After 10 years as a band, Albany Americana punkers The Slaughterhouse Chorus are calling it quits at the end of 2019. For this longtime fan that’s a hard pill to swallow. The only thing that makes it go down easier is the fact that as a parting gift the group is leaving us with a new EP […]
After 10 years as a band, Albany Americana punkers The Slaughterhouse Chorus are calling it quits at the end of 2019. For this longtime fan that’s a hard pill to swallow. The only thing that makes it go down easier is the fact that as a parting gift the group is leaving us with a new EP , …In The Name ofProgress,via Built4BBQ Records. Having heard the entire release I can attest to the fact that it represents the fellas’ best material to date and you can get yourself a taste via the new track “Greenplates” below.
I wish I had a better picture to post with this article because frankly the album art for “Earthworm,” the latest EP from New Jersey’s self-proclaimed “post-emo” band Ditz does not do the music justice. The arrangements, harmonies, melodies and lyrics speak to a maturity far more refined than the cartoony imagery above. Halfway through the […]
I wish I had a better picture to post with this article because frankly the album art for “Earthworm,” the latest EP from New Jersey’s self-proclaimed “post-emo” band Ditz does not do the music justice. The arrangements, harmonies, melodies and lyrics speak to a maturity far more refined than the cartoony imagery above. Halfway through the album’s opener, “Cha-Cha,” I knew I was on to something special and I challenge you to listen to the track without then wanting to finish the EP’s remaining 4 tracks. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Accept the challenge below.
Here’s a great little release to put on your radar. German skate punk act Green Frog Feet will be unleashing “Broken Bones, Burning Homes” in November and apparently it’s never too early to start getting people riled up. In this case it’s with the band’s new track “All Around” which you can check out below.
Here’s a great little release to put on your radar. German skate punk act Green Frog Feet will be unleashing “Broken Bones, Burning Homes” in November and apparently it’s never too early to start getting people riled up. In this case it’s with the band’s new track “All Around” which you can check out below.
The regular line-up for Jera On Air 2019 already is amazing and with the fantastic sideshow the festival is complete. On Friday and Saturday on both the Raven stage as in the Punkrock bar some great names have been booked with, Black Sun Empire, Ophidian, Nymfo, Of No Avail and R*A*D. And then we aren’t […]
The regular line-up for Jera On Air 2019 already is amazing and with the fantastic sideshow the festival is complete. On Friday and Saturday on both the Raven stage as in the Punkrock bar some great names have been booked with, Black Sun Empire, Ophidian, Nymfo, Of No Avail and R*A*D. And then we aren’t even talking about the Pre Party on Thursday night June 27th. Next to the already announced names, Bury Tommorrow, Deez Nuts, Our Hollow Our Home and Shvpes, two extra stages will be added to this full- fledged, free festival night: the Buzzard stage hosting the tribute program and at the new Raven stage an EMO-night will take place hosted by Dynamo Eindhoven. On Saturday May 18th the band competition Guts & Glory will be held at Dynamo Eindhoven, which will deliver the opening act for Jera On Air 2019. Previously the names for Jera On Air 2019, such as Parkway Drive, Enter Shikari, SUM41, Hatebreed, Heideroosjes, Agnostic Front, Beartooth, the Interrupters and many more big names were announced. All information on the festival and ticket sales is available online at www.jeraonair.nl.
Buck-O-Nine has returned with their first album in over twelve years. FunDayMental finds the ska veterans doing what they do best, combining a wide variety of ska and punk elements into a catchy amalgam. A ska-malgam if will. (Nothing like a cheesy ska pun to get things going.) The album opens with a bouncy punk […]
Buck-O-Nine has returned with their first album in over twelve years. FunDayMental finds the ska veterans doing what they do best, combining a wide variety of ska and punk elements into a catchy amalgam. A ska-malgam if will. (Nothing like a cheesy ska pun to get things going.)
The album opens with a bouncy punk ode to nights out with “Paint the Night Red” featuring just a small hint of the ska to come. It is definitely more punk than the rest of the album, but it is also a nice acknowledgement of the band’s roots. They return to this ska influenced punk with “Monday Morning” later in the album.
Coming from a band who came to prominence in the nineties ska scene it’s hard to believe there’s no horns until song two, as “Top of the World” is the first of several songs that showcase a two-tone soul, complete with bouncy bass lines and steady rocking brass sections. This up tempo rude sound can also be seen on “Don’t be Afraid” and “Tuff Rudeboy”, while the title track “FunDayMental” showcases a slower vibe. The best of this English influence is the closer “Dust it Off” which features a call and answer between slow driving brass and a bright guitar. It has an infectious groove that will keep your toes tapping.
This album features a couple of highlights, the first being “With You I Can” a love song that has a bright summer day feel to it. It is an optimistic slow stomp with a upbeat brass line. “Cold was my soul but my heart was made of gold, I rolled upon you and it changed my world” they deliver in this playful love song that makes you believe that “With you I can accomplish anything”. The second highlight is “YaYa” a rocksteady reggae jam written about grandkids. A more unique subject matter in a world that overtly tries to avoid the negative thoughts of aging, this song has a warm and happy feeling that almost makes me look forward to seeing my own grandkids.
FunDayMental rounds out with a couple of remakes of some Buck-O-Nine classics “Irish Drinkin’ Song” and “My Town”. The first song takes the original and makes it more of a group sing along as the verses feature layered vocals. This effect takes away the confessional nature of the original but most likely makes it more like the live versions where the crowd provides the supporting layers in the vocals. It is unclear if this remake was really needed, however the updated version of “My Town” is very well done. Opening with a not-so-subtle nod to rocksteady legends Toots and the Maytals, the song does not stray far from the original with a distinctly fun nineties style ska punk feel. However when viewed from the perspective of this album which feels a bit heavier with songs about love and growing old and was recorded by band members playing their parts in different states, it comes across as a wishful throwback to days where listening to music and hanging out with your friends was the most stressful part of the day. “As time ticks by I never stop to ask and never wonder why my soul is sound, I’m in my hometown”
FunDayMental is very close to being a top notch album but it feels like there is a lack of cohesion. The harmonies in the vocals and brass, the gang sing a longs, and in some cases the guitar work, all feel a bit patchwork at times. Ultimately it is a little distracting and the album quality suffers a little, however I am very excited to see these songs played live. Buck-O-Nine definitely know how to write some quality ska tunes, hopefully they can clean up the recording side on their next release.
It seems like there’s more and more beer/music festivals popping up these days. Sabroso Craft Beer & music Festival sets itself apart from the herd by adding a pinch of Latin flair to the mix. Not only are there taco and burrito trucks, there’s full on luchador wrestling matches boot! If that’s not enough, there’s […]
It seems like there’s more and more beer/music festivals popping up these days. Sabroso Craft Beer & music Festival sets itself apart from the herd by adding a pinch of Latin flair to the mix. Not only are there taco and burrito trucks, there’s full on luchador wrestling matches boot! If that’s not enough, there’s also a ton of rad bands who take the stage once everyone’s bellies have been filled with comida y cerveza! At the Denver stop, we were treated to quite a few heavyweight acts including Bad Religion, |Strung Out Black Flag and The Offspring and none of them disappointed. Check out the full write up and gallery, below!
It’s been a hot minute since the great Kevin Seconds has been out on the east coast, but that’s going to change in July! For what’s been dubbed the “I’ve Come For Avail” tour, Seconds is heading to Virginia to kick off a small run of dates with New Jersey’s Sammy Kay. The tour runs […]
Photo by Alan Snodgrass
It’s been a hot minute since the great Kevin Seconds has been out on the east coast, but that’s going to change in July! For what’s been dubbed the “I’ve Come For Avail” tour, Seconds is heading to Virginia to kick off a small run of dates with New Jersey’s Sammy Kay. The tour runs July 15th to the 21st with a day off in Richmond on the 20th so that the duo can hit up one of the long-awaited Avail reunion shows in RVA.
Southern California’s seminal punk rockers Ten Foot Pole are releasing Escalating Quickly on May 10th, and have already released two tastes of the album (“Everything Dies” and “Don’t Be a Dick”) – but are now streaming a third song, “Forever Road”. The album will be released on Thousand Island Records and features guests including Dan […]
Southern California’s seminal punk rockers Ten Foot Pole are releasing Escalating Quickly on May 10th, and have already released two tastes of the album (“Everything Dies” and “Don’t Be a Dick”) – but are now streaming a third song, “Forever Road”.
The album will be released on Thousand Island Records and features guests including Dan Palmer (Death By Stereo), Dan Jacobs (Atreyu), Sean Sellers (Good Riddance) and Joe Raposo (Lagwagon).
Oakland, California’s Charger – the new side project from Matt Freeman of Rancid – have a new EP coming out on May 10, 2019 and to get fans (more) excited for it, they are releasing singles, including the latest one, “Crackdown.” Listen to the song below and get ready for the band’s soon-to-be released, self-titled […]
Oakland, California’s Charger – the new side project from Matt Freeman of Rancid – have a new EP coming out on May 10, 2019 and to get fans (more) excited for it, they are releasing singles, including the latest one, “Crackdown.”
Listen to the song below and get ready for the band’s soon-to-be released, self-titled EP next week from Pirates Press Records. [Read more…]
Philadelphia punks The Barren Marys will be releasing their latest full-length Wired Wrong on May 25th, but you can get a taste of it with the new single “Fascists” below. Wired Wrong will have a digital release, and Violated Records will put out the CD with Suicide Bong releasing the cassette.
Philadelphia punks The Barren Marys will be releasing their latest full-length Wired Wrong on May 25th, but you can get a taste of it with the new single “Fascists” below.
Wired Wrong will have a digital release, and Violated Records will put out the CD with Suicide Bong releasing the cassette. [Read more…]
After 10 years as a band, Albany Americana punkers The Slaughterhouse Chorus are calling it quits at the end of 2019. For this longtime fan that’s a hard pill to swallow. The only thing that makes it go down easier is the fact that as a parting gift the group is leaving us with a new EP , …In The Name of Progress, via Built4BBQ Records. Having heard the entire release I can attest to the fact that it represents the fellas’ best material to date and you can get yourself a taste via the new track “Greenplates” below.