Desmond Dekker (Because contrary to popular belief... No Doubt did not invent ska)

Sasha used to tell me this hilarious story of how people she knew believed that Sublime and No Doubt invented ska. If you ask anyone on the street who the greatest musician/group from Jamaica, 63% will tell you Bob Marley, and the other 37% will state in complete disbelief “there are other musicians from Jamaica besides Bob Marley?”

Let me tell you those 3 people I surveyed are wrong, and the greatest is Desmond Dekker… the king of ska. Practically every reggae and ska act has been influenced by Desmond Dekker in some way or another (hell, even Toots and The Mayals have a song called “Desmond Dekker Came First”).

Desmond Dekker’s music always is able to put a huge grin across my face, no matter what type of mood I am in. If you’ve never listened to Desmond Dekker before, definitely check out the original rude boy, as he’s definitely a favorite of mine (in fact, I named my cat after him.)

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Interpunk

Less Than Jake Release New Song (And It's Actually A Return To Form!)

Rejoice Less Than Jake fans! For they have returned to true form!

Less Than Jake has always been one of my favorite bands, and you can imagine how heartbroken I was when they completely abandoned their ska roots since Borders and Boundaries. So you can imagine how stoked (yet still skeptical) I was when they announced they were leaving the major label world, and releasing a “true to form” album on their own record label entitled “GNV FLA”.

They released their first song off of the album, entitled “Does The Lion City Still Roar?” and let me say… this song has more horns in it then all of “In With The Out Crowd”. I feel like I’ve just re-united with a long lost friend.

MP3:

Less Than Jake – Does The Lion City Still Roar?

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Sleep It Off Records

The Hope Conspiracy (Most Underrated Hardcore Band)

I'll always have a soft spot for The Hope Conspiracy. Besides having one of the coolest band name ever (cue flood of hipsters telling me “But it's not doubled! It should be ' Hope Conspiracy Hope Conspiracy'), they were the first modern hardcore band that I listened to.

I was always a fan of old school hardcore such as Circle Jerks, Gorilla Biscuits and Minor Threat, but shunned the modern hardcore scene since it seemed like tough guy metal Hatebreed type shit or post-hardcore emo influenced Glassjaw type music. The Hope Conspiracy was my breath of fresh air that opened the doors to hardcore for me.

Similar in style to contemporaries Give Up The Ghost (*cough* American Nightmare *cough*), they are definitely one of the most underrated hardcore bands out there.

MP3:

The Hope Conspiracy - Fragile

The Hope Conspiracy – Vendetta

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Ruder Than You - God's Ghetto (Philly Ska Funk)

courtesy of JoyMoody Photography

For those that don’t know, Ruder Than You play old school ska-funk fusion mixed with some reggae. This Friday, they will be releasing a new EP entitled “God’s Ghetto”. Admittingly, while I am a big fan of Ruder Than You, I have been (very) behind with their releases, only owning their debut “Big Step”, until now.

As someone who is most familiar with “Big Step”, listening to “God’s Ghetto” was sort of shocking at first, since Ruder Than You incorporates so many different styles into these five songs, and toning down their old school ska sound. However, by doing this, Ruder Than You broke away from “The Slackers” type sound and blend the styles of ska, reggae, dancehall, funk, and hip hop into a sound that they could call their own.

The lyrics seem very ragga-esque in nature, and I believe that is because of the topic of the EP (life in the ghetto). Check this EP out if you’re a fan of Ruder Than You, and if you never have heard of them, then DEFINITELY check the EP out.

MP3:

Ruder Than You – God’s Ghetto

Ruder Than You – Few Dollars More

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Greedy Guts Haiku: (Some sweet French Skate Punk)

Blazing fast skate punk
Representing Toulise France
Grab your board and blades

MP3:
Greedy Guts – Creamy

Greedy Guts – Power Ups

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Good luck trying to find their albums.

Band Watch: Computerization (Electronic Indie-Pop)

Electronic indie pop. Those three words invoke visions in my mind of little hipsters bobbing back and forth to Ladytron in the back of some stuffy, overpriced club. Needless to say, I’m usually not a fan. With that being said, the new album out by Computerization completely blew me away.

Computerization is compiled (oh that’s right, dropping computer terms left and right) of just one man, Derek, who sings and makes all the beats to the songs. Sounding like the illegitimate love child between The Postal Service and Islands, but according to his bio, prefers to be thought of as a “unique snowflake”. You should probably just listen to my favorites and decide for yourself.

MP3:

Computerization – 1.14me

Computerization – Collars

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Disfear - Live The Storm

In a pissed off mood? Need to just shut the world out for a few minutes? Do I have the music for you!

Disfear’s “Live The Storm” is a blend of metal, crust, hardcore, and punk all rolled into one! Featuring the lead singer of legendary metal act “At The Gates”, Disfear hails from Sweden and sound like a mix between “Discharge” and “Strapping Young Lad”.

I haven’t been able to stop listening to them.

MP3:

Disfear – Testament

Disfear – Get it Off

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Relapse Records

The Low Budgets - Leave Us A Loan

The name of The Low Budget's latest album (ooook, so it came out a while ago, but I know a bunch of you missed it... shame on you!) "Leave Us A Loan" is pretty much the story of my life right now.

In between the clever puns lies a laid back punk album that sounds like the three way love child of Atom and His Package, The Descendents., and of course.... The Dead Milkmen (Joe from Dead Milkmen is in The Low Budgets).

For those already familiar with The Low Budgets, this album is more raw than their previous work, and while the happy sing-alongs are still there (see "Craft Fair"), you'll find much more rockage on Leave Us A Loan.

MP3:
Low Budgets - Craft Fair
Low Budgets - Breathing Kiel

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Chunksaah

The Bouncing Souls "Worst" album.

“The Bouncing Souls ‘Self Titled’ is the worst album that the Souls ever released” seems to be the general consensus among fans. Even Greg the lead singer claimed in an interview once that the album seems unfinished (has a lot to be desired).

I wholeheartedly disagree with these accusations, probably because I have such a soft spot for the album (it was my first Souls record way back nearly 8 or 9 years ago as a awkward high school kid).

Sure, everyone loves the hits off the self-titled (ECFU, Kate is Great), but here’s a tribute to the lesser known, but just as amazing (if not more) songs off of the record that got me into the Souls.

Here's to the memories.

Mp3:

Bouncing Souls – Low Life

Bouncing Souls – Serenity

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Mix for a Warm Night

MP3: The Mountain Goats- We Were Patriots
MP3: Sufjan Stevens- The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
MP3: Belle and Sebastian- Fuck This Shit

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Streelight Manifesto in Philly 5/2/08 Review

On Friday night, I went out with a friend to the Trocadero to catch one of my favorite ska bands, Streetlight Manifesto. The place was pretty crowded, and with a decently young crowd (you know you're the old one there when kids keep coming up to you asking if you will buy some beer for them).

Dan Potthast
For those that don't know, Dan Potthast is the frontman of the long-running ska band Mu-330, but this time, it was just him and an acoustic guitar. I've never seen such energy for a man with an acoustic guitar, but the second he broke out into his opening ska song, a pit opened up. His set was witty, energetic, and an all around good time. If he's in your area, definitely go to the show.

Zox
Self described as an indie/pop band, they didn't really do it for me. Although their violinist was really good. The crowd seemed to dig the band, as there was a pit for most of their set. Definitely did have some catchy songs.

Streetlight Manifesto
I was a little nervous about seeing them, on account that they mentioned they'd be playing more off of "Numb" due to injuries, and quite frankly, I've been itching to hear some newer material. The entire crowd was a pit during the entire set, with a few skank circles in the back (where I was). They played a decent amount off of all their albums, and even played a ska verson of NOFX's Linoleum for good measure. Thomas seemed more connected to the crowd than usual, bantering for quite some time (as he has a reputation of just playing, and that's it).

It was the best I've seen Streetlight for nearly 3 years.

Setlist (from what I could remember, not in order)
-Down Down Down to Mephisto's Cafe
-We Will Fall Together
-Would You Be Impressed
-Watch it Crash
-Somewhere in the Between
-Forty Days
-Everything Went Numb
-Point Counter Point
-That'll Be the Day
-A Better Place, A Better Time
-Failing, Flailing
-Here's To Life
-Dear Sergio
-Keasby Nights
-Linoleum (NOFX Cover)

MP3:
Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between

Buy:
Streetlight Manifesto
Zox
Dan Potthast

Sick

I was going to write a review of the Streetlight Manifesto show that I recently went to, but I got sick and don't feel like writing it today. This is for everyone else who's greatest enemy is a tree's reproductive method.

MP3:
None More Black - Genuine Malaise and Misery

Buy:
None More Black

Rabbit Rabbit!

I don’t know if anyone remembers, but back in the day, Nickelodeon used to urge kids to say “rabbit rabbit” as the first two words uttered for the month for good luck. (Is this where the belief that it’s “cool” to have your indie band name repeated: Man Man, Tapes N’ Tapes, Action Action, Chin Up Chin Up… That’s right, your scene was founded on Nickelodeon... or 13th century England.)

Well, some 120 months later, I FINALLY remembered to say “rabbit rabbit” yesterday. So here’s a tribute to anyone else that remembered (or actually care what Nickelodeon says to do 10 years ago.)

MP3:

Horse the Band – Bunnies

Big D and The Kids Table – Good Luck

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Big D

Horse The Band