M80 are a hard hitting punk band from Oakland, California who recently released a 5 track demo ep titled Apathy. It's available on cassette (there were 50 copies on Nickleodeon orange but they quickly sold out though there may still be some of the 100 copies on Shrek green still available if you're quick.) and as a digital download : https://m80sucks.bandcamp.com/album/apathy
I suppose a lazy comparison would be with Amyl And The Sniffers but that's not an entirely accurate one. There are similarities, both bands have charismatic,aggressive front women. I could easily imagine M80's Aba bouncing around on stage singing Gacked On Anger or Go Fuck Yourself and I can certainly see her being a force of nature that has no problem enthralling a pogoing crowd but maybe the rest of the band hit slightly harder than The Sniffers? Forget the comparison and instead listen to their music.
As for the ep, it's already been making waves. The title track berates non voters, there's a track that shares the same name as the band and just has just one line of lyrics... "I'M GONNA EXPLODE." There's a song about the shit we ingest ("Toxins Toxins...") and the opening track is about those that protect and serve just a little too over zealously. This is my pick of a very tasty bunch though, it's called I Don't Like You...
sometimes im good enough / sometimes im not sometimes you ask consent / sometimes you don't I do everything for you / I know I try its taken a long time / to realize
I Dont / Like You Bye / I Dont Like You !
sometimes you squeeze my neck / with your vice grip sometimes I dream of poison / and arsenic walk on egg shells around you / you're a raw nerve so scared to face your trauma / no one deserves your drama
When I posted a track from Brighton hardcore punks Rotten Foxes' Arrive, Raise Hell, Leave ep last summer (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/06/rotten-foxes-over-ropes.html) I mentioned that it was possibly their last release as they were shortly disbanding. Today I bring mixed tidings. Sadly they've reconfirmed that they aren't getting back together but to sweeten that pill, they've just released one final three track ep. It's aptly titled We've Got Nothing Left, it was recorded on the 4th anniversary of their first ever show and I'm very happy to report that it very definitely isn't a case of them sticking out a few substandard songs that they had left kicking around. All 3 are great. Fast, loud and very catchy, you can snap them up as a name your price download here : https://rottenfoxes.bandcamp.com/album/we-ve-got-nothing-left
Track 1 is called Dehumanised (I'll play it on Sunday's Just Some Punk Songs show) and it's a frantic opener that would lead to plenty of sweat (and probably plenty of bruises) if they ever played it live (I'm not sure if they ever did). The closing track is the shortest on offer and I'm still trying to work out all the lyrics bar "leave me alone..." but it's a fine swansong. The meat in the sandwich is the one they've made a video for. Another song that screams leave me alone from a band you'll wish hadn't gone away. This is Get Out Of My Head...
Some of you may know that I'm a big fan of Canadian political punks The Fallout. Today I've a song for you from a band that ticks all the same boxes. Great political, anti fascist, working class punk anthems... yep. Canadian, yep...from Kitchener, Ontario. Highly recommended... hell yeah! They're even gigging with The Fallout and others as they play the Rebel Time Records Punk Rock Matinee on Feb 2nd at North Hamilton's This Ain't Hollywood. You can check out details here : https://www.facebook.com/backbreakeroi/
The band line up with Jaysin (Guitar), Nate (Drums), Deville (Bass/ Vocals) and Terry (Vocals). As you may notice from the photo, Terry is in a wheelchair which I'm guessing is where the band name comes from? They've just released their debut ep, it's titled By Any Means Necessary and it's available on cassette from 3nines Compact Cassettes and digitally. It's "a salute to the working class and those fighting fascism in all forms of it across the world. This is a call to action for all of those who realize positivity is no longer enough. If we want change we must act, directly, militantly and by any mean necessary to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all" and you can check it out here : https://backbreaker519.bandcamp.com/album/by-any-means-necessary-ep
A look at the back sleeve's track list will give you an idea what to expect. It's anti fascist oi music and it's very good. A great debut release. I played Boot Boys on last week's Just Some Punk Songs show (https://www.mixcloud.com/mick-fletcher/just-some-punk-songs-190120/) so today I'll feature their call for workers to unite. This is Union Made...
Oi Oi Oi
Join The Union, Fellow Workers Men and Women, Side By Side We Will Crush The Greedy Shirkers Like A Sweeping, Surging Tide For United, We Are Standing But Divided, We Will Fall Let This, Be Our Understanding All For One, One For All
We Are Union Made Woahhhh Ohhhh We're Not Going Away Noooo Ohhhh We'll Fight TIll The End Woahhhh Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhh Oh
Hang The Bosses, Eat The Bankers Nothing Changes, Till We Fight If The Workers, Stand Together We, Can Be The Guiding Light For United, We Are Standing But Divided, We Will Fall Let This, Be Our Understanding All For One, One For All
We Are Union Made Woahhhh Ohhhh We're Not Going Away Noooo Ohhhh We'll Fight TIll The End Woahhhh Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhh Oh
Oi Oi Oi
Join The Union, Fellow Workers Men and Women, Side By Side We Will Crush The Greedy Shirkers Like A Sweeping, Surging Tide For United, We Are Standing But Divided, We Will Fall Let This, Be Our Understanding All For One, One For All
We Are Union Made Woahhhh Ohhhh We're Not Going Away Noooo Ohhhh We'll Fight TIll The End Woahhhh Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhh Oh Woahhhh Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhh Oh Woahhhh Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhh Oh Woahhhh Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhh Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh
Yesterday I posted a track about sex positivity and the high proportion of boys in bands and today you're getting a similar themed song which has the (rather excellent) singer telling us she doesn't want to be one of the guys or to be in your boy's club. Like yesterday's song, it's great.
Zip It are a new band to me (and quite possibly you). They come from Detroit, and they line up with Rae (Vocals), Kyle (Vocals & guitar), Dee (Synth & duster), Lyn (Bass) and Mikey (Drums). They play Goblincore.
The obvious question is, what the hell is Goblincore? Google tells me "Goblincore is an aesthetic which is a twist on ‘dragoncore’. Goblincore celebrates not just flawless gems, dazzling metals, and meticulously kept treasuries, but also damaged coins, cool rocks, bits of scrap metal, maybe even beads, bugs, and buttons." That doesn't sound right in this case so I'll admit to being stumped (although it gives me an excuse to mention Goblin Reprise which is a song by Judy And The Jerks, a band which Zip It remind me of).
They've just released what I assume is their debut ep. 5 tracks, all very decent and all indicating that Zip It are a band to watch. Fast paced spooky surf punk featuring cool synth work and hyper vocals. The lyrics are humorous rather than po-faced and topics covered include workshy wasters, late night partying and what sounds like a severe case of hyperactivity. It's titled Trash Baby and it might just be my favourite release of the year so far. You can snap it up name your price here : https://zipit.bandcamp.com/album/trash-baby
Soakie are a fast, energetic hardcore punk band with members from Melbourne, Philadelphia and New York. I came across them when stumbling upon their Dangerous Doge demo (https://soakie.bandcamp.com/releases) a couple of years ago (if I remember correctly I played Power Tool on the show). Now several of the songs from that demo (along with several new ones) make up a lean, pissed off sounding 7 track clear green vinyl mini lp that'll be available on La Vida Es Un Mus on February 10th. You can pre order it here : https://lavidaesunmus.bandcamp.com/album/soakie
The line up of the band is Summer (vocals), Nellie (bass), Austin (drums) and Chumz (guitar). Summer's vocals are described as part Nick Blinko (Rudimentary Peni) and part Vi Subversa (Poison Girls). She spits venom. The production maybe slightly more polished on this first "proper" release but the intensity levels are just as high. There's a couple of songs streaming, opener Nuke The Frats is a fast paced new tune with a pretty self explanatory title whilst Boys On Stage is one of the tracks that was on the demo. It's a call for sex positivity, being in a band is an option for all, it's not just boy's fun!
"Once this Ratz record comes out people will be able to tell the difference. The major difference is Ines Segarra (formerly of Damn Broads) is now playing lead guitar and handling a ton of the vocal responsibility in The Ratz. The new record is more raw and in your face. To me it's very early Adolescents. Plus our songs are all close to one minute in length."
That was a quote from a recent interview I did with Jeffrey Thunders, the frontman of New Haven punk bands The Lost Riots and The Ratz (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/12/interview-with-jeffrey-thunders-lost_28.html). I'd asked him what the differences were between the bands. Well, the new record has just been released and he was right, it's a trim, 8 song 7" old school, hardcore punk ripper. Just like they used to do back in the 80's. Available via Die Hipster Records, it's titled After The Blackout and with a running time of under 10 minutes it barrels through from start to finish leaving you gasping for breath and wanting more. You can check it out here : https://theratz.bandcamp.com/album/after-the-blackout
"WILD PRIMITIVE CHAINSAW MASSACRE TEENAGE GARAGE PUNK TRASH"
Sounds interesting doesn't it?
The Monsters are from Bern and formed in 1986. They've released 6 albums and numerous singles and eps of trashy garage, rockabilly and rock n roll (https://the-monsters.bandcamp.com/).They line up with Beat-Man (Guitars/Vocals), Janosh (Bass), Di Putto (1Drum), Swain Lee (2Drum) and Pumi (Coaxial Jackson). You can find out more here : https://www.facebook.com/The-Monsters-official-123189661111110/
And then, to be honest, they dropped off my radar so I missed their split cassette with Mystery Girls that they released early last year. Happily though, after being tipped off by drummer Jesse Gehlen, I'm now back in the loop and can report that they'll be releasing a new ep in May. It'll be available on 7" from Lempi & Sylvi Discs and titled Big Ball Of Fire. If the preview track is any indication, it'll be everything I hoped for from them. As well as Jesse on drums, the ep also features Karkki (vocals), Johanna (bass), Joel (lead guitar) and Pete (guitar) along with Atte (additional guitar). You can find more info on them here : https://www.facebook.com/karkkiandthecarkeys/ and music here : https://karkkiandthecarkeys.bandcamp.com/
Kicking off with a first line that tips it's hat to one of power pop's greatest bands (The Exploding Hearts), this is a break up song with a great vocal performance complimented by some excellent guitar riffing and it's called Last Line...
I've heard all the rumors in town that we are not together, somehow you just forgot to tell me the news and it’s understandable when you got 10 things in your mind I guess you don’t have time for mine but I still need to see you so I can tell you
we got some breaking up to do this is the last line of our love story we got some breaking up to do this is the last line of our love story
well now it’s too late to cry foul you knew that it could happen, somehow everything would bite back but the damage is done oh you poor little thing that acted on a whim and turned everything that’s gold to shit when I told you
we got some breaking up to do this is the last line of our love story we got some breaking up to do this is the last line of our love story
You might not recognise the name Jake Robertson but he's been one of the Aussie punk scene's most prolific figures in recent years. He's been in a few bands I'm familiar with such as Ausmuteants, School Damage and Hierophants and even more that I'm not (Drug Sweat, Leather Towel, No Limit, Swab, The Frowning Clouds, The Snoozefests...). He's also behind solo project Alien Nosejob, the Clunes based outfit responsible for several eps and the 2018 album Various Fads & Technological Achievements.
Now there's a second album, it's available via Anti Fade Records and Drunken Sailor and it's titled Suddenly Everything Is Twice As Loud. It follows hot on the heels of last November's HC45 7" (https://ironlungpv.bandcamp.com/album/hc45-7-lungs-150) and where that ep was a hardcore rager, this time around we're treated to a more varied record. You may have heard excellent preview track Television Sets (it went down well on a recent Just Some Punk Songs show) but that's not the only stand out. Most of the tracks tread the line between indie punk and garage, if I was to make comparisons with another modern era band it'd probably be Freak Genes. For a solo project there's plenty going on. You can check it out here : https://aliennosejob.bandcamp.com/album/suddenly-everything-is-twice-as-loud
This is one of the "punkier" tracks, a song about not fitting in, it's called Black Sheep...
They've just released their second album (following up 2018's View From The Bottom), it's titled Under Tension and it's available on coloured vinyl (1000 Black Vinyl, 500 Blood Red Vinyl, 300 White Vinyl, 200 Blood Red w/ Black Spokes Vinyl) and cd via Pirates Press Records https://shop.piratespressrecords.com/products/the-drowns-under-tension-lp-cd
As you hopefully already know, they put out quality working class anthems and with the album being produced by Ted Hutt (the Grammy award winning Brit responsible for producing bands such as Dropkick Murphys, Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly, Street Dogs, Bouncing Souls, Tiger Army, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones etc) you can guarantee it's going to sound great. It's an album that's going to impress by a band that'll no doubt go down a storm when they come over to the UK to play the Rebellion Festival again in Blackpool later this year. They'll also be touring around Europe. As well as a cover of the Jimmy Cliff classic The Harder They Come, there's both sides of a single that came out last year (Hold Fast / Demons) as well as choice cuts such as Cue The Violins, Waistin' Time and Them Rats. You can check it out here : https://thedrowns.bandcamp.com/album/under-tension
This is the song I played on Sunday's show, it's called Wolves On The Throne...
We've been pushed down for far too long They kept us blinded to what's going on Hard times are coming There's no time for running away We can back down to their stale beliefs Or we can stand up and bare our teeth The choice is yours The future starts today
Their numbers are thinning It's just the beginning Compassion's in fashion, my friend I'll bet my empathy Against their bigotry Ignorance won't win again
Thieves hold the coffers Wolves on the thrown There's no more saviors We have to make our own (Taking final offers, democracy's been sold)
To the laughed at and the left behind To those struggling to find peace of mind At the end of the day Our pride is all we keep But if we stand up as a united force We can break rank and change the course We can show them all that we won't be bought so cheap
Status and wealth Don't define sense of self Keep your dignity firm in your grasp Tear down the monuments To their intolerance Dance in the smoldering ash
Jodie Faster are an explosive hardcore punk band from Lille who formed in 2016. They line up thus; Ripoll (drums, backing vocals), Braeckman (bass, backing vocals), JayJay (guitar) and Mika (vocals). You can get more info on them here : https://www.facebook.com/JODIEFASTER59/
They've just released their debut album, Blame Yourself. It's 17 tracks of fast as fuck, kick ass political punk. It's available via numerous labels (including TNS Records in the UK) with the digital version being "name your price" on Bandcamp : https://jodiefaster.bandcamp.com/album/blame-yourself
It'll come as no surprise that there are a couple of songs on the album that deal with France's current state of political unrest, Still Not Loving The Police and We All Bleed Red paint pictures of rebellion and violence. Did Not Vote sends a warning to President Macron that the majority didn't want him and how it's time to take the power back. Several tracks deal with themes of capitalism, religion and fascism but as well as politics there's also songs about the punk rock community, both the good (Gloucester's Finest) and the bad (Punk Police). All in all, a top album so check it out.
This song is a solution to inequality, born out of frustration and hopelessness and it's called Push The Button...
My generation will end up in a bin ! Pauperized to the limit. We are being raised with a sense of self esteem But this modern life… annihilates it For all I care you can blow it all up Erase the human race from the surface of the earth ! A nuclear war for real equality The poor will die, he's quite dead already The rich will die, and the mighty will too Make everyone equal under a big mushroom ! Drop Hell on us, solve the question A-Bomb, H-Bomb, push the button !
"First they came ..." is the poetic form of a prose post-war confession first made in German in 1946 by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). It is about the cowardice of German intellectuals and certain clergy (including, by his own admission, Niemöller himself) following the Nazis' rise to power and subsequent incremental purging of their chosen targets, group after group. Many variations and adaptations in the spirit of the original have been published in the English language. It deals with themes of persecution, guilt, repentance, and responsibility.
Today's song made me think of "First They Came..." It's a song that shows how you don't have to be shouting at a wall to get your point across, sometimes simmering rage works equally as well. A whisper can be more powerful than a roar.
Last year when I featured Ugly Feeling by Portland punks Abolitionist, I mentioned that they looked to have called it a day. I'm not certain they'll never be back but in the meantime the band's vocalist Dustin Herron is going down the solo route. It's just him, an electric guitar, amp and microphone. No hanging about though, already he's released a debut album under the name DZTN 1980 (https://www.facebook.com/DZTN1980/). The album's titled Outside The City and it's available digitally as a name your price download : https://dztn1980.bandcamp.com/album/outside-the-city-lp-2020
The album consists of 13 tracks. Though a solo project, it's still very powerful. There's an undercurrent of menace as the songs interlink. The lyrics feature lines such as " Behind the scenes they formed their plan...They gathered intel on every piece of scum" and "Any free society could be erased." There's "This was a perfect time to put everyone in line, up against the wall" and "He remembered the good old days like a slap in the face, back before speaking out got you thrown in a cage." Paranoia and dawning realisation abound. There's also fighting back and maybe a hint of optimism... "It was time to strike back, time to fight. He had said never again, not ever again. It was time to fight." "The "good old days" ... but now they had more in store. Gonna be okay. It was his lucky day. Gonna be okay."
It's a fascinating album that conjures up (to me at least) thoughts of Orwell, Bradbury and Dick. It's an album to be listened to as a whole rather than cherry picked through. Very enjoyable and thought provoking indeed.
This is He Watched Them Die...
It was a crisp, sunny November day when everything came to a head. He was walking his usual walk, doing his best to drink in the fresh morning air. Taking in the sound of the birds, chattering away (like most birds do), when he heard shouting up ahead, a chorus of angry voices that crashed together like a wave on a rocky beach. At first, he didn't recognize the faces that looked down from their tenuous perch below the maple trees. He thought it was weird to see the four of them with ropes around their necks. "What the fuck is this? Do I really see what I see?" he thought to himself as he froze where he stood. So, it was in disbelief that he watched them fall in a such a violent way toward the ground below, just stopping short. He watched them die. The mob that had gathered were overseen by a small group of ugly men dressed in ugly clothes. The purplish hue that had overtaken the four faces were more beautiful than that cloth. The chorus of angry voices slowly died away as those on display stopped their swinging and kicking. He wanted to kick and swing, too, at every single one of 'em, he wanted to rip their fucking eyes out, but he just watched instead. As he stood there, frozen like an antelope trying to pretend the stalking lion couldn't smell it, something occurred to him. He knew who those four faces had belonged to, he recognized his own personal connection to the moment. One was a teacher he'd had in high school, another a school nurse sometime before that. It was then that he realized that things had turned for the worse, and that things could not be the same as before ...
They released a video for one of the tracks, Ciudad Muerta, and you can watch that here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47BPLsgxSuw It translates as Dead City and it's both powerful and very catchy. The same can be said of the other 3 tracks, there might only be two of them in the band but they make a rich and sonorous noise. I think it's their debut release so as introductions go, it's an impressive one.
This is my pick of the ep, it's a joyfully upbeat singalong titled Esplendor...
Another guest review today, this one from Tadpole Records' Darren Bourne. Darren wants to introduce you to a new local band called Plastics (https://www.facebook.com/plastics.bn1/)...
Plastics are a 4 piece from Brighton, England. They formed in January 2019 and are led by vocalist Oli Carter Hopkins along with Sam Rack (Drums), James Claringbould (Guitar) and Louis Orm (Bass). In January 2020 they released a 6 tracks demo called “plastic world” on Bandcamp & Cassette which you can check out here : https://plasticsrockers.bandcamp.com/album/plastic-world People have already been comparing it to Exit Order, but that may be just Oli’s vocals, as I find Plastics a bit more tribal sounding and that’s no bad thing as this is punk rock – I’ve seen them a bunch of times live and they seem to be getting better with each gig & really setting their place as another great BN1 band (Brighton postcode).
Members have been / are in bands like Salt Wound, State Funeral, Loot Camp (Hip Hop), Never, Human Cell and Gutter Knife, so if you like any of those guys be sure to check out Plastics & go see them live because that’s where the magic really comes through in my opinion. Favourite track for me is “Bitter” – I love how it builds up & Oli sounds pissed off, and in 2020 I want my Punk rock to be pissed, not nice. But there isn’t a duff track on the demo from the Intro to the final track “Nerve Pusher” which is a perfect ending track to a perfect demo.
Now they're back with a taster song for album number 3. It'll be released by Slovenly Recordings on March 6th and titled Gran Pantalla. Translating as Big Screen it'll deal with the amount of surveillance in modern day society. Our lives are largely lived out on screen. Cameras are everywhere. It's a theme with plenty of scope for discussion and add a bunch of tunes that will no doubt have the critics throwing around the usual Buzzcocks comparisons (though am I alone on hearing a bit of The Wedding Present type guitar work on this new song?). I'm sure it'll be an album worth waiting for. You can find more info here : https://www.facebook.com/biznagapop/
This is the first single from the album, I've no idea what the lyrics translate as but that doesn't spoil the enjoyment of a song that starts strongly before building up into a joyfully upbeat crescendo of an ending. It's called 2k20...
A guest review for you today courtesy of Jason Long. Jason recommends we all check out the new Self Titled ep by Chicago band What's Your Damage? After listening to several of the songs, it's a recommendation I'd heartily endorse.
Over to you Jason...
Great news for punk fans, especially those who have a craving for that early post punk noise mixed with a bit of 80s new wave! What's Your Damage? is set to release an 8 track EP on Jan. 17th!
There's a few reasons this could be a choice album for you. First off, WYD? specializes in the sounds of yesteryear, but it comes out as a breath of fresh air. I don't want to refer to it as a throwback, because the band puts youthful energy in to it. Really, it's a nice alternative to the ear splitting genres of punk we all love so much, but not too far from home, as it's still upbeat catchy jams. Secondly, I'm not the biggest fan of female vocals... that's just me, can't help it. I find a lot of female punk vocalists add accents and shrilling noises that my ears reject. That's not the case with Quinn. She has a clear delivery and gets right down to the point. Her vocals match well with the driving rhythms. Also, this EP is one of those albums I refer to as "an anytime album". It doesn't require a certain mood or situation. It mixes well in playlists, or as a complete playthrough. Check out some tracks at https://whatsyourdamage.bandcamp.com/ and preorder your copy! Killing Spree is infectious song and worthy of a few listens!
You know what, I often wish I could stay in bed in the morning. Get up when I feel like it (preferably nursing a slight hangover), take the dog for a walk (or maybe to the beach!) and then spend the rest of the day online discovering new music for you wonderful people. Unfortunately I can only do that at weekends as I have to go to work Monday to Friday. Maybe, like Memes, I should have thrown my job application form in the bin...
There's a number of really good UK bands breaking through at the moment that are obviously inspired by punk but who are splintering off in different directions (I suppose Idles, Slaves and Sleaford Mods are obvious examples as well as Fontaines D.C., Lovely Eggs and Football FC). Memes have everything to be up there with them. 2 singles, 2 winners. A very promising start indeed.
A big thanks to Lancaster gig promoter (and old school chum) Mark Simpson for alerting me to the song I'm posting today...
I can't say I heard them at the time but Stirling band The Fakes (https://www.facebook.com/arenoreal/) formed back in the 70's and released a 1979 ep on Deep Cut Records titled Production. I checked the title track out on Youtube and it's a spacious, post punk tale about factory life which as someone who worked in such a place I can definitely empathise with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0sm86jQIUU . They then disbanded after drummer Brian Kemp was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.
Fast forward 40 years and they've got back together. The 2020 incarnation features original members Johnny McGuire (vocals) and Jimmy McEgg (bass) plus new recruits William Baird (guitar) and Lee McPhail (drums). They've just released ep number 2, it's titled Black Apple and it features a couple of new songs and a reworking of the first record's Wallpaper. It's available on Newtown Products (http://www.newtownproducts.com/) on 7" vinyl (ltd to 500 copies) and as a digital download : https://thefakes1.bandcamp.com/releases A debut album will follow later this year.
The new ep is very good, it still merits a post punk tag but the production is very definitely a step up. Wallpaper is a jaunty sub one minute description of the paper that hangs on walls! Ootsider reminds me somewhat of Production in that it's a matter of fact account of humdrum, anonymous lives (Every day is the same...no money, no home, nobody that cares...noboby knows when you're not there). The title track begins with a sampling of Donald Trump before exploding into a wall of bass with lyrics calling for a party as we line them up against the wall. It was definitely worth them getting back together for.
This is Black Apple...
We’re gonna have a party We’re gonna have a ball We’re gonna be dancin’ and singin’ When we watch the last one fall They’re all gonna go Up against the wall Up against the wall
We know that day is comin’ We’re waitin for the call We’re gonna be dancin’ and singin’ When we watch the last one fall They’re all gonna go Up against the wall Up against the wall
We’re gonna have a party We’re gonna have a ball We’re gonna be dancin’ and singin’ When we watch the last one fall They’re all gonna go Up against the wall Up against the wall
We don’t know when it’s comin’ We’re waitin for the call Pass the ammunition And we’ll watch the last one fall They’re all gonna go Up against the wall Up against the wall
Hailing from Los Angeles, TRAP GIRL (https://www.facebook.com/trapgirlmusic/) are a trans-punk 4 piece featuring Drew Arriola Sands (vocals), Jorges Reveles (drums), Daniel Guzman (guitars/vocals) and Gaby Beretta (bass). Forming in Sept 2014, they've been releasing angry music, dripping with vituperative attitude since their debut ep, From Diamonds To Dust. With song titles such as Dead Men Don't Rape, Protect Yourself, Not Her Body and the song I'm highlighting today you can easily work out some of the main themes that their lyrics deal with. They've also recorded a cover of the Cramps' classic New Kind Of Kick. A debut album titled The Savage Goddess was announced a while ago but has yet to materialise.
We have however been recently treated to a new 5 track ep. Titled TransAmerican Chokehold, you can find it here : https://trapgirl.bandcamp.com/album/transamerican-chokehold. This is the lead track, it's called Transwomen And Chokeholds...
I'm getting pretty, going to the party and I'm gonna talk to the cutest boy in the room. I got my girls with me. Their gonna rock with me all night long and were gonna talk to the cutest boy in the room.
But it doesn't seem like the party is over but its over for me. I see him walk towards me i see grab both my friends are me and i feel his cold hard grip around my neck fuck!
Transwomen and chokeholds Your transamerica is a joke. Transwomen and chokeholds Your transamerica is a joke.
I was so excited to wear my brand new blouse and shoes. I couldn't wait to see both my girls walk into my room. were getting ready together, were riding together thru every green light and were gonna remember this night forever.
But it doesn't seem like the party is over but its over for me. I see him rush towards us, i see him pick up my girls right off their feet and I feel a hard cold push into the street fuck!
Transwomen and chokeholds Your transamerica is a joke. Transwomen and chokeholds Your transamerica is a joke.
Transphobia isnt an isolated incident, trans people go thru this shit everyday so you wanna step to me or one of my friends be prepared for our fire because were on the rise and were gonna fight and now you're gonna pay!
Transwomen and chokeholds Your transamerica is a joke. Transwomen and chokeholds Your transamerica is a joke.
So you want us on the floor?! Your transamerica is a joke were gonna show up to your door! Your transamerica is a joke!
Radio Blast (https://www.facebook.com/radioblastofficial/) are a relatively new band, they formed in the lower east side of New York City in 2018 and their mission statement is to write catchy songs that pay homage to their favourite Ramonescore bands. I'm guessing they take their name from the 1992 Screeching Weasel single? (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2014/03/screeching-weasel-radio-blast.html). They line up with Kaspar Kielland (vocals/guitar), Dom Sorace (drums/backing vocals), Mike Horowitz (guitar/backing vocals) and Franco Jaramillo (bass/backing vocals).
Last May they released their debut ep. Titled Lets Rock! it features 7 catchy tunes (including the song you'll find below). It's available as a free download. Also on Bandcamp is September's Dog In The Window single https://radioblast.bandcamp.com/ An upcoming release that they'll feature on is the compilation album Ramonescore Brigade Volume One which will also feature The Prozacs, Radio Buzzkills, Follow Ups and many more.
They're currently busy putting together a debut album for release later this year. In the meantime, this is the lead track from Lets Rock! It's not a Weasel cover but it is called Radio Blast...
Chubby and The Gang Rule OK? Both a statement of fact and the kick ass opening track to the debut album from London's best new band. Those of you that saw the Just Some Punk Songs list of the Top 100 Songs Of 2019 will be in no doubt as to how impressed I was with the band's debut single, All Along The Uxbridge Road (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/12/top-50-songs-of-2019.html), so it was a given I was eagerly awaiting the release of the album. The release date is January 17th and you can pre order the vinyl version from Static Shock Records now (the ltd edition blue vinyl is definitely worth checking out). Happily for those of us with an impatient nature, the album's already streaming on Bandcamp so you can listen here : https://staticshockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/speed-kills
The band don't have much of an online presence but basically Chubby is Charlie Manning-Walker (aka Charlie Fresh) from Crown Court (https://crowncourt.bandcamp.com/) ably backed up by three members of Brighton band Gutter Knife; Luke Austin, Ethan Stahl and Joe McMahon. (https://gutterknifeuk.bandcamp.com/). They play fast paced punk rock (the Bandcamp write up throws in names such as Motorhead, The Kids and Cockney Rejects) though they can slow things down when required (as on the tracks Trouble (You Were Always On My Mind) and album closer Grenfell Forever). Their sound is bolstered by the occasional use of Hammond organ.
If you're in The States, you'll soon be able to catch them live as they're over there later this month touring with The Royal Hounds
I was watching a BBC 4 programme last night, Chris Packham : Forever Punk, and it was an enjoyable enough look back at the 70's but what bugs me about those type of shows is that they wax lyrical about something that changed many of our lives 40 years ago but never seem to acknowledge that plenty of great new punk bands are still releasing exciting and very very good music in 2020. If by any chance you read this Chris, check out the new breed. They're great.
This is an unapologetic blast of speedy aggro punk called Hold Your Breath...
Although I didn't see much in the way of coverage over on this side of the pond for Stubborn Hearts' last ep, Trixie, I was very impressed with it, especially the lead track which prompted me to write that the band's style of songwriting reminded me of bands like After School Special (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/07/stubborn-hearts-our-hearts-are-turned.html). When I heard they had a new track out (a song which will feature on upcoming ep Tales From A Red Flag Galaxy), I was interested as to weather it'd match up. Do you know what, I think it's even better.
A quick recap; the band are a melodic punk duo from Rhode Island featuring Jenn Lombari (guitar/vocals) and Doug Metivier (drums). The list of bands they like includes City Mouse, Mobina Galore, The Muffs, Gameface etc. They've been together for a year. As well as the ep, they're also releasing a split 7" with The Kat O Army which will be on Australian label Backyard Grill Records. You can find more info here : https://www.facebook.com/stubbornheartsband/
The new song, it's an endearingly rough around the edges up tempo banger that only slows down for a sublime fade out ending. I really like Jenn's vocals as she sings about wanting you around and pumping the brakes, doing whatever it takes... Raw and scratchy pop punk at it's best. Check it out https://stubbornhearts.bandcamp.com/track/dont-freak-out
This time around rather than aiming their bile at the political elite, their target seems more personal. The new single starts off deceptively restrained despite that growling bass still making it's presence felt. Give it 30 seconds or so though and everything gets much bouncier. Vocalist Sunny sounding like he's been listening to a mix of oi classics alongside maybe Sleaford Mods or Rats From A Sinking Ship. I particularly like the cool guitar work in the latter stages (more please). I'm guessing that as well as being obviously talented, this lot are a pretty versatile band that are going to one day put out a cracking album.
You might think you don't know of Barry Phillips but maybe you actually do. If you're as old as me maybe you remember Blitz Boys' 1980 single Eddy's New Shoes? Barry sung that https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNC1-Mgbts0
He's done some great stuff down the years and his new project is a book called In Search Of Tito's Punks. The intriguing description of the book begins : How did a song recorded in 1981 by a young multi-racial punk rock band from a ‘stagnating provincial English city’ and released on a tiny independent record label become famous in a Yugoslavia formed in the image of Marshall Tito? Why did it take 30 years before the members of the band found out? How was it that this ‘communist’ country had one of the most vibrant punk-rock scenes in the world? Who were ’Tito’s punks’ and who are they now? You can find out more here : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Barry-Phillips/e/B083DXLQP8/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Anyway, when he recommended a new song to me by a band called Punkreas I wasn't going to miss the chance to let him review it himself so I'll hand you over to him.... https://www.facebook.com/PunkreasNiksic2003/ Punkreas hail from Nikšić in Montenegro, about 50km north of the
capital Podgorica. Nikšić is an industrial city of 56,000
population and the economy is based on steel, mining and breweries.
But, like many cities in the region, it has experienced some tough
times since the breakup of Yugoslavia, with the wars being followed
by a devastating economic depression. You might suggest that such
adversity is fertile ground for punk rock and, sure enough, in 2003
Punkreas was formed - comprising Dabo-vocals,
Bula- guitar/vocal, Vela-bas/vocal, Kendy-guitar/vocal and
Djola-drums. To date they have released three albums and two singles
and have played every major city in ex-Yugoslavia, many festivals,
and made a few trips to ‘Europe’.
I
first became aware of them when Djola (who I know as Ðorđije)
contacted me to offer to help with a book I was writing about punk in
ex Yugoslavia. He then told me about Punkreas and sent me a link to a
video they had made. The 'actor' in the video is a former heavyweight
boxing champion from Nikšić who is battling with Multiple
Sclerosis. Heartwarmingly, the legendary Vladimir Klitchko (who he
boxed professionally in 1999), has been sending him expensive
medicines from Germany and the two have developed a friendship. The
song is called “Nije kraj” (It's not the end) and the video is
worth a look – particularly if you're interested in boxing
historieshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZawEIpdiQP8
Anyway,
Punkreas have just released a new single, “Za vas” (For
You), which is an absolute belter of a track. It's unmistakeably
'Balkan' but it's fair to say that if you're a fan of peak Social
Distortion, or perhaps Lars Frederiksen or The Angelic Upstarts,
you'll love this. There's plenty here for most people to enjoy – it
jangles, chugs, then explodes into rage but has one of 'those'
melodies – at once joyous, poignant and defiant. It has a cracking
singalong chorus (don't worry the words are below or you can just
sing the “Za vas” bit 😊
). “Za vas” is a
song about people who keep quiet and don’t raise their voices
against the injustices in society. Yugoslavia had one of the most
dynamic punk scenes in the world. As the country fragmented, so did
the scene. But it’s obvious from bands like Punkreas, Hund,
Pogonbgd, Trnje, Shoplifters etc that bands have since emerged who
continue to fly the flag for punk in the ‘successor’ states.
Da li budan sanjaš? Zar je ovo stvarnost? Ko ti kroji sudbinu? Često pitanje, kad zaboli realnost, Mrziš li lik u ogledalu?
REF: Za vas, što ste ćutali, Što ste se usrali, budućnost prodali, Podižem glas jer nismo isti svi Principe ne gazim Stojim iza njih.
Zatvori oči, I pogni glavu, To ste već naučili, Objasni djeci, kako ste puzali, Da svojom voljom robovi ste posta
Do you dream awake? Is
this reality? Who creates your fate? A common question that reality
hurts, do you hate the figure in the mirror?
CH: For you, who
are silent, You that crapped out, who sells your future, I raise my
voice because we are not all the same, I have principles and I'm
standing behind them.
Close your eyes, keep
your head down, you have already learned that, explain to your
children how you crawled, with your own free will, you become slave.
