Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

I know I already posted this... but Blogger took it down because they got a DMCA take down notice... which makes no fucking sense since I did not post any songs off the album (I had a song off of an old Rise Against album on Fat Wreck)... which leads me to believe that it was taken down because it's a less than favorable review. So Interscope Records: Fuck off, you have no jurisdiction.

Rise Against used to be one of the most prominent, promising melodic hardcore bands and one of my personal favorites... These days, Rise Against are one of the most prominent Nickleback / Thrice cover band around.

It's a shame too, because I had such high hopes for "Appeal To Reason". Sure, "Siren Songs of the Counter Culture" sucked, but the following "The Sufferer and the Witness" was a step in the right direction. Now with "Appeal to Reason", the band ran straight to the jail of the mediocre without passing 'Go' or collecting $200 dollars.

Rise Against used their try and true tactic of opening the album with a strong track (rather similar to some slower "Revolutions Per Minute", and then launches into 44 minutes of watered down, over produced, washed up music I've ever heard.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few songs on here that aren't half bad (like "The Dirt Whispered", it's a very good Blink 182 song), but 90% of the album is boring, run of the mill filler. Even the songs that resemble older material seem to just lack the balls-off-the-wall bite that Rise Against used to have.

The biggest problem is that Rise Against just tries to be hard to be radio-friendly... and succeeds. Take "Kotov Syndrome" for example: a pretty solid Rise Against song that is instantly ruined by a teeny-bopper breakdown that will have every Hot Topic kid pogo-ing along to.

Mediocre, boring, and stripped of all energy, Appeal to Reason pretty much sums up the MTV friendly path that the band has taken*. And to the line take from the song "From Heads Unworthy" ("I'm not after fame and fortune/I'm after you"), I'm going to have to call bullshit.

Disclaimer: Since I'm sure I'll otherwise get a bunch of comments telling me to stop caring about how big a band gets, let me just say: I don't. It's one thing to get big by making solid music (see: Protest the Hero, Bouncing Souls), and it's completely another to just water yourself down to get on the #3 spot of the Billboards Top 200 albums.

Housewives World Tour!!!: Philadelphia

Photo taken by Matt Simansky

Well, Philly is going completely bonkers after winning the world series last night, so I figure Philly is the perfect spot to kick off the newest series: Housewives World Tour!!!

In Housewives World Tour, I'll be showcasing my favorite bands from select cities, states, countries, and tribes!

Besides the liberty bell and having sports teams that (usually) suck, Philly is probably best known for it's quirky punk rock music (Dead Milkmen, Atom and his Package), and it's copious amounts of melodic hardcore bands. Come visit me in my current town, and let's rock out like it's 1776!

MP3:
Atom and his Package - Philadelphia
Paint it Black - White Kids Dying of Hunger
Kid Dynamite - Pits & Poisoned Apples
None More Black - 10 Ton Jiggawatts
Low Budgets - Stupid Dead Kitty
Armalite - Dan's Hands Melt
Mischief Brew - Gimme Coffee, or Death

Also check out:
Low Budgets - Leave Us Alone
Snowshoe BBQ!
Paint it Black Street Show!

Buy:
interpunk

Higher Giant (ex. Grey Area, Kid Dynamite, Token Entry) Posts New Music

I usually don't put news items up, but this was rather exciting, as I've been listening to a lot of Grey Area lately...

Higher Giant finally posted some music (5 songs!) on their myspace page (I've been waiting forever). Go check it out if you like melodic punk rock.

Their Myspace:
Higher Giant

Also Read:
Higher Giant Live In Philly Review
Grey Area
Kid Dynamite

Bad Brains - Rock For Light (For fans of Minor Threat, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks)

I’ll be quite frank with all of you: Bad Brain’s “Rock For Light” is one of the greatest hardcore albums EVER in the history of the world (although I’ve heard that the ancient Egyptians knew how to throwdown.)

Hailing from DC, many have made the argument that these Rastafarian punk rockers were the godfathers of hardcore music (of course this was back in the day when hardcore was taking a punk song and playing it even faster), and they'd be right. Vocalist HR is all over the dynamic range, hitting pitches that a crack fiend being attacked by pack of rabid flying squirrels would have trouble hitting.

Now there are a few quirks about this re-issue that fans should know about. First off, the original was only on vinyl, and when they transferred it to compact disc (haha rememeber when those were a novel invention?), the producers decided it would be a really good idea to speed up the songs by 5% and increase the pitch by a half-step (because apparently Bad Brains doesn't play fast enough... right). This won't matter to the average listener, but all you vinyl nerds (and I know you're out there) may have some qualms with the album.

A must in every punk fan's collection.

More Articles To Bleed To:

Minor Threat

Christ On Parade (80s punk rock for fans of MDC)

The Adolescents

The Circle Jerks

Buy:
Interpunk

An Ode To Friends (Homecoming 08)

So I just got back from my homecoming at my college (where the housewives began), down in good ole Fredericksburg VA, and it was completely siiiick. Went to two shows down there (Flobots and Fburg locals The Trasmitters), and both were pretty damn good. I was able to avoid all the college sport games (not so hard to do when your school doesn't have a football team), and So this one goes out to all my bros and sistas.... yo.


MP3:
Static Radio NJ - Won't Sleep
Groovie Ghoulies - Til Death Do Us Party
Atom and His Package - Before My Friends Do
Municipal Waste - The Art Of Partying
Bigwig - Friends
Bouncing Souls - Manthem
Lagwagon - To All My Friends

Also Check Out:
A House Full of Friends Compilation
Four Square, Speeding Tickets, and West Virginia'
Homecoming 07

Buy:
Static Radio NJ
Bigwig
Bouncing Souls
Atom
Lagwagon

La Dispute - Somewhere At The Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair (For fans of Thursday, Glassjaw, Everytime I Die)

Finally, some post hardcore that you can listen to without having to completely raid your little sister's closet looking for her jeans to wear!

La Dispute isn't your typical screamo band (I wouldn't be posting this if they were... god I hate that genre*): first off, vocalist Jordan delivers his stream of consciousness lyrics in an almost hip hop/slam poetry fashion (well, assuming they yell a lot) without sounding (overly) whiney.

Musically, the band is able to avoid most cliches of post hardcore by keeping the screaming influences to a minimum. Sure those oh so emotional arpeggios are there, but so is the occassional thrash/jazz fusion breakdown.

Obviously, if you're into this genre, you'll eat it up, but even if you're a bitter punk fan like myself, you may be pleasantly surprised... I know that La Dispute has been a constant in my rotation.

*Note: Some would say that I seem overly negative about screamo, and they'd be absolutely correct. Let me just say: try growing up in New Jersey as a bored teenager about 6 years ago, seeing all your favorite bands shows cancelled (I'll post on this story soon, it's pretty ridiculious) to make room for such groundbreaking bands like "Taking Back Sunday". Let's just say, I'd pick up a calculator in math class, and written on the screen would be some "From Autumn to Ashes" lyrics...
MP3:
La Dispute - Such Small Hands
La Dispute - The Castle Builders

Also Check Out These Hot Housewive Articles:
Braindead (Heavy as shit hardcore)
Embrace (Something about some dude from Fugazi and Minor Threat)
Fugazi vs Atom and His Package (moronic ramblings x3)

Pre-Order on No Sleep Records:
Pre-Order

Show Review: Teenage Bottlerocket (10/21/08 in Philly)

Seeing Teenage Bottlerocket in a small (non-alcoholic) bar on a chilly Tuesday night? That means there won't be a lot of people... that means fuck yes.

Let's get the one negative thing about the show out of the way right now: it was too loud. I don't mean it in an old person way, I mean people were covering their ears, asking the sound guy to lower it, stuffing paper towels in their ears... The venue was really narrow and the sound guy was all the way in the back (he did a really good job with keeping the instruments leveled though).

What Happened?
I got to the relatively empty JC Dobbs right as locals What Happened? were finishing up their last few songs. Unfortunately, I didn't see enough to give a detailed review, but they seemed pretty solid, and appeared to be having a blast on stage.

The Mad Splatter
Besides having a kickass band name, The Mad Splatter also completely ripped it live. Another Philly local, The Mad Splatters played pop punk in the veins of... well... Teenage Bottlerocket and The Ramones. There is surprisingly a lot you can do with those 3 chords.

Bednarik
Bednarik was up next, and it was obvious that the crowd was ready to see some Bottlerocket action. Bednarik perservered though with their tight playing and hilarious topics (ex: "This song is about how you don't pick up many girls when you look like a fat Jesus like I do"). They kept poking fun at themselves ("Every other band here is sooo much better than us... We have nothing to bring to the table...we're like the jiz moppers at a porno shoot.") But regardless, they played a solid set.

Teenage Bottlerocket
Finally, Teenage Bottlerocket took the stage and played their hearts out to about 30 people. Wasting no time whatsoever, the band blasted into "Bottlerocket", "In The Basement", "Stupid Games" and a few more before taking their first short break. This Ramones-esque pattern continued for the rest of their set, ripping through 5-6 songs before taking a breather. Teenage Bottlerocket also treated us with a new song that hasn't been released yet (although it is recorded according to them), and let me say... it sounds SOLID.

A tight show all around, and it's always a pleasure to see Teenage Bottlerocket, but to see them in such a tiny atmosphere is just freakin awesome.

Setlist from what I can rememeber (not in order, although pretty complete)

-Bottlerocket
-In The Basement
-Stupid Games
-Crashing
-Lost In Space
-Go Away
-She's Not The One
-Totally Stupid
-Social Life
-Radio
-New Song
-Blood Bath at Burger King
-Be Stag
-Repeat Offender
-Pacemaker
-On My Own
-Gave You My Heart
-Fall For Me

MP3:
Teenage Bottlerocket - Fall For Me
Teenage Bottlerocket - Be Stag

Be Cool! Also Read:
Teenage Bottlerocket/Broadway Calls Split
The Soviettes LP I
The Copyrights
Teenage Bottlerocket w/The Copyrights show review
Teenage Bottlerocket - Warning Device

Buy:
Teenage Bottlerocket

Bankrupt (Hungarian Punk Rock For fans of Satanic Surfers, The Peacocks, NOFX)

Skate punk is a pretty limited genre. All too often, bands will completely emulate their contemporaries as opposed to pulling some influences, which when listening to, leads me to say things like "Gee, I should really shut this off and just listen to some Deviates".

Hungary's Bankrupt is able to avoid this problem by pulling in influences from a variety of bands. Sure, the melodic 90s skate punk you'd find in a So-Cal band is there, but then all of a sudden you're hit with a pyschobilly guitar riff.

While relatively unknown here in the States, these Budapest punk rockers aren't newbies. Playing for nearly 12 years together and touring all over the world, Bankrupt has developed into their own sound, successfully blending all of their influences and delivering an onslaught of catchy punk rock.

MP3:
Bankrupt - Baby's Got The Bird Flu
Bankrupt - Straight Outta Graceland

A (housewive) article a day keeps crappy pop away:
The Vandals
NOFX
SNFU
Greedy Guts

Buy:
Bankrupt Myspace

Boston Sucks

Last night I was pretty damn bored, and actually watched the baseball game (really rare for me to do...like once every few years). Aaaaand... why not have some songs about my rare experience to kick off Monday morning?

MP3:
Smoke or Fire - Goodbye to Boston
Mustard Plug - Ballpark Skank

Buy:
Smoke or Fire
Mustard Plug

Dillinger Four - C I V I L W A R (For fans of NOFX, Soviettes)

Six Years... Six long, Siberian winter years! Think back to where you were six years ago and all that has happened in the time (Kerry was up for election, Michael Jackson is arrested AGAIN, ska gets huge again... or not), and then realize that it was then that Dillinger Four released their last album. I'm a huge D4 fan, and the past few years have been pretty rough.

So is C I V I L W A R the treasure created by 6 long years of pure genius and non-stop toil? The answer to that is not only no, but a huge no fucking way. D4 admitted that all the songs were written within the past years, and knowing D4, some were probably cranked out a week before recording. Obviously they have not read "7 Effective Habits of Highly Motivated People" in all fairness, neither have I, and I pray you haven't either).

What about C I V I L W A R itself? Well, it's a grower. It took me at least seven spins before I warmed up to the album. The songs are noticeably poppier, and Paddy barely sings at all on this record. The sound is more polished, which took me a while to get used to.

Unless you're driven by pure hype like those kids at punknews.org, it's probably going to take a while for you to be sold on the new D4. I'll break down my experience:

1st spin: What the fuck?! D4! What have you done? Get this poppy shit off!
2nd spin: Wow, this lacks the energy of their previous releases.
3rd spin: I could fall asleep to this album.
4th spin: Eh... It's like an average cupcake, not the greatest you've ever eaten, but hey... it's a
cupcake.
5th spin: Still not top notch D4... but still better than most crap that's out there.
6th spin: Just as good as any D4 album (ok. it's no "Versus God")
7th spin: Ok, I'm sold.

So... yeah, if you're not sold on the first spin, give it a chance... haters.

MP3:
Dillinger Four - Like Eye Contact In An Elevator
Dillinger Four - Minimum Wage is a Gateway Drug

If You Want To Live... Read:
The Vandals - Live Fast Diarrhea
Against Against
NOFX - War On Errorism
The Soviettes

Buy:
Fat Wreck

The Circle Jerks- Group Sex

By the time you're done reading this sentence, you probably could have finished listening to the Circle Jerks "Group Sex" (assuming you got distracted halfway through the sentence to go play The Sand Game).

Finishing in just under 16 minutes, "Group Sex" is a classic that probably doesn't need any introduction. Released in 1980, the Circle Jerks blaze through "Group Sex" with furious (yet melodic) hardcore punk rock.

A classic that should be part of everyone's collection.

MP3:
Circle Jerks - Live Fast Die Young
Circle Jerks - Don't Care

Also Read:
The Steal
Best 20 Songs that Finish Under 35 Seconds
The Adolescents
The Most Uncomfortable Interview Ever (with Henry Rollins)

Buy:
Official Site

Good Clean Fun - Between Christian Rock and A Hard Place (For fans of 7 Seconds, Gorilla Biscuits, Youth Of Today)

It amazes me that some people don't get Good Clean Fun, let alone some overly serious hardcore kids take offense to the band. "How dare they make a mockery of the sacred ground of hardcore! I'm going to practice my judo with my crew now."

Known for poking fun at every cliche that hardcore (and goths, and punk, and everything else in life) has become, DC's Good Clean Fun re-union album "Between Christian Rock and a Hard Place" was relatively low key when it was released in 2006, but any fan of old school hardcore or anyone who needs a breathe of fresh air from the all too serious genre of hardcore should pick this up.

MP3:
Good Clean Fun - A Little Bit Emo, A Little Bit Hardcore
Good Clean Fun - Between Christian Rock and A Hard Place

Good (Semi) Clean Fun Articles:
The Steal
Good Clean Fun Haiku
Braindead

Buy:
Good Clean Fun

Happy White Imperialistic Assho... err... Columbus Day!

It amazes me that anyone actually celebrates Columbus Day (and I'm Italian too...)

Oh well, hope you all conquer a small country and nearly wipe out an entire tribe in honor of today!

MP3:
Crucial Unit - Columbus Fest is a Celebration of Genocide

Buy:
Crucial Unit

Top 15 Songs about that evil, satanic device known as the radio.

A friend and I had a punk rock radio show back when we were in college. We had a total of two listeners... Me and him (and not always either... seriously). Like most music snobs, I completely hate the radio (but like parenthesis). For some reason, punk bands like to sing about the radio quuuiite a bit, I'm guessing it's a Sylvester-Tweety bird situation. Pursue it, but you're never going to get it.

Nonetheless, without further ado, here are the 15 greatest punk songs about the radio (since they'll never be on there).

15. The Ataris – The Radio Still Sucks

Back when I used the cd player in my car, I put the default station to A.M static so I didn’t have to hear any crap for the 15 seconds it took to switch cds. Yes, I am better than you.

14. Authority Zero – Mexican Radio

An amazing cover, yet why doesn’t anyone sing about being on a Canadian Radio…

eh?

13. Against All Authority – Radio Waves

Remember when ska was once on the radio? Thank god that’s over. Probably the only thing both I and everyone who hates ska can agree with. Nothing worse then a bunch of 11 years old telling everyone that Reel Big Fish invented ska.

12. The Arrogant Sons of Bitches – Radio Single

With a chorus that yells “I can’t wait to be a rockstar so I can do lots of drugs”, I’m pretty sure that if A.S.O.B were still around, they’d be on their way to stardom right now.

11. Ramones – Do You Remember Rock’ n Roll Radio

Nope. Just the sweet sound of AM static.

10. Leftover Crack – Clear Channel (Fuck Off)

Not completely about radio, but since Clear Channel does own about like 99.999999%of all radio stations (and tv, advertising, your mom’s soul)…

9. Rancid - Radio Havana

Great, now we have Cuban radio… where the hell is that damn Canadian radio?!

8. NOFX – Please Play This Song On The Radio

Nine years ago, this song always used to crack me up… seeing as I have matured quite a bit, I still crack up when listening to this song.

7. Rancid – Radio

What station did they find that gives them so much bliss? (clue: It probably only had “And Out Come the Wolves” on rotation).

6. Blanks 77 – Radio Hits

...And is arrested for assault.

5. Bouncing Souls – Sing Along Forever

I’m going to need a lot of Fisherman’s Friend then…

4. Bouncing Souls – Private Radio

2 Souls songs back to back? This list is FIXED!

3. Osker – Radio

Wow, I remember listening to this song during my (more) angsty days, walking around my campus at 3 am. Ahh the memories.

2. Teenage Bottlerocket – Radio

Man… those three chords. Hooked everytime.

1. Dillinger Four – O.K.F.M.D.O.A

COME ON!

More Lists. Everyone likes lists:

Top 5 Most Overrated Bands of all time

Best 4 Stand Up Comedians

5 Greatest Acoustic Songs (although... I did forget one very important one)

Best 20 Songs that finish under 35 Seconds

Greatest 5 Punk Songs By Bands You've Never Heard Of

Buy:
Interpunk.com

Rollo Tomassi (For fans of HORSE the Band, Some Girls, Dillinger Escape Plan)

Waaaaait a second... you're telling me that this blood curling screaming in UK's Rolo Tomassi is NOT a banshee being beaten with a wire coat hanger, but is actually human? And then you're going to tell me it's a girl doing all this? I think I need to lie down.

The experimental music could best be described as somewhere between heavy hardcore and an orgy in the 8th layer of hell. While I couldn't really get into some of their more experimental songs, the majority of their debut "Hysterics" (released just last month) is really creepy hardcore. Taking cues from Horse the Band and Converge, Rolo Tomassi is definitely a promising act, and the fact that the average age for the members is 18 years old, just goes to show the potential they have.

MP3:
Rolo Tomassi - Abraxas
Rolo Tomassi - I Love Turbulance

DIY Break Your Own Skull:
Witch Hunt
Disfear
Raised Fist

Buy:
Hassle Records

Presidential Debates Are Bullshit

Ok, I usually don't make political posts, but last night I watched some of the debates, and learned something: Complete contrived, saturated, bullshit... Both McCain and Obama.

I had to turn the debate off in disgust. They don't even let these candidates debate, it's just them stating their stance on a few planted, pre-approved questions that a third grader could answer. Asking Obama "if health insurance should be a commodity" is like asking a porn star if they believe in censorship. Anytime the candidates would even attempt to start a real debate, the moderator cuts them off.

My solution? Let's do it like a townhouse meeting those crazy British folks love. Have anyone ask any question they want, without being "pre-approved".

We need people to call these candidates out on their crap: McCain is against net neutrality, so bye bye non-corporate websites (including Housewives). Obama preaches about how he and Congress will work together, but what the fuck have the Democrats done since being put into office in 2006 (well... besides give banks 700 billion dollars... so the banks can keep charging us their exuberhant interest rates).

The list could go on all day calling them out on their bullshit (both are against lobbyists... yet have over millions in donations from them).

Man I miss Kucinich...

I'm curious... what would you ask the candidates?

MP3:
Clit 45 - Bullshitfucking Waste of Time
Raised Fist - Twisted Debate
Armalite - When Nice People Think Dumb Things, Attack, Vote
Paint It Black - Election Day
Against All Authority - Conditioning
Propagandhi - Bullshit Politicians
The Contrary - Bullshit Politics

Buy:
Interpunk

Witch Hunt - Blood Red States (For fans of Aus-Rotten, Behind Enemy Lines, From Ashes Rise)

The only remedy for cold mornings like today is a healthy dose of crust punk (although I hear blankets and jackets work pretty well too). My drug of choice today? Philly's own Witch Hunt (or Philly's adopted Witch Hunt to be more exact, I believe they were originally from the far superior land of New Jersey).

Heavy as shit shredding guitars, trade-off dude/gal brutal ass vocals, and socio-political intelligent lyrics... Blood Red States was made for days like today. Playing punk/hardcore in the veins of Aus-Rotten and From Ashes Rise, Witch Hunt will definitely satsify your thirst for crust.

MP3:
Witch Hunt - Twenty Five
Witch Hunt - Obscenity

Daily Dose of Crust Articles:
Aus Rotten
From Ashes Rise
Disfear - Live the Storm
Action
Raised Fist

Buy:
Witch Hunt

World Inferno Friendship Society - East Coast Super Sound Punk Of Today! (For fans of Gogol Bordello, Mischief Brew)

No band has ever been able to balance the oh so delicate brashness of punk rock, the sporadic beat of gypsy folk, and the complete balls off the walls showmanship of cabaret quite as well as World Inferno Friendship Society.

East Coast Super Sounds of Today opens with possibly the most heart-wrenching World Inferno song ever made (Tattoos Fade), and then dives straight into the cheery beat of Models and Mannequins.

ECSSOT leans more towards World Inferno's gypsy/cabaret roots so fans of punk who've never heard anything by them may want to start with an album such as Red Eyed Soul, but definitely a gem for us fans*.

*Super fans... notice how I didn't use the word "Infernites". Anyone who refers to themselves as an "infernite" is a dick.

MP3:
World Inferno Friendship Society - Models and Mannequins
World Inferno Friendship Society - Tattoos Fade

World Class Articles That You Will Read:
Red Eyed Soul
World Inferno Friendship Society - Addicted to Bad Ideas
World Inferno Friendship Society - Just The Best Party
Mischief Brew


Buy:
Amazon

Smoke or Fire w/Static Radio, Far From Finished (Philly 10/3/08)

Figures. Two bands that I like are playing on the same day. I could either see Smoke or Fire, or Star Fucking Hipsters. On account I like Smoke or Fire better, and that Static Radio was also on the bill, I opted for Smoke or Fire. I think I made the right choice.

First thing I noticed about the Fire (the unassuming dive in North Philly) was how god damn tiny the place was. Seriously. Put 50 people in there, and it suddenly feels like a slave ship up in that piece. Once the opener "Stay Sharp" started, there were about 15 people watching.

Stay Sharp

Philly melodic hardcore taking cues from Kid Dynamite and The Steal. They played a short, tight set, and were obviously having a blast on stage while doing it, besides the fact that they were having some sound problems.

9:18

Jersey punk band that doesn't believe in breaks between songs. The crowd swelled to a whopping... 17 when these kids came out, who's music could be described as awesome punk rock with some sick guitar solos. Good music, but the band didn't really seem to be enjoying themselves on stage at all, which makes me ask, what's the point of playing if you're not having fun?

Static Radio

I've read many comments and reviews that claim that Static Radio is disappointing live. Let me say: I don't know what the fuck these people are smoking. Static Radio completely killed it up there, playing an energetic set for the tiny, unresponsive crowd (well, except for me and one other dude, who were shouting along to every song.) If they come around, definitely check Static Radio out, highly underrated. Highlights of their setlist:

-Marc
-Bothered
-Green Hoodie
-Places
-Wake Up
-Who's Laughing Now
-One For The Good Guys

Far From Finished

These Boston punk rockers had by far the largest reaction of the night. The band was on top of shit and energetic, with their frontman constantly jumping in the crowds and climbing the bar along the wall, making a face that would make Popeye cringe as he shouted along to the U.S Bombs and Street Dogs influenced punk rock.

Smoke or Fire

Ok, by this point, I was really itching to hear some Smoke or Fire already goddammit. The fact that I was seeing them in an incredible intimate (read: tiny), enviroment just added to my stoked-ness.

Kicking straight into Melatonin (an odd choice for an opener in my opinion), Smoke or Fire didn't really relent for the rest of the night... well except for the drunk bassist (who's birthday it happened to be) who felt it necassary to grab the singer's ass (to which he replied everytime: "I fucking hate you, you fucking scum bag!")

While it sucked that the setlist got cut short (probably because it was an all age show, although no one under 21 was there), I couldn't have asked for a better setlist. The played all my favorites.

Setlist (in order):
-Melatonin
-Cops and Drugs
-Culture as Given
-Irish Handcuffs
-What Seperates Us All
-Filter
-Delawhere
-The Patty Hearst Syndrome
-Fire Escapes
-Southpaw
-I'll Be Gone
-Cryin' Shame
-Little Bohemia
-California's Burning

MP3:
Static Radio NJ - Who's Laughing Now
Smoke or Fire - Southpaw

Also check out these awesome articles... or we'll murder your children:
Smoke or Fire - Above the City
Static Radio NJ - An Evening of Bad Decisions
Static Radio NJ - One For The Good Guys EP
Fifth Hour Hero
The Steal
Kid Dynamite and the art of moshing everywhere

Buy:
Smoke or Fire
Far From Finished
Static Radio NJ
9:18
Stay Sharp

Books, Now With Words!

I love it when artists use literary references in their work. I can just imagine Woody Guthrie sitting on a train thumbing through a copy of The Grapes of Wrath, John Darnielle boning up on his Beowulf or MC Lars donning his monocle to recite some Poe...

Anyone out there have any other favorite literary illusions in songs?

A Pict Song- Billy Brag (A Pict Song, Rudyard Kipling)

Tom Joad Part 1- Woody Guthrie (The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck)
Tom Joad Part 2- Woody Guthrie

Song for Myla Goldberg- The Decemberists (Bee Season, Myla Goldberg)

Grenel's Mother- The Mountain Goats (Beowulf, Anonymous)

No Joy in Muddville- Death Cab for Cutie (Casey at the Bat, Ernest Thayer)

Popular- Nada Surf (Penny's Guide to Teen-Age Charm and Popularity, Gloria Winters)

Mr. Raven- MC Lars (The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe)

Wildcard- Pennywise (The name Pennywise comes from a character in It, Steven King)

Lullaby- Lagwagon (Lullaby, Chuck Palahniuk)


Buy: Billy Brag, Woody Guthrie, The Decemberists, The Mountain Goats, Death Cab for Cutie, Nada Surf, MC Lars, Pennywise, Lagwagon

Moby Starts Punk Band

In light of Sasha's latest post making fun of punk (which is well deserved... I think I bashed indie at least 323 times in her absence), Moby has started a punk rock band.

Also: Smoke or Fire show review on it's way.

Against Against

Ok so I'll admit I haven't been on top of my game these past few days.. weeks... months....

But for gosh sakes I didn't think if I left, the Housewives would be completely taken over by haters. It seems like every time I click over here I see people shit talking some of my favorite bands; Radiohead, Chin Up Chin Up, Man Man.

I guess I'm not surprised to see a punk rocker writing against repetition. After all punks seem to be against alot of things, Against All Authority, I Against I, Against Me, Rise Against.

MP3:
Chin Up Chin Up- Got to Keep Running
Man Man- Whalebones

Buy:
Radiohead, Chin Up Chin Up, Man Man

Protest The Hero Show Review (Live In Philly)

I could not have had better timing. Protest The Hero was playing with a bunch of metal-core bands, that I don't like (Acacia Strain, Unearth, more bands that made an entire career on an open E string). I got to the show right as Acacia Strain was ending, the band right before Protest.

After the short wait, prog-metal/thrash/punk rock kings Protest The Hero got on stage and immediately dove straight into Goddess Bound. Protest definitely were on, not missing a single note (although Rody was pretty drunk), however the crowd was not getting into it at all. Oh well, more room for me to rock out.

The songs surprisingly translate well live, which I was a little worried about since their studio work tends to have heavy layered guitars. Since Protest wasn't headlining, they only played a half hour set. If they come around your area, definitely go check them out, even if you don't like any of the other bands... and if they're headlining... you lucky bastards.

Setlist (From memory, but pretty much in order)
-Goddess Bound
-Bloodmeat
-The Dissentience
-Nautical
-Sequoia Throne
-Limb From Limb
-No Stars Over Bethlehem
-Goddess Gagged

MP3:
Protest The Hero - No Stars Over Bethlehem
Protest The Hero - The Dissentience

Buy:
Protest The Hero

The Vandals - Live Fast Diarrhea (For fans of Guttermouth, Screeching Weasel, NOFX)

A few months ago, I was talking to this pretentious indie snob who told me "I can't listen to the Vandals because Live Fast Diarrhea is such a stupid name." He then proceeded to tell me how great Man Man, Chin Up Chin Up, Xiu Xiu, and Tapes n' Tapes are...then I punched him in the face (face).

Call me immature, but I think "Live Fast Diarrhea" is pure unadulterated genius, speaking to our spirits over an astral plane. The songs are fast, hilarious, and are all around a good time. My favorite release from these punk rockers, get over yourself and check it out.

MP3:
The Vandals - Johnny Two Bags
The Vandals - N.I.M.B.Y

Kids Choice Articles:
NOFX - War on Errorism
SNFU Haiku
NOFX - Punk In Drublic

Buy:
The Vandals

The Ethiopians (Old School ska / reggae for fans of Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals)

I seriously can never get enough old school ska: Desmond Dekker, Toots, you name it. The Ethiopians have been my latest weapon of mass destruction in my arsenal of easy skankin'.

Formed in Jamaica in 1966, The Ethiopians were one of the most influential rock steady bands, helping shape modern reggae (for example: their song "The Whip" was one of the first to feature percussion instrumentation).

Perfect music as us east coasters here grab on the last few days of (semi) warm weather.


Bust More Chills:
Desmond Dekker (Because Contrary Popular To Belief, No Doubt Didn't Invent Ska)
The Specials (For fans of Madness, Selecter, English Beat)
The Slackers - Self Medication
One Night Band - Hit and Run (For fans of The Slackers, Hepcat, Selecter)

Buy:
Amazon