Category Archives: Music News

90's, Music, Music News, Pop, Punk, Rock

Gameface Announces First New Music in a Decade!!!

Leave a comment

Gameface

Holy crap.  Gameface has reunited.

It’s true.  Jeff Caudill himself sent me an email (and many others) stating the facts. Gameface is a band again and they have plans on releasing new material in 2014.

Signing to Equal Vision Records, the band is releasing a 7” featuring two new recordings – “Come On Down” and “The Only Chance We Get” – on November 5.

“Come On Down” is a brand new track, while the latter is a new recording of a previously released song from Gameface’s 1995 release, Three To Get Ready. The revamped version also now includes guest back-up vocals from Ingo Knollmann (Donots) and Mike McTernan (Damnation A.D.).

The reunited four-piece currently is working on their sixth full-length album, which is should be released by early 2014. Check out the following video that takes a personal look at Gameface’s recent decision to reunite as well as make their first new album together in over a decade:

Jeff Caudill had this to say about the band reuniting and recording new music:
 
“We’re beyond excited about the new material and a new chapter in our history.  We’re so fortunate and grateful to Equal Vision for sharing our vision and giving us this rare opportunity for a new beginning.”
 
Taken from the Equal Vision press release:
 
The Southern California-based outfit, now featuring Caudill along with Todd D. Trout (guitar), Guy Julian (bass) and Steve Sanderson (drums), originally formed in the summer of 1990 and has since released five full-length albums, each carrying the band’s dynamic, distinctive sound that has gone on to influence countless bands over the years.
 

Gameface’s debut LP, Good (1993), showcased unabashed pop punk at its purest, while Three to Get Ready’s (1995) offered redemptive lyrics and a nostalgic tone that drew fans into Gameface’s emotional triumph over tragedy following the untimely death of their drummer Bob Binckley in 1994. With Every Last Time (1999), and the addition of drummer Steve Sanderson, Gameface hit their songwriting and touring stride. During the recording of Always On (2000) rifts between members deepened and original bassist Paul Martin eventually left the band before the album was released. Guy Julian joined on bass for their final album, Four To Go (2003), before the band members decided to each go their own separate ways following its release. In 2012, the group reunited for a string of shows that eventually served as the catalyst to forge ahead towards something more permanent. It felt right again as Caudill penned their new single, “Come On Down”, sealing the deal to embark on this next phase of Gameface.

Pre-orders for Gameface’s new 7” will be available in the coming weeks, along with additional information on the band’s upcoming full-length album.  The band even announced today on Facebook that they are adding a re-recording of “Freezerburn” to the new album.  That song previously was only availble on a live recording.

http://facebook.com/gamefacerock
http://twitter.com/gamefacerock
http://instagram.com/gamefacerock

Cleveland, Indie, Music, Music News, Punk, Rock

Signals Midwest Announce Light On The Lake

Leave a comment

Signals Midwest - Light on the LakeCleveland heartthrobs and beer snobs Signals Midwest recently announced they were dropping an all new album titled Light On The Lake in October.

This is the band’s second release on Tiny Engines and will be up for pre-order very soon.

I was blown away by their 2011 release Latitudes & Longitudes, and will admit that I can not wait to hear what they have to offer this round.

As if releasing the album is not enough, the band will be playing Pre-Fest and Fest at the end of October.

Signals Midwest

Check out this trailer made by Ben Hendricks of Annabel:

 

 

Kent, Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Banquets – Banquets

Leave a comment

BanquetsA couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of seeing New Jersey’s Banquets play a small show at Euro Gyro in Kent, OH.  Having been a fan of this foursome for a couple of years now, I was really disappointed in myself to learn that they dropped an all new self-titled release back in May.

I found this out right after I said hi to the band in the back of the bar and noticed a foreign-looking release sitting on their merch table.  Honestly, I was a little pissed at myself for not keeping tabs on this band like I do with so many others.

Prior to Banquets taking the tiny stage that night, my pal Aaron asked me if I had heard their new album yet and I was quick to confess to him that I had no idea they even had new material.  He assured me I was going to enjoy it and that I did.  The new tunes they played live that night were incredible.  After their set, I made sure I secured a copy of their new release on vinyl for future listening.

It’s been about 2 weeks now since I purchased that Banquets self-titled release and I am pretty sure I have listened to it at least once a day.  With 5 months left in the year, I have already moved this album up to my top 10 list for 2013.  There is no question in my mind that it will remain there.  This is definitely a surprise release for me this year.

All the tracks on this album were full of countless hooks and catchy lyrics that make for anthem-like  jams music lovers can easily absorb and appreciate.  “Call It A Comeback” proved to be one of my favorite tracks on the album with the group vocals throughout and Travis Omilian’s singing style.  “Fade From Gold” was also a solid song that deserves to be heard.

I liked their prior release, Top Shelf, Bottom Shelf, a whole lot, but I absolutely adore this album.  Hopefully you all are already privy to this and if not, now is the time to check them out.  Think old Gaslight Anthem and Loved Ones leaning towards more of a rock sound in a good, good way.

80's, Indie, Music, Music News, Punk, Soundtracks, The Awesome

Check It Out: A Tribute To Repo Man

Leave a comment

A Tribute To Repo ManExcuse the dust folks, I am trying to find a new layout for the blog that I like.  So far, I think keeping it simple is going to be the way I go.  I have a few other ideas up my sleeves, so we shall see what happens.

Anyways…

Last September, the cool peoples over at American Laundromat Records released a very deserving tribute album for the Repo Man soundtrack.  I have had this album since it was dropped and will admit that I do not listen to it enough.  Hell, I remember when I got the original soundtrack on cassette at Record Revolution on Coventry when I was a kid.  Needless to say, I am very well versed in this soundtrack.

For anyone who remembers the classic 1984 Alan Cox 80s punk cult sic-fi movie, many can agree that the soundtrack that backed up that movie was just amazing.   Having created a tribute album for this iconic soundtrack was just a brilliant idea by American Laundromat Records.

I know I have spoken on this release in the past, but it deserves a repeat mention.  I love the Those Darlins cover of  Iggy Pop’s “Repo Man” (shocking, I know).  I probably should also mention that Polar Bear Club does a spot on job with Black Flag’s “TV Party” too.  I was very impressed to see Black Francis and Mike Watt each get to take a stab at some classic cuts later on during the release.

I can’t say I dug all of the covers, but overall the tribute is just as entertaining as the original soundtrack.  Perhaps I just can’t shake the idea of having someone cover the Circle Jerks.

Overall, this tribute to a classic soundtrack I feel has been slept on by many.  If you remember how great the original release was, I really think you should give the tribute a try.  Classic tracks by modern bands never sounded so good, and now I really have a hankering to watch the movie.  I hope to hell that no one ever tries to re-create that gem.

American Laundromat Records is also carrying the Criterion Collection of Repo Man on Blu-Ray.  I really really really really want this in my collection (hint, hint).

Track List:

  1. Repo Man – Those Darlins
  2. TV Party – Polar Bear Club
  3. Institutionalized – Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra
  4. Coup D’Etat – New York Rivals
  5. El Clavo Y La Cruz – Black Francis & Spanish for Hitchhiking
  6. Pablo Picasso – The Tellers
  7. Let’s Have A War – Mike Watt & The Secondmen
  8. When The Shit Hits The Fan – The Suicide Dolls
  9. Hombre Secreto – Matthew Sweet
  10. Bad Man – Moses Coltrane
  11. Reel Ten – Weekend

Repo Man

Acoustic, Music, Music News, Punk, Rock

Tony Sly Tribute Album To Drop This Fall

Leave a comment

I still have a tough time believing that it has been a year since Tony Sly left this world.  Sure, I did not know him personally, but I was pretty damn good pals with the music he wrote seeing how much I listened to it.  To this day, I still listen to No Use For A Name as well as his acoustic material.  It will forever be on my playlist.

I remember bumping shoulders with him backstage at a Cincinnati Warped Tour years ago where I was more concerned about how many beers I had consumed over taking in all that was going on around me.  I was quick to apologize and he just smiled at me as he and the rest of his band headed to the stage to play some songs to a sea of fans.  I recall taking in their set and telling my partner in crime that day how lucky I felt to have just seen them play live again.

On October 29th, Fat Wreck Chords will officially release The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute.  This important release will include 26 covers of Tony Sly songs from Tony’s friends such as Bad Religion, Rise Against, Frank Turner, Anti-Flag, The Bouncing Souls, The Gaslight Anthem, and many many more.  I am still waiting for more details on when the album can be pre-ordered and check FatWreck.com almost daily as I know the vinyl version of this will be something that will sell out quickly.

Tony Sly Tribute

The good folk at Fat had this to say about the upcoming release: “We can’t express how much it means to us and Tony’s family that each of the artists and bands on this album took the time and effort to contribute such meaningful and interesting interpretations of Tony’s songs. All proceeds from this compilation will go to the Tony Sly Memorial Fund.”

Tony Sly passed away in his sleep on July 31st, 2012.  He was 42 years old.