Punk band music reviews, show reviews, music reviews

Donots release new song. New album coming in March

Carlo — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:53:03 +0000

German best rock and roll punk band The Donots have just posted on their official myspace page the new song entitled “Calling”. The band’s new album, “The Long Way Home”, will be released on March 26 2010.

You can hear “Calling” here and check the band’s on the following links.

NOFX - Cokie The Clown

Carlo — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:21:35 +0000

About ten years ago NOFX had a song called “Lower”, a b-side taken from the “Pump Up The Valuum” album. An album I consider the worst stuff this band ever released. Releasing b-sides is a trend that never goes out of style with punk bands. And now, with “Cokie The Clown”, NOFX are reaching new heights. The lowest state of their whole career happens right now, right these days. “Lowest” would have fit as the best song on this EP.

The idea of releasing five b-side songs of what I now consider the worst NOFX album to date, “Coaster” is nothing but tragic. The title track, and the whole Fat Mike’s idea of being seen a clown doesn’t make me laugh. It doesn’t make me cry either, actually. Sad as it is, songs like “Fermented And Flailing” and “Codependence Day” are the classic fast pop punk tracks, while “Straight Outta Massachusetts” sounds more like a b-side of the NOFX Seven Inch Club.

Nowadays I consider “Pump Up The Valuum” a record with a couple of NOFX’s finest songs. Who knows ten years from now “Cokie The Clown” will be seen as one of the highest EP in human history and the “Five songs that were too good to be on the Coaster album” motto will really be right. Blame time, like everybody else.

Dead To Me - African Elephants

Carlo — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:20:12 +0000

Dead To Me did’t hit my attention with their debut album, “Cuban Ballerina”. Quite possibly because on a first listen the songs on it just sounded generic pop punk rock. Quite possibly because the “don’t judge a book by its cover” is just untaken advice by me.

With the release of their sophomore LP, Dead To Me hit the “originality” button on their dashboard and it’s a good go. The record sounds nothing but a great collection of rock songs. Inspired by love themes, social issues and friendship matters, “African Elephants” deliver 13 of the finest tracks I heard this year.

The reggae stylish intro of “X” is the perfect way to get you in the right mood: relaxed, pissed off, angry yet with the positive attitude. The record sounds like a puzzle of sounds, with its pop punk riffs on “Modern Muse”, the reggae riffs of “A Day Without A War” and the post punk choruses on “Bad Friends”, which defines the line between boring and amazing.

Inspired by The Smiths, The Clash and Nirvana too, Dead To Me still shake everything up to release something new, at least to my bored ears. “Cruel World” is about turning the face to the other side, “Three Chord Strut” deals with modern economy and lifestyles, “California” is about letting go, “Terra Del Fuego” is about exploitation of the poorest, and yet every song has got its own meaning in the giant “African Elephants” concept, that tells the story of modern life in the year 2009.

I listen to this album every once in a while now, after spinning it on my stereo everyday for a month straight after its release date, and still, it has not lost its power of hitting you. In a good way.

Strike Anywhere - Iron Front

Carlo — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:23:14 +0000

Strike Anywhere are back with their fourth full album, this time on Bridge 9 Records. After leaving Fat Wreck Chords, with whom the Richmond guys released their lowest album “Dead FM”, the new work “Iron Front” is surely the band’s best release since their debut “Change Is A Sound”.

“Iron Front” is what hardcore punk music is all about: fast, pissed off, positive, aggressive yet melodic anthems that make your heartbeat goes faster. In a good way. The new songs not just deal with politics (”Invisible Colony” and “Failed State”), social issues (”Omega Footprint”), the victims of war “Hand Of Glory”), or pro-animal chocies (”Postcards From Home”), but also with fun stories and great moments in life (”Summerpunks” and “Spectacular”).

Thomas Barnett’s lyrics are always touching and inspired, whenever he sings about rebellion and revolution, or about his favorite friends or girlfriend, with lines like “when these days are gone I’ll carry you in my heart and soul and fist, I promise now through the days, every smile’s memorial”.

There is not a single bad song on “Iron Front”, it’s a great, solid and direct piece of punk rock, filled with emotion, passionate lyrics and aggressive guitar riffs. Everyone should check this out if you don’t want to miss good music with attitude.

Crucial links:

buy “Iron Front” here

Strike Anywhere official site

Strike Anywhere on Facebook

Strike Anywhere on Myspace

Strike Anywhere on Twitter

Strike Anywhere on Last.fm

Small Brown Bike release new two song 7” on No Idea Records

Carlo — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:01:47 +0000

Michigan’s Small Brown Bike have released two brand new songs via a 7” on No Idea Records. The 7” is entitled Composite, Vol. 1, and is the first in a 7” series to be released by No Idea as the band writes and records new material. The two songs featured on the record are “When We Run” and “Hourglass.” The 7” is limited to 1,100 copies, all of which include a digital download code, and can be purchased from the No Idea Records mailorder and directly from the band.

You can check out live video of both new songs from their recent performance at THE FEST 8 in Gainesville, FL via Alternative Press and you can stream both new songs on the main page of the on No Idea Records site.

The second installment of the 7” series will be released when the band returns to Florida in the spring for their performance at the second annual Harvest of Hope Fest, March 12-14, 2009 in St. Johns County, FL.

Small Brown Bike officially announced last month that the band was back together with their original line-up and were working on new material. The band posted the following statement about reforming and writing:

“Hi friends. First off, thanks for the good words over the last month. It’s awesome to know that there are still people out there listening. You all rule. We just wanted to add some more details about what’s happening. To make a long story short, the original lineup (Mike, Ben, Travis, Dan) is back together and working on new music. Over the last few months we’ve been writing a ton of new stuff and currently have about ten new songs finished plus a bunch more in various stages. We’re all really excited about how it’s going. So far, so good! The bottom line for us is to have fun, write music, and play a few shows here and there. Just like we did when we started the band. Keep it simple.
So that’s what’s happening. Thanks again for listening. See you at the shows!”

The band has a few special shows planned for the rest of the year, with more appearances planned for 2010. No official tours are in the works at this time.

Small Brown Bike shows:

12/4 - Chicago, IL @ The Beat Kitchen (Early all ages show)

12/4 - Chicago, IL @ The Beat Kitchen (Late adult show - SOLD OUT)

12/5 - Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar

Small Brown Bike had releases on Second Nature Records, Smallman Records, and were part of the No Idea Records family, releasing several groundbreaking albums before leaving the label to release their final swan song on Lookout! Records, ultimately breaking up in 2004.

The band played a few reunion shows in September 2007 to benefit a dear friend of the band who was battling leukemia, including a final reunion show at THE FEST 6.

You can check out the video and download MP3s of their entire set from THE FEST 6 at National Underground.

Crucial Links:

http://www.myspace.com/smllbrwnbk

http://www.alternativepress.com/features/thefest.htm

http://www.harvestofhopefest.com

http://www.thefestfl.com/

http://www.noidearecords.com

http://www.lookoutrecords.com/blogcms/

http://smallmanrecords.com/

http://www.secondnaturerecordings.com/

http://www.nationalunderground.org/national-underground-recordings/216-small-brown-bike

Suffocation The Close Of A Chapter (live) out today.

urbn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:37:12 +0000

Legendary death metal icons SUFFOCATION are universally regarded as the best live death metal band in the world. Their very first live-record, Close of a Chapter, captures all the speed, intensity, and brutality of one of the most influential bands in death metal

Get the new album here

Suicide Machines reuniting for benefit show

urbn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:34:10 +0000

People in Miami will have a chance to see Suicide Machines on November 5th as the band gets together to play a benefit show with G-Had, The Cause, No Man and A-Gang.

Download FAREWELL CONTINENTAL’s new album (today only!)

urbn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:13:24 +0000

The Worm,” Paper + Plastick Records is offering the group’s debut for free download today only, from noon to midnight (EST). Check out the video here: Fuse.TV and download the album here: Paper & Plastic Records.

Gogol Bordello’s “Live from Axis Mundi” being released on VINYL

urbn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:16:21 +0000

Gogol Bordello’s latest release “Live from Axis Mundi” is being pressed on a Gatefold Double LP! The release is being cut on classic black vinyl and ONLY 500 records are being made. The LP is the audio portion of the Live CD/DVD which was released on October 6th.

The vinyl features the bands live BBC Sessions (the LP includes a digital download card of the MP3’s), unreleased tracks, demo’s and instruments. The LP also will come with the DVD portion of “Live from Axis Mundi” inserted into the packaging. The DVD is a 2 ½ hour epic gypsy experience that includes a full live concert from NYC bonus tracks, documentaries, music videos and much more.

You can pre-order the LP HERE! These are going to go fast and it’s a one time pressing so get it now before it’s gone forever!

CoCoComa perform on infamous Chicago children’s TV show Chic-A-Go-Go!

Carlo — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:05:39 +0000

Chicago’s CoCoComa recently performed their song “It Won’t Be Long” from their recently released album Things Are Not All Right on children’s dance show Chic-A-Go-Go. The taping was for the show’s Halloween Party special that will air October 27^th and 28^th on local Chicago channel 19. You can check out the performance here.

The A.V. Club Chicago also recently ran an interview with Bill and Lisa Roe, the husband and wife team behind CoCoComa and founders of a new label, Trouble In Mind, which puts out 7-inch singles from garage-rock bands like White Wires, Fresh & Onlys, and Sonic Chicken 4. The A.V. Club sat down with Bill and Lisa to talk about their new album, starting a record label, and the birth of their now 6-month-old child; Ronnie Roe, who appears in the Chic-A-Go-Go appearance dressed like a hot dog.

Things Are Not All Right, the band’s second album, was released last week care of Memphis’s Goner Records, former home of Jay Reatard and currently of Box Elders, Ty Segall, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, and many others. Indierockreviews.com is currently hosting a full stream of the album.

The band will be playing a couple more shows to support the album’s release before heading across the Atlantic at the end of December for a six-week trek around Europe. Dates for the European tour will be announced shortly.

11/13 - Chicago, IL @ The Hideout

11/14 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Vault

CoCoComa previously released their S/T album on Goner Records in 2007. Over the past two years, they’ve also delivered five different singles; two all on their own and a trio of splits, sharing wax with The Hipshakes, The Mans, and The Turpentine Brothers.

Crucial Links:

http://www.myspace.com/cococoma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWYYMvR5QmE

http://www.indierockreviews.com/2009/10/23/cococoma-things-are-not-alright/

http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/bill-and-lisa-roe-of-cococoma,34218/

http://www.goner-records.com/

http://www.indierockreviews.com/

http://www.troubleinmindrecs.com/