXSW 2018 by The Mercury News and NPR’s Sound Opinions.
Dentist released their third album Night Swimming in July of 2018 on Cleopatra Record. Their strongest release to date, the album was described by The A.V. Club as having, “tight chemistry, killer hooks, and a distinctive sound that’s both lo-fi and retro-pop smooth.” Following the release, Dentist embarked on a month long tour across the country. Dentist has been on bills with many national acts. The list includes Television, A Giant Dog, White Reaper, Modest Mouse, Laura Stevenson, Mrs. Magician, Death by Unga Bunga, GYMSHORTS, River Boat Gamblers, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Spider Bags to name a few. In the fall of 2019, Dentist joined fellow Asbury Park duo Brick + Mortar on a 5 week US tour. They released the single “Someone Like You,” which was featured on Taco Bell’s ‘Feed the Beat’ website.
The beginning of 2020 was full of promise, but it took a hard turn that no one expected. Instead of making music that reflected on the depression that set in during lockdown, Dentist decided to work on an album that would inspire them and their listeners to hang in there and look forward to better times ahead. Dentist’s 4th album was released in September 2022 via Cleopatra Records. Goldmine Magazine boasted, “intense power-pop excitement.” New Noise Magazine vowed, “their strongest album yet.” The Punk Site declared, “easily this trio’s most accomplished, catchy and engaging album to date.” Glide Magazine added, “all sorts of ’90s power-pop vibes.” In addition, their most recent single “New Dress” was added to Spotify-curated playlist Fresh Finds: Rock. In October, the song “Spilled Coffee” was licensed by Hulu for their new show Power Trip. In September 2022, Dentist performed at Sea Hear Now Festival on the beach in New Jersey along with Green Day, Stevie Nicks, Boy George & Culture Club, My Morning Jacket, Gary Clark Jr. and others. In 2023, they plan to tour, including a West Coast run in the Spring.
The 5th annual Seattle Pop Punk Festival starts Thursday, January 18th in Seattle. The three day festival is at Slim's Last Chance Saloon in Seattle, WA and includes performances from Burn, Burn, Burn, Dirt Bike Annie, dead bars, Copyrights, Brosadway Calls and more. Organizers described the festival as "Three days of trying to get old punks to hear new punk and new punks to hear old punk. It can work." 2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of the Top Drawer Records 13 Soda Punx Compilation, which fueled the original 1994 Seattle Pop Punk Festival. To mark the event, the record has been repressed on CD and Colored Vinyl via Top drawer.
Sleep Token. Everyone knows their name by now, as they’ve taken the world by storm with their latest songs. The first 5 singles that they dropped in anticipation of the full release of Take Me Back To Eden gave us all a teaser that still left us blindsided by the incredible taste of the main […]
Sleep Token. Everyone knows their name by now, as they’ve taken the world by storm with their latest songs. The first 5 singles that they dropped in anticipation of the full release of Take Me Back To Eden gave us all a teaser that still left us blindsided by the incredible taste of the main course. Before getting into the review, I’ve got to be honest, I re-wrote this at LEAST three times. The third time restarting being because I got to experience Sleep Token at Aftershock 2023 from the front bar. Their set was incredible and to experience 5 out of the 12 songs from Take Me Back To Eden was easily something I’m never going to forget. I had the absolute pleasure of hearing 2 of my 3 favorite songs on the album and will keep those memories forever. The album is incredible to begin with, but to now have heard some of them live and know that Vessel sounds just as amazing live as he does on track makes it that much better in my opinion.
Getting to the review now, overall, I love this whole album. Cover to cover, this album flows so beautifully and makes me wish I knew how to do production stuff like this personally. They opened the set at Aftershock 2023 with “Chokehold”, which is how the album also starts. Easily one of my favorite songs on the album, musically and lyrically. Having someone in your life that you’re so infatuated with that you can say they’ve got a “chokehold” on you is an incredible, yet unnerving, feeling. I’m sure some can listen and relate to the song on some level, whether it be a passion, person, hobby, place, etc. There’s typically ONE thing most people can say has a hold on their love and affection to this seemingly extreme degree.
“The Summoning” came further in the set at Aftershock, but hit just as hard as it did when it took the world by storm last year. The lyrics of the song still ring true to many and had the entire crowd at Aftershock screaming along to the lyrics. This song’s seductive and sexy vibe makes it a crowd favorite and I don’t see it leaving their setlist for live shows for years to come. “Granite” is the third song up on the album and it brings a different perspective lyrically than a lot of the others. Speaking of a person who chose to take advantage of their loved one and treat them as though they are just another body in their world, and not someone who is supposed to mean the world to them. It’s a song that I fear many can relate to and I can say I, too, have been there.
“Aqua Regia” is a smooth and vibey song that gives the listener a nice buffer between the heavy and intense instrumentals of the previous tracks. The intensity of most of the tracks are greatly appreciated by many, I’m sure, but having these breathers that give us a nice little break from the intense heavy topics, and into a chill and calmer vibe. Then they launch you into “Vore.” One of the heaviest songs on the album for sure. I love to go listen to this song when I need to just sit back and let the music scream for me. It’s got a slightly haunting, yet angry and broken, feel to the vocals and it genuinely seems to help relieve some of my anger when I’ve had a bad experience/interaction in life since it hit the streaming services.
“Ascensionism” is easily my top favorite song on the album. I have loved telling people that it’s been my anthem since the album was released. Not only did the lyrics speak volumes to me, but they more or less describe an individual who desires both redemption and ascension, but at the same time, a longing to escape from reality with a person who understands them, and potentially even one that shares the same dark desires they have. Asking who made them like this to have them feel so “broken” and trying to show they understand who the individual is at their darkest. Inviting them to dance in the darkness they find themselves in together and take to the broken skies with their soulmate, hand in hand. It may be a hopeless romantic outlook on it, but this depiction is a large part of why I love it and it’s been my anthem since it hit our ears when the rest of the album dropped on May 19th.
“Are You Really Okay?” I’m sure had thousands of people bawling their eyes out and eating their comfort foods. I know I was at least once since the full album’s release and I will shamelessly admit that. Getting vulnerable, slow, and all around deep into those feelings like they did for this song, really hit home for many of us music lovers. If I really need a good cry, but I can’t quite figure out how to get it all out without waiting around for something to make me cry. I just throw on this song, and by the time he says the title for the first time, I’m bawling. 10/10 recommend if you need a good cry or just a wholesome song to listen to.
“The Apparition” is about two-thirds through the album and I love the low-key aspect of it, giving us a two out of three song breather from the heavy and intense instrumentals. It’s got some good higher notes that have beautiful orchestral music behind it and is a perfect segway into the next song, “DYWYTLM” (Do You Wish That You Loved Me). The low-key sound of “The Apparition” flows into “DYWTYLM” with such ease and keeps that slow and less intense instrumentals while bringing the lyrics back to a bit more of a relatable feel. There is one line in this song that resonates with me, though. At the 3:14 mark there’s a line where he sings “But I cannot hope to give you what I cannot give myself.” That line alone had me replaying the song a few times and really sitting with it and wondering how many people heard it and did the same. It’s a powerful reflection to have two-thirds of the way through the song, if you ask me.
Moving on to my last favorite song of the album, “Rain.” This song is about finding your soulmate and having their touch wash away all your problems, getting hurt by them was something you could deal with because they’ve got their hooks in you. Knowing it’s a two-person game and wanting to give what they’ll take and take what they’ll give. Having this feeling that you’ve come together for a reason and seeing them in your future has to be a fateful sign of your unification. Acknowledging that it could all just be a part of life’s game, but looking forward, you can swear they’ll be there. I’m in a spot in my life I can confidently say I can relate to the feeling of finding a soulmate, and that feeling was only solidified further getting to experience this song from front bar at the festival.
Now for the title track… “Take Me Back To Eden” was such a rollercoaster of a song. Genre-wise and lyrically. I love the analogies and the cryptic messages that seemed to be sprinkled throughout it. The song seems to be about wanting to go back to the start when life wasn’t confusing. Losing yourself and not knowing where you’re going can be disorienting and will absolutely send many into feeling like if they could just go back to the start of a situation or experience, then all would be fixed. It’s such an incredibly produced song and I’m absolutely impressed with the instrumentals’ seamless transitions throughout the track.
Last, but absolutely not least, “Euclid.” This song was an homage and revisit to a previous song in a previous album. If you’ve been listening to Sleep Token long enough, maybe you’ve heard the song “Night Does Not Belong To God” from Sundowning. This song has a very deep and heavy meaning behind it. This struggle with his relationship with Sleep and wanting its eternal embrace, but also having that person that he doesn’t want to leave. The back and forth in his head in accepting eternal sleep or pushing forward to continue on. Finding the beauty in the darkness and he’s handed over the darkness to his love to survive. At least, that’s my interpretation of it.
Overall, this whole album was a banger and I absolutely loved that they wrapped it up with a song that references another previous album/song. I’m not sure I’ve known a whole lot of artists to do that and it’s refreshing to hear something uncommon. Their multitude of genres and the seamless transitions into each style is mind-boggling and I am constantly recommending Sleep Token to anyone who will give them a chance.
You can stream Take Me Back To Eden on all streaming services as of May 19th!!
Sweetie is a Chicago-based lipstick-punk band with a femme fatale ferocity and a French influence. Voted a Top 5 Punk Band in the Chicago Reader two years in a row, Sweetie has found a niche in playing shows in the punk scene and drag shows alike, including venues such as the Metro, Green Mill, The […]
Meet Sweetie.
Joe
Bass
Birdy Vee
Guitar and vocals
Ryan
Drums
Sweetie is a Chicago-based lipstick-punk band with a femme fatale ferocity and a French influence. Voted a Top 5 Punk Band in the Chicago Reader two years in a row, Sweetie has found a niche in playing shows in the punk scene and drag shows alike, including venues such as the Metro, Green Mill, The Egyptian Theatre, Reggie’s, Cobra Lounge, Last Rites and Liar’s Club.
Dying Scene is thrilled to interview this local band and talk about drag queens, the queer community, new music releases and some hard-hitting questions that you do not want to miss.
What do you love most about being in Sweetie?
Joe: Honestly, I enjoy the spectacle of our live show. The band is always pushing ourselves to perform our very best and engage with our audience. So many rock songs are pretty simple 3 or 4-chord progressions, but it’s all about the raw power that you play those chords. And raw power is something that Sweetie brings to the table in spades!
Ryan: All the fantastic folks! Making friends with all these incredible bands, venues, and not to mention Birdy and Joe has been an absolute pleasure.
Birdy: I love the wide variety of opportunities to express myself creatively. Writing music is one of my favorite creative outlets, and it is an even bigger high when you take that song you wrote and perform it with your bandmates for the first time. The feeling of that tiny idea turning into such a big sound gives me goosebumps! Also, I ADORE performing. I really love being on stage and interacting with the crowd.
I also love finding new and creative ways for Sweetie to perform. We often perform in spaces that can be considered atypical for a punk band. We’re the house band for the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Dekalb and have performed at countless drag shows. I really like to find ways to take the idea of the typical punk show and elevate it: collaborating with a different variety of artists and performers and giving it that variety show feel.
I also love the connections I have made with people in the scene! I have made some really wonderful friendships with other musicians and performers in the scene, many of whom have been so supportive in so many ways. Sweetie would not exist today without the care and support of these people. AND I LOVE connecting with new people at our shows. I am a huge people-person and love to meet new folks.
How would you describe the music you typically create?
B: If Edith Piaf was reborn as a punk musician, that would be Sweetie. Our music is hyper-emotive, almost to a fault, and is often about love and longing through a female lens, with nods to subculture, queer culture, and the underworld nightlife. All just completely smeared in red lipstick.
Ryan, you were a music major with a heavy background in jazz music…did you ever picture you’d be playing in a glam lipstick punk band?
R: Well, I knew some type of rock band was inevitable, as that’s what came first in my life. I’ve been a jazz guy since high school, and I think that’s really influenced the way I play all styles of music in terms of style, phrasing, improvisation, etc.; so as far as the punk aspect goes, I see the jazz background as an asset to my playing. As far as the “glam lipstick” aspect goes, that’s a new one for me but I’m diggin’ it!
Birdy, you spearheaded the amazing local music fest Hands Off Our Fest (H.O.O.F.), can you tell me more about it, and will we expect it to come back in 2024?
B: Hands Off Our Fest is a music festival celebrating the women, femmes, and thems of the Chicago punk scene, featuring a drag show consisting of some of the area’s finest drag queens, kings, and things. I created this festival to help the women, femmes, thems, and queer folks in the local punk scene to bond with one another, network, and to create space. I have often felt stifled and uncomfortable as a woman in the punk scene, and the feeling can be very isolating. Also, there are so many local femme and queer acts locally that so often get overlooked and replaced with these cis-male fronted bands. I wanted to create a fest to celebrate these amazing talents and voices, while also just having as much fun as possible. The festival was such a success and every time I bump into a fellow HOOF performer when out and about, it’s always such a treat! I’ve definitely made many new friends as a result, and I ABSOLUTELY want to keep this festival going in the years to come. You can DEFINITELY expect HOOF to return in 2024.
Joe, you use an electric bass for your other bands but an upright bass for Sweetie. Any reason why?
J: One of the most important things that I have learned as a hired-gun/studio musician is that you should always serve the song. While there is definitely a level of flash to showing up to a rock gig with an instrument almost matching the size of the drum set, my intention is not to draw away from the songs and compliment them the best I can. I originally joined the group as a “fill in” for a few gigs for the band. When I was sent over demos and videos to learn the songs for these upcoming shows, Birdy was playing a 335/semi-hollow style guitar. This sound instantly brought me back to the classic rockabilly and Elvis records that I loved as a kid, while still being punk rock!
Of course, I showed up to the first band rehearsal/audition with all the songs learned on the electric bass, but I asked about what Birdy thought about me playing upright the next time we got together. I’m pretty sure that her response was, “I’ve never thought about how that would sound, but sure”. I fully believe that she was thinking that I was planning this only for the upcoming show to make it a large surprise spectacle, not that I was dead serious about taking the bass role on this instrument. I also don’t think this instrumental change took too much convincing after hearing it in application and has absolutely shaped some of our own Sweetie sound (even if Birdy changed over to her Flying V guitar).
At your show at The Metro with The Lawrence Arms, you brought out a drag performer (who was fantastic!) and I’ve noticed Sweetie does a lot of stuff related with drag performers. Any reason why?
B: That was my drag mother, Sindy Vicious! Since really early on, Sweetie has been collaborating with drag performers as often as we can. It all started out when we had a residency at a queer comedy variety show called T-Time at the Comedy Shrine (Rest in Peace Comedy Shrine). This was run by Penelope Torres and was a quarterly variety show that featured queer stand-up comedy, drag performances, and music by Sweetie, the resident band for this event. At our very first show, we met drag performer Sindy Vicious, who later approached me with an idea for a music video for our song ‘Devil Girl’. Her and I immediately began working together and this formed a creative collaboration and friendship that has persisted ever since. I am actually in the Haus of Vicious now (a Haus being a drag family in the community) and Vicious is where the Vee in Birdy Vee originates! She directed and edited the video for Devil Girl, Mamma, as well as the music video for our new single, Showgirl. The video also features drag performer and my dear pal, Kai Valentine. I love performing and collaborating with the drag community and hope to continue to do so in the years to come!
You are about to release a new single! What’s the inspiration behind the song?
B: The new single is called ‘Showgirl’, and there is so much inspiration behind this song. Firstly, the title is a nod to the movie Showgirls (1995) which is one of my favorite cult films of all time (after the Rocky Horror Picture Show, of course). At the time that I wrote the song, I was starting to feel the isolation and frustration that can come with being a performer. You are putting your whole heart and all of your energy into this thing, pouring your guts out on stage, and then when it’s all over, what’s left? The song also parallels a relationship that is in the same vein- something that you are pouring your heart into and from which you are getting very little back. But in the song, there’s also that tone of resilience, with a focus on women in the music industry. The stress that women in the music industry are under, and well as the constant criticism that they face can be shattering. The statement of ‘this will not break me’, which a lot of times is easier said than done, helps the song end on a high note. Ultimately, ‘Showgirl’ makes it through and comes out stronger in the end.
When can we expect the next album?
B: The new album is called La Vie en Rouge (which means Life in Red), which is a reference to Edith Piaf’s ‘La Vie en Rose’. The song La Vie en Rose is about being in love and seeing ‘life in pink’. The idea of La Vie en Rouge takes that idea but intensifies it. When you’re seeing life in red, there is passion, there is rage, there is fire. That is what I’m trying to channel in this album. Also, Sweetie’s most recognizable color is red, so the album title is a nod to that as well. We are so proud of this album and it is projected to come out in June 2024.
Now for the hard-hitting questions…would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?
J: While I would ideally not like to cause any harm to these proposed majestical creatures. My gut instinct would be to choose the 100 duck-sized horses to see if we may be able to reach some sort of diplomatic resolution without violence. But on the other hand, a horse-sized duck head would look pretty sweet mounted over a fireplace mantle…
R: Horse-sized duck is out of the question. I’m already afraid of geese and they’re not much larger than ducks. On the other hand, what’s a duck-sized horse gonna do? Kick me? Okay.
B: Do I get some sort of weapon? I’m pretty sure I could fight off 100 duck-sized horses with a broom or a hammer or something. But one horse-sized duck? They’ve got all those little teeth and they can fly and hunt you down… But then the 100 duck-horses could kick you to death with their little hooves. If I get a weapon, I’ll choose the little duck-sized horses.
Lastly, if you went on a national tour, how many pairs of pants would you bring with you?
J: My serious answer would probably be 3 to have a solid rotation, but I would be an advocate for shorts (weather dependent) to require less fabric to dirty up and for a higher level of comfort.
R: We don’t believe in that sort of thing.
B: No.
Anything else you want us to know?
B: Women, femmes, thems, and queer folks in the punk and alternative communities need to take up more space in our scene. Keep punk rock queer.
Check out the gallery below for more live photos of Sweetie and be on the look out for their new song release and album!
Blink-182 is coming. I’m sure you’ve heard. There are not many things in this world that I love more than those three old men. My parents got divorced in, like, 2002 and I still felt more feelings about Blink’s breakup in 2005. Matt Skiba made a much better step-dad than mine, sorry Dave. Their new […]
Blink-182 is coming. I’m sure you’ve heard. There are not many things in this world that I love more than those three old men. My parents got divorced in, like, 2002 and I still felt more feelings about Blink’s breakup in 2005. Matt Skiba made a much better step-dad than mine, sorry Dave.
Their new single, “Edging”, is no doubt going to be at the top of my plays in my Spotify mix for the year. With the announcement of a 2023/2024 World Tour with Tom DeLonge returning I had to snag a ticket, I mean, it’s my favorite band. Then the prices came.
“I bought tickets for two of our shows myself just to see what the experience was like.” Mark Hoppus explained to fans in the Blink-182 Discord, “I had tickets yoinked from my cart and the whole thing crashed out.” This entire fiasco chalked up to the supposed anti-scalper measure, dynamic pricing. When the band themselves can’t even get tickets to their own show then what hope do we common folk have?
Talking about an exciting reunion with Tom DeLonge, it feels almost impossible to not talk about former fill-in-turned-full-timer Matt Skiba who wasn’t 100% sure of his own status in the band. While many harbor ill will towards the albums and songs from the era, most Blink fans will speak highly of Skiba’s live talents.
Many fans remarked on the odd nature with which Skiba was abandoned and Delonge seemingly ousting him from his earned spot. Tom DeLonge made sure to quell any notions of ill will with a public Instagram letter which he also personally sent to Skiba.
Personally, I’m still hoping we get some sort of festival appearance with all four of them but that’s because I’m very stupid. If that was in the cards I’m sure Tom would have spilled the beans already like he did with the tour. If you like Mark Hoppus discord quotes then you’ll love “Tom wasn’t quiet at all…Literally walking around shows telling everyone the band is back together.” Hoppus vents to the fanbase, “Like. Someone tackle him. I hate him so much.” It’s all fun and happy feelings though, but we all know the score at this point.
Happy Friday, comrades! Today’s Dying Scene Exclusive is not only timely, but it’s for a song and a cause that are near and dear to my heart. We’re fired up to bring you Boston’s Already Dead doing their take on an old classic. The song is called “Bread And Roses”, and in its original format, […]
Already Dead’s Dan Cummings w/ Bread & Roses Festival organizer Felipe Collazo
Happy Friday, comrades! Today’s Dying Scene Exclusive is not only timely, but it’s for a song and a cause that are near and dear to my heart.
We’re fired up to bring you Boston’s Already Dead doing their take on an old classic. The song is called “Bread And Roses”, and in its original format, it’s a 100+ year old hymn and poem dedicated to the women and children striking for better working conditions in the old mill city of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Eugene Debs himself referred to the “Bread & Roses Strike” as “the most decisive and far-reaching ever won by organized labor” at the time. This version is Already Dead’s punked up version, which is especially fitting given the band’s roots in Massachusetts’ blue collar trade unions. Here’s what Dan Cummings, who’s not only Already Dead’s vocalist and guitarist but is also a union pipefitter, had to say:
“It aligns with what I hope Already Dead projects as an ethos. And that’s standing up for yourself and for your fellow people and to fight for what is fair. In my opinion, there is evidence of that in all class struggles.”
I know that I tend to go a little heavy on promoting bands from the Boston area, but this one is especially cool to have a part in premiering because I spent close to a decade working in downtown Lawrence, give-or-take a hundred yards or so from the Washington Mill, which was the epicenter of the Bread & Roses strike, so I know the area and the story and the people and the cause very well. And oh-by-the-way, if you’re in New England anyway, you can catch Already Dead at this year’s annual Bread & Roses festival in Lawrence on Labor Day, September 4, alongside fest director and collaborator Felipe Collazo (who also appears on the track).
Check Already Dead’s “Bread And Roses” below on Bandcamp or Spotify!
Caitlin Edwards is not only the singer/guitarist of Chicago ska-punks Bumsy and the Moochers and co-founder of the Punk In The Burbs festival…she’s also got a super fun solo project. And thankfully, Dying Scene get to debut her new video. It’s for the track “Unlucky Charm” and it’s from her upcoming solo album Pluto Party, […]
Caitlin Edwards is not only the singer/guitarist of Chicago ska-punks Bumsy and the Moochers and co-founder of the Punk In The Burbs festival…she’s also got a super fun solo project. And thankfully, Dying Scene get to debut her new video. It’s for the track “Unlucky Charm” and it’s from her upcoming solo album Pluto Party, and it’s super fun. Check it out, and stay tuned for more Pluto Party release information!
Oh, and if you’re in Chicago in a couple weeks, head to Cobra Lounge for the Pluto Party record release throwdown! It takes place February 25th and features Hi Ho and Superkick and Lever. Deets here!
Hey! Is that my guitar cord? I betcha that’s mine,. Awesome stuff Caitlin, don’t ever stop! All the Best, Love your father. P. S. Are those my guitar picks? You little brat!
Melodic punk fans, listen up! Nuremberg, Germany’s Melonball will be releasing their debut album Breathe tomorrow, March 31st on Thousand Islands and Lockjaw Records. Your friends at Dying Scene are pleased to bring you this exclusive album premiere a day before it lands on all major streaming platforms. This thing’s fast and furious from front […]
Melodic punk fans, listen up! Nuremberg, Germany’s Melonball will be releasing their debut album Breathe tomorrow, March 31st on Thousand Islands and Lockjaw Records. Your friends at Dying Scene are pleased to bring you this exclusive album premiere a day before it lands on all major streaming platforms. This thing’s fast and furious from front to back; try to keep up!
Don’t just take our word for it: listen for yourself below, and peep the dates on Melonball’s impending European / UK tour while you’re down there. After you’re done doing that, grab Breathe on vinyl or CD (or both!). It’s available here (North America), here (UK), and here (Australia).
23/04/01 – “Breathe” Album release show @ Nuremberg, GER 23/04/02 – “Breathe”-Tour w/ Heathcliff, Drunktank @ Saarbrücken, GER 23/04/03 – “Breathe”-Tour w/ Heathcliff, Drunktank @ Antwerp Belgium 23/04/05 – “Breathe”-Tour w/ Heathcliff @ Brighton, UK 23/04/06 – “Breathe”-Tour w/ Heathcliff @ London, UK 23/04-07-09 – Manchester Punk Fest 23 @ Manchester, UK 23/04/12 – Dankeschatz, Melonball @ Munich, GER 23/04/14 – Melonball, Chris Magerl, The Bloodstrings @ Fürth, GER 23/05/01 – 1st of May Fest @ Regensburg, GER 23/05/15 – showcase @ Nuremberg ClubStereo 23/05/19 – @ Weiden Salute Rock Club 23/05/20 – @ Graz Musichouse 23/06/17 – Balarock Festival @ Bad Laasphe, GER 23/06/30 – Mission Ready Fest @ Giebelstadt, GER 23/08/07 – Der Krater Bebt Festival 23/08/08-11 – Punk Rock Holiday, SLO
Day 2 of Riot Fest 2022 took place on September 17th. The temperatures rose and because it was a Saturday, so did the crowd size. It was a day of both music and expressions of solidarity with one nation under attack. Red Scare Industries’ No Trigger was assigned to the smallest music stage in the […]
Day 2 of Riot Fest 2022 took place on September 17th. The temperatures rose and because it was a Saturday, so did the crowd size. It was a day of both music and expressions of solidarity with one nation under attack.
Red Scare Industries’ No Trigger was assigned to the smallest music stage in the park, the Rebels stage. However, that did not stop the boys from Boston from giving a powerful performance, including the tunes “Antifantasy,” “Holy Punks,” “No Tattoos,” and “Neon National Park.” There is little doubt in my mind, or at least lots of reason to hope, that No Trigger will be promoted to a larger stage at its next Riot Fest appearance. I’m not much of a gambler but I’ll take the bet that they will indeed be back at the festival, and sooner than later.
Fans of Bully were fortunate to not only see one of their favorites treat them to a fantastic set, but they did so from the Radicals Stage. That stage provided the most shade and the coolest setting on an otherwise boiler of a day. Rolling through “Trash,” ”Where to Start, ”Stuck in Your Head, ”Kills to Be Resistant, ”Milkman,” “Hate and Control,” “Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues” Bully gave the crowd what it was looking forward to and needed.
A formidable amount of joy was felt as The Joy Formidable took over the Roots stage. That line might be of questionable quality, however, the performance by the pride and the Formidable Joy of Mold, Flintshare, Wales (ok, I’ll stop now) was quite palpable. The band, presently based in London, and composed of Rhiannon “Ritzy” Bryan, Rhydian Dafydd Davies, and Matthew James Thomas performed solidly a set that included “The Greatest Light Is the Greatest Shade,” “Y Bluen Eira,” “Sevier,” “CSTS (Come See the Show),” and “Whirring.”
The Get Up Kids were one of the 2022 Riot Fest bands doing an “album play” set. The album in this case was its classic Four Minute Mile on its 25th Anniversary. Though not dedicated to running legend Roger Bannister, as the title might suggest to near-lifelong runners (such as myself), it does feature track runners on the cover. More importantly, the band’s debut studio album transformed the members of the group into stars of the emo punk sub-genre. For attendees who became fans at the album’s first release and those just discovering its music, it was great to hear the full track listing, including, “Stay Gold Ponyboy,” “Lowercase West Thomas,” “Washington Square Park,” “Michelle With One “L”,” and “I’m a Loner Dottie, a Rebel.”
7Secondsannounced their retirement in 2018, citing health issues as the primary reason. For that reason, the band appearing at Riot Fest this year was especially compelling. The band returned to touring earlier this year as support for Circle Jerks, alongside Negative Approach. Sammy Siegler sat in the drum chair in place of Troy Mowat, whose health issues continue to keep him sidelined. Kevin Second’s voice was strong and the setlist featured many entries from the band’s classic 1984 album The Crew. The album was remastered and reissued in deluxe style by Trust Records in 2021. Among them: “Here’s Your Warning,” “Definite Choice,“ Not Just Boys Fun,” “This Is the Angry,” “Here’s Your Warning,” “Definite Choice,” “Not Just Boys Fun. 7Seconds also played “We’re Gonna Fight,” plus covered “99 Red Balloons” by Nena.
For those who might not know, Alexisonfire is from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and named after an American porn actress. There was some controversy surrounding that latter fact but let’s move now to its Riot Fest appearance. It was a crowd pleaser, featuring in the setlist “Accidents,” Boiled Frogs,” “Sweet Dreams of Otherness,” “Pulmonary Archery,” and “Drunks, Lovers, Sinners.” For a hot late summer day, near that stage was a pretty cool place to hang.
Yungblud is an excitable boy (a nod to Warren Zevon there) and an exciting performer. Dressed in black dress pant style shorts held up by a single suspender over a long sleeve black and white striped shirt added up to him looking a bit like a post-modern day Pinocchio sans the pointy cap. Yungblud’s infectious charm was obvious, as he bounced across the stage almost nonstop through “The Funeral,” “superdeadfriends,” “parents,” “Tissues,” “I Love You, Will You Marry Me,” among others. His set ended with a show of support for the Ukrainian activists at the festival as the English rising star brought a group of them onstage. The Ukrainian flag being held high by said activists demonstrated again the solidarity for the war-torn nation on display at Riot Fest 2022.
Bad Religion is yet another of what I call FORFs — Friend of Riot Fest. As in, the band is a regular part of the festival’s lineups over the years. This should continue ad infinitum. They are a brilliant group every bit deserving of the word legend which has long been attached to them and the innumerable tattoo tributes across the globe. One crowd member expressed their love with the BR symbol shaved into and painted onto his skull. Meeting Greg Graffin for the first time, in the media tent, he exuded humility and kindness. Graffin: “Hi I’m Greg.” Me, in an attempt to be professional and not fan girl the PhD Punk icon from one my top 5 bands: “Thanks, I gotta go shoot 7Seconds now.” Yes, I’m a dork. But I’d hazard a guess Graffin was ok with that awkward bailing out. Back to their performance though. When the music kicked in Graffin, Jay Bentley, Brian Baker, Mike Dimkich, and Jamie Miller got straight to the point with “Recipe for Hate.” That was followed by “New Dark Ages” and “Fuck You.” With so many classics over the decades of its existence, the band couldn’t possibly hit all of them. However, it did a pretty good damn job of getting in a lot of them. Among those they drove through were “Dept. of False Hope, “We’re Only Gonna Die,” “Suffer,” and “21st Century (Digital Boy),” They concluded the set with “Fuck Armageddon… This Is Hell,” “Sorrow,” and my personal favorite, “American Jesus.” Whew and Wow. That about sums up Bad Religion in general and its Riot Fest performance in particular.
Gogol Bordello returned to Riot Fest as a replacement for Bauhaus which had to cancel its American tour due to lead singer Peter Murphy entering rehab. The Gypsy Punks released their latest album, Solidaritine, just one day before its set at Douglass Park. It appeared clear a priority for the band was to continue increasing and solidifying support for Ukraine and its efforts to fight back against Russian Vladimir Putin, his government, and the Russian military (Putin, of course, directed the military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022). Earlier in the day, Eugene Hutz, the Boyarka native singer of Gogol Bordello, participated in a moving tribute to his homeland in a performance alongside a Ukrainian dance troupe. The full band known for its rousing performances did not disappoint as they ran through “Immigrant Punk,” “Wanderlust King,” ”My Companjera,” “Immigraniada (We Comin’ Rougher),” “Think Locally, Fuck Globally,” and “Mishto!”
Yellowcard was one of the three Saturday Night headliners. The band performed in full, its fourth album, also its major label debut, 2003’s Ocean Avenue. “Way Away,” released as the album’s first single, and credited as Yellowcard’s injection into the realm of mainstream popularity, started off the set. Title tune “Ocean Avenue,” was followed by ”Empty Apartment,” and “Life of a Salesman.” The rest of the album including “Miles Apart,” “Twentythree,” “View From Heaven,” “One Year, Six Months,” “Back Home” took diehard Yellowcard fans on a nostalgia trip. But what a trip!
Steven Edwards Sr.
Hey! Is that my guitar cord? I betcha that’s mine,. Awesome stuff Caitlin, don’t ever stop! All the Best, Love your father. P. S. Are those my guitar picks? You little brat!