A brief history lesson. As 2013 drew to a close I decided to start a blog. The first 2 songs I posted (on December 31st) were Alright by Radioactivity and I'll Be Gone by Oblivians (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2013/). Not a bad way to kick things off!
I mention that because today I'm highlighting a song by a band from Memphis called Laundry Bats. They feature Greg Cartwright and Jack Yarber from Oblivians (and Reigning Sound & Compulsive Gamblers). Rounding out the trio is Abe White (Manateees/True Sons of Thunder).
They've an album out on Hozac Records and if you enjoy your rock n roll music straight outta the garage (and supplemented with a healthy helping of brass) then it'll be right up your street. It's titled Hangin On A String and you can find it here : https://hozacrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hangin-on-a-string
Loose Lips are a rock n roll trio from Melbourne. They boast one hell of a line up; Josh Hardy (Guitar/ Vocals; the Chats and the Unknowns), Ethan Stahl (Bass/ Vocals; Chubby and the Gang, the Prize, Street Sweeper) and Nadine Muller (Drums/ Vocals; the Prize).
They announced themselves in fine style last year with a debut ep and they return today with a debut full album. The album's called Last Laugh and it's available on various vinyl variants and as a digital download : https://staylooselips2.bandcamp.com/album/last-laugh
It's a delight, just check out the title track for example, it's a crunchy power pop winner. I played it on a recent show and I've also featured Too Late To Call and Don't Mess Me 'Round. The album's full of should be hits though so I'll highlight a different track today.
Big riffs, bigger melodies, this is Out Of Time...
Today's song is an up tempo UK82 inspired stomper by a band from Liverpool called THE SOCIAL. They feature members of Violent Reaction, The Flex, Salem Rages and Pardon Us.
Occasionally great music just drops into your lap and makes you think "how come I know nothing about this?"
I've just chanced upon a song by BLVCKHELICOPTERS which has pretty much blown me away. I felt the need to investigate further and found a Bandcamp page with loads of songs on it.
It seems BLVCKHELICOPTERS is "an eclectic music project by Michael Maus, an anarchist and digital creator from the US, with the goal of spreading the idea of a better world without governments."
Great tunes, a worthy message, I'll be digging deeper.
Anyway, the song that got me climbing down the rabbit hole. It's classic old school punk with a modern day sheen. And the best thing is, I've been listening to more songs as I type this out and this track is only the tip of a pretty substantial iceberg. It's called Unite Or Die...
I just don't give a shit what color your skin is We can be allies if you hate the government I just don't give a fuck if you're trans or gay We can be allies if you hate the state
We don't have time for petty differences When the new world order is closing in The only way we're getting out of this Is not through division and politics
We must unite under the moonlight We must unite, or we will die We must unite under the moonlight We must unite, or we will die
I just don't give a shit what gender you are We can be allies if you wanna bomb cop cars I just don't give a fuck what your identity is We can be allies if you hate all politics
It was never black versus white or gay versus straight So what the fuck are we gonna do We've been turned against each other by the state So what the fuck are we gonna do Why are we wasting time with internet arguments So what the fuck are we gonna do There are pedophiles and killers in the government So what the fuck are we gonna do
The Sleeveens (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091638910253) are a rock n roll quartet with members based in both Nashville and Dublin. They released a highly impressive debut album last year from which I played several songs on the show but it looks as though I missed out on getting them on the blog.
I can rectify that omission today as they've just released a new single. It features 2 songs, one of which is a cover of Reigning Sounds' Drowning (the original version was on Reigning Sounds' 2004 album Too Much Guitar https://reigningsound.bandcamp.com/track/drowning).
It's been many years since I've posted an old song on here but today's update features one from 2005. The reason being is that this week's Just Some Punk Songs show isn't the usual new release showcase. Instead I'm indulging myself by playing 25 golden oldies. It's going to be a killer playlist and I highly recommend you try and catch it either at noon (UK time) tomorrow (Sunday 24th) (https://gpr.mixlr.com/), or on one of the various radio stations it'll feature on during the week or when it gets uploaded to Mixcloud.
The Dollheads (https://www.facebook.com/theDollheadsMusic) are an all sibling trio from Las Vegas who've been around since 2020. Maybe some of you saw them at the Rebellion Festival last week? They caught my attention at the end of last year when they released a song titled Teenage Runaway (https://thedollheads.bandcamp.com/track/teenage-runaway). If you missed it, I recommend you rectify the situation now.
They've also caught the attention of Fat Mike who's added them to his Fat Wreck roster.
This is their new single. It's a fun old school romp and it's titled Burger King Is Hiring...
(Welcome to Burger King, can I please take your order?)
You're a wannabe
Berate me from your mask, but no
You still can't see
You're drowning in all your shit talk
You stupid motherfucker,
Think you got your way?
I know you're so obsessed with me,
My own paparazzi
Tell them all
You think I'm going nowhere,
But who's gonna listen
To a dick who doesn't wash their hair?
Tell me, tell me, tell me
That I'm a prissy, stuck up bitch
Tell me, tell me, tell me
What you will
Say I'm gonna be nothing
Say that, “Burger King is hiring!”
Type it up, take your shots, tell me,
“Burger King is hiring!”
You think it's funny now,
Hope you got your laughs
But you'll be there when I pull up
And ask you for a Whopper
In my eyes
Not so funny now that
You can't hide,
You're a coward from behind the screen
You think you're such a smartass
But I'm climbing up the scene
I promise I'll be nice
When I see you in the drive thru
Tell them all
You think that I'm so petty,
But I'm way too far
To waste time on your dumbass
Tell me, tell me, tell me,
I'm useless and I'm crazy,
But where's my goddamn soda?
Say I'm gonna be nothing
Say that, “Burger King is hiring!”
Type it up, take your shots, tell me,
“Burger King is hiring!”
You think it's funny now,
Hope you got your laughs
But you'll be there when I pull up
And ask you for a Whopper
Gonna be nothing
Say that, “Burger King is hiring!”
Type it up, take your shots, tell me,
“Burger King is hiring!”
You think it's funny now,
Hope you got your laughs
But you'll be there when I pull up
And ask you for a Whopper and a drink
Can I get a medium chocolate shake with that, please?
Today's song is taken from a tour tape for an upcoming west coast tour titled Live At Lemp in which Abi was backed by The Oozers (Nevada Nieves on Guitar, Jimmy Eberly on Drums, Mikey Crotty on Bass). The tape's available from Under The Gun Records.
Sometimes when I'm searching around for songs for the Just Some Punk Songs show I'll come across something that at first doesn't seem to fit in with the general punky vibe the show aims at. But punk is covered by a broad umbrella and after listening to the recent album by London duo The Slugs (https://www.facebook.com/theslugsband/) I decided they're punk as fuck!
The slime rock duo, Phoebe (drums/vocals) & Lib (guitar/bass/vocals), have been around for a several years and released a few eps with humorous titles but a couple of months ago they unleashed a debut album. It's titled A Song For Every Feeling and it announces itself with an opening track that's one of the most endearing welcomes you'll ever come across.
I spent my Sunday morning doing some gardening. I don't like gardening but it was made more palatable this time around as I was listening to the band's new album Trawler. It's their second full length following their 2023 self titled debut.
It's an album that gave me flashbacks to Teenage Fanclub (possibly around the time of their classic Grand Prix lp). Silky smooth punk influenced rock melodies with the occasional heavier track such as Snake Oil added to the mix.
There's a glut of great songs to pick from but I'll go with one they've a video for. This is First To Know...
time to throw stones
i hate you
but you already know
something i still keep close
i keep asking myself
will i hold on forever?
when the time comes
to mend this heart for the better
you’ll be the first to know
burning through notes
what would i say to you?
try to speak and just choke?
seeing you around would make me sick
i can’t live like this forever
i’m checking number plates
of oncoming traffic
i hope i don’t run into you
something to let go
i don’t wanna hate you
try and let it outgrow
these roundabouts on sleepless nights
i plead to myself
don’t hold on forever
Sklitakling (https://www.facebook.com/Sklitakling) are from Bergen, Norway and feature a line up of Tine Larsen (drums/vocals), Elizabeth Fonnes (guitar/vocals), Hedvig Thorkildsen (guitar/vocals) & Endre Johnsen (bass).
They've been around for over a decade but I think this is the first time I've stumbled across them. They recently released a single which is going to feature on the band's upcoming second full length which will be on Back To Beat Records. https://backtobeat.bandcamp.com/track/panikk
It's a song about feeling disorientated in a strange city. Where can I buy food? Where's the ticket machine? Someone help me!
It's called Panikk...
Lommene mine er fulle av penger Men eg finner ikkje, finner ikkje det eg trenger Kor har de mat og kor har de pol? Og kor kan eg få meg en utepils med sol?
Panikk! Panikk!
Kor er overgangsfeltet i denne gaten? Eg leter konstant! Kor e billettautomaten? Alt er så ukjent Eg får lyst til å spy Panikk i fremmed by
This was one of those CD's that the moment the pre-order was announced I threw in. Now you're gonna have to bear with me on this one because there's a ton of history involved here. First off is Lou Mansdorf & Rum Bar Records. You may know him as the head bartender of the Boston scene but once upon a time Uncle Lou was a NYC local who even had a label back then, "Melted Records".
He was a regular at those classic nights in the Village. The "Devil's Triangle" of The Continental, Coney Island High and CBGB's. I say it all the time but those 90's/early 2000's days on St. Marks Place was THE place to be!
Which brings me to The Kowalskis mega star lead singer Lindsey Anderson. As co-owner of the fabulous "Coney Island High" she was "The Grand Dame". If you ever went to a "Green Door" party you know what I'm talking about. And then there's the band. It was a revolving door of musicians but the core line up was Paul Richards on guitar & Jack Steeples on bass, both formerly of the legendary NJ band Adrenalin OD, Drummer Greg Farah was and still is a powerhouse. He & Jack are currently in one of my favorite Jersey Shore bands "FearGods." I've known these guys since we were teenagers!
Decades worth of great bands & times. So there's a little history on The Kowalskis and what an important band they were at such an amazing time period.
Well now that Uncle Lou has another record label he decided to give his old NYC friends their flowers. "30 Years Of Goofballs" is one of the most comprehensive collections I've ever seen put together for a band. https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/30-years-of-goofballs
25 songs in total! Included is the entire "All Hopped Up On Goofballs" LP, some select cuts from "Chinese Democracy", a few quality covers and the best 6 super rare tunes at the end!
So how does the music hold up after all these years? Well let's see....How does a band that's equal parts Blondie meets The Devil Dogs sound to you?!! C'mon man! "First Date", "Goodbye Daddy", the should of been hit song "Kiss Me One More Time"!
I'm gonna post the final song "100% Fun" because it totally defines the message & energy this once in a lifetime band put out into a once better world. NEVER FORGET!
The Antics (https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Antics-61559489248945/) are new to me. They're from Melbourne and are boasting a new line up of Freya Tanks (vocals), James Colicchia (guitar), Kealy Harris (bass) & Wil Clifford (drums).
And now there's a new single. It's short and sweet but suggests the band have honed their sound and it promises great things. If I was to make a comparison I'd say they remind me (on this track) of Dublin band Sprints. I look forward to hearing more. You can find it here : https://the-antics.bandcamp.com/track/takings
It's called Takings...
STRIP ME DRY TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FUN? WELL IT'LL ALL COME UNDONE
T-T-T-TAKINGS WELL I TAKE THE TICKET WHILE YOU TAKE YA TIME CHATTING SHIT TO KEEP YOURSELF IN LINE
DOOR SWINGS OPEN TAKE YA PICK STRUM IT ON A STRING OR ARE YA LOOSIN IT? UH
T-T-T-TAKINGS ARE YA PLAYING TONIGHT? ITS A BLOODY DAMN SHAME HOPE YA HAVE A GOOD NIGHT T-T-T-TAKINGS SINK BACK INTO THE SPIRALLING REEL OR SINK YA TEETH DOWN INTO SOMETHING REAL
TAKE A STEP BACK AND FALL INTO THE PIT OR DRAG YOURSELF OUT AND PULL STRAIGHT THROUGH IT THE FLAMES STILL HOT THE ROADS NOT RUN A FIRE UP MY ASS TO PROVE YA WRONG
ITS ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE CAVES IN T-T-T-TAKINGS T-T-T-T-TAKINGS FEEL YOURSELF SLIP TAIL BETWEEN YOUR LEGS
I've played a couple of songs from it already on the show and no doubt I'll feature something else next week but for the blog I'm highlighting this nostalgic look back to schooldays long past. It's called Youtha Joyce...
Back in 1980, a punk band from Austin, Texas called The Dicks released a classic protest song sung from the perspective of an unhinged cop. It was called The Dicks Hate The Police. You should already know and love it but just in case : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLd2LB4-6co
Mommy, mommy, mommy Look at your son You might have loved me But now I've got a gun You'd better stay out of the way I think I've had a bad day Had a bad day I've had a bad day
Daddy, daddy, daddy Proud of his son He's got him a good job Kills n*****s and Mexicans I'll tell you something, and it's true You can't find justice, it'll find you Yeah, it'll find you Yeah, it'll find you
People tell policemen They've met their match They planted on desert sand The Dicks were hatched Dicks hate policemen and it's true You can't find justice, it'll find you Yeah, it'll find you Yeah, it'll find you
Maybe you once loved me But now I've got a gun You'd better stay out of my way Hey! I've had a bad day I've had a bad day Mommy, I've had a bad day Oh, I've had a bad day Mommy, I've had a bad day
Regular Just Some Punk Songs visitors may know of my love for Philadelphia trio Dark Thoughts. They've featured on here several times in the past and despite not releasing an album since 2019 they popped up last year with a song that featured on an international benefit compilation album titled No Occupation: Another Benefit for Mutual Aid in Gaza.
The album's called Highway Till The End and as per usual it's a fat free sonic delight. It's available on vinyl via Stupid Bag Records (US) and Drunken Sailor Records (UK/EU) and as a name your price download :
Fen-phen, also known as fenfluramine/phentermine, was an anti-obesity medication that was popular in the early 1990s. It was a combination of two anorectics: fenfluramine and phentermine. However, it was eventually linked to serious health risks and was taken off the market.
More recently on the show was Motorcycle, the opening track from the band's upcoming album In Yer Sights. It's an album that promises to be as equally fast and frenzied as the debut. It'll be released on August 22nd on various coloured vinyl https://fenfen.bandcamp.com/album/in-yer-sights
This is the latest teaser track to be dropped, it's called SHELLSHOKT...
Shell shocked You look shell shocked In this place Cannot stand the taste Shell shocked Fraid you’re shell shocked Getting sick Preparing for the brick
Go
Shell shocked Think you’re shell shocked Understand Bleeding for the man Shell shocked Come on shell shocked Terrified But is it justified
Sometimes you see a song title and you think to yourself "I bet this is going to be good." When that song's by a band as good as Pizzatramp there's not really any doubt.
So Pizzatramp (https://www.facebook.com/Pizzatrampuk); noisy fuckers from Wales. They've been on this blog numerous times before (with songs about stuff like electronic surveillance, global warming threatening the existence of goths, late night binges affecting one's ability to turn up for work and having a bad back). Fast as fuck songs laced with humour.
Today they return with one of two tracks they've contributed to a Four way split which also includes songs by The Atoms, Healer Of Bastards and Shackleford. It's available on 10" vinyl and the Pizzatramp songs are streaming here : https://pizzatramp.bandcamp.com/album/post-punks
A topical tune, this is called Do Fascists Dream Of Aryan Sheep?
This one's for the anti anteefas This one's for the white pride believers This one's for those old pensioner fucks This one's for the nazi cunts
It's for the Union Jack This one's for every attack This one's for thugs getting their kicks This one’s for the alt right pricks
It’s for the working class Tories This one’s for “the pride and the glory” This one’s for the Mail and the Sun This one’s for the ukip scum
Albert Einstein said and I quote “Racism is like a disease” He’s a right clever physics cunt So I’m inclined to agree
It's always a good start to the day when you wake up and then discover some great new music before breakfast.
Apéro are an anti-fascist egg punk band from both Hamburg (Germany) and Sénas (France). They line up like this; Rock (Synth, Vocals, Percussion), Kris Kandinsky (Bass, Vocals) & Kem Trail (Guitar, Vocals).
They've just released an album titled Cold Drinks, Cool Snacks and it's a thing of beauty. Aggressive budget priced synths and shouty vocals. Just when it seemed obvious that Nevermind, Whatever by Xray Xeroxx (https://xrayxeroxx.bandcamp.com/album/nevermind-whatever) was going to walk away with the accolade of best egg punk release of the summer, Apéro come out of nowhere as serious rivals.
