I think today's update is both a hello and a goodbye to London "Low attention span" punk band DROSS. I was trying to find a bit of info on them when I came across a Facebook post saying vocalist Paul Froggatt was leaving to move to Melbourne and the band were having a final gig at London's New River Studios on Friday 24th February. It's a shame, as on the evidence served up on their new album, they'll be a loss.
As well as Paul Froggatt, the band features Adrian Alfonso (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Fisher (Bass/Backing Vocals) & Cunha (Drums/Backing Vocals). They're genre veterans gracing the likes of Lizard Brain, The Cavemen, The Speedways, Dead Meat, Trash Culture, & Virvon Varvon.
The album's called Nightmare World and it'll be getting a vinyl release later this year on No Front Teeth Records. It's a mix of hardcore and garage punk of which fans of The Cavemen will recognise Paul's frantic vocal delivery. 10 songs in 20 minutes with no pause for breath, lovely stuff. You can get the digital version here : https://drossdrossdross.bandcamp.com/album/nightmare-world
The wait is over. They've a new album out on March 3rd on Dirt Cult Records titled The Black And White And Grey. It'll be available on limited edition yellow vinyl, black vinyl or digital download. You can pre order and check out the lead track here : https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-black-and-white-and-grey
It's still a high energy punk rock backbeat with killer guitar licks but this time around we have male instead of female vocals. It confirms the band are still at the top of their game and leaves me excited for the album. It's called Attitudes...
So you think it starts The day you’re born Or you think it starts From being torn
It’s just your attitude Not filled with gratitude It’s only attitude
He said you’d better change Your frame of thought Look at all the trouble You have brought
Said it’s my attitude Not filled with gratitude It’s only attitude
It’s just my attitude It’s only attitude Everything I say is wrong Everything I do is wrong Just my attitude
1234 Attitude Nothing more, attitude When everything you say goes wrong And everything you do goes wrong Say it’s your attitude My attitude
There's been a few nice comments received recently either on here, on Youtube or on Facebook thanking me for posting great music. Whilst it's nice to get such comments, it's not a hard task to share stuff, the hard task is creating it so thanks to all the band's who are working so hard to keep this wonderful genre of music so much fun. One of those bands, which I encourage you to shower with positive comments, are from New York and are called PEDICO https://www.facebook.com/pediconyc).
They look to have been around for a little over a decade and whilst I didn't think I'd come across them before, a quick listen to the Ramones influenced Freedom Bop from the 4 to the Floor ep reveals that I certainly have previously had the pleasure. Their latest release is an 8 track mini album titled Winter Dance Party (named after the infamous 1959 tour featuring Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper and Frankie Sardo which led to Don McLean singing about "the day the music died." It was also a great album by The Spaceshits).
I'm still getting hints of that Ramones influence but this time around there's much more of a retro vibe. It's golden era rock n roll, it's fun, it's certainly music to party to. Definitely a release to check out, it's streaming here : https://pedico.bandcamp.com/album/winter-dance-party
This is the opening track, straight from the upbeat guitar intro you'll be hooked. It's called (Wanna Wanna Wanna) Die Tonite??
That song is just one of the mega catchy earworms that make up the band's new album Lime. It's the first great album of 2023 and you can find it streaming as a name your price download on Bandcamp https://mingcityrockers.bandcamp.com/album/lime-2
We've already been treated to a few of the album's tracks in single form (but the previously unheard ones are equally as impressive). As I listened to it I wasn't really intending adding anything on here as I'd already posted a track but I realised it was so good I'd have to do something so decided to go with Poor Old Jim. But then I got to Nancy, I'm Bitter and thought that was maybe even bitter. Then rinse and repeat, I had the same thought with a few of the other songs. It's impossible to choose a favourite. Just download the album and decide for yourself!
Meanwhile, I better post something after all that rambling so here's Paul...
A hot new young band from the Isle Of Wight today that I've played a few times on the show that aren't Wet Leg or Grade 2...
Reminders (https://www.facebook.com/reminderstheband) describe themselves as a power trio. They recently released an impressive debut album titled Best Of Beach Punk (https://reminderstheband.bandcamp.com/album/best-of-beach-punk) which attracted the attention of BBC Radio 1, 6 Music etc... and they've also shared a stage with the likes of Liam Gallagher & The Killers (which would normally be enough to steer me well away from them!).
I have a feeling that this may be both their first and last appearance on this blog as stardom awaits them but just before their probable transition to the big time I'm going to feature their new single as it's a very fine modern day spin on the kind of classic pop punk love songs that the likes of The Undertones, The Boys and Protex used to churn out before these guys were even a twinkle in their dad's eyes.
Available via Wiretap Records and Venn Records, the song's called International Dial Tones...
You're so high, I'm so low, we're at the end of the road and that kinda hit me out the blueWho was I to know that you were missing home when I was only missing you?You say you're never good enough, now you feel like giving up, it's like I just don't know you at allYou say you feel like hanging up, now you never pick up, or even return my callsYeah every time I call...All I ever hear are international dial tones, they echo through my ears and they tell me to go homeMy Californian years and our Osceola County homeStill, all I ever hear are international dial tones, every time I phoneInternational dial tonesSo how's life back home? Wouldn't you like to know how I'm doing now you're all gone? (Now you're gone)I heard you let yourself go, but the grapevine's overgrown, so I could have got that wrong (Oh my god!)I hope you're doing okay, but in a masochistic way I'm waiting for you to fall'Cause I remember the day you threw it all in my face and said you didn't wanna know me at allAnd yeah, every time I callWoo!All I ever hear are international dial tones, they echo through my ears and they tell me to go homeMy Californian years and our Osceola County homeStill, all I ever hear are international dial tones, each and every time I phoneInternational dial tonesIf I could stay a little longer, could I call this house my home?Well I'm a foreigner in California, but I could be your English Rose
TV SHOCK (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069809299333) are a new band from Sardinia (the first band from that island to feature on here) who are influenced by the likes of The Buzzcocks, Briefs, The Stitches & Cyanide Pills. They play catchy, up tempo punk music and they're preparing to release a debut album. The members have previously featured in bands such as The Rippers, The Oops, Barmudas, Ugly Sound & The Freaks.
Anyone fancy some "psychotic, unpredictable and primitive rock 'n roll"?
You do? Then step this way...
The Anomalys (https://www.facebook.com/The.Anomalys) are a trio from Amsterdam who debuted with a promo ep back in 2005. Their new release is a 7 track ep titled Piss In Your Sink!!! and it features amongst it's delights all 4 of the songs from that promo. The reason being is that it's the first time their first ever recordings have been given a proper airing. Recorded when they were just a duo; Bone (vocals/guitar) & Memme (drums), it's a frantic, life affirming blast of punked up garage goodness. It's available as a cassette from Netherlands label Gips Records https://gipsrecords.bigcartel.com/product/gips014-the-anomalys-piss-in-your-sink-cs
As well as the 4 tracks from the promo, there's a couple of alternate takes of songs from their Self Titled debut album (released in 2010 on Slovenly Recordings). There's also a previously unreleased track and it's probably my pick of the bunch.
So, a fairly quiet week for new releases... and then you stumble across a song that slaps you round the face and leaves your ears ringing. Australia never disappoints.
A band I know hardly anything about. They're a quartet from Sydney called Romance, they're made up of Jane (Microphone), Greg (Bass), Ben (Drums) & Max (Guitar) and they've what I'm guessing is a debut 7" coming out sometime in mid 2023. As with many of the best Aussie releases, it'll be mastered by the ubiquitous Mikey Young.
The band have teased us with one of the tracks. It's a riot of joyful noise. Spiky guitars fight it out with wonderfully manic vocals, it's short, sweet and everything you could want from a punk song. It does a brilliant job of leaving the listener gagging for more. You can get it as a name your price download here : https://romanceinfo.bandcamp.com/album/fast-car
Bad Affair (https://www.facebook.com/BadAffairPunk) are a garage punk quartet from Hamburg who sadly are shortly to split up. They're signing off however with a farewell album and it's one that'll make their decision to go their separate ways all the more disappointing.
It's called We Are Doomed and it's a baker's dozen of punk tunes that are both lively and catchy. Songs about not letting anyone tell you what to do, respecting women's rights to say no, depression and dread. You can pre order the vinyl version or get the name your price download here : https://badaffair.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-doomed
This is one of numerous highlights, it's called No Way Out...
Stuck in a rat race while
Slowly getting ground
You hate your job but
The mortgage must be paid
No way out, no way out
Yeah you've lost your way out
Some weekend getaways,
Vacation once a year
Is this your life now?
Is this what you dreamt of?
The grip gets tighter,
Everyday it's worse
All dreams are long gone
You're longing for a noose
If you're a Just Some Punk Songs regular then you'll already be familiar with Liquids. The brainchild of Indiana resident Mat Williams (he's also featured in numerous other bands such as Coneheads, The Fritz, ABC Gum, Scabs, Dagger, Pukeoid, Guinea Kid etc etc etc...), this is their 6th appearance on the blog.
The new album is titled Songs and it features a mix of 14 "lost songs and new recordings." It's a scrappy hotch potch of lo-fi budget punk. It's also very good. We're even treated to a guest vocal turn on one of the tracks by Just Some Punk Songs favourite Jaid Baisa (aka Abi Ooze).
The Circulators are a new band from San Francisco with a line up of Vinnie (vocals/guitar), Jimmy (bass/vocals), Nicky (drums/vocals) & Blake (guitar). I'm never quite sure if a release featuring 8 tracks is a generously packaged ep or an album but whatever their debut release is, it's a bloody great introduction.
The band play a mix of old school punk rock n roll and catchy as hell power pop. I've no idea if they've been round the block as members of other bands but they've turned up in this incarnation as pretty much the finished article. The album (I'm going with album) is Self Titled and it's available as a cassette or digital download. You can get it here : https://thecirculators.bandcamp.com/album/s-t
I'm hearing bits of The Dead Boys, The Damned, The Exploding Hearts and numerous other genre greats. This is definitely a band you'll want to check out.
A first guest review today from John McLachlan who's a member of Bangor (Northern Ireland) band Dirt Byrds (https://dirtbyrds2021.bandcamp.com/). He wants to recommend we check out a new band from his home city...
BEAR KEG (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089005344862) are fronted up by Jake and Ryan on vocals, bass & keyboards - two young 'uns from Bangor, County Down, Norn Ireland. From what I can find out they’re killers of gods that punch swans, kiss angels and melt faces with their wild rock’n roll.
The lads had the good sense to get Granda on guitar and vocals. A genre veteran (a few years ago he was in Pink Turds In Space), he brings a rich rock’n roll history to the line up and some recording skills worth tapping into and handy to have in the family. Keeping it a family affair we also have Da on drums and vocals. Who’s living the dream? All three generations I guess.
Their debut ep is titled Downward Spiral, it features 4 tracks; Can’t Make Me, Work, Dream Crusher & Poisoned World. It’s 2023, it’s a punk racket and it’s wonderful. You can find it here : https://bearkegofficial.bandcamp.com/album/downward-spiral
This is Can't Make Me...
Can't make me - woof Can't make me - woof Can't make me - woof Can't make me - miaow!
Noticing they'd a new single out and that it was a cover of a Cure classic (one that had already been covered in some style by Dinosaur Jr) I was intrigued as to what they'd do with it. I wasn't disappointed. It's not a million miles removed from the original though the bass to me sounds very much to be influenced by Public Image whilst Jill's vocals are pleasingly deadpan. What's more it's available as a free download and backed by a very enjoyable Incorrect Thoughts Sessions version of BOOTLICKER'S DELIGHT REPRISVL. Grab it here : https://mvllcrimes.bandcamp.com/album/just-like-heaven-2
How do I write a review for an album I've listened to every day since it was released on December 26th, 2022? Well I'm gonna give it my best shot and hope you all give this one a listen.
"Flower" from Brooklyn, NY have made quite the impact already on the modern "Crust Punk/Anarcho" scene. Since 2017 they have released 3 hard as hell to find cassettes that set the new bar pretty high. Consisting of Danny on vocals, Willow on guitar, Mar on bass and Calder on drums. This powerhouse has already been compared to all the greats of the past (Sacrilege, Amebix, Antisect and Nausea) which all comes through in their blistering attacks on religion, gentrification and prejudice. But I don't think anyone was prepared for this full length album "Hardly A Dream".
If this masterpiece had been released earlier it would have topped many lists for Album Of The Year, including mine. 12 songs of thoroughly modern Crust Punk classics that range from full on ragers to nearly psychedelic jams that remind me of the legendary "Iowaska". To me the crowning achievement is the 9th song "The Contrarian" in which singer Danny completely vents her spleen in a nearly spoken word explosion of rage. I can't recommend this album enough and if it matters I personally pre-ordered the LP/T-Shirt bundle! When 2023 comes to an end I can't see anything topping this for AOTY.
ABOVE ALL, GUILT PREVAILS. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, THERE IS STILL FEAR.
WHAT A FORTUITOUS TOOL TO BUILD UP THE WALLS OF OUR OWN PENS.
KEPT IN KENNELS, COWERING AWAY FROM THE THREAT OF EXILE.
DISINTEGRATE! THE ACTION OF OUR LIFE FORCE.
DENY THE INTERNAL, INDULGE THE LEARNED ACTION OF SELF DOUBT.
UNWITTINGLY, WE HAVE ABSORBED THE SUPERIOR MENTALITY OF AMERICA.
AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE REGARDED AS CONSCIOUS,
HERE IS WHERE GUILT STILL PREVAILS.
THEY SUBVERT THEIR OWN OPINIONS, TO GRASP AT ABSOLVEMENT.
REVEALING- THEORY IS PERFORMANCE.
DIVULGING- FEAR AS A SELF CONCERN!
FOR THERE IS MUCH TO FEAR, WHEN UNITY’S FOCUS IS ON OUR CONTRASTS.
WHEN APOLOGY IS THE MOTIVE FOR ALL GESTURE.
A CHANCE SELF SABOTAGE IS A SINISTER LEAD FOR OUR CAPTORS.
HALTING PROGRESS, USING REFUSAL AS A FOOTHOLD TO BOLSTER A PERSONAL STEP
AT THE EXPENSE OF AN ALREADY NEBULOUS CAUSE.
NOT ONE CORRUPTION CHANGES, FOR NO ACTION IS MADE.
AN AGREEMENT REMAINS UNDONE, THE IDEA PRIMARILY SEEKING PRAISE.
ASHAMED FOR THAT IMPULSE, AND LOATHE TO REFLECT;
POINT A FINGER, BLAME!
AND HERE IT REMAINS, STILL YET, NO CHANGE IS MADE.
NO CONSENSUS, NOT EVEN A TRUE-HEARTED MISTAKE.
GUILT. MARRIED TO THE STRUGGLE, AS IF A VICTORY IS A LOSS OF ONE’S OWN NAME.
LIKE THE HESITATION TO SOLVE A PUZZLE AND FACE THE LIGHT BURDEN OF BOREDOM.
ABHORRENCE OF CHANGE. PRIVILEGE, FEAR.
FIND THE PURPOSE NOT IN THE PURITY OF THE EFFORT ITSELF,
OR THE FATEDLY IMPERFECT STEPS THERE.
BUT RATHER, IN THE PRODUCT, THE MOVEMENT, THE WHEELS THAT TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF PROGRESS.
THE GRACIOUS ACCEPTANCE OF FLAW, IN THE NAME OF A NEW POSSIBILITY. SHEDDING THE NOTIONS OF FALSE SCARCITY,
AS THE NARROWING IS NOT IN THE ABUNDANCE OF IDEAS BUT IN ITS CREATORS IMPOTENCE.
FEAR. GUILT. INACTION. DISINTEGRATE, REGRESS.
REGAIN INNOCENT CONSCIOUSNESS AS HUMILITY PREVAILS.
I've got to be honest, although I keep an eye on Iron Lung Records as they occasionally put out music I really enjoy, most of their releases are a little on the heavy side for my tender ears (feel free to call me a wuss). When I read the write up for their latest release however, I just knew I was going to hear something rather cool. It starts off like this; "As a massive early Killed By Death style punk fanatic, constantly in pursuit of the ever elusive records and one-off-obscuro sound, I frequently turn up my nose at modern bands playing the style. You can't just crap out a poorly recorded generic riff punk track, slap a "KBD" label on it and expect me to fall for the ruse..."
A well recorded, Killed By Death style single that's "refreshing and well executed take to say the least." Count me in.
I don't know anything about ROTARY CLUB. As you can imagine, a Google search for their name brings up lots of results but nothing relevant. They're from Reno, Nevada and this single is their first vinyl release (I've no idea if there's any non vinyl releases). It's a sound that reminds me somewhat of early Neighborhood Brats. It's out at the end of the month and you can pre order it here : https://ironlungrecords.bandcamp.com/album/american-tower-lungs-223
This is the lead track, it's called American Tower...
Sorry it's been a bit quiet on here for the last week or so, I could say there's not been an awful lot of new releases during the first week of 2023 or mention that I've been suffering from this bout of lurgy that's been going round but in all honesty I just couldn't be arsed writing anything. But today here's the 1st update of the year.
Backhand (https://www.facebook.com/people/Backhand/100083576941984/) are a new hardcore punk band from Sydney who are speaking out about gender violence, mental health and indigenous injustice. They line up thus : KP (vocals), Macca (guitar), Trouble (drums) & Jay (bass). They've just released a debut single of which they say;
Over the years, governments have made it their mission to be seen to tick as many boxes as possible in regards to issues faced by Aboriginal people. They have funded countless, meaningless programs, given countless, meaningless apologies and set goals and targets that have never been reached. They have wasted millions on reports, without consulting with our communities, they have wasted millions on deciding what's best for us. Corporations have caught on and hijacked our traditions, they feel obligated to hang our art on their walls next to copies of their "Indigenous policies" giving them a false sense that they are contributing to our welfare. For over two hundred years there has been nothing but talk and bullshit. We are sick of talk. Its time to fucking listen!!
