Greetings, goblins and ghouls! 👻 It’s Halloween and you know what that means: Your friends at Dying Scene have a super spooky playlist that’s sure to make your skin crawl! Whether you’re out trick or treating, or handing out toothbrushes to the neighborhood kids (don’t be that guy), this will make the perfect soundtrack to […]
Greetings, goblins and ghouls! 👻 It’s Halloween and you know what that means: Your friends at Dying Scene have a super spooky playlist that’s sure to make your skin crawl! Whether you’re out trick or treating, or handing out toothbrushes to the neighborhood kids (don’t be that guy), this will make the perfect soundtrack to All Hallows’ Eve. It even has a song from Jerry Only’s critically acclaimed solo album Anti-Hero!
🦇 Go on, give it a listen! Happy Halloween 🎃
The beautiful country of Italy has provided us with countless luxuries for which we should be eternally grateful. The list includes but is certainly not limited to: Subway’s Italian herbs & cheese bread, the Super Mario Bros. video games, and arguably their greatest export, The Manges! An Italian pop-punk institution since 1993, the Manges are […]
The beautiful country of Italy has provided us with countless luxuries for which we should be eternally grateful. The list includes but is certainly not limited to: Subway’s Italian herbs & cheese bread, the Super Mario Bros. video games, and arguably their greatest export, The Manges!
An Italian pop-punk institution since 1993, the Manges are back with their sixth full-length album, and I think it may be their best one yet. I was extremely impressed with 2020’s Punk Rock Addio. At the time, I thought it was by far the band’s most well produced, polished, and complete studio recording. With their new record Book of Hate for Good People, the Manges have once again one-upped themselves.
The songwriting is on another level from anything this band has done before. Starting things off is the high octane album opener “Lucky Tiger”, complete with an infectiously catchy chorus and a healthy dose of Screeching Weasel style lead guitar parts. This song sets the bar quite high, but the rest of the album has no difficulty clearing that bar. “Back to Bangcock” – a song that’s been in my regular rotation since its release as a single months ago – keeps the energy up and delivers big time with its hook: “Once again, dripping red, a small fish in the net, feeling trapped, in the same old crap”.
Having listened to this album about a dozen times, I can pick out a few songs that I’m not totally into. “Jesus is My Homeboy” is an fun little rock ‘n’ roll track, but it kinda ruins the flow of the tracklist being sandwiched between ultra-energized songs like “I Shot Cyrus” and “High on Stress”. The only other song that doesn’t quite stick the landing is “Too Many Freaks”. Obviously, the Manges are massive Ramones fans, but this attempt at a Dee Dee style hardcore song doesn’t quite do it for me.
Enough negativity, back to blowing smoke up some asses! The back end of this record is killer. “The Hate Parade” and “I’m Not a Sissy” throw back to the Manges’ tougher sound from their Bad Juju record. “Red Flags” closes out the album on one final high note. This one’s got another chorus that super glues itself to your brain; the guitar driven melody on this track is awesome as well.
So yes, this record has surpassed Punk Rock Addio as the best Manges record. I can say that with absolute certainty. Book of Hate for Good People is essential listening and is one of my Top 10 albums of 2022.
Buy Book of Hate for Good People:
Digital / CD / Blue vinyl / Yellow vinyl
What is there to say about the Ramones that hasn’t already been said? They were – and to this day, still are – one of the most influential punk bands of all time. Their 1976 debut was the spark that lit the fuse of American punk rock, and the two albums that followed stoked the […]
What is there to say about the Ramones that hasn’t already been said? They were – and to this day, still are – one of the most influential punk bands of all time. Their 1976 debut was the spark that lit the fuse of American punk rock, and the two albums that followed stoked the flames.
If you ask someone what their favorite Ramones song is, they’ll probably tell you they love “Blitzkrieg Bop”, or “Rockaway Beach”, or maybe even “Commando”. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but those who thumb their noses at the band’s output after Rocket to Russia are doing themselves a major disservice. From their iconic self-titled debut to their 1995 farewell Adios Amigos, everything the Ramones did in their 22-year career is worth a listen.
The 80’s are an interesting chapter in Ramones history. The decade began with the release of their controversial Phil Spector-produced album End of the Century. This record had some great songs – “Chinese Rock”, “Let’s Go”, and “Rock ‘N’ Roll High School”, to name a few. However, Spector’s over-the-top production just didn’t make sense for the Ramones, and unfortunately, this album fails to tickle my loins.
Pleasant Dreams is a pretty good record, but lacks the raw energy of everything pre-End of the Century. Subterranean Jungle had its moments, but was a mostly unremarkable album by the band’s standards. The neutered drum sound that even Marky Ramone hated is pretty hard on the ears, too. But great songs like “Psycho Therapy”, “Outsider”, and “Somebody Like Me” make it slightly easier to forgive the odd production and the fact that there are three cover songs on this record.
The real turning point for the Ramones was when Richie Ramone took over on drums in 1983. A year later he would make his studio debut on my favorite record: Too Tough to Die. Richie’s powerful style of drumming gave the band a much harder edge that revitalized their sound for a new era of punk. Songs like “Mama’s Boy”, “Wart Hog”, “Danger Zone”, “Human Kind”, and “Endless Vacation” proved the Ramones were, in fact, too tough to die.
For fans of the band’s poppier side, the trio of “Chasing the Night”, “Howling at the Moon”, and “Daytime Dilemma” offers up a healthy dose of bubblegum. The album’s closer “No Go” might be one of the catchiest Joey Ramone ever penned. If this song doesn’t at least make you bob your head, there might be something wrong with you.
Also noteworthy is that Too Tough to Die saw Tommy Ramone and Ed Stasium return to the control room for the first time since 1978’s Road to Ruin. Of the band’s fourteen LPs, this is probably the most well-produced. Gone are the synthesized drums, horn sections and violins; Tommy and Ed trimmed the fat and delivered a great, organic-sounding Ramones record.
Richie’s drum sound is big and the thumping kick of his bass drum makes my floor (otherwise known as my neighbor’s ceiling) shake when I put this record on. Johnny’s guitar sounds tough as fuck, and Joey Ramone turns in an excellent vocal performance, perfectly matching the tone of each song. And of course, Dee Dee shines when he takes the lead on two of the album’s most frenetic tracks “Wart Hog” and “Endless Vacation”. I think this is the closest the Ramones ever got to capturing their “live” sound in a recording studio.
My lone gripe about Too Tough to Die is that its track sequencing leaves a lot to be desired. Why would you start a Ramones record with the three slowest songs on the tracklist? Other people seem to share my opinion, and thankfully, someone made a Spotify playlist called Now Even Tougher to Die, with a re-sequenced tracklist that makes the album flow a lot better. I mean, come on, “Durango 95” just makes sense as the opening track.
So, go on, indulge yourself. That’s right, kick off your shoes… put your feet up. Lean back and enjoy the melodies of Too Tough to Die.
Ramonescore: a campy sub-genre of a sub-genre, paying tribute to a legendary band that helped birth that very sub-genre. Bands who participate in the act of Ramones worship typically play light-hearted, upbeat songs about drinking, girls, and drinking because of girls. Some people appreciate Ramonescore for what it is. Others write it off as vacuous, […]
Ramonescore: a campy sub-genre of a sub-genre, paying tribute to a legendary band that helped birth that very sub-genre. Bands who participate in the act of Ramones worship typically play light-hearted, upbeat songs about drinking, girls, and drinking because of girls. Some people appreciate Ramonescore for what it is. Others write it off as vacuous, repetitive pop-punk, played exclusively by guys with Screeching Weasel tattoos. And while I understand those criticisms, you have to be a real stick in the mud to outright hate this shit. It’s fun!
Sure, if you listen to enough of the stuff, you’ll certainly hear a lot of similar (if not exactly the same) chord progressions. And reading through tracklists, you might get overwhelmed by the amount of things these bands do and don’t wanna do. I view all of these idiosyncrasies as a set of strict parameters that must be adhered to when writing songs. It’s easy to write a shitty Ramonescore style pop-punk song (believe me, I’ve heard my fair share), but quite difficult to write good ones when playing by these “rules”.
With their debut album Just Wanna, the Pinoles pass the test. This record delivers everything an old school pop-punk fan could ask for. Nine tracks in 20 minutes, all simple, catchy, and easy to sing along to even after you’ve thrown back a few. Some of my favorite songs are “Padded Walls”, “You Make Me Sick”, “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, “Santa Cruz”, and the title track. These guys don’t fuck around. Just like the Ramones, they get you in and out quick. I appreciate the efficiency.
Like most Ramonescore bands, these Californians wear their influences proudly on the sleeves of their leather jackets. Their frontman uses a Mosrite guitar to deliver a barrage of downstroked bar chords, à la Johnny Ramone. The little “whoa oh-oh-oh” bit on the album’s title track is lifted straight from Screeching Weasel’s “High School Psychopath”. And there are numerous references to classic songs and records sprinkled throughout the lyrics across this entire album. There is no shame in their game, and that’s perfectly fine by me.
Regardless of whether you enjoy this brand of pop-punk, I highly recommend checking out Just Wanna. It’s a very well produced record with fun, no-nonsense songwriting. Listen to the album below, and head over to the Pinoles’ Bandcamp page to download it.
Official Review Score:
4/5 Converse All Stars
Hello, and welcome to Record Store Spotlight; a new column here on Dying Scene dedicated to an institution almost as American as apple pie and unfettered capitalism – the record store! Today, I’ll be putting the spotlight on one of my favorite local stores, the Clearwater Record Shop. Nestled in the middle of my hometown […]
Hello, and welcome to Record Store Spotlight; a new column here on Dying Scene dedicated to an institution almost as American as apple pie and unfettered capitalism – the record store!
Today, I’ll be putting the spotlight on one of my favorite local stores, the Clearwater Record Shop. Nestled in the middle of my hometown (a city most well known for being home to the Church of Scientology’s headquarters), the Clearwater Record Shop sets itself apart from other record stores with its heavy focus on used music. Rather than relying on distributors to supply new releases, owner Casey Brown has spent years building his inventory one record collection acquisition at a time. The store which spans two interconnected warehouse spaces boasts one of the most expansive selections of used CDs I’ve ever seen. Every time I visit, I leave with a stack of jewel cases a few feet high. It’s easy to get carried away when you’re met with hundreds of bins overflowing with discs, the majority of which are just $3.75 each (or six for $20!).
Sure, it’s hard to beat the ease and convenience of shopping online. But the Clearwater Record Shop goes toe to toe with Discogs prices, and I find that most of the time, they come out ahead. Also, I’ve yet to find a more enjoyable way to kill a few hours on my day off than thumbing through thousands of records and CDs, searching for worthy additions to my collection. It’s a visceral experience that can’t be matched by browsing an online marketplace. Finding a record like The Clash’s Combat Rock for $15, and not having to wait an eternity for USPS to deliver it is icing on the cake. My only complaint about this store is that the selection is literally overwhelming. If you’re on a budget, you might have to get a little picky as your stack grows taller.
In the cooler months (yes, we sometimes have those here in Florida), the Clearwater Record Shop acts as a host to monthly swap meets. Local record collectors and vendors are invited to set up tables in the parking lot to sell their wares. These events serve as a great meeting place for the community, and are a highlight of winter and spring for me. The first time we attended, I grabbed a few LPs, including the Buzzcocks’ A Different Kind of Tension ($10) and Billy Joel’s Songs in the Attic ($5), along with a bunch of dollar bin CDs by the likes of the Ramones, Ozzy, and Megadeth.
It’s always a fun time shopping at this store. Casey is very personable and has created something really special here. The store has a unique, inviting old school atmosphere. The selection is great, and the prices are fair. Your dollar goes a lot further here than it does at most record stores.
If you ever find yourself in the Tampa Bay area, I highly recommend stopping by the Clearwater Record Shop. With two air conditioned warehouses packed to the rafters with nothing but music, music, and even more music, you’re bound to stumble upon something that suits your fancy. Or, if you lack self control like me, you’ll probably leave with a mountain of stuff that suits your fancy.
For more info, check out the store’s website, and follow them on Instagram.
Do you have a favorite local record store you’d like to let everyone know about? Of course you do! Hit us up on Facebook or Instagram and submit your own Record Store Spotlight. The more the merrier!
Florida men are usually in the news for all the wrong reasons. Whether they’re getting high on bath salts and eating a homeless person’s face off, being arrested for drunk driving on a Segway, or stealing a cop car while butt-ass naked, Florida men are always up to something. Their latest venture? Joining forces to […]
Florida men are usually in the news for all the wrong reasons. Whether they’re getting high on bath salts and eating a homeless person’s face off, being arrested for drunk driving on a Segway, or stealing a cop car while butt-ass naked, Florida men are always up to something. Their latest venture? Joining forces to start a band and release a fucking awesome album of loud, fast, snotty, pop-tinged punk rock. One small caveat: these guys aren’t actually from the Sunshine State, they’re Dutchmen. But, as a native Floridian, I accept them as one of my own.
Florida Men (the band) features members of Sun-0-Bathers and Drunktank, among others. Their twelve song debut album clocks in at under 20 minutes, delivering really fun, short bursts of melodic pop-punk, fueled by a barrage of Johnny Ramone style buzzsaw downstrokes. There’s a liberal application of the earwormy “nursery rhyme” style lead guitar parts popularized in the 90’s by The Queers and Screeching Weasel, paired with the frantic pace of bands like DeeCracks, Teenage Bottlerocket, and The Manges.
All of the songs are great, but some of my favorites include “Better Safe than Sober”, “Tiki Bar”, “Greatest of All Time”, and “No Fit”. The subject matter ranges from getting cheated on by your trailer trash girlfriend who has face tattoos and a tramp stamp, to getting drunk at a Tiki bar after nobody came to your band’s show. I must say, for a bunch of Dutchmen, these guys sure know a lot about… Florida stuff.
For old school pop-punk fans, I’d consider this “easy listening”. It’s a quick blast of fun, catchy songs. All the hallmarks of the genre are here, but these guys do “pop-punk by the numbers” way better than a lot of other bands. The singing, playing, and production are all on point. Florida Men made a really, really good album that would serve as the perfect soundtrack to any felonious acts you may want to commit.
It’s a fuckin’ bargain, too! Morning Wood Records is selling the digital version for just two bucks, and the CD can be had for the low price of five freedom dollars. Shipping to the United States (more specifically Florida) is another issue, but it’s still quite reasonable. Buy, buy, buy!!!