Australian punk rock powerhouse Clowns have spilled the beans on their new album Endless. It’s due out October 20th through Fat Wreck Chords and you can pre-order the record here (US), here (EU), or here (AUS). Check out the music video for their brand new single “Bisexual Awakening” below. Here’s what Clowns singer Stevie Williams had […]
Australian punk rock powerhouse Clowns have spilled the beans on their new album Endless. It’s due out October 20th through Fat Wreck Chords and you can pre-order the record here (US), here (EU), or here (AUS). Check out the music video for their brand new single “Bisexual Awakening” below.
Here’s what Clowns singer Stevie Williams had to say about the track:
“Bisexual Awakening” is a heavy song on our new album ENDLESS, with high-octane energy punk rock and lyrics reflecting my personal journey of realizing my own bisexuality. Biphobia and bi-invisibility is real and annoying, and the lyrics tackle these topics in my own light-hearted way. I don’t take a lot of things very seriously in my life, and when I do take something seriously, my knee-jerk reaction is to try and see the humour in it in an attempt to stop taking it seriously. And honestly, there is a little bit of humour in being afflicted with bisexual tendencies. Who will I smooch tonight after I clock off from DJing a queer night in Melbourne? It seriously might be anyone, and that, to me, is super fun and exciting way to live and love.”
This is the album’s second single, following “Formaldehyde“. If you missed that one, you’re gonna want to check it out, too – it’s an absolute banger. And did I mention it made by Best New Punk Rockof June list? Because it did!
Endless Track Listing
1. ENDLESS 2. FORMALDEHYDE 3. SCARED TO DIE 4. THANKS 4 NOTHING 5. BISEXUAL AWAKENING 6. I GOT A KNIFE ???????????? (feat. The Baboon Show) 7. Z3r0s&0n3s 8. SARAH 9. DEATH WISH 10. ENOUGH’S ENOUGH 11. QUICKSAND 12. A WIDOW’S SON (feat. Anonymous Host of Casefile and Feine Sahne Fischfilet)
14.07 WESTFALENPARK, DORTMUND, DE ** 15.07 ELBUFER, DRESDEN, DE ** 16.87 MTC, COLOGNE, DE 18.07 CAMDEN ASSEMBLY, LONDON, UK 19.07 CLUB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF 20.07 KEY CLUB, LEEDS, UK 21.07 KORTRIJK, PIT’S, BE 22.07 SCHLACHTHOF OPEN AIR, WIESBADEN, DE ** 24.07 SEDEL, LUCERNE, CH 25.07 STATTBAHNHOF, SCHWEINFURT, DE 26.07 POD MINDGA, POZNAN, PL 27.07 FLUFF FEST, ROKYCANY, CZ 28.07 AFDREIHT UN BUTEN, GOLDENSTEDT, DE 29.07 WUHLHEIDE, BERLIN, DE **
Hello, and welcome to the June, 2023 edition of Dylan’s Favorite Punk Albums, EPs & Things! This is the column where I, Dylan aka Screeching Bottlerocket, tell you what new punk rock albums, EPs and singles I enjoyed the most this month. This is a collaborative effort with our friends at Punk Rock Radar, with whom I’ll […]
Hello, and welcome to the June, 2023 edition of Dylan’s Favorite Punk Albums, EPs & Things! This is the column where I, Dylan aka Screeching Bottlerocket, tell you what new punk rock albums, EPs and singles I enjoyed the most this month.
This is a collaborative effort with our friends at Punk Rock Radar, with whom I’ll be doing a video version of this Best Of wrap-up each month. If you like discovering awesome new bands as much as I do, be sure to follow Punk Rock Radar on Instagram and YouTube, and keep tabs on their Upcoming Release Calendar.
Here’s our video for June (let us know what your favorite releases of the month were in the YouTube comments):
LINEOUT Andromeda
Italian melodic punks LineOut’s new “album” Andromeda is one continuous 52-minute long song, and it’s fucking bad ass. Check that shit out below and grab the record here.
RANCID Tomorrow Never Comes
This new Rancid record is pretty solid. Nothing earth shattering or anything like that, just a solid record. Probably won’t make my end of year Top 10 list (not that you care), but I think it’s a lot better than their last two albums.
DOWNSTATER Cruelest Defeats
Anyone who tunes into these monthly columns is probably aware of my affinity for Canadian melodic punk. Quebec City’s is the latest band to come on my radar, with their new album Cruelest Defeats, out now on People of Punk Rock Records. For fans of riffy melodic punk heavyweights like Belvedere and MUTE.
TIGHTWIRE Head Full of Snakes
It’s hard to go wrong with Midwest pop-punk, and Minneapolis’ Tightwire prove they’re the cream of the crop on their new album Head Full of Snakes. Recommended if you like The Dopamines, Dear Landlord, The Copyrights, etc. Buy the record and see them at The Fest.
FIVE STATE DRIVE Five State Drive
Nagoya, Japan’s Five State Drive play super fun, blazing fast skacore-infused skate punk. Their self-titled debut album is stellar. Think Hi-Standard meets Kemuri with hints of influence from Less Than Jake, Operation Ivy, and 90’s west coast punk. Listen below, buy it on compact disc here.
JAGGER HOLLY Rivotella
Not many bands can pull of a 29-song double album, but Austrian pop-punk powerhouse Jagger Holly does just that on their brand new record Rivoltella. I can think of many 12-song albums that have more filler than this thing; it’s a beast! Too many great songs to name all my favorites. Buy the 2xLP here (US) / here (EU).
McRACKINS Wake the Fun Up!
A Canadian pop-punk institution since 1994, the McRackins are back with their first new studio album in over a decade. If you like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, etc. this is essential listening. Stop sleeping on the McRackins and Wake the Fun Up! Listen below, get the record here.
MERCY MUSIC What You Stand to Lose
Mercy Music‘s new album is all over the place – in a good way! Some songs remind me of the Descendents (which makes sense since this was recorded at the Blasting Room), others have more of an Alkaline Trio-ish feel… a few sound kinda like Weezer! “Love You/Need You” and “Watch Me Drown” are bangers. Get the record here.
DON’T SLEEP See Change
Don’t Sleep is the latest project from legendary punk frontman Dave Smalley, who you may know from bands like Down By Law, Dag Nasty, and ALL. See Change is their second LP; if you like any of Smalley’s past work, you’ll dig this. I think it sounds more like Dag Nasty than anything else. Check it out below and buy it here (US) or here (EU).
DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED I’ll Follow You Anywhere
Mr. Cribb used to be in an Australian punk band called The Decline (not to be confused with the NOFX song of the same name). I’ll Follow You Anywhere is the second album he has released with his current band Dan Cribb & The Isolated. Fans of More Betterness era No Use For A Name will enjoy this record. A bunch of songs feature Nick Diener of The Swellers on guitar and vocals. “What You Believe” is my favorite track.
ALL COASTED Never Ending Puppet Show
Vicenza, Italy’s All Coasted provides a much-needed hit of Epifat inspired melodic punk rock on their new EP Never Ending Puppet Show, out now on Striped Records. Check it out below and buy the record here.
THE GREATEST SONS When The Music Will End
I was not alerted to The Greatest Sons’ until I heard one of their new songs on Punk Rock Radar’s New Music FridaySpotify playlist. Check out their new EP! 3 songs in 9 minutes, it’s a nice little introduction for anyone else who’s never heard of these guys. They put out a full-length album a few years ago, too.
No shortage of new singles this month! Here are the ones that stood out the most (check out the Spotify playlist below for even more):
• Diesel Boy – “Dirty Dishes” – Another song from their new album Gets Old, due out July 28th on SBÄM Records! This is one of my favorites on the record. Pre-order on vinyl (or CD!) here (US) / here (EU).
• Chaneys – “Archangel” – The best way I can describe this is “If the Misfits were a skate punk band”. Moscow’s Chaneys put their stamp on this Samhain cover. This shit rips. Check out their Bandcamp for more like this. Start with the Brains for Friends EP.
• Clowns – “Formaldehyde” – I have no clue why it’s taken me so long to check out Clowns, but I’m kicking myself after hearing their new single. This shit makes me wanna run through a brick wall! Some people tell me they’ve got a new album on the way; I’ll be catching up on everything I missed for now.
• Acid Snot – “Amsterdam” – After going 7 years without releasing any new music, Barcelona melodic punks Acid Snot just released their second single in as many months. Check it out and lookout for their TBA record on Thousand Islands Records and Lockjaw Records.
• Evening Shadows – “Beach Queen” – Eccentric Pop Records only puts out good records. That’s a hill I’m more than willing to die on. So when they launched pre-orders for record from a mysterious new band called Evening Shadows in 2021, I didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. That record was killer and their new single “Beach Queen” is great, too! Check it out and look out for Evening Shadows’ sophomore LP.
Anywho, that concludes the June installment of the column. Thanks for checking it out! Keep your eyes glued to Dying Scene for all things punk rock and follow our friends Punk Rock Radar on Instagram, YouTube, etc. Join us again next month!
Check out this Spotify playlist for for songs from all these albums, EPs, and singles (plus some I didn’t have time to type a bunch of words about):
Motoblot, the annual motorcycle-focused street festival in Chicago, continued its blast of rockabilly, punk, and rock ‘n’ roll on Saturday, June 25th. The festival featured seven bands that delivered the rock on an excellent outdoor stage next to Cobra Lounge. The crowd was treated to a mix of local and international acts that kept them […]
Motoblot, the annual motorcycle-focused street festival in Chicago, continued its blast of rockabilly, punk, and rock ‘n’ roll on Saturday, June 25th. The festival featured seven bands that delivered the rock on an excellent outdoor stage next to Cobra Lounge. The crowd was treated to a mix of local and international acts that kept them entertained and energized throughout the day. The first band to kick off the event was The Bama Lamas. Unfortunately I was unable to arrive early enough to cover them this time. However, I’ve written about them in the past and they are a fantastic act. I definitely did myself a disservice in my tardiness.
Up second was Aweful, a gritty post-punk trio from Chicago. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them play at least 10 times now. Traci Trouble, Lucy Dekay, and Izzy Price all performed on point as I’ve come to expect. Aweful delivered a raw and powerful set that showcased their catchy hooks, snarling vocals, and punk attitude. They played all the old favorites as well as new tracks that will appear on their upcoming record. Their set was spiced up but not upstaged by the lineup of motorcycles in front of the stage, revving their engines to take a lap in the spirit of the festival. It was no surprise Aweful once again displayed that they are anything but awful (that was terrible, I apologize) and that they are one of the most exciting bands in Chicago right now.
Next up was Sabbatha, an all-female tribute band for Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and Dio. The band hails from Chicago as well and consists of four talented ladies who share a love for heavy metal legends. Sabbatha rocked the crowd with their faithful renditions of classics like “Bark at the Moon”, “Paranoid”, “Crazy Train”, and “Holy Diver”. It’s always interesting to hear familiar songs with a different voice, and their voice worked extremely well with their setlist. Justice was done to every song they played. Sabbatha impressed the audience with their skills and passion, and made everyone feel like they were witnessing the real deal.
The fourth band to take the stage was The Surfrajettes, a four-piece instrumental combo from Toronto, ON, Canada. The band charmed the crowd with their clever breed of reverb-drenched surf music. They also sported sky-high beehives, go-go boots, and eyeliner, completing a fitting, unified look and vibe. The Surfrajettes played songs from their debut LP Roller Fink, as well as some covers of surf classics. I admit I did not know the names of the covers, but the melodies were instantly recognizable. The band had the audience dancing and grooving to their fun, catchy tunes.
Up fifth was Tiger Sex, a wild and raucous punk rock band formed in Las Vegas but hailing from Cincinnati, OH. With Kelly’s voice leading the charge, Tiger Sex assaults their listeners with Kei on guitar and Troy on drums. The band unleashed their fierce and frenetic set that included songs like “I’m Not Your Baby”, “Bad Boy”, and “Tiger Walk”. Per usual, they had some antics on stage, such as Kelly bringing an audience member up to do their interpretation of the tiger walk dance. Later she brought Tracie from Aweful up to help her use a dirty old traffic cone off the street as a beer bong. Tiger Sex coated the stage with intense energy, giving everyone a wild ride. Not to be confined to the stage, Kelly brought the mic into the crowd showering the audience members with all of her intensity.
The second to last band of the fest was The Delta Bombers, a Las Vegas quartet that has been tearing up stages since 2008. The band pulled no punches with their high-octane blend of rockabilly, blues, and garage rock. They delivered a memorable selection of songs from their catalog spanning 14 years of recordings. The crowd devoured their energetic and charismatic showmanship, as the band radiated their vibrant breed of sonic power. All and all The Delta Bombers proved once again that they are one of the best rockabilly bands around
It is with further shame that this photographer was unable to stay for Supersuckers, but I have it on good authority they provided a commanding end to a fantastic lineup of bands. Day two of Motoblot 2023 was a spectacular day of music that showcased the diversity and quality of the bands that played. The festival was a celebration of the culture and lifestyle of riders, drivers, and spectators alike. It was another year to remember for everyone who attended.
Check out some photos from the day below. And Check out MerGold‘s coverage of day one here!
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. This week’s column is our biggest yet, as we’re highlighting a grand […]
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. This week’s column is our biggest yet, as we’re highlighting a grand total of 20 newly announced records! So 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:
If you’re catching a show on Less Than Jake‘s 25th Anniversary Hello Rockview tour, be sure to hit the merch table for this brand new 2xLP reissue of the record. The second LP features demos (including a previously unreleased song called “Honest Answers”), live tracks, and what I think are newly re-recorded takes on “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” and “History of a Boring Town”.
No word from the band (or Smartpunk Records) on whether this is a tour exclusive variant, or how limited it is. I think it’s a safe bet this 25th Anniversary reissue will get wider distribution at some point, and will keep you posted as more details are announced. For now, the only way to grab a copy is at one of Less Than Jake’s upcoming shows.
There are a couple classic splits with new represses on the way, with the first being Ten Foot Pole‘s 1995 split 10″ with the almighty Satanic Surfers. Due out this September on La Agonía de Vivir, it’s limited to 200 copies on transparent red vinyl / 300 black vinyl. Pre-order here.
The other split getting a much needed repress is The Ataris / Useless IDLet It Burn. The LP has been repressed on split blue/red colored vinyl; they don’t specify how many copies, it’s just “limited”. This one’s due out next month; get it here.
Here’s a repress of a more recently-released record. The Flatliners‘ Inviting Light is back in print on two new color variants; the “black inside yellow” variant pictured is limited to 200 copies, while the coral colored wax (not pictured) is limited to 300 copies. You can get both here.
Let’s take a little detour from all the reissues / represses and highlight some of this week’s new releases, shall we? Up first are pop-punk mainstays the McRackins with their fantastic new album Wake the Fun Up!, out now on Mom’s Basement Records! I’m going to give this record 2023’s Most Unique Color Variants Award™ as well. 100 copies on each of the following variants: Watermelon Gushers, Dunkaroos Frosting, Orange Melted Creamsicle & Spitting Blood Gladiator. Get your copy here.
Also available from our friends at Mom’s Basement Records: two new live records from the Huntingtons and the Proton Packs! Both were recorded at Italy’s favorite Ramonescore festival Punk Rock Raduno, and both can be purchased on Mom’s Basement’s webstore. Our European friends can grab these from Punk Rock Raduno’s Bandcamp.
Here’s another new release! It’s a new* three-song* 10″ from everyone’s favorite hip-hop/punk band Codefendants! For $18 you get a song that was already released on the band’s LP, as well as an acoustic version of that song, and one new track called “Cinematic”. You simply cannot beat that value, folks! Fork over your money here.
Alright, back to some more reissues! The Bouncing Souls‘ How I Spent My Summer Vacation is getting repressed on “red with white swirl” colored vinyl, limited to 500 copies. My fellow true believers can get it here.
Dead Broke Rekerds has given Hickey’s highly sought after self-titled LP its first reissue since 1995. They pressed 222 copies on red vinyl, which have already sold out, and 800 copies on black wax (still in stock!). Get yours here. Chocolate pudding filled trumpet not included.
Joyce Manor‘s 2011 self-titled debut LP gets its 14th(!) pressing, with 1,000 copies on pink colored wax. Long live Mike Park and Asian Man Records! Buy it here.
Dutch skate punks Drunktank will be crossing the Atlantic to play some shows in Canada this September. To commemorate the voyage, Thousand Islands Records is repressing the band’s most recent album Return of the Infamous Four with Canadian themed artwork and color variants. Pre-order here.
The Beatnik Termites‘ long out of print sophomore LP Bubblecore gets its first reissue since 1996. 500 copies on pink colored vinyl, get it here.
Late last year, Westbound Train surprised everyone when their first new record in over a decade popped up on Spotify. Now Dedication is getting a physical release! Get it on transparent blue marble colored vinyl here.
Jeff Rosenstock‘s new album Hellmode is due out September 1st. Check out the lead single “Doubt” below. There are a trillion color variants; links to where you can get all of them can be found here.
Ramonescore up-and-comers the Zoanoids and Bad Secret have combined forces for a new Split 7″, out now on Hey Pizza! Records. Available on three color variants here.
Boston’s Rebuilder have announced their new album Local Support will be released on August 11th. Check out the new single “Another Round” below and pre-order the record here. Shoutout to Dying Scene contributing photographer Brittany, who took the picture featured on the album’s cover!
Chicago’s Sincere Engineer will be releasing their new album Cheap Grills on September 22nd through Hopeless Records. Check out the new single “California King” below and pre-order the LP on “steak + sauce” colored wax here.
Last but not least we’ve got some new releases from Rad Girlfriend Records! Tokyo’s What Goes Up gets a running start on their debut LP Laws of Gravity. Killer orgcore / Midwest punk, recommended if you like Banner Pilot, the Dopamines, Rational Anthem, etc. Get it here (US), here (UK), or here (Japan).
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!
Chicago’s newest large music venue hosted two nights of The Hold Steady, The Mountain Goats, and Dillinger Four. I was there to document the second night for Dying Scene’s first show at The Salt Shed. The Salt Shed is so named because the venue was built out of the Morton Salt Warehouse Complex. The Chicago […]
Chicago’s newest large music venue hosted two nights of The Hold Steady, The Mountain Goats, and Dillinger Four. I was there to document the second night for Dying Scene’s first show at The Salt Shed.
The Salt Shed is so named because the venue was built out of the Morton Salt Warehouse Complex. The Chicago Landmark was first opened nearly a century ago with the transformation into a music venue first open to the public in late 2022. The cavernous ceilings and fairly open-looking stage let you know immediately this is going to be a different kind of place to catch a show. It’s a cool-looking place for concerts. It sounded pretty good in there as well.
There is also an amphitheater on the grounds of the complex and a midway in which to hang out before the shows. It promises to be a great venue for shows. From my first experience at The Salt Shed, they may very well fulfill that promise.
The Hold Steady is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on this tour. The band presently comprised of Craig Finn, Tad Kubler, Steve Selvidge, Galen Polivka, Bobby Drake, and Franz Nicolay, also had another reason to celebrate. Kubler and Selvidge are “birthday twins.” That is they were both born on same day, month and year. At a Chicago Cubs game the night before this show, on the jumbotron, was a happy birthday shoutout to Kubler and Selvidge on their actual birthday. Dying Scene would like to extend a belated happy birthday wish as well.
Now, onto the show itself. This was the second of two nights for this bill with The Hold Steady headliners. The band may be two decades old, but they have retained the energy and enthusiasm of the early years. The set list included “Stuck Between Stations.” The song’s credited writers are by Craig Finn, Fran Nicolay and Tad Kubler. The references to Sal Paradise, the protagonist of the classic Jack Kerouac novel, “On The Road,”and to the late confessional poet, John Berryman, were a reminder that there were at least two published authors on this bill. Those being Franz Nicolay, and The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle.
The tune itself is a meditation on depression, written in the midst of a tough time for Finn.
“There are nights when I think Sal Paradise was right Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together Sucking off each other at the demonstrations Making sure their makeup’s straight Crushing one another with colossal expectations Dependent, undisciplined, and sleeping late.”
The band also cruised through the set with “Sequestered in Memphis,” “Sideways Skull,” “Sixers,” “Chips Ahoy,” and “Your Little Hoodrat Friend,” among many others. The Hold Steady held the crowd steadily, in its grasp, from start to finish. Finn’s arms outstretched much of the time, matched in attitude by all of his bandmates, The Hold Steady thrilled the crowd. Will the band return to Chicago one day on its 40th Anniversary tour? We can hope, but if they do, it won’t be on any half-hearted nostalgia tour. No, I expect it will be just as exciting for the crowd and hopefully for the musicians as well. I hope to be there to document it once more.
Nearer in the future for The Hold Steady is the July 25th scheduled release of the oral and pictorial history of the band signed by the members, “The Gospel of the Hold Steady.” The limited edition pre-order package also includes a signed photo-journal chapbook by Tad Kubler, “TJK ON THS.”
It’s not often you see a band playing its arguably biggest hit right after taking the stage. That’s exactly what happened with The Mountain Goats. To the jubilant shock of myself, fellow photographers and fans, when the introductory notes of “This Year,” began. There was a virtual eruption of joy and being that it is one of my very favorite songs of all time, I was ecstatic as well. I discovered the 2005 tune late in its history, as many did, via its role as the ending credits song for the wonderful 2018 Oscar-nominated documentary, Minding The Gap. I was also glad to be able to watch it during the large venue photo pit standard operating procedure of first three songs, no flash and out. The proximity to the stage allowed me to work diligently and also soak in the song. Though every lyric in the song is incredible, the crowd hit its peak sing-along volume during the chorus of “I’m going to make it through this year if it kills me,” the hopeful lyric of “There will be feasting and dancing in Jerusalem next year.” That lyric is a reference to the phrase “Next Year in Jerusalem,” which is spoken at the end of every Passover Seder.
While “This Year,” may be the most well-known tune to the public at large, even becoming the subject of a darkly humorous pandemic era The Hard Times article, it is one amongst many beloved The Mountain Goats songs. The band — John Darnielle, Matt Douglas, Jon Wurster, and Peter Hughes, blasted through a great set, which also included, “Cadaver Sniffing Dog,” the bitter and very popular, “No Children,” “Up The Wolves,” “Rain in Soho,” and “Andrew Eldritch Is Moving Back to Leeds.”
There were two exceptional standouts in an altogether amazing set. One was a very poignant solo by Darnielle, “You Were Cool.” Speaking to a friend treated poorly by others, Darnielle sang,
“You deserved better than you got Someone’s got to say it sometime because it’s true People should have told you you were awesome Instead of taking advantage of you I hope you love your life now, like I love mine I hope the painful memories only flex their power over you a little of the time.”
The other standout was “Palmcorder Yajna” on which The Hold Steady singer Craig Finn joined in, sharing vocals with Darnielle.
There are still numerous chances to experience The Mountain Goats as they are on tour through August and then resume again in October. Get on it!
Dillinger Four, out of Minneapolis, MN, provided a jaunty start to the evening. The band, comprised of Patrick Costello, Erik Funk, Bill Morrisette, and Lane Pederson, blasted through a tight set which included the exquisitely titled songs, “Let Them Eat Thomas Paine,” “Super Powers Enable Me to Blend in with Machinery,” “Maximum Piss & Vinegar,” and “A Floater Left With Pleasure in the Executive Washroom.” That latter song bemoans the crushing torment of working an increasingly less fulfilling, both emotionally and financially, job,
“This isn’t you It’s just what you do Don’t mistake the irony of calling it a “living” If you feel like no one If you feel like nothing You’ve only been taking what they’re giving.”
Dillinger Four also performed, among others, “Mosh For Jesus,” “D4 = Putting the “F” Back in “Art”.’ And while I’m sure the F does not stand for fun in that last song title, nonetheless, fun is precisely what Dillinger Four put into this show.
Dillinger Four will be busy this fall, as they play 1234 Fest in Denver and Philadelphia in September, and at Fest 21 in Gainesville, FL. in October. I’m guessing “Gainesville” be on the set list in “Gator Nation,” as it was on Saturday’s setlist.
Please check out more photos from the show. Thanks and Cheers!
An after-party for the Mosswood Meltdown hosted by Alternative Tentacles at Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland as an AT showcase. Some solid punk rock on a Sunday night. Loud Graves are a bunch of veteran punks from the East Bay including members of The Hammerbombs, Tsunami Bomb, The Applicators and Sayaka. Loud, entertaining. Middle-aged […]
An after-party for the Mosswood Meltdown hosted by Alternative Tentacles at Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland as an AT showcase. Some solid punk rock on a Sunday night.
Loud Graves are a bunch of veteran punks from the East Bay including members of The Hammerbombs, Tsunami Bomb, The Applicators and Sayaka. Loud, entertaining.
Middle-aged Queers came out with a fog machine, bubbles and balloons, which made taking photographs fun.
The Hammerbombs closed out the show with fully entertaining pop-punk.
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
The Hammerbombs at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Middle Aged Queers at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Loud Graves – at Eli’s Mile High Club for a Alternative Tentacles showcase/Mosswood after-party
Bremerton, WA pop-punk veterans MxPx have officially announced their new album Find A Way Home will be released on August 25th, 2023. Pre-orders go live on the band’s website Friday, July 21st. Check out the teaser video for Find A Way Home below and stay tuned for more details! This will be MxPx’s 14th studio album, […]
Bremerton, WA pop-punk veterans MxPx have officially announced their new album Find A Way Home will be released on August 25th, 2023. Pre-orders go live on the band’s website Friday, July 21st.
Check out the teaser video for Find A Way Home below and stay tuned for more details! This will be MxPx’s 14th studio album, following their 2018 self-titled LP.
The air was thick, but not yet due to the smokey skies from Canadian wildfires, which would eventually blanket over parts of the Midwest. Instead, this was your run-of-the-mill summer day-related weather condition. But sizzling could also describe the day’s musical acts. Vang!, The Beat Creeps, and Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 had the […]
The air was thick, but not yet due to the smokey skies from Canadian wildfires, which would eventually blanket over parts of the Midwest. Instead, this was your run-of-the-mill summer day-related weather condition. But sizzling could also describe the day’s musical acts. Vang!, The Beat Creeps, and Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 had the crowd sweating. The Crombies, brought its cool to provide a respite at the 10th annual Motoblot, a motorcycle rally and music fest.
Lucy DeKay of Aweful and Mystery Actions has formed yet another band. DeKay, along with Jay Howarth, Meg McDuff, and Elyse Dequina, introduced Vang! to Chicago with an explosive afternoon slot as its first-ever show. A Vang! bang you might say. The fiery set included “Bad Girl,” “Push,” “Demona 666,” and “Mannequins.” Vang! ended the set with “Let’s Ride.” DeKay said of that last song,
“It’s about bikers! Haha perfect for Motoblot!“
DeKay described the debut performance to me several days after Motoblot 2023 closed out,
“I was so excited. Tiny bit of butterflies at the beginning and in between playing the songs, because Meg and I are shy talking on the mic believe it or not, was awkward but fun as fuck overall.”
For her part, McDuff,
“I was nervous because me my guitar strings were loose, and I thought I was out of tune and my voice sounded like crap and it was so hot on stage I thought was going to pass out, lol.”
However, McDuff needn’t have worried,
“But after hearing clips of what it sounded like from the audience perspective, it sounded good, and felt relieved.”
Vang! will continue providing opportunities for Chicago area punk fans to discover it with a pair of shows at Liar’s Club, on July 22, and August 4. You can also check out Vang! on the 5th of August at Jefferson Park Festival.
Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 arrived in its adopted hometown of New York City via New Zealand. But it made a stop in Dallas, TX on its way to The Big Apple. With its full-throttle approach to its set, the band seemed right at home performing among motorcycles from around the world.
While the entire band was a tight formation, the dynamic chemistry between lead singer Labretta Suede and guitar player Johnny Moondog, really stood out every time they shared the microphone.
Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 motored through a set list including, “Etiquette For Suckers,” “Teenagers Gettin’ High,” “Mean Mouthed Momma,” “Bait,” and “Crying Shame.”
Labretta Suede revealed to me, some of the band’s history in the States, and mix behind the magic:
“A few singles have come out on USA labels but I (labretta) am the driving force that drives the band. It’s the most juju strange & dangerous mom & pop/cottage industry brands around.“
Check into the Motel 6 next chance you have, you may never want to check out.
The Beat Creeps brought the theatrics, with a bit of camp. Motoblot attendees were all there for it. As was I.
The band, comprised of Nic Roulette, Leilani Killgore, Ariel Dornbush, and Elliot Tanner, pummeled through its set, which included, “The Phantom,” “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” “Valley of Broken Hearts,” “I Don’t Want To Die,” and a rollicking cover of Nancy Sinatra’s “How Does That Grab Ya Darling?”
Lead singer Roulette utilized various items around the stage as props including a neon orange construction cone atop his skull. Several times he threw the mic stand and the mic itself into the photo pit. Of course, it is always a good idea to keep one eye looking through the lens and one eye on your surrounding whilst shooting a show, so I should note that those of us documenting the antics were never in danger of being struck such items. I also have little doubt that Roulette was at aware of his aim, to ensure no injuries, as well.
Instead, The Beat Creeps served an entertaining audio and visual feast to the crowd which heartily digested it. I look forward to a second helping sooner than later. It shouldn’t be too long a wait as the band plans to release a full-length album in 2024. Until then, the band, which self-describes, as, “Unapologetic garage rock and roll with a punk feel appeal to it.” That’s a pretty on-target description of The Beat Creeps.
Chicago’s very own two-tone outfit The Crombies, a staple of Motoblot, has always been a reliably fun band to see live. However, please know I am not at all suggesting its act has become monotonous. While there is a thread of consistency in the band members’ moves on stage, they possess the abilities to, nevertheless, make them seem fresh. The friendships amongst this band of brothers-from-other-mothers is obvious and results in a propulsive spark to The Crombies’ sets. Several play in other bands with each other, most especially Chicago’s legendary rock steady collective Deal’s Gone Bad (DGB). This day was no exception. Singer Mike Park, guitar players Vee Sonnets and Dave Simon, drummer Matt Meuzelaar, bass player Kevin Lustrup Anthony Abbinanti of the Drastics and who played with Sonnets and Simon in DGB (Park was the original singer as well) filled in for Karl Gustafson on keys.
Saturday’s set included a few The Crombies originals, “Unsavory Types,” “Sneaky Pete,” and “Putting On Airs.” The band also took the crowd through a tour of two-tone, ska, and reggae history with some classic covers. These included “Click, Click” by The English, “Little Bitch” by The Specials, Toots and the Maytals’ “Monkey Man,” and a mashup of two songs, “Chase the Devil” by Max Romeo and “English Civil War” by The Clash.
Abbinanti subbing for Gustafson was not the only different aspect to this year’s set. Unlike pretty much every other The Crombies Motoblot set I’ve witnessed, Simon did not ride the shoulders of a friend in the crowd. The fact that Simon was playing at all is a testament to his grit and stubbornness, as several weeks earlier, he broke his left clavicle when attending a punk show as a fan, not a performer. Even though Simon had very recently had surgery for the injury, with some visible black medical tape, he was able to tough it out. Surely it was not easy, as evidenced by the sight of him grimacing, and holding tight his injured wing post-set. So, from us at DS to D.S., we give him serious praise if not also a bit of concern. Ardent fans of The Crombies, and of Simon himself, need him back whole and I look forward to Simon once again playing atop shoulders at Motoblot 2024. Taking place again in this, per Carl Sandburg, City of the Big Shoulders.
Please check out more photos from the show. Also, stay tuned for coverage Sunday’s sets, by my colleague ManVsFriction, coming soon.
The Bomboras return to the Bay Area after 23 years and rock the East Bay Electric Machine Gun Tits opened the show. They are a two-piece punk and roll band based in the Bay Area since 2015 consisting of Naoko Nozawa on vocals and synth and Tora Fujimoto on guitar and vocals. Ridiculously entertaining, intensely […]
The Bomboras return to the Bay Area after 23 years and rock the East Bay
Electric Machine Gun Tits opened the show. They are a two-piece punk and roll band based in the Bay Area since 2015 consisting of Naoko Nozawa on vocals and synth and Tora Fujimoto on guitar and vocals. Ridiculously entertaining, intensely funny, and Naoko finished the set by flinging ramen at the audience.
San Francisco’s Frankie and the Pool Boys were up next. Much more mellow, straight-up instrumental surf rock, they have 3 CDs and 2 singles available on their bandcamp.
The Bomboras formed in Los Angeles in 1994 achieving a bunch of success in the ’90s garage rock revival with their high-energy mix of garage rock and surf. They broke up at San Francisco’s Bottom of The Hill in 2000, it was 21 years later that they reformed, and not until last Wednesday that they returned to the Bay Area. Led by Jake Cavaliere on organ/vocals and bass player/vocalist Shane Van Dyke, they still put on one hell of a show, setting Jake’s organ on fire at the end. They have a new release on MuSick Recordings, “Songs from The Beyond!”
As I am exceedingly old, I was at The Bomboras breakup show in San Francisco in 2000, and several members of their subsequent bands, The Legendary Invisible Mean and The Lords of Altamont became friends. So it was fantastic to see them in action again. Also, Electric Machine Gun Tits are the funniest damn band in the Bay Area. See all my photos below.
Happy Friday, comrades! We’re fired up to bring you a super great track to kick off your ultra-long holiday weekend today! The song is called “Waves,” and it’s from everyone’s favorite new band of Ocean State punks, Structure Sounds. You may remember them from when we premiered their “Break Me” video at the end of […]
Happy Friday, comrades! We’re fired up to bring you a super great track to kick off your ultra-long holiday weekend today!
The song is called “Waves,” and it’s from everyone’s favorite new band of Ocean State punks, Structure Sounds. You may remember them from when we premiered their “Break Me” video at the end of last year. (Editor’s Note: Wait, that was almost seven months ago? Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess.) In case you missed that, check it out here. Then, make sure you check out the Bad Religion-irific “Waves” down below! Ya hey!
