The End Of Ernie - That Alternative (Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

  Another one of Dirk's reviews today, this time he's chosen a song from an album that came out in 2017 which though a little older than most stuff posted on here nowadays at least gives me a day off!  Over to Dirk...

THE END OF ERNIE

That Alternative

taken from "When the fun is over..."  LP, release May 2017

The End of Ernie is a band that's been around for 3 decades already. I remember seeing these

in different line ups throughout the years, but must admit I lost touch between mid 90s and mid 00's. In 2017, after seeing them a few times live again, doing solid performances, I was convinced enough to get their then newest release.

I thought of showcasing them as I saw them this month, opening up for Anti-Pasti in Brussels, which was again a great concert.

I must say that lp is a regular on the turntable, with 16 fast paced songs exactly

how they describe themselves as "A punk-orientated band, related to the 80`s, with touches towards crossover, crust and hardcore."

That sums it up quite appropriately, and the song "That Alternative" easily fits that description.

Adding to that, with lyrics expressing a 'fin de siecle' atmosphere with a good dose of anti-establishment. In this song in particular, the lyrics seem to indicate two worlds we live in, the world where everyone lives according the norm and the other world of alternatives, DIY'ers etc..

We all try to avoid and bypass those that just live bland lives, I find it's nicely pictured in the words here: making his "own sidewalk to pass by normal folks". I think singer Luc expresses the feeling not to fit in and to live it our own way. Not preaching out you should live that way, as he speaks out for himself, allowing us to think about that topic for a while. One minute, thirty seconds to be precise.

https://theendofernie.bandcamp.com/album/when-the-fun-is-over

https://www.facebook.com/THE-END-OF-ERNIE-144437752324480/ 

WITH EVERYTHING I DO

I NEED TO TAKE A STEP A-SIDE

TURN AROUND AND CREATE

ANOTHER SIDEWALK TO PASS BY

WITH EVERY MOVE I MAKE

I CREATE BEAUTIFUL IMAGES

BUT WITH EVERY STEP, I BREAK

IN A WORLD OF COMPLETE IGNORANCE

NOT FEELING WELL

IN YOUR PRIVATE COMFORT ZONE

FOR ME IT`S TOTAL HELL

I RATHER GO IT ON MY OWN

IF THIS IS THE WAY TO FOLLOW

I GLADLY TURN MY FACE

SO HOLLOW AND NO TOMORROW

WAITING FOR THE END OF DAYS

I NEED THAT ALTERNATIVE

I NEED THAT ALTERNATIVE

Becky & The Politicians - If Boys Got Pregnant

  Today's song came out a while ago (May 2017) but it's been getting plenty of plays in the Just Some Punk Songs household recently and deserves it's place on this blog.

  Becky & The Politicians are a lo-fi synth punk band who I know very little about but who released an ep called Options in 2016 ( https://bestsupportingactress.bandcamp.com/album/options) and followed it up a year later with a mini album of covers titled Punk Rolls Over The Hill. On this release they put their own unique spin on classics originally recorded by The Ramones, Zeros, Swell Maps, Wire, Snatch, Buzzcocks and The Orchids. You can check it out here :   https://bestsupportingactress.bandcamp.com/album/punk-rolls-over-the-hill

  There's plenty of fun to be had in listening to their versions of Orgasm Addict, Jackie & Judy and 12XU but my favourite is the Orchids cover (original version here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfqvhf-SqqU) which asks the question what would happen If Boys Got Pregnant...

Rotten Foxes - Hamburg Höllenfahrt (Review By Darren Bourne)

  Tadpole Records boss Darren Bourne returns today after kindly sending me his thoughts on a release from last year by a band from his home town. I'll pass you over to him....

 Rotten Foxes : Hamburg Höllenfahrt (from EP II) 

  The Rotten Foxes are 4 guys from Brighton that play Death Punk Rock, They are Rhys Top Boy Toye - Vocals,  Danny Camelot - Drums,  Jimi Dymond - Bass and The Mac Daddy - Guitar

  If you like Turbonegro, Denim, Punk Rock, Beer, Zeke, Rock N' Roll, Mullets & a good time then you may want to check these guys out, they have 2 EP's on their Bandcamp https://rottenfoxes.bandcamp.com/ which are both pay what you want to download & a live gig from The Unicorn, Camden, UK. You can also pick up shirts & other Merch there. 

  They are a touring machine & seem to be playing all over the UK all the time & have also headed to Europe a few times so make sure you catch these guys live, it'll be one big party.  They have a U.K. stint lined up for late winter and their biggest Euro trip to date in April 2019, Plus a load of festivals in the works, so follow them on social media for more news https://www.facebook.com/rottenfoxes/

  They put on some killer shows in Brighton under the Apocalypse Dudes Presents banner, supporting other bands & giving Brighton some of the most fun gigs in the South of England, so if you're in town come & have a beer with them, but don't expect a early night. https://www.facebook.com/Apocalypsedudespresents/ & if you want to look good for the night Jimi also has his own Barbershop so pop in for a trim before the show https://www.facebook.com/jimisbarbershop13/ and sort out that Mullet.

  A new EP is in the works (currently being recorded) & it's going to be vinyl this time, looking for more labels to help out so drop them a message if you like what you hear, it's all about co-operation so the more labels the better, the world needs to hear the Rotten Foxes & every punk rocker needs to experience the live show as we all know that's where Punk Rock is at it's best                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i81CWaJz_s&t=6s 

  Lee (The Mac Daddy) is also in new Brighton Punk / Rock N' Roll band Glitter Piss, but that's one for next time.....

  This is Hamburg Höllenfahrt... 

Ötzi - Hounds

 

(photo by tash de valois)

 
  Ötzi are a dark post-punk trio from Oakland, California who formed in 2014. They announced themselves with a S/T demo before releasing debut ep Gong Show in 2016. Last year they put out their debut album Ghosts. Upcoming releases include a new limited edition tape titled Part Time Punks Sessions, a 4 song John Peel sessions style ep that will include reworkings of some of their best songs plus new single Ballad Of Oiwa. You'll be able to snap up this new ep on their European tour which kicks off tonight in Barcelona. You can find more details on their Superstition tour here : https://www.facebook.com/Otziband/     

 You can download their music here :   https://otzi.bandcamp.com/

 To coincide with the tour, they've just released the video you can see below. I've got to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of darkwave/goth but this song and indeed the whole album are great. Despite being all the things that this genre is noted for (dark, haunting, introspective etc) this is actually also pretty upbeat. The drums conjure up visions of misty forests, the guitars swirl and the lyrics are suitably ambiguous. It's been 30 years since I listened to bands such as Xmal Deutschland on John Peel but I recollect they had a similar (if slightly less upbeat?) vibe.   Anyway, this is Hounds...

You are my baby girl 
Don’t pretend to be happy 
I know I’m disappointing you 
It’s as plain as this red moon 
Red moon, red moon 
That you dance under 
Red moon, red moon 

Inside in time 
take me through the night 
Inside in time 
take me to the light 
Inside in time 
elevate the light 

The water moves like skin 
The night is centering 
Come walk with me 
Hecate, call your hounds 

You are my oracle 
Descend down to me 
My lunacy in your eyes 
As big as this red moon 
Red moon, red moon 
That you dance under 
Red moon, red moon 

Inside in time 
take me through the night 
Inside in time 
take me to the light 
Inside in time 
elevate the light 

The water moves like skin 
The night is centering 
Come walk with me 
Hecate, call your hounds 
Call your hounds 
Call your hounds 
Call your hounds
  

MC16 - Sleeping On Cardboard

  Today I'm posting a song that went down so well with the chatroom folk on last week's Just Some Punk Songs show that even though it came out last year (it resurfaced again on the recent Rebellion 2018 New Band (introducing) Stage compilation : https://compilationalbums.bandcamp.com/album/rebellion-2018-new-band-introducing-stage) I thought it deserved to be discovered by a few more people.

  Sleeping On Cardboard, is a single (I think their debut?) by a band called MC16. This is the part of my introduction where I usually give you some info from their Facebook page but all that's in the info section is this... "Life Is A Way Of Punk." They've since released a couple more singles, Prisoner On Watch and Innocence Is Not A Technicality. Maybe one day you'll be able to find more info here :  https://www.facebook.com/MC16band/ 

  For me, this is the pick of their singles and it highlights the plight of far too many of our servicemen and women. Enlisted to serve their country, promised everything but now a burden and parasite. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, their medals mean shit when they're sleeping on cardboard. "If the enemy doesn't get you the system will" ... The song's a slow burner with a powerful message, have a listen, you'll like it. Sleeping On Cardboard...

Criminal Kids - Outcast

 

  Today you're getting a song that Wayne Elliott tells me went down a storm on his Pulsebeat show and which also features on Alex Kish's Wassup Rocker Radio Presents Sick Sounds free 32 track compilation album ( https://wassuprockerradio.bandcamp.com/album/wassup-rocker-radio-presents-sick-sounds ).

  The song came out last year and was a free digital single taken from the debut S/T ep from Chicago rockers Criminal Kids. The ep features 6 blistering tracks and is available on 12" from Spaghetty Town Records (a label that is building up a great catalogue of releases) https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com. You can find it digitally here : https://criminalkids.bandcamp.com/

  The band originally formed in 2008 but it was only after getting back together last year with a new line up that they've properly got their act together. The current line up features Ryan (guitar/vocals), Mike Van Kley (guitar), Chris (bass/vocals) and Anthony (drums). The music is down and dirty, the riffs are huge and you can find more info here :   https://www.facebook.com/CriminalKids/

  I'd advise you to play this loud, it's called Outcast.... 

BKS - I Eat Bugs

  It's that time of the week when I think "oh shit, I better get looking for some music to play on the next show."  One release I knew would be worth checking out is a new 50 track compilation album from Just Say No To Government Music titled Rebellion 2018 New Band (Introducing) Stage. As the title suggests it's a 2 cd introduction to the bands that will be playing Blackpool's Rebellion Festival for the first time. The festival, Britains biggest annual punk gathering, takes place this year between 2nd and 5th August and the compilation features loads of great bands from around the world including a number who have previously featured on here (Murderburgers, Fat Albert, Dream Nails, The Mistakes, The Liarbilities, The Crash Landings, Dischord etc...).

  Definitely worth checking out, you can find the digital version here :  https://compilationalbums.bandcamp.com/album/rebellion-2018-new-band-introducing-stage

  One of the bands on the comp is London "fast as fuck" hardcore outfit BKS. Influenced by the likes of Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Gorilla Biscuits, Minor Threat, Poison Idea etc, the line up features Chris (vocals), Tom (bass), Will (drums) and Radu (guitar). Their Baptist Killing Spree demo came out in 2015 and was followed up last year by the I Eat Bugs ep. Both can be found name your price here : https://bkshardcore.bandcamp.com/

  The songs are (mostly) over in the blink of an eye. High octane blasts of furious energy, I can imagine their set at Rebellion will be short, frantic and very sweaty. You can get more info on them here : https://www.facebook.com/baptistkillingspree/

  This is the song thats on the comp and is the title track of the ep, I Eat Bugs...

Sex Tourists - Guts

 

  A song today from a Self Titled album that when I first came across it I wasn't at all sure about but which has definitely grown on me and is now a firm favourite. I played a song from it on the recent Just Some Punk Songs Drunken Sailor Records special and it stuck out like a sore thumb but went down extremely well with the folk in the chatroom (The show got as high as number 4 in a Mixcloud punk chart that often sees shows playing golden era oldies clogging up it's upper echelons so thanks to those that have checked it out  https://www.mixcloud.com/mick-fletcher/just-some-punk-songs-drunken-sailor-special/).

  The song is by Sex Tourists, they're a "downer synth-pop" outfit from Sydney who's line up features members of bands such as Aloha Units, Natalia And Her Naptime and Houseband and they appear to have been influenced far more by early New Order and Vietnamese funeral music! than by any of the usual likely suspects. That line up is Darius Ottignon, Ewan Finlay and Nicola Babbage.

  The album was originally released last November by local diy label Paradise Daily Records but was quickly picked up by that bastion of good taste Juice who quickly added it to the impressive roster on his Drunken Sailor label. There were a limited number of copies available on vinyl and it's also here digitally :  https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/st-lp-3

  You may also be interested in the "name your price" demo that came out 3 years ago on the band's own Trackside Records :  https://tracksiderecords.bandcamp.com/album/sex-tourists-demo

  If, after your first listen to Sex Tourists, you're like me and aren't sure, don't give up. They'll soon drill through that initial resistance and firmly implant their nagging earworms inside your head. If, like Juice and the majority of the JSPS chatroom you fall in love straight away then make sure you snap up the album. Damn this is good, it's called Guts....

 

The Chromosomes - Watchin' airplanes

pic by Silvy Silvicious

  The Chromosomes are a 3 piece pop punk band from Livorno in Italy who formed in 1993 and who are influenced by The Ramones and The Beach Boys etc. Their line up features Massimiliano Morandi (vocals/guitar), Luca Sardi (bass/vocals) and Matteo Paganelli (drums).

  As well as a bunch of eps and split releases they've also released several albums. You can find a number of these releases on Bandcamp. More band info is available on Facebook and on their blog :

 https://thechromosomes.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheChromosomesband/
http://thechromosomes.blogspot.co.uk/

  Their most recent release was last year's Losing Eleven. An album with cool cover art and 11 songs about goalkeepers in padded shirts, teddy bear cuddling heavy metal kids, pretty girls on late night tv shows, rowdy hula dancers etc, it's great fun. As well as the digital version, there's a cd available from Striped Music.... http://www.stripedmusic.com/

  There's loads of bands playing this kind of music but on the evidence of Losing Eleven I think it's fair to say The Chromosomes are Champions League class (if they were a football team they'd be battling away with the likes of The Manges, The Apers and DeeCracks in Europes biggest competition. Check them out.

  Looking out of my window as I type this, the sun's out, the mercury is rising, it's gonna be a great day. Perfect for lying back and Watchin' Airplanes....

Airplanes 
cruisin' above our heads 
here on our favourite spot 
lyin' on the hood of my car 
You and me 
starin' at the blue sky 
tryin' to guess where they come from 
with a load of stories 

And if the rain falls down 
we don't care at all - just 'cause 

we're watchin' airplanes 
wonderin' places 
lookin' up straight in the blue 
we're watchin' airplanes 
stories and faces 
flyin' up deep in the blue 

Who's up there? 
Are they scared to watch down? 
From those little windows 
Maybe they could see us 
You and me 
starin' at the blue sky 
tryin' to guess where they come from 
with a load of stories 

And if the wind blows strong 
we don't care at all - just cause 

we're watchin' airplanes 
wonderin' places 
lookin' up straight in the blue 
we're watchin' airplanes 
stories and faces 
flyin' up deep in the blue 

I must tell you I was afraid to fly 
that I could not breathe 
You give me strength I'm lucky 
to have you here with me

Girth Control - Coffee Me! (Review By Jeffrey Thunders)

  A guest review today from Jeffrey Thunders who regular visitors may remember is vocalist with New Haven band The Lost Riots

https://thelostriots.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheLostRiots/

  Today he wants to recommend the recent 7" from Girth Control so I'll leave you in his capable hands...

https://www.facebook.com/girthcontrol/

One of the most fun bands out today are Girth control who hail from Albany NY. The ska/punk trio released their 7" " Shorter, Faster, Dumber" this past November. Short and fast is what it is. With 14 tracks and only one topping the minute mark with "Bad Things" clocking in at one minute and 12 seconds.

Dumb is what it is not. Girth Control carefully executed a tremendous record mixed upbeat tunes and tongue in cheek lyrics in songs such as "Yuengs (who drank the"), and "5:2". One of the most fun bands in Northeast America today. Recommend for fans of: The Descendents, Reel Big Fish, Beer, Saturday Night Live.

Check out the album here : https://girthcontrol.bandcamp.com/album/shorter-faster-dumber


  This is Coffee Me! 

Boys Order - ”blue blue red..."

  Here's a catchy little number that I played on yesterday's Just Some Punk Songs show (https://www.mixcloud.com/mick-fletcher/just-some-punk-songs-080418/). It's by powerpoppunkparty band Boys Order. They're a 3 piece from Osaka in Japan and line up with Chihiro Isadora (vocals/bass), Captain LFO (guitar/vocal) and Electric (drums/chorus). They include amongst a lengthy list of influences the likes of The Dictators, Blondie, The Rezillos, The Go Gos, Billy Childish, The Rolling Stones, X Ray Spex etc.

  They came to my notice in 2014 with single Tomorrow Dancing and returned last year with infectious debut album Do The Wild Cat. Both are available on Secret Mission Records (a label that's building up a killer back catalogue including releases by the likes of Kidnappers, M.O.T.O., Radioactivity, The Raydios, The Fadeaways, The Geros etc). The album is a blast of upbeat fun that'll appeal to anyone with a pulse so check it out..... https://secretmissionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/do-the-wild-cat-lp

  To learn more about them they're on Facebook here :  https://www.facebook.com/boysorder/

  As there's a video for this song it's the one I'm highlighting today. Best listened to whilst dancing with a big grin on your face, this is Blue Blue Red....

The Defects - Hunter Versus Hunter (Review By Ade Bailey)

  It's Friday, it's guest review day and it's the return of Enemies Of Promise frontman and Revolution Rock presenter Ade Bailey who's going to review the latest album by The Defects. Over to you Mr Bailey.....

The Defects – ‘Feed The Good Dog’

  It’s often the case that the bands we remember from the early days of punk attempt to make come-backs, reunions and nostalgic tours, and when they do, it’s with very mixed results. Belfast boys The Defects however never really went away – constantly making music and ever active in the wonderful scene the city has.

  So here we are with ‘Feed The Good Dog’ hot on the heels of 2015’s (patchy at best) ’45 Minutes’ and straight from the off it’s clear where this album’s roots and message lie, targeting a new set of injustices, Buck and the boys launch into ‘Another Broken Promise’ and it’s huge! Politicians seem to be the main villains on this record (and rightly so) with absolutely everything cranked up to maximum – Roy McAllister’s guitar sound across the whole record is incredible. Coupled with Buck Defect’s trademark staccato delivery, it’s a thrill packed 30 mins of an album with choruses that instantly get stuck in your head and are destined to be shouted back at the band from pits across the country this year.

  The majority of the subject matter is the current state of the world but there are the odd little diversions like ‘Gate Crash’ which is the natural companion to 2013’s ‘Hill Street’ with its tale of party nights past. Another stand out is ’30 Billion Dollar Swindle’ which delves into moon-landing conspiracies and has a very clever Neil Armstrong sample woven into the chorus – it’s terrific listening.
I always rated ‘Politicophobia’ as their best work until this little gem landed. It’s rarely been off my playlist over the past few weeks and I can honestly say it’s made a early bid for my album of 2018. Check it out, you won’t regret it.

https://www.facebook.com/THE-DEFECTS-106572156054903/

  This is Hunter Versus Hunter.....

KENNY KENNY OH OH - Why Can't We Say

  Kenny Kenny Oh Oh are a 4 piece punk band with members (Olaf, Kutte, Fritte & Made) from both Leipzig and Berlin. Various reviews I've seen compare them with such luminaries as The Avengers, Vice Squad, Soviettes, Vanna and White Lung. Think rocking, female fronted '77 punk meets riot grrrl (are we still allowed to say female fronted?) and you won't be far off. You can get more info here :  https://www.facebook.com/kennykennyohoh/

  Last year they released debut album I Will Not Negotiate. It's a short blast of aggression that should get you bouncing. You can find it "name your price" here : https://kennykennyohoh.bandcamp.com/

   This is the opening song, it's called Why Can't We Say....

I don‘t wanna care
you don‘t wanna care
about that fucking appreciation
I have to be best
you have to be tough
all tired of that competition
so why can‘t we say no
why don‘t we say
fuck that damn appraisal
no I can‘t say no
though it nearly broke me down
though it‘s making us all sick
though it nearly broke me down
though it‘s breaking us all down
you don‘t need to pay your credit anymore

Potato Rocket - Fucked Up Generation (Review by Chris Levesque)

(pic by Toni)


  Chris Levesque is a member of Calgary punk outfit The Difficult Brown (https://www.facebook.com/difficultbrown/) and despite never having written anything like this before he's taken up the challenge of reviewing an album that was released last year by one of his favourite home town bands, Potato Rocket. The album is titled Grown Ass Adults and you can find it here :  https://potatorocket.bandcamp.com/album/grown-ass-adults

  Over to you Chris....

  I have an obsession with three chord power pop so anytime I come across a new band in this regard I get all giddy like a school girl. Needless to say I was more than stoked when I discovered Potato Rocket playing one of their first shows here at Dickens in Calgary. Their sound wasn't completely there but I could see the potential and thought finally more bands to my liking right here in my backyard. So when they finally released a record I was excited as I knew most of their songs from going to many of their shows and they got better every time out. I needed those songs at home to listen to it whenever I pleased.


Simple 4 or 5 chord song structure, combined with lyrical themes which include feeling young while getting older, it might seem like a pop punk cliche, but they make an effort not to sound like anyone else. So comparisons to other bands have been few and far between. Influences including Rancid, Screeching Weasel, The Ergs! and several other bands that sound nothing like each other. This debut album is definitely in my forever catalogue.


  “This record is the result of 3 years of writing, playing, lineup changes, life changes, breakups, new jobs and bitter exes. We aim to be introspective and sarcastic, or maybe sarcastically introspective. Grown ass adults who should know better, or adolescents in disguise? You be the judge.”


  This is Fucked Up Generation....

they tell me that I'm the fucked up generation 
co dependent pessimistic 
they tell me I’m entitled not grateful for what I’m given 
self important that's an endorsement 

now i know you don't believe when i say that i don’t care 
its just another phase i'm in, just trying to be fair 
I don't need you telling me its just a phase 
I’ve been stuck in this phase since seventh grade 

well I’m still here i'm not going anywhere 
I could just disappear there's a whole world out there 
I know i'm a grown up adolescent 
but i still haven't learned my lesson 

I guess I'm treading water and I don't know what I want 
To have everything, to move on 
Told me to go to college and then get a job 
That's what I did, its no fun 

I know I don't have any plans for my future 
Right now it seems so far away 
how am i supposed to think about tomorrow 
I still haven't figured out today 

I don't know what I'm talking about 
Don't listen to my advice 
I don't know what I'm talking about 
When I'm older I might think twice

The Young Rochelles - My Stomach Hates My Guts

  Ricky, Rookie, Rocky & Ray Jay are The Young Rochelles. They're from Long Beach, New York and they're a kick ass old school pop punk band. But if you're a regular visitor to Just Some Punk Songs you know all that. You probably also know they released a fun self titled debut album last December.....  https://theyoungrochelles.bandcamp.com/album/the-young-rochelles

  What you may have missed is the release of a new video for one of the songs from that album. Filmed by Bambi Guthrie it's a Pepto Bismaltastic tale of over long bathroom visits, Tum snorting and projectile vomit. It even has a tacked on blooper reel. The song's pretty darn catchy too.

  This is My Stomach Hates My Guts.....

Jesus and his Judgemental Father - It Might Get Better

photo by Sue Mole


  The album I've played most over the last couple of weeks is the latest one by Leeds "Queer Pop Punk" band Jesus And His Judgemental Father. Titled It Might Get Better and available from Specialist Subject it was released last September (which means I'm somewhat late to the ball but now I've arrived I'm making up for lost time by playing the hell out of it). Can I suggest you check it out....  https://jesusandhisjudgementalfather.bandcamp.com/album/it-might-get-better

  The band features Danny Higgins (vocals, guitar), Sarah "Danger" Ward (guitar/vocals), Sofia Hicks (bass/vocals) and Flo Toch (drums). There's also guest appearances by Chrissy Barnacle, Beth Gibbins and (one of my favourite singers, having also graced the likes of Martha, No Ditching and ONSIND) Naomi Stephens. The songs are catchy and despite tackling important issues they're bloody good fun. The band have just completed a successful tour of New Zealand and have a bunch of gigs lined up on home soil. For more details see Facebook...  https://www.facebook.com/jesusandhisjudgementalfather/

  The song you're getting today is the one featuring Naomi Stephens on backing vocals (it was never going to be anything else!). It'd definitely have featured in my Best Of 2017 chart if I hadn't have been so slow on the uptake, it's the album's title track and it's called It Might Get Better....

League of Pity - Fascist College

 

  I'm posting a song today that went down a storm on the latest Just Some Punk Songs show, it's saved here if anyone wants to listen to an hour of great new punk music (and if you read this blog why wouldn't you?)  https://www.mixcloud.com/mick-fletcher/just-some-punk-songs-040318/ . Most of you probably won't be familiar with the band yet (their Facebook page has less than 100 likes but hopefully you guys can improve that  https://www.facebook.com/LeagueofPity/ ). They're called League Of Pity and they're a 3 piece from New York who combine classic 70's & 80's style punk rock with the pop sensibilities of the 60's to make a fresh sound of their own. The song I'm posting today is one that's got the classic early 80's punk influence running right through it.

  In December they released their debut album, it's titled Outrage! Welcome To Your New Happy Life and it features 10 tracks which rattle by in less than half an hour and you can find it on Knuckle Down Records or Bandcamp :

https://www.knuckledownrecords.com/
https://leagueofpity.bandcamp.com/album/outrage

  This song is called Fascist College.....

 

Masterless Dogs - War At Home

 

  An aggressive meaty street punk/oi banger for you today. Masterless Dogs are a 4 piece from Edmonton, Alberta who line up with Luke MacKinnon (bass/vocals), Brian Moisan (drums), Ben Disaster (guitar/vocals) and Graeme MacKinnon (guitar/vocals). They've also graced such bands as Wednesday Night Heroes, Real Sickies, No Problem (all whom have previously featured on here), On The Ropes and LAMS  (who haven't).

 They formed in 2016 and last year they released their debut Self Titled ep on Contra Records and you can find it here :
 https://www.contra-net.com/en/masterless-dogs-s-t-7-ep-lim-350-black-incl-download.html

 https://masterlessdogs.bandcamp.com/releases

  4 songs, all great. The reviews I've seen compare their sound to the likes of Blitz, Rixe, No Future Records, Riot City Records. Trust me, if you like this kind of music, you'll love Masterless Dogs. Check 'em out.

  This is the opening track from the ep, War At Home....

History Repeats Itself
Feels Like it's 1939
We're standing on the brink of war
Send the children off to die
All for what- some way of life
That keeps us stupid and ill informed
Why fight on some foreign ground
When there's a war at home

War At Home

If you're so quick to die for your country
Then kill yourself today
Misguided hate has sealed your fate
And to me that's such a waste
There's dead veterans who gave their lives
Who are more than just a uniform
Why die on their foreign soil
When there's a war at home

 

Negative Option - Today I Joined The Sweet

 

  Negative Option are a "diy art-punk shambles" from Portland, Oregon. Or at least they were till vocalist Ted decided to retire from music. The other 3 band members, Erika (bass), Jeramy (guitar) and Brian (drums) are taking time out to regroup but are planning on continuing in some form.

  As far as I'm aware, their only release is the 7 track Present Workers cassette which you can get for 5 dollars on Bandcamp. Alternatively the digital version is available "name your price."  https://negativeoption.bandcamp.com/releases

  Released in December, it's pretty damned good and therefore it's a shame that they won't be recording anything else with that line up. They play staccato post punk whilst frontman Ted reminds me somewhat of B52's vocalist Fred Schneider. My favourite song on the ep is the closing track. Platform heels, Wig Wam Bam, Fox On The Run......

  This is Today I Joined The Sweet   

UK Subs - Predator

 

  Once they'd completed their A-Z of album releases, punk legends UK Subs announced that there'd be no more studio albums. Charlie Harper is still far to young at heart however to be content with bringing out the pipe, slippers & Werther's Originals and the Subs are still busy touring and there's still new music. A couple of those releases, 7" singles, came out at the end of last year on their own U.K. Subs Records and it's one of them I'm featuring today.

  You don't need an introduction to punk's most enduring band, with a current line up of Charlie Harper (vocals/harmonica), Steve Straughan (guitar), Alvin Gibbs (bass) and Jamie Oliver (drums) they're still pretty much as good as they've ever been. Certainly better than a band that've been together for over 40 years has any right to be. You can keep up to date with gigs etc here :  https://www.facebook.com/UKSubs/

  The 2 7"'s they released last November were The Beast/Dark Matter and Predator/Master Of The Stool. Both typically energetic punk stompers well worth checking out. Dealing with a subject that's been in the news a lot recently, this is Predator....