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DS Exclusive: Chloe Hawes’ releases music video for new single “Bookends” from upcoming LP “Remains/Reminders”

Dying Scene’s week of exclusive premieres rolls on with the music video for “Bookends”, the brand new single from Manchester, UK’s Chloe Hawes. Check it out below and lookout for Hawes’ debut album Remains/Reminders, due out April 12th on Nasty Cut Records (EU), Mt. Crushmore Records (US), and UTB Manchester (UK). Here is a paragraph […]

Dying Scene’s week of exclusive premieres rolls on with the music video for “Bookends”, the brand new single from Manchester, UK’s Chloe Hawes. Check it out below and lookout for Hawes’ debut album Remains/Reminders, due out April 12th on Nasty Cut Records (EU), Mt. Crushmore Records (US), and UTB Manchester (UK).

Here is a paragraph with words about the song you’re likely watching the music video for right now if you followed my instructions in the paragraph above:

“Bookends started as a song criticizing the commodification and sexualization of the queer community, by people that do nothing but make it difficult for us to exist. From there it grew into something more positive, and the joy to be had in finding your community, chosen family, and casting off anyone that brings negativity around who you are, and/or who you love. It’s a celebration of queerness, as well as a fuck you to a society that doesn’t always let you be yourself.”

This premiere is brought to you in part by Punk Rock Radar. If you’d like your band’s music video to be premiered by Dying Scene and Punk Rock Radar, go here and follow these instructions. You’ll be on your way to previously unimagined levels of fame and fortune in no time!

Pre-order Chloe Hawes’ debut album Remains/Reminders! The LP is limited to 200 copies – my fellow Americans can purchase it here, my Bri’ish mates can acquire it here, and my European friends can obtain it here.

by Staff Writer Screeching Bottlerocket
Tags: 
chloe hawes Manchester nasty cut records United Kingdom

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DS Exclusive: London punks Modern Shakes premiere video for new single “Ask the Dust”

London (England, not Canada) punks Modern Shakes have a new record coming soon on Cat’s Claw Records and Punk Rock Radar, and we’re enthused to premiere the music video for their brand new single! “Ask the Dust” is an insanely catchy song with one of the ear-wormiest choruses I’ve heard in a long time. Check […]

London (England, not Canada) punks Modern Shakes have a new record coming soon on Cat’s Claw Records and Punk Rock Radar, and we’re enthused to premiere the music video for their brand new single! “Ask the Dust” is an insanely catchy song with one of the ear-wormiest choruses I’ve heard in a long time. Check it out below and stay tuned for more to come from these guys!

See Modern Shakes play live music at the following dates and locations:

Aug 26 The Ostrich – Peterborough, UK
Sep 03 THE MUSEUM VAULTS – Sunderland, UK
Oct 06 New Cross Inn – New Cross, UK

by Staff Writer Screeching Bottlerocket
Tags: 
london modern shakes Punk United Kingdom

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DS Interview: Getting precise with Dan Precision (Dan Wleklinski)

Dan Wleklinski, aka “Dan Precision,” is one of the Chicago area punk scene’s top-level multi-hyphenates. As a musician, Wleklinksi was a founding member of 88 Fingers Louie; Rise Against; Soulscape; Break the Silence, and now The Iron Spiders.  He is also a prolific record producer. I recently spent a few hours documenting his production work, […]

Dan Wleklinski, aka “Dan Precision,” is one of the Chicago area punk scene’s top-level multi-hyphenates. As a musician, Wleklinksi was a founding member of 88 Fingers Louie; Rise Against; Soulscape; Break the Silence, and now The Iron Spiders.  He is also a prolific record producer. I recently spent a few hours documenting his production work, on the upcoming Bumsy and the Moochers record, at The Bombshelter Recording Studio. He founded the studio in the basement of his suburban childhood home in 1999. Later, in a wide-ranging interview, in which we discussed his work as a musician and as a producer, he recalled some of his wildest experiences, his love of road trips on his motorcycle, and more.

MerGold (Dying Scene): How did you get into music to start with? 

Dan Wleklinksi:  My parents had a very slight musical background, and my dad started to teach me some basic piano playing when I was around 5 years old. I started taking actual piano lessons at the age of 10, but I really wanted to play guitar. Unfortunately, my parents didn’t have enough money to buy a guitar for me and said that I couldn’t take guitar lessons. I told them that I would quit piano out of spite if I couldn’t take guitar lessons, and being the little a**hole kid that I was, I quit piano a few days later. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t done that because I would have been a much better and learned musician at this age. Luckily I started learning guitar at the age of 13.

Were there any shows or events you find particularly memorable?  Good or bad? 

The memorable events and shows are beyond count…both good and bad…like having 13 cop cars called on us in 2004 [in Fresno, CA when a member of Break The Silence] after we threatened a venue owner for not paying up. We were on tour with A Wilhelm Scream and Much the Same. Or in 1999, [with 88 Fingers Louie], almost fighting some Germans in Hamburg for accusing us of trashing their van. The dudes in At The Drive-In were going to back us up if that fight ever happened, but we got out of that one.

One of my favorite times was the weekend in 2014 [again, with 88 Fingers Louie] where we played Rock Fest in Montebello, Canada. There were so many cool bands that we shared the stage with, including Blink-182, Primus, Motley Crue, Megadeth, Danzig, Weezer, Cypress Hill, and so many more. Most of the bands stayed in the same 5-story hotel on the site of the festival, so we got to hang out and talk with so many cool musicians. We also had a view of several stages from our hotel rooms, so if we didn’t feel like going down, we could watch the bands from the comfort of our own rooms.

Favorite venues and events in Chicago; the same question for other locations?

I have played quite a few great venues in Chicago, including the Fireside Bowl, Bottom Lounge, The Metro, Livewire, House of Blues, and The Vic, but I’ve always loved playing Reggies.

There are many events that have been a blast to play, including Riot Fest in Chicago (we also played the Denver dates), Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas (and we played the New Jersey version as well), both Groezrock and Brakrock in Belgium, Music 4 Cancer and Rockfest in Canada, Rebellion Fest in the United Kingdom, and Punk Rock Holiday in Slovenia.

How do you decide which projects, bands, or musicians with whom to work?

As a musician, I really enjoy working with other players who share the same long-term vision and talent. I’ve been lucky to have started bands such as 88 Fingers Louie, Rise Against, Break the Silence, Soulscape, and now The Iron Spiders. At this point in my life, if I were going to consider being in a professional band, they would need to be a touring band. One of the most difficult things to deal with is the fact that I have the freedom to tour while several bands I’ve been a part of have lost that ability over time.

How did you then get into producing records? What was your first record?

My first real band, 88 Fingers Louie, recorded multiple times starting in 1993 with the esteemed producer, Mass Giorgini, at his studio, Sonic Iguana in Lafayette, Indiana. We recorded a bunch of EPs and 2 full albums there, including “Behind Bars” and “Back on the Streets.” During the “Back on the Streets” sessions, Mass commented that I had a very good ear for music and asked if I wanted to learn how to be an audio engineer. I agreed. I started by comping vocal tracks on “Back on the Streets” so that was technically the first record I ever worked on.

I opened my studio, The Bombshelter Recording Studio, in 1999, and the first band I recorded was The Poonanies. The singer, Tony, went on to form Chicago’s very own, Shot Baker.

How do you decide which musicians to work with?  Are there parameters for which you will turn down bands or projects?

Typically, bands ask to work with me from word-of-mouth of past clients, or seeing my name in the credits of albums I’ve recorded. I feel that with the rise in streaming over the last decade, the latter has been increasingly difficult to achieve visibility. I believe Spotify recently has started showing recording/producing/mixing credits if you click on the release, but the bands still need to input that information.

Most bands are great with sharing the recording credits to streaming platforms, and I feel it’s in their best interest to do so. Not only could it possibly open up other avenues of listeners, but it also helps the engineers and producers get their names out to other musicians who might like their production. 

I don’t really turn down bands or projects. I’ve worked with bands who were 13 and 14 years old who were eager to learn. I’ve also worked with seasoned musicians in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s…and everything in between.

I have suggested bands to possibly go to a different producer if I feel we wouldn’t be a good fit. For example, I feel that bands and producers need to take time in the studio to make their recording the best it can be. If a band wants to record 10 songs in 2 days, I let them know that I don’t work that quickly as I believe the process and the quality suffers. 

How collaborative is the process? Do you want the bands to come in with specific ideas, or do you take the lead?

The recording process can be very collaborative, and that’s one of my favorite parts in producing bands. I enjoy when bands have specific ideas and together, we can combine all of our musical experience and hone each song. However, there are many times when the band would like me to take the lead, and I am happy to do so.

That can be a little more difficult when I work with a band for the first time, but luckily, I have a lot of repeat clients, and each subsequent time, the collaboration becomes easier and more fruitful. It really is a beautiful thing to be creative with other musicians who may have different musical styles and backgrounds.

Have you worked on some musician’s debut albums? As in the musician has never been in a studio? What is that experience like?

Yes, I’ve worked with a few bands’ with it being their first time in the studio. Typically, those are teenaged bands looking to cut their first EP. I’ve also worked with guest musicians who are singing backing vocals or playing an accompanying part on an established band’s recording. Sometimes they are young…like a band member’s son or daughter. Other times they are talented mothers and fathers of the band currently in the studio. Either way, it’s always an enjoyable experience as they leave having learned something. I think I’m a bit like my father, who was a great teacher. It’s an awesome feeling to have bands return and to see the progress they have achieved since their last recording with me.

Related to being a producer, what are the best parts of owning your own studio? Are there challenges you were not fully aware of before owning your own studio?

As you may have gathered from my earlier answers, I love being in the studio, working with musicians, and also mixing and mastering on my own…basically, I love the audio portion of running the business. One of the more difficult parts for me is the advertising aspect. While I’m proud of the work I do, and I enjoy promoting bands’ releases, I don’t really like “talking myself up.” When I first started, I think I was lucky because people heard about the Bombshelter through the bands I was in. Over the years, word-of-mouth from happy clients has helped me continue to do what I love…for 25 years! I’m still slightly shocked that the month of September 2024 will be the 25th anniversary of The Bombshelter Recording Studio. “Thank you” to all of my past and especially return clients who have helped me do what I love for so long!

 Last year you left the studio and the stages for a really cool reason. You embarked on a solo motorcycle road trip across part of the country, and brought your friends and fans with you via photos and video. How and when did you start riding?  What does riding do for you?

Although I started riding 30 years ago, my first solo motorcycle tour was in 2022.  Riding is usually very relaxing for me, and I believe the joy I experience on longer tours are an extension of my time touring with bands. There are so many memorable moments I’ve experienced the last few years, like riding the “Million Dollar Highway” in Colorado and through the “Needles Eye Tunnel” in South Dakota.

What was the journey like? Were there any particularly memorable moments good or bad? Any hair-raising moments? 

I ask that last question recalling some of my own hair-raising moments riding in vans through Southeast Asia, and buses when I lived in Guatemala. Some of those steeply curved mountainsides were pretty scary. I can’t imagine how nerve-wracking it might be on a motorcycle. 

I try not to think back too much on the “bad” or “hair-raising” moments like when animals jump in front of you, or trying to stay awake during the last hour of your Saddlesore 1000 (traveling 1000 miles in under 24 hours).  However, I will always remember last year’s 10-hour ride from Fort Collins to Montrose, Colorado over Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park. It was both hair-raising and memorable to cross the highest point of 12,183 feet in 34 degree (1 degree Celsius) weather with snow on the sides of the road. Luckily the roads were mostly clear of snow and ice due to the warmth of the rising sun.

One of the more difficult things when touring in a band is having the time to enjoy the cities, environments, and scenery along the way. I get to enjoy all of those things while on my motorcycle trips. It is a goal of mine to combine both touring in a band while riding a motorcycle. The late Neil Peart wrote about his time doing that exact thing on several Rush tours, and it sounds heavenly to me!

Wleklinski is one of the most genuine, humble, and all-around nicest people I’ve met, not just in the punk scene, but anywhere.  And of course, he has one of the best heads of hair in this scene as well.  His long silver mane makes for some amazing on-stage images as he rocks it all over the place.  

Those of us photographers who have had the pleasure to shoot him in concert will rue the day he ever decides to cut it off.  However, that’s one move I don’t see Wleklinski making. 

I do look forward to the future moves he makes in music, in record producing, as well as documenting further two-wheel adventures.

Thanks Dan, safe travels on your next road trip, and cheers!

Road trip images courtesy of Dan Wleklinski. All other photography by MGold for Dying Scene.

by Staff Writer MerGold
Tags: 
88 fingers louie Break the Silence chicago Dan Precision Dan Wleklinski

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DS News: British ska-punks Faintest Idea releasing new album “The Road to Sedition”

British ska-punks Faintest Idea have announced their new album The Road to Sedition will be released on March 31st through TNS Records and Jump Start Records. Check out the first single “Nose Dive” below and pre-order the record here (US) or here (UK). The Road to Sedition will be the band’s first new album in […]

British ska-punks Faintest Idea have announced their new album The Road to Sedition will be released on March 31st through TNS Records and Jump Start Records. Check out the first single “Nose Dive” below and pre-order the record here (US) or here (UK).

The Road to Sedition will be the band’s first new album in 7 years, following 2016’s Increasing the Minimum Rage. The LP promises to deliver more of the “rage-fueled stomping infused with a good measure of bouncy ska” these guys are known for.

Faintest Idea will be touring the US for the first time ever this April with ska legends like The Slackers, The Pietasters and Fishbone. Peep the dates below while you’re listening that new track.

Tracklist:

  1. The Machine Stops
  2. Kill em Dead
  3. False Prophets
  4. Nose Dive
  5. Mutually Assured Confusion
  6. Hoods Up Heads Down
  7. Not Coming Back
  8. War to the Palaces
  9. Scream Into the Void
  10. Shell Shock
  11. The End of “The End of History”

US Tour Dates:

Mon, Apr 17th – Atlanta, GA at The Masquerade
Tue, Apr 18th – Charleston, SC at Tin Roof Alley
Wed, Apr 19th – Charlotte, NC at Neighborhood Theatre
Thu, Apr 20th – Blacksburg, VA at The Lyric w/The Pietasters
Fri, Apr 21st – Baltimore, MD at Soundstage w/Fishbone
Sat, Apr 22nd – Bensalem, PA at Broken Goblet Brewing/This Is Not Croydon Fest 4
Sun, Apr 23rd – Pittsburgh, PA at The Crafthouse

by Staff Writer Screeching Bottlerocket
Tags: 
Faintest idea Jump start records Punk Ska ska-punk

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DS News: NOFX announces final UK shows

Having recently announced the first leg of US shows on their 40 Years, 40 Cities, 40 Songs (Per Day) farewell tour, NOFX has now unveiled their final UK tour dates. On May 26th, they’ll be playing Punk in Drublic and Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing in Leeds. Two days later (that’s May 28th), Hatfield will get […]

Having recently announced the first leg of US shows on their 40 Years, 40 Cities, 40 Songs (Per Day) farewell tour, NOFX has now unveiled their final UK tour dates. On May 26th, they’ll be playing Punk in Drublic and Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing in Leeds. Two days later (that’s May 28th), Hatfield will get So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes and White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean.

Tickets to these shows will go on sale here on Wednesday, January 18th. Full lineups are to be announced.

If the name of this tour is to be believed, NOFX still has shows in 30 more cities to announce. We’ll keep you posted as more more dates are added to the 40 Years, 40 Cities, 40 Songs (Per Night) Tour.

NOFX released their latest LP Double Album in December, 2022. They’ve also teased plans for an EP called Half Album and another studio album titled Everybody Else is Insane (they’re also releasing a 10×10″ box set of demos from that album).

by Staff Writer Screeching Bottlerocket
Tags: 
Final tour NOFX nofx final tour United Kingdom

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DS News: Rancid announce new album “Tomorrow Never Comes”, stream title track

East Bay punk legends Rancid will be releasing their 10th studio album Tomorrow Never Comes on June 2nd through Hellcat Records. Like nearly every other album in the band’s discography, the new 16-song LP was produced by Brett Gurewitz. Check out the music video for the title track below and pre-order the record here. Tomorrow […]

East Bay punk legends Rancid will be releasing their 10th studio album Tomorrow Never Comes on June 2nd through Hellcat Records. Like nearly every other album in the band’s discography, the new 16-song LP was produced by Brett Gurewitz.

Check out the music video for the title track below and pre-order the record here.

Tomorrow Never Comes is Rancid’s first new album in six years, following 2017’s Trouble Maker. They will be touring Europe in support of its release with The Bronx and Grade 2 this June; peep those dates below.

Rancid – Tomorrow Never Comes vinyl color variants PRE-ORDER

Rancid European tour:

Jun. 1, 2023 Bellaria-Igea Marina, Italy @ Bay Arena
Jun. 2, 2023 Bellaria, Italy @Slam Dunk Festival Italy 2023
Jun. 3, 2023 Ljubljana, Slovenia @ MEDIA CENTER
Jun. 4, 2023 Linz, Austria @ Sbäm Fest 2023
Jun. 6, 2023 Ursus, Poland @ Letnia Scena Progresji
Jun. 8, 2023 Hyvinkää, Finland @ Rockfest 2023
Jun. 10, 2023 Stockholm, Sweden @ Annexet
Jun. 12, 2023 Berlin, Germany @ Columbiahalle
Jun. 13, 2023 Wiesbaden, Germany @ Schlachtof
Jun. 15, 2023 Gasteiz / Vitoria, Spain @ Azkena Rock Festival 2023
Jun. 16, 2023 Clisson, France @ Hellfest 2023
Jun. 17, 2023 Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting 2023
Jun. 20, 2023 London, United Kingdom @ OVO Arena Wembley
Jun. 21, 2023 Stretford, United Kingdom @ O2 Victoria Warehouse
Jun. 23, 2023 Ysselsteyn, Netherlands @ Jera On Air Festival 2023
Jun. 24, 2023 Münster, Germany @ Vainstream Rockfest 2023
Jun. 25, 2023 Tábor, Czechia @ Mighty Sounds Festival 2023

New Releases

…And We All Die 10-31-2024
Static Age Unsigned
YES FLAG 06-27-2024
Grand Bystander Unsigned
Various Artists 04-07-2023
Mooorree Than Just Another Comp Sell The Heart Records
by Staff Writer Screeching Bottlerocket
Tags: 
Epitaph Records hellcat records punk rock rancid tomorrow never comes

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DS Show Review & Gallery: Bouncing Souls, Samiam, Swingin’ Utters, and Pet Needs – Chicago (05.11.2023)

Bouncing Souls returned to Chicago’s Metro on Thursday, May 11, 2023, as a part of its Ten Stories High tour. Solid support on this bill was provided by Samiam, Swingin’ Utters, and Pet Needs, adding up to quite an enjoyable evening. As the lights dimmed for the headliners, fans were singing “Ole”  from Bouncing Souls’ […]

Bouncing Souls returned to Chicago’s Metro on Thursday, May 11, 2023, as a part of its Ten Stories High tour. Solid support on this bill was provided by Samiam, Swingin’ Utters, and Pet Needs, adding up to quite an enjoyable evening.

As the lights dimmed for the headliners, fans were singing “Ole”  from Bouncing Souls’ 1999 album Hopeless Romantic. Of course we featured that tune near the top of our Dying Scene’s World Cup Anthems playlist on Spotify. The band hit the stage to the iconic Simple Minds theme “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from The Breakfast Club, the John Hughes film set in a Chicago suburb. The crowd, many of whom were either not yet born when the classic 1985 film was released or were too young to see it at that time, sang enthusiastically along.

The tour derives its name from Bouncing Soul’s new album Ten Stories High, released this past March and the New Jersey crew got right down to business at the Clark Street located venue. Lead singer Greg Attonito bounded across the stage and to the edge of it. Pete Steinkopf, shredded through both the well-known and newer tunes. Bryan Kienlen held court stage right with his powerful bass playing. In the back, Greg Rebelo tore it up behind his drum kit.

As noted above, the setlist was comprised of old and new songs. About midway through the set, Attonito asked for two song suggestions from fans, at first telling them he would pick one.

Of course the band performed both nominees, “Bullying the Jukebox,” also from Hopeless Romantic, and “Quick Chek Girl” from 1995’s Maniacal Laughter. Joyous cheering and crowd surfing ensued. The band also performed its very popular cover of Avoid One Thing’s “Lean on Sheena,” which the Bouncing Souls recorded for The Gold Record from 2006.

And finally, being from the Empire State, born and raised east of the Big Apple and having spent a whole lot of time annually, in the City That Never Sleeps I have a certain affection for “East Coast! Fuck you!”And I was more than happy to whisper-chant along,

“Punkers should be pale and pasty
Pizza here is fierce and tasty
East Coast! Fuck you!
East Coast! Fuck you!“

That second cited line I especially love and will preach its truth to the willfully deaf ears of friends in my adopted city of Chicago. The struggle to live in a place devoid of a truly great New York slice is indeed real (before anyone takes exception, struggle is sarcastically noted).

Samian appeared to have drawn a large portion of the crowd to the show. The Berkeley, CA band released Stowaway, in late March 2023 and played several cuts from it including, “Crystallized,” “Lights Out Little Hustler,” and “Lake Speed.” Samiam also delivered robustly with “Sunshine,” “Wisconsin,” and “Paraffin” from 2000’s Astray, among tunes from other releases. It was an enjoyable set and perfectly placed between Swingin’ Utters and Bouncing Souls.

I first saw Swingin’ Utters in 2009 at the now sadly defunct Frankie’s Inner City in Toledo, OH, days before moving from the Glass City to the Windy City. I wasn’t documenting the show, just enjoying the evening in my going away week with close friends from my work as a housing legal advocate at Legal Aid of Western Ohio. They were playing in the middle of the bill but of course stood out and I am glad my eyes and ears were open to such a great band.

Fourteen years later, I am still immensely impressed by how damn good they are. Lead singer Johnny “Peebucks” Bonnel, at times, whipped the microphone cord so furiously I was worried for his safety and the safety of those around him, Seriously, though, he commanded the stage whilst Darius Koski dominated on lead guitar. At the other end of the stage, Alex, from Toyguitar, contributed on guitar as well. Tony Teixeira, on bass and Luke Ray, added the powerful backline.

The band tore through “As You Start Leaving,” “The Librarians Are Hiding Something,” Windspitting Punk,” “No Eager Men,” “Kick It Over,” and “Deranged.” As the set closed out, Swingin’ Utters ruminated with “Five Lessons Learned,”

“Five lovely lessons learnt today
Coating my throat with the dust of a new day
As the saints pray their lonely way
They’re dead weight lays the passion to waste.”

Pet Needs, from Essex in the United Kingdom, is on only their second tour of the USA. The band’s debut album Fractured Party Music, was produced and mixed by none other than Frank Turner. Turner, both a friend and fan of Pet Needs, also produced its sophomore record Primetime Entertainment.

Crowd members who arrived in time were treated to a killer of a set by musicians whose captivating performance exuded an infectious enthusiasm for their off-stage experiences. Blasting through a set list including “Lost Again,” “Ibiza in Winter,” and “Kayak.” The band also performed “Punk Isn’t Dead, It’s Just Up For Sale.” Whether the band is trying to be ironic or not, I did find it clever that Pet Needs was selling t-shirts with that declaration emblazoned across the front and sported on stage by drummer Jack Lock.

“Doors open
With eyes unfocussed
You coast past the clones of the blokes
You swore you’d never become
And then you catch your reflection.”

Lock and bandmates, the Pet Needs founding brothers Marriott – Johnny and George – and Rich Gutz, made sure to take in take advantage of the close proximity of two Chicago icons. Those being Metro Chicago, and its neighbor a few blocks down, Wrigley Field. The lads took in an afternoon watching the American pastime day earlier, watching the Cubs raise the W against the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-4. Johnny Marriott described his excitement at the prospect of sporting a large foam finger and his surprise that the only ones seemingly sold were to him and two of his three bandmates. But still, the delight in being able to drink beer out of a bat was too good to pass up.

After the set, Jack Lock described how, while taking in a game at the Friendly Confines was wonderful, there was one aspect he found weird. Unlike the football (soccer to those of us in the land of the red, white, and blue) matches in his native land, baseball fans can sit together, no matter what team they follow. Lock, who roots for Ipswich Football Club (congrats on the promotion lads!) was referring to the fact that in football stadiums across the UK, supporters of opposing clubs are prohibited from sitting nearby each other. Or at least, those wearing visiting club kits (jerseys) and those wearing home club kits may be in close proximity to one another during the match. Things tend to get a bit rowdier across the Pond. But in the States, he reported to me, everyone was so welcoming and friendly to each other, no matter which team was preferred. Or even if no preference.

In fact, several English Premier League Kits were spotted in the audience and nary a hint of conflict witnessed.

Hopefully, the next time Pet Needs is visiting these US shores, they will be greeted by larger crowds. The band deserves it and those who missed it, really missed out on something special.

With three highly popular veteran bands and a fourth beginning its breakthrough, I would have predicted a pretty packed venue from the moment of doors opening. Disappointingly, that was not the case. Well, not at the start. Very few people were in the audience by the time the very good opening band, Pet Needs, from the UK, took the stage. This means a whole lot of ticket holders missed out on really fun set with a lot of terrific music performed by charismatic artists. There was also a surprisingly sparse crowd when the legendary Swingin’ Utters kicked off its great set. I know a few who missed it due to reasons beyond their control but surely more could have gotten there in time?

Please see more photos from the show below. Thanks Cheers!

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by Staff Writer MerGold
Tags: 
bouncing souls chicago Metro Chicago pet needs Samian

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DS Show Review & Gallery: A Wilhelm Scream; Counterpunch; and Much The Same. Chicago (12.12.2023)

Reggie’s Rock Club played host to a strong night of melodic punk. A Wilhelm Scream out of New Bedford, MA, with Counterpunch, and Much The Same, both from the Chicago area, added up to a knockout bill. A Wilhelm Scream is a cinematic sound effect in use for many decades and the name inspiration for […]

Reggie’s Rock Club played host to a strong night of melodic punk. A Wilhelm Scream out of New Bedford, MA, with Counterpunch, and Much The Same, both from the Chicago area, added up to a knockout bill.

A Wilhelm Scream is a cinematic sound effect in use for many decades and the name inspiration for the headliners this evening. Witnessing frontman Nuno Pereira belt out the vocals, the name choice seems appropriate. However, the screaming done by Pereira is quite a bit more of a pleasant listen than the iconic bit of film audio. A Wilhelm Scream blasted through a fiery set which included as highlights, “Me vs. Morrissey in the Pretentiousness Contest (The Ladder Match),” “These Dead Streets,” “Jaws 3, People 0,” “Figure Eights in My Head,” “Famous Friends and Fashion Drunks,” and “Boat Builders.” Pereira appeared emotional as he spoke of how special it felt to be back in Chicago, and Reggie’s Rock Club.

A Wilhelm Scream is scheduled to return to the United Kingdom in March 2024 as part of Hot Water Music’s 30th Anniversary Tour.

Counterpunch, one of the two melodic skate punk bands on this bill, tore through a set including, but not limited to, “No Man’s Land,” “Destroyed by Lions,” “Collateral Damage,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Paradise Lost,” and “Waiting in the Wings.”

The hometown crowd was all in for the band’s set, and it was rewarded with a powerful performance. Make sure to check out Counterpunch the next time the group hits your area.

Much The Same kicked off the night and its name works as a description of its set. That is, much the same as Counterpunch in that the hometown crowd was ecstatic to see them. However, running through a set including “American Idle,” “Snake in the Grass,” “Gut Shot,” “Skeletons,” and “Living A Lie,” among others, Much The Same demonstrated its own hard-worn identity, standing out in the Windy City punk scene.

Please check out more photos from the show. Thanks and cheers!

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by Staff Writer MerGold
Tags: 
a wilhelm scream chicago counterpunch melodic punk much the same

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DS Show Review & Gallery: Bayside; Finch; Armor for Sleep; and Winona Fighter. Chicago (04.29.2024)

House of Blues welcomed Bayside back to Chicago. Winona Fighter and Armor For Sleep lent support. Finch, with the penultimate set, was billed as a special guest. Bayside, named for the Bayside, Queens neighborhood of its origin, brought its There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive tour to Chicago at the end of April. The […]

House of Blues welcomed Bayside back to Chicago. Winona Fighter and Armor For Sleep lent support. Finch, with the penultimate set, was billed as a special guest.

Bayside, named for the Bayside, Queens neighborhood of its origin, brought its There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive tour to Chicago at the end of April. The tour name doubles as the title of the band’s brand new album from Hopeless Records.

It’s an album garnering positive reviews and it pulls no punches. “The Devils” haunting intro sets the mood:

“We are the trade-ins, the souls that needed saving
Counting on a tired god who didn’t really want the job
If he’s on vacation, as I wait to be taken
Then nothing really matters now
So what am I so worried about?“

As for the Monday night show, Bayside’s powerful performance was a 21-song salute to its 2-plus decade history. Included in the set (not in order of how played at the show) were “Devotion and Desire” from Bayside’s 2005 self-titled record, “Sick, Sick, Sick” off of 2011’s Killing Time, and “Prayers” from 2019’s Interrobang.

Of course, the band also peppered the set with cuts off of the new album, including, “Castaway,” “Go To Hell,” and “The Devils.”

Bayside will be playing the Not Just A “Phase” Fest in Kansas City, KS on June 2nd. The band will then head to The United Kingdom to play a couple of headling shows, in Brighton on June 11th, and in Huddersfield on June 12th. On June 14th, Bayside will hit the Avalanche stage of Download Festival, at Donington Park, in Leicestershire, England.

Finch, out of Temecula, CA, returned to playing shows in 2023 for its What It Is to Burn 20th Anniversary Tour. The band played shows in NYC, Chicago, Boston, and Anaheim. Being the special guest of Bayside this year has allowed even more Finch fans the opportunity to see the band live again or for the first time.

Finch’s set, including, “Rainy Day,”  “Letters to You,” “Post Script,” “A Piece of Mind,” “New Beginnings,” “Insomniatic Meat,” and “What It Is To Burn,” was a throttling one. The reception the band received made it clear that its fans are glad to see it back on stage.

Teaneck, New Jersey’s Armor for Sleep, disbanded in 2009 and reunited in 2020 for the 15th Anniversary of its album What To Do When You Are Dead. The band then released a new album, The Rain Museum in 2022. This year the band is spending a great deal of time on the road. Along with providing support to Bayside, Armor For Sleep will be joining Hawthorne Heights‘ 20 Years of Tears tour. That second tour celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Hawthorne Heights’ debut album, The Silence In Black And White.

Blasting through a set including “Remember to Feel Real,” “Dream to Make Believe,” “Williamsburg,” and “Awkward Last Words,” Armor For Sleep gave a solid and tight performance. When the band returns to Chicago on June 28, on the above-mentioned tour, no doubt many of the same fans at this House of Blues show will be amped up to see them at The Salt Shed.

The fantastically named group, Winona Fighter, from Nashville, TN, kicked off the evening with a massive bang. The highly energetic lead singer Coco utilized all sections of the stage as she led the band’s propulsive performance. Winona Fighter ripped through a set including “Hamms In A Glass,” “I’m in the Market to Please No One,” a cover of Blur’s “Song 2,” and “You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers.” She got her first taste of punk in Boston, MA before moving to a city more famous for country music. Winona Fighter, formed in 2022, was the revelation for me on an evening stacked with decades-old veteran bands. I am looking forward to seeing the band again, whenever that might be. I am also curious to find out what other punk bands call Music City home.

by Staff Writer MerGold
Tags: 
Armor For Sleep bayside chicago Finch House of Blues

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DS Show Review & Gallery: The Rise Against Residency, with The Smoking Popes, Kali Masi (Chicago, 03.30.2023 – 04.01.2023)

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!

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by Staff Writer MerGold
Tags: 
chicago kali masi Metro Chicago Midwestern Punk Rise Against

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