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
A new band to me today, one that it isn't easy to pin down with regards to style of music. Let's just say they utilise a myriad of sounds. There's garage punk going up against post punk with invention being the order of the day.
They're called Dog Lips and they hail from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their first release was a Self Titled album in 2022, their latest being sophomore album Danger Forward.
It hits hard from the start with a very cool song called Brain Feeder which features a riff that'll get under your skin. There's more highly infectious guitar sounds running through the song I'm highlighting today. It's called Voicemail Bomb Threat...
Definitely one of the hits on this week's Just Some Punk Songs show was this cover of a song originally released by Hole and is about Hole vocalist Courtney Love's relationship with Smashing Pumpkin's frontman Billy Corgan. The original is a classic and happily, this cover pretty much matches up to it.
Can Filth Is Eternal vocalist Lis D'Angelo match Courtney Love's full throttle performance? I'll leave you to judge. Feel free to comment. This is Violet...
And the sky was made of amethyst
And all the stars were just like little fish
You should learn when to go
You should learn how to say no
Might last a day, yeah
Mine is forever
Might last a day, yeah
Mine is forever
When they get what they want, and they never want it again
And they get what they want, and they never want it again
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
And the sky was all violet
I want it again, but violent, more violent
Yeah, I'm the one with no soul
One above and one below
Might last a day, yeah
Mine is forever
Might last a day, yeah
Mine is forever
When they get what they want, and they never want it again
When they get what they want, and they never want it again
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Told you from the start just how this would end
When I get what I want, then I never want it again
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Take everything, take everything
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Go on, take everything, take everything, I want you to
Take everything, take everything
Hailing from Melbourne, LOUTS are a hard rocking new quintet featuring a line up of Billy Bones (vocals), Spencer Street (lead guitar), Wilko (guitar), Joey ‘J-Rock’ Tasker (bass) & Sam ‘Two Cans’ Tuckerman (drums). Earlier this year they released a debut ep titled LOJO which introduced us to their incendiary brand of crime rock.
They recently returned with another 4 tracks in the form of the Crime ep. They say the songs were "drawn from Collingwood back alleys between the houses they call their own and the pubs they wished were their own." To my untrained ears, they seem to have kept the rock n roll fury from the debut but in places added a bit more of an oi/bovver rock sound.
So, the next cab off the rank as far as awesome new Australian bands go is hard rocking party poppers Leatherman.
They're a quintet (Annabel Brown, Ben Redlich, Shauna Boyle, Jarrod Goon and Jake Laderman) from Melbourne who label Legless Records are comparing with the likes of The Exploding Hearts, The Shivvers, Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest. Can I throw a bit of Sheer Mag in there too.
This is the lead track, powerful vocals, riffing guitars, it's a rock beast being battered by a hefty dose of melodic pop sensibility. It's called Telephone...
They return today with a teaser track from an upcoming album which will be released on October 27th via Dine Alone Records and which goes by the name of Set Your Pussy Free.
I played the first single from it, Let's Do Drugs, on a recent show and then played the new one (to a very impressed chatroom) last night. I don't think there can be much doubt that this will be an album with considerable WOW! factor. You can pre order it here : https://nobro.bandcamp.com/album/set-your-pussy-free
A song about turning a negative into a positive, turning heart break into joy, feel free to sing along, this is Where My Girls At...
The US tour will commence off the back of their UK tour.
They're certainly one of the hardest working bands around.
They've also got a song on a new compilation album from Los Angeles label Cleopatra Records. The comp is titled Goo Goo Muck - A Tribute To The Cramps and it features some rather fine covers from the likes of The 69 Eyes, Flamin' Groovies, Fuzztones and more. You can get it on purple/black splatter vinyl, cd or digital download : https://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/album/goo-goo-muck-a-tribute-to-the-cramps
This is The Courettes' version of Bikini Girls With Machine Guns...
So what was the most popular song on this week's Just Some Punk Songs show with the people who were listening in the chatroom? Probably this one...
The Pretty Flowers (https://www.facebook.com/ThePrettyFlowers) are Noah Green (vocals/guitar), Sam Tiger (bass/vocals), Jake Gideon (Guitar/Vocals/Keyboards/Omnichord/Percussion) & Sean Johnson (drums/percussion), a punk/indie quartet from Los Angeles. I don't think I've come across them before but a look at their Bandcamp link shows they've been pretty prolific over the last 8 years.
Their new album (their 2nd) has hit my radar though. It's titled A Company Sleeve and it's one of those rare records that should be getting picked up by all the top indie rock radio stations out there as it's catchy enough for mainstream ears... but at the same time, it doesn't bore me. (Another of these type of records is Asleep In The Ejector Seat by the Heat Inc which will no doubt feature on here next Friday when it hits the record shop shelves).
If you fancy a dozen tracks of easy listening (and on this occasion I mean easy listening in a good way) melody then you'll want to check A Company Sleeve out. It's available on coloured vinyl, cd and digital download... https://theprettyflowers.bandcamp.com/album/a-company-sleeve
This is the song that wowed the JSPS listeners, I'm sure it'll impress you too. It's called Another Way To Lose...
It’s not my place
To make up your mind for you
I’m not a patient person
But I can wait for you
It’s not destiny
It’s just another thing you can’t outrun
Your dress was purple-blue
You matched the sky
The sky was a bruise
How do you cope
When everything around you is a joke?
How do you choose
When every way’s another way to lose?
I can never listen
‘Cause it sounds like the same old shit
It’s selling someone else’s youth
Back to some younger kids
We’re caught up now
Like a coughing fit
We’re caught up now
It’s tough to get over it
How do you cope
When everything around you is a joke?
How do you choose
When every way’s another way to lose?
How do you cope
When everything around you is a joke?
How do you choose
When every way’s another way to lose?
A new band to me with a song I stumbled across yesterday that made my ears prick up. They're called Big Girls Blouse (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076534412179), they formed in October 2020 and they're from Glasgow.
They've a new ep imminent titled Man Up and it's the 2nd single from it that'll you'll find below (the first one was titled Everybody Nearly Dies All The Time). Featuring a line up of Emmy Leishman (rhythm guitar/vocals), Ross Mills (lead guitar), Harrison Todd (bass) & Reece Craig (drums), they're one of those bands that when you scratch the surface possess a little more bite than you might think on first listen.
Surface Waves (https://www.facebook.com/surfacewavesmusic) are from Leeds and feature members of Buzzkill, The Magnificent, Two Trick Horse and Achtung. The line up is Matt Colmer (Guitar/Vocals), Sam Coyle (Guitar/Vocals) Mark Silcock (Bass/Vocals) & Kev Sanderson (Drums).
They've just released a new ep titled The Phantom Centre which they describe as containing "5 slices of banging rock n’ roll designed to make the day just a little bit sweeter." They remind me a little of Rocket From The Crypt (without the brass section) and bands of that ilk. Garage rock n roll played with skill and gusto. You can check out the ep here : https://surfacewaves.bandcamp.com/album/the-phantom-centre
This track has a rather catchy refrain and some nifty guitar riffing, it's called Reality Hash...
I wasn't intending to feature this song but it's really grown on me so here's the reasons why I didn't intend to post it and then the reason why I did...
Paul Andrew Bedford occasionally sends me new releases that his company Kick Down The Doors is handling the PR for. To be honest, whilst there's been a few great ones which I've been more than happy to write about or play on the show, there's also been just as many that don't really fit the description of "hot and happening new punk music" (although I'm sure he'd maybe disagree on my definition of hot and happening new punk). As I feel awful saying no to people, I'm afraid I chicken out and don't reply at all in the hope that they think I've not received their message rather than that I'm a twat!
Anyway, he sent me the upcoming debut album by Jo-Jo & The Teeth (https://www.facebook.com/jojoandtheteeth). They're Jo-Jo O'Donoghue, Rylan Woods, Keir Hicks, Max Battista & Andy Barker, a glam, rock n roll, pop quintet that name the likes of Queen, Ramones, Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones & Aerosmith as influences. I had a listen and thought "yeah, it's decent enough, it's the sort of thing that you'd play loud in the car driving down Route 66 alongside the likes of You Can Go Your Own Way and Don't Fear The Reaper etc. It's American Rock FM, strong vocals, decent guitar riffs, enjoyable but not particularly something for Just Some Punk Songs.
But it nagged at me, and I listened again, and I was enjoying it more and more. The song that I'm highlighting below especially wormed it's way under my skin.
Another reason I was a bit hesitant about posting the song is that it's been out for 6 months but I'm sure it'll be new to many of you so who cares.
An additional bit of info that some of you will be aware of, The band are currently collaborating with Andy Blade, founder of original 1977 London Punk band Eater. JoJo & The Teeth are now officially ‘Eater’, recently opening for Dinosaur Jnr, with J Mascis joining the band on stage for a couple of Eater classics.
The album is titled No More Good News and it's out on December 2nd. You're gonna be hearing a lot more of this band.
Reminding me of lots of different things, Sheer Mag, 70's rock, alt country, power pop... This is Don't Get Too Heavy...
We're promised that "The opening and title track “Party Hard(ly)" is a cocktail of everything that makes Bitch Queens great - the hookline will drill itself into your skull and make babies with your endorphins, the lyrics, at the same time simple and profound, will make you sing along in a silly voice and the exquisite Death-Punk Riff will get you into trouble with your neighbors." I've gotta be honest, that makes me want to check it out!
This is the one that comes with a video. It's basically a big, brash scuffed up pop song designed to be played loud. Crank up the volume and practice that silly voice. It's called Recycled Youth...
the kids are into all the new shit
now that all the old shit’s been cherry picked
recycled into new technology
the same core principles, a new ideology
I want to smash my body into yours
it’s all old news, reused and retitled
refused and recycled, recycled youth
fashion teen dream all pinterested
it’s all pre-chewed, all pre-digested
spoon-fed lifestyle, nothing has changed
just a firmware update, a new user interface
it's all patched up, it’s all ready to go
a new generation is always knocking on that door
we thought we were original new world pioneers
but we were never unique, we were recycled ideas
If you were on here yesterday you'll maybe have noticed me posting a song from RED's new album and mentioning that the opening track from the album was like Dirt Box Disco if that band had been ripping steroids. Now, quite coincidently, the song you're getting treated to today is by the band fronted by Dirt Box Disco's guitarist.
Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions (https://www.facebook.com/spunkvolcano) are about to become dormant. It's a case of never say never but for the moment, they're about to take a break. Happily they're leaving us with a red hot album titled Knackers Yard. As expected, it's an lp that coats some of the catchiest elements of pop punk with a heavy metal sheen. Melodies and riffs combine to make a very palatable dish. It's available on cd here :
This is a song that's to be found towards the catchy punk singalong end of the band's spectrum. If and when they do eventually get back to regular touring I'm sure it'll be a firm fan favourite, it's called Job Opportunity...
They're back with a 3 track ep (2 new tunes and an acoustic version of the title track) titled Wet Shoes which once again has been released by UK label Serial Bowl Records. It's lo-fi slacker rock, influenced by early Sebadoh, J-Church, Dinosaur Jr. and early Beck. It's available digitally here : https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wet-shoes-ep-3
This is what vocalist Jay Onyskin has to say about the title track; "The song Wet Shoes came to be by watching 3 of my kids making squishy sounds with their wet shoes. My kids are pretty obsessed with water and summer. This past year I went to the usual live house we play at which is Navaro to record them with engineer Jun . Sometimes he would set an ice cold beer on the small table before a take, then I would just Just sling on a guitar and sing some imperfect vocals"
Back in 2020 I posted a song by Melbourne quintet Romero (https://www.facebook.com/Romeroband) called Troublemaker (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/11/romero-troublemaker.html). I mentioned how their debut single Honey was a power pop classic and was pleased that this follow up meant they wouldn't go down as one hit wonders. Today I'm even happier to announce that at the very least they'll be forever known as that band who released one of the best debut albums in many a moon.
The album is called Turn It On! and if you thought those early singles were great then you'll be overjoyed to learn that the album features both plus another 9 tracks that are right up there with them. It's honestly like a greatest hits album where catchy as hell earworm follows catchy as hell earworm. It's an album that has no filler. Alanna Oliver has such a great voice and in Adam Johnstone (Guitar), Fergus Sinclair (Guitar), Justin Tawil (Bass) & Dave Johnstone (Drums & Keys) she's receives more than able backing. The album mirrors the rollercoaster of life, "revealing stories of personal striving, restarting, mulling-over the unsaid, resisting control, deteriorating relationships, the emotional throes of uncertainty and celebrating growth through all such experiences."
This is the opening track, it's called Talk About It...
This conversation’s worth a celebration
Hip hip hooray to only yesterday
If all it does is cause you pain or feel ashamed
I’m so surprised when you say
This ringing in my ears is crazy talk
Before I go to school or when I walk
If all it does is cause you pain or feel ashamed
I’m so surprised when you say
Do ya wanna talk about it
Do ya wanna talk about it
Do ya wanna talk about it
Do ya wanna
Do ya wanna talk about it
This ringing in my ears is crazy talk
Before I go to school or when I walk
If all it does is cause you pain or feel ashamed
I'm so surprised when you say
Do ya wanna talk about it
Do ya wanna talk about it
Do ya wanna talk about it
Do ya wanna talk about it
The Pleasure Dome (https://www.facebook.com/thepleasxuredome) are from Bristol, they've been together since 2019 and they feature a line up of Bobby Spender (Guitar/Vocals), Loz Fancourt (Bass), Harrison Newman (Guitar) & and Bert Elvin (Drums). They've been drip feed releasing a number of tracks online, one of which (Do You Know Better) featured in the Just Some Punk Songs Top 100 songs of 2021. Now they're back with a debut 4 track ep.
It's called Chaos Chaos Revolution and after listening to it I think it's fair to say that it confirms that Idles aren't the only rock band from Bristol worth your time. They're a band that will appeal to grizzled old punks like myself and to the new kids on the block. On this ep they discuss "the political landscape, overcoming mental health issues and austerity hit small towns."
So I'd already heard and loved Do You Know Better, now I'm happy to say that the rest of the ep lives up to that high standard. All the tracks are quite lengthy which gives them room to breath but happily the energy levels never flag. You can get the ep on a couple of limited edition cassettes or as a digital download : https://thepleasuredome.bandcamp.com/album/chaos-chaos-revolution
This is the title track, it's called Chaos Chaos Revolution...
Teenage girls got to make the right decision
Teenage boys got to make the right decision
Take a razor blade to the blister and you keep on walking
The world is a frightening place to play
Chaos chaos revolution
(Take it)
Teenage girls got to stand by their decision
Teenage boys got to stand by their decision
Don’t take a knife to a gun fight
You've got to keep on walking
The world is a violent place to play today
Chaos chaos revolution
(Take it)
Teenage girls got to fight for their decision
Teenage boys got to fight for their decision
Raise a fist against injustice
Because on the march you keep on walking
The world is a frightening place but it’s yours to take today ok
Chaos chaos revolution
(Take it)
Teenage girls helping teenage boys and Teenage boys helping teenage girls and Teenage girls helping teenage boys and Teenage boys helping teenage girls
The lyrics have been tweaked for this version to reflect what's currently happening in Ukraine. You can get the track from Bandcamp and all proceeds will go CARE for its Ukraine Crisis Fund, which will provide immediate aid including food, water, hygiene kits, support services and direct cash assistance. Prioritizing women, families, and the elderly, CARE aims to help at least 4 million Ukrainians affected by the crisis https://thecoathangers.bandcamp.com/track/putin-lights-up-the-fires-pussy-riot-cover-w-trail-of-dead-to-benefit-ukraine
A big hello today to the first great song of 2022. A song that covers similar territory to some of the best tracks that already grace this blog. A song that takes aim at Fool Britannia, that drips with scorn but which combines that ire with a groove that's as good as anything you'll hear anywhere. Who'd have thought punk rock music could be as good, or as relevant 4 and a half decades down the line. Sit up, take note...this is the real deal.
Hailing from Hastings, Kid Kapichi (https://www.facebook.com/KidKapichi/) are an ascendant 4 piece featuring a line up of Jack Wilson & Ben Beetham (joint lead guitar/vocals), George Macdonald (drums) & Eddie Lewis (bass). They've already attracted the attention of big hitting media outlets such as the BBC & NME so no doubt this new single will be everywhere that matters very soon...
It's a song about patriotism. About the yearning for a time that never actually existed. It's about being sold a dream by agenda pushers. It's a song that wonders if people are so entrenched in their beliefs, does it matter anymore what our leaders do? Are we going to carry on regardless or are we ready for change?
It's called New England...
Welcome to the new world
The New England
Come witness the greatness of Britain
Driving around in a German car
Stop for lunch in a sushi bar
Get my news from the daily star
Get my kicks from the tits and arses
Never mind about social classes
I’ll cast my vote regardless
Is it you can’t change,
Or that you won’t change
Is it you can’t change,
Or that you won’t change
Welcome to the new world
The New England
All heroes, no villains
Double decker bus and a bowler hat
Bob the Builder
Postman Pat
Social change, no I don’t want that, just sitting eating crisps in my one bed apartment
Politics that’s not my department
But I’ll cast my vote regardless
Is it you can’t change,
Or that you won’t change
Is it you can’t change,
Or that you won’t change
You’re such a fool Britannia
Britannia fooled again
Britannia you’re so vane
You’ve gone insane
‘Coz you’ve been fooled Britannia
Britannia fooled again
Britannia you’re so strange
You’ve gone insane
Welcome to the new world
The new normal
Look at us queuing up, so formal
Sunday roast God save the Queen
Man United with the boot cut jeans
Money in my pocket no I’m not too keen
That’s why I keep voting for the rich and heartless
Bored of all these moaning artists
So, I’ll cast my vote regardless
Is it you can’t change,
Or that you won’t change
Is it you can’t change,
Or that you won’t change
You’re such a fool Britannia
Britannia fooled again
Britannia you’re so vane
You’ve gone insane
‘Coz you’ve been fooled Britannia
Britannia fooled again
Britannia you’re so strange
You’ve gone insane
Too many idiots breathing up the air
Huffing and puffing like they just run up the stairs
Fighting and cussing like they haven’t got a care but they care about everything that happens over here
Not over there, they couldn’t give a toss, if it’s a brown country they steal all the crops
Blow it to smithereens and let the bombs drop
Then cry about the borders when they try and come across
Oh gosh
I think this place is going nutty
Too much spice, less British bacon butty
Worry about your neighbours and worry about the druggies but not the Eton graduates that’s taking all your money
Seems they’re taking the piss, not blaming the brown fella is hard to resist
You’d of thought that the nation was smarter than this
But I’ve got a couple of questions
Please answer me this.
You’re such a fool Britannia
Britannia fooled again
Britannia you’re so vane
You’ve gone insane
‘Coz you’ve been fooled Britannia
Britannia fooled again
Britannia you’re so strange
You’ve gone insane
You ain’t shut them out
Ya just locked us in
You ain’t shut them out
Ya just locked us in
You ain’t shut them out
Ya just locked us in
You ain’t shut them out
Ya just locked us in
You ain’t shut them out
Ya just locked us in
You ain’t shut them out
Ya just locked us in
Au Revoir
Arrivederci
If you are a fan of the garage rocking twosome then you need a copy of their new album, Back In Mono. Pitched as “spit ´n´snarl garage rumble-meets-Phil Spector pop” it's a modern day classic. It's 14 killer garage rock tracks given an impressive production job. It's the 60's transported into the modern age. It's an album full of delights. It's available on vinyl, cd and digital download here : https://damagedgoods.co.uk/discography/the-courettes-back-in-mono/
As well as Hop The Twig, the album also boasts more singles in the form of Too Late To Say I'm Sorry, Want You! Like A Cigarette and the newly released R.I.N.G.O. There's a reworking of Xmas song Christmas (I Can Hardly Wait) plus another 9 tracks that could easily be given a single release. The album deserves a place in your collection.
This song reminds me a little of Love You So by The King Khan & BBQ Show (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMII3JIhjQ). It's a vibrant up tempo rocker that'll have you bopping around. You may recognise it as a reworking of a track from the 2019 Too Late To Say I'm Sorry ep. It's called Won't Let You Go...
With a sound "sandwiched somewhere between The Saints and Neil Young at his most ragged" Jackson's featured on here several times previously and can always be relied on to deliver the goods. On this release (the ep's titled Fear/Move) he sings and plays guitar and drums whilst Ryan Potter is on guitar and Deon Slaviero plays bass & organ. The Heaters contribute backing vocals.
All 4 tracks are lean, mid paced garage influenced rockers and all are worthy of your attention. The ep is available via Legless Records and you can get it as a name your price download here : https://jacksonreidbriggs.bandcamp.com/album/fear-move
