Label: self-released (available at the bands Myspace and at shows) Released: January 31, 2009 In recent years, there have been a number of bands who have returned to punk’s old loose hooks and gritty melodies. Against Me is at the top of that pile with bands like Gaslight Anthem quickly climbing up behind them. Many voices are screaming to be… Read more »
Label: Fixing a Hole Records Released: February 2009 Ken Decter, infamous leader of Florida fun punks F, once said of his band, “We don’t have a message. If we had a message, we’d put out a newspaper. We’re just a stupid band.” That statement could be applied to any number of punk bands from the goofball antics of Adrenalin OD… Read more »
Label: Glory Glory Released: March 2, 2009 Guns on the Roof have spent the last two years playing with the likes of Rancid, the Misfits, Stiff Little Fingers, UK Subs, the Briggs and others, all bands that mix their punk rock sneers with unbeatable hooks. Their touring company along with the band from who they lifted their moniker have all… Read more »
Label: Teenage Heart Records Released: August 11, 2008 Perhaps nowhere did the earliest marriages of punk and metal produce better material than in Boston. The early 80s found the likes of Gang Green and the FUs infusing their street punk with more than just a hint of metal. A lot of this was forgotten later in the decade as thrash… Read more »
Label: Alaska Records/No Breaks Released: July 2008 If one word could describe this 7″, it would be visceral. Nothing seems calculated or planned. Benard blasts through two songs of dissonance, frantic rhythms and pure passion in just under five and a half minutes. In that short time, they leave everything out there, their hearts on their post-hardcore sleeves. Saying that… Read more »
Label: Image Entertainment Released: December 2, 2008 For years, the Warped Tour has managed to find a healthy balance between DIY punk ethics and corporate involvement. Granted, the corporate presence has increased quite a bit over the last decade, but Kevin Lyman and company still put on a great show while keeping tickets and merchandise cheap and leaving at least… Read more »
Label: self-released (available at amazon, CD Baby and Interpunk) Released: March 11, 2008 My copy of In Drug City came with an interesting promo item – a combination lighter/bottle opener emblazoned with the Mighty High logo. There was a note from guitarist Woody High saying, “I know you’re straightedge, but the bottle opener works for soda and the lighter for… Read more »
Label: Blackheart Records Released: November 18, 2008 Every year at Christmastime we’re treated (or subjected) to another collection of rock artists’ takes on our favorite holiday songs. These albums tend to be a mixed bag made up of songs that will appeal to fans of the particular artists at least as novelties and others that are real bombs. The best… Read more »
The Gaslight Anthem are currently on tour with Rise Against and Alkaline Trio in the Midwest and have just finalized their plans for the holiday season with an appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Dec.9th. The band will also be in Los Angeles at the Key Club on Dec.14th to play a full set at this year’s third… Read more »
Set to release It’s Great to Be Alive on February 17, 2009 Fake Problems are a four piece eclectic, operatic, independent band of nomads that originate from Naples, FL. They will periodically return home to write new songs, sleep, fix their van and say hello to their friends. The rest of their time is spent on the road bringing their… Read more »