I admit, I have not been too good to this site. You see, school is wrapping up for the semester so that means tons of writing, reading, writing and studying. It sucks.
I thought I would take a moment out of my busy day and talk about two bands that I have been getting into a lot lately.
This Brookyn-based-originally-from-Iran punk act surprised me the other day when I listened to them. They are more of an up-beat dance-y punk rock act and carry no gimmick at all. This is no rap-punk or whatever the hell these kids are making these days, this is a nod to 70s/80s punk acts that, dare I say, has some major musical Clash-like qualities (even some Joy Division as well). The band will be dropping a new EP titled Upper Class Complexity on May 10th.
There there is this little band called Joyce Manor. Holy shit this band rules. Some of you may know this already…
Their new album Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired dropped the other day on Asian Man Records. This sophomore release is about the best 13 minutes I have heard this year. The songs may be short, but are poignant, consistent, and beg to be listened to over and over. I can not tell you how excited I am about this release. Why the hell did I wait until the 2nd half of this post to tell you???
Do yourself a favor and pick it up if you like the punk rock. I highly doubt you will be disappointed. Sometimes a little bit of something does in fact go a long way.
Check out “Violent Inside” off of their new release and then go and buy it.
If you fancy yourself a fan of Tim & Eric, you should check out this track by track post David Liebe Hart did of Joyce Manor’s Of All Things I WIll Soon Grow Tired. It’s kind of hilarious even though I do not get Tim & Eric at all. Maybe I need to do drugs or something. Still, check it out. Well worth the read.
I am sure it’s pretty safe to say that Luerco is a band name that many have you have at least heard of. Maybe you are a huge fan of them already, or perhaps you have been meaning to check them out. For all I know, you have no idea who I am talking about.
My point is, if you are reading this, you now are aware of a band who calls themselves Lucero and I hope by the time you finish reading this mess of works you check them out if you have not done so already.
The boys in Lucero, for those of you who do not know, hail from Memphis, TN, and have been mixing their punk rock roots with their Southern style creating some entertaining country and indie folk rock music since the late 90s. Recently the band dropped their ninth release in their career titled Women & Work.
The honky-tonk “On My Way Downtown” started the album right with the pure intention of getting the girl to come out and have some drinks. “I know the last time we drank I was a little less than behaved” was sung by Ben Nichols and rubbed off as an honest apology. The horn-heavy title track “Women and Work” followed with a let’s-drink-this-bad-day-away-feeling. I loved the repeating lyrics: “Come on kid, let’s drink ’em down. Kid don’t let it get ya down.”
“Juniper” was one of my favorite songs on the album. It was just a fun upbeat Southern country / rock track perfect for getting weird to. The combination of horns and twang was perfect. I could only imagine the appearance (Read: “A dark-eyed beauty and a dangerous thing”) of the woman this song surrounded.
I found myself enjoying “Who You Waiting On?” mainly with the story told. It was a simple jam but the lyrics provided a clear image of a guy trying his luck at picking up a lone lady during last call.
The sorrowful “I Can’t Stand To Leave You” captured perfectly that which is called heart break. I felt the pain in that song and would be lying if I said I never felt that way once in my life.
“When I Was Young” reminded me that age may only be a number, but memories will last a lifetime. “Go Easy” ended the album with a gospel vibe especially when the female backing vocals kicked in. “Go – go easy. And we’ll find our way” repeated throughout the track and eventually put the album to rest. It was a nice switch, but something I was not expecting at all.
Overall, the album was a great listen, but there were two changes I noticed. First, I found myself missing the punk rock vibe. I did not feel it like I have in previous Lucero albums. It was almost like they decided to set it on the shelf this round. Secondly, Nicolis’ voice was not nearly as raspy. There is just something about his scratchy singing voice I have always been a fan of. On Women & Work, his voice is a tad smoother, almost as if he was dropping lozenges while singing.
I will say that this album grew on me tremendously after my initial listen. At first I was scratching my head on if I liked it, but after a couple of times through, I was hooked. I loved how personal the album was throughout and how I related with the lyrics. It’s catchy and it’s something that punk rockers and country lovers can all enjoy equally.Women & Work is one of those kinds albums I’d have my parents listen to and I know they would not give me shit for it, but rather, ask for more.
For 20 years now, The Real McKenzies have been taking Celtic music and adding their own punk rock style to it making for some intense and fun music. The band, who is part of the Fat Wreck Chords family, has toured the world multiple times in their career and prides themselves on making each night a night to remember regardless of how much you had to drink.
Full of punk rock influence, the band contains members of previous acts such as Good Riddance, Rich Kids on LSD, and even DOA. They take pride in performing traditional Scottish songs as well as write plenty of their own Celtic-heavy punk rock songs that revolve around everything from getting wasted to tough times. The band is also known to cover other songs from artists including Hendrix and even Turbonegro, but on their own terms of course.
Sure The Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly may have taken Celtic punk rock to mainstream levels, but The Real McKenzies have been around just as long and are equally as talented. If you have not heard of this amazing Scottish influenced band, what the hell are you waiting for? Check them out today. You might just like what you hear.
I was lucky enough to chat it up with Paul McKenzie of The Real McKenizes the other day. Read on to hear about their new album Westwinds as well as the time they did an advertisement for a Canadian beer company and even how it feels to be in a 20 year old band..
BHP – First off, Westwinds is incredible! This might be my favorite album by you guys to date. What did you guys do differently while recording this album?
PMc – We recorded in a wee town in southern Alberta with no distraction with a great piper called Goed Taylor who is no longer in the band because he couldn´t take the rigorous lifestyle of being on the road for long periods of time.
Fair enough. So sid you get help from anyone while putting these tracks together?
Yes, Steve Loree was a great guy to work with.
This album seemed to be full of songs sailors might sing back in the day while on a journey, definitely more traditional sounding in my opinion. What are you referring to with the album title Westwinds?
We come from western Canada and these are the winds that blow around the world, just like us.
Can you give me a little history about how a bunch of Canadian guys decided to write Scottish punk rock jams? I know there is deep Scot history in Vancouver, but what made you guys decided to mix punk with Scottish music?
Having had grown up with lots of Celtic influence, and being a teenager in the late 70s, I guess the outcome of the Real McKenzies was just meant to be.
And you have been around for almost 20 years correct? How does that feel?
I suppose it should make me feel a bit old…but it doesn´t. I am still kicking the hell out of the world and please remember that time really does fly when you´re having a blast.
Amen. Did getting picked up by Fat Wreck Chords help with getting noticed?
Yes. Fat Wreck and all the boys and girls who help represent the company have helped us immensely in our campaign for world domination.
They are indeed some good people. You guys have shared the stage with everyone from Rancid to Shane MacGowan. How awesome is that?
It is and always will be an honor and a pleasure to share the stage with our peers.
Do people tend to automatically associate you with Irish punk rock bands like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys when they hear you? Seems to me that every time someone plays Celtic music, it’s automatically labeled Irish.
There have been a considerable amount of confusion in terms of this and that but the bottom line is that we are all great bands helping to keep Celtic music alive for new generations and the generations to come. We love having the opportunity to be part of a great bunch of bands who like to play Celtic music.
Great answer there. So you guys promoted Kokanee Beer in the 90s. What exactly did you do and where can I find this beer?
We scared the production crew away and ended up practically doing the commercial with one cameraman and one producer.It is pretty funny. The beer is still available in Canada
Speaking of beer, Westwinds seemed to omit songs about getting hammered. Well, “My Luck Is So Bad” made me want to throw back a few, but still… Did you guys decided to take a break from the drinking songs and focus on something different?
We took a wee break just to catch our breath,but as soon as this hangover has run it´s course ,we shall be right back writing drinking songs for piss tanks like us.
I actually could hear a lot of Scottish pub style songs in this album. It was turned down a notch on some levels at times and really enjoyable to listen to. Who’s idea was it to almost go a cappella on some tracks of the the album?
Well, it´s a funny story and I am glad you asked. We were all ready to do the songs when suddenly , the rental agency with whom we rented our gear came crashing into the studio waggling their fingers at us and repossessed all the gear because we spent all the money on whisky and beer.So there we were with the tape running lots of beer and whisky but no instruments…we had to think of somethingquick so…we just started drinkin´and singing and partying and that is the god honest truth. What does a capella mean anyways ?
I think it is Latin for moose or something. Wrapping things up, I loved the pipe solo towards the end of the album. Was that something to build up the final end of the album?
We Real McKenzies have always incorporated at least one pipe track on every album. I suppose it has become a sort of tradition with us.
Well, it is amazing to listen to. I have yet to see you guys play a live show. What am I missing out on?
Beer, blood , sweat, spit, love , hate, and 2 hours of dynamic gut wrenching rock and roll with a bagpipe.
Nice. So what would you tell someone who has never heard of you before?
Go buy a kilt and some jackboots ,put them on and come to the rock show to have the time of your life.
I believe that. Do you have any last words before I wrap this up?
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all who wish to attend our Scots rock and roll extravaganza.I guarantee you will not be dissatisfied,if not with the visual spectacle or the quality rock,but we feature some of the most accomplished bagpipers the world has to offer, but don´t take my word for it,come and decide for yourselves. See you at the rock show.
The Real McKenzies’ new album, Westwinds, recently dropped on March 27th on Fat Wreck Chords. I will have a review of it shortly and I was completely sincere when I told McKenzie that I thought it was their best album to date. Check out a track below from the upcoming album:
Maybe some of you remember the interview I did with Evan Lovett earlier this year. He is an amazing artist and happens to do some amazing tattoos as well. It was a fun interview from a guy who gave me an amazing tattoo while I was in Austin for Fun Fun Fun Fest.
Evan Lovett is actually going to have a booth at Hell City in Columbus, OH from May 4th to the 6th. If you are going to be in the area that weekend, I highly suggest you stop at his booth and say hello. The guy is super friendly and will actually have some prints for sale.
Lovett actually still has a few appointments open at Hell City. If you are interested in getting an amazing tattoo from Lovett, email him at elovettart@gmail.com to see what he still has open.
Folk / country / punk rocker Tim Barry is perhaps one of the hardest working musicians out there. He tours when he can and makes ends meet when home, sometimes secluding himself from the real world for days at a time. He’s been known to hop trains at times and has a great relationship with his fans, sometimes even asking them for lifts to local shows. He’s always quick to thank said fans for their support and you know he is sincere while doing so. The guy plays music for the sake of music.
The one time lead man of 80s punk legends Avail recently finished up an all new album entitled 40 Miler. I can not tell you how excited I was to hear that Barry was releasing new material. Naturally when I was asked to interview him, I jumped to the opportunity. As a huge fan of Avail and his solo material, I was thrilled to be able to trade off some questions with Barry earlier this week.
Check out what he had to say, and make sure on April 10th, that you grab a copy of 40 Miler:
BHP: I guess to start things off we should probably talk about your upcoming release. 40 Miler is due out next month. How are you feeling about this new release?
TB: I temporarily erased 40 Miler from my mind. Writing, planning and record an album is an epic task, as anyone who has spearheaded the process can attest. Once complete, the focus shifts to release work. I self manage, so I’m knee deep in all preparations regarding the recording becoming public. Currently that is mainly tour preparations. When I am done with an album I step away from it. This helps me gain perspective and hear it freshly. I am currently in what I call recording detox. I have no copy of the album at this moment to even reference. I look forward to getting my own copy when it is released on April 10. The album will sound brand new to me by then.
I heard that a 40-Miler is a term that train conductors used when referring to a hobo. Is that right? Care to elaborate on this?
That’s actually incorrect. But close. It’s a term hobo’s use to slander another hobo. There are many different sects and sub sects in the railroad world. The term 40 Miler is comparable to calling a “mall punk” a poser. Or the new skater at the park a poser. Or perhaps the new worker in the wood shop the “new guy.” Lifer hobo’s, those who live on the rails, can use the term 40 Miler in a derogatory way to describe me. I’m a poser train rider. I take short trips close to home. I do not live on the rails I am a poser. A 40 Miler.
40 Miler sounds more country heavy over folk. Was this intentional, or was this just how the songs came out?
I never have an intention with my albums. They come out the way they come out, but I think you are right. We focused more on our live sound while in the studio on particular songs. Adding heavy electric guitar and strong harmonica playing by Josh Small and Andrew Alli. Although I certainly left some of the very folk style songs on the record as well, such as Todd Beene.
“Adele and Hell” has a lot going on throughout the song including some duel singing duties. Who was the lady who helped supply vocals on this track as well as on “40 Miler”?
The lady singing back up on “40 Miler” is in fact my right hand man Josh Small, who often accompanies me on tours; however, Julie Karr is the star of the song “Adele and Hell”. Julie is a songwriter here in Richmond, VA, who I was lucky enough to coax into singing that song with me. She killed it. So happy it worked out the way it did. She’ll actually be playing her own songs on many of my tour dates this year. West coast for sure, and some up in the north east.
Ha, whoops… So did you recruit anyone else to help you record some of these songs?
Most of the players on 40 Miler are the folks that I tour with. The main players are Andrew Alli on harmonica and Josh Small. Both of those guys have put in many miles on my tours. Julie Karr is new to the crew. Cameron Ralston did all the bass tracks. He’s a Richmond local, and probably the best bass player I’ve had the chance to meet. My sister Caitlin also played violin, as she usually does on my recordings. And Lance Koehler, who has recorded my records for many years now shared the percussion responsibilities with me.
I love the track “Amen” off your new release. What made you decide to write such a song?
It’s funny to write a song out of context. The song “Amen” is a summery of a long time touring on my album 28th & Stonewall. A lot of good, and some bad happened in that year an a half. However, I wrote “Amen” while touring in the lap of luxury. I completed the song, and played a half-assed version live for the first time at the massive Osheaga Festival in Montreal while touring with The Gaslight Anthem, who was kind enough to let me tour in their bus. Funny to write a song about the hardships of touring while on the road with an incredibly giving group of people who fulfilled all of my needs.
How’s that hand doing these days? I remember hearing about that.
Oh that? Boxer fracture. No big deal.
I want to shake your hand for writing “”Fine Foods Market” (see below for a video I found). Thanks for the laugh. Why did you decide to call out the hipster folk?
The original name of the song “Fine Foods Market” is “Tim Barry makes fun of Tim Barry.” Yes, I’m making fun of hipsters. But, I’m making fun of myself more than anyone. I’m at an age where I can tally up all my own idiocy and inconsistencies and publicly humiliate myself with clear conscience.
So, who is this Todd Beene fellow? Sounds like a hellion.
He sure is. Let’s leave that one up to the listener.
Was there any certain track on 40 Miler that you favored over the rest?
No, not at all. I like all the songs. I dropped perhaps 25 [songs] before picking the ones that made the album. The next task is to find which ones feel the best on stage. I look forward to that.
As do I. I can not wait to see you play some of these songs live. Who did the cover art? Is there any meaning behind it?
There is more meaning behind the cover art that I can articulate, but I’ll leave it at this: The design was created by my best friend Travis Conner who passed away in early 2008. I’ve used his art/photography on nearly all my albums and shirt designs. I refuse to let his memory to fade.
I completely understand. Nice way to pay tribute. Moving on, 40 Miler is being released on Chunksaah records. How does it feel to be on such a great label?
Perfect. I’ve been close to the folks at Chunksaah for far longer than the label has existed. I trust and love all the folks involved with my release. I’m lucky.
So, how was SXSW? My friend snapped a shot of you playing outside at Red 7 the other day and it looked like an absolute blast.
Whirlwind. Very quick trip. Shows were fun. Here was the schedule: Arrive in Austin via American Airlines at 11pm Thursday. Drink with Hot Water Music at hotel bar until 2am. Wake up at 6am. Eat breakfast. Go on short walk. Shuttle to downtown. Play two shows. Back to hotel to sleep from 11pm until 3am. Arrive at airport at 4:30am for departing flight to Richmond. Arrive in Richmond to have a coffee in my back yard by 11:30am. Head trip.
It doesn’t sound like you were able to see any other acts play SXSW at all.
Nope. Only the folks I played with. The entire line up for the Shirt for a Cure show was fantastic. I also played The Revival Tour show that afternoon. Everyone killed it.
I know you are not the biggest fan of the Internet, but I’ve noticed recently that your website has had quite the facelift. First off, it looks awesome. Second, does this mean you are biting the bullet and going to start using the Internet a little more often?
Travis Stom, Travis Stom, Travis Stom.. That man has done wonders for me. He has taken on all of my web design, updating and all logistics. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know what I would do. I am in no way a luddite, and do use all the free social networking sites as much as I can, but I’m simply not as well versed in computers as most folks are. They are the only thing in my life that creates real and pure frustration, so I steer clear of them as much as I can. However, I am not against technology and all of it’s benefits.
So many bands from the past are reuniting and touring or recording new material. I’m sure you are asked this all the time, but still…any chance of Avail doing something again one day?
Nope. Been and done.
If you could tour with anyone alive or dead, who would you choose?
Townes [Van Zandt].
Finishing up, what’s next for Tim Barry?
Touring time. US, Australia and parts of Canada are lined up now. I’m sure tons more dates will pop up. I’ll probably write a book this year as well. Who knows? I don’t plan much. I just go where things take me.
