Category Archives: Music

Alt Rock, Emo, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Notches – New Kinda Love

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I’ve told myself over and over that I need to try and hammer out more reviews.  I have a million excuses why I choose bed over blog as of late and two of said excuses are the most important things in my life – my kids.  Clearly nothing is more important than them and of course my wife, so please excuse me for not paying attention to this here ol’ blog this year.

Time to change that of course.

With recent events going on to which I need not point out, I can tell you I have been thinking about a lot of things and one of them was how much I enjoy listening to tunes, discovering new bands, and especially sharing the love.  I have been wanting to talk about one particular release by a New Hampshire punk/emo/rad/DIY 3 piece band.  So here we go…

After listening to New Kinda Love by Notches back in early January, I literally stopped what I was doing and ordered the LP off of their Bandcamp page.

This was an album I fell in love with instantly and deemed one of my favorites that I’ve heard of in quite some time.  The album dropped in December 2019 from what I learned, but did not make it onto Bandcamp until this year.

Released by Dead Broke Rekerds/Salina Records, this is the band’s third proper release and sadly the fist time I really got into them.  They’ve been around since 2013 and have made an impact on the New England punk scene, but honestly once you hear them you’d think they have been around for far longer.

Starting off the album was “Room Upstairs”, a catchy track that really carried through different equal moments of catchiness and relaxed.  I really loved how much energy this band held in just on the first track.

It’s hard to believe “Museum of More Dumb Art” hasn’t been around for years and years.  This track just was so tenured sounding that I had to make sure I was still listening to the same band.  In other words, I was impressed as hell with this one.

“Crystall Ball” was emo Dinosaur Jr. on speed thanks to excessive fuzz throughout a memorable riff of a song.  This track just brought me back 25+ years to when all that mattered to me was alternative rock.  I adored it.  Had a music video been made for this one, it would have been all over MTV back when they were tolerable.

I won’t lie, the best part of “Keep My Name” was the brutal aggressiveness layered with memorable bass and guitar playing.  Quick track, but clearly full of angst that never sounded so good.

“Twist The Knife” won me over with the pop-punk edge that snuck into what otherwise could have been a track that amounted to an 80s SST Records artist song.

“Sober Souls” to me was a modern day Hüsker Dü track.  This track was just beautiful.  I really can’t explain why other than I’m over 40 and was brought years just from absorbing myself in this.  Weird, right?

The number of times I told myself how great this band was while listening was almost annoying to me.  Luckily I know i am not the only one who thinks this.  In fact, my soon to be 5-year-old loves these guys.

Need proof?

Once this bullmess of a virus pandemic goes the hell away, Notches should be touring and it looks like they may be making a stop in Cleveland so who knows, maybe I’ll be taking my son to see his first show a littler earlier than I first intended.  If he’s not quite ready, perhaps I’ll bribe the band for a quick high-five and an apple juice or something.

Don’t sleep on these guys.  Notches have dropped an album you aging punks and young ones too will truly appreciate.

Documentary, Punk

Check It Out: Don’t Fall in Love with Yourself: A documentary about Justin Pearson, Three One G and the San Diego Punk Scene.

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My pals at the talented TurnStyle Films never cease to amaze me.

They are a collective group of hardworking music lovers who always manage to drop things equally interesting as unique.

I wish I could remember what show I was at when I saw Jon Nix last year, but he was full of excitement as he told me he was working on something he knew I was going to like.  As he started telling me about it, I immediately smiled ear to ear.  I knew this was going to be something awesome.

Months later, an announcement was made to the world that TurnStyle Films was working on a Justin Pearson documentary.  As a fellow punk lover, it is clear why I shared so much excitement when I first learned of the project.

The documentary is in the final rounds of finishing and TurnStyle is asking for help via a great Kickstarter campaign with plenty of great rewards including autographed books, vinyl, and enamel pins.

I think Jon and crew said it best on Kickstarter what this documentary is all about:

Don’t Fall in Love With Yourself is a documentary that explores the life of enigmatic musician and artist, Justin Pearson. From childhood tragedy and his roots in the San Diego punk scene, to his appearance on Jerry Springer and rise to cult celebrity status. An in-depth look at a career made out of blood, sweat and spit.

Much of the B-roll has been sourced from dozens of VHS & Mini-DV tapes recorded over the past three decades. Controversial and never-before-seen footage of one of the most interesting and unique musical movements is recent memory.

The film’s interviews include Justin Pearson, Dave Lombardo, Eric Paul, Gabe Serbian, Bobby Bray, Travis Ryan, Jeremy Bolm, Alexis Marshall, Jon Syverson, Molly Neuman & Becky DiGiglio and more.

I took a few moments to toss my support they way in hopes this campaign is fully funded.  This looks to be one of the best things TurnStyle has done to date.

Check it out:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jonnixfilm/dont-fall-in-love-with-yourself-finishing-funds?ref=project_build

Country, Grunge, Hardcore, Music, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Reggae, Rock

BHP Best of 2019

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I swear to whatever you worship, time is just flying as of late and I just realized I probably should be posting this best of list already.

I feel like I repeat myself annually by saying “there were some really good releases during the current year” as I build said list, but honestly, it is true.  Bands new and old just keep me entertained and that is why I guess I keep doing this little blog here.

In the interest of time, I am keeping this year’s best of list extremely short and sweet.  No links or photos this time.  Just a quick list of the albums/EPs/whatever that impressed me to no end and were spun often.  If you are wondering who a particular someone is, Google the hell out of them and listen.

BEST ALBUMS

  • Big Nothing – Chris
  • MakeWar – Get it Together
  • Cave In – Final Transmission
  • Strange Magic – Unfortunately
  • Orville Peck – Pony
  • Aggrolites – Dirty Reggae
  • Ramona – Deals, Deals, Deals!
  • Bad Religion – Age of Unreason
  • Sturgill Simpson – Sound & Fury
  • Pup – Morbid Stuff
  • Heart Attack Man – Fake Blood
  • Subhumans – Crisis Point
  • More Kicks – More Kicks
  • Good Riddance – Thoughts and Prayers
  • Lagwagon – Railer
  • Harvey Pekar – Paris Green
  • Moderator – The Mosaics
  • Off With Their Heads – Be Good
  • Warp Lines – Human Fresh
  • Teenage Bottlerocket – Stay Rad!
  • Tool – Fear Inoculum 

BEST EPS / 7″s

  • Signals Midwest –  Pin
  • Charger – Charger
  • Twin Temple – Satan’s A Woman

BEST COMPS

  • Red Scare Industries – 15 Years of Tears and Beers

As always, thanks for checking out my site.  I do this for my love of music and anyone who has the slightest interest in what I have to say.

I hate that I was not able to review every release I listed.  I had every intention to, but life gets in the way more and more so I did what I could.  If one person checked out a band because of what I was able to talk about, then my job is done.

Bands and labels, thanks for always considering me.

 

Music, New Release, Punk, Review

Album Review: Various Artists – Red Scare Industries: 15 Years of Tears and Beers

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***Punk rock grandpa rant moment warning***

I remember back in my day when the internet was not readily available at your fingertips.  Streaming music was unheard of.  Kids were not sucked into their so-called smart phones looking like a bunch of goddamn zombies.  People actually talked to one another.  Hell, you had to actually leave your house and go to a record store to buy music.

I remember I could buy punk compilations left and right on cassette by tons of labels  for the cheap.  Like 8 bucks cheap.  I had a plethora of said cassettes to play in my ’86 Dodge Shadow.  Because of that, I have always had a soft spot for comp releases most likely because I relied on them to learn about new bands and just have a nice mix of tunes to get lost in.

Why I am I sitting here telling these tales of yesteryear you ask?  I guess my question is why are you still reading this?

Truth is, it’s been a long time since a comp album hooked me in to the point I found myself listening to it on repeat.  That’s exactly what Red Scare Industries: 15 Years of Tears and Beers, a 15 track compilation celebrating the iconic label’s 15 year anniversary, did.

To reach such a milestone as an independent label is just outstanding especially in this day and age.  Most labels however are not credited with dropping so many amazing releases.  Seriously, this label is responsible for so many of my favorite releases over the years.

It is almost as if Toby has a special gift for finding the best talent in the punk world knowing he one day may need to say goodbye in the nicest way possible with limited middle fingers.  Some of the roster I speak of include no-name talent like The Menzingers, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Sidekicks, my fav dudes MakeWar, and even those dicks Masked Intruder.  I could go on, but this is a review about a comp album, right?

The Copyrights, a band who released an excellent album with Kepi Ghoulie earlier this year (check it out!), started the comp off with the fast-paced “Maine or Oregon”.

Ol’ (rather, young) Sincere Engineer held back nothing with “Dragged Across the Finish Line”, a track clearly about putting up with other’s shit in a good way.  Deanna Belos and crew really have a good thing going for them and, to me, are years ahead of their time musically.

Broadway Calls covering “Sunday Morning” by The Menzingers was actually a great idea.  It’s probably the last cover I would have expected on this comp, but here is was and I admired their take.

Punk rock sweethearts The BombPops kept my attention with “East and West”.  I hate to say it, but it won’t be much longer until this band is a mainstream wonder.  They have been getting so much attention as of late and it is well deserved.

“Dead Body” was the track on this comp that totally won me over.  In fact, for the last few days I have been sining this song to myself.  Creepy, I know.  Garrett Dale (Red City Radio) went all Stand By Me with this incredible track that even tossed out a sax-solo that just brought the whole song together.  The best part was Garrett being out “this is the dumbest song” in the middle of it.  Perhaps he is right, but it ruled.

Leave it to Brendan Kelly to do something completely out of the norm – actually no – these days I expect him to.  He took a perfectly good Lillington’s song, “All I Hear Is Static”, and turned in into a synth-heavy cover that just totally worked.  You can not hate this cover because it’s just brilliant.

“TJ” by MakeWar begged to be played over and over.  This band is one of my favorites and seemingly has a way to make songs so catchy and likable but when you actually really listen to the words, the mood shifts to a more somber approach.

I was thrilled to see The Lippies on here.  “Acid Head” was a killer song and a reminder on how much I love this band.  I hope this means there is a new album to follow.  I know they have been touring as of late.

I really could sit here and say something about every single song on the comp, but honestly I would rather you check it out for yourself.  Personally, this is the best comp I have heard since the days of Survival of the Fattest Vol. 2 and Vagrant Records: 5 Years on the Streets.  For those of you who grew up around me, you’ll now how bold of a statement that is.

I don’t know if Toby blackmailed the bands on this comp by threatening to exploit them with their collective photos of them at Staind meet-and-greets, but whatever he did worked.

Hats off to Sir Toby and the Red Scare Industries crew for 15 years of excellent releases.  This comp is a celebration of an impressive accomplishment and deserves to be heard and purchased by all.

80's, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Subhumans – Crisis Point

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I have to hand it to the legendary Subhumans for dropping an absolutely amazing release this year titled Crisis Point.

It’s been over 10 years since the band even dropped a studio release and since the mid-eighties before that.

Was I concerned about this?  Not really, but I would be lying if I told you I thought I would be enjoying it nearly as much as I do.

Honestly, had one of these new songs dropped on a playlist somewhere, I might have took it in and moved on thinking it was just something from their past, but luckily I was made privy to the album thanks to Pirates Press Records and have been listening to it on repeat for months now.

Dick Lucas sounds the same when “Terrorist In Waiting” started, which is a good thing in my book, as honestly did the band.  Sometimes things are best left unchanged and the Subhumans proved this to me just one song in.  It was fast, angry, and exactly what I needed.

Tracks like “Follow The Leader” kept on with the band’s ethos I’ve appreciated for easily 30 years now and seemingly fit so well with today’s clamored current events.

“Strange Land” wasn’t anything I haven’t heard before by the band and was a nice reminder why I even became a fan in the first place.  It reminded me of something that should have been on the Repo Man soundtrack.  This track was just great as was the following track “99%”.

“Poison” wasn’t catchy, calling for attention, or anything of that nature.  It was an anthem of sorts for those who want to listen and take the ideology and make their own judgements.  This is what I have always loved the most about this band.

“Thought Is Free” closed out the album and is honestly about as classic sounding as something that came off of their debut release.  I was amazed listening to this track knowing it’s 2019 and this band that has been around almost all of my life sounds almost exactly same and carries that same energy.  This song alone blew me away.  I loved everything about it.

It’s not a rubber stamped statement toward a seasoned band. There really are not many acts out there that I can say have been able to do this.  What is “this” you ask?  Keep their roots, stick to their sound, and haven’t a care about results.

My hope is that the younger generation will pick up this album and it opens up doors musically enticing them to sit back and get lost in this band’s impressive catalog.

This isn’t meant to say you hanging punkers out there won’t appreciate this.

If you once listened to The Day Country Died and have the slightest hesitation to hear new music by them, don’t be a fool.  Get on it now.  Thank me later.