Young Francis Hi Fi - Baby You're Braindead

    

  3 years ago I was introducing you to Young Frances Hi Fi (https://www.facebook.com/yyoungfrancis), a bubblegum punk band that had risen phoenix like from the ashes of Brighton hardcore punks Rotten Foxes (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/08/young-francis-hi-fi-i-wanna-hold-you.html). Frontman Young Frances had released some kick ass solo music (https://youngfrancis.bandcamp.com/) but the full band sound took things up a notch. And now we have a debut album on the horizon.

  It'll be titled The Young Generation, it's scheduled for an August 25th release on vinyl, cd and digital download via Dirty Water Records and you can get those pre orders in here :                https://youngfrancishifi.bandcamp.com/album/the-young-generation

  Going off the evidence so far presented (the song you'll find at the bottom of this write up), we're going to be treated to one of the year's best power pop/pop punk long players. The album will also feature a different version of debut single I Wanna Hold You Tight (Tonite). With this release and the upcoming new album from Cyanide Pills, it looks as though it's gonna be a great summer.

  This is called Baby You're Braindead...

LISASINSON - Corazón

  

  Most of the Spanish bands I've either posted on here recently or played on the show have seen me making comparisons with Accidente (Madrid's finest who you'll already be familiar with but just in case anyone's been living under a rock for the last few years... https://accidente.bandcamp.com/). The band I'm featuring today are a little lighter in tone, the pop sensibilities shine through a touch more but I'm still sticking them in the same ballpark. It's catchy punk music with Spanish lyrics sung by a very talented female vocalists.

  Lisasinson (https://www.facebook.com/lisasinsonm) is a graphic and musical project that started in November 2018 at the Fine Arts campus in Valencia, with Miriam (vocals and guitar), Mar (vocals and guitar), María (drums and backing vocals) and Paula (bass and backing vocals).  They've just released a new mini album titled Perdona Mamá. 9 infectious tracks of "youthfulness, spontaneity, rebelliousness and overflowing energy." It's out on Elefant Records (which gives me an excuse to compare it to the joyful exuberance of one of my favourite releases by that label  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2014/03/juniper-moon-volveras.html). 

  It's available as a 10" Mini-LP (Ultra Transparent Vinyl Numbered Limited Edition of 500 copies) and digital download : https://lisasinson.bandcamp.com/album/perdona-mam 

  This track is titled Corazón...

No te reconozco cuando me miras así
Toda esta tristeza no me deja vivir
No sé cómo no te vi venir
Con esa cara de maniquí
Agujeros negros, quiero que te vayas de aquí

Porque casualmente he vuelto a verte por ahí
No pienso saludarte no te voy a sonreír
He inundado el país por ti
En las noticias ha vuelto a salir

Una explosión en mi corazón
Una explosión en mi corazón
Esta noche ha cambiado el tiempo
Tú no lo sabes pero ya estoy lejos

El día que explote bailarás sin sonreír
Ya no soy la misma, puedes irte a Pekín
Flota el polvo, en un rayo de luz
El sol en mi cuarto y ya no estás tú

Una explosión en mi corazón
Una explosión en mi corazón
Esta noche ha cambiado el tiempo
Tú no lo sabes pero ya estoy lejos

Una explosión en mi corazón
Una explosión en mi corazón
Una explosión en mi corazón
Una explosión en mi corazón

The Sorels - Spring Break

  

  The Sorels hail from Winnipeg and are a glam rock n roll trio who released a brilliant debut single in 2019 titled She's In The Gang (if you missed it check it out here :  https://retarecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sorels-ep). 

  They (Joanne “Jo Jo” Rodriguez (vocals/bass), Jennifer Alexander (guitar) and Jill Lynott (drums)) return soon with a follow up 7" and happily it's every bit as impressive. Side A features the song you'll find below (accompanied with a very cool Jem and the Holograms meets Saturday morning cartoon fantasy style video). The flip side is titled Palo Santo and it's somewhat of a glam rock stomper. 

  Both tracks are winners and the single will be available in 3 fun vinyl colours via Reta Records and Surfin Ki Records (Pre orders taken from Jan 15th, release date Feb 2nd). 

  As we're currently in the middle of winter and the Covid pandemic is keeping us all locked down we could do with a break in the clouds and with Spring Break The Sorels give us an early dose of summer sun... 

Ralphie's Red Ryders - My Decoder Ring

  

  Ralphie's Red Ryders (https://upload.facebook.com/ralphiesredryders/) are the new band from Holman, Indiana who I introduced back in March (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/03/ralphies-red-ryders-they-traded-bullfrog.html). I mentioned that they'd have a debut album out in November on Outloud! Records and Radiant Radish Records and as we're only a week away from the cd release and there's a new video available I thought now would be a good time to tell you how good the album is. 

  It features the talents of Ralphie (guitar, vocals) Flick (bass, vocals) and Schwartz (drums, vocals). If those names seem familiar, it's quite possible you've seen a 1983 movie called A Christmas Story which is supposedly very popular in The States but I can't say I've ever had the pleasure. As I'm not a fan of Christmas movies I can't honestly say I'd want that dubious pleasure! But if someone who think's Christmas movies are to be avoided at all costs loves this album then quite possibly you will too. 

  It's fun. A fuzzy warm nostalgia fest boasting  a dozen power pop cuts. Just imagine if The Ramones and the Beach Boys hosted a joint Xmas party. It's exactly what the tag bubblegum pop was thought up for. I'm sure fans of the movie will notice those tracks are inspired by the movie and I'm sure they'll know exactly who The Bumpus Hounds are or where Higbee's is (supposedly it's the greatest toy shop). If, like me, you have no idea what Tinker Toys are or why Randy can't put his arms down, it doesn't matter in the slightest. You'll still have a blast. 

  You can get more details here : https://radiantradish.storenvy.com/products/31137649-ralphies-red-ryders-youll-shoot-your-eye-out-cd and here https://ralphiesredryders.bandcamp.com/releases 

  

    Before I get tempted to write the words Vista and Blue, I'll quickly post the video. 

  A secret decoder ring (or secret decoder) is a device which allows one to decode a simple substitution cipher. As inexpensive toys, they have been often used as promotional items by retailers, radio and television programs from the 1930s through to the current day. The most well-known example started in 1934 with the Ovaltine company's sponsored radio program Little Orphan Annie. The show's fan club, "Radio Orphan Annie's Secret Society", distributed a member's handbook that included a simple substitution cipher with a resulting numeric cipher text. This was followed the next year with a membership pin that included a cipher disk - enciphering the letters A-Z to numbers 1-26. In A Christmas Story, Ralphie becomes a member of the Radio Orphan Annie's Secret Society fan club and decodes a secret message sent from Annie to her fans only to be disappointed it reads "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine." 

  This is My Decoder Ring... 

Helen Love - Songs From My Teens (PUNK AS F**K)

  

  For almost 30 years now, Welsh band Helen Love have been mixing up punk rock, indie, disco, pop and a love of Joey Ramone to create some of the catchiest music you'll ever hear. They recently returned with a rather splendid double A sided single on Alcopop! Records. 

  On one side is another of their many Ramones love fests, it's titled 1234 Dee Dee Ramone and it's a jump up and down with a big grin on your face slice of pure bubblegum joy. You can check out the video here :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfoPacEDIX0

  The flip side, in my opinion is even better and comes with 2 videos. There's the 90's version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9-SfO1AGyg) which takes us down memory lane via the likes of Pulp, Ash, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Atari Teenage Riot, Stereolab, Kenickie, Heavenly etc and there's also the punk as F**k version in which Helen demonstrates how her 70's & 80's record collection is every bit as vital as her 90's one (Buzzcocks, Adverts, Young Marble Giants, Undertones, X Ray Spex, Blondie, Altered Images to name a few).  

  This is Songs From My Teens...

Young Francis Hi Fi - I Wanna Hold You Tight (Tonite)

  Anyone remember Brighton hardcore punk band Rotten Foxes? (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/01/rotten-foxes-get-out-of-my-head.html). They split up last year but out of the ashes rise Young Francis Hi Fi https://www.facebook.com/yyoungfrancis/.

  They're an energetic bubblegum punk band playing 2 minute songs about girls, getting high and hanging out and they're fronted by Berlin born Young Francis who was previously a one man band but has now enlisted the services of the aforementioned Rotten Foxes Jimi Dymond (guitar/backing vocals), Mac Daddy (bass/hand claps) & Danny Joe Handsome (drums).

  Following in the footsteps of a band that arrived, raised hell and left us with an impressive catalogue of skull crushing, mind melting, mullet flowing punk rock was never going to be an easy proposition but Young Francis Hi Fi pull it off with aplomb by toning down the pummelling aggression and instead concentrating on catchy, feel good rocking n rolling tunes. You'll still sweat at their gigs but your ears might not ring quite as much.

  This is their debut release, it's called I Wanna Hold You Tight (Tonite)..,

I’m thinking about you
I heard our song on the radio
So I think I’m gonna call you
Find out if you’re at home

I wanna hold you tight tonight
I wanna hold you all my life

I get a little crazy
When you sit beside me
I get a little nervous
Don’t wanna look too anxious

You’re so good for me
The way I wanna be
I want you all alone
Wanna get away, wanna get away, wanna get away
All alone

I’m thinking about you
So I think I’m gonna call you
I just wanna say the words right
I’m tongue tied when I spend the night

Westbound Sign - You

 

  With the title of their new 5 track ep being Love Songs For The Queers and their influences including the likes of Pinhead Gunpowder, Riverdales, Lillingtons, Groovie Ghoulies, Green Day, Screeching Weasel etc you might come to the conclusion that Westbound Sign were a pop punk band and do you know what, you'd be pretty much right. They call themselves bubblegum punk but I'm not going to quibble.

  They're a 3 piece from Lawrence, Kansas and line up with Bryce (vocals/guitar), Joey (bass/backing vocals) and Jordan (drums). Check out Facebook for more info... https://www.facebook.com/westboundsignband/

  The ep is available name your price on Bandcamp and you can find it here :  https://westboundsign.bandcamp.com/album/love-songs-for-the-queers

  This is the lead track, it's an all too common tale of unrequited love and it's called You...

You, I always see your face 
How can something so beautiful be part of the human race? 
'Cause you, you always catch my glance 
Day dreaming of the day that you'll take me by the hand 

Thinking about you all the time 
Yeah, you're always on my mind 

You, I see you walking down the hallway 
It's the hundredth time today, just wishing that you would come my way 
Now you, you're pressing up against me 
But then I wake up it's just another fucking dream 

Thinking about you all the time 
Yeah, you're always on my mind 
Finding the courage to come up to you 
Finding the time to say I love you

Werecats - Dog

 

  Harmony ridded pop punk from the mean streets of south London today. Werecats are catchy and look as though butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, it's all good wholesome family entertainment yeah? Kind of, but scratch the surface and you'll maybe find something a little darker. An example being today's song which is about man's best friend, the cute old family dog. But what's that? "blood in my mouth, rabbit's history......my teeth are now buried, deep inside it's throat..." Hmmm hidden depths indeed.

  Featuring members of The Pukes, The Murderburgers, The Blankheads and Soon The Darkness, Werecats are a female fronted 4 piece who've recently released their debut album. Titled Destined For The Outside, it's a joy. The video you'll find below is great but in my opinion the album contains several other songs that are even better. Opener, Astbury is a particularly upbeat favourite, next song, Builder is another winner whilst Strawberries is a juicy pick and Mr Boring is more infectious than measles. If you haven't yet heard it then click here now...  https://werecats.bandcamp.com/album/destined-for-the-outside

  You can get more info on them here ; https://www.facebook.com/werecatsband/

  So to the video, bright and bouncy but with bite, this is Dog...

Helen Love - Double Denim

photo : Alison Wonderland


  Yesterday's update featuring a hard hitting punk banger about police brutality went down well so I'll capitalise on that, with something completely different....

    Welsh day-glo bubblegum disco punks Helen Love have been favourites of mine ever since the early 90's when in those pre internet days they'd pop up occasionally on the John Peel show. It's always a joy to learn they've released a new single (and boy have they released some great singles; Joey Ramoney, Punk Boy,  Does Your Heart Go Boom, Long Live The UK Music Scene, Shifty Disco Girl, You Can't Beat A Boy Who Loves The Ramones etc etc etc. I reckon a greatest hits by them made up of a dozen or so tracks would be as good as anyones). It's been a couple of years since I featured them on here (with their tribute to the former X Ray Spex frontwoman Polystyrene  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2016/05/helen-love-thank-you-polystyrene.html) but I'm happy to report they're back and they're still as much fun as ever.

  Mirroring our current hot spell, the summer of 76 saw "the UK baking, people melting and weirdos bathing together to save water. The grass turned brown and The Ramones played their legendary Roundhouse show in London. The kids in the suburbs wore double denim and raced Raleigh Choppers." The new single salutes those fashion icons, it's available via Alcopop! Records on a very limited square 7" (the clear vinyl sold out in under an hour and the black vinyl doubtlessly won't last long). You can also find it digitally here :  https://alcopop.bandcamp.com/album/double-denim

  Summers here, so are Helen Love. This is Double Denim....

Aaron Stingray & The Pizza Party Crashers - Never Got Your Kiss

  I've featured Rochester (New York) bubblegum pop punks The Anderson Stingrays on here before when they teamed up with Richie Ramone on a single. Today I'm featuring frontman Aaron Stingray and a bunch of musicians he's named The Pizza Party Crashers; Joel (guitar), Burger (bass), Greg (drums) and Lily (backup vocals).

  You can get the single they recently released from Bandcamp for a dollar and 50% of that will go towards petfood, pet toys and cleaning supplies at Lollipop Farms Animal Shelter in Fairport, NY. A catchy Ramones, doo wop & 60's girl groups influenced tune and you can help a good cause. This is Never Got Your Kiss...  https://theandersonstingrays.bandcamp.com/track/never-got-your-kiss-single

Pale Lips - Mary-Lou Sniffin' Glue

R.A.M.O.N.E.S.   Hey Ho!

  Now this is what you call fun.....

  Back in May 2015 I posted a song by Montreal band Pale Lips which was pretty damn cool in a jangly pop punk kinda way. Imagine 60's garage, female vocals, catchy harmonies all with a modern twist. Similar to another blog favourite, Peach Kelli Pop (which is obviously a good thing). http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/pale-lips-candy-song.html

  Anyway, they released a killer single earlier this year and the 2 songs featured on it were an appetite whetter for their debut album, Wanna Be Bad, which is out on vinyl on November 1st on Hosehead (Canada) and Resurrection (U.S.) and which you can check out here : https://resurrectionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wanna-be-bad

  A lot of the songs I post on here are angry, hard hitting bangers that deal with serious subjects. This ain't one of those. It's one of the catchiest releases of this and any other year and it's got the added bonus of being very much influenced by The Ramones. Mary-Lou Sniffin' Glue.......

The Hum Hums - London

  On their Facebook page, The Hum Hums have a large list of influences. It's a list that includes many of your punk favourites; Stiff Little Fingers, Operation Ivy, The Vibrators, Ramones, Descendents etc but it also includes acts that were much more pop orientated like The Archies, Bay City Rollers, Shangri-Las, Jan And Dean, 1910 Fruitgum Company, Herman's Hermits......

  Hailing from Saitama, Japan, The Hum Hums combine elements of all their influences to produce a heady brew of infectious bubblegum pop punk. A 3 piece comprising Satoru Maruko (guitar/vocals), Takahiro Onoue (bass/vocals), Tomoaki Makamura (drums/backing vocals), they formed in 2010 and released debut album Teenage Loser in 2013. Now they're back with the follow up, Back To Front, which is out on Waterslide Records : https://watersliderecords.bandcamp.com/album/back-to-front.

  Currently touring America, they've just released a new video for their song London. It's a delight.......