What time is it? What day is it? What month is it? 2023? What happened to 2022? It’s cold outside. Wait, it was warm outside a few days ago, wasn’t it? Where is the sun? Why is it dark outside right now? Who just released a new album? They just released an album last year, […]
What time is it? What day is it? What month is it? 2023? What happened to 2022? It’s cold outside. Wait, it was warm outside a few days ago, wasn’t it? Where is the sun? Why is it dark outside right now? Who just released a new album? They just released an album last year, right?
This year is nearing its close and it certainly feels like we ask ourselves most of the questions above every year. Time moves by so damn fast and as the saying goes blink and you’ll miss it. Or blink and the band Blink 182 will break up, change members, and get back together with the original lineup.
2023 boasted big albums by big bands – Metallica, Foo Fighters, Blink 182 (naturally), Queens of the Stone Age, The Gaslight Anthem – this is just naming a few. A lot of music by up-and-coming and independent bands also was released this year, to no surprise.
It is now December, but an album was released back in April that can still be heard echoing among those who appreciate the do-it-yourself mentality of punk rock and feel-good vibes of melodic pop punk. The hype for this album, hell this band, is very real and watching it unfold over the course of the year has been really exciting.
Stop the World from NOT was officially released on April 14 via Wiretap Records (US) and Brassneck Records (UK). NOT is the result of four friends getting together through their love and admiration for The Descendents and ALL and using that influence and drive to make their own contagiously catchy and fun-sounding punk rock. “We’re just four ALL/Descendents fanatics that had some time to kill during a pandemic. ALL are such a special band that aren’t making records anymore, so we just thought it was time that a band flew the flag again,” stated on the NOT Instagram band profile.
“Stop the World” is not only the name of the album but also is the opening track. This song was released as a single to help spread the word about the band and give us all a taste of the melodic and pop-punk sound they were formulating back in December of 2022. This track serves as a good introduction to NOT and naturally it can serve as an all around anthem for those of us still struggling and adjusting to the world outside our front doors. “We fell into the old cliche, We’re working our whole lives away, What my parents did I said I never would, Can’t live like this for good,” lead singer Davey Warsop croons amidst dreaming of better days.
While the year is drawing to a close, a good portion of 2023 saw NOT putting themselves out there playing shows, talking about the album and building a following among the punk rock scene. The band even released the debut albumStop the Worldon vinyl, which sold rapidly and led to a second pressing. “Hyperactive” is a fast-paced punk rock tune that is so quick and loud that it perfectly fits the tone of the band and the work they put in for this album. “I got way too much to give, With so much life to live, but my mind is like a sieve, I’m hyperactive,” exclaims Warsop on this track, the words practically among most of our minds over the course of the past few years.
Other standout tracks include “Alien,” which will leave the listener singing along and smiling, “Unfuck the World,” the angsty and upbeat track that will have fists pumping and beer cans crumbling, and “Anxiety,” the most relatable track lyrically on the entire album. Stop the World is available on most streaming services for download and copies of the album on vinyl are still available to order from Wiretap Records or Brassneck Records. Don’t hesitate to pick this album up; it’s one of the best to be released this year.
Hello, darlings! It’s the end of the year, and what a year it’s been in music. Some would say it’s been a bit overwhelming with all the releases, and we’ve only got so many hours in a day to listen, review, and bring you reading material. But as 2023 ends, I’ve put together a playlist […]
Hello, darlings! It’s the end of the year, and what a year it’s been in music. Some would say it’s been a bit overwhelming with all the releases, and we’ve only got so many hours in a day to listen, review, and bring you reading material. But as 2023 ends, I’ve put together a playlist with all the songs that sparked joy in my life in 2023 and a top five of everything from albums, EPs, and concerts. This list was supposed to be very straightforward this year, but I hadn’t looked at any album or EP release calendar because it went in another direction. I’ve always listened to pop-punk and indie. I had made a bet with myself last year that the only music I would listen to was from 2023, and yes, that was hard. Yes, I broke it a few times for good causes, like preparation for festivals or things like EMONITE.
But with that being said, I did find some albums that automatically hyped me up during 2023. Albums that I knew were gems and albums that helped shape my second half of 2023. So, here we go, my top five albums, EPs, and singles. Trust me, we aren’t sticking to one genre this time.
Our favorite Scranton band, The Menzingers, dropped their seventh album, Some Of It Was True, on the 13th of October, 2023. But unlike After The Party, we aren’t questioning where we go after our 20s; we are more concerned about what is happening in our 30s! I’ll admit, I’m only 31, and my 30s have just begun, but much like on the title track ‘Some of It Was True,’ I do reminisce about my youth and how I thought I knew everything back then, only to be surprised about how little I know. But Some Of It Was True is good because they keep their standards high and experiment with new sounds but add a bit more heartbreaking lyrics, as we can hear on ‘Come On Heartache’, ‘I Didn’t Miss You (Until You Were Gone)’, and ‘There’s No Place In The World For Me’, which I’ll be honest and say, I feel that our 30’s will be more about, in different ways. So, here’s to The Menzingers and their ability to write catchy songs.
Knuckle Puck has, since the beginning, been a band I’ve been fascinated by, but I forgot about them because they sometimes seemed stuck in their early sound and didn’t grow. But Losing What We Love was released and proved me wrong. From the first listen, this album became an instant favorite. The catchy lyrics to the potent and pop-punk riffs, Losing What We Love, show a different side to Knuckle Puck from their earlier material. And for 37 minutes, you’re highly entertained with the album.
I’ll admit that I’ve slept on Movements, and I’ve slept on Ruckus! It wasn’t until after a concert that my friend sheepishly suggested I dive into the album, and since that day, I haven’t been able to stop listening to RUCKUS! Movements decided to experiment with different sounds. It’s a fun listen.
Hardcore had a shining moment this year; hopefully, it won’t change next year. But this year, we saw Militarie Gun release their debut LP, and after three EPs, I was very excited about Life Under The Gun. It didn’t disappoint me, from the gruff vocals supplied by Ian Shelton to the punk guitars and rapid drumming on the songs. Even more remarkable, their concerts are brilliant, and the transition from album to live is something they’ve mastered, but again, Militarie Gun is a side project. Everyone in the band had a name prior, so it’s no surprise that Militarie Gun succeeds at everything they do.
Why Would I Watch is a rather obvious choice for my number 1 album of the year. And I was right. While my Spotify Wrapped would state that Taylor Swift is my most-heard artist, my YouTube music would beg to differ.
Why Would I Watch showcases the ability to take challenging topics and place Hot Mulligan at their most vulnerable point during the album. As we witness in “It’s A Family Movie She Hates Her Dad,” touching on the subject of a dysfunctional family dynamic, the loss of a much-beloved grandma, one that I related a lot to on “Smahccked My Head Awf.” A few months ago, I went on the radio in Denmark, and we had to bring along three songs with two friends, and we had to bring along three songs that inspired us to become music reviewers, or at least were a part of our journey. For my last piece, I picked “John “The Rock” Cena, Can You Smell What the Undertaker” because this song has been such a driving force throughout my battle with an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, and the loss of faith that I experienced when I lost my grandma at 14. But enough about why Hot Mulligan stole my heart. Why Would I Watch felt like this was the way ahead, and the album has zero songs you end up skipping because they are so well-produced.
NOTICEABLE RELEASES IN 2023
Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean BlvdSincere Engineer- Cheap GrillsFree Throw – Lessons That We Swear To KeepEYES – CongratulationsFall Out Boy – So Much (For) StardustThe National – Laugh TrackFabled Mind – Project ParadiseBlondshell – BlondshellSufjan Stevens – JavelinBlink-182 – ONE MORE TIMETaking Back Sunday – 152Gumm – Slogan MachineKoyo – Would You Miss ItSpanish Love Songs – No JoyParamore – This Is Why
So, we covered the top albums. And that got a bit long, but let’s move on to EPs.
Let’s sit down for a minute and look into SAYP. They popped up on the scene in 2021, and in January of 2023, they probably made one of the best EPs and haven’t slowed down since.
“But Karina, this EP came out on the 22nd of December, and it’s taking the first place on the list?” YES. The different sounds throughout the EP mark an exciting return for the band, staying true to their pop-rock roots, with some indie mixed in. It makes for a great end-of-the-year EP. They spoiled us.
Let’s move on because this is already a long one. And if you’ve read all the through, I admire it and thank you. Next up is the top five singles from 2023.
I know, I’m cheating. It’s two singles, and gosh, how PUP spoiled us. Or maybe it’s just me. But as we all know, I like PUP, and I think the band is incredible. So, of course, when I saw that they released two songs, I did a little happy dance and listened. How To Live With Yourself is more potent, but Smoke Screen certainly has moments where we get transported back to PUP’s earlier days. So yes, PUP’s two singles get fifth place.
If you, dear reader, are like me and enjoyed the sound on ‘how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//’ Then don’t worry because KennyHoopla released a single back in August that shares somewhat of the same sound. It’s terrific.
This song is a bloody banger and has excellent lyrics. For a breakup song, I hate myself for getting excited when I hear it. But it’s so upbeat and catchy. I’m so sorry to be BOP’ing in your pain, Neck Deep.
Okay, it was released a week ago. But if you’ve heard it, you would agree it’s one hell of a banger. Honestly, Pile of Love is an excellent band with a unique sound. EP was released a week after this was written.
It feels like we’ve highlighted all of the best of 2023. Or what I consider some of the best music of 2023! But what about concerts and festivals? We can’t pretend I sat at home knitting gloves all year. So, let’s move on to festivals and concerts of 2023.
Top five concerts/festivals
5.Militarie Gun, Loppen, DK. The 26th of November, 2023.
Let’s discuss this. If you’ve made it this far, we can all agree that I like Militarie Gun. There is no denying that Ian Shelton has a distinctive voice, but hearing it live, I can’t believe how much better it sounds and how well they play overall. Plus, the energy is impressive.
4. Copenhell, Copenhagen, DK. June 14th-17th, 2023.
Ah, one of my favorite festivals in Denmark. Copenhell has always been good at pleasing its audience, and this year was no different. From Brutus, Parkway Drive, Sleep Token, Fever 333 (who did the most epic stunt, I think it’s on Youtube), Fishbone(!!!!), to BlackGold, there was a good selection. Hands down, Brutus gave the best performance of any band there. I love Brutus.
3.Slam Dunk, Hatfield, UK. The 27th of May 2023.
One day, and a lineup that could make any festival a bit jealous. Slam Dunk was gracious enough to put The Menzingers, Spanish Love Songs, Bowling For Soup, Sincere Engineer, The Academy Is…, Boston Manor, well, basically the whole lineup at the same place, different times, but I got to see some of my favorite bands with some of my favorite people. It was a rather emotional experience, if I have to say anything.
2. blink-182, Royal Arena, DK. The 12th of September, 2023.
FINALLY, fucking finally. After two cancellations of shows in Denmark, it happened. The OG blink-182 came, conquered, and left me with post-concert blues (it’s a thing, okay?!). It was a wild ride, and sure, a generic setlist, BUT it was bangers only. My poor voice. 10/10 I will do it again. And still not review it.
1. Nasty Cut Fest, Copenhagen, DK. May 17th – 20th.
It’s not cheating if you had a festival that you’re personally involved in with a record label you’re personally involved with. This year, Nasty Cut Records put on their first three-day festival in Valby, which was very emotional. Andrew and I were both crying because there’s something about people coming from all over the world to support it. But seeing our friends, our biggest cheerleaders, and bands from Denmark, Croatia, Greece, the UK, and Germany come and knock it out of the park each day, I honestly don’t think I have words to describe it. And yes, it’s returning for another round in 2024.
Top five things I look forward to in 2024
Hmm, I think there are many different things for 2024 that I’m excited for. One of them is leaving in 2023 and just opening a new chapter – festivals and concerts to see if 2024 is as musically packed, but below, I’ve done anything top five.
5. Sleep.
I don’t even think we need to go into a long talk about how important it is to get seven hours of sleep instead of four hours of sleep.
4. COPENHELL
Motherfucking Limp Bizkit is playing. The Offspring are playing. Our favorite band from Boston, Dropkick Murphys, is playing. The lineup next year is 10/10. It’s so beautiful, and it’s at the end of June. Come and have fun with us.
3. Slam Dunk
Hi Slam Dunk, we are planning to return for another round. So, keep doing whatever you’re doing. I’ll be seeing you in May.
2. More time with the family
That’s it – no need to explain.
1. Nasty Cut Festival
We’re back for round two, and I don’t care if this is a shameless promotion. Pkew Pkew Pkew and Phantom Bay are playing!!!!
Well, if you have read it all, we have come to the end of the list. Here is a playlist of songs that have impressed me this year.
It’s Christmas day and for some reason you find yourself perusing the pages of DyingScene.com… for some inexplicable reason. Well, we’re rewarding you with this here exclusive premiere! It’s a brand new music video from Danny Attack, frontman of Jacksonville, FL pop-punk band Knives. Check out the video for “Insatiable Lovers” below! This music video […]
It’s Christmas day and for some reason you find yourself perusing the pages of DyingScene.com… for some inexplicable reason. Well, we’re rewarding you with this here exclusive premiere! It’s a brand new music video from Danny Attack, frontman of Jacksonville, FL pop-punk band Knives. Check out the video for “Insatiable Lovers” below!
This music video is the follow-up to the video for Knives’ “Home”, released earlier this month. Skateboarding content creator and aspiring actor Anna Oswald plays the protagonist in both videos. If you haven’t seen Part 1, check it out here.
Danny Attack’s new album Moments is out now. He and his band Knives have signed to Punkerton Records and will be releasing even more new music very soon – stay tuned!
Pussy Riot took the stage with an amazing and powerful performance at Bottom Lounge and Liza Anne opened the show and has made her mark in Chicago! Pussy Riot put on an incredible show at Bottom Lounge. This performance was about resistance, repression, and revolution based on Maria Alyokhina’s memoir “Riot Days“. PR show proceeds […]
Pussy Riot took the stage with an amazing and powerful performance at Bottom Lounge and Liza Anne opened the show and has made her mark in Chicago!
Pussy Riot put on an incredible show at Bottom Lounge. This performance was about resistance, repression, and revolution based on Maria Alyokhina’s memoir “Riot Days“. PR show proceeds raised money for the children’s hospital “Ohmatdyt” in Kyiv, Ukraine. Alexander Cheparukhin, director/ producer, was also present. Find them here.
Liza Anne just released her third studio album Utopian while on tour. Liza’s stage presence was amazingly full of energy and did not disappoint. She performed her “Cheerleader” song and brought out her pompoms for this catchy tune! It was a great night. Find her here.
Reggie’s Rock Club played host to a strong night of melodic punk. A Wilhelm Scream out of New Bedford, MA, with Counterpunch, and Much The Same, both from the Chicago area, added up to a knockout bill. A Wilhelm Scream is a cinematic sound effect in use for many decades and the name inspiration for […]
Reggie’s Rock Club played host to a strong night of melodic punk. A Wilhelm Scream out of New Bedford, MA, with Counterpunch, and Much The Same, both from the Chicago area, added up to a knockout bill.
A Wilhelm Scream is a cinematic sound effect in use for many decades and the name inspiration for the headliners this evening. Witnessing frontman Nuno Pereira belt out the vocals, the name choice seems appropriate. However, the screaming done by Pereira is quite a bit more of a pleasant listen than the iconic bit of film audio. A Wilhelm Scream blasted through a fiery set which included as highlights, “Me vs. Morrissey in the Pretentiousness Contest (The Ladder Match),” “These Dead Streets,” “Jaws 3, People 0,” “Figure Eights in My Head,” “Famous Friends and Fashion Drunks,” and “Boat Builders.” Pereira appeared emotional as he spoke of how special it felt to be back in Chicago, and Reggie’s Rock Club.
Counterpunch, one of the two melodic skate punk bands on this bill, tore through a set including, but not limited to, “No Man’s Land,” “Destroyed by Lions,” “Collateral Damage,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Paradise Lost,” and “Waiting in the Wings.”
The hometown crowd was all in for the band’s set, and it was rewarded with a powerful performance. Make sure to check out Counterpunch the next time the group hits your area.
Much The Same kicked off the night and its name works as a description of its set. That is, much the same as Counterpunch in that the hometown crowd was ecstatic to see them. However, running through a set including “American Idle,” “Snake in the Grass,” “Gut Shot,” “Skeletons,” and “Living A Lie,” among others, Much The Same demonstrated its own hard-worn identity, standing out in the Windy City punk scene.
Please check out more photos from the show. Thanks and cheers!
It is often forgotten that activism is an essential element of punk culture. While, yes, we enjoy complaining about the system and bringing awareness to personal and social injustices, actively doing something to address them is what this is all about. On the second Sunday of December, Chicago’s legendary Liar’s Club hosted a sold-out show […]
It is often forgotten that activism is an essential element of punk culture. While, yes, we enjoy complaining about the system and bringing awareness to personal and social injustices, actively doing something to address them is what this is all about.
On the second Sunday of December, Chicago’s legendary Liar’s Club hosted a sold-out show to raise funds for KT’s Kids, a Chicago non-profit that specializes in providing kids and youths with disabilities with fun and enriching activities such as field trips, camps, and holiday parties throughout the year. You can learn more about how to support KT’s Kids by checking out their website.
During this particularly warm(ish) winter evening, people were waiting outside before the sold-out event even started. Some had their tickets ready, others were waiting in case a spot opened up to get in.
The first band opening that evening was Lost Legion. These guys were not playing around; they were loud, aggressive, and put on one hell of a show. The lead singer kept the crowd engaged and fired up, while the rest of the band had us all headbanging to some great tunes. Had it not been early, you would have thought they were a headliner band.
The next band needed no introduction as everyone at the venue seemed to either know them personally or at the very least of them. The Bollweevils made their way onto the stage and the crowd immediately knew it was time to party. In between the in-band bickering over the set list order and friendly banter with the spectators, The Bollweevils delivered a performance that proved that these experienced punks still got it.
Frontman and birthday boy of the evening, Daryl ‘The Doc’, showed us that you do not need to be in your twenties to jump around and keep up with punk music’s fast tempo. Showing off some strong knees, Daryl kept the crowd entertained by jumping off the stage into the pit to give the chance to the fans to join him singing some of their classic songs. The rest of the band kept up as well, delivering a great and memorable performance.
The Bollweevils have been nominated for “Best Punk Band of Chicago” as well as “Best Local Album Of The Year” by The Chicago Reader. If you enjoy their music, you can support them (as well as other artists and venues) by voting in the poll.
The last band of the evening, Off With Their Heads, swiftly took over the venue and made it their own for the rest of the evening. The gruff-punk trio originally from Minnesota truly put on a great show; no wonder they have been able to do this for over two decades.
Lead singer and guitarist Ryan Young as well as the rest of the punk power trio put on a solid performance going through songs from their extensive repertoire including songs from their album Home, which is one of those punk albums everyone should give a listen through at least once in their lives.
Head below to check out the full gallery of the evening, and do not forget to support KT’s Kids.
For a variety of reasons, Samiam‘s trips this far up the Eastern seaboard for the last couple of decades are a bit of a Halley’s Comet situation. Thankfully, 2023 brought with it the release of Stowaway, the band’s first new album in a dozen years (editor’s note: we haven’t finished our year-end Best Of… list […]
For a variety of reasons, Samiam‘s trips this far up the Eastern seaboard for the last couple of decades are a bit of a Halley’s Comet situation. Thankfully, 2023 brought with it the release of Stowaway, the band’s first new album in a dozen years (editor’s note: we haven’t finished our year-end Best Of… list yet, but we can assure you that Stowaway is #1. Here’s our review from back in March.) which of course meant a new batch of tour dates that would reach the greater Boston area.
I say greater Boston area, because the ongoing lack of available small-cap club space in Boston proper meant Samiam playing yet another new venue outside the city limits – 2019’s local stop was at Crystal Ballroom in Somerville – the brand-spankin’-new Deep Cuts in Medford, of all places. It’s a super cool space that is not only a 240-capacity live music venue but it’s got a brewery and a pretty great sandwich counter and a small record store and a couple of pinball games; in short, it’s exactly the kind of place that this area needs more of, and the fact that it exists close enough to my house that I don’t even need to get on the highway is pretty almost perfect. Anyway, shoutout to Deep Cuts.
Cape Crush were the first band out of the proverbial chute on this evening. They are a comparatively new band but they’re comprised of a group of long-time area scene vets Ali Lipman (vox/guitar), James Christopher (lead guitar), Jake Letizia (bass) and Cody Rico (drums) so even though they really only started playing together last year as a unit, it just feels like they’ve been around for years. The four-piece blazed through a half hour set of their self-described “power emo” goodness (that featured Christopher playing lead guitar with a cast on his picking hand due to a recent hockey injury) that featured my personal favorite of their tracks, “Sandwich Wars.” Look for that on my year-end playlist soon!
Occupying the primary support role was none other than Boston and/or New Hampshire’s own Me In Capris depending on where you draw the line. Somehow, I hadn’t yet seen Me In Capris, a fact that I chalk up mostly to being a Big Dummy. What a super fun band. I guess you’d call them a power pop band, but that seems to not quite fit. Maybe if a band like The Replacements or The Hold Steady – especially Killer Parties-era Hold Steady – were as melody-driven and emo-adjacent as Smoking Popes? But also were very much from the greater Boston area? Does that make sense? It doesn’t, does it. I dunno – listen to “Cookout” and maybe it’ll make sense. Anyway, they’re super fun live and if you’ve skipped them because you’re also a Big Dummy – knock it off.
That of course brings us to Samiam’s long-awaited sushit-fueled return to the local stage. As has been the trend lately, the band ripped directly into “80 West” from their triumphant 2011 album Trips. The song might specifically refer to sights and sounds in the Bay Area, but the message about being away from an old familiar stomping grounds after a long time away is sentimentally pitch-perfect for such an occasion. “80 West” lead directly into the long-time crowd favorite “Sunshine” from 2000’s Astray, the first of what would become an evening full of good, old-fashioned singalongs.
Frontman Jason Beebout, possessor of one of yours truly’s favorite voices in the broad panacea that is rock music, expressed early in the show that he’d been feeling the effects of “some sort of RSV bullshit” but from here, he sounded no worse for the proverbial wear. It seems crazy to think that a band that’s halfway through its fourth decade as a unit – particularly given their status as a part-time band – could be as tight as ever, but it’s undoubtedly true. Sean Kennerly’s rhythms guitar duties and vocal harmonies add a little stability, allowing Sergie Loobkoff’s iconic, trademark swirling guitar leads to soar and divebomb with reckless abandon. I think a lot of the band’s cohesion can be chalked up to the comparatively new rhythm section of Chad Darby (bass) and Colin Brooks, the latter of whom plays with a level of tenacity and aplomb that make him probably my favorite drummer in the game.
I really, really wish that Samiam were more of a full-time touring band, because immediately once the show was over, I kept thinking that I wanted to see them again soon. Thankfully, I took a bunch of pictures so those will tide me – and all of us – over. Or maybe I’ll just go to Europe next year… Check out each band’s photo gallery below!
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]
Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!
Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:
Sum 41 gets us started this week with the official announcement of their long-awaited new (and supposedly final) album Heaven :x: Hell. The 2xLP featuring an album’s worth of pop-punk songs and another album’s worth of heavier songs is due out March 29th, 2024 on Rise Records. Naturally, there’s no shortage of color variants… Here are all of them:
Rise Records merch store – Clear w/ Red/Black/Blue Splatter (2,000) – Red & Blue Cornetto (1,000) – Blue/Red/Black Tri-Pie (500)
If you rely solely on the Record Radar for the head’s up on new vinyl drops, it’s with great shame that I admit we let you down this week. We missed the boat on this surprise Strung Out – Live in a Dive repress. I mean, I got a copy, buuuut it sold out before this here column could be published. Anyway, Fat repressed this bad ass live record on two new variants, with 348 copies on Half & Half w/ Black Splatter and 334 copies on Blue/Yellow Blob colored vinyl. If you missed out, there’s always a chance some orders get cancelled and a few copies pop back up on FatWreck.com.
The almighty Asian Man Records threw a bunch new pressings of old releases up on their webstore this week, including all three AMR-released Lawrence Arms records, the Classics of Love self-titled LP, four Smoking Popes albums & more! Head on over there and get some last minute Christmas shopping done.
The Mad Caddies have a new album coming out March 15, 2024 on SBÄM Records. It’s called Arrows Room 117 and it goes toe-to-toe with the Sum 41 record when it comes to color variants. I honestly don’t even know where you can get some of these – it sounds like maybe some are tour variants? Anyway, you can get the same 5 variants from SBÄM’s US and EU stores, as well as People of Punk Rock Records in Canada. There’s also an Australia-exclusive Green & Gold color variant that you can get here.
Here’s another new record that’s out right now! It’s the debut album Sounds Like This from Ohio pop-punk newcomers Post Ramone, who we premiered a bitchin new single from earlier this week. If you wanna listen to the whole record, the only way you to do so (currently) is by grabbing it on wax from Mom’s Basement Records (100 copies, random mixed colors), Jolly Ronnie Records (100 copies, Popcorn Bucket Yellow colored vinyl), or the band (100 copies, red wax).
Very short-lived Hot Water Music side project The Draft’s lone album In a Million Pieces is getting a deluxe double LP reissue, featuring previously unreleased demos and live recordings. There are a bunch of very limited color variants for this one, some of which have already sold out; links to all of them can be found here. There’s also a EU Indie Exclusive orange & black splatter variant you can get here.
The pride of Worcester, Mass, hardcore punk veterans Bane’s latest album Don’t Wait Up is getting a 10th Anniversary reissue courtesy of Equal Vision Records. There are two color variants, limited to 500 each. You can get both here.
And the ever-prolific Raging Nathans will put a bow on this final pre-Christmas Record Radar with some new variants of their 2022 album Still Spitting Blood. This coming Friday (Dec 22nd), Rad Girlfriend Records will have an exclusive lime green variant up on their webstore; our friends across the pond can get a UK exclusive purple variant from Brassneck Records.
Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya in the new year!
Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!
It is the weekend after Thanksgiving, and while most people probably sat at home with their families engaged in heated discussions over current hot topics, the Chicago Punk Rock scene got blessed with an incredibly fun night filled with loud music, beer, and some kick ass tacos; I’m sure that’s something to be grateful for. […]
It is the weekend after Thanksgiving, and while most people probably sat at home with their families engaged in heated discussions over current hot topics, the Chicago Punk Rock scene got blessed with an incredibly fun night filled with loud music, beer, and some kick ass tacos; I’m sure that’s something to be grateful for.
The host for the evening, event organizer and very energetic cameraman, Noah Corona, started off the night by introducing the first band and urging everyone to get some tacos before they run out.
As soon as Downhill Runner, the first band of the fest, got on stage everyone knew we were going to have a great time. Catchy pop-punk riffs, solid vocals, and a drummer that did not miss a single beat! What else could we ask for?
The Neighborhood Threat followed up by quite literally taking over not only the stage but the entire place. TNT put on an explosive show that had the crowd slamming and jumping. Be on the lookout for their upcoming music video, and EP coming out early next year.
We had tacos, beer, and punk but there was one thing missing and Skapital Corruption knew exactly what it was — we needed ska! Performing both in Spanish and English, they had the crowd skanking to some great renditions of beloved tunes like Time Bomb by Rancid and the incredibly relevant and catchy Intifada by Ska-P.
The Iron Spiders definitely won the award for best hair of the evening. Playing punk rock classics like DK’s “Nazi Punks Fuck Off!”, and “Waiting Room,” The Iron Spiders had us all singing along and headbanging. The band put on an incredible show while showing off the singing skills of all three members.
x.ORACLES.x wrapped up the first evening of the Punk Rock Tacos Cranberries Carnitas edition by performing a blend of Punk Rock and Chicago Blues. What a way to end the night. This band delivered a great set with the powerful vocals of Ms. Lynch, and the energetic vibes of the rest of the band.
Shout out to the crew behind the delicious carnitas tacos with cranberry sauce! Head below to check out the full gallery of the evening.
Twas the second week of December, when all through the punk rock blogosphere, unpaid writers were finalizing their Best of 2023 lists, then Post Ramone came through like a fucking wrecking ball with their debut album Sounds Like This. A surefire hit with Ramonescore enthusiasts and the general public alike, this record will no doubt […]
Twas the second week of December, when all through the punk rock blogosphere, unpaid writers were finalizing their Best of 2023 lists, then Post Ramone came through like a fucking wrecking ball with their debut album Sounds Like This. A surefire hit with Ramonescore enthusiasts and the general public alike, this record will no doubt be shaking up its fair share of Top 10 lists in the coming weeks.
Now listen, the record isn’t out ’til this Friday on Mom’s Basement Records and Jolly Ronnie Records, buuuuut you know Dying Scene always hooks it up. So today we’re bringing you an early sneak peak with this exclusive premiere of the brand new single “Sending SOS”. Listen to that shit right now or live to regret it for the rest of your miserable lives.
And in case you forgot already, I’ll remind you that Sounds Like This will be released this Friday and you should buy the record! Mom’s Basement will have 100 copies on random color vinyl and Jolly Ronnie will have 100 on Popcorn Bucket Yellow™ colored vinyl. If neither of those options suit your fancy (or you wanna get the full set), hit up the band – a little birdy told me they have 100 copies on red wax.
