Sprints - How Does The Story Go?

  

  Dublin "garage noise four piece" Sprints (https://www.facebook.com/sprintsmusic/) featured on here in February of 2020 with an infectious and very fresh sounding track about the mundanity and monotany of everyday life (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/02/sprints-kissing-practice.html). It ended up featuring in the Just Some Punk Songs end of year chart. I wouldn't be surprised to see them reappear later this year. 

  The band formed in 2019 and have been championed by the likes of the BBC (both Radio 1 & 6), The Guardian and The NME but happily despite attracting mainstream attention they still retain enough energy and edginess to appeal to readers of this blog. Punk attitude, modern sheen. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great band. 

  And they've just released a new single. It's on Nice Swan Records (https://www.niceswanrecords.com/) and it'll be available soon on limited edition 7" signed vinyl. You can get it now digitally here :  https://sprintsmusic.bandcamp.com/track/how-does-the-story-go

  Featuring an impressively passionate performance by vocalist Karla Chubb this is a track you definitely won't be wasting your time on, it's called How Does The Story Go?...

Should I start this with another cliche or how does the story go
I’ve worn a mask everyday you peaked behind and now I wanna go
The cards are stacked and the house is packed and I wanna go home

And everybody's got time
Everybody seems to have so much time
Everybody seems to have so much time but I’m wasting mine I swear to god I’m the only fucker in this place who isn’t doing fine
And I’m not fine

You’re the extrovert I’m in the introvert and that’s the roles
Then I’m the extrovert you’re the introvert and the swapping goes
The cards are stacked and the house is packed and I wanna go home
But we've spoken every day for 8 years so what do I do when you’re gone

And everybody's got time Everybody seems to have so much time
Everybody seems to have so much time but I’m wasting mine I swear to god I’m the only fucker in this place who isn’t doing fine And I’m not fine

The card are stacked and the house is packed and I wanna go home

 

Crime Line - Violent Urges

  

  Crime Line are a band from Norfolk, Virginia who play loud, fast, snotty rock and roll and feature members of Norfolk Nightmares, Great Dismal Swamis, Constrictor, and the Lousy Savages. They line up with Ray Braza (Vocals), Stephen Marsh (Lead Guitar), Charles Glover (Guitar), Andy Harris (Bass) & Jared Fritzinger (Drums).

  Earlier this year they introduced themselves with the blistering Locked And Loaded ep and they've just followed it up with the equally ferocious Crime Line II : Violent Urges. 7 more tracks of high octane garage punk that you're gonna love. I was going to say that highlights include the frenetic Bad Luck, and the more mid paced but very catchy Velcro Heart but to be honest, all the tracks are worthy of a mention. Go check the ep out here : https://crimelinenoise.bandcamp.com/album/crime-line-ii-violent-urges 

   This is the title track, it's called Violent Urges...

Tick Tock, that's the hands of time

It doesn't matter when you're doing crime Layin' low when I'm out at night Forbidden thoughts running through my mind Shadows lurking just beyond the streets Satisfy my curiosity All I've ever known was make-believe Violent urges get the best of me We're not the same What should I do Become a clone Be more like you No, I got violent urges Dark days history repeats Junkies and creeps glued into their seats Black and blue because they can't breathe Cemetery lay the dead to sleep Lifeless bodies left to decompose Cause of death, no one knows All I've ever know was make-believe Violent urges get the best of me We're not the same What should I do Become a clone Be more like you No, I got violent urges We won't leave a trace Witnesses erased I've got violent urges

 

The Linda Lindas - Oh!

  

  Another fun one today as The Linda Lindas (https://www.facebook.com/TheLindaLindas) unleash their new single. Currently one of the most talked about new bands around, they're also one of the youngest. Based in Los Angeles they're two sisters, a cousin, and their close friend; 10 year old Mila, Eloise (13), Lucia (14) & Bela (16). Two of them are Asian, two Latinx and they mix up the spirit of punk rock with a healthy dose of both power pop and new wave. They took their name from a 1987 song by Japanese punks The Blue Hearts 

  I've played a few of their songs on the Just Some Punk Songs show including the excellent Racist, Sexist Boy which they performed a blistering version of at the LA Public Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5AhU5Q7vH0) and which seemed to bring them to the attention of a whole new audience. Signing to Epitaph hasn't done them any harm either!

  You can download the single here : https://thelindalindas.bandcamp.com/album/oh

  It's called Oh!...

Oh when I say something I wish I had shut up (oh!) And when I try to help, I always screw things up (oh!) The places that feel right, They never last too long (oh!) And when I think of things, They always turn out wrong Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh when I say something Nobody backs me up (oh!) When I try by myself, I mess it up (oh!) Oh when they say something You always suck it up (oh!) And when I try to help It never is enough Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! What can I do, what can I do? What can I say, what can I say? What can I do, what can I do? Nothing changes it’s all the same Why do I say something Say anything at all (oh!) It seems that when I try I always take the fall (oh!) But when I don’t speak up There’s nothing but regret (oh!) I can’t stop thinking of What could’ve happened next Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! What can I do, what can I do? What can I say, what can I say? What can I do, what can I do? Nothing changes it’s all the same Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

Vista Blue - Back to the Summer Olympics

  

  

  Going For Gold...

  When you're as talented a songwriter as Mike Patton (that's the good Mike Patton, not the other guy who shares a name), there's always a danger that you'll release another "should be a hit" and the blogs and reviewers that love your music might overlook it in favour of recommending other songs that their readers should know about. This isn't done because the latest release is any worse than previous releases, it's merely because there's only so many times you can say that Nashville pop punk/power pop outfit Vista Blue (https://www.facebook.com/wearevistablue) are the catchiest and most consistent purveyors of that kind of music currently operating. 

  But even though not all releases are shouted about they are all highly recommended (as are those by offshoot projects such as Ralphie's Red Ryders https://ralphiesredryders.bandcamp.com/). Every so often though, the band will pop up again... 

  The new 3 track ep by Vista Blue is titled Back To The Summer Olympics and it's perfect listening on a day like today where the sun is beating down and temperatures are as hot as a Californian beach in high season. The band usually write about stuff such as seasons of the year, horror movies (watch out for a bunch of those songs coming later this year) or various sports. Back To The Summer Olympics features Vista Blues second Olympic Games themed song (this 2016 single featured the first  https://wearevistablue.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-summer-olympics) and it also includes the timely It's Summertime Again which originally appeared on the Ramonescore Radio Records' summer comp (https://ramonescoreradiorecords.bandcamp.com/album/20-original-summer-hits-rcrr-c005). The other track, Hey Anthony, is about some guy who's mother's got a boombox but I've not as yet been able to work out who Anthony is! You can get the ep here as a name your price download :  

https://wearevistablue.bandcamp.com/album/back-to-the-summer-olympics 

  If you want to check out the band's physical releases go here : https://radiantradish.storenvy.com/

  It's 4 years on, it's been a long road but thanks to hard work and many sacrifices we'll make the podium. Back To The Summer Olympics... 

Soursob - Blow

  

  Soursob (https://www.facebook.com/soursob666) are a trio from Glasgow with members originating from Glasgow, Lithuania, and Australia. They recently released a debut 7 track album on Hozac Records (100 copies on gold vinyl, 300 on black) https://hozacrecords.com/product/pre-order-soursob-s-t-debut-lp/

Their sound is a mix of C-86 and riot grrrl, think mid paced menace rather than all out aural assault. It's bass led & growly with comparisons being made to the likes of Huggy Bear, Period Pains, Shop Assistants etc. 

  I played closing track Neo-Lib Dreams on this Week's Just Some Punk Songs show and it went down a storm, one of the listeners mentioned how much the opening track reminded them of Niki Eliot from Huggy Bear and so as I couldn't find that track on Youtube I thought I'd rectify the situation. 

  To find the album click here : https://hozacrecords.bandcamp.com/album/soursob-s-t-debut-lp

  This track is about wishing you had a plentiful supply of cocaine. It's called Blow... 

Fotomatic - Take A Ride

  

  Today's song is the flip side of a debut single which was titled Bipolarity and was released in April of last year for Record Store Day in France. It's by Fotomatic, a power pop / post-punk trio with a line up of Laura, Guillaume & Max. As far as I'm aware it's their only release (thus far). 

  If you want to check out the video they released for the A side then click here :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfhku9UDBBg

   Even catchier is their cover of a song that was originally recorded in 1978 by Les Lous, a Paris band who supported The Clash's on their 1977 Get Out Of Control tour (supposedly it was never actually released and only appeared in a 1979 French punk movie titled La Brune et Moi). You can hear their version here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgmejqJo3-A

  Hopefully we'll hear more from Fotomatic soon. A power pop delight, this is Take A Ride... 

  

Whats Your Damage? - Democracy

  Quinn Anderson (Vocals), Sean Kelly (Bass), Wiley Willis (Drums) & Bobby Shields (Guitars) make up Chicago quartet What's Your Damage? (https://www.facebook.com/whatsyourdamagechicago). They return to Just Some Punk Songs for the third time today. Unfortunately, as they're calling it their last album, I fear it maybe their swansong?

  If that is the case then the album's aptly titled. It's called Concluded, features 8 tracks of their trademark punk/post-punk/new wave influenced sound and it's available now as a name your price download :  https://whatsyourdamage.bandcamp.com/album/concluded

  I've previously mentioned how I'm a fan of Quinn's distinctive vocals and she's still impressing on this release. The songs deal with subjects such as the pressure to strive for the perfect 10 body, the occupation of Palestine, feeling trapped and alone in one's own mind etc. Weighty topics from a band that will be missed if indeed this is their final release. 

  This track is probably the highlight for me, it's another scathing political commentary and it's called Democracy... 

Covert Flops - Agent For H.A.R.M.

  

  A quickie today, a fun cover of a Riverdales song that was originally on that band's excellent 2009 album Invasion USA. 

  It's by Covert Flops (https://www.facebook.com/COVERTFLOPS), the 3 piece from Pendleton, Indiana, who feature Chad (guitar/vocals), Adam (drums) & Billy (bass/vocals). They sing about horror, sci-fi, spies etc and they're one of the best pop punk/power pop acts around. They've featured on here previously with the songs (I Was A) Dick For Tracy and Spy Code 492.

  If you're a fan of them, you'll no doubt be eagerly awaiting their upcoming new album Mission Implausible which will be out soon on Mom's Basement Records (https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/). 

  To keep us going whilst we wait, they've posted the Riverdales cover on Bandcamp as a free download https://covertflops.bandcamp.com/track/agent-for-h-a-r-m 

  This is Agent For H.A.R.M.... 

MDC - Proud Boy

  

  I'm sure you need no introduction to punk veterans MDC (aka Millions Of Dead Cops   https://www.facebook.com/mdcpunkbandofficial). They formed in 1979 in Austin, Texas, as The Stains and have since then undergone name changes, line up changes and relocated a couple of times. What has always been consistent though is both vocalist Dave Dictor and their hard hitting, politically left wing, hardcore punk music. 

  They've recently released a new song which takes aim at those hating racists and homophobes who espouse white pride bullshit. As Dave says, it makes him sick to his stomach. He doesn't hold back and neither should he. It's streaming on Spotify :  https://open.spotify.com/album/6Xzx25UbpiZPOMfLZlbsEt

  It's not just the US that's home to these ignorant bigots though, we have plenty of them on this side of the pond (the abuse directed at a number of black England footballers just being the highly publicised tip of a distressingly large iceberg). 

  No matter where you're from, if you're a racist or a bigot (I'm hopeful there aren't any who visit this blog), this one's aimed at you. It's called Proud Boy... 

DESBORDE - ya no kiero ser parte de este mundo !

  

  DESBORDE are a 5 piece (Renata, Pablo, Augusto, Cristian, Noelia & Pablo Andres) from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who first came to my attention earlier this year with a debut single which paired a couple of very impressive tracks; Sin Caminos and Son Todxs Policias. 

  If you missed it, worry not because they both resurface, along with another 5 songs on a demo titled ya no kiero ser parte de este mundo. Google translates it to, I don't want to be part of this world anymore, so assuming Google isn't winding me up then I guess that the band are pissed off. This, in a way, is a good thing as it helps them bring passion and energy to what is a damn good demo. The lyrics are in their native tongue so I'm unsure as to what precisely is pissing them off so much but with greed, corruption and a dodgy police force being issues that affect most countries I'm guessing most of us are pissed off by the same things. Musically they play fast hardcore enhanced with synth and I'm sure you'll agree it's well worth checking out. 

  There's a cassette version on the way, in the USA by Medio Pocillo Records, Open Palm Tapes & Go Records. In France by Urticaria records. In the UK by Noise Merchant Records and in Argentina by Corrosive Discs. It's also available as a digital download : https://desbordezc.bandcamp.com/album/ya-no-kiero-ser-parte-de-este-mundo-demo

  This is the title track, ya no kiero ser parte de este mundo !... 

Unsanitary Napkin - TERF War

  

  Unsanitary Napkin are an anarcho punk trio from Wellington, New Zealand, who went down very well when I featured them a couple of years ago (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/10/unsanitary-napkin-dildo-baggins.html).

  They return today with one of the two tracks that they've posted which are from an upcoming new album titled All Billionaires Are Bastards. I played the other track, Speak Up For Women, You Don't Speak For Me, on this week's show. You can find them both streaming, name your price, here :   https://unsanitarynapkin.bandcamp.com/album/terf-war

  For those that don't know, TERF stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist and it's a term that  refers to people with trans-exclusionary views who may have no involvement with radical feminism. The song you'll find below is "in solidarity with our trans and gender-diverse whānau and in solidarity with the trailblazing New Zealand weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard." You can find more of the band's views on transphobia and transmisogyny on their Bandcamp page. 

  All proceeds from this release will be donated to Gender Minorities Aotearoa. GMA are a nationwide transgender organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, run by and for transgender people; including binary and non-binary, intersex, and irawhiti takatāpui. Find them at genderminorities.com

  This is TERF War... 

Trans Exclusionary Radical Fuckwit! Trans-misogynist racist bullshit! We won’t adopt your euphemisms We don’t accept your overt bigotry Your stance is not a weapon against, but a tool of the fucking patriarchy You will conspire with fascists When their hate is aligned with yours Can’t you see you’re a fascist like them Callous to the fucking core It’s not a slur, You’re a TERF, that’s what you are Trans Exclusionary Radical Fascist!

Lassie - Zegway Cop

  

  Lassie (yes, they're named after the dawg!) are a Leipzig based quintet featuring Mari, Shreddy, Kat, Teun & Frizzl. They've been around for about 3 years releasing music that mixes and mashes up elements of punk, garage, synth, power pop, post-punk and no doubt several other styles into something of their own. It's whacked out fun and you can check out their releases here : https://lasssie.bandcamp.com/

  There's also a new album titled The Golden Age Of... which is coming out on a very limited cassette (50 copies) on Valencia label Discos Peroquébien. It collects together those early releases into one convenient (and very enjoyable) package. If you're looking for something just that little bit different then you should definitely check it out : https://discosperoquebien.bandcamp.com/album/the-golden-age-of

  This track is about a king of the street cop on a glorious day with his pedal to the metal. You won't hear him coming. It's called Zegway Cop... 

The Muslims - "Fuck These Fuckin Fascists"

    

  The Muslims (https://www.facebook.com/TheMuzlimz/) are QADR (vocals/guitar), Abu Shea (bass), and Ba7ba7 (drums). They're from Durham, North Carolina and are a "crunchy, kickass punk band of Black + brown queer muzzies" whose intention is to bring us a healthy serving of "political satire, spandex and radical extremism. Black/Brown queer shit." They've previously featured on here with a couple of raging songs (Fuck The Cistem & Punch A Nazi) and they return today with an equally incendiary new single. 

  

  It's a song with an important message. 

“I started writing this song during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial and finished it during the attempted coup,” recalls vocalist QADR. “What a time to be alive. As a person who fits the description of a so-called ‘Black Identity Extremist,’ I find it funny that our music and message, calling out racist violence, makes people more uncomfortable than actual racist violence. At least we’re cute, tender, and funny af. Artists are the truth-tellers throughout history, and we’re just speaking our truth. Fascism was never wiped out, it just got more polite and calls itself a Richard Spencer now, whatever that is. We’re going to speak truth to power and have a damn good time doing it. I hope our fans (aka Munks) get some coded message about destroying capitalism and the patriarchy, but only if they play it backwards. I hope this song inspires the next Munk to be themselves: to mosh in the mirror, cuss out racists, steal plant clippings from government buildings, and support their local Co-ops.”

  It's their first release since signing to Epitaph and you can get it here :  https://themuslims.bandcamp.com/album/fuck-these-fuckin-fascists

  Sing it loud, Fuck These Fucking Fascists...

  

Chinese Junk - X Ray Eyes

  

  All hail the Kings of Pound Shop Rock!

  Chinese Junk (https://www.facebook.com/chinesejunkband) are from Orpington (a town in south-east London) whose line up boasts members from bands such as The Griswalds, The Ulcers, and The Unreleasables : Ben Nuthink (vocals/bass), Steve Legend (backing vocals/guitar) & Daz Reject (backing vocals/drums). 

   *Just as I finished writing this update I got a message from Ben so I'll stick a bit of added info from him in here : We all played in the Griswalds, I helped form and was the original singer in The Ulcers as a side project, after a year or so I quit then they got a couple of other singers until Steve from Griswalds joined to sing for them until they broke up a couple of years later. Daz also played in a reggae punk band called Jakal. Daz then formed The Unreleasables as another side project and Steve then joined them a couple of years ago to play guitar for their last recordings. In 2016 Griswalds called it a day but by mid 2019 I started writing songs again so decided to form Chinese Junk. And here we are now, the three of us back together again ha ha! *

  They released an impressive debut ep last year titled Permanent Reduction, a collection of 4 ramshackle punk rock songs which sound as though the band strolled up to the studio and banged them out first take before strolling straight back out again (although in truth it probably takes a lot of effort to sound that wonderfully scrappy). 

  Fast forward 9 month and lightning's struck twice. 4 more tracks, this time on an ep titled Raw Deal and they still have no fucks to give. Songs about dead end towns, cheating girlfriends, being skint and the song I'm highlighting today which is, I guess, about knowing someone just a little too well. It'll hopefully be out soon on cassette via Big Neck Records but for now, both eps are available for free download and are must have if you're a fan of budget punk rock. 

https://chinesejunkband.bandcamp.com/

  This one's called X Ray Eyes... 

X-ray ! x3 X-ray eyes! I can tell you're nervous X-ray eyes! I can see in your head X-ray eyes! I can tell you want me X-ray eyes! I can see that you're wet X-ray eyes! I know what you're thinking X-ray eyes! I can see your brain X-ray eyes! I know that it bugs you X-ray eyes! Again and again Callin' 999 ain't gonna be alright You'd better run run better run run for your life It's so cool I can see through oh yeah! It cuts you up that I can see your guts oh yeah! -repeat every damn thing again- I can see, I can see through you x3 I'm bored, I'm bored of you X-ray eyes! Like an X-ray! x8

Charlie & the lesbians - Fade Away

  

  Charlie & The Lesbians (https://www.facebook.com/Charlieandtl) are a quartet from Eindhoven in The Netherlands who line up with Charlie Hoeben (vocals), Soesja Hoeben (drums and backing vocals), Noortje Pullens (bass) & Mees Welmers (guitar). If, like me, you're late to the party, you can check out their previous releases here :  https://charlieandthelesbians.bandcamp.com/album/paper-trail-of-happiness

  They've a debut album due out on October 15th on Bottom Shelf Records, it'll be titled Fade and they're promising their wildest release yet. 

  To give us an idea of what to expect, they've released a video for the first single from the album. When I played it on this week's show, I mentioned to the folk in the chatroom that I was going to post it on here once I'd worked out how to describe it and to be honest, I'm still struggling. I should take the easy option of saying "just listen to it and decide for yourselves" but I think I should at least mention some rather distinctive guitar work and vocals from a singer who sounds as though he's teetering on the brink of darkest despair. It's a track that bodes well for what's to come. 

  It's called Fade Away... 

Bootlicker - Jackboot

  

  I think it's fair to say that one of the most popular songs on last night's Just Some Punk Songs show was one of the more aggressive tracks. Comments in the chatroom included; 

that's a choon that would set my tinittusssss ringing, it's good

has this bass player got any fingertips left?

reminds me a bit of Cinderblock

decent row!

  It was a song from the debut, Self Titled, album from Vancouver hardcore punk 5 piece (Lewis - Vocals, Athena - Guitar, Josh - Guitar, Mark - Bass, Lucas - Drums) Bootlicker. It boasts 14 tracks and confirms the great promise shown in their 4 eps and 2 demos. It combines the power of D-Beat with the energy of the UK82 scene and you can get it on vinyl from Neon Taste Records (North America - 400/Black 100/Grey Swirl 100/Clear) and Static Shock Records (Europe 400/Black 200/Red). 

https://www.neonwaste.com/new-music-12-punk-aq/bootlicker-st-lp

https://staticshockrecords.limitedrun.com/products/701116-bootlicker-s-t-lp

  It's available digitally here : https://boot-licker.bandcamp.com/album/bootlicker-lp 

  This is the track I played on the show, it's called Jackboot... 

Kid Gulliver - I Started a Joke

    

  

  Anyone in the mood for something very catchy? Then read on...

  Kid Gulliver (https://www.facebook.com/kidgulliver/) are a power pop delight from Boston, Massachusetts who line up thus; Simone Berk (vocals/guitar), David Armilotti (guitars/vocals), Andy Excuse (bass) & Sandy Summer (drums). They released a debut Self Titled ep in 2014 and just seem to get better and better. The first time they ventured onto my radar was with last year's sublime Susie Survived Chemotherapy so I'm very happy that despite lockdown, this year has seen them more productive than ever. January saw a song called Beauty School Dropout and this was followed in April by another winner titled Boy In A Bubble. Both songs that smoothly insinuate themselves into your consciousness leaving you demanding more. And happily, more is what we've now got...

  Last month saw the release, on Red On Red Records, of a 4 track ep titled Gimme Some Go! For my money, the "hits" from the ep are Stupid Little Girl (a song that asks how can true love grow when he's on death row? and which reminds me of Blondie at their most sugar sweet) and their gorgeous version of a 1968 Bee Gees single which has been covered several times previously (my favourite before this being by Low). You can get the ep here : https://kidgulliver1.bandcamp.com/album/gimme-some-go-2

  This is I Started A Joke...

I started a joke Which started the whole world crying But I didn't see That the joke was on me, oh no I started to cry Which started the whole world laughing Oh, if I'd only seen That the joke was on me I looked at the skies Running my hands over my eyes And I fell out of bed Hurting my head from things that I'd said 'Til I finally died Which started the whole world living Oh, if I'd only seen That the joke was on me I looked at the skies Running my hands over my eyes And I fell out of bed Hurting my head from things that I'd said 'Til I finally died Which started the whole world living Oh, if I'd only seen That the joke was on me

Yammerer - Tell Me What The Ancient Astronaut Theorists Believe

 

   'WE DON'T SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE. WE SEE THINGS AS WE ARE’

  Yammerer (https://yammerer.online/) are a post punk/alt rock band from Liverpool with a line up of Jay Sunsea (vocals), Gajo Paco (guitar), Steve Dee (guitar), Conchur Macshim (bass) & Perm Doner (drums). I first came across them last year when I posted a song from their Donnay Death Housing Cryssis single 

https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/05/yammerer-life-in-new-build.html I compared them with the likes of The Fall and Wire and threw about phrases like psychedelic trip and guitar meandering. 

  They've just released a new digital single on Restless Bear Records and from what I can make out it's a topical commentary on those amongst us who are experts on everything even if, for example, they may not have studied for years to qualify to be a proper scientist or ace in a particular field. I imagine they're making the point that the likes of balding comic has been Lee Hurst might not know quite as much about the pros and cons of protecting oneself from a deadly virus by wearing a mask as someone like Chris Whitty does. That seems to be the general idea anyway. 

  If we want to be a Facebook authority on all things, at least read a wide range of opinions and then have a good think before you start tapping away on your keyboard. 

  Musically, they still wander and weave and gradually worm their way into your brain. It's good stuff and you can get it here : https://yammerermusic.bandcamp.com/track/tell-me-what-the-ancient-astronaut-theorists-believe

  Tell Me What The Ancient Astronaut Theorists Believe... 

Das Kapitans - On Me Head Son AND Rum Lad - Taste

   

  It can't be easy being in the music industry during the pandemic. Pretty much impossible to tour, hard even to meet up to practise or record. I know of a few big name bands that have managed to record but are holding off on releasing new material till they can get out on the road. A couple of acts though that have stuck two fingers up to Covid and are more productive than ever are Norfolk duo Das Kapitans (https://www.facebook.com/daskapitans) and gobby, working class Derbyshire bloke Rum Lad. Both have featured on here recently but both keep popping up with great new music. 

  Das Kapitans are Stephen Potter & Simon Bailey who took advantage of their other band, Fuzz And The Felts, being unable to get together to set themselves the goal of releasing a new album every 5 minutes during 2021. A daunting task but one which left them enough spare time to release even more extra tracks, including the one you'll see below. It's a football song for the Euros and it's bloody good. You can snap it up name your price here : https://daskapitansband.bandcamp.com/album/on-me-head-son 

  It's called On Me Head Son... 

John Barnes dancing in the Maracana Carlton Palmer a midfield disaster David Platt’s wonder goal Extra time sent Belgium home Stuart Pearce changed my Life When he showed that three lions pride Andy Sinton how the hell did he up in the national team Now i understand the offside rule I know where Beckham went to school But what’s a false number 9 when its home On me head son Stick it in the back of the onion bag England til I die I know I am I think I am Maybe I am They said i am I must be true I feel like i am My tattoo confirms just who i am Peter Shilton was our super saver Le Tissier our unsung greatest Chrissy Waddle grace and style Gazza’s tears made hearts collide Peter Crouch had lovely feet for a big man That’s true at least There’s one man missing, would’ve been the key, Number 6 Darren Huckerby We called Sterling overrated We said Kane looks so lethargic Sorry Gareth we trust you With super Jack Youl get us through Harry Maguire handsome man Four clean sheets master plan Jordan Pickford number one Keep ya cool boy marching on Poor old Sancho can’t get on Youl be ok your only young Kyle Walker lots of pace You or des Walker who’s win that race

  Rum Lad (https://www.facebook.com/rumladuk) meanwhile has been agonising over whether to carry on or whether to concentrate on other projects, happily sense has prevailed so not only do we get new album Punk AF (out soon on red vinyl https://rumladuk.com/) we can also look forward to more great stuff like the track released earlier this week (Tin Foil Hat : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrsncqunP_A) and the brand new banger you're getting today. 

  This is Taste... 

RORT MENACE - Peter Gibbons’ dream

  Today's song comes from a very good new ep by a band from Newcastle, Australia called RORT MENACE (https://www.facebook.com/RortMenace/). The ep is titled Turea and I could have chosen any of the 4 tracks to highlight but I was looking at the Urban Dictionary whilst doing a little research and I decided I liked the word fucktitude. 

  This was the Urban Dictionary entry : 

When one is completely janked and knackered with the world, their surroundings and its accompanying bullshit, but despite is still able to free their conscience of life's obstructions and grow as a person, finally see the world clearly and live life stress and carefree with fucktitude. This person is living the Peter Gibbons Dream and is said to have gone through the Peter Gibbons Transformation.

* Peter Gibbons is the character referred to from the movie Office Space.
S: "I have been embroiled in a constant battle with myself and for the first time in along time, I've been able to let it all go...just feels like i went through a really good self-renewal session."
J: "That's the fucktitude! You went through the Peter Gibbons Transformation and now you're living the Peter Gibbons Dream yo!"

  All the tracks on the ep were written on the sovereign lands of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples with the band wanting to pay their respects to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging in consideration of a rich cultural storytelling and musical tradition that extends beyond 75,000 years through to time immemorial. The word Turea comes from the main street in Blacksmiths, NSW which was named in 1948 after the Awabakal word for Bream (type of fish) as recorded by Reverend Threlkeld, a notorious English missionary. 

  The band is comprised of Madeleine Mitchell (vocals/bass), Will Mitchell (vocals/guitar) and Zac Graham (drums/vocals) and I think it's fair to say they kick up one hell of a racket. They describe their sound as brutal, coarse and bratty punk rock and it's a pretty accurate summation. Check out the ep here   https://rortmenace.bandcamp.com/album/turea 

  A song with fucktitude, this is Peter Gibbon's Dream... 

The Hum Hums - Dee Dee Girl

  

  I've been promising for ages that there'll be a Just Some Punk Songs Japanese special and when I eventually get around to it, I'm pretty sure today's song will feature. 

  The Hum Hums (https://www.facebook.com/thehumhums) are a Tokyo based pop punk/power pop band who last featured on here in 2015 (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-hum-hums-london.html). For over a decade now they've been releasing some of the catchiest tunes around. Their influences range all the way through from Stiff Little Fingers to Herman's Hermits via the likes of Jan And Dean.  

  They're pretty much ready to record a new record but the restrictions caused by the pandemic have left the coffers somewhat bare so to raise funds they recently put out a couple of stop gap releases full of previously unreleased stuff. There's Teenage Loser Outtakes (7 outtakes during the pre production for "Teenage Loser" back in 2012 including an unreleased song) and even more interestingly Rejected Demos 2013-2021 (10 rejected demos in 8 years including 2 cover songs). 

  An obvious first thought would be "maybe they were rejected as they're not very good" but happily that's certainly not the case. It's perfect music for driving in your car on a sunny day or maybe lying on a golden beach watching the surfers. 

  You can get both here : https://thehumhums.bandcamp.com/

 This track is about the one and only Dee Dee Girl... 

Descendents - Like The Way I Know

  

  I think it's fair to say that the upcoming new Descendents (https://www.facebook.com/thedescendents) album, 9th & Walnut (“9th & Walnut is where our first practice room was, in Frank’s sister’s garage,”), is shaping up very nicely indeed. It'll be their 8th studio album and it'll be out on July 23rd on Epitaph Records. It'll contain 18 tracks (lucky us!) written by the band between 1977 and 1980 and recorded over two time periods (first in 2002, and again in 2020). Many are previously unreleased (including a cover of the Dave Clark Five's Glad All Over) but there's also re recordings of Ride The Wild & It's A Hectic World. Best of all, it's the first time that the classic line up of Milo Aukerman (vocals), Tony Lombardo (bass), Frank Navetta (guitar) & Bill Stevenson (drums) have recorded together since the 1996 album Everything Sucks. 

  They gave us a taste of what to expect with Baby Doncha Know then released an even better song (Nightage). Now we're treated to another glorious sub 60 second blast of premium punk rock. The bar has been set high and I'm sure they're gonna deliver. 

  You can pre order it here : https://www.epitaph.com/artists/descendents/release/9th-walnut

or here : https://descendents.bandcamp.com/album/9th-walnut 

  This track originally appeared on The Blasting Room comp in 1999 and was a studio outtake from the Milo Goes To College sessions. It's titled Like The Way I Know... 

When I walk down the street people can’t resist to stare I don’t exist and I’m not really there Getting scared, I wanna get outta here Cuz people ‘round here ain’t like the way I know Like the way I know Tired and sick, I wanna get outta here Cuz people ‘round here ain’t like the way I know

Bambies - Dirty Taint

  

  Bambies (https://www.facebook.com/lesbambies/) are a garage punk trio based in Montreal who's members, Sami (guitar, main vox), Feli (Bass, backing vox) & Franki (drums, backing vox), originate from Canada, France & Costa Rica. I featured them on here a couple of years ago   https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/05/bambies-red-guitar.html and mentioned that they were planning to start recording a debut album later in the year. 

    It's been a bit of a wait (due to that darn pesky pandemic) but the album is almost upon us. It'll be titled Summer Soon and it'll be out in August via Spaghetty Town Records in the US and Wanda Records in Europe. They describe their music as "gritty yet poppy, mischievous but charming, infectious, danceable, and above all, fun." It's inspired by 70's era punk, power pop and garage, you might even notice a sprinkling of rock n roll and a topping of surf rock. 

  They've released a teaser track which is about "answering the call of invisible forces, internal chemistry or whatever it is that brings you to the right place, at the right time to have a perfect night. It’s an ode to dirt too. Because the perfect night is not a sanitized one."

It's called Dirty Taint...

  

Real Sickies - Love Is For Lovers

 

 Hey guys, just a heads up. If you like your punk to be catchy as fuck, then today's song could well end up as being the title track of your favourite album of 2021. 

  Real Sickies (https://www.facebook.com/therealsickies) are from Edmonton, Alberta and have featured on here 3 times previously with me spewing out comments such as "catchy choruses and melodies galore." I was a little surprised to discover it's been as long as 6 years since I started banging on about them, recommending them to fans of The Ramones, Teenage Head, Forgotten Rebels, Heartbreakers etc. A new record by them is always a joy. 

  And the new record will be an album titled Love Is For Lovers. It's out on July 9th on Stomp Records (https://stomprecords.com/) and will feature "a stellar collection of 14 timeless songs about love (duh), loss and heartache served up as only the Sickies can. From explosive rockers to heart-wrenching ballads, Love is for Lovers has the whole enchilada!" In a recent interview with Global Texan Chronical, vocalist Ben Disaster revealed a list of 5 albums/singles that influenced the album; Vapors – New Clear Days / Hayley Mary – Like a Woman Should / Bee Bee Sea – Day Ripper / Guns & Roses – Use Your Illusion 1 & 2 / Phil Seymour – Phil Seymour. 

  You may have heard the first single from the album (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C2kRpCKD7w), the new song is equally as good. Both are streaming now on Bandcamp so head on over and get those pre orders in : https://realsickies.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-for-lovers 

  This is Love Is For Lovers...

 It doesn’t matter what I am

 It doesn’t matter who they are

 There is nothing to be said

 Except for lovers beware

 It’s mixed matched pieces

 Not defined by words in a thesis

 Cause love is for lovers

 Don’t let them dictate

 There is not one law

 That can control one's heart

 No religion to say

 How it starts

 There’s no gender

 there’s no race

 There’s no denying

 when it looks you in the face

 Love is for lovers

  

Nasty Rumours - Driving Me Insane

  

  Well, who'd have thought that Switzerland had so many great punk and garage bands? 

  Possibly quite a lot of you but if you didn't realise it then you can scratch the surface of a vibrant scene by checking out a new Swiss Punk & Garage Compilation which is out on Lux Noise Records (https://www.luxnoise.com/) and which features previously unreleased music by bands such as Bitch Queens, Bad Mojos, Delilahs and many more. 

  

  You can find it here : https://nastyrumours.bandcamp.com/album/swiss-punk-garage-compilation

    It also features a band I've posted on JSPS several times previously but haven't heard anything from for a couple of years. 

  Nasty Rumours (https://www.facebook.com/nastyrumours) are a Powerpop / ‘77 Punkrock band from Bern, Switzerland. I've previously compared them with the likes of Buzzcocks, The Boys, The Briefs, Cyanide Pills etc. Think catchy old school punk and you'll be bang on the money. We might not have heard from them for a while but they haven't lost their knack of turning out a catchy as fuck earworm. 

  This is Driving Me Insane...

Chain Whip - Death Was Too Kind

  Going off the evidence presented to us in the form of two teaser tracks, the upcoming ep from Vancouver punks Chain Whip (https://www.facebook.com/chainwhipyvr) is going to be very tasty indeed. Featuring members of Fashionism, Corner Boys, Nervous Talk & Stress Eating, they're a hard hitting band who previously featured on here a couple of years ago with a track from their excellent 14 lashes album (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/09/chain-whip-dont-talk.html). 

  Last year they released an equally explosive 8 track demo and they'll be keeping up that frantic pace on the new ep which is titled Two Step To Hell and will be out on July 15th on 12" via Drunken Sailor (UK/Europe) and Neon Waste & Neon Taste Records (North America). You can pre order it digitally here : https://chainwhip.bandcamp.com/album/two-step-to-hell

  Combining Killed By Death with California beach punk stylings, the 6 track ep sees the band "meaner, faster, and a bit more pissed off." Pissed off about the huge disparity between haves and have nots, right wing fuck jobs, media bias and a growing sense of helplessness, the members of the band are on the edge. They'll be treating us to 5 originals and a cover of a (Canadian) Subhumans' classic. 

  I played the title track on a recent Just Some Punk Songs show (https://www.mixcloud.com/mick-fletcher/just-some-punk-songs-130621/). Today you're getting the cover. It's called Death Was Too Kind... 

I knew from the moment that I looked at your face
That you deserved to be sprayed with mace
You lied and you bitched like a diseased rat
I knew you were an obstacle in my path
I thought of death but it was too kind
You must have thought that I was blind

But I, I
I wish that you would go eat shit
Out, out
Out of a giant garbage pit

You came my way on a dismal day
I wish that you would go away
And when you said you were my friend
I knew to you I had to put an end
I thought of tortures, death and pain
But then I found out you had no brain

And I, I
I wish that you would go eat shit
Out, out
Out of a giant garbage pit

You came into my house and you wouldn’t leave
You had a trick up your sleeve
And then you took away my friend
And to his life you put an end
You’re just a bitch, a public bore
And nobody’s got no respect for you

And I, I
I wish that you would go eat shit
Out, out
Out of a giant garbage pit

And I, I
I wish that you would go eat shit
Out, out
Out of a giant garbage pit

UNDER 45 - Under 45

  UNDER 45 are 3 humans, Jake (vocals/lyrics), Pascal (guitars/synths/percussion/etc), Fabien (bass) and a drum machine called Suspicious Steve. They're based in Lyon, France though listening to Jake's vocals and lyrics it's pretty obvious that he's an expat Brit. They're also members of Bleakness (https://bleaknesspunk.bandcamp.com/) whilst Pascal is also guitarist with Faux Depart (https://destructure.bandcamp.com/album/d74-vie-ordinaire) The name of the band refers to the grim UK statistic that the single biggest killer of men under 45 is suicide. 

  They recently released a debut 8 track 12". It's titled Cancelled and has Jake half singing/half talking through allegorical lyrics that often have you thinking about their deeper meaning. Musically we get atmospheric guitar & bass led post punk. It all adds up to an impressive introduction. The vinyl version is available from Destructure http://www.destructure.org/store/under-45-cancelled-12 whilst the digital download is name your price : https://under45.bandcamp.com/album/cancelled

  This is the eponymously named Under 45... 

For all that it’s worth I’ll give it another go Mix it up with the animals Fill my false ego I head into the night in search of human connection But the backlash hits me hard Separate in desperation So what’s a man to do Follow the evening news Bojo’s got his Brexit plan Dividing the nation more so Draw up the bridges Build a fucking wall Sink into austerity We’re hopeless and oh so bold The single biggest killer For men under 45 It’s suicide Reality plain to see Hard facts and shattered dreams We lurk into the drinking dens Fight our working common men They say the immigrants come in swarms Dehumanizing the man next door And now we wait and contemplate As the kids washed up on our shores Can’t you feel no remorse Don’t you feel no remorse This island’s gonna capsize Through tooth and nail and white pride This feelings going worldwide We can not look and stand by Gotta give em more We gotta give em more The kids of tomorrow We gotta give em more Just gotta Just gotta Just gotta give em more The single biggest killer For men under 45 It’s suicide

Onlooker - Easy Breezy

  

  Onlooker (https://www.facebook.com/onlookertheband/) are a no nonsense 4 piece garage rock band from Teeside who's previous releases, a Self Titled ep, a single titled Isolation and a split ep with Ballpeen (get them here if you missed them :  https://onlookertheband.bandcamp.com/... https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/album/isolation ) attracted the attention of BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq. I think their new single will go down equally as well with him. 

  The single is the first of 4 which will pave the way for a debut album which will be titled Total Rest and which will be available on 12" coloured vinyl later this year from Serial Bowl Records. They describe their sound as “Lo-fi gritty vocals with buzz saw catchy guitar riffs ….Angry Songs in a major key” and pitch it for fans of bands such as Hot Snakes, Amyl And The Sniffers, Uranium Club, Wire & The Oh Sees; a diverse range of influences for a band who aren't tied down to one particular genre. You can check it out here : https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/track/easy-breezy

  This is Easy Breesy... 

Guillotine - Numéro 7

  

  Guillotine (https://www.facebook.com/GuillotinePunkRockBand) are from Paris, they formed in 2019 and recently released a debut ep titled Tout Doit Disparaitre (it translates as Everything Must Disappear). The line up of the band sees Verole Flynn (ex-singer of Les Cadavres, Infraktion and Euroshima) accompanied by former members of Sherwood Pogo, Spermicide, Project Reject and Les Hammer Pikettes;  Jex Spector( Guitar), Fred Conflict (Guitar), Sean Reject (Bass) and Manga (Drums). 

  The ep features 5 energetic punk rock choons and boasts a sterling production job by Joshua Hudes who you may know is in Louis Lingg And The Bombs (keep an eye out for new music from them soon). It's available on cd and digital download : https://guillotine75.bandcamp.com/album/tout-doit-disparaitre

  This was one of the hits with the folk in the Just Some Punk Songs show chatroom earlier this week, it's called Numéro 7... 

Sonny Vincent - The End Of Light

  

  A whirlwind of soulful punk with a badass vibe for you today from the legendary Sonny Vincent.

https://www.facebook.com/Sonny-Vincent-252005384818993

  Born in New York City, Sonny formed Testors in 1975 and the band were a regular fixture on the CBGB and Max's Kansas City scenes. They were one of the US' most incendiary acts during the late 70's. Since they split, Sonny's just carried on releasing top notch punk and roll music. 

  The 17th September will see the release of a new album titled Snake Pit Therapy and he's enlisted an impressive cast of musicians to support him : 

Paul Blaccard- Corpse Grinders - Drums (Corpse Grinders were a NYC 70s band with Arthur Kane from The New York Dolls), 

Jimmy Recca- Stooges- Bass,

João Pedro Ventura- Dawnrider- Drums,

Alex Schwers-Slime- Drums ( Alex is from a primo German Punk band 'Slime '), 

Bobby Bretton- Drums,

Jamie Garner- Leatherwoods- Bass and Guitar,

Tim Shapland- Bass and Guitar, 

Paulo Viera- Guitar solo,

Jack De Angelo- Bass  Jack is a CBGB, Max's alumni

  The album will feature "15 tracks of electrifying shock-treatment, with catchy, primal screams and searing melody" and is available to pre order on vinyl now from Finland's Svart Records  https://svartrecords.com/product/sonny-vincent-snake-pit-therapy-album/

  A teaser single has just been released, it's a timeless sounding modern day classic and it's titled The End Of Light... 

Hostage Records Presents Unusual Suspects (Guest Review By Ralph J Rivera)

  

  Another one from Ralph...

  I dropped the idea on Mick to do something a little different. He's reviewed songs off compilations but never a full album/CD. So it is my great honour to review one of the greatest collections of California's best bands in 2021. 

  The legendary Hostage Records (https://www.facebook.com/hostagerecords) has released a brand new VINYL only comp called "Unusual Suspects". 12 bands, 12 unreleased gems. All killer - no filler! When was the last time you heard a comp where EVERY band was great? Since this LP contains the best of the Old School with the New Dogs coming out of H.B./O.C. I suppose you all want some names. Well how about this lineup - The Crowd, The Pegs, Decry, Loose Trucks, The Berzerkers, Love Canal, Shattered Faith, Channel 3, The Vulturas,  (the previously unheard) The Plagues, 16 Again and Infamous Stiffs! 

  Rick and Paul who run Hostage Records have been the heartbeat of the Beach Punk scene forever. Releasing 4 previous comps that have documented their scene and putting out countless vinyl only 45's and albums from local bands. I've on countless occasions compared Hostage Records to the modern version of Posh Boy Records.

 How much do I love this album AND Hostage Records - Well in the early 2000's I did a full page ad for them and named my FB group The Switchblade New Wave! Which if you didn't know is the name of a Smogtown song. Just one of the many classic bands in the Hostage Family. If you are lucky enough to own a turntable/stereo I can't recommend this album enough. This is The New Beach Alliance 2021!

  You can get it here : https://www.hostagerecords.com/product-page/hr081-unusual-suspects-compilation

  As Rick is very protective of his releases the only song I can post is a video that Channel 3 did for their song "Better Than This". Enjoy this beautiful song!