-NFT RECORD REVIEWS 2006-

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2ND DISTRICT - ‘EMOTIONAL SUICIDE’ CD
This is THE most important punk rock band of the last decade... ’Don’t Mess With The Hard Punx’ is my record of the decade hands down... I just can not believe that record still even after listening to it almost every day for the past 2 years. It would’ve been too much to ask for ‘Emotional Suicide’ to reach the levels of that awesome album but, shit, it’s not amazingly far off. These guys have just got it. The way in which they merge pop, glam and punk is unrivalled. By a long way. They have created a sound that truly is their own, and you hear that shit so much that a band has a exclusive sound and it’s never true but these guys do! The ‘Young and Disorderly’ limited 7” came out earlier this year on Drunk N Roll Records and that was the first taste of this new sound and new line-up (hence the 2nd in the band name), and shit did it excite me and get me ready for this new full-length. I instantly fell in love with this record because it’s new DISTRICT and it was always going to be great. It is different to ‘Don’t Mess...’ but not in a bad way at all, and in fact I like that it’s quite different because it elevates that record to an even higher level. Nothing will ever touch ‘Don’t Mess With The Hard Punx’ maybe even in my lifetime so that’s where I’d say to begin with the DISTRICT, but this is a great record and you need to get everything you possibly can by these guys.
I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records
www.peoplelikeyourecords.com

A GLOBAL THREAT - ‘WHERE THE SUN NEVER SETS’ CD
This is another band that I’m really happy to see on BYO. I was really glad when the UNSEEN joined BYO and those 2 records were the best thing they ever wrote. A GLOBAL THREAT have been around a while, working hard, and it’s great to hear them on BYO with this fuckin vicious record. 18 tracks in just over half an hour. This never slips... pure East Coast hardcore punk like only Boston does it!! I always considered A GLOBAL THREAT in a different league. They aren’t generic at all and they don’t feel put-on like so many bands do. Antagonistic and political subject matter
BYO Records
www.byorecords.com

AFS - ‘ONLY BEER CAN SAVE US NOW!’ MINI CD
A compilation of live and studio tracks. I’m really hard to convince about live recordings because I’ve heard so many that just blow, but I gotta say that the live tracks on here are the show-stealers of the CD. I really fuckin like the ‘liveness’ of this, it just works. The recording has balls and energy and fucking presence. If yer not familiar with the A.F.S. (Arthritic Foot Soldiers) sound, they mix antagonism, humor and politics with a hefty dose of old-school skate. A blend of English and American heavy punk rock. This is a cool follow up to ‘Tales Of A Drunken Generation’ and I’m just so impressed with the live stuff... cool cover art again too and further evidence that kids don’t know shit. Older punk rockers are all about it.
Voltage Records
www.voltagerecords.com

AGAINST ME! - ‘AMERICANS ABROAD!!! AGAINST ME!!! LIVE IN LONDON!!!’ CD
AGAINST ME! are the masters of transformation and re-invention. With each release they practically re-characterize themselves and their sound. Each record is like a capsule, a concept but always unmistakably AGAINST ME! and that’s the key. So in true AGAINST ME! style they have released this live album with a brand new track that is in fact the title-track ‘American’s Abroad’. Don’t be fooled in thinking that any band can release a live record. That couldn’t be further from the truth and at least 80% of live records should be melted and recycled into something better. AGAINST ME! however, are one of the very few bands that should release a live record. It’s very importannt that they did do this because this is a band that you have to feel as well as hear. The energy, originality, spontaneity and urgency and apart from being at one of their shows, a live recording is the closest thing to encapsulating that and of course, the production and authenticity to an actual live AGAINST ME! experience makes it even closer. AGAINST ME! are one of the most important contemporary punk rock bands and this is their ‘It’s Alive’ or ‘Hallraker’ or ‘Evilive’ and I truly believe it will be regarded in that calibre in years to come, and I actually feel really proud that the recording was made over here in London. A great 32 page photo booklet is included with this CD too.
Fat Wreck Chords
www.fatwreck.com

THE AGGROLITES - S/T CD
I couldn’t wait for this to come out... THE AGGROLITES were the highlights of the past two ‘Give ‘Em The Boot’ compilations and they have that fantastic sound that is so representative of early Hellcat. Dirty Reggae is the exact definition. It’s so hard to place the era of this music and that’s so great that THE AGGROLITES managed to do that. This could be from the mid 1960’s up until today... these fuckers nailed it. The voice has got so much passion and soul. It’s abrasive and smooth all at once. It's like honey gravel... you just don’t hear stuff like this anymore. The voice actually reminds me a lot of the REDSKINS and shit is that a welcome comparison and huge compliment. This is just such a kick in the balls to all those lacklustre, generic, shitty bands that can’t hold a candle to these guys... this is a lesson. Enjoy it but learn. This record has got me obsessed and hooked like crazy. I mean, amazing bands like THE SLACKERS, HEPCAT, DAVE HILLYARD ROCKSTEADY 7 etc really got the sound but THE AGGROLITES got it so deep that it’s straight from the speakers into the bloodstream. This hasn’t left my player in 3 weeks... it’s not going anytime soon. This is raw, wonderful talent and enthusiasm put on wax and hats off to the AGGROLITES for recording the record of the fuckin year.
Hellcat Records
www.hell-cat.com

GG ALLIN AND THE MURDER JUNKIES - ‘TERROR IN AMERICA’ DVD
Ahh GG, it’s always a pleasure! This DVD compiles 3 shows from the MURDER JUNKIES’ 1993 ‘Terror in America’ tour which would be GG’s last. This is the tour that was labelled, “the most violent tour in the history of Rock ‘N’ Roll” and shows a totally out of control GG. Absolutely unpredictable and very dangerous. I have seen a home video of his last show on the tour hours before GG died where he’s walking the streets blood-soaked and naked with a riotous clan of savages behind him and it’s truly intimidating viewing. The three shows on this DVD are from New Jersey, Texas and Georgia and they showcase GG at his most vicious and malicious with a total disregard for himself. Abusive from the get-go, these shows are raw and erratic and that unpredictable nature adds to the danger. It was obvious that GG wasn’t going to last much longer because he was truly out of control at this stage. Alive released a CD of this tour but when you have the visuals to go with it, the excitement and danger escalate. There truly will never be another GG ALLIN and that’s a really sad thing because he represented the free spirit of rock n’ roll rebellion. He did what he had to do no matter what and that’s why he’s so important. Sure these shows are entertaining and in a way that only GG can entertain, but more than that, they are a testament to his undying sprit and aggressive soul that no one can replace. It’s so great (and important) that MVD have released 3 great GG DVDs because he is an enormous part of American punk rock history. The bonus material on this DVD is so cool because you get to see a calmer GG at an in-store where he does some great artwork on a toilet seat for some kid and just talks to a lot of people and there’s footage of the MURDER JUNKIES in the studio, GG getting his head tattooed and some film of GG at the family pool. I love that stuff... to see this rock 'n' roll terrorist and Outlaw Scumfuc with cut-off denim shorts cleaning the pool! I think it’s really important to see that stuff. I guess that’s the difference between Kevin Allin and GG Allin... he just had to transform to get that rebelliousness out of his body. Another killer DVD that everyone should own because, like I said, as well as containing killer GG footage, this is an important punk rock document.
MVD Distributors
www.musicvideodistributors.com

ALTERNATE ACTION / MARCHING ORDERS - SPLIT 7"
This split presents Canada’s ALTERNATE ACTION and Australia’s MARCHING ORDERS. Both bands deliver 2 tracks and both present their different styles of Oi! ALTERNATE ACTION features Greg from the GLORY STOMPERS, SUBWAY THUGS and THE LANCASTERS on vocals so you should already know what to expect and with those bands in his resume you should know that this will rule. They play faster-paced punk rock with a heavy Oi! influence and a super fucking solid sound. Both tracks are fucking great. MARCHING ORDERS play straightforward punk / Oi! with a nod to the early UK sound of THE BUSINESS and maybe a touch of the COCKNEY REJECTS too, that aggressive and attacking sound with gang choruses. They have a thinner sound than ALTERNATE ACTION and that suits their style perfectly because that’s the classic UK Oi! sound. Great split with ALTERNATE ACTION stealing the show but they were always going to because of Greg on vocals.
Longshot Music
www.longshotmusic.com

AMERICAN DISTRESS - S/T CD
From the onset you can tell that AMERICAN DISTRESS was born from CHOKING VICTIM (who are a part of the LEFTOVER CRACK, F-MINUS and INDK crack-rock family) so you should know to expect hostile and provocative, political hardcore punk rock. This is the most straight punk rock I’ve heard from this clan of rogues. It’s still heavy and chaotic but more focused on a full-out hardcore punk attack. No ska or reggae, no screaming hardcore just heavy punk rock (apart from the secret 13th track that’s a kind of rockabilly instrumental). Again, the lyrics are intelligent and challenging and the music rocks and it’s all unquestionably part of that NYC squat/crack rock scene. They have truly developed a sound and style that’s instantly identifiable, very menacing and dark and constantly inciting and harassing. This straight-up punk approach instantly appeals to me. It’s so powerful through its plainness. I mean, I really like what LEFTOVER CRAK and CHOKING VICTIM do but when it’s completely stripped down it grabs me more. This is a fuckin forceful record here and I hope they’re planning a European tour at some point...
Tent City Records
www.tentcityrecords.com

‘APPETIE FOR DECONSTRUCTION’ DVD
“It’s like Warped Tour without the assholes” ... fucking spot on. Deconstruction is Europe’s biggest independent punk festival and the attitude behind the whole thing just puts the fucking lameass Warped Tour to shame. This is like the Warped Tour used to be when it first started, you know, fun. Now it’s just a big-business embarrassment. So if you’re looking for the fun to be put back in punk festivals Deconstruction is for you. This documentary DVD presents Dave Pollack the tour organizer talking us through the rigorous coordination that goes into making this tour actually happen inter-spliced with live music, bmx, skateboard and moto-cross footage and also backstage with the artists involved talking about the tour. The DVD captures footage from England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands and each location is truly different to the last. Some of the bands included are THE SLACKERS, ANTI-FLAG, PENNYWISE, MAD SIN, BEATSTEAKS, MAD CADDIES, STRIKE ANYWHERE and loads more. The thing that comes across the strongest in the film is the enjoyment everyone involved has and that’s such an important thing, plus the mix of bands is so varied. It’s not like clone after clone like on another tour I can think of. It’s just that European feel I guess... much looser and freethinking. I really enjoyed this DVD.
Destiny Tour Booking
www.destinytourbooking.com

ASS-END OFFEND - ‘UNCHECKED AGGRESSION’ 7"
Turbulent hardcore punk, fast and unruly and a vicious follow-up to ‘Character Assassins’. This is raw and restless and a dose of real energy in these days of limp dick, childish music. Very powerful without getting metallic... just intense and that’s the shit that gets me going. Fantastic DIY approach. 5 tracks, all fierce and with a killer screen-printed cover. This is a huge recommendation that you’d be a cock to miss out on.
Poisoned Candy Records
www.poisonedcandy.com

ATARASSIA GROP - ‘NONSIPUOFERMAREILVENTO’ CD
Melodic Italian punk rock that reminds me a lot of the BOUNCING SOULS. Very positive and bright lyrics all sang in Italian and translated in English in the liner notes, but I am actually fluent in Italian so can appreciate both and I always prefer it when bands sing in their native tongue anyway. There’s a very constructive and encouraging feel to the whole album, a real feel of unity. Although mostly punk rock, there’s a few ska-tinged tracks and some truly interesting sounds merged together with a violincello really creating a really unusual backing track... I really like that. It’s really great to review an Italian band that doesn’t try to imitate the RAMONES!!! I can’t tell you...!!! This is a really great album and I was actually expecting this to be hardcore for some reason but I’m really happy that it wasn’t because I’m not a huge fan of Italian hardcore. This is very constructive stuff and totally enjoyable too.
Mad Butcher Records
www.madbutcher.de

ATTENTAT SONORE - ‘BARRICADES 1905’ 7"
Shit man, I was so looking forward to this after ‘Social Headache’ blew me away and shit am I blown away again. Absolutely killer French punk rock that has a slight hardcore element and intelligent and socially and politically aware content. ATTENTAT SONORE should be fucking huge. Dual male and female vocals and constantly attacking and very urgent... this is what I want and what I need. The production is great too... no over-the-top shit to cloud the urgency, just eagerness and energy. All four tracks on here rule and I love that they sing in both French and English. I like bands to sing in their native tongue but it’s also cool to understand the lyrics so this is perfect because you get a bit of both. I love these guys and I got nothing else to say other than get this and ‘Social Headache’ too and get blown away.
Do It Yourself Records
www.attentatsonore.com

BABAR LUCK - ‘CARE IN THE COMMUNITY’ CD
BABAR LUCK radiates obsession through his totally unbound music... think CLASH, BOB MARLEY, BOB DYLAN, CULTURE, BILLY BRAGG and PAUL SIMON all rolled into some seriously soulful positive and stimulating folk/reggae delivered with pure punk attitude. BABAR LUCK certainly does things his own way and this just sounds so natural like it flowed right out of him. It’s urgent without being unnecessarily aggressive. It’s relaxed but provoking. Perhaps it’s because BABAR LUCK was born and raised in Pakistan that he has this unique approach and ability to blend these influences because his is so far from generic and that excites me. This is raw and rootsy and I’m really impressed and you will be too. This reminds me of when I first heard the CLASH... pretty big news.
Rebel Music / 10 past 12 Records
www.10past12records.com

THE BABOONZ - ‘TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH’ CD
THE BABOONZ mix it all up like crazy, all kinds of speeds and styles thrown together. You got reggae, ska and rocksteady all soaked in simple punk rock and a touch of mod too, sometime heavy and sometimes melodic. Sometimes it’s even hard to tell what era they are from which is a cool thing. Their sound spans decades. Don’t think for a second that this is ska-punk, this ain’t no silly shit, this has got style and soul. It’s like a blend of the SPECIALS, THE GADJITS, NY CITIZENS, SLACKERS, NEWTOWN NEUROTICS, ELVIS COSTELLO and THE PIRANHAS... they have a fucking electic sound!! Forget about all that American shit and buy European!! We got all the style!!!!!
Mad Butcher Records
www.madbutcher.de

BANNER PILOT - ‘PASS THE POISON’ CD EP
These guys remind me a lot of earlier SCREECHING WEASEL when they were urgent and aggressive and that’s cool with me... and they have this other edge that’s nothing like that at all. Maybe a touch of CRIMPSHRINE or LAWRENCE ARMS and even a hint of LEATHERFACE and ANTI-FLAG. The sound is kind of old school and contemporary all at once and it all works well. It’s kind of like the old Lookout! sound merged with the new No Idea sound, that’s how best I would describe BANNER PILOT. Oh yeah, and the record sleeve is totally ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES. I think they’d actually fit in really well with the current FAT WRECK roster. These guys are all over the place in a great way and their sound ignites all kinds of shit from all kinds of punk rock eras.
Arsenic Records
www.banner-pilot.com

‘THE BEGINNING’ DVD
100% street skating DVD with a really nice DIY feel to it. It’s kinda raw whilst being really smooth! It’s the Mac touch!! I can really appreciate that since we’re working on a DVD right now and making it on a Mac and this is pretty impressive stuff I can tell you. It really comes across that Ryan Fuller had a blast making this. There’s a real fun element to it. Even though I’m more of a pool guy, I really dig watching this street stuff. There’s skating from Austen Seaholm, Tyler Hendley, Jason Martinez, Brian Price, Clyde Aaron and more. The whole thing is really interestingly edited and sometimes it cuts real fast which I really like... less slow-motion and more fast cuts! Clyde Aaron does something that I’ve never seen before where he slides along on an empty crate... fucking killer!! Loads of slams and eating shit too in between the sections. Some crazy long manuals from Austen Seaholm and long slides and grinds from Tyler Hendley. The video only lasts about half an hour but that’s a cool length. My attention span isn’t too long thanks to punk rock so this works for me! There’s a bunch of bonus stuff too with tons more skating and slams, commentaries talking through the tricks etc. I really enjoyed this and there’s a really great attitude about the whole thing. Really nice and home-made in a cool way.
White Knuckle Action Sports
www.whiteknuckledvd.com

BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT - S/T CD
What’s interesting about BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT is that they manage to broadcast a purely English melodic punk sound but they are obviously influenced by the very typically American Fat Wreck/Epitaph sound. The resulting sound is a blend of BAD RELIGION, LEATHERFACE, SNUFF, J CHURCH, NOFX and a touch of PENNYWISE. What I find with English melodic punk bands is that they have this sort of melancholic facet, a lot of minor chords, whereas the American approach is a bit more upbeat, maybe a bit too upbeat. I like the downheartedness of England, it’s deeper and more mysterious. Although this is a hugely familiar style, there’s something very interesting about it when it’s an English band. There’s so many American bands churning this style out that it all kind of blurs into one sound but English bands like BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT manage to break out of that somehow. The English production is different too... a little thinner and more ’real’.
Ten Past Ten Records

BLACK FIRE - ‘BEYOND WARPED’ CD / DVD
This is another release in the Beyond Warped dual-disc series that presents a CD and a DVD all on one disc with live audio and video features. BLACK FIRE are all siblings and play melodic yet attacking punk rock. They definitely have the Warped sound but the sound of a few years ago. They’re not about emo at all as they come from a more BAD RELIGION direction and mix it up with some early Lookout!-type beligerence and keep the pace up constantly and inject a dose of politics in the mix. I think the Beyond Warped series is a really cool series and you get a fucking comprehensive package with each release. This features 10 live cuts for the audio side and the DVD features the Warped performance, 2 documentaries, a video, bonus audio tracks and more. That’s a lot of shit and I really think that there is a gap in the scene for contemporary punk DVDs. Aside from Kung Fu’s ‘The Show Must Go Off’ it’s pretty hard to find live footage of contemporary bands so I think this rules and I’m impressed with BLACK FIRE too because I hadn’t heard of them before, and I approach Warped Tour stuff with caution because it seems to be going in a direction that gets further and further away every year from what I think punk rock represents.
Immergent Records
www.immergent.com

THE BLACK JETTS - ‘RIGHT ON SOUND’ CD
The BLACK JETTS follow up to their raw debut ‘Bleed Me’ presents them with a fuller-sounding, powerhouse of a record which put me in a slight dilemma because I’m all for raw rock ‘n’ roll... in fact, the rawer and more lo-fi the better for me, and when I heard this record was going to be more ‘polished’ than the debut I was apprehensive. Like I said, I love raw and I just can’t get with people not digging that. So, what can I say when this blew me away more than ‘Bleed Me’? Hmmm, this is new territory for me because this has none of the flair missing that I thought it might. I thought it might be that ‘hollow’ power that so many bands have, that false studio heaviness, but I was way off. This sounds awesome and I don’t often use that word because I know that expression gets thrown around and most of the time it’s describing something that’s just OK, but this time it fits perfectly. Awesome. Killer riffs, heavy and ferocious with a touch of MC5 psychedelic waywardness, STOOGES wildness and over-driven STONES. Right On sound for sure.
Dead Beat Records
www.dead-beat-records.com

BLACK SS / RAINING BRICKS - SPLIT 7"
Fuck yeah, this split rules. BLACK SS play fast and out of control old-fashioned hardcore. Raw as shit and attacking this is the shit I'm after... it's so manic and unpredictable. Kinda reminds me slightly of the QUINCY PUNX who fuckin rule. RAINING BRICKS are outta control too but have a more rock 'n' roll edge, but all fucked up and brilliantly messy. Frantic guitars and raw vocals. Sick, sick split on red wax too... this is what I'm all about.
Organized Crime Records
www.organizedcrimerecords.com

BLANK ITS - ‘HAPPY ACCIDENTS’ CD
Amazingly stripped-down and raw garage from this Seattle three-piece that asphyxiated me from the first note I heard on their split with THE FEELERS. This is the primitiveness I hunger after, this is so exposed and crude and fucking chaotic: three-piece perfection. The balance is perfect, any more might have fucked things up and muddied the chaos but this is sharp as shit and immaculately serrated and any less just wouldn’t have sliced as deep as this does. This is a fantastic debut full-length from a truly exciting band. They manage to maintain pure melody through the distorted chaos and confusion and I have never heard this executed so perfectly. Believe me, this is shit to get very excited about and excitement is a fucking rare occurrence these days, especially when you’re talking about punk rock with all the monotonous shit about. This is a wake up call... don’t settle for boring shit. THE BLANK ITS are fun, fucked up and frenzied and you’ll fall flat on your face when you hear them.
Empty Records
www.emptyrecords.com

THE BLOODY IRISH BOYS - ‘DRUNK ROCK’ CD
You can guess from the band name and the record title what this is going to be like. Yeah it blends punk rock with traditional Irish folk sounds but it’s way more on the punk rock side and reminds me of a blend of SOCIAL DISTORTION and the SWINGIN’ UTTERS more than the DROPKICKS. Maybe a touch of the early DROPKICKS in there. It’s more along the lines of the REAL McKENZIES, faster and way more punk-based. I like this shit. I just think that the DROPKICKS got boring as shit and over the top with that bullshit. I think the folky parts were played on a keyboard on this but who cares? This is a good record. I’m easy... it could lose the Irishness and it would still be cool and it can keep it and I’m fine with that. The song-writing and attitude is cool and I wish people would buy this rather than new DROPKICKS or FLOGGING fucking MOLLY.
Sick Sad Records
www.thebloodyirishboys.com

THE BOILS - 'FROM THE BLEACHERS' CD'
'We like our punk and hardcore raw with gnashing teeth'... that's what THE BOILS state in the opening track 'The Iron Eagle and the Liberty Bell' and that's what defines their sound. THE BOILS are one of those rare bands that come along and just sink their teeth so deeply inside me that they won't come off anymore. I remember that happening with the SWINGIN' UTTERS when I was a kid and again several years later with THE BOILS' 'When The Sun Goes Down'. That was it, I was hooked. 'Woled Poison' and 'Pride and Persecution' blew me away even further and now the new record... shit, it's been too long to wait for this!!!! 'From The Bleachers' presents THE BOILS in amazing form and sounding better than ever. This is so honest and open and that's what THE BOILS are all about, they're so unpretentious and so natural. The finest in Philadelphia punk rock. This 25 track record is full of the trademark BOILS hardcore punk (and touches of reggae) and these guys should be huge. I'm sure as shit not letting these guys get away.
TKO Records
www.tkorecords.com

BOMBSHELL ROCKS - ‘THE CONCLUSION’ CD
Ten years on and the BOMBSHELL ROCKS are spitting with more energy and vigour than ever before. Their sound has explored and evolved over the years with ‘From Here And On’ marking the biggest style change into a more rock territory than their previously RANCID-esque streetpunk sounds and then ‘Love For The Microphone’ stripping their sound totally down. ‘The Conclusion’ throws these developments together to create a fuckin blistering punk rock record. I’m a huge fan of the early BOMBSHELL ROCKS sound (‘Street Art Gallery’ and ‘Cityrats and Alleycats’) and it’s wonderful to hear that again but dripping with more sophistication and experience. ‘The Conclusion’ is the sound the BOMBSHELL ROCKS have achieved. This is their sound and the conclusion is that the BOMBSHELL ROCKS are a fuckin unstoppable force. This is a brilliant record drenched in style and passion.
Combat Rock Industry
www.fireinsidemusic.com

BOOZED - ‘TIGHT PANTS’ CD
If it’s on Bitzcore you know what to expect... some serious, sleazy big-riff Rock ‘N’ Roll ala TURBO A.C.’S, TURBONEGRO, PETER PAN SPEEDROCK etc so you gotta rock if you’re gonna compete with that! Rock, the BOOZED certainly do but the most impressive thing about these guys is just how young they are. You sure wouldn’t guess that from their music and the vocal delivery is sick... very impressive stuff. Perhaps more impressive though is the fact that they haven’t just mimicked a band or sound but they've managed to cultivate a fresh sound and that’s inspiring. I mean, young bands have got to try 10 times harder to impress me because I hear a lot a hackneyed played out shit as a reviewer and 99% comes from younger bands who can’t think for themselves so just copycat a sound/image. This type of thing is a rarity. I can’t believe they have had a full-length out before this too. These guys must have been pushing to get out of their mothers wombs because these guys were born to play this and have some serious wisdom for being so young. I haven’t been impressed like this since, I don’t even know when...
Bitzcore Records
www.bitzcore.de

THE BREAK IN - ‘UNBOWED’ CD
Brutal UK Hardcore and I mean Hardcore in the true sense of heavy, aggressive and threatening sounds... no melodic shit, no delicate sections, just brutality from the get go and that’s really what I want form a Hardcore band. I want to be bruised by the music and pounded by the vocals and THE BREAK IN are all about that. They get as heavy as possible without verging on metal which is a huge plus for me. Sure there are metallic fragments but the metal never gets in the way of the hardcore and I have a problem with hardcore that’s too metallic. The vocals are great... no ridiculous growling just forceful and well-delivered. This is a vicious record and kids should lap this up.
In At The Deep End Records
www.iatde.com

THE BRIGGS - ‘BACK TO HIGHER GROUND’ CD
Wow... this is a new direction for THE BRIGGS and I fucking love this record. I’ve always liked THE BRIGGS but this was a surprise. It’s so much more mature and advanced than they’ve ever sounded. They have truly developed their sound. It’s still 100% THE BRIGGS and that’s a great thing because I wouldn’t have wanted them to lose any of their old style, but the whole thing has advanced and it’s way more sophisticated and focuses more on the rock side of things. It’s like what happened with MADCAP between ‘Stand Your Ground’ and ‘Under Suspicion’... it’s exactly that kind of a development. The sound on here is very layered and I can hear an edge of ONE MAN ARMY’s ‘Rumors and Headlines’... again, a very refined punk rock record. The vocal style has changed too from a very streetpunk growl to a much grainier, expressive style and I’m really impressed with this record. I would’ve totally been happy with another ‘Numbers’ or ‘Leaving The Ways’ but this is something else. Great shit for sure and I’m looking forward to hearing these songs live.
SideOneDummy Records
www.sideonedummy.com

BRUNT OF IT - ‘CERTAIN UNCERTAINTY’ CD
These guys have a fucking chaotic sound. They mix early hardcore and punk with a measure of ska but not bouncy, wimpy dick ska... more of a cacophonous Latin-flavoured ska and it works for me and that’s saying something because I usually employ a zero tolerance to anything that ventures on the ska/punk path, but because of this I now gotta re-evaluate that. This is so thick on the guitars and heavy, heavy bass and that’s why it works so well. If you got any thoughts of any kind of friendly, college shit get that right out of your mind. This is fast, weighty and destructive and I wish this is how more bands would merge these styles – with imagination, intelligence and control. This is how I’m going to define the term ska/punk from now on so if bands don’t live up to this they just won’t cut it but, unfortunately, I don’t see too many bands being capable of this. I’m impressed as hell.
Brikhaus Records
www.bruntofit.com

BULLET TREATMENT - ‘DEAD ARE WALKING’ 7”
The endlessly altering BULLET TREATMENT are back with another four cuts of tough, old fashioned hardcore punk. This time featuring female vocalist, the very sexy and commanding Ms. Lisa Graves from CIVET so not only a whole new set of members but a brand new voice from BULLET TREATMENT too. The players this time around are Chuck from Basement Records who dreamed up this beast, Dave from the DRIPS and Chris from the VOIDS... what a line-up. BULLET TREATMENT is a fuckin fantastic idea, always fresh, always different but always BULLET TREATMENT. Yet again, this rules.
Basement Records
www.basementrecords.net

BULLETS TO BROADWAY - ‘DRINK POSITIVE’ CD
BULLETS TO BROADWAY is made up of members of the TEEN IDOLS, ARMY OF PONCH and REHASHER and you can certainly hear these influences in their melodic pop-punk sound, especially that of the TEEN IDOLS. There’s a really mid-era Lookout! sound to this and it’s more than the clear SCREECHING WEASEL likeness. Actually having said that, this really reminds me of a perfect blend of SCREECHING WEASEL and EVEN IN BLACKOUTS that is Jughead’s other band... who also employ the dual male and female vocals with really interesting vocal lines and serious melodies, and that’s a fuckin’ fine amalgam for me!! This doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It’s catchy, poppy and unpretentious and just a great slice of pop-punk.
Household Name Records
www.householdnamerecords.co.uk

CAMARO ROUGE - ‘GOT A CRANE IN MY HEAD’ LP
Totally naked and raw punk rock, this is stripped to the core... no bullshit heavy-production just crude and basic rock ‘n’ roll with dual female vocals and heaps of fuzz and distortion. It’s vigorous and warped and hits the nail on the head because through it’s simplicity and straightforward approach it’s got some serious impact and it’s actually a pretty layered sound that's very rootsy and almost bluesy. They know exactly what they are doing because to keep the sound this stripped down and still create this force is a fucking talent... they never pollute the sound with unnecessary shit. This has got some serious passion and soul and they certainly don’t abide to any rules... they won’t restrict themselves! There’s a certain early 1990’s sound and feel to this which is cool with me because I grew up listening to a lot of SONIC YOUTH, MUDHONEY, L7, BABES IN TOYLAND etc and there’s a definite feel of that sound here but this is much, much more raw. Highly recommended indeed.
Demolition Derby
www.demderby.com

THE CARAVANS - ‘NO MERCY’ CD
The CARAVANS’ approach to Psychobilly/Rockabilly is so raw and in your face. There’s no bullshit about it. It’s aggressive and sharp. They don’t have to fill their record will all that spooky shit and sliding guitars. This is the fast and dangerous sound of early English Psychobilly that the CARAVANS have been sculpting for over 20 years. It’s so adamant and hard-hitting. It reminds me of what the BUSINESS would sound like if they played Psychobilly. There’s a huge dose of pure English punk rock in their sound, no doubt about it. This just takes all that American bullshit to school you know. These guys have been doing this for fucking years and they kick the shit out of all that recent US bullshit. The way they fuse melody with antagonism is awesome. Comes in a special digipak too. I’ve never seen one like this before. Fucking cool release.
Drunkabilly Records
www.drunkabilly.com

THE CASUALTIES - ‘CAN’T STOP US’ DVD
I remember years ago listening to the CASUALTIES and wondering why they weren’t more popular. I mean, they’ve always had a great following but I always thought they should have been way bigger and I’m really happy that that has finally happened and Side One Dummy have a hell of a lot to do with that. The CASULATIES never felt put-on like most of these ‘spiky’ bands who spout cliche after cliche about fighting the oppression and fucking the system when all they really care about is their image and checking that their spikes are still up. This DVD documents the CASULATIES tours of Mexico and Japan with live footage and tons of extra stuff. The Mexican side is my favourite, more of a documentary than the Japanese side which has more live footage but as a whole the DVD rules. It comes together really well with excellent presentation. Great camera work and audio with the live footage and of course, a killer selection of CASUALTIES songs and the footage following them around is great, especially in Mexico where a riot breaks out in Mexico City because some punks don’t think they should have to pay to see the Casualties... crazy shit. There’s hospital visits, bootleg merchandise, museum visits, beer in plastic bags and shitloads of mayhem but there’s always a really positive feeling about the whole thing and that’s what defines the CASUALTIES. That ‘community’ feeling... very approachable and genuine. Other than their music, I didn’t know too much about the guys in the band and after learning about them through this DVD, I genuinely like all of them. I think they are great guys with a really positive attitude. A real pleasure to watch and there really is no stopping the CASUALTIES. Fantastic artwork too.
Side One Dummy Records
www.sideonedummy.com

THE CASUALTIES - ‘UNDER ATTACK’ CD
THE CASUALTIES are fucking unstoppable... Each record they put out is tougher, more passionate and more relentless than before and ‘Under Attack’ is their most powerful and intense assault to date. This is a band that, in the past few years, has finally received the reverence they deserved. How they have grown as a band through their song-writing and approach is unbelievable. The early stuff rules but this is clearly where they want to be... ’Under Attack’ is their masterpiece so far. It’s just so constantly hard-hitting and uncompromising and is all about voicing opinions in these unsure times. The most important thing, for me, about THE CASUALTIES is that they never felt put-on. It’s all too easy to shout ‘fuck the system’ these days and the idiot kids lap it up but I always got the feeling of sincerity form THE CASUALTIES and even more so after seeing their Mexico / Japan ‘Can’t Stop Us’ DVD. I loved ‘On The Front Line’ and ‘En La Linea De Frente’ even more but this record has stepped everything up a notch... a load of notches actually...
SideOneDummy Records
www.sideonedummy.com

CHAPTER XI - ‘FEEL THE PAIN’ CD EP
Energetic hardcore punk from members of THE KURRUPTED and THE PANIX. Full-on attacking and very political with a touch of the classic UK ‘82 sound. The sound is solid as shit and they have a raw edge that keeps the whole thing gritty. At times it reminds me of mid-era UNSEEN. I really fuckin like this and I’d be excited to hear a full-length from these guys. The energy is awesome on here and I miss that. A lot of political punk bands just don’t seem to have any real fire burning inside them which makes it a fuckin farce but CHAPTER XI are the opposite of that. They are burning and in that sense they really remind me of LEFTOVER CRACK who I get that same fervent feeling from.
www.chapterXIpunks.com
www.myspace.com/Chapter11punx

THE CHERRY REDS - ‘BOY HERO’ CD
The CHERRY REDS’ sound is fucking sick. It’s so wonderfully English and smacks of THE BUZZCOCKS and THE BOYS but with the snot of STIV BATORS and in that sense it reminds me of the American take on the early English punk sound, and I love that. All those great early English bands were just lacking the snot and balls of bands like the DEAD BOYS and the ROTTERS but the CHERRY REDS have got that. Fucking excellent. The production is great because it maintains that early ‘thin’ sound and that’s so important. Early punk wasn’t all thick and produced and that’s the downfall of a lot of recent punk rock. This is just so punchy and so in your face that it’s vulgar and that’s what I love. This is a very exciting band. I got nothing else to say, this rules like crazy.
Positive Impact Records
www.positiveimpactrecords.com

CHURCH OF THE SATURDAY SAINTS - ‘LONGBOARDER’ 7"
This reminds me of the No Idea sound... folk/punk, acoustic and electric guitars combined and melody and explosiveness amalgamated and it’s a style I really go for. Terrific songwriting and delivery, especially with the vocal lines and it’s all kind of unpredictable in a great way. It’s like a controlled attack communicated very stylishly. Poetically. The songs are nice and short which I also love and all four songs on here rule. I’m really impressed with this throughout. I like the band name, the artwork is very interesting and the music is remarkable. Really fucking cool debut release and I’d love to hear a full-length form these guys.
Vinehell Records
www.vinehell.com

‘Color’ by Edith Anderson Feisner
To define or describe colour is a very challenging task. It may seem so obvious because we so often take colour for granted, but when you get down to the very roots, nature and principles of colour and colour theory it is a truly fascinating and extensive world. This book takes every characteristic of that world on and tackles every aspect of colour. Professor Feisner divides the book into four parts: Colour Foundations, Dimensions Of Colour, Colour in Compositions and The Influence Of Colour starting at the very basis of perception and light, moving through to colour wheels and onto colour theorists including Leonardo Da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton, Odgen Rood, Faber Birren and Frans Gerritsen. She then moves onto mixing, dimension, hues, contrast, toning, definition, emphasis, intensity, balance, depth, temperatures and neutrals with examples of works by Cezanne, Wyeth and Da Vinci. A true artist has to be able to manipulate and be in complete control of their colours and to do this they must have a profound understanding of colour and that is this book’s intention. This is just so comprehensive and welcoming and never feels like a textbook which is very important thing with in-depth books like this. The presentation is pleasant and the language and communication always gratifying. The book ends with colour content identification charts, a list of colour theorists, colouring agents, value orders, colour legibility rankings, colour symbols in religion and historical colour palettes. I cannot state just how valuable this book is. The amount I have learned is incredible and I’ve been painting for 20 years...
Laurence King Publishing
www.laurenceking.co.uk

THE CONCRETE GODS - ‘ANGLO-CENTRIC GENERATION’ CD
Unfortunately there’s very few current English bands that excite me or whose albums I look forward to coming out. I don’t know what’s happened to English punk rock but it’s so disappointing right now with bands either trying to replicate an American sound or those that are stuck in some kind of UK ‘82 bubble... either way it’s fucking tedious. So thank God for the CONCRETE GODS. This is pure, 100% English punk rock (you may have guessed that from the record title) that merges old and new styles with attention-grabbing song-writing. I have absolutely no problem with bands taking influence from older bands or American bands or whatever but I have a problem when it’s just rehashed shit. In fact, I love it when I hear a flicker or hint of another band in there... that’s what the CONCRETE GODS are like, with suggestions here and there but no way is their sound reliant on that. I hear touches of THE BOYS, LEATHERFACE, DAMNED, SHAM 69, COCKSPARRER, VIBRATORS and of course ACEFACE and SUPERYOB. I think this is a fucking solid debut and a kick in the balls for English punk rock to wake the fuck up!!!
Underground London Records

THE CONCRETE GODS - ‘WORKING CLASS HERO’ CD SINGLE
This is the band that ACEFACE has evolved into and you can definitely tell, but THE CONCRETE GODS have a much more stripped down approach that veers more towards the melodic punk rock of the NEWTOWN NEUROTICS and that mod-flavour that ACEFACE had. Actually, they remind me a lot of the NEUROTICS which is absolutely fine with me!! It’s that very English sound that’s melodic yet attacking. A touch of CLASH in here too. There’s a full-length on the horizon called ‘Anglo-Centric Generation’ (loving the title) and I’m really looking forward to that.
The Concrete Gods, PO Box 26535, London, SE3 9WS, UK
theconcretegods@yahoo.co.uk

COPYRIGHT CHAOS - ‘APPETITE FOR INTOXICATION’ CD
Fast and disruptive hardcore punk that reminds me of early UNSEEN when they had some balls and vigour. They blend a political edge with a pure drunk punk methodology so it’s not boring and preachy which is a problem that way too many bands fall into... Sure, have a political and socially aware slant to your music but don’t make it a fucking lecture... COPYRIGHT CHAOS have got that blend spot on so that the disarray and pissed-ness constantly slices through the music right to the forefront and that works for me. This is a rock-solid record that I just can’t fault. It’s relentlessly hard-hitting from start to finish and it’s just an unremitting assault of an album. It’s just great to hear some provoking punk rock in these days of limp-dick whiny shit and as a reviewer I can’t tell you how welcome an aggressive and confrontational album like this is.
Step-1 Music
www.step1music.com

CRITERIA - 'WHEN WE BREAK' CD
This is the second full-length form CRITERIA containing members of CURSIVE, LULLABY FOR THE WORKING CLASS, BRIGHT EYES, WHITE OCTAVE and BEEP BEEP among others. It's quite hard to place CRITERIA since their sound hints of all kinds of genres which is a good thing. It's a very varied and strange blend of JANES ADDICTION / PORNO FOR PYROS, FOO FIGHTERS, QUICKSAND, WEEZER, CAVE IN etc... I guess the best way to describe it is guitar-heavy, layered indie/rock that mixes melody with intensity. It's uplifting and bright and makes me wonder why singer Steve ever left music for law. You can feel the passion and the reassurance that he's totally comfortable in this environment. He certainly wasn't made to be a lawyer if he's this good a musician...
Saddle Creek Europe
www.saddle-creek.com

CROSS EXAMINATION - 'THE HUNG JURY' CD
Awesome hardcore with a real Beer City edge, you just don't hear this sound often enough anymore. This is dripping with the magic of mid '80's hardcore/thrash and consequently the magic of my youth... that's how blown away I am and I hear 100s of records a week so to be blown away is a fucking big deal. Hyperactive and chaotic this is all I need. I mean right from the cover artwork I knew this would take me back to better days. All the fun and hostility and long days skating and drinking... wow. This is my record of 2006 easily. This is sick and doubly so becasue it's such a rare treat of a sound. I'm fucking lucky this fell into my pile because this won't be leaving my player for fucking ages that's for sure. The weather's getting better, I got all the wood to build my backyard ramp next month and this will be my permanent soundtrack...
Organized Crime Records
www.organizedcrimerecords.com

‘CUT SHORTS’ DVD
This DVD collects the life works of Los Angeles filmmaker David Markey. This is 30 years (1974 – 2004) of totally individualistic and extremely expressive movie creation. Markey’s films embody California... the beauty and menace of LA... the smog and the palms, Markey communicates pure California through his work. Even though the first movie on here ‘The Devil’s Exorcist’ was made when Markey was just 11 years old it breaths sophistication and ambiance. Much of it shot against the sunlight creates an unsettling tone and the repetitive synth backing adds to this apprehension... Markey knew what he wanted and how to convey it even at that age. Markey is fascinated by masks and I can’t tell you how I can relate to that. I remember the first time I saw DEVO’s ‘The complete truth about De-Evolution’ I was sucked right in, and I became even further obsessed about masks and I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid and I still watch that weekly. Markey is all about that and the fact that DEVO provide backing music to some of his films is no coincidence. There’s a lot of juxtaposition and contrast of youth and elders running through Markey’s work, the youth is very chaotic and unsettled and I suppose that reflects the moviemaker, but there’s also a strong theme of youth togetherness too. It really hard to properly describe Markey’s work. It's stunning stuff that’s for sure but you have to see it and let yourself get sucked in my his awesome creativity and ingredients. This is a guy who never followed any rules other than what he set for himself, it’s pure freedom. Fucked up freedom, sure, but also a very beautiful independence. There’s a very strong punk attitude about his work in that respect. His work is very much a cut 'n’ paste montage and he throws all kinds of things into the mix: beaches, cityscapes, pool skating, surfing, death etc. The other side of Markey’s work which is more straightforward and comprehensible is his music videos that he made for Sonic Youth, The Posies and Eyes Adrift. Of course these have the unmistakable Markey approach but there is always going to be a restriction when you have to include the band in the video etc... not to say they aren’t great too, it’s just that his movies steal the show by miles over the videos. I love this collection and maybe it’s because I’m an arty fuck up but Markey speaks to me and this type of thing I’ll watch every week for a long time. I get hooked on shit like this and I truly believe that people should see this type of thing, everything’s so shiny and polished and formulaic these days and it’s time they got some jerky, erratic and unpredictable elements in their lives.
Eclectic DVD Distribution
www.eclecticdvd.com

DC SNIPERS - ‘MISSILE SUNSET’ CD
These guys were one of the show-stealers on the ‘Let’s Have Some God Damn Fun’ comp with ‘Evil’ and I’m hooked on their scatty, spastic blend of garage fuzz and early punk rock. They have a slight Rip Off sound but that’s too easy to say because they have this whole other side that’s totally different. There’s a lot more going on in the DC SNIPERS sound than in a typical garage band. It’s layered, abrupt and arty as opposed to simply stripped-down rock n roll. Sure they’re still raw but it’s a deeper rawness, a complex primitiveness if you like. I like! The spirit of the DC SNIPERS is fantastic... fun and bizarre: ‘Electric Chair From Saigon’, ‘All Humans Are Garbage’, ‘Criminal Dog’, ‘Die (They All Want Me To)... I mean, how can you not wanna hear these guys just from those song titles? Great presentation and artwork too... these guys have got it. This is something to get really excited about and this could easily be my favourite release of the year already.
Dead Beat Records
www.dead-beat-records.com

THE DEAD PETS - 'TOO LITTLE TOO LATE' CD
I liked this record a lot when it came out a few years ago and it’s nice to see it re-released by 10 past 10 (along with their second album). I definitely prefer the direction the second record took but this is where it all started off. Very chaotic and very English... there’s 10 people playing on this record!!! Combining early English punk rock with the more contemporary American style, a touch of hardcore and a load of brass instruments the DEAD PETS create pure rock n roll confusion in a way reminiscent of the KINGS OF NUTHIN’... these guys are way heavier but it’s a similar chaos created!! I’ve said it before that they remind me a lot of the RIVER CITY REBELS in the way that the brass thickens the guitar chords up and congeals the whole sound rather than creating a ska sound which they do here and there but it’s always heavy, heavy, heavy!! I still listen to this record a lot and it’s the blueprint DEAD PETS sound. I would say that these guys are the most exciting English band that aren’t imitating anyone else and always keeping things exciting and disorderly.
Ten Past Ten Records
www.thedeadpets.co.uk

THE DEAD PETS - ‘REVENGE OF THE VILLAGE IDIOTS’ CD
The re-released second full-length from these boisterous Nothern rogues! Chaotic as always, this is more of their blend of hardcore punk and brass and even though the band seems to have lost a few members they still create a fucking clamour!! At times this reminds me a lot of THE BASTARDS but with that added brass which is a really interesting twist on this sound, again, using the trumpet and saxophone to solidify the sound and this is heavy shit! ‘Never Never’ is the show stealer for me, it’s out of fucking control... pure DEAD PETS but through all 9 tracks on here these rascals take you on a wild fucking ride with the title track being the most relaxed with it’s ska rhythm. The record closes with a cool cover of COCKSPARRER’s ‘We’re Coming Back’ that’s rowdy as all hell with the brass doing some cool shit on there and after half an hour of the cover being over, the kazoos come in and close the album off with some acapella/barbershop havoc. A really good and solid album and their slogan of ‘Wi Brass Un Balls’ describes THE DEAD PETS perfectly. Absolute disruptive exuberance!!
Ten Past Ten Records
www.thedeadpets.co.uk

DEAN DIRG - ’26 KICKS TO MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD PAY’ CD
Dead Beat are truly putting releases out that challenge the whole scene. Not satisfied with how boring bands are these days and how monotonous and analogous contemporary releases and the scene in general is, Dead Beat strive to push and advance and this is a great thing. Germany’s DEAN DIRG are another jewel in the Dead Beat crown of defiance. Another stimulating release. With a blend of straightforward punk, basic, early hardcore and a touch of garage these guys rock with a sound that gets me deep. It’s fresh and wild. 26 songs in just over 26 minutes... that’s just my bag. Short blasts of provocation with emphasis on enjoyment. This is a compilation of tracks from their self-titles LP (out of print) and the ‘Last Kid On The Block’ LP. The best way I can describe their sound is CIRCLE JERKS, THE SHOCKS and TURBONEGRO but this is only very loose and when all these elements are combined something uncontrollable is created. Get it and understand. You’ll be blown away.
Dead Beat Records
www.dead-beat-records.com

DEARLY DEPORTED - ‘WATCHING FROM A DISTANCE’ CD
Cool band name. Melodic punk rock that blends the sounds of THE DESCENDENTS, later BAD RELIGION, ALKALINE TRIO and mid-period 7 SECONDS. It’s pure melodic punk rock and doesn’t try or pretend to be anything else but it’s the very mature side of poppier punk rock. There’s nothing ‘funny’ or ‘silly’ about DEARLY DEPORTED, in fact there’s a very morose and melancholic edge... an almost LEATHERFACE edge. They do a lot with their vocal lines and that’s where they most remind me of 7 SECONDS and Kevin’s vocals and the way the vocals interact with the music is where I find the BAD RELIGION link. As much as I don’t really listen to melodic or poppy punk rock, I prefer something much faster and abrasive, I can appreciate this and it’s a pity that the style has got such a bad name because of all the weak American shit that gets churned out because I can really respect a band like DEARLY DEPORTED...
Funtime Records
www.funtimerecords.com

DEFIANCE, OHIO - ‘THE GREAT DEPRESSION’ CD
Wow, this is fucking excellent. DEFIANCE, OHIO is exactly how I would define the term folk-punk. It’s urgent and raw... no bullshit massive production and it’s got that unpredictable, live delivery that is brilliant. Acoustic punk is generally slower and more dignified like EVEN IN BLACKOUTS or WHISKEY AND CO. or RUMBLESEAT but this folky shit is gritty, raw and dirty. It’s fast and frantic and crude, and this is where the punk rock aspect comes into it. The subject matter is political and social, again another punk rock characteristic and they don’t exactly play their acoustic instruments elegantly!! The vocals remind me slightly of Jesse Luscious and absolutely work with the music. The whole thing is jagged and agitated and I love it. These guys know exactly what they want to play and execute it perfectly.
No Idea Records
www.noidearecords.com

DESPONDENT - ‘FAKE’ CD EP
DESPONDENT mix mid-era BAD RELIGION, NOFX and LEATHERFACE so they have that English/American mix going on with hints of SNUFF, GOOBER PATROL and early ANT-FLAG too. They are young and this is a solid EP with a sound that’s consistently very popular but they do it well with an attacking political edge. It’s melodic but not wimpy and that’s a very English thing. Even though this is a typically American style, I always prefer it when English bands tackle it, they seem to approach it from a different angle, a more mature angle with more balls too.
Rectum Records
www.despondentrock.tk

DIGITAL LEATHER - ‘MONOLOGUE’ CD
These fuck-ups stole the show on the recent ‘Tales From The Asphalt Dancefloor’ comp with ‘Dance ‘Til Dead’ and they’re so bizarre and distinctive that they are pretty much untouchable. The way they employ the keyboards is so abrasive and ruthless that it makes all those other keyboard bands look like a bunch of bubblegum pussies, this is uncompromising and brutal and all through minimalism. DIGITAL LEATHER was always going to be untouchable because of the people involved: Shawn Foree with members of the REATARDS, THE WONGS, LOST SOUNDS and DESTRUCTION UNIT. I mean, who the fuck is going to be able to compete with this shit??!! These guys know exactly what they’re doing and exactly how to experiment with their sounds. This is raw fucking talent-testing and these fuckers pass with flying colors. It’s raw, mechanical, emotionless and expressive all at the same time and, above it, it’s mind-blowingly good. Think a fucked up blend of SISTERS OF MERCY, DEVO, THE SCREAMERS, GARY NEWMAN, DAVID BOWIE mixed with the bands these guys are in. Personally, I don’t think that you need to be told that you should get this... it should be a given.
Empty Records
www.emptyrecords.com

DIRTY PUNK RECORDS SAMPLER CD
Dirty Punk have put out 20 releases over the past 9 years and this sampler features one track from each of those releases and it’s a pretty fuckin impressive set of bands on here... some American bigger-namers like DEFIANCE, LOWER CLASS BRATS,THE VIRUS and legends TOTAL CHOAS, English legends UK SUBS plus a load of European bands: VOICE OF A GENERATION (Sweden), RED FLAG 77 (UK), TOXIC WASTE (France), CHARGE 69 (France), NCA (France), DISPOMANIE (France), CIDER BREAKFAST (France), THE DRIVE-INS (Sweden), DOWN AND AWAY (Sweden), WUNDERBACH (France), REAZIONE (Italy) and NEOPHYTE (France)... you can’t argue with that!!! It’s great to hear a mix of punk rock aggression and melody and it’s killer that this is lighter on the American side of things. Don’t get me wrong I love American punk rock but I really get excited about comps that feature a whole load of European bands. Fucking killer, definitely my kind of compilation and the fact that it’s a sampler is doubly impressive because this is material that Dirty Punk has actually released. Killer and it’s only 5 Euros too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dirty Punk Records
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/dirtypunk

D.O.A. - ‘WAR ON 45 - MARCH TO THE END’ CD
This is a re-release of the classic 1982 D.O.A. 8-track EP ‘War On 45’ coupled with 10 more extra songs from other albums and singles, and an unreleased track too called ‘Fortunate Son’. The title explains it all. These songs are about war and protest and who can approach that subject better than D.O.A.? Intelligent, humorous, cutting and always absorbed. The original 8 tracks contain the absolutely fabulous ‘I’m Right, You’re Wrong’, ‘America The Beautiful’ and a bunch of covers too like EDWIN STARR’S ‘War’ which they put their snotty edge on effectively and also RANKING TREVOR’s dub/reggae-soaked ‘War In The East’ that they attack radiantly with a CLASH edge and the DILS’ ‘Class War’. This is as pertinent to 2005 as it was when it came out 13 years ago. It’s still very much a case of ‘talk-action = 0’. Some of the additional activist tracks are ‘World War 3’ from 1979, ‘Smash The State’ from’ Hardcore ‘81’, ‘World Falls Apart’ from ‘Festival Of Atheists’ and ‘Earache’ from last year’s ‘Live Free Or Die’. As always you get a killer booklet with notes, photos, lyrics, D.O.A. discography and also the amazing artwork from the Alternative Tentacles UK-release of ‘War On 45’. This is classic stuff that doesn’t get old. The kids need to hear this and learn something positive while having fun too. This spits and kicks and educates. Remember, talk minus action equals nothing and just owning this collection means you’re already doing something.
Sudden Death Records
www.suddendeath.com

DOWN AND AWAY - ‘TO SERVE AND PROTECT’ CD
I was a big fan of the ‘Set To Blow’ album when that came out a couple of years back and I still spin that a lot. DOWN AND AWAY are from Sweden and play melodic streetpunk that’s enjoyable and friendly, they certainly aren’t into the tough style that most streetpunk bands are into. This is more like the BOUNCING SOULS mixed with RANDY and THE BOMBSHELL ROCKS... very approachable and affable, they have a great attitude that’s for sure and their songs kick ass. I can’t see any reason why any punk rocker wouldn’t like this... there truly isn’t anything to hate about DOWN AND AWAY. I really like this record and I think it’s further cemented their forthcoming style and great song-writing. I actually haven’t heard their debut record but I’m going to get that for sure. You really can’t go wrong with these guys. It’s friendly enough to be instantly likeable but not so friendly that it’s wimpy. This isn’t wimpy at all, it's actually got a lot of balls. Get it, you won’t go wrong. Oh yeah, I really like the artwork throughout this record too.
Mad Butcher Records
www.madbutcher.de

THE DRIP / HEDGECREEP - SPLIT 7"
3 song split on clear wax with a big hole. First up Chicago’s THE DRIP... great name and fucking killer band. They got this raw glam/garage sound that’s nice and vulgar. Attacking, nice pace, obnoxious and snotty with raw production too... this is the sound that I shoot for and THE DRIP nail it. I love them. Both their tracks ‘Pills’ and ‘Annette’ are excellent. HEDGECREEP are slower and heavier than THE DRIP and more complex than THE DRIP’s straightforward punk attack, sometimes verging on a more hardcore sound with breakdowns. Not bad at all but THE DRIP steal the show by miles and miles.
Wrecked ‘Em Records
www.wrecked-em.com

DUN 2 DEF - ‘EVERY WEEKEND’ CD
Dual-vocal punk rock that verges slightly on hardcore at times and mixes a typically British style with a touch of the more-contemporary American sound. I hear a slight touch of LEATHERFACE on there... that gritty melodic sound. The whole thing has a raw edge and the production has a ‘messy’ edge to it, a kind of live feel that I really like. It’s definitely not polished which is a huge plus for me. It’s got the right amount of hostility blended with the right amount of melody with loads of anthemic, sing-a-long choruses and that will do me fine.
www.myspace.com/dun2def

THE ELECTRIC KISSES - S/T CD
I know I’ve said this in so many reviews before but it’s something that’s very important to me and I think a hugely important dynamic of punk rock and that’s what ever happened to fun in punk? Bands that can authentically communicate pleasure and excitement through their records... I think Full Breach has got them all! ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STORMTROOPERS, KEVIN K and now THE ELECTRIC KISSES too. This is a mind-blower of a record, the impact is amazing and it’s all kept so super-simple and that's exactly what I’m after. The more complex the songs, the less impact they have and this is where a lot of punk rock bands go wrong... keep it simple and captivating... that’s exactly how I’d describe THE ELECTRIC KISSES. Plus they are a three-piece which, when pulled off well, is the best shit ever and man, can these cats pull a three-piece off. You know a three-piece works when there’s absolutely nothing missing from the sound and delivery because it can sound thin and empty if it’s not done right, so if you want to hear it done how it should be check out THE ELECTRIC KISSES. What a ridiculously good debut... I’m beyond stunned. What a fantastic band name too... I’m genuinely electrified.
Full Breach Kicks
www.fullbreach77.com

ENTROPY - ‘GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT’ 7"
Holy shit... what a way for Bad Idea to shove itself right down our throats with this sick debut 7”. This is a label that we’re all going to have to keep our eyes on because something special is in the making here. This is a fantastic single and not only because ENTROPY rule but because of the whole concept and presentation of this thing... screen-printed, numbered and signed covers with Julia Smut’s excellent artwork, a big hole in the record and the whole thing is just oozing with pure Californian punk rock style. I was excited about Bad Idea as I was (and still am) about Hostage. You know, every now and then a label comes along that is like a mind-reader and just puts out records that make you drool, and I can tell this is what Bad Idea is going to be. What a brilliant way to start off what I'm sure will be a long, long line of killer releases. ENTROPY have the perfect LA abrasive melodic blend and these three tracks sink their teeth in and pull you into the fuckin turntable. This record has been glued to the player since I got it. This is exactly what punk rock needs... limited to 500 so hurry up and get yerself a copy.
Bad Idea Music
www.badideamusic.com

ESCAPE THE FATE - ‘THERE’S NO SYMPATHY FOR THE DEAD’ CD EP
Heavy and metallic contemporary hardcore with a huge melodic edge and plenty of breakdowns. There’s the dual vocals too with one deep, growling voice and the other melodic vocals with loads of harmonies and IRON MAIDEN style guitar parts too. I don’t really listen to this type of stuff but ESCAPE THE FATE speak to me way more than most of the bands in this genre that I’ve heard, and it does take me back to my metallic youth. It’s nice to see that hints of real metal are still around these days because I don’t know what happened to metal but it’s sure not what I grew up with. It’s funny because when I was a kid into metal it was way geeky and now it’s like the height of coolness... when did that happen?? Where’s the long-haired, patched-up, sleeveless leather jacket stinkers????? I kinda miss them. Anyway, I’m not really the man to be reviewing this but my cousin heard it and he almost creamed his pants, and he’s into ATREYU, AFI, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, A SMALL VICTORY, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, AIDEN and all that stuff so I hope that’s a good reference for all you out there.
Epitaph Records
www.epitaph.com

THE FALLOUT - ‘WHAT IS PAST IS PROLOGUE’ CD
Canada’s THE FALLOUT mix the early UK punk rock sound of STIFF LITTLE FINGERS with the later sound of LEATHERFACE and the more contemporary American sound of more-recent BAD RELIGION, SWINGIN UTTERS and the DUCKY BOYS but it’s not a chopped up replica of these bands and styles... the sound is very immersed and focussed. The songs are short and urgent and you can tell that these guys are ‘older’ punks and that’s what I look for because you can hear their experience and knowledge running right through this record. They know how to write punk rock... whether spewing out cutting and shrewd political lyrics, recounting events or just having fun they are totally absorbed in the true punk rock spirit in a way that can only be achieved through years of punk rock attention and devotion. Young bands just haven’t got this fire. They should have exploding energy because of their youth but they’re all weak and tired!! THE FALLOUT have got that fire for sure.
Longshot Music
www.longshotmusic.com

FAR CUE - ‘ANOTHER DAT AT THE OFFICE CD
Unmistakably English hardcore punk with a blend of the early UK punk/Oi! sound and the later, faster hardcore style with elements of THE BUSINESS, FRANKIE FLAME, GBH and THE EXPLOITED. Very full on and always attacking which is what I like... I got no time to rest! I want to be mowed down by punk rock and FAR CUE have got that belligerence but manage to combine melody in there too and that blend works really well. Young bands take note. This is what energetic punk rock sounds like and this is how you blend aggression with melody. I don’t know why young bands follow that wimpy American sound so much. It’s like the kids have less energy than the older guys. How does that work?! This is a fucking solid album from a band who know what they’re doing. Cool and sardonic look to the record too.
Step-1 Music
www.step1music.com

LOS FASTIDIOS - ‘REBELS ‘N’ REVELS’ CD
This fantastic Italian political punk rock band is back with another fucking great record. Blending melody and power with intelligent and perceptive lyrics, mostly in Italian but a couple of songs are sung in English and as always the lyrics are printed in Italian, English and French in the booklet which is cool as fuck. I have always heard a lot of the BOUNCING SOULS in LOS FASTIDIOS, that strong melodic backbone running through the music and a robust vocal line to go with it. This is productive and beneficial punk rock that’s really enjoyable too. This isn’t preachy shit, these guys won’t bore you with their opinions and outlooks, they will just share it with you. It’s not forced down your throat like some shitty macho hardcore bands do it. This is a very hard working band that never fail to impress me. I hugely recommend anything by LOS FASTIDIOS.
Mad Butcher Records
www.madbutcher.de

THE FEELERS - ‘LEARN TO HATE THE FEELERS’ CD
This is insultingly raw and I mean that as a huge compliment. It’s like THE FEELERS know you wanna hear them so badly that you’ll lap up the abuse and beg for more but you’ll only get about 20 minutes of maltreatment from these 15 cuts and I tell you, the experience is shocking, wonderfully shocking. FEELERS is fucking right... you gotta feel this... don’t listen, don’t think, just feel. Get that nasty shit inside you and get threateningly spastic. I must have spun this for an hour and a half straight and I feel fucking fantastic. OK, so it took me about an hour to write these few lines and I had to spell and grammar check every word and my brain was in and out, but fuck it, that’s the FEELERS and I want more. Exciting and fun and delightfully fucked up and you know, I could’ve just said that these guys got the early Rip Off sound and Sean from the REATARDS is a member and that would’ve sufficed to make this a necessity, but I wanted to let you know how deep these guy got me.
Dead Beat Records
www.dead-beat-records.com

FILTHY THIEVING BASTARDS - 'MY PAPPY WAS A PISTOL' CD
Any record that takes it's title from 'Dang Me' is already gonna get me excited, not that these filthy bastards need anything to get me stimulated because they stole my heart as soon as I heard their first EP. I hold a special place in my heart for Darius Koski and Johnny Bonnel and the SWINGIN' UTTERS too because they changed me more than any other band has and I haven't been able to get them out of my head for over a decade. These sounds and songs have shaped my youth and accompanied me through my adulthood. I love these guys to death and everything they lay their hands and minds to is beautiful. The FILTHY THIEVING BASTARDS sound has evolved over the years and through their 3 releases. This record sees them throw in all kinds of sounds and directions they have previously explored and also new territory. This perhaps has a slightly more rockabilly feel to it. As always with these guys there's shocking talent on here. They convey melancholy and emotion like no other band. Lots of minor chords and notes and intelligent, lyrical prose. These are jaw-dropping songs and these boys continue to shape me. This is a fantastic record.
BYO Records
www.byorecords.com

THE FIRE LINE - ‘GUNMETAL’ CD
THE FIRE LINE are all about putting the balls and ferocity back into rock ‘n’ roll. They are a raw and vigorous two-piece from Manchester whose sound is a stripped down and heavily distorted garage fuzz. The guitar is played through a bass amp which heightens the deformity of this raw, raw sound. There’s no bullshit about this, it’s just exposed rock ‘n’ roll played by two guys who just can’t stand the limp-dick, frail shit that has crept into the British rock ‘n’ roll scene. To be honest British rock ‘n’ roll is a fucking embarrassment these days. Where the fuck has it gone?? Don’t tell me that shit like HARD-FI, KEANE or COLDPLAY are what we have to brag about when it comes to contemporary rock ‘n’ roll... what a fucking humiliation. That’s the exact mirror opposite of what THE FIRE LINE represent. Coming from a much grittier and rough American direction, they are all about injecting the vigour and intensity back into this music that was once defiant and a great job they are doing too. You can actually download all their music for free from their website or write to them and request a copy of the CD for free. Very cool indeed.
www.thefireline.co.uk

FIXED IDEA - ‘LA MEURTE’ CD
I always look forward to Broken Bonez releases, they are such a cool DIY label. FIXED IDEA mix punk rock and Ska, well more rocksteady, and the sound is really stripped down which I like! There’s no doubt that these guys can write and play. They go off on weird tangents a lot and some of the compositions are outright bizarre and this is something very interesting that you don’t hear too often in this genre... and thank God becasue there are way too many stale and lacklustre skapunk bands around. You can feel that they have a blast playing this stuff and that’s cool to hear and they know how to incorporate fun into their music without getting silly and with a good amount of attack and aggression too. There are a couple of completely punk rock tracks on here and that breaks things up in a cool way, so the record is constantly speeding up and slowing down and that’s cool with me. I’m always a bit jaded about skapunk because I’ve heard to much bad stuff that tries so over-hard to amuse but this isn’t that at all. This is way more sharp and smart.
Broken Bonez Records
www.brokenbonezrecords.net

FLATLINERS - ‘LET IT GO’ 7"
This is the final release from Texas’ FLATLINERS and shit does it see them go out with a bang. Make that a fucking explosion. Rampant hardcore punk that’s antagonistic in a great way... not macho just full-on and compelling and they have the perfect balance of styles which just makes their sound so damn accessible. They nail it. At times they kinda remind me of the QUINCY PUNX, and that’s another band that in my opinion manage to blend punk and hardcore really well. It sucks that they’re calling it a day but what a way to quit. This is a farewell overflowing with style and passion. Great cover art by Michael Bukowski which makes this final release that much more special and spattered clear purple wax too.
Slab-O-Wax Records
www.slab-o-wax.com

THE FORECAST - ‘IN THE SHADOW OF TWO GUNMEN’ CD
I really like the way Victory Records put out uncharacteristic releases every now and then and they’ve been doing this for a while with STUDENT RICK, RIVER CITY REBELS, THE TOSSERS, ACTION ACTION and THE FORECAST. This is their second full-length for the label and you may instantly expect a heavy, intense hardcore sound from Victory but THE FORECAST are the opposite of hardcore. They combine folk/country with organic melodies and delicate rock and an almost late 80’s/early 90’s English indie sound. A lot of THE FORECAST’s sound hangs on the layered dual male and female vocals and intricate harmonies. Sure they get heavy at times but in a totally rock way, nice and thick with a really prominent and full bass backing. At times the darkness and bareness of the music reminds me slightly of THE HANDSOME FAMILY especially on tracks like ‘Welcome Home’ and ‘Some things never change’. The whole album is pretty diverse and always shifting paces but as I said, the vocals and vocals-lines are what define THE FORECAST.
Victory Records
www.victoryrecords.com

FOUR DEADLY QUESTIONS / THE ANSWER LIES - SPLIT CD
Here are two very well-suited bands (other than the fact that they have questions and answer in their names) because even though their approaches are different, their direction and purpose is the same. Both bands create a hell of an impact through simple and confrontational punk rock but THE ANSWER LIES are the show-stealers of this split for me with their fast and attacking hardcore punk that’s fucking spirited and wild. They have the ingredients that make me drool and that excites me and it’s hard to find bands that can still excite me these days. FOUR DEADLY QUESTIONS are so close but THE ANSWER LIES just have the edge over them in my opinion. In fact, FOUR DEADLY QUESTIONS have the more interesting sound of the two bands but it’s THE ANSWER LIES’ straightforward-ness that sucks me in and won’t spit me out. Awesome split.
Geykido Comet Records
www.gcrecords.com

FRONT - ‘LIVE UND IN FARBE’ CD
FRONT have a very erratic and impulsive sound. It’s very early punk rock mixed with a touch of new wave and garage and the energy and liveliness of the show certainly comes across on this recording. I like their spontaneous sound a lot. It reminds me a bit of THE ROTTERS mixed with LE SHOK and that’s cool with me! I’m a bit hard to please when it comes to live recordings but I dig this... it’s so raw and unpredictable and reminds me of the Rave Up sound of all those early ‘punk nuggets’. The rawness of the recording suits the spontaneity of the music and it’s a really enjoyable CD. I’d really like to hear a studio record from FRONT because it’s hard to picture their sound exactly from a live recording but I bet they sound fucking good.
Matula Records
www.matularecords.de

FUCKED UP - ‘HIDDEN WORLD’ CD
What can I say that hasn’t been said about FUCKED UP already?? Is there anyone who doesn’t like these guys?? They have just swept everybody off their feet and somehow managed to re-write hardcore by keeping it the same... I, along with everyone else, don’t know how they have managed it but I too have been blown back by this amazing band and absolutely killer record... it’s just perfect hardcore. I can’t believe the lengths of the tracks on here. I mean, I have the shortest attention span and usually start to twitch around the 3 minute mark but that just hasn’t happened with FUCKED UP and 9 of the 13 tracks on here are over 5 minutes long with one over 7 minutes and one over 9 minutes!! Unbelievable. But so much happens in these songs that they just fly past and it’s all so exciting that time is never an issue. Hell, they could all be longer and I’d be absolutely fine with that and I’ve never felt that way about a band before. Well, maybe before I was a punk and into PINK FLOYD when I was a kid I could hack those uber-masterpieces like ‘Interstellar Overdrive' and ‘Atom Heart Mother’ but not since I was 13!! What’s really strange is that FUCKED UP cite PINK FLOYD as an influence and as obscure and outrageous as that may sound for a hardcore band to say... it’s fucking true. Amazing that it works and I just don’t know how it works but you have to believe me that it just does. I absolutely loved their ‘Police’ 7”. I’ve never been so beautifully suffocated by a band as with FUCKED UP... I’m amazed and truly have entered their Hidden World and I don’t want to leave...
Jade Tree Records
www.jadetree.com

‘GOD SAVE THE QUEEN’ DVD
This is a fantastic punk rock anthology featuring legends from the US and the UK. The DEAD BOYS start the whole thing off with ‘Sonic Reducer’ one of my favourite punk songs of all time, and we get to see Stiv Bators in his full, snotty glory looking cool as all hell followed by JOHNNY THUNDERS with a live montage of ‘Born To Lose’ and an interview with Johnny too where he talks about Paris, drugs, New York, Heartbreakers etc. UK SUBS are up next with ‘CID’ one of the most important UK bands that are still going now!! The GERMS serve up ‘Media Blitz’ next and yeah, it’s chaotic and unpredictable!! The godfather of punk rock IGGY POP delivers ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ with his STOOGES. The rest of the DVD is dedicated to UK bands featuring THE ADICTS, THE BUZZCOCKS, THE EXPLOITED, THE SUBHUMANS, VICE SQUAD (with interview too), GENERATION X (with interview too), TOY DOLLS, CHELSEA, X-RAY SPEX (with interview too), 999, BLITZ, GBH, GOLDBLADE and SHAM 69 with a MARKY RAMONE interview in the middle of it all. A very comprehensive anthology covering all sides of the punk rock spectrum with many interesting choices. It would have been very easy to just have the SEX PISTOLS, THE CLASH, THE RAMONES etc but this collection delves deeper than that and exhibits the different and even more obscure facets of this 30-year old beast. It’s great to see the fun-side of the scene with the TOY DOLLS and the political side with THE EXPLOITED and GBH. I still think that the DEAD BOYS steal the show and is an amazing opener but that’s because I love everything about Stiv and the DEAD BOYS. Kids could really learn a lot from a DVD like this.
Music Video Distributors
www.mvdb2b.com

GOOD RIDDANCE - ‘MY REPUBLIC’ CD
GOOD RIDDANCE have been ripping shit up with their punk and hardcore blend that mixes old and new styles for over a decade and ‘My Republic’ sees them more enthusiastic and spirited than ever before with that trademark merging of punk and hardcore sounds. Think of a mix of THE ADOLESCENTS, BAD RELIGION, NOFX, AGENT ORANGE, PENNYWISE etc... a very Californian sound but with no particular age and that’s a great thing. They know exactly how to mix melody with force and to get that balance right in the middle of punk and hardcore. The pace of the music alters throughout the record and that’s a cool thing and no matter what it’s always unmistakable GOOD RIDDANCE. They have certainly forged their sound. GOOD RIDDANCE are one of those bands that’s it’s impossible to imagine not being there. They are a staple and a household name and when after over a decade they release a powerball like ‘My Republic’ (great title) they show no signs of age or strain whatsoever.
Fat Wreck Chords
www.fatwreck.com

THE GREY - S/T CD EP
It’s pretty hard to place THE GREY’s sound. It’s definitely arty post-punk rock with heavy emphasis on the rock. They mix heaviness and subtlety but in the old-fashioned SST way... the songs are like a journey that intensifies, spirals and unwinds but not like these fucking new bands with all their breakdowns and build-ups and shit, this is nothing like that. There are long instrumental sections and there’s no real formula to any of the songs which is a cool thing because you just can’t communicate that loose, journey-type feeling if the song-writing is all rigid and super-structured. I grew up with that SST ambiguity and I always found it to be the perfect companion to the faster, heavier shit that I’ve always listened to so I’ve got a lot of time for THE GREY and I’m looking forward to their full-length this winter.
Sonic Deadline Records
www.sonicdeadline.cjb.net

GUIGNOL / NANUCHKA - ‘DRINK THE BEST WINE FIRST’ SPLIT CD
I can’t explain how blown away I was with this split... I was expecting to like it because I really go for the Fistolo style and sound but this knocked me back! GUIGNOL are described as ‘mad marionette music’ and NANUCHKA are defined as ‘Firewater meets... the Go-Go’s’ and that’s it... I don’t even want to expand on those perfect characterizations so instead I’ll just tell you that both bands, but especially GUIGNOL instantly struck a chord with me that ran deep and shot me back to my childhood listening to my family playing Neapoletan music with wonderful raw energy that I truly believe influenced me and guided me into punk rock. That raw urgency, energy and power. Excellent stuff here that is honestly a rare treat and exactly what I need.
Fistolo Records
www.fistolo.com

THE HECKLERS – ‘MY HEAD’ 7”
These guys are fuckin vicious! 3 tracks of wonderfully messy garage punk rock. ‘My Head’ is a raw and wild killer!! ‘Walking Like A Panther’ has a more melodic edge but is still raw as fuck!! Brilliant track... and the 7” closes with a great RUBINOOS cover of ‘Rock and Roll Is Dead’. The whole thing has a slight early GG sound to it with the vocals really upfront in the mix. Man, this is such a cool release and I’m hooked on their totally DIY, undomesticated sound... I need more!! Big hole too!! I’m blown away and what a way for Go Ape to start.
Go Ape Records
www.fancymag.com

HELL PROMISE - ‘AIM FOR HELL’ CD
Heavy metal/thrash, nice and old school and with good vocals... throaty but not ridiculous and at times it’s really closer to hardcore than metal and that works well for me... they got a fuckin good mix. They manage to put all the intensity across without being over the top. The production is great because it’s not crazy heavy, it’s way thinner than it could be and that’s something I really go for. Fuck all that fake intensity that over-saturated production gives bands that haven’t got the energy to start with. HELL PROMISE don’t have that problem... they got brutal energy.
Rock Star Music
www.rockstar.com

HOSTAGE LIFE - ‘SING FOR THE ENEMY’ MINI CD
Canada’s HOSTAGE LIFE pack quite a fucking punch on here with their fast-paced blend of hardcore and punk. It’s tough yet melodic and at times the vocals really remind me of Lars Frederiksen. The sound is pretty wild and the whole thing is fortified with some serious fucking energy and perceptive lyrics. At times they sound like straight-up streetpunk, at others melodic hardcore and this works for me. They constantly keep the pace up which is a huge plus for me because as much as I like streetpunk, it can be a little on the slow side for me and start to drone but HOSTAGE LIFE take care of that shit! The best I can describe their sound is a blend of the BASTARDS, DISASTERS and later-period AGNOSTIC FRONT and I’m really impressed with this. They got a full length out real soon so that’s something to keep yer eyes peeled for.
Household Name Records
www.householdnamerecords.co.uk

HUDSON FALCONS - ‘LA FAMIGLIA’ CD
Oh yeah, the FALCONS are back to agitate!!! These guys are the definitive example of how to mix tough streetpunk with some heavy rock ‘n’ roll. No over-the-top shit, no crow-barring riffs in there just to fit the rock ‘n’ roll in, just a natural and relentless style... THE HUDSON FALCONS are the top dogs of this genre. It’s not unknown that New Jersey boasts the most robust sound in punk rock but the FALCONS own that stoutness. This record is about family, blood and non-blood, relations and relationships and that’s a subject that these guys can tackle productively and positively. You can hear the enthusiasm and the affection pouring out of the speakers. I love this band and every time they release something it blows all those other bands that are attempting to do this right out of the water. Although this music is tough, it’s also sophisticated and very encouraging. Excellent record.
Street Anthem Records
www.streetanthemrecords.com

HUDSON FALCONS - ‘SINGLES COLLECTION 1997-2002’ CD
The greatest thing about the HUDSON FALCONS, and this is the thing that grabbed me about them when I first heard them years ago, is just how natural they sound. It’s hardly uncommon to hear over-the-top, uber-hostile street rock ‘n’ roll that really forces the blue-collarness of the band in your face but the FALCONS were never like that. They do what they want to do without feeling the need to stick to any formulas or imagery. Well, actually they do stick to one formula and that’s that it’s gotta rock!!! Nobody does it like these guys and the reality is that they should be huge because the way they unify punk and rock is incomparable. Very stylish and very instinctive, tough and so approachable. This CD is a collection of 20 singles that are now out of print, previously unreleased and original versions of album tracks and is full of all that FALCONS charisma. I really urge you to get a hold of any of their stuff that you can because it will wake you up. I remember after I heard them it made me look at some of the stuff I was listening to in a totally different way. So much of it seemed so weak and artificial after hearing the HUDSON FALCONS and my standards have been raised ever since. Never enough Falcons!!!!
Street Anthem Records
www.streetanthemrecords.com

DIE HUNNS - ‘YOU ROT ME’ CD
Another Hunns record and another Hunns line-up! This is the first proper full-length since Corey joined where she really has become an integral part of the Hunns sound. The sound has changed completely on this album. They have moved away from the big-riff rock ‘n’ roll and onto a way more stripped down and raw approach that really takes advantage of Corey’s voice. She is a really great vocalist and she can actually do a lot with her voice. She doesn’t just scream like most of those other female punks... that’s so boring... she actually has soul and style in her vocals and this is the record where that and her interplay with Duane’s vocals has genuinely developed and I really like where this has headed. It’s nothing like I was expecting but it’s a great surprise. This record has elements of LOU REED, TOM WAITS, IGGY POP, TOM PETTY and DAVID BOWIE... and so much of it is so stripped down which is the total opposite of the old HUNNS sound that was huge and powerful. This is just as powerful but in a totally different way and it’s so cool to see Duane push this and acknowledge this new direction and really make Corey a big part of the band. Duane is definitely about keeping stuff fresh and that’s amazing because being who he is, he could just churn out the same stuff over and over (and that would be fine!) but he doesn’t. He has a lot of ambition and that shines through brilliantly on ‘You Rot Me’.
I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records
www.peoplelikeyourecords.com

THE HUNNS - ‘BEYOND WARPED’ CD/DVD
I found this as a pretty strange addition to the ‘Beyond Warped’ series. I’m absolutely thrilled that they released THE HUNNS and surprised because they are anything but a typical Warped band. Sometimes I feel that ‘real’ punk rock gets more and more overlooked as the scene become ever-more popular and safe, so hats off to Immergent for putting this out. I don’t need to say that Duane Peters rules, you know that already, and I know that you want this so just get it. You don’t need to be told that you need this!! In case you don’t know what this ‘Beyond Warped’ series is all about you get a dual disc that’s a CD on one side and a DVD on the flip. The CD contains the live Warped set audio and the DVD contains the footage, plus here you get a cool interview with Duane and Corey talking about how they met and how she became part of the HUNNS, and they talk about the first rehearsals with her etc. There’s also a couple of live club performances too plus more shit. Just get it.
Immergent Records
www.immergent.com

I FARM - ‘IV’ CD
I FARM truly are like a metallic DESCENDENTS and how that works is beyond me because they sound killer, but if I hadn’t heard them I wouldn’t go for that description and boy would I miss out!! You need to hear this! Crazy heavy riffs and manic vocals. There’s a totally SST vibe to I FARM and that’s so welcome. Totally creative, they throw all kinds of things into the mix... melodic breakdowns, abrasive guitar bursts, wildly flailing structures and rasping sounds but it comes together perfectly. Sometimes it’s like, “what the fuck is going on??!!!”’ but I love that! The pace changes and vocal variation is great. It’s too hard to describe I FARM, you just gotta get it to hear it and feel it because it’s way too hard to piece together from my shitty description! You’ll be hooked I guarantee it.
Go Kart Records Europe
www.gokartrecords.de

I WALK THE LINE - ‘DESOLATION STREET’ CD
When I heard I WALK THE LINE’s debut record a couple of years ago I was excited because I knew Ville from WASTED was on vocals and those guys blow me away with everything they put out. I think Ville’s got some real presence on that mic so I was eager to hear this new band. I was taken aback by the subtle and morose sound coming out of the speakers as opposed to the hardcore punk that WASTED nail so sickeningly well. But this sound worked and is just so natural. Even though it’s not as fierce as the hardcore/punk rock of WASTED or MANIFESTO JUKEBOX (whose members are also included in IWTL) it’s by no means less powerful or spirited. The energy isn’t coming from as obvious a direction as with those other bands. It’s deeper and darker in I WALK THE LINE’s songwriting and the keyboards really thicken the whole sound up and intensify the sinister element. Where IWTL may have started out as a side-project from these bands touring together and passing the time, it has become something way greater and concentrated and ‘Desolation Street’ has taken the songwriting and sound to that more absorbed stage. This is a band that will keep going and going because there’s no boundaries with their direction and I believe that this project will outlive all their other bands.
Combat Rock Industry
www.fireinsidemusic.com

INACUN - ‘KLEPTOMANIAC’ CD
As soon as I opened the package, this album cover stuck in my head and all I could think of was SST records... so I can tell you I was excited to put this on because this really looks like an American young punk rock band’s record from the early 80s, but these guys are actually English and current. There is a definite SST edge to this but I think it’s completely unintentional but I really fucking like it. It’s very melodic, perhaps more melodic than I was expecting but that’s totally cool with me and I found myself spinning this several times in a row. It’s very melodic but it’s not poppy, this is more about song crafting and vocal dexterity and it’s all very minimal but totally focussed. I’m very impressed and especially because I really don’t listen to any very melodic music but this has grabbed me and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spun this since it arrived.
www.inacun.co.uk

THE INOCULATORS - ‘DROPPED THEIR BRAINS’ LP
THE INOCULATORS really mix things up like crazy. They are foul-mouthed rogues who are able to flip between heavy punk rock, melodic punk and an injection (ha ha) of reggae while managing to keep it heavy and thrashy. Blunt lyrics and a real ‘fuck you’ attitude to the whole album and I like that when it’s mixed with the more melodic side of things. It reminds me a bit of THE SLEAZIES, SCREECHING WEASEL, THE NOBODYS or THE QUEERS etc in that sense, vulgar but likeable. Sound-wise I hear a definite resemblance to LEFT ALONE, CHOKING VICTIM/LEFTOVER CRACK, PLAN A PROJECT. RANCID, WASTED... it’s a blend of manic punk rock with a chaotic ska/reggae flip and don’t think for a second that this is some wimpy-dick skapunk nonsense. This isn’t friendly. It’s fun, sure, but in a total punk rock way. It's got balls and it’s repellent but it’s affable too. It’s like they’ll take you out for a meal and then spit in your food. This blend works really well for me and I could see these guys fitting in well on a label like Hellcat. It’s that more aggressive side of the punk and ska/reggae blend. Great artwork on this record too, and the producer has worked with RANCID, NEKROMANTIX and the HORRORPOPS so yer getting the picture now.
www.inoculators.com

THE INSURGENCE - ‘LOST’ 7”
THE INSURGENCE really mix things up on this 7”. The title track is a solid, tough punk rock number with lots of guitar and a sing-along chorus. ‘Ghost Town’ is a vicious hardcore blast that reminds me slightly of the NERVE AGENTS. Fast and frantic but still maintaining a strong melodic edge. The last track ‘Friday Nite’ is the most melodic of the three and has a more punk rock ‘n’ roll fee to it. I’ve been spinning this record for weeks and I’m not even slightly bored of it at all. They do all the styles really well and it’s always got their stamp on it so it doesn’t sound direction-less or undecided. I’m really looking forward to a full-length so I hope it’s on the horizon!
Flotation Records
www.flotationrecords.com

INTENTION - ‘AFRAID AT THE EDGES’ CD
Vicious hardcore that fuses old and new styles but with a deep-rooted punk rock sound. I hear elements of STRYCHNINE, THE EXPLOITED and DEAD KENNEDYS but fused with a whole different approach and at time it reminds me of a really out of control BENDER. It’s fast and explosive and will have a wide appeal because their blend extends beyond any particular genre. There’s a definite UK ’82 edge, a combination of American and English hardcore sounds, straight punk rock and metal and the concoction is brutal. A fucking antagonistic debut here. These guys must be out of control live.
Black Records, 152 Goldthorn Hill, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV2 3JA, UK

IT BURNS / THE PHENOMS - SPLIT 7"
IT BURNS are chaotic and heavy and the name of their first song on here, ‘Rock and Roll Destruction Machine’ describes them pretty fucking well! They are disordered in a fantastic way, all messy but so much urgency and energy and that’s what I like. Their second track ‘Henry Fisher’ about the child molester who got 12 years is a fucking scorcher of a track too. THE PHENOMS are out of fucking control too!! More of a raw garage approach than IT BURNS but no less frenzied! This is the first time I heard either of these bands but they both grabbed me by the balls because this rawness and urgency is what I look for in punk rock and these bands got that in spades, plus they can write killer tunes which is a bonus!!!! Great split and clear wax too.
Beercan Records
www.beercanrecords.com

THE ITCH - ‘THE COURAGE TO BE HATED’ CD
Fantastic name and great cover... this is a fine fucking record. Stripped down and raw erratic punk rock just the way I craze it. It verges on very early hardcore at times and that suits me perfectly. The urgency and energy is awesome, they keep all the songs short, mostly around the two-minute mark and that’s another thing that gets me excited. No fucking about, just energetic pressure and attack, attack, attack!! 18 tracks in half an hour is definitely my bag. There’s a whole bunch of instrumentals on here and that's yet another thing I love about it... these guys just blow me away. I truly was itching for a release like this. I haven’t been this keyed up and excited about a band in a long time and I don’t see this leaving my stereo at least until the fall. This certainly will be my soundtrack to the summer.
Wee Rock Records
www.weerockrecords.com

THE JACK SAINTS - ‘ROCK AND ROLL SAVED OUR LIVES... BUT NOW IT’S TRYING TO KILL US!’ CD
Dirty and gritty garage rock n roll with a Rip Off sound. It’s raw and straightforward and that’s how I like it. That’s how I want it. Nothing over-complicated, just basic rock n roll with lots of energy. They’ve released stuff on Man’s Ruin and Scooch Pooch so that gives a good indication of what sound to expect, and the drummer is formerly of the NEW BOMB TURKS... and Captain Sean Doe from THROWRAG guests on a couple of tracks too. The key is their plainness.. just fast and vulgar rock n roll. It’s like cheap drugs and cheaper sex all mixed up. No pretense, short and fast and just a blast. I really like this record.
Scarey Records
www.scareyrecords.com

JAED - 'CATHERINE / GUTTER GIRL' CD SINGLE
Female fronted straight forward punk rock that blends the sounds of earlier indie/punk/riot girl bands like L7, HOLE, BABES IN TOYLAND and the BREEDERS with a more melodic, Damaged goods sound of THE COGS and FUR and the spit of SCREECHING WEASEL. The blend of melody with antagonism is something that I really go for. This isn't cute, poppy punk... it's way more confrontational. It's like it draws you closer just to kick you in the balls and I really like that. I'd love to hear a full-length.
Instant Karma
www.jaedmusic.com

JAED – ‘DIRTY DAYS’ CD
Melodic yet gritty simple punk rock with that enchanting sound that you don’t hear anymore... the sound of great female/female fronted bands like the BLEEDERS, L7, HOLE and THE SUNDAYS blended with THE SMASHING PUMPKINS and the poppy new wave sound of THE DARLING BUDS and THE PRIMITIVES and the Damaged Goods punk sound of bands like FUR and THE COGS. It a great mix that reflects all kinds of times and scenes and you can hear the infatuation and love that vocalist Vanessa Eve has for this music. You can hear her youth in this, her life lived listening to these bands and this record echoes all this very effectively. I was looking forward to this full-length after hearing JEAD for the first time last year and it sure delivered!
Instant Karma
www.jaedmusic.com

SKIP JENSEN - ‘ABSCOND’ LP
This is the debut full-length from this Canadian one-man band. Skip’s approach is raw and jagged so beware! It’s super trebly and distorted and has a slight RIP OFF sound at times but he makes those records look like big-production records!! This guy is super-crude, I mean rawness to the fucking bone. The music is so overdriven and the vocals are distorted to fuck and it’s brilliant. Sometimes the vocals remind me slightly of Gibby Hanes. This guy is explosive and this is the sound of his soul laid bare, it doesn’t get more intimate that this... I mean you’re in his bloodstream. This is the first time I’ve heard Skip and as much of a fan as I am of the one-man band style, Skip blows all the shit I’ve heard right out the water! Rawness and genuineness are something I truly cherish in music and Skip is all about that. I’m sure he knows no other way and that’s perfect. I’m really captivated by this record and I can’t stop spinning this... literally, my player hasn’t seen anything else since I got this over a month ago...
Demolition Derby
www.demderby.com

THE JONESES - ‘TITS AND CHAMPAGNE’ 12” EP
I know there probably hasn’t been one review of this record that didn’t mention ‘Pill Box’ but fuck it... I’m mentioning it too because the impact that song (and ‘Graveyard Rock’) had on me when I first heard ‘Someone Got Their Head Kicked In’ nearly fifteen years ago was phenomenal. These spitting, burning rock ‘n’ roll gems in between all that punk and hardcore stuck out in my brain and I was fucking hypnotised. So now, thanks to Full Breach Kicks, and in a time where we so desperately need the sound of THE JONESES, the kids who have very little to get inspired and excited about have ‘Tits and Champagne’ and even though it might be more than 15 years old it still slices the throats of 99.9% of the bands out there today. This is real rock ‘n’ roll... dirty, sleazy, raw and simple and the power of real rock ‘n’ roll comes only through simplicity, but the correct employment of this straightforwardness and THE JONESES are the embodiment of that. Unfortunately that bluntness has long been lost in rock ‘n’ roll and with that went the magic too, because now with all the insane amounts of production on punk rock records we may as well just give up and not use the words ‘punk’ or ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ anymore. Thanks to records like this circulating again and a few true rock ‘n’ roll bands keeping the real spirit alive we might just save it. This is so fucking necessary that if you need to think about it you’re totally fucking incompetent.
Full Breach Kicks
www.fullbreach77.com

KAMIKAZE SPERM - ‘S.B.C.’ CD EP
Chaotic hardcore punk rock with a slight touch of early DROPKICKS and RANCID but not as obvious as that. This is way more out of control and erratic in a great way. They have some interesting sounds including a melodica (I think!) and a harmonica and it sounds like they have a fuckin laugh playing this stuff. 4 studio tracks and 3 songs recorded live at the ‘It’s Punk Up North’ festival. I really fuckin like this and the band name too.
Noize Anoize Music
www.noizeanoize.co.uk
kamikazesperm@hotmail.com

‘KAOS CONTROL #1’ DVD
Fuck yeah, this is pure punk rawness... THE SHITGIVEITS live and a pool session too. The whole thing is punk as fuck and all cut ‘n’ paste and that’s what gets me. I love this shit. First up there’s THE SHITGIVEITS live at Winston’s which is spliced with band/interview footage and raw punk skating. Totally wild, THE SHITGIVEITS play old-fashioned skate punk/hardcore with absolutely no bullshit. This is folled by THE SHITGIVEITS’ ‘War Whore’ video. Next up you get almost half an hour of the Clairemont Contest featuring ripping from Brad Edwards, Matt Dove, Zack Dowdy, Benji Galloway, Pat Ngoho and Taylor Smith who’s 11 fucking years old and ripping the place apart!!! That kid’s outta control, and it’s all set to THE SHITGIVEITS soundtrack. The DVD ends with a trailer for the Punk Vs. Punk DVD that’s coming soon and that looks killer. It’s gonna feature JFA, THE SHITGIVEITS, THE SCREAMIN’ YEEHAWS, THE SHIFT, THE GIZZARDS, THE YUCKS and a heap more so get this and then get that!
Kaos Control Videp, Po Box 22661, San Diego, CA 92192-2661, USA

KEVIN K - ‘ROCKIN ROLL DYNAMITE’ CD
Well, I could keep this review super short and just say that the record title says it all... do you really need to know more than that?? Do you want more than rockin roll dynamite???!!! Well if you need more incentive than that you don’t deserve this because you just don’t get it, but listen up because you got one more chance to get it right... KEVIN K represents everything punk rock is supposed to be... fun, sinister, simple, sleazy, decadent, exciting and honest. No bullshit gimmicks, he’s been rockin for years and can sure as fuck teach any of these new fucking bands a whole bunch of shit that would make them bunch and leave with their tails between their legs, embarrassed that they ever thought they might be punk rockers. The way he mixes menace with melody is fantastic and is truly on a par with THE RAMONES but with the added squalor of THE HEARTBREAKERS. He truly does rock and I don’t throw that word around because these days it seems that everything apparently rocks, getting a fucking cup of coffee rocks, going to the mall rocks... fuck that... only real rock ‘n’ roll rocks and KEVIN K truly fuckin rocks and he’ll never stop rockin... convinced yet?
Full Breach Kicks
www.fullbreach77.com

KEVIN K AND THE REAL COOL KATS - ‘PERFECT SIN’ CD
KEVIN K has been thrashin around for nearly 30 years and personifies the original punk rock spirit. The sprit of fun and danger delivered through simple rock ‘n’ roll and heaps of style. This is his twelfth full-length and it continues in that fervent spirit. KEVIN K is pure passion... a lifestyle and an obsession not like the bands and kids of today who switch scenes and lifestyles at the drop of a hat... this is commitment. You know, there’s more excitement and enthusiasm in this record than 99% of newer stuff coming out and that’s because this is honest. This is what KEVIN K knows and what he is, what he’s always been and he doesn’t even have to try to excite you because it’s all natural. Not trying to redefine punk rock or push the envelope... fuck that. This is just pure time-tested rock ‘n’ roll that stimulates me no end.
Full Breach Kicks
www.fullbreach77.com

THE KILLER - ‘BETTER JUDGED BY TWELVE THAN CARRIED BY SIX’ CD / DVD
Fast and heavy hardcore with pure Chicago style. This isn’t average or typical in any kind of way. THE KILLER certainly know the exact path they want to go down and nothing’s going to get in the way of that, that’s for sure. It’s hardcore no doubt about it but it’s very hard to place. Sure it’s old fashioned but not in the immediately distinctive way and yes it has a metallic edge but, again, not in a conventional way. When hardcore becomes hard to place but is still undeniable hardcore that’s a fucking fantatstic thing. I can’t stand what hardcore has become and I know we can’t live in the past and re-hash all the old great shit so what’s the answer? The answer is THE KILLER. Tough without being exaggeratedly macho, intelligent without being cutting or boring and heavy without being way too metallic and as far from generic and monotonous as you can get. There’s a hell of a lot of style flowing through this album and it’s been a long time, literally years since I used the word style and hardcore in the same sentence. The DVD that makes up the other half of this release is a live show in the band’s hometown at the Metro from earlier this year and is fucking cool... not some filler disc like a lot of these CD/DVD releases seem to be. Nine live tracks and a video too. This whole release is just great, the whole style and appearance and everything is just killer... I guess these guys are killer by name and by nature...
Organized Crime Records
www.organizedcrimerecords.com

THE KING BLUES - ‘UNDER THE FOG’ CD
I was so blown away by these guys when I saw them live for the first time. They mix shit up like crazy and somehow it all works. I mean, they play a crossbreed of raw acoustic punk and unrefined reggae and also have ukulele thrown in. It’s directionless but with pure direction if you can get that. There’s nothing set but they know exactly where they are going and that’s so fresh I can’t tell you. THE KING BLUES have the sound we need back in the English punk scene, the raw creativity and freedom that’s been long lost. The press-sheet describes them as a mix of AGAINST ME!, BILLY BRAGG, CHRIS MURRAY and BEDOUIN SOUDCLASH and I’d say that’s fuckin spot on... maybe I’d throw BABAR LUCK in there too. Very interesting shit indeed and the shot that the youth needs. Raw rebellion!
Household Name Records
www.householdnamerecords.co.uk

LAST TARGET - 'ONE SHOT, ONE KILL' CD
I couldn't wait to hear this CD. I've been hooked on LAST TARGET since hearing their debut EP a couple of years ago (Luck / TKO). This is Ryoko's newer band (former vocalist from THUG MURDER) and she is unstoppable. I fucking love her voice and the fire and passion that burns through her vocals and song writing is unbelievable. 'One Shot, One Kill' was released last year in Japan and BYO have released this US version and I'm not fucking around... you need this so badly. You should know THUG MURDER and that should be enough to make you want this already. You may have already heard LAST TARGET on the TKO's 'Punch Drunk IV' comp, but I'm telling you, this is as urgent and fervent as punk rock gets. This is spitting chaos non-stop and a big fuck you to all the monotonous bands out there. I love this record and I truly back anything Ryoko does. She's got passion and style like crazy.
BYO Records
www.byorecords.com

THE LAST VEGAS - ‘SEAL THE DEAL’ CD
High-energy, big riff rock ‘n’ roll with a real glam edge. The first time I heard these guys was on their split with BIBLE OF THE DEVIL and they stole the show by miles on that so I was really looking forward to hearing this. Soaked in the decadent and debauched style of HANOI ROCKS, MOTLEY CRUE, THE CULT, CHEAP TRICK, 20/20 etc these fuckers sure know how to rock. On top of that, the LAST VEGAS have this strange element where they really remind me of METALLICA too... which is weird because they haven't got that type of metallic heaviness... I can’t quite place it but it really works!! This is not the typical approach!!! A lot of the solos really reminds me of 'Appetite for Destruction' era GUNS 'N' ROSES and there's a hint of TEXAS TERRI in all this too! It’s a fucked up, balls out rock n’ roll Molotov!! I dig this shit a lot because it’s on the right side of rock ‘n’ roll for me, the side that doesn’t give a fuck... the degenerate side!! Not that bullshit macho so-called rock ’n’ roll that’s so formulated it hurts. This rocks for real.
Get Hip Records
www.gethip.com

THE LAWRENCE ARMS - ‘OH! CALCUTTA!’ CD
This record is so active... there’s some serious vitality here. These guys have always had this enthusiastic and energetic sound but it’s stronger than ever on ‘Oh! Calcutta!’ (any record that takes it’s titles from The Simpsons is gonna be a winner with me!!). Their sound is a mix of the abrasive chaos of CHOKING VICTIM/LEFTOVER CRACK and the rasping melody of ANTI-FLAG all topped off with the classic Lookout! sound of CRIMPSHRINE. On top of all the dynamism this is actually intelligent punk rock with clever lyrics, talented compositions and killer presentation too. It’s amusing but shrewd and even touching. They have that SCREECHING WEASEL melancholy sometimes too. Maybe that’s instilled into Chicago punk bands! The vocals are spot on, perfectly forceful and never overpowering. This is a great record and overflowing with eagerness.
Fat Wreck Chords
www.fatwreck.com

LEFT ALONE - ‘DEAD AMERICAN RADIO’ CD
I’ve heard a lot of people saying that this record isn’t as good as last year’s ‘Lonely Starts and Broken Hearts’ because it’s not as tough but that’s bullshit... it may be less heavy but it’s way stronger direction-wise and song-writing-wise. I liked the last record a lot but I found it lacking focus, only very slightly, but that’s what’s fallen into place here and what makes this record all the stronger. This album is a lot more melodic with a slower-pace and heavy on the Hammond with a much more clean guitar sound. They even venture into a more rock ‘n’ roll / country sound on ‘Done Wrong’, ‘Waiting For You’ and ‘I Hate Emo’. I think this is a solid as fuck record that kicks the ass off ‘Lonely Starts...’. It’s way more creative and I guess that’s what the kids have a problem with. They want bands to stick to formulas and I’m happy to see that LEFT ALONE have not done that and I hope to hear a continuation in the direction of ‘Dead American Radio’.
Hellcat Records
www.hell-cat.com

LEFT HAND PATH - 'THE WRECKAGE' 7"
Brutal hardcore/thrash, heavy and intense. This is straight from the old school, before hardcore was fashionable and over-metallic. This is just super-concentrated and powerful. I haven’t heard a hardcore band in a long time that deserves the title ‘hardcore’ but shit do LEFT HAND PATH define that term. This is the shit I grew up with before it turned into the shit that it is today. I love the title because it’s like LEFT HAND PATH are born out of the wreckage of hardcore, the breakdown of what was once an amazing movement and now they are the resurrection! Six tracks that will teach the kids what hardcore really is.
Organized Crime Records
www.organizedcrimerecords.com

LEGEND OF DUTCH SAVAGE - ‘DIRT FIST FEET’ CD
This is the debut CD from these raw Portland Rock N Rollers. They mix shit up on here like crazy and the end result is a fucking fascinating record. They certainly have a punk rock approach to their music but they don’t let that restrict their sound, rather direct it though the rawness of punk rock delivery and attitude. Melody and aggression... the vocals are the icing on this fucking killer cake. I love them and they are perfect for what these guys are doing. I’m really blown away by this band and this record. They just fuckin nailed what they were attempting with mixing all this shit up. The rawness of the recording is the cherry... it works fantastic.
www.legendofdutchsavage.com

LENNON - ‘BEYOND WARPED’ DVD
This is part of the Beyond Warped ‘Live Music Series’ but it’s just a DVD not the usual dual-disc CD/DVD, and presents LENNON’s 2004 Warped set from Charlotte, North Carolina. LENNON mix heavy, hardcore music with harmonious female vocals and lots of breakdowns and heavy bass riffs. The tracks are interspliced with band footage between each cut (there are 6 songs in all). LENNON are another example of how the Warped sound has expanded over the years. They definitely fit into the mould but they aren’t the absolute typical Warped band. They aren’t super-poppy punk and they aren’t Emo. The DVD contains loads of extra stuff but you have to put the disc in your computer because it works like a CD-ROM. There’s also interviews, out-takes and lots of other shit on there too.
Immergent Records
www.immergent.com

LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT - ‘NAVIGATE BY HEART’ CD
Wow, this really took me by surprise. I was expecting this to be dark, melodic punk rock in the vein of MANIFESTO JUKEBOX but I was way off!! This is raging Finnish hardcore that’s fast, heavy and hectic. Well-written and very stylish with smart lyrics. It’s so shocking how European stuff like this just blows all that US shit out of the water... you can feel the passion and fascination coming through the speakers and the production isn’t all over the top. There’s a certain style about European bands, especially in hardcore, that the US can’t touch and when you’re talking about Finland... shit, there’s no way you can compete with that... this shit is untouchable. 14 tracks in under half an hour, the energy never lets up. This was a great surprise!
Combat Rock Industry
www.fireinsidemusic.com

LITTERBUG - ‘SPEAKING THROUGH THE GAPS’ MINI CD
This may not be the sound that instantly comes to mind when thinking of JSNTGM bands but once you get deeper into this release you will see that it fits in perfectly with the JSNTGM ethic. This is punk rock in attitude and delivery and not some generic, heard-it-all-before punk shit. I hear a slight resemblance to CARTER USM who, in my opinion, were a lot more punk than a lot of bands who called themselves punks. It’s layered but simple and that’s the key factor. There’s no bullshit overshadowing the rawness of the song. It’s bare bones layered over bare bones and I like that. A lot happens through this simplicity. A nice departure without being too much of a variation!
JSNTGM Records
www.jsntgm.com

THE LITTLE KILLERS - ‘A REAL GOOD ONE’ CD
This is wild! Raw and rowdy rock 'n' roll that blends garage and punk with a touch of glam. Perfect New York debauched sleaze, this is the real rock 'n' roll. There’s an unpredictable and really natural sound to this record and that’s because they pretty much recorded it live in the studio and I fucking love that... that’s how it should be done. Rock 'n' roll is a wild beast so let it be wild! No overdubbing restraints! I can imagine the LITTLE KILLERS releasing stuff on FULL BEACH KICKS. They remind me a little of THE URGENCIES and THE SODA POP KIDS with a definite RIFFS thing going on! This is a killer record from these LITTLE KILLERS and as the title states ‘A Real Good One’, that should actually read, ‘A Fucking Great One’.
Gern Blandsten Records
www.gernblandsten.com

LIVEFASTDIE - ‘BANDANA THRASH RECORD’ CD
I was expecting LIVEFASTDIE to be heavily influenced by GG ALLIN but I wasn’t sure which era-GG they would sound like and I was hoping that it wasn’t the MURDER JUNKIES because that’s when GG ran out of ideas. Thankfully LIVEFASTDIE are born out of the early sound of the JABBERS and the SCUMFUCS... that raw rock n roll urgency with a huge dose of fun. GG really nailed that sound and LIVEFASTDIE drive that nail in deeper... this is fantastic punk rock. The vocals even sound live a young GG... quite high and nasal and the whole key to this style is that it comes across as dangerous without being over the top and that’s where GG lost the way later on. This is a fantastic record and it's so great to hear that raw, attacking, stripped-down punk rock sound that I fell in love with delivered so fuckin well.
Dead Beat Records
www.dead-beat-records.com

THE LOCOMOTIONS – S/T CD
It’s unbelievable to think that THE LOCOMOTIONS was just an idea thrown around between bands in a practice room because this bares none of the symptoms of a side-project. This is devoted and wild and rips like crazy. The energy is overwhelming and you can feel and hear these guy's excitement. It’s so stripped down yet so powerful and that’s the exact definition of true rock ‘n’ roll, When it’s so bare that