Between technicolor synth and screeching guitar, downtalker paints a picture of trauma and addiction as if running through an anxious dream. The soon to release single, “All My Friends Are Dead”, is a new release from Boston-based band downtalker, following their LP released August of this year, Post Junkie Selfish Millennial Single Father Field Notes. […]
Between technicolor synth and screeching guitar, downtalker paints a picture of trauma and addiction as if running through an anxious dream. The soon to release single, “All My Friends Are Dead”, is a new release from Boston-based band downtalker, following their LP released August of this year, Post Junkie Selfish Millennial Single Father Field Notes.
In the first and titular song off the single, “All My Friends Are Dead”, Darin Thompson barks out stories of childhood friends and visitation with his dad in a deep voice soaked in reverb. The quick strummed, funky guitar, and lazer beam synths juxtapose against the morbid lyrics. After the bridge, preceded by an emotional buildup with arpeggiated synth, all instruments cut out while Darin quickly whispers “All my friends are dead.” Quirky but honest and raw, “All My Friends” does a great job of sitting you with the feeling of drinking and dancing through a house fire.
Next up is “Watch Your Heart Break”, turning to a decidedly grittier sound, with those poppy hyper synths mostly 86ed, replaced by classic post-punk style phasers in the bridge. Keeping with the honest, almost stream of conscious lyrics, Darin espouses the beauty of love and self worth, with the warning “Just don’t fuck it up” following on repeat like an alarm. All of this crooned over overdriven guitar and rolling toms a la Viagra Boys.
A jumbled beautiful mess of funny, tragic, hopeful lyrics, backed up by dancing synths and chugging guitar, “All My Friends Are Dead” is a message to those in recovery, 10 years sober, or maybe even thinking about changing that other people have done it, and it’s not all D.A.R.E. commercial tragedy. In Darin’s words, “Music is part of my recovery and part of my healing now and I’m hoping that by being honest about my life, all my experiences will shine a light on this disease and also make others feel like they are not alone. We aren’t alone. We have each other. The song is called ‘All My Friends Are Dead’ but I’m hoping it will have the opposite effect and bring us together. Alone we can’t but together we can.”
Chicago, IL saw the debut of another multi-genre music festival. The one-stage Cultivate Music Festival was at the same time, a celebration of Cannabis Culture. For festival organizers, vendors, musicians, and attendees, it was a good time. It was also a celebration of the fact that in the year 2023, citizens are able to use […]
Chicago, IL saw the debut of another multi-genre music festival. The one-stage Cultivate Music Festival was at the same time, a celebration of Cannabis Culture. For festival organizers, vendors, musicians, and attendees, it was a good time. It was also a celebration of the fact that in the year 2023, citizens are able to use cannabis not only medicinally but recreationally and in the open sans fear of prosecution. Of course, there was also some really good music and performances, including one of the more famous marijuana anthems in decades. Punk was just one of the genres, but those representative bands presented rollicking sets in an otherwise, yes, mellow weekend, including for those who don’t partake in cannabis themselves but agree its use should be legal.
Rewinding the festival from Sunday, August 27 to back to Friday, August 25:
Day 3
Fishbone had the crowd in hand. Angelo Moore led his bandmates through a non-stop set with his legendary facial expressions and dance moves. Strutting across the stage, kicking out his legs at times, other times playing the sax, Moore was electric.
As hyper as Moore was, John Norwood Fisher on bass and vocals was just as powerful in his stoicism while Walter Kibby aka Dirty Walt blasted away on his trumpet.
The trio, along with the rest of the band members, kept Fishbone sounding as fresh and as powerful as ever.
Afroman is not considered to be in the punk genre. However, watch the video to “Lemon Pound Cake,” the first song he performed at this fest, then look up the events that inspired Afroman to write the song. The man is punk AF.
Afroman, whose real name is Joseph Edgar Foreman, announced in December 2022, that he was running for President in 2024. I am not sure of the present status of his campaign but his judging from his abundantly fun set at this fest, I wouldn’t bet against him getting more than a few votes. Backed by DJ on The 1, Afroman led the crowd in a rousing rendition of his most famous tune. Many members of the crowd, those who partake holding up their various cannabis delivery implements, and those who don’t holding up their empty hands, sang loudly, when the title lyric came up.
Oh, and the set was especially a treat for Vee Sonnets of The Crombies, as Afroman borrowed his guitar to play during his set. Afroman shows you don’t have to be “Punk” to be punk.
The Crombies, one of the Chicago punk scene’s favorite hometown two-tone ska outfit, put on an exuberant performance. Lead singer Mike Park (note his Instagram and yes that is me in his most recent image, with long-time friends, including those in the band, and familiar-looking new acquaintances. Photo by Corinne Lydon) in his signature chilled out mode. Despite a recent very serious clavicle break earlier this year, guitar player Dave Simon spun around the stage, as bass player Kevin Lustrup pogoed in place.
Guitar player Vee Sonnets, drummer Matt Meuzelaar, and keyboardist Karl Gustafson provided powerful, if not flashy, work. They put the steady in rock steady. Gustafson sported a t-shirt emblazoned with words that perfectly sum up the spirit of the festival: “Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago.” As a born and raised on Long Island transplant to the Windy City, I have slightly conflicted feelings about it. But I dig it and think much is true about it, sans pizza. (NY Slices for life!) Prodigious trombone player, Andrew Zelm added a dash of classic 2-tone ska flair at the far side of the stage. Though Zelm is not always on stage with the band, he has played trombone on every The Crombies recording.
Speaking of horns, Park, who started playing trumpet in the 4th grade, showed off his considerable skills on the instrument.
I never get tired of watching a Crombies set. I am not alone in that, by far.
Milwaukee’s Highball Holiday returned to Chicago and gave an energetic and affable performance. Paraphrasing the band’s lead singer, Shahanna McKinney Baldon, after spotting my cap with this site’s name emblazoned across it, she loudly alerted the crowd that “Dying Scene is in the house!” And we were, though the house was actually a parking lot on a steamy day. She also held up her phone throughout much of the set as she live-streamed the band’s performance.
Highball Holiday also dedicated its performance to Matt Norberg, a member of the band who died on July 18, 2023. David Wake of De La Buena joined the band on stage to make sure they could still perform in the absence of Norberg.
McKinney Baldon spoke of the struggles of mental illness, and had the crowd recite back to her, various crisis hotlines numbers. The national crisis hotline number is 988.
But the band members also celebrated all of their loved ones, and life in general with a delightful set.
Finally, McKinney Baldon made sure to point out sports teams in Milwaukee are better than those in Chicago, while simultaneously bemoaning that Wisconsin has not yet decriminalized cannabis use.
These highballers sure know how make every single day a holiday.
Day 2
Day 2 was an easy one for DS, as there was just one band on our “to cover” list. The Goddamn Gallows, with Mikey Classic, at the helm, put on a rambunctious set. Baby Genius, was a spark plug on both on drums and when he took the mic and the headed to the front of the stage. The hard-hitting ensemble, which also included Jayke Orvis and Bafunfa, tore through its performance. The Goddamn Gallows are currently on tour so check them out when they hit your town. It’ll be a favor you grant yourself.
Day 1
Lucky Boys Confusion, another Chicago group, gave a forceful performance as the day moved into evening. It was an enjoyable set and the popular band fit well on the bill.
Andy Frasco & the U.N. put on a set easily described as dynamic. Frasco, at the keys, gave a magnetic performance. This was even more so when he moved to the hot pavement of the crowd area sans shoes. Dancing joyfully, Frasco requested those in attendance to hold hands as they sang a rendition of the Jewish Folk song Hava Nagila. Naturally, the crowd enthusiastically complied. Hava Nagila is traditionally played at various celebrations, perhaps most notably weddings. Andy Frasco and the U.N. left little doubt it found this Friday a time for celebrating.
Mac Sabbath, the fast food-themed Black Sabbath parody band, may seem silly at first and indeed they elicited many a laugh. But underlying the goofiness of musicians dressed as demented and eerie versions of the mascots for a certain fast food behemoth, there is actually a more serious message. Vocalist Ronald Osbourne, guitar player Slayer MacCheeze; bass player Grimalice on bass, the Catburglar on drums, are sending a warning. The warning being how fun, corporate-created characters are actually devices used to manipulate children into unhealthy eating habits which may last a lifetime. Neither the fun nor the message lost on a certain heavy metal legend and loving “Papa” to a young girl name Pearl in 2018.
OTNES, out of Nashville, TN, kicked off the music at this fest in a solid way. Self-describedas gender-bending pop, OTNES aka Emily Blue, might not be considered punk. However, the pleasant performance was a great way to kick off the festival.
Please see more photos from Cultivate Music Festival. Thanks, and Cheers!
The Salt Shed welcomes Pixies, Modest Mouse, and Cat Power to Chicago on the final leg of their 2023 North American Summer Tour. The iconic Pixies played two nights in a row at the Salt Shed. Their set list celebrated songs from throughout their historic career. Pixies didn’t miss a beat giving their fans the […]
The Salt Shed welcomes Pixies, Modest Mouse, and Cat Power to Chicago on the final leg of their 2023 North American Summer Tour.
The iconic Pixies played two nights in a row at the Salt Shed. Their set list celebrated songs from throughout their historic career. Pixies didn’t miss a beat giving their fans the post-punk indie rock show they deserved. The crowd was only disappointed when the band left the stage. Find them on stage near you here.
Modest Mouse brought their unique take on indie rock to this amazing tour and the fans could not get enough. Be sure to check them out here.
The amazing Cat Power opened the show and set the tone for the night. Check her out here.
Punk Culture and Nerd Culture have always overlapped a little in the ‘Venn Diagram of Counterculture Scenes’. Nowhere is that kinship more obvious than with indie comics where most creators shun the more popular leotard clad superhero stories and focus on non-traditional stories with themes and art that often times are not fit for the […]
Punk Culture and Nerd Culture have always overlapped a little in the ‘Venn Diagram of Counterculture Scenes’. Nowhere is that kinship more obvious than with indie comics where most creators shun the more popular leotard clad superhero stories and focus on non-traditional stories with themes and art that often times are not fit for the general public (sound familiar?). Danny Harrell, writer and creator of the new comic Rebel Grrrls is one of those creators. The comic book, which just came out in late July via Keenspot Comics combines Danny’s love of comics with his love of music, stating that it’s “His love letter to the Riot Grrrl Scene”. And that’s all it took to hook us!
The story focuses on three bandmates in Alabama who have unknowingly been given the power to cater in The Apocalypse by a mysterious Dark Lord. These young punks are also protected by spirits who have attached themselves to the ladies when each experienced trauma in their lives.
After booking a gig at the North Alabama State Fair and being not so well received by the locals, all hell breaks loose and a bloodbath ensues as the riot grrrls begin realizing that something strange is afoot! #rolltide
While the overall story is interesting enough to hook you, with intriguing characters and curious subplots, it was the extraordinary art of Robert Ahmad that really brought everything to life for us.
If you’re interested in finding out what happens next, head down to your local comic shop and ask for the book by name!
Located in the Chicago ‘burb of Villa Park. Punk Rock Tacos provides a place for music. They expand themselves to friend venues at the core of the Chicago punk scene. After 2 years of putting on shows it became a record label. A website featuring all of the bands will be launching soon. On the […]
Mulva with Max the punk rock dog
Located in the Chicago ‘burb of Villa Park. Punk Rock Tacos provides a place for music. They expand themselves to friend venues at the core of the Chicago punk scene. After 2 years of putting on shows it became a record label. A website featuring all of the bands will be launching soon. On the site, each band has its own Big Cartel store where the band handles their own orders and money. “In these times, we need to fall somewhere between LABEL-DIY. It’s still nice to group up and have organization, but we are not a label that owns everyone’s music.” They continue to book top local and touring talent. Overall, a memorable experience was had with the bands and crowd. A great old-school punk show vibe. Very pleasant, courteous, and friendly staff, great food. Very accommodating and I highly suggest seeing shows at this venue.
The day at Punk Rock Tacos 33 kicked off with Surf Candy from the Chicago sub-burbs. Surf Candy is a three-piece Noisy Hard Rock band bringing a taste of Grunge and noise rock. Ian Young (guitar/vocals), Seb Schlau (bass) and Andy Hartmanowski (drums) brought a great sense of energy and played most of the songs off their debut E.P. Surf Candy. Check out more photos below!
Next up was the band Mulva from Milwaukee/Chicago. The band consists of Mike Muse (vocals/guitar), Justin Schenck (bass/vocals) and Jeff Coyl (drums). All veterans of the Midwest scene with punk pedigrees. They bring a strong sense of catchy hook-laden energy and humor to their live show. Their set consisted of songs off their E.P.s I Cant Wake Up/ The Prequel Trilogy. Check out more photos below!”
The tempo changed for the day whenOf Wolves hit the stage with their blend of crusty punk, sludge, post-hardcore & gritty stoner doom. Steve Wolves (guitar/vocals), Ivan Wolves (bass/backing vocals) and Tom Wolves (drums/backing vocals) brought some thunder that day. Songs from their album Balance and a few others turned the volume to 11 and let it rip. Check out more photos below!
x.Oracles.x with their blend of Chicago-style Punk Rock/Blues brought a great vibe to the day. Members Ms. Lynch (vocals), Bonezz (drums), The Sausage King of Chicago (bass) and Rev. Dracula (guitar/vocals) played a great set with a definite nod towards First Wave New York punk/New Wave stripped down to the blues. Fresh off their new release on Punk Rock Tacos RecordsGitcha, Gitcha and an incredible cover of “Psycho Killer” they made more than a few new fans that day. Check out more photos below!
From the Western Burbs, Radar Waves‘ Charlie Thornton (guitar/vocals), Rob Wash (bass/vocals), and Mikey Cervenka (drums) had a fun and upbeat set of Trash Rock with a wide variety of influences on display coming together to create a unique energy filled set filled with songs from their various releases including the latest “Everybody’s Bitchin'”.
Chicago Punk Rock veterans Squared Off brought a solid lineup of classic punk rock with an old-school working man’s vibe. Tony (guitars/vocals), Hoser (guitar/vocals), Nomi (bass/vocals) and Fabian (drums) ran through a set of new and familiar songs from their deep catalog. Their cover of “Safety Dance” was on point with a lot of crowd participation. Always a fun band to see.
Downhill Runner took the stage just as the sun was setting for the day and it was perfect timing for the Three-piece Punk/Alternative band on Punk Rock Tacos Records. Brian Matejk (drums), Jim Burchinal (guitar) and Daniel Fredrick played a great set of songs from their album Rebel Radio.
Next up was The Turdles from Elgin, Il. Josh Holbrook (vocals), Dave Cherek (bass), Dan Cuchiara (guitar), Brian Stream (drums) came on and rocked the stage with songs from their releases Just Another Turd In The Toilet (2023) and Party Pooper (2022). With their infectious dirty Punk/Boogie they brought they got the crowd moving. I look forward to seeing them again.
Closing out the night was Nahuales Underground a five-piece band that brought it with their brand of rock, punk, metal with their songs that are about social revolution, love and political ideas. Loco Dub (vocals/guitar), Ish Echeverria (bass), Chente Echeverria (lead guitar/vocals), Javi Pantoja (percussionist) and Memo Hernandez (drums) played an excellent infused set that had the crowd dancing along.
Head below to check out slideshows from each of the bands on the fun and eclectic lineup!
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:
I’ve always gotta give love to Floridian ska bands, so we’ll start this week’s Record Radar with a shoutout to Chilled Monkey Brains. Back to the Mud is their first new record in a long time – check out the lead single below and pre-order the LP and/or CD here.
Speaking of bands who haven’t released a new album in a while, Paint it Black surprised everyone this week with the announcement of a new 8-song EP called Famine. It’s due out November 3rd on Revelation Records. Check out the lead single below and get the record here.
Last week we premiered a new single from American Television, who has a new album called Scars due out September 22nd on Smartpunk Records. They’ve got some sweet color variants up for pre-order on their webstore; each is limited to 200 copies. The band will have a tour variant (ltd to 100 copies) available at their upcoming shows as well.
Some random Fat Wreck releases are getting EU exclusive color variants from Final Vinyl. Up first is Lagwagon’s latest album Railer, with a new red variant limited to 500 copies. You can get it here.
And the other record is Rise Against’s debut album The Unraveling, with a new yellow color variant also limited to 500 copies. Grab it here. Looks like both of these should start shipping on September 30th.
‘68 has a new album coming out later this month on Pure Noise Records. Yes, and… is the 3rd LP from the two piece band fronted by Josh Scogin (ex-The Chariot, Norma Jean, etc.). Check out the first single “Removed Their Hooks” below and grab the record on one of the awesome color variants available here.
The Fest is right around the corner and Sell The Heart Records & Iodine Recordings are releasing an awesome compilation LP to celebrate. The comp is limited to 200 copies and features songs by the Smoking Popes, Wolf-Face, Celebration Summer and more. Get the record here or at the Fest Flea Market.
Here’s a new pressing of an old album. Early 2000’s pop-punk band Over It’s Timing is Everything is getting its first ever vinyl release in honor of its 20th birthday. There are three variants – split yellow/red (300 copies), solid red (300 copies), and black (400 copies). Get yours here.
Nebraska pop-punk veterans The Young Hasselhoffs have a new record coming out next month on Mom’s Basement Records. Check out the latest single below and pre-order Dear Departedhere. They’ve got a bunch of sweet color variants and bundles on offer.
Asian Man Records announced two new releases this week, with the first being from The Atom Age! Their new self-titled LP is due out September 29th, but pre-orders are shipping now. Check out the single “New Season” below and grab the record here.
Asian Man’s other new release is from a band called Bat Boy ft. members of Spraynard and Sundials. Check out the single “Decoder Ring” and head over to the Asian Man webstore to get your copy of Fun Machine.
Millencolin released an LP combining their first two demos last year and it quickly sold out. Now it’s back in print with two new color variants, limited to 300 copies each. Head over to the band’s webstore to get Goofy & Melack on green and/or pink vinyl.
And last but not least, a record I’ve been anticipating for nine months now – the debut album from one man melodic punk band Dead Alright! The project from Louis-Charles Berthiaume of Brand New Lungs has been drip feeding single after single all year, leading up to this announcement of a full-length album due out October 6th on Thousand Islands Records. Check out the latest single below and pre-order Dancing Through the End of Days here.
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 next week!
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!
A week ago Friday, beloved Boston punks Rebuilder finally held the very-long-awaited record release show at Cambridge, MA’s Sinclair for their latest full-length, Local Support. If you read our recent chat with Rebuilder co-frontman (and Local Support‘s primary architect) Sal Ellington, you’re no doubt aware of the trials and tribulations that went into the drawn-out […]
A week ago Friday, beloved Boston punks Rebuilder finally held the very-long-awaited record release show at Cambridge, MA’s Sinclair for their latest full-length, Local Support. If you read our recent chat with Rebuilder co-frontman (and Local Support‘s primary architect) Sal Ellington, you’re no doubt aware of the trials and tribulations that went into the drawn-out making of the album. All of that added up to not just the successful release of a wonderful album, but an extraordinary evening of revelry and celebration that truly exemplified the idea of “local support” in the best ways possible.
The evening was kicked off by a tremendous four-piece known as Trash Rabbit. If you’re not familiar with Trash Rabbit…well, you’re like I was until a couple of days before the show when I decided to familiarize myself with them. The results were tremendous. The original Trash Rabbit trio (Mena Lemos on vocals and guitar, Nick Adams on bass and Gibran Mobarak on drums) have been playing together since their formative years and took their talents to the vaunted Berklee College of Music, adding Gia Flores on guitar to fill out the sound. The sound is up-tempo garage rock, a sort of post-emo cacophony of hooks upon hooks upon hooks. The crowd were infinitely more familiar with Trash Rabbit than I was and were at the ready with their dancing shoes afoot. Adams and Mobarak switched places for set closer “Scuba Queen,” a delightfully weird and interactive singalong.
Speaking of bands who have been together since their formative years, I feel like beloved Boston punk quartet Choke Up have been playing together since they were diapers. They don’t play in Boston – or many other places – much nowadays because life happens; Sam put out pretty great solo record and Harley moved to NYC and plays in a fun band called Sadlands and James plays in like 87 other bands including the super rad Cape Crush for example. And so it’s always a celebration when they do get together and especially when they play on the big stage at Sinclair. Songs like “Blue Moon” will never not turn into glorious, drunken, sweaty-arm-in-sweaty-arm singalongs.
Thanks to the high-energy table-setters on the bill, the mostly-full crowd at the 525-capacity Sinclair was sufficiently warmed up by the time Rebuilder graced the stage. In keeping with the album-release theme, the band took the stage in matching lemon-print Hawaiian-style shirts and in a formation that I don’t think I’d previously seen despite this being my 19th Rebuilder show to date. Choke Up’s Harley Cox did double duty, manning the drum kit for the set’s first couple of songs while normal Rebuilder drummer Brandon Phillips joined co-frontmen Ellington and Craig Stanton in a three-guitar attack, alongside stalwart Daniel Carswell on bass and frequent Rebuilderer Pat Hanlin on keys.
After a few songs as a six-piece, Cox departed and Phillips assumed his throw behind the kit as the band tore through a set that, as you might imagine, leaned heavily on the new material. Because the album was released on time a few weeks prior to the show (thanks Iodine Recordings!) a solid number of showgoers were already singing along to tracks like “Hold On” and “Wedding Day” and “Another Round.” For album closer – and set closer – “Disco Loadout,” Ellington left his guitar to the side and assumed full-on frontman role as the band were joined by a pedal steel player and not-one-but-two horn players to fill out the sound (and/or turn them into the world’s first ska/Americana (would that be Ameriskana or skamericana?) pop-punk band.
And thus it was time for the evening’s headliners, although No Trigger frontman Tom Rheault joked that since the evening was Rebuilder’s record release show, there was essentially no pressure on the antifascist sextet from straight outta the Worcester Hills. Everyone’s favorite discount Strike Anywhere blazed through a super fun set that included crowd-favorites old and new like “No Tattoos” and “Too High To Die” and “Dogs On Acid” and, of course, “Anti Fantasy.” Rheault programmed the digital backdrop to include a mix of No Trigger artwork and logos and scenes from all your favorite sociopolitical documentaries, like “Dumb and Dumber” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze”.
Head below to check out slideshows from each of the evening’s bands! And Jeff Bridges pooping!
The Burlington Bar welcomed Nox Novacula and two Chicago bands, Black Cross Hotel and The Feral Ghosts, for a night of death rock, industrial, and darkwave bliss. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Nox Novacula brought their death rock style to the Windy City. This Pacific Northwestern gothic rock-n-roll band consists of vocalist Charlotte Blythe, bassist and […]
The Burlington Bar welcomed Nox Novacula and two Chicago bands, Black Cross Hotel and The Feral Ghosts, for a night of death rock, industrial, and darkwave bliss.
Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Nox Novacula brought their death rock style to the Windy City. This Pacific Northwestern gothic rock-n-roll band consists of vocalist Charlotte Blythe, bassist and keyboardist Dav Tafoya, guitarist Zu Leika, and drummer Ezra Bolotin. Check them out here.
Black Cross Hotel is a Chicago-based 80’s horror inspired post-punk industrial band featuring vocalist Dee DeEmme, guitarist Marcus Eliopulos, bassist Sanford Parker, drummer Mike Miczek, and keyboardist Andrew Ragin. Check them out here.
Also from Chicago, The Feral Ghosts is a dark post-punk psychedelic band. This dynamic trio consists of guitarist Alex, vocalist/bassist Annu, and drummer Lucy Boots. Check them out here.
I am very excited to be reviewing Mustard Plug’s latest release on Bad Time Records, Where Did All My Friends Go?. In my younger years, I spent a good amount of time with my terrible ska-punk band opening for them. The heroes of the Michigan ska-punk scene have been known to put on a very […]
I am very excited to be reviewing Mustard Plug’s latest release on Bad Time Records, Where Did All My Friends Go?. In my younger years, I spent a good amount of time with my terrible ska-punk band opening for them. The heroes of the Michigan ska-punk scene have been known to put on a very energetic live show that can be hard to capture in the studio. Let me tell you, that is not the case regarding Where Did All My Friends Go?. They have captured what has made Mustard Plug a force to be reckoned with in the ska scene. The raw energy can be felt throughout this entire album. It really does take me back to being crammed in the small basement of the Dolphin House in Kalamazoo, shouting along with horns being blasted directly into your face. It’s amazing.
Check out the video for the latest single “Vampire”
Stand-out songs on this record for me include “Another Season Spent in Exile” which has the dynamic mix of the catchy ska verses mixed with more punk “whoa-oh-oh” choruses that I see becoming a staple during lives shows. “Why Does It Have To Be So Hard?” is such a catchy ska/reggae song and the melodica in the intro gives off serious Big D vibes and fits in so well throughout the rest of the song. My second favorite song on this record is “Distraction.” From the moment the horns come in, I am hooked on the intensity, and it’s a great juxtaposition to “Why Does It Have To Be So Hard?” Arguably, the hit here (and my personal favorite off this album) is the title track “Where Did All My Friends Go?” and it is the best way to lead off the record. This song will become one of the classic Mustard Plug songs and is sure to become played at every show.
Since I often listen to music in my car while the wife and I are out, I thought I’d get her take on this album. So, for my album reviews, I will be including the wife’s comments in a section I’d like to call “Wife’s Comments.”
Wife’s Comments: “This album is really hopping!”
Be sure to check out Mustard Plug “Where Did All My Friends Go?” September 8th and, following a handful of album release shows in their home turf of Michigan, will be out on tour this fall, starting off with Big D and the Kids Tables and Matamoska!
disclaimer: I do volunteer PR for Nasty Cut Records. But I heard this album before it was added to Nasty Cut Records. And this review was underway BEFORE Fabled Mind got added to the roaster. Hey, Fabled Mind, welcome back to earth! It’s been four years since Passenger was released, and for those four long, […]
disclaimer: I do volunteer PR for Nasty Cut Records. But I heard this album before it was added to Nasty Cut Records. And this review was underway BEFORE Fabled Mind got added to the roaster.
Hey, Fabled Mind, welcome back to earth! It’s been four years since Passenger was released, and for those four long, very long years, it’s been radio silent on their end. But with good reason. The band has had something unique and cool planned for their sophomore album. “Another generic skate-punk album?” Oh, babes, so, so much more! Fabled Mind returns with a concept album. It’s something that isn’t that rare, but when you turn it upside down and listen to the album – it’s rare enough.
Two years ago, Dion Finne – lead vox from Fabled Mind, quit his job to focus solely on his music. He spent two years writing songs and melodies, demoing, and sending the demos to his band members to regroup. And those two years have been spent well. Because that became the birth of Project Paradise, the album I’ll focus on for today’s review. What can I say about Project Paradise apart from the info I’ve already dropped? As I mentioned, it’s a concept album and, to quote their press release, “electrifying full-length dystopian concept album, emerging from the shadows as an experimental hybrid-genre phenomenon, deeply rooted in a love for the exhilarating punk rock from the 90s.” Well, that’s something, which is probably what intrigued me the most, when I started listening to the album. Let’s dive into it before you all start wondering how to get your fingers on it. Because that is one fun choice of release that we should dive into.
So, basically, Project Paradise is about AI taking over the world, which fucks with my head enough. But Perfect World starts us off with some lovely robot lady that speaks as monotone as we’ve seen in movies—a solid opener for getting an idea of what the listeners can expect. Next up, “Project Paradise,” the lead single and title track. This one started as my least favorite song on the album, but I’ll happily admit I was wrong. After a few play-throughs, it grew on me. Between Leo Wallin’s (yes, Leo, that’s basically in every punk band in Europe) rapid drumming, the mix between Dion and Brian’s guitar riffs, and Dion’s skill for penning catchy lyrics throughout the song – I finally understood why it became the lead single.
Something I find funny when I review concept albums is that it’s hard not to mention every song – because they are so connected. The story continues in every song, and “Algrothrim” goes harder than your usual punk song. It reminds me of Cigar, which we all know I don’t mind. “Awakening” sees the protagonist in the story discover that things aren’t as they appear. It’s noticed in the lyrics, “It’s time to destroy this invisible cage now” – break loose!
We will skip a song because while “The Program” isn’t a skippable song, the intro to the song poked at one of my fears with a robot repeating “Critical thinking detected” on and on. There are plenty of good riffs, and it is very futuristic. “Vultures” might be one of the album’s most catchy songs, we hear lyric-wise on the album. I tend to joke that if the songs on the album are “Instagram Caption Worthy,” it’s a good album. When Dion screams, “So get on board, we’re leaving now / We’ll fucking burn this holy place down to the ground,” I get goosebumps, and the hairs on my neck stand up. The harmonization of the vocals and instruments nails it. It’s incredible.
My somber heart yearned for a sweet acoustic ballade after six songs that went on with full force. I needed a palette cleanser. And indeed, “Heirs Of The Stars” serves as one. Starting in the band’s native language, Danish, which isn’t a made-up language, Dion somberly sings, “I dybet af mit sind, forsøger jeg at nå dig alligevel” and added with the humming from the backing vocals. It haunts me that a band with such force can produce something delicate and sad. I’ve cried a few times to this song, indeed.
You’ve been along for the ride so far; let’s wrap it up with a few words about the other songs and spoilers.
After sadness… comes something ska-inspired, with trumpets, synths, and much fun. And that’s what I hear before the chorus comes along, and we go back to the skatepunk sound in “Architects of Deception.” I swear the lyrics are taken from the point of view of the resistance group that has formed and the protagonist. Still, the experimental sound of the song gives it the catchy hooks it needs. When “The Great Hack”came on, I won’t lie. I thought the TV show’ X-files’ came on. I’m not punching down on the song. It’s heavy and fast when it needs to be.
“Altered Reality” certainly takes a different spin on the album sounds, with more robotic effects. It’s the AI system’s views on humanity and reasoning for being unreasonable. Let’s go, “Interlude”! It was 1:06 minutes of what sounded like throat singing in the beginning, and barely any instruments apart from vocals. “Time Machine,” the last track, babes! We made it, and it was one captivating ride to be on. For nearly eight minutes, we are taking into battle between the AI system and the protagonist. But forget the lyrics; the sounds that we hear throughout the song are what catches on. It’s fantastic to listen to some aggressive drumming to some pop-punk to… I’ve tried to talk about this song to multiple people, and words have failed me each time. Because it’s unique, there’s some funk after that five-minute mark. But the song, without a doubt, ends the story and sends a throwback to “Perfect World“ with Dion’s backing vocals singing,” Another day of tripping out in paradise…”
So, now you’ve read my thesis on Fabled Mind – And I mentioned how you get your hands on it. Well, Fabled Mind went with an untraditional marketing plan for the album. It would be best if you bought it to listen to it. Our streaming platforms only have the released singles, and it’s scheduled for release on all platforms in January 2024. So, the question is – why do this review already now? I’ll get to that, but I want to add if you like Bad Religion, Coheed and Cambria, and general skatepunk, it’s worth every minute. The harmonization that comes between the instruments does a big deal in making the album sound coherent. They might experiment with some different synths, pop-punk, ska, trumpets, aggressive punk, some funk, and much more. But it does work on the album; it adds volume to the lyrics, and that is noticeable during “Time Machine” where Fabled Mind has different genre-inspired melodies that set the mood for the closing song. In certain, the album thrives on the added sound effects and robotic voices and brings in a different dynamic when it comes to working with skatepunk. They tore up the rule book and decided to expand their own creative search for themselves. I would argue that I mentioned earlier that Dion was skilled with a pen. But to be able to create a story like this goes to show that when you mix fantasy with some personal stuff. You get a great concept album.
Project Paradise takes you on a ride, where you start to visualize the story between the AI system, impending doom, and the protagonist and their resistance group. For some, it may be a hit or miss, a grower, or whatever you can think of. But it’s undoubtedly an album one should add to their vinyl collection.
9/10 Listen to “Vultures,” “Time Machine,” “Heirs Of The Stars” & “Architects of Deception”
