Dying Scene’s latest exclusive premiere comes from Los Angeles pop-punks Moldy Roses! We’re stoked to debut the music video for their new single “Palm Tree Blues”. It’s the first taste of the band’s upcoming EP Not as Happy as I Thought I’d Be. Check out video below, and stay tuned for more on that EP; […]
Dying Scene’s latest exclusive premiere comes from Los Angeles pop-punks Moldy Roses! We’re stoked to debut the music video for their new single “Palm Tree Blues”. It’s the first taste of the band’s upcoming EP Not as Happy as I Thought I’d Be. Check out video below, and stay tuned for more on that EP; I hear it’s due out this May on Wiretap Records!
Video shot by Jay Braley with Greys Multimedia
Recorded by Steve Ornest at Total Access Recording in Redondo Beach, CA
A sold out show at the Sons of Italy Lodge in Hingham, Massachusetts, on 3/26, played Vein, Escuela Grind, Sunami, Opposition, Instigate, and Hate Still Burns. The rawness performed and crowd was to die for …
A sold out show at the Sons of Italy Lodge in Hingham, Massachusetts, on 3/26, played Vein, Escuela Grind, Sunami, Opposition, Instigate, and Hate Still Burns. The rawness performed and crowd was to die for …
Finally, it’s time to travel across the pond and hit up some festivals that aren’t in my backyard (nearly, you get the point). This year we’re eyeing up Slam Dunk, and after looking at the lineup, we are hyped to see so many great bands in one day. Look at the poster below, and if […]
Finally, it’s time to travel across the pond and hit up some festivals that aren’t in my backyard (nearly, you get the point). This year we’re eyeing up Slam Dunk, and after looking at the lineup, we are hyped to see so many great bands in one day. Look at the poster below, and if you’re already going, we look forward to seeing you!
Chicago punk legends Rise Against took over Metro Chicago recently, playing three completely unique set lists on three nights. The iconic Chicago venue hosted Rise Against – Alive & Well: The Metro Residency as the concert hall celebrates its 40th anniversary. I had the chance to witness this unique weekend, presented by Q101 FM, all […]
Chicago punk legends Rise Against took over Metro Chicago recently, playing three completely unique set lists on three nights. The iconic Chicago venue hosted Rise Against – Alive & Well: The Metro Residency as the concert hall celebrates its 40th anniversary. I had the chance to witness this unique weekend, presented by Q101 FM, all three nights. The first night, with The Bollweevils opening ahead of the band’s new record release, I was there to hang with and support good friends. Admittedly, it felt a little strange, not having my camera gear and not spending time in the photo pit, yet it was a fun time. The crowd, though heavily represented by hometown fans, also saw many traveling from all over the country and even from the United Kingdom. Oh, and a very special event took place under the Metro marquee for two RA fans. More on that in a bit.
Thursday Night
Rise Against opened the weekend on the same day as the first-ever criminal indictment of a former President occurred. There were more than a few “Happy Indictment Day!” exclamations heard both outside and inside the venue. For some, it felt appropriate, on such a precedent-setting day, that the band they were seeing is known for its socially conscious lyrics and offstage activism. Indeed, rather than opening music, the band chose to play an audio clip from one of my longtime top 5 films. It was “Howard Beale”‘s (portrayed by Peter Finch who won a posthumous Oscar for this leading performance) iconic “I am as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore” speech from the classic, multi-Oscar winning film, Network. It was the whole speech, and it was brilliant.
The Rise Against residency was a sort of retrospective. Each night had a totally unique set list sans any repeats over the course of the weekend. Unlike the common practice of a band playing a different one of its albums start to finish each night of a multi-night stand, Rise Against mixed up songs from different records. Surely this was highly appreciated by those who were present for all, or at least more than one, of the nights.
Night one’s set list included, “Tragedy + Time,” “Broken Dreams, Inc.,” “Bridges,” “Paper Wings,” and “Entertainment.” Two notes on this song lineup: this was the live debut performance of “Bridges,” and the first time they have played “Entertainment” live in about a dozen years. As with the other two nights, this was an expectedly strong evening of music. Just as the film “Network” and “Howard Beale”‘s rallying cry are still relevant decades on, so too is Rise Against’s music. I don’t see any of these changing in the near future.
Supporting act on night one, The Bollweevils, jump-started the weekend in a big way. As in a big jump from the Punk Roc Doc, Dr. Daryl Wilson. Wilson has been catching major air since the formation of the band decades ago. His bandmates, guitarist Ken Weevil, a middle school teacher/former middle school principal, and “the double Petes”, bassist Peter Mittler, back from Florida for this performance, and drummer Pete Mumford, on the backbeat, delivered a boisterous performance. The set included “Predisposition,” “Fencesitter,” “Peggy Sue,” “Bottomless Pit,” and “Cutting Solution.” The band’s new album, Essential off of Red Scare Industries, is set to be released on May 5, 2023. It features backing vocals by “the 5th Bollweevil,” Joe Mizzi of The Mizzerables, who also provides live bass duties when Mittler is not available. The release takes place just weeks before the band heads to Pouzza Fest. 2023 is shaping up to be a great year for The Bollweevils. I’m all here for it.
Friday Night
Night two also started with an audio clip, from the HBO, Aaron Sorkin created series, “The Newsroom.” In this case the oft shared scene whereas series lead Jeff Daniels, as news anchor “Will McAvoy” responds to a college student’s question of what makes the US the greatest country in the world.
Tim McIlrath, Joe Principe, Brandon Barnes, and Zach Blair throw emotional punches with their songs, and this was on full display throughout the Metro residency. While too often political punk bands can seem didactic, Rise Against never does. Instead, fans are fully engaged to the message of the lyrics, and how said message is being delivered intoxicatingly via the music.
As with the first night, RA performed some songs which have not been played live in years or never played live prior to this. Included in the former category were “My Life Inside Your Heart,” and “Torches.” It had been roughly 18 and 8 years respectively since the songs were last performed live. “About Damn Time,” and “Whereabouts Unknown,” were live debuts. The set also included “Black Masks & Gasoline,” “Survivor Guilt,” “The Great Die-Off,” and “State of the Union.”
The Smoking Popes opened night 2 with a bouncy and satisfying set. The first tune of the night was the one often, but not always played first, “Simmer Down.” It was followed by tunes including “Let’s Hear It For Love,” “Rubella,” “Megan,” and “Amanda My Love.” The Smoking Popes, consisting o the brothers Caterer (Josh Caterer, Eli Dixon Caterer, and Matt Caterer), and Mike Felumlee, per usual, were the charismatic and unusually fun punk band its fans love so much. This is at least my second time in the last 6 months or so documenting the band for Dying Scene. Hopefully it won’t the last before 2024.
Saturday Night
Admittedly, if Rise Against played an audio clip before its Saturday night set, I did not catch it. However, the band continued another pattern established during the first two nights with a set list including the live debuts of “The Black Market,” “Sudden Urge,” “Endgame,” “Lanterns,” and “Escape Artists.” Rise Against also performed “Anywhere But Here” for the first time since 2006, “Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated” for the first time since 2007, and “From Heads Unworthy,” for the first time since 2011. If the crowd’s electric reaction to these songs is any indication, perhaps the bands will consider making some, if not all, at least semi-regulars on its future set lists. RA rounded out the setlist with “Chamber The Cartridge,” “Heaven Knows,” and “Drones.” This might have been an exhausting weekend for the crowd, the band, and all others involved, yet it was also an immensely fun one.
Kali Masi was the youngest of the bands playing on this bill, with its debut album released in 2017. Yet the members of this dynamic band performed with confident abandon. Sam Porter on guitar and lead vocals, drummer John Garrison, bass player/vocals Adam Romero, and Tim Roark is on guitar/vocals tore through their set, which included “Paint me Jade,” ”Sputter,” “Some Friends,” “Trophy Deer,” “Recurring (I),” and “The Stray.”
The band will soonish be returning to the Wrigleyville area of Clark St. when they play at the Metro’s neighbor, GMan Tavern in June. I’d advise you to be there if you can. As good as Kali Masi are presently, there is ample evidence that they will only get better and better.
Now to that special moment. Rise Against super fans Nick Novak and his long-time girlfriend, Lisa Bulwan, had plans to attend the Saturday night show. What Lisa did not know was that Nick had a ring on him and was planning to propose before doors opened. Full disclosure part 1: Nick hired me to take photos of the event without giving away the surprise. Careful planning allowed that to happen and Lisa, of course, said yes. Fans lined up the block exploded into cheers. Full Disclosure part 2: I clued those fans on to what was about to happen. Hey, for this one moment I was there, not as a photojournalist, but as a hired photographer. Letting others know what was about to go down was part of doing the job well! Congratulations Nick and Lisa, from all of us at Dying Scene!
Please see below for more photos!
For those wondering how a band like Slowly Slowly made their way to Dyingscene.com, I would like to tell you to sit down and stfu. I’d like to introduce you to Australia’s best-hidden gem and, in my opinion, worst-kept secret. They let us know about their snakes and crazy spiders. But they dropped the ball […]
For those wondering how a band like Slowly Slowly made their way to Dyingscene.com, I would like to tell you to sit down and stfu.
I’d like to introduce you to Australia’s best-hidden gem and, in my opinion, worst-kept secret. They let us know about their snakes and crazy spiders. But they dropped the ball on this band. What a shame.
So how do I know about them? Well, for those wondering. I was born in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. But my family moved to Denmark when I was a child, but my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins remained in Australia. But during 2021, between the albums St. Leonards and Race Car Blues, I stumbled upon them during a midnight catch-up with my aunt in Australia and fell head over heels for their sound.
But in November of ’22, Slowly Slowly released their fourth album Daisy Chain. So, once again, as it’s become a daily thing, I decided to annoy to living shit out of Jay, and he allowed me to interview the band. So here’s Ben and I talk a bunch of things! First, I’d like to thank Ben for being a fantastic friend and vibing with me at 1 am. And for keeping me company when I miss home the most.
Fat Mike is back with a new band called Codefendants, and they have released a debut album that might be one of the sickest debut albums this year; it’s called This Is Crime Wave, and funny enough, Crime Wave is the genre that’s made up in the minds of Fat Mike, Sam King from Get […]
Fat Mike is back with a new band called Codefendants, and they have released a debut album that might be one of the sickest debut albums this year; it’s called This Is Crime Wave, and funny enough, Crime Wave is the genre that’s made up in the minds of Fat Mike, Sam King from Get Dead, and rapper Ceschi Ramos. So it’s hip-hop, new wave, punk? There are some acoustic guitars and THE BEATLES! Trumpets? It’s everything and awesome. But let’s move on to the album.
Opening the album “Def Cons,” which isn’t a good song by any means. It’s uneven and doesn’t know what it’s doing. Ramos delivers on the raps, but it’s not a memorable song. This is odd because “Abscessed” featuring Onry Ozzborne and Get Dead, make room for each genre on this track; there’s no mismatch where the punk falls behind and sounds like it was added to justify the punk in the new made-up genre. Instead, the punk is heard loud and clear, with the raps coming faster than a groupie in the 70s. This song has everything I would want in a song when I hear punk, hip-hop, and new-age hip-hop mashed together in a blender. This song is the summer anthem for 2023.
The D.O.C., yes, the actual D.O.C., a legend, is featured on the “Fast Ones,” and this song marks his return after nearly 20 years out of the game. The fact this legend came out of retirement to get involved in this song should be acknowledged because this is important for everyone. To those who were around in the 90s for hip-hop, I would say that this song sounds influenced by it but met with an updated sound that reminds me of the sound Lil´ Dicky spits out in his songs.
“The last person I dated accused me of trauma dumping / and they were absolutely right” opening lyrics to “Disaster Scenes” featuring Stacy Dee from Bad Cop/Bad Cop is a strong song. Stacy Dee puts on a vulnerable display and opens up about the abuse she experienced early in her childhood. On “Suckers,” we finally get some trumpets and a somewhat jazz vibe over it. The pop-punk sound on “Brutiful” – yes, clever title – shows that a whole song doesn’t need one or the other but that there’s a natural progression from a Celtic folk vibe to a chorus with pop-punk chords throughout it.
The album itself has minor flaws, but along the way, those flaws turn out to be what makes the album complete. The lyrics and the different instrumental arrangements we hear on the album work. And for a debut album, it can be worrying if they can keep the level of rawness throughout their following albums if they ever come. The themes that they tackle on the album; child abuse, trauma dumping, gang violence, racism, violence, and many more, definitely seems to show another layer of Fat Mike, but not surprising Sam King or Ceschi Ramos, who has had a first-hand experience with drugs and the prison system. This album highlights much darkness and blurs the line on what is genre-defying. This Is Crime Wave is raw and shouldn’t be taken lightly. I am pleased with the turnout, and all I have left to say is; I better wipe my fucking face (see what I did there?)
It gets 4 stars out of five from me.
I recommend the following songs: Abscessed, Fast Ones, Suicide By Pigs (It’s funny but not funny, you know?), Disaster Scenes, Coda-Fendants
Chicago political punks, Voice of Addiction just dropped (do the hip kids still say that?) a new video for the single “Shinigami” from their phenomenal 2022 LP Divided States. But, here’s the really cool news, they wanted DS fans to get a sneak peek before the rest of the world! So, peek away, comrades! *Also, […]
Chicago political punks, Voice of Addiction just dropped (do the hip kids still say that?) a new video for the single “Shinigami” from their phenomenal 2022 LP Divided States. But, here’s the really cool news, they wanted DS fans to get a sneak peek before the rest of the world! So, peek away, comrades!
*Also, the lads are rounding out their current US Tour down in the Southeast (see their Facebook page for details), so if you’re in that area, go see ’em and take an extra pair of socks for Ian!
How can anyone truly believe the statement “rock music is dead,” especially after all of the music that has been released within the past decade. Music is continuously evolving, despite the criticism and really at no surprise to the people who are most passionate about it. Take a close look at the genre of punk […]
How can anyone truly believe the statement “rock music is dead,” especially after all of the music that has been released within the past decade. Music is continuously evolving, despite the criticism and really at no surprise to the people who are most passionate about it. Take a close look at the genre of punk rock.
Arguably one of the most diverse genres of music out there, punk rock has also evolved into something more meaningful and emotional than the original ideas of “going against the establishment” or “teenage angst.” Although those ideas still can be found within punk, the music has taken on a completely different attitude through new bands and new sub genres.
Growing up in the late ’90s and early 2000s, I was introduced to skate punk and ska and pop punk. Bands like Green Day, MxPx, Blink 182, Goldfinger, Less Than Jake, New Found Glory, The Offspring and NOFX is what I knew as punk rock. Little did I know that there was so much more out there and that in the years to come the genre would evolve. It wasn’t until college that I discovered bands like AFI, Silverstein, Alkaline Trio, Hot Water Music, Taking Back Sunday, and legends The Bouncing Souls. These bands weren’t just punk bands, they had a different style and sound to them. They would start the evolving of punk into more than just a skate punk or pop punk sound.
While I could potentially write on and on about the further sub genres punk has evolved into over the years, I don’t want to steer this ship around the entire world in one album review. I mentioned the band Hot Water Music in the previous paragraph, let’s take a closer look at their impact on punk rock and the influence they have had on a lot of the bands I listen to today. Hot Water Music is known for their raw and gritty vocals, chugging guitar riffs and catchy but compelling songs that leave the listener feeling something special. I think this band and their sound helped punk develop into post-punk and alternative rock in some aspects. My opinion of course is subjective, and I’m sure there are a lot of other bands who have taken this same path, but HWM was the first band that I listened to that exposed me to this kind of punk rock.
It is now 2023. I am 40 years old. While I do still enjoy the punk I grew up listening to, I also have an admiration, respect and passion for other bands that likely are in the same sub genre as Hot Water Music. One such band is wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves. This is a band I actually discovered thanks to the wonderful music sharing website called Bandcamp (which I think is one of the Internet’s greatest creations). While wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves probably was influenced by and shares some of the same fans as Hot Water Music, they have carved their own path through hard work and dedication and making a name for themselves through their live shows. The Winston Salem, North Carolina based post-punk act has released two full length albums over the course of the past nine years.
“The Cross and the Switchblade” is the title of the band’s second album, which was released from Wiretap Records in 2016. That’s the album that hooked me on these guys. So much energy, emotion, and captivation in ten songs that I knew this band was going to leave a positive mark on my life. So much so that I’ve listened to the record with a good friend countless times and we couldn’t believe what we were hearing. Naturally, when I found out a new album was coming, I jumped at the opportunity to give it a review.
The third full length album by wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves, “cursecursecurse,” will be released Friday April 7 through the label A-F Records here in the United States, and through Gunner Records in Europe. I did have a chance to speak to Brian Woodall, the voice and songwriter of the band and it seems the album title is fitting after hearing about the process of making the album. “The recording took a while. We started tracking drums Summer of 2018 before we went on our last European tour,” states Woodall, who went into some detail about the band’s struggles between 2018 and 2019. “Then Covid happened. If it hadn’t, Wolves x4 probably would have broken up, but it gave me some time to reflect and find the love for music that started to dull. I ended up finishing the recording in 2021 at the Sandwich Shoppe in Oxford, N.C,” this quote from Woodall gave me goosebumps. Dedication. Determination. We have a brand new wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves album.
You can hear the effort that was put into “cursecursecurse” in the track “Oh, Catalonia,” a three minute and twenty-seven second ode to overcoming adversity and a fist pumping ripper of a track that will leave you smiling from ear to ear after every listen. Is it my favorite track on the album? Damn, that’s a tough question. It’s a tough question because the entire album, comprised of 9 songs, is absolutely something special and will probably wear the needle on my turntable out when I get the vinyl. Another standout track “Excommunicate Me” is full of high energy and raw vocals. The song blares as an exclamation from singer Brian Woodall, and once it’s over you’ll want to play it again. Don’t sleep on “Empires,” this is the anthem for those of you who are ready to get past all this bullshit we’ve gone through over the past three years. I have to mention the opening track, “Hey Run Away” because not very often does the first song set the tone for the rest of the album and leave such an impact that you can’t wait to hear what’s next. The vocals, slamming guitars and that unforgettable chorus, this is where “cursecursecurse” shines and will be on everyone’s best albums of 2023 list. Folks, it’s only April and we have been gifted with some fantastic music. Order a copy of the vinyl from A-F Records here. Your record player will thank you for it.
Our friends at Lavasocks Records and Sell The Heart Records are co-releasing a massive 33-track, 2xLP Operation Ivy tribute album titled Mooorree Than Just Another Comp. Spanning virtually the band’s entire catalog, the album offers fresh takes on the originals from awesome ska (and punk!) bands like The Chinkees, Omnigone, The Raging Nathans, Catbite, and […]
Our friends at Lavasocks Records and Sell The Heart Records are co-releasing a massive 33-track, 2xLP Operation Ivy tribute album titled Mooorree Than Just Another Comp. Spanning virtually the band’s entire catalog, the album offers fresh takes on the originals from awesome ska (and punk!) bands like The Chinkees, Omnigone, The Raging Nathans, Catbite, and We Are The Union (ft. Eve 6!), among many others.
It’s not officially released for another day, but Dying Scene is hooking you up with this exclusive premiere of Mooorree Than Just Another Comp right fuckin’ now. You heard that right, you can listen to it right now, so go ahead and do that down below! And while you’re doing that, head over to Lavasocks Records and Sell The Heart Records‘ webstores to grab the Double LP on one of its many pretty color variants. A portion of proceeds will be donated to 924 Gilman in Berkeley, CA.
If you’re one of those weirdos who likes consuming music in the form of digital files more than colorful plastic discs with grooves etched in them, you can download this bad ass comp on Bandcamp. We don’t judge (we’re totally judging you).
Matt Skiba has revealed Alkaline Trio is back in the studio recording new music. He doesn’t say whether they are working on their 10th full-length album, but his Instagram post (see below) does reveal the Chicago punk vets are once again working with producer Cameron Webb. Webb has worked with the Trio in the past, […]
Matt Skiba has revealed Alkaline Trio is back in the studio recording new music. He doesn’t say whether they are working on their 10th full-length album, but his Instagram post (see below) does reveal the Chicago punk vets are once again working with producer Cameron Webb.
Webb has worked with the Trio in the past, on their 2011 acoustic album Damnesia, as well as 2018’s Is This Thing Cursed? and 2020’s 3-song E.P. He has also produced records by NOFX, Pennywise, and Motörhead, among many others.
We’ll keep you posted as more details come to light on new music from Alkaline Trio.
JZ
Hell, YES