W.O.M.B.A.T - Identity Crisis

  

  W.O.M.B.A.T (https://www.facebook.com/waste.of.money.brains.and.time) are from Melbourne and feature a line up of Harrison McGregor- Porcaro (Bass/Vocals), Zoe Hammond (Lead Guitar), Lachlan McGregor-Porcaro (Rhythm Guitar) & Micheal Haynes (Drums). Their name stands for  waste.of.money.brains.and.time

  They released a debut ep last November titled Inbrace

 (https://wombat-aus.bandcamp.com/album/inbrace) 

  Unfortunately I missed it at the time but happily French label Idiotape Records have just released a cassette version (which this time around I haven't missed).

https://idiotaperecords.bandcamp.com/album/w-o-m-b-a-t-inbrace

  Being a sucker for Philadelphia trio Dark Thoughts I had to highlight this cover of a track from their 2016 debut album. Dark Thought's version (https://dark-thoughts.bandcamp.com/track/identity-crisis) finishes abruptly as the band race straight into the next song. The W.O.M.B.A.T version is equally as impressive but has a proper fade out. This is Identity Crisis...

Taker - Work

  

  A quick shout out today for a very cool ep that I missed at the end of last year. 

  Taker are an "oi/punk/rock’n’roll band from Buffalo, NY featuring members of Violent Way, Corvo, Healer, They Live, Big Dog, Big School, Candy and more!"  They're tagged as skinhead rock n roll and oi but I'm pretty sure they've a few Ramones albums in their collections. 

  Last December saw the release of a 4 song self titled ep. The cassette version is sold out but you can snap up the digital as a name your price download : https://taker-oi.bandcamp.com/album/taker-ep

  I'm late to the party but I'm hoping there'll be more music from them soon. 

  This track's called Work... 

Serial Pest - Serial Pest

  

  Serial Pest are Mal Come (Vocals), Rob Myers (Guitar), Mishu Bari (Bass) & Dave Bate (Drums), a "four piece punk band harnessing the chaotic sonic assault of hardcore."  They're from Sydney and a year ago they released an ep titled Hot Breath https://serialpesthc.bandcamp.com/album/hot-breath

  It passed me by at the time but I did catch up in October when I played a single by them on the show. It was called Vulnerable (https://serialpesthc.bandcamp.com/album/vulnerable) and it was a teaser for their 2nd ep which they mentioned was scheduled for release early in 2025 (so it should be imminent?). 

  Today however I was browsing the Noise Merchant Bandcamp page and noticed they'd just released the debut ep on cassette so I thought I'd highlight it on here. It's 11 tracks of short, aggressive punk that's well worth wrapping your ears around. 

  As I type this there's only 4 cassettes left so if you want one jump on it :  https://noisemerchantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hot-breath

  This track is eponymously titled Serial Pest... 

Clean Lines - Nuisance

  

  So what happens when you see a promotional blurb that says... "11 minutes of Buzzcocks meets The Nerves with a little splash of The Sweet!  Seattle's Clean Lines are a bit of 70's punk, power pop and rock and roll.  Clean'n'catchy power pop lines with sugar-sweet harmonies and sweetheart pop appeal."

  You get a little excited and decide to check things out. Especially when you hear that Steve E. Nix (The Briefs/Cute Lepers) is involved.

  Clean Lines are from Seattle, they formed in 2018. The members of the band have graced acts such as The Briefs, Circle Jerks, Geraldine Fibbers and Boss Martians and they've shared a stage with the likes of Mean Jeans, Tommy & The Commies, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes and The Kids. That line up is Tyler Brey (lead vocals), Josh Dale (guitar/vocals), Steve E. Nix (guitar/vocals), Ricky Gonzalez (bass) & Nick Schultz (drums). 

  Their new ep has just been released by Spaghetty Town, Wanda Records (Germany) and Ghost Highway Records. It's available on 7" vinyl and should be streaming today so keep an eye on those Bandcamp pages.

  This is the title track. It's called Nuisance...  

The Ratchets - The Way Things Are

    

  A very well received Just Some Punk Songs show last night and this was definitely one of the most popular songs played. 

  The Ratchets (https://www.facebook.com/RatchetsOfficial) are punk scene veterans now. They hail from New Jersey and first featured on here back in 2018 with a track from their First Light album :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-ratchets-stray-emotions.html

   One of their albums is titled Glory Bound. It was originally released in 2006. As 2024 drew to a close a number of outtakes from that debut album's recording sessions were released by Pirates Press Records as an ep under the title Odds & Ends: Volume Two. It sounds great so check it out : 

https://theratchets.bandcamp.com/album/odds-ends-volume-two

  This song is a cover of a song originally released in 1994 by Schwartzeneggar on an album titled The Way Things Are....And Other Stories (check it out here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwyPPthUSgc&list=PLXr6roSqjbmNH4rje04tBWhX6-ueGDkzT). 

  It's called The Way Things Are : 

I'm standing on my pedestal
You're spitting on my grave
I'll crucify myself for your pleasure,
But don't ever call me slave,
'Cause I've made my bones, chosen my route,
When the pistols' triggered, it's time to shoot
Take every chance within my grasp
Keep kicking and fighting 'til my last gasp
And if this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be
If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be.

No more crying, no more weepy tears
I've got no time for your indulgence, won't entertain your fears.
'Cause I've made my choice, found my voice
I know where I stand and I raise my hand,
A mountain moves and there's the proof
That the sky's the limit when you face the truth
That I'm a fucker with a mission who's at the top
The pimps that surround me won't let me stop,
They call me friend, it's a trend, it's my blood they spend
'Cause cash or crucifixion, they get you in the end.
And if this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be
If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be.

If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be
If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be.
If this is the way things are, more fool me.

The Eddies - The Rage

  

  This blog takes pride in bringing you new music from recently formed bands that you might not yet have discovered. There's a few of us doing similar and in my case it's a labour of love from someone who has no musical ability at all but who wants to tell people about how there's plenty of people out there that have that are helping keep the punk genre stay alive. 

  But not only does this blog turn over stones in the search for your next new favourite band, it also doffs it's cap to those punk heroes who've been putting in the hard yards for many a year. The Eddies are one such band (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063752342140&locale=en_GB). They've been around for 30 years. They've never looked like bothering the top end of the mainstream charts, they aren't a name on the tip of Joe Public's tongue. Even their grans probably haven't heard of them! 

  But what they are is a band from Scotland who occasionally release consistently good punk music and who tour around backstreet pubs and clubs both at home and occasionally abroad keeping those punk fires burning. It's a labour of love for them too.  

  They previously featured on here in 2016 when they claimed they were punk for life  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-eddies-punk-for-life.html

  2025 will see them release a new album titled Unfinished Business. This is the lead single from it. It's called The Rage... 

One Trick Pony - Fleas 'n' Lies

  

  One Trick Pony are a pony punk band from Frankfurt who burst out of the stalls in May with a rehearsal version of a song called Mr Blister. Rowdy, shouty garage punk fun that boded well.

  And now that song resurfaces on their debut demo album, Eat Shit! It's every bit as lively as that teaser track promised and you can get it on cassette from German label George Korea  https://georgekorearecords.bandcamp.com/album/eat-shit

  It's also available as a name your price download : https://onetrickpony.bandcamp.com/album/eat-shit

  I've chosen the following song to highlight because it's both catchy and because the title brings to (my) mind Australian favourites Itchy & The Nits, a band I can hear a few similarities with. It's called Fleas 'n' Lies... 

Rifle - Pack Mentality

  

  Rifle are a rowdy punk 5 piece from London who made a Just Some Punk Songs debut back in February 2022 with a track from their Holloway Demos ep              https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2022/02/rifle-flag.html

  They followed that introduction up with a very fine cover of The Kids' classic Fascist Cops and then the Under Two Flags ep. 

  And now they're (they being Writer/Vocals: Max Williams Writer/Bass: Ross Whelan Writer/Guitar: Louis Bramwells Writer/Guitar: Albert Dury Writer/Drums: Flynn Whelan) back with another top notch ep.

  It's released by YEAR0001 (https://index.year0001.com/article/pack-mentality) and it's described thus; "Dragging gut-punch UK proto-punk through the byways of US Hardcore at its most severe, Rifle is the sound of revenge yelled by the damned sons of London’s borderlands. A motley crew of loud-mouthed individuals, these boys are battered, kicked in, cut loose, and furious."

  You can find it on Bandcamp here : https://rifleldn.bandcamp.com/album/pack-mentality

  This is the title track, it's called Pack Mentality... 

Pleasants - Sick Sad Situation

  

  Now this is a great new tune. A blast of catchy punk rock that reminds me a little of Cyanide Pills. 

  Pleasants are from Perth (yep more Australian awesomeness!) and are the brainchild of Al Uminium (aka Alex Patching who's also in Aborted Tortoise, Ghoulies & Dennis Cometti). 

  I featured their cover of The Troggs' Girl Like You (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2023/03/pleasants-girl-like-you.html).

  Since then they impressed with an excellent album titled Rocanrol In Mono (https://pleasants77.bandcamp.com/album/rocanrol-in-mono). 

  And now we're being treated to a new single, 2 songs, both definite earworms. There'll be a 7" vinyl release early next year via Under The Gun Records but for now you can avail yourselves of the name your price digital download : https://pleasants77.bandcamp.com/album/losing-streak-sick-sad-situation

  This song is called Sick Sad Situation... 

The Baboon Show - Forward In Reverse

  

  Here's a song that went down particularly well in the chatroom for this week's Just Some Punk Songs show. 

   It's by The Baboon Show (https://www.facebook.com/thebaboonshow), a band from Stockholm that I've not really featured previously for some reason (despite them forming back in 2003). A failing on my part. I think the only time I'd played them before was when they collaborated with Clowns on this track :  https://clownsband.bandcamp.com/track/i-got-a-knife-feat-the-baboon-show

  So let me tell you about their new ep. It's titled forward in reverse and it'll be getting a 10" vinyl release in February via Kidnap Music. You can pre order it here :   https://thebaboonshow.com/product/2-12/

  2024 will also see them touring (a tour which includes UK gigs). 

  This is the title track of the ep, the band say this about it "Every time we see the world change it seems to be for the worse. Our leaders keep on failing moving forward in reverse. We need to take the power back, go forward and emerge!" It's called Forward In Reverse...

If you look into the shadows of the stage You’ll find that some things never change Some people live in wealth while other live in pain No matter what we do they keep us in their chains Every time the world is changing It’s for the worse Our leaders keep on failing Moving forward in reverse And if we get a glimpse of hope On this place we call earth The world will keep on moving Forward in reverse In the streets we go, we gather, hearts alight The power brings us down They won’t care about us if we don’t make any sound We’ll keep on screaming till we’re buried underground Every time the world is changing It’s for the worse Our leaders keep on failing Moving forward in reverse And if we get a glimpse of hope On this place we call earth The world will keep on moving Forward in reverse Every time the world is changing It’s for the worse We need to take the power back Go forward and emerge And then we get a glimpse of hope On this place we call earth A new dawn and a morning Forward! We emerge!

The Bush Doofs - Georges River

  

  Another one off the Australian conveyor belt of cool new bands today. 

  The Bush Doofs (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556081252617) take their name from a type of outdoor dance party that takes place in a remote area, like the bush or rainforest outside a big city. From what I can gather they're a new band, they're from Sydney and they released their first demo earlier this year https://thebushdoofs.bandcamp.com/

  And now as we near the end of the year, they've unleashed a killer 6 track debut ep titled Scum Of The Streets. It's rowdy pub punk that's more than likely inspired by the likes of Cosmic Psychos, The Chats, Mini Skirt and New Zealand favourites Dartz https://linktr.ee/thebushdoofsthebushdoofsband

  Every song is a winner, including this one. It's called Georges River... 

Attaxia - Warrant

  

(@leah.trash.armstrong)

  Attaxia (https://www.facebook.com/AttaxiaBand) are Emoeba (vocals), Davey (bass/vocals/trumpet), Chris (guitar) & Myko (drums), a powerful anarcho crust quartet from Cleveland, Ohio. 

  Back in July, they released a new album titled Sharpen My Teeth which I missed at the time but am acquainting myself with now. There's 15 tracks, mostly short angry blasts of anger delivered against religious wars, billionaire media moguls, brainwashed army veterans,  A.I. etc...  

  You can find it as a name your price download on Bandcamp :  https://attaxia.bandcamp.com/album/sharpen-my-teeth

  If you collect vinyl, they'll be releasing 11 songs from the album on 7" vinyl (you can pre order on Bandcamp). 

  This track adds a bit of a crack rock steady vibe to the mix, it's called Warrant...

They're calling me on my phone
Leaving me a message saying I've gotta go
Down to the station and tell them what I know
Don't they know that's against the code?

Cause I know that they don't have shit
Just out on a fishing trip
Want me to rat on one of my friends
I don't even know what I said

Cause I'm lying to the police
No officer I haven't seen him in weeks
Lying to the police
I didn't see a fuckin thing

They've got a white van across the street
Binoculars staring at me
Shut all the blinds, turn out the lights
Barricade my door tonight

Cause I see them following me
Trying to make me snap
That happened years ago
There's nothing left for me to crack

Aoife Destruction & The Nilz - Give me an Attitude

  

(photo @In The Pit Photography)

  I've featured Dublin punks The Nilz on here a few times previously (this was probably my favourite https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-nilz-so.html) but this is the first time for Aoife Destruction & The Nilz (https://www.facebook.com/aoifedestructiondc). 

  The collaboration came about following a drink fuelled conversation at an afterparty at Rebellion punk festival. Aoife Destruction (who you may know from Paranoid Visions) & The Nilz "combines aggressive comedic smut tones with catchy laments & choruses that will haunt your dreams." After a year & a half of touring support slots with the like of SLF, Bad Manners & Kerbdog they're gearing up to release their first full length album in 2025 but first comes a lead single. 

   As you'll discover, it's a lively affair... https://thenilz.bandcamp.com/album/give-me-an-attitude

  Both songs are great, aggressive AND catchy as fuck. This one comes with a new video, it's called Give Me An Attitude... 

You can tell just by my face That you were driving me insane I think I'll take a minute for myself Didn't wanna believe it Took me a second to see it Give me convenience man or give me space I Just wanna be an attitude I Just wanna be mad at you All your funny looks are gone And I'm moving on Invested way too much in this dead weight You can have your moment Make it all about the comments Maybe its time for us to take a break Theres a void in you So I'm avoiding you All The red flags & signs, ignored for peace of mind Puntuate! What you left behind This time time we need more than time

Wonk Unit - Luxury Flats

  

  Well, what can I say about Wonk Unit that I've not previously said in several previous Just Some Punk Songs updates? I suppose I could mention that the band is a vehicle for singer/songwriter Alex to unload. A way to cope with life's ups and downs. 

  He's been doing quite a lot of unloading over the years with thoughts both political and personal spilling forth via his lyrics. Wonk Unit are now up to album number 9. It's titled Good Good Glad To Hear It and it's available on vinyl and digital download : https://wonk-unit.bandcamp.com/album/good-good-glad-to-hear-it

  There's a dozen new songs touching on emotional subjects such his relationship with his young daughter following the breakdown of his marriage, his struggles with addiction and his fears & insecurities. 

  And then there's this one where he opens a can of arseholes on the subject modern Britain; of Brexit, Nigel Farage and voting Tory (all served with a topping of Sleaford Mods). It's called Luxury Flats... 

 

Slaughterhouse - Sick and Tired

  

  Hell, it's December. Already. Where's the year gone?

  I suppose I'd better get sorting out some sort of Top 100 chart for the blog and a couple of special Best Of 2024 shows. 

  One song that I'm sure will feature is this one :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/05/slaughterhouse-state-of-emergency.html

  It featured on the blog back in May. It's by a band from Los Angeles called Slaughterhouse and it's great. 

  As is the new single by the band. The single being the title track for an upcoming ep on Pirates Press Records. The ep will be out on February 7th and will feature 4 original songs plus a cover of Black Flag's My War. I'm listening to it as I type and can confirm that it's not just the title track that kicks ass. 

  It'll be available on a single sided 12” EP with etched B-side and you can pre order it here :  https://shop.piratespressrecords.com/collections/new-featured-music/products/slhop414bl-lp

  As for the title track, singer Meriel O'Connell says it's a more personal song; “You get a lot of people talking in your ear about what you should do, say, look like, how you should behave…I don’t think we’re put on this planet to try to make everyone happy or feel comfortable.” 

  I think it'll be on Bandcamp tomorrow (Friday) https://sslaughterrhouse.bandcamp.com/music

  Strap yourselves in and click play. This is Sick And Tired... 

Thee Cha Cha Chas - Don't Lie To Me

  

  Thee Cha Cha Chas (https://www.facebook.com/TheeChaChaChas) are Kylie Coufos (bass/vocals) and Lluis Fuzzhound (guitar/drums/vocals), a rock n roll duo from Melbourne.  

  They've been releasing singles since 2016 but they've finally got round to a full length album. It's called Temple Of Mirth and it's available on vinyl and digital d/l from Madrid label FOLC Records :  

https://www.folcrecords.es/producto/thee-cha-cha-chas-temple-of-mirth/

https://folcrecords.bandcamp.com/album/folc260-thee-cha-cha-chas-temple-of-mirth

https://theechachachas.bandcamp.com/album/temple-of-mirth

  It's a cool album that showcases the band's talents and their love for the garage punk/60's style rock n roll genre. Give it a listen, you'll enjoy yourself. 

  I'm highlighting this uptempo duet, it's called Don't Lie To Me... 

Femme Fugazi - Punk Band

 

 (photo : @kirstenheskamp)

  Femme Fugazi (https://www.facebook.com/femmefugazi) have a name that stands out and if you're going to have a name that immediately gets people thinking of the Washington DC post hardcore legends Fugazi then you better be able to back it up. Happily this Netherlands based band will soon have you judging them on their own merits. 

  They've recently released a debut ep (they call it an ep but it's nearer full album length) titled Look At You and it's somewhat of a bruiser. It's being described as a mix of Metz and Idles though they don't need comparisons, they're good enough to stand on their own two feet.

https://linktr.ee/femmefugazi

  Here's one of the highlights, it's presumably autobiographical? An outsider anthem, it's called Punk Band... 

Mugger - Find Out (feat. John Brannon) (Guest Review By Ralph J Rivera)

  

  In the last few years the "Female Fronted Hardcore" genre has really exploded. With new bands seemingly appearing every other week. There are definitely some incredible bands out there including SCOWL, Pest Control and GEL & Poison IV from my homebase here in New Jersey.

  Well last week a new album dropped by a band from Austin, Texas called "Mugger" that just set the bar even higher. After only a demo tape they have unleashed what is easily THE Hardcore Record Of The Year with "Luck Forever" https://mugger-tx.bandcamp.com/album/luck-forever. 

  From the opening intro right into the first song "Crank It Up" it's time to hold on tight. 15 songs that just never let up. Every instrument is pushed into the red and lead singer Lisa Alley sounds like she was BORN to spit these lyrics. There is no other HC album I've heard this year that matches this level of intensity. I love when a band just comes out of nowhere and levels the entire field.

 There's pre-orders for the awesome green/black vinyl but they're not shipping out until February so we might have some time. 

  I know I'm gonna grab one. It's not easy to pick a favorite on this stacked album but I'm going with the video they did with the one & only John Brannon (Negative Approach) for "Find Out"...  

Bureau De Change - 'arry Goes To The Pub

    

  On last week's Just Some Punk Songs show I treated the listener's to a song titled Shaken, Not Stirred which began with the attention grabbing opening line "James Bond Is A Fucking Prick." It was taken from the debut ep by a quartet from Bath called Bureau De Change and as far as attention grabbing calling cards are concerned it delivered all ends up.

  The ep is titled Are You Flirting With Me? and it's a lot of shouty, sweary fun that sees the band airing their views on subjects such as the patriarchy, sexual assault and the characters you might come across in the dark corners of your local pub. 

  I'll play this song on this week's show (Sunday at 8pm UK https://gpr.mixlr.com/). It's got a title that's presumably inspired by a Sham 69 single and it's called 'arry Goes To The Pub... 

THE CIRCULATORS - Wired Over You

  

  So I've spent the last couple of hours honing the playlist for this week's Just Some Punk Songs show and it occurred to me that I really need to get one of the songs from the new album by The Circulators on the blog. 

  The album's titled Insufficient Fun and it was released last week by Total Punk Records :   https://totalpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/insufficient-fun-2

  The band are from San Francisco and I featured them back in January of last year :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-circulators-it-wont-be-me.html

  That song resurfaces on the new album and it's so good I think I'll play it on this week's show but it's not the only highlight from what is rapidly turning into one of my favourite 2024 releases. Pretty much every one of the 14 tracks is a rock n roll gem. I can't recommend it highly enough. 

  I'm going to post this catchy as fuck song about falling head over heels, it's called Wired Over You.