Neon Kittens - TV As Eyes

  

  Happy Birthday Just Some Punk Songs! Somehow we've made it to 10 years old. 

  Born out of boredom on 31st December 2013, it's a blog (which also became a show) that right from day one decided everyone had heard of The Clash, Buzzcocks, Ramones etc so "lets find some new (and obscure not so new) stuff together." 

  The first post featured I'll Be Gone by The Oblivians (which was a great way to kick things off) and on the same day I also posted Alright by Radioactivity admitting "this could be a one off post or the start of something that virtually no one will see but might keep me amused." 

https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2013/

  Somehow, we're still going. 

  And today I'm featuring a trio from York called Neon Kittens. You may be familiar with them, they've not been around for too long but they're pretty prolific. You can check out their music here :  https://neonkittens.bandcamp.com/album/schrodingers-party-animal 

  They're a band that are unlikely to ever be part of the mainstream, they very much dance to their own beat. I think the lyrics to recent song Disco Ain't Dead sum them (and Just Some Punk Songs) up pretty well...

"Well, I am here! I'm alone in a crowded room No one dancing to the records I brought What is wrong with me? Is it me? They say yes! Who in their right mind would bring Butcher baby by the Plasmatics to this place? Disco ain't dead It just sounds like that"

  The song I'm featuring today was a free Xmas present from the band and from Australian label Metal Postcard Records. It's a cover of a track originally released in 1979 by Chrome on their 1979 album Half Machine Lip Moves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MnV4Uxf4SM). 

  You can get it here : https://metalpostcard.bandcamp.com/album/neon-kittens-tv-as-eyes-banana-split

  I'm not sure how much longer this blog will last but as of today it's still featuring interesting and very good new music. This is TV As Eyes... 

Just Some Punk Songs Top 100 Songs of 2023 : 50-1

Agree? Disagree? Who's missing? Feel free to comment...

50) NOBRO - Where My Girls At

49) DARTZ - Steal From The Supermarket

48) THE ZIPS - Spirit Of 78

47) ERYX LONDON - Broken 

46) CLASS - Left In The Sink

45) C.O.F.F.I.N - Cut You Off

44) ACCIDENTE - Atajos

43) DICK MOVE - Minimum Living

42) LAST QUOKKA - Broome

41) GRAIL GUARD - Our Streets

40) VIDEOX - Nice Guy

39) BOB VYLAN - Dream Big

38) TEE VEE REPAIRMANN - Bus Stop

37) RED LIGHT REBELS - SOS

36) THE MISTAKES - Heathens 

35) STRAWBERRY BLONDES - My Own Worst Enemy

34) THE HEAT INC. - Ultraviolence 

33) BORN SHIT STIRRERS -  I'm In Love With Karen Grant

32) REVERSE - Not Dead Yet

31) BIG MESS - Walk All Over Me

30) POWERSOLO (Feat. THE COURETTES) - If I Could Fly 

29) SHARP CLASS - Ivory Tower

28) THE SCOFFS - Factories In Heaven 

27) ROTARY CLUB - American Tower

26) HYGIENE - Petrol

25) THE PRIZE - First Sight

24) CLOWNS - Quicksand 

23) RADIO CHIP PAN - Happy Now

22) LEATHERMAN - Telephone 

21) THE WHITE RIBBONS - Lady P

20) KING EFFERS - Champagne & Self Belief

19) BLOWERS - Wipe My Ass

18) IRKED - Backstreets

17) MANNEQUIN PUSSY - I Got Heaven 

16) PUNTER - A Year's Silence

15) CAUTION ELDERLY PEOPLE - What Would You Do

14) DIRT BYRDS - Suburban Saturday Night

13) HOME FRONT - Nation

12) STUART PEARCE - Forza Garibaldi

11) SLALOM D - Cold

10) MING CITY ROCKERS - Nancy, I'm Bitter

https://mingcityrockers.bandcamp.com/track/nancy-im-bitter

 9) BAD//DREEMS - See You Tomorrow

https://erstetheketontraeger.bandcamp.com/track/see-you-tomorrow

 8) RAT CAGE - Change From A Fiver

https://lavidaesunmus.bandcamp.com/track/change-from-a-fiver

 7) CIVIC - Blood Rushes

https://civicivic.bandcamp.com/track/blood-rushes

 6) SPLIT SYSTEM - Alone Again

https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/track/alone-again

 5) PROBLEM PATTERNS - Letter Of Resignation

https://problempatterns.bandcamp.com/track/letter-of-resignation-2

 4) SOFT PLAY - Punk's Dead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMOgilf4WX4

 3) CYANIDE PILLS - It's Over

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygTy9E0plX4

 2) RIVALRY - A Million Miles

https://brassneckrecords.bandcamp.com/track/a-million-miles

 1) TEARJERKER - Full Circle

https://tjlrr.bandcamp.com/track/full-circle

Just Some Punk Songs Top 100 Songs of 2023 : 100-51

It's time to reveal the Top 100 songs of the year according to Just Some Punk Songs. As always, it was harder to leave stuff out than get it in. Don't worry too much about the placings, it's only a rough guide. Hopefully it'll give you some new music to check out. The Top 50 follows tomorrow...

51) RAGING NATHANS - Spring Cleaning

52) HIGH SCHOOL - She's So Mean

53) BENEFITS - Warhorse

54) DENNIS COMETTI - Pub Love 

55) LAMBRINI GIRLS - Terf Wars 

56) BAMBOO VIPERS - Andrew Ridgeley Moment 

57) PARDON US - Dig Your Own Grave (And Save)

58) SPIRITUAL CRAMP - Talkin' On The Internet 

59) CHAIN WHIP - Hatewave

60) FAINTEST IDEA - War To The Palaces 

61) THE YALLA YALLAS - Atomic Clock 

62) OUR SOULS - Cuckoo Clock

63) SAMIAM - Lake Speed 

64) CUT PIECE - Accept Defeat (Don't Sabotage Me)

65) RUM LAD - The Tale Of Alan Taylor

66) STILL PRETTY - Lost Boys And Girls 

67) REASON TO LEAVE - What Are You Fighting For

68) MC16 - Data Donors

69) THE MEFFS - Sex Sells

70) NEW GENERATION SUPERSTARS - She's No Fun

71) THE EXBATS - Cry About Me

72) GYM TONIC - Play Dead

73) FINNOGUNS WAKE - Blue Skies

74) THE MANIKINS - Set The World On Fire

75) THE DWARVES - We Will Dare

76) SICK THOUGHTS - Schoolgirls In Chains

77) TERRITORIES - Superhero

78) ITCHY & THE NITS - Eva's Got A Parasite

79) PENNY - P.U.N.K. Girl 

80) UPCHUCK - Freaky 

81) YOUNG FRANCIS HI FI - Baby You're Braindead

82) THE OWEN GUNS - Stop Making Deadshits Famous

83) THE UNKNOWNS - Rid Of You

84) CHINESE JUNK - Plastic Surgery Accident

85) THE FAUXS - Bespoken

86) CASTILLO - I've Learnt Today

87) ERECTION - Ba Ba

88) SCOWL - Shot Down

89) THE PROZACS - We Scream

90) KINGSWAY FLYERS - Abandon Ship

91) DEATH PILL - Miss Revolt

92) BAD NEWS FIRST - Make It Better

93) XRAY VEX - Alkaline Trio Tattoo

94) MAKING FRIENDS - ATM

95) SILICONE VALUES - Disposable Music 

96) THE UGLY SCENES - Gym Kit Mums 

97) REMINDERS - International Dial Tones 

98) VICIOUS BLONDE - Father

99) GRADE 2 - Under The Streetlight

100) MVLL CRIMES - Just Like Heaven

Dick Move - Minimum Living

  

  Yesterday I mentioned that I'm hard at work putting together the annual Just Some Punk Songs Top 100 songs of 2023. It's a pretty much impossible task so to try and do a good job as possible I've been revisiting loads of the releases I enjoyed throughout the year. Many of the songs that'll feature have appeared on this blog or on the show but quite a few were passed over in favour of different tracks. Today's song didn't get played on the show and after checking up I was surprised to discover the band have never featured on the blog. An oversight that needs correcting. 

  Dick Move (https://www.facebook.com/DickMoveNZ) are from Auckland, New Zealand and feature a line up of Lucy Suttor (Lead Vocals), Lucy Macrae (Bass Guitar), Hariet Ellis (Guitar), Justin Rendell (Guitar) & Luke Boyes (Drums/Cymbals). October saw the release of their 2nd album, it's called Wet and it's a blistering 20+ minutes of angry and energetic "socialist party punk" rock. You can find it on vinyl and digital download here : https://dickmove2.bandcamp.com/album/wet

  The songs that were initially released as singles or stood out on initial listens and therefore got played on the show were Under My Skin (A Love Song), Small Man Big Tweet and Feel Better but in the course of knocking this goddamn Top 100 into shape I found myself drawn to a new favourite. This one positively growls from the get go, it's about scraping by on the breadline, hand to mouth waiting for a trickle down that's never going to come. It's called Minimum Living... 

  

Accidente - Atajos

    

  The year's coming to an end so my thoughts are turning towards putting together an end of year Top 100. Coincidently, the band who topped the 2016 chart (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-best-50-songs-of-2016.html) return to Just Some Punk Songs today with a track from their new split album with Toulouse quartet Nightwatchers (they also previously featured back in 2016 https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2016/07/nightwatchers-nightwatcher.html).

  Accidente (https://www.facebook.com/Accidentepunk) are one of my favourite bands. The Madrid outfit can always be relied on to wrap what's often a deep and meaningful message inside a catchy as hell tune. On this release they contribute 4 songs, 3 original compositions and an uptempo cover of a single released in 1994 by Spanish trio Alarma (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMwcnMPDtrY). 

  The album will be available in January on vinyl from Stonehenge Records (http://stonehengerecords.com/mailorder/Search.php?Commander=0&selectpage=1&search=stone078) and there'll be a cassette version from inhumano (https://inhumano.org/). It's available now as a name your price download on Bandcamp :  https://accidente.bandcamp.com/album/accidente-nightwatchers-split

  This is my pick of the bunch, it's called Atajos (Shortcuts)...

Me faltan las palabras
como a «The Sound»
Para decirte fuerte
que he fracasado
He perdido el momento
no supe priorizar
Que me faltó el valor
y te has marchado

Vivimos tan deprisa
Lloramos tan aisladxs
Buscamos mil excusas
Huimos tan deprisa
Peleamos tan aisladxs
Quemamos los atajos

Pienso que la distancia es a veces un
derecho
Cuando los malos tratos anidan en el
pecho
Tu púlpito de víctima no va a legitimar
Que para defenderte hieras a lxs demás

Vivimos tan deprisa
Morimos tan aisladxs
Buscamos mil excusas
Huimos tan deprisa
Peleamos tan aisladxs
Quemando los atajos
Y la vida se acaba.


*****


Words fail me, just like «The Sound» sang
When I try to tell you that I went wrong
I lost the moment, I didn’t choose right
I lacked the courage and now you’re gone

We live so fast
We cry so lonely
Looking for a thousand excuses
We ran away so fast
Such a lonely struggle
Burning all the shortcuts

Distance itself is sometimes a right
When mistreat nests in your chest
Your victim pulpit won’t legitimize
To defend yourself by hurting others

We live so fast
We die so lonely
Looking for a thousand
excuses
We ran away so fast
Such a lonely struggle
Burning all the shortcuts
Till life ends.

  

Making Friends - Planet Zoo

  

  Back in June I posted a song (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2023/06/making-friends-atm.html) by Brighton skate punk quartet Making Friends (https://www.facebook.com/MakingFriendsBand) and mentioned they were turning their attention to the release of a debut album titled Fine Dying.

 

  Happily that album is now with us and it's a treasure chest of aural delights. The previously featured song, ATM, kicks things off in great style and the quality doesn't dip throughout. If catchy as hell melodic punk anthems are your thing then you can't go wrong. It's available on vinyl, cd and digital download here : https://makingfriendsofficial.bandcamp.com/album/fine-dying

  The track I'm highlighting laments that despite there being plenty of resources on our planet we're walking ever faster to our extinction. It's called Planet Zoo... 

 

The Blunders - Exploited

  

(photo : Bang To Rights)

  Powerful social and political commentary today as south west of England trio The Blunders (https://www.facebook.com/theblunders) return to Just Some Punk Songs. They last featured on here back in 2017 with a track from the People Get Smaller ep https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-blunders-tv-bastard.html

  Now they've just released a new 6 track ep titled Magic & Manipulation which is available on cd and vinyl from their website https://theblunders.co.uk/home and is streaming on Bandcamp :  https://theblunders.bandcamp.com/album/magic-manipulation

  They touch on issues of the day such as the power of the media, the rich getting fat whilst the poor are dying younger and how the elite need stopping. 

  I'll highlight the song they've just released a video for. Making money from misery, this is Exploited...  

Bad Nerves - Antidote

  

  Bad Nerves (https://www.facebook.com/badnerves) are a band that exist in the place where power pop and garage punk converge. They're a UK 5 piece (Bobby Bird, Will Power, Jon Poulton, Sam Thompson & George Berry) that are bubbling over with energy. And they've just released a new single (the 2nd from a new album pencilled in for next year).

  https://orcd.co/badnervesantidote

  Strap yourselves in and turn it up loud. This is Antidote...

Hygiene - 15 Minute City/Petrol

  

  Holy fucking early Christmas present! It's Hygiene...

  Long term Just Some Punk Songs fans may remember me banging on about how brilliant Hygiene (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046869111337) are a few years ago when I was mightily enthused about their Private Sector album. This was the song I posted from it :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/06/hygiene-english-disease.html

  How could you possibly improve on greatness? Well they've only gone and drafted in Lucy from Primetime. Primetime of course being the band who topped the Just Some Punk Songs 2014 end of year chart with this beauty : https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2014/06/primetime-tied-down.html

  The full line up is now Guy Butterworth (Guitar), Johnny White (Guitar),  Lucy Anstey (Bass), Nathaniel Weiner (Vocals) & Pat Daintith (Drums). It's a triumphant return, a brand spanking new 3 track ep titled 15 Minute City. Stop reading and go get it. It's out now on Static Shock Records and it's ace!  https://staticshockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/15-minute-city

  And now for the part where I highlight a song. Today it's impossible to choose between the "absolute bundle of DIY greatness" that is 15 Minute City and the "childlike punk gem" Petrol. So you're getting them both... 

Scud - Baby On Board

  

  "I just wanna go really fast..."

  A couple of months ago I featured a very cool song by a band from Melbourne called Scud (https://www.facebook.com/scudsmells/) (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2023/10/scud-im-punter.html). I doubt it's going to feature in many end of year polls (though that's only because most of the ones I've seen so far are pretty bloody dull and seem to focus on old hands and friends of the reviewers!). I'm pretty sure it'll sneak into the odd one or two though (those by the few of us who delight in uncovering exciting new music). 

  Anyway, I was happy when I noticed they've just released a new ep. Titled Car ep it's another 4 short and sweet tracks of splendidly slapdash shouty punk. Ignore the proper reviewers, trust your uncle Mick and go grab it... https://scudsmells.bandcamp.com/album/car-ep

  This is the opening song, it's called Baby On Board...

VideoX - Nice Guy

  

  Another band that are new to me today. VideoX (https://www.facebook.com/VideoXBand) are from Warwickshire/Birmingham and don't look to have been around for too long. They released a recording room demo track in Feb 2022 on Bandcamp. Now there's a new 5 track ep, it's titled Don't Listen and it's available here :  https://videoxband.bandcamp.com/album/dont-listen

  It's 5 tracks of 3 minute or under punk rock and it rattles along in a brisk fashion. The songs are about mind numbing tedium, liars, forced oppression & breaking free to be yourself.

  And there's this one about Jurassic man, it's called Nice Guy...

You think your god's gift, but I beg to differ Think you're smart, not even a flicker You're poison, and you make me sick Bet you're only the size of my lipstick You're hard work, full of fucking bullshit Alpha male club honorary membership You think you're suave and you think you're slick Nobody asked for your fucking dick pic You're a relic, out of the Jurassic Old dog never learning new tricks You're too close, you better back up quick I'm tired of your macho shit You're a cause for concern You're not a nice guy You've got a lot to learn You're not a nice guy A lot of respect to earn You're not a nice guy You bench press cos you try to impress But what's in your head is what you need to assess We're pushing for change, but you seem to regress You're a nice guy - self professed Is your hand on my leg do you want to lose it? Don't you ever touch me if I didn't approve it Swinging dick and a crushing grip You offer just the tip, cos you're toxic Cos you're a relic, out of the Jurassic Old dog never learning new tricks You're too close, you better back up quick I'm sick of all the macho shit You're a cause for concern You're not a nice guy You've got a lot to learn You're not a nice guy A lot of respect to earn You're not a nice guy

King Effers - Champagne & Self Belief

  

  

  Do you remember Sheffield band The Fuckwits? Noisy punks with a bunch of catchy tunes about politics and life in general? Well back in 2019 (presumably with the aim of getting in a little less trouble with those who don't like swear words) they changed their name to King Effers. As a Just Some Punk Songs listener commented in the chatroom for last night's show, "they're better than ever."

  Not sure if that's true as they were bloody good before but I think it's fair to say (on the evidence presented by the new album) they certainly haven't got any worse.

  The album's (aptly) titled Soap Box and it's the sound of a band at the top of their game opining about topics they care about. With a line up of Mr Keef (Vocals/Guitar), Chris (Guitar/Vocals), Muzz (Bass/Vocals) & Tank (Drums/Percussion) they give their thoughts on our current prime minister, corporate theft and the lack of choice at the ballot boxes. It's a punk/dub/ska mash up and it's great. 

  This track's about being born with a silver spoon in your mouth. It's called Champagne & Self Belief... 

BEACH BØNES - Nic Caged

"Nick Cage
Got eyes like murder and a nose for cocaine..."

  A quickie today as I don't really know too much about the band and I can't be arsed waffling in an attempt to fill a couple of paragraphs (though I guess I've started off in that direction...).

  Anyway, BEACH BØNES (https://www.facebook.com/itsBeachBones) are a new band from London who released a debut single called Self Esteem a few months ago (check it out if you missed it  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_X5Fq1UK8g). 

  They've been getting mentioned in the same breath as energetic punk & rock acts such as FIDLAR, The Bronx & Gallows. These comparisons have only been reinforced by their recent (2nd) single to which the audiences at their live shows will doubtlessly be working themselves into a frenzy. 

  Strap yourselves in, this is Nic Caged...

Dirt Byrds - Suburban Saturday Night

    

  Dirt Byrds (https://www.facebook.com/dirtrockhq) are no strangers to Just Some Punk Songs. The Bangor (Northern Ireland) trio have been impressing with their energetic brand of punk rock (they recently gained a place in the Louder Than War Albums of 2023 chart with their Standing In Line lp). 

https://dirtbyrds2021.bandcamp.com/album/standing-in-line

  One of the songs from that album has resurfaced on a compilation from Belfast's Time To Be Proud (https://www.timetobeproudrecordsbelfast.com/). Titled The Beat Goes On, the comp features a dozen bands including the likes of Crackhead Control, The Subway Poets & Los Reyes. You can find it here :  https://timetobeproudcompilations.bandcamp.com/album/the-beat-goes-on

  Dirt Byrds contribute a typically gritty street punk song which boasts a catchy chorus that reminds me a little of The Undertones. It's called Suburban Saturday Night... 

High School - She's So Mean

  

  Top label Dirt Cult Records comes up trumps again...

  High School were a San Francisco band that were active from 2005-2007 who lined up with Courtney Kimball (vocals), Lauren Shapiro (rhythm guitar/backing vocals), David Scharf (lead guitar), Jenny Angelillo (bass) and Ethan Shapiro (drums). I'm afraid I don't remember them though I'm a big fan of both Neighborhood Brats who Jenny Angelillo went on to front and Rough Kids who feature Ethan Shapiro.

  It's a great shame I missed the band first time originally as they've just released a new album and it's fantastic. This time around we get a line up of Courtney Kimball (vocals), Kevin Preston (lead guitar), Roger Biersborn (bass), Luis Herrera (drums) and Ethan Shapiro (rhythm guitars). There's also Lauren Shapiro, Jayna Swartzman and Laura Rigby on backup vocals. 

  The album is titled Freshman 15 (it refers to an amount of weight gained during a student's first year at college). We get re recorded favourites, new material and a couple of covers (MC5, Cocksparrer). We also get some of the coolest punk n roll music you'll hear this year. Best of all, you can snap it up as a name your price download here : https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/freshman-15

  This track is about a girl with the face of an angel but a heart of stone. It's called She's So Mean...