It's a busy time for San Francisco sextet Spiritual Cramp. Not only are they about to embark on a mammoth tour which will see them trek around The States before popping across the pond to play a number of UK/Ireland gigs, they're also gearing up for the release of a new Self Titled album.
Teasing us nicely, this is the first single. It's called Talkin' On The Internet...
Another day - another credit card declined
Don’t worry about it we can just use mine
On another day, in a different place, in another state at a new time
Think I’m getting sick of always hearing about it
You’re always talking on the internet
Red flag/Green light/ Close call / Don’t text –Don’t call
All day and night all you do is talk, it’s a lot
On another day, in a different place, in another state at a new time
Think I’m getting sick of always hearing about it
You’re always running your mouth
About somebody else
You never leave your house
We don’t see you around
You’re always talking on the internet
About somebody else
You’re always talking on the internet
We don’t see you around
You’re always talking on the internet
A third Just Some Punk Songs appearance today for SLANT, the powerful hardcore punk 5 piece from Seoul who've been releasing some of the liveliest music around since 2018. They were previously featured here :
They're back with their 2023 demo which has been released to coincide with their short tour of Japan which will see them playing Tokyo on Sept 1st, Osaka Sept 2nd and Tokyo again Sept 3rd.
RISKEE & THE RIDICULE (https://www.facebook.com/RiskeeandtheRidicule) are back. They've been playing "DIY South East Grime Punk since 2011" and as demonstrated by their new album Platinum Statue, they're very much at the top of their game.
That song blazed a trail and heightened expectations for the album (I commented at the time "I doubt punk will ever die whilst people still have something worthwhile to say and still have the passion to shout it out loud.") and those expectations have more than been met.
With a line up of Scott Picking (Lead Vocals/Lyrics), Jimbo Aglony (Guitars/Screams), Jordan Mann (Lead Guitars/Vocals) & Matt Verrell (Drums/Bass/Vocal Harmonies), the band have once again produced a collection of energetic songs that'll appeal to both punk fans and fans from outside the genre. It's got the melodies of radio friendly pop songs but it's got added crunch. Shouting compliments the singing, the music varies from light to heavy. It's my 2nd full listen and it's already seeped into my pores.
This is the opening track, I think it's safe to say the band still have plenty to get off their chest. It's a song that displays both their melody and rage to full effect. It's called God Tier...
I feel like I’m on another plane, another dimension, run when normality beckons. Everything just comes at once this is our sphere, there ain’t no bond here and that’s when you elevate into god tier. I feel like I’m on another plane another dimension, I don’t believe what you reckon. Everything just comes at once this is our sphere, there ain’t no bond here and that’s when the elevate into god tier.
Break those chains, those chains ain’t yours to maintain, what’s the point in chasing fame, you're never gonna see this place again. I will break those brains, reset everything that they create, I’m a bloody bloodhound in this game, I can see lies and I can smell fakes, dead it.
I hold myself in such high esteem 'cause I plucked reality out of a dream, blew off the dirt and I kept what I like, I moulded the shape, tarted up the sides. Keep your blind rage, we craft the vision do what you do, we’ll do what you didn’t, when they talk about you and you don’t care that’s when you’re elevating to god tier!
I feel like I’m on another plane, another dimension, run when normality beckons. Everything just comes at once this is our sphere, there ain’t no bond here and that’s when you elevate into god tier. I feel like I’m on another plane another dimension, I don’t believe what you reckon. Everything just comes at once this is our sphere, there ain’t no bond here and that’s when the elevate into god tier
I’m an iron fist in an iron glove, I'll body any front man you’ve ever loved, we are not slaves we are not idols we are the underground we hold the title. I came from the dirt as did many to show you we were planted and not buried, we grow we do not rot, in bloom all year round we don’t stop.
Inflation skyrockets the wages remain, where is your fire where are you flames? Where is the anger, where is your rage, I’m alright Jack yeah I’m alright Jane, dead it. You want rich but how do you want it? A Fiesta In the forest or Tesla to the office. If I’m honest time is the only commodity my seconds ain’t for sale it’s my hours that honour me.
Who are you who am I? Can we exhume truth from the lies. you play a role you are a character you are a vessel you are an avatar. You are the worker you are the passenger. You are the driver but the manager manage ya. There’s no fast track no, there’s no time trafficker there’s no shortcut sliding down the banister.
The canister is already split open and the contents is already pre-written. Open the box strike the flame, flick the match light the game, wear your Docs, wear your chain here’s the catch you’re the same. Take your pain and package it up. They’ll market you as deranged and stuck. What do you know you’re just a fool, they can’t smell a thing sitting in their own stool!
I feel like I’m on another plane another dimension, run when normality beckons. Everything just comes at once this is our sphere. there ain’t no bond here and that’s when you elevate into god tier. I feel like I’m on another plane another dimension, I don’t believe what you reckon. Everything just comes at once this is our sphere, there ain’t no bond here and that’s when the elevate into god tier.
OK. I'm holding my hands up. Today's song isn't all that new, it was released in April and as it was from an ep mixed & mastered by Slow Faction frontman John Youens I checked it out at the time but it didn't get the attention it deserves. But I'll put things right today.
Girls Like Us are a trio from London featuring Amelia (vocals/bass), Jaz (guitar) & Yusuf (drums). Their debut ep, the one that came out in April, is titled Bitter 'Til The Bitter End and as they say themselves, it's 7 tracks of mean nasty noise. Part riot grrrl, part grunge, it's a good listen so go check it out : https://girlslikeus.bandcamp.com/album/bitter-til-the-bitter-end
Partly because of the lyrics, mainly because it kicks (Tory) ass, the song I'm highlighting is My Boyfriend Was a Tory (So I Broke up with Him)...
My boyfriend was a Tory
Doesn't that sum up this story
& he called me really boring
Slashed his tires - are you still talking?
Burnt my favourite shirt
So now i'm throwing down this dirt
& I don't even really care if he's alive because he's laughing and he's smiling as if he's coming home with me
& I can't help but laugh and smile in pure insanity
his friends are dead he will be too
That's what you get for what you do
These roses that lay on your bed 'cos what you see aint what you get
Your government and views are all a sick sad sin
So I tore your letter up and put it in the fucking bin
Hurry up and die no I don't wanna see you cry
& you get what you deserve for the government that you serve
Wanted me to give him head
I said I'd rather end up dead
Won't you call up Theresa May
To suck your dick all fucking day
My boyfriend was a Tory
Doesn't that sum up this story
& he called me really boring, slash his tires are you still talking?
Burnt my favourite shirt so now I'm throwing down this dirt
& I don't even really care if he's alive because he's laughing and he's smiling as if he's coming home with me
& I can't help but laugh and smile in pure insanity
His friends are dead he will be too
That's what you get for what you do
These roses that lay on your bed 'cos what you see aint what you get
Your government and views are all a sick sad sin
So I tore your letter up and threw it in the fucking bin
Hurry up and die no I don't want to see you cry
& you get what you deserve for the government that you serve
Wanted me to give him head
I said I'd rather end up dead
Won't you call up Theresa May
To suck your dick all fucking day
Pissing around writing a blog isn't a job so I decided I don't need to update things when I can't be bothered. There's been a gap since the last activity around these parts and it's only due to idleness but I'm back today with a song that displays the anger and energy of punk rock and encompasses a subject that may resonate with many.
Since then he's covered drinking & drunks, dickheads and the way the system is rigged in favour of the well off. This time round he's in a sweary mood and he's railing against corporate culture, against jobs that drain body and mind.
I'm tempted to issue an apology in advance to any unsuspecting listener who stumbles across this track blasting out of the various online radio stations that will play next week's Just Some Punk Songs show, but after careful consideration.... fuck 'em!
The US tour will commence off the back of their UK tour.
They're certainly one of the hardest working bands around.
They've also got a song on a new compilation album from Los Angeles label Cleopatra Records. The comp is titled Goo Goo Muck - A Tribute To The Cramps and it features some rather fine covers from the likes of The 69 Eyes, Flamin' Groovies, Fuzztones and more. You can get it on purple/black splatter vinyl, cd or digital download : https://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/album/goo-goo-muck-a-tribute-to-the-cramps
This is The Courettes' version of Bikini Girls With Machine Guns...
PENNY are a punk/riot grrrl band (Liz vox, Jordan guitar, Steve drums & Kevin bass) from New York. They debuted with a self titled album back in 2019 whilst a trio and are now back with an expanded line up and a new 5 track cassette titled The Bubblegum Tape. You can find it here : https://pennypunks.bandcamp.com/album/the-bubblegum-tape
As I don't know anything else about them other than Jordan and Liz used to be in a band called FLEASPOON, let's instead concentrate on the song you'll find below.
The original version, recorded by Heavenly in 1995, is one of the greatest songs ever. It's recently gained a new lease of life popping up in various clips on Tik Tok and now it's been covered by PENNY. Whereas the original often gets described as Twee, this reinterpretation is the sound of a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown shrieking madly with gay abandon. It's a different beast to the original but it's ace. If this doesn't hit your sweet spot you should check your pulse.
It's called P.U.N.K. Girl
People say she's bad But they Don't see The way she is with me P is for the painful way she makes me feel some day U is for Utopia, the other times with her N is for the new wave dreams she had back in her teens K is for the kid in her, my PUNK girl She is honest and kind but in a way that people see As telling lies and being mean She has thousands of dreams but what they are I'll never know I hope I figure in them though I don't care if they can't see Just how great that girl can be But I wish, she'd find a way To act well, for just one day I don't mind if they can't see Just how much she means to me I still know what I will say If that girl comes my way She is hardened to hurt her softness hidden from the world But almost ready to unfurl She tries so hard to change but something always happens to Persuade her its to hard to do
Topics covered include the punk police, climate change, the demise of the Tory government and broken hearts. So many great songs to choose from but I'll go with the one about yearning to be with a loved one. This is Day After Day...
Drama Dolls (https://www.facebook.com/DramaDollsLA) are an high energy punk band from Los Angeles. Their website (https://dramadollsla.com/home) says "some may describe them as the Misfits meet the Bangles, others say they are like if the Ramones married the Go-Go’s, or even if Metallica had a crazy weekend with Hole."
I've just been listening to their new ep (although rocking in at 9 tracks I'd say it's closer to an album). It's titled Hey Listen and it's made up of old favourites and previously unreleased material. It's a very good release from a band who set out their mission statement in opener We Like To Party. I was going to list a few favourites but it comes across as pretty much a greatest hits comp. I can't find a Bandcamp link for you to check out or even anywhere to buy it from but you can listen on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq5vmkTgobA&list=OLAK5uy_mSHbVHhcL9VJATCYnv_x5Hpo4K6qwBNrA&index=1
The song I'm featuring is the one that closes the album, it's loud, raucous and bristling with attitude. It's called Pink Bikini...
I posted today's song on my Facebook feed after finishing this week's Just Some Punk Songs show with it but I think it deserves moving over to the blog as it's catchy as hell.
ERECTION (https://www.facebook.com/3R3CTION/) are from Regensburg, Germany and feature a line up of Borderlina Julitschka (vocals), Lemmys Graces (drums), Schtifn J. Firebird (guitar) & Tino (bass).
They've just released a debut album titled Queendom. Is it any good? Lets just say they've risen to the occasion. It's 12 inches of punk n roll that'll get the blood flowing. It's available on coloured vinyl, cd and digital download here : https://erection.bandcamp.com/album/queendom. No doubt they'll be playing tracks from it when they appear at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool this Saturday.
I think the song I like most is the one that brings the album to a satisfying climax. No doubt it'll have those live fans up and at it chanting along with the chorus. It's called Ba Ba..
