Category Archives: New Release

Acoustic, Folk, Indie, Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock

EP Review: Ninja Gun – Roman Nose

Leave a comment

A few years back I was handed a CD by this band called Ninja Gun. All I could think in my head was what in the hell is a Ninja Gun and why is there a peach on the front cover?

Prior to listening to that album, I assumed that they were going to be just another screaming, loud and young act that I would care less about and almost passed it up.  I am glad my curiosity got the best of me though as  I was sorely shocked once I  heard what Ninja Gun was all about. 

They were more of a melodic folk/rock/country driven act that impressed me well past my expectations.  To this day their debut release, Restless Rubes, is spun in my household regularly.

On April 12th Ninja Gun will release a four-song EP entitled Roman Nose on Sabot Productions.  This is the band’s follow up teaser to that 2008 debut Restless Rubes that I almost passed over.

Led by Jonathan Coody, the band has toured with many a punk act in their time thanks to being less than an hour away from Gainsville, the punk rock capital of Florida.  Regardless of their sound, they have always had no problem keeping the punk fans entertained.

Starting off the EP was “That’s Not What I Heard”, a poppy yet chilled-out track that carried layered acoustic  guitars setting a certain mood for a good ol’ porch hangout with friends.  As relaxed as it sounded though, the lyrics were pungent and well-written.

The track “Hot Rain” tells the story of the demise in farming in the band’s hometown.  Just listening to this track I can hear improvement in the band’s sound.  It just sounded so well put together.

“Lepers In Love”, a tune about a  seemingly unjust relationship, was a killer track.  The song carries a certain slow-waltzing feeling at the beginning but rocks out shortly after.

The mellow “Roman Nose” on the other-hand, told the tale of a good man selling an “old thing” an ultimate token of love for his special someone.  Musically it was such a sorrow-sounding song, but became beautiful once the lyrics dissolved in my mind.

All I could think while listening to this EP is how funny it is that Ninja Gun is known to tour with punk bands yet I know they would have no problem playing along side Lucero or opening up for Wilco or even The Avett Brothers. 

I find it humorous that there are a peaches incorporated on the EP’s artwork now knowing that their hometown of Valdosta, GA is surrounded by peach farms.  The first time I saw the cover art for Restless Rubes and the lone peach sitting there, I could not gather why there was a peach on it.  Come on folks, I am from Ohio… 

Valdolsta can be a little busy downtown, but the surrounding areas are quiet towns with not a lot to do.  Trust me, I’ve been there.  It looks like the type of city many folk dream of escaping from and moving on to bigger and better things, but they don’t – not because they are prisoners of the city, but because it’s a really chill and relaxing place to live.

Ninja Gun was once a hidden jem but I am thinking that is all going to be changing very soon.  Roman Nose is just a taste of what this small-town band has in store for their next full release and I could not be happier for them.

Want to hear “That’s Not What I Heard”?  Head over to Magnet Magazine and check it out for yourself!

Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Unwritten Law – Swan

2 Comments

Southern California’s Unwritten Law once used to be a skate punk band that was a ritual in my ears.  I popped in their cassette in my trusty Walkman daily and used them as a soundtrack to my life.  As the years went by, they kept dropping albums and thier songs followed me around.

The first time I ever saw Unwritten Law was at a Warped Tour in some stone-covered parking log in Cleveland in the mid-nineties.  They were just what my young ears were looking for.  Weeks later they opened for Bad Religion at the infamous Agora.  That was all I needed, I was an instant fan.  From there on I made a point to see them live every time they came to Cleveland.

I can sit here and recall portions of my life that included an Unwritten Law song.  I remember having a first kiss to “Catlin” in my beat up Cutlas Calais and years later hearing a girl admit their love to me in some dindgey-ass Kent State apartment while “Because Of You” played in the background.  The songs pose as prompts to personal memories that will last for a lifetime thanks to a band that I have seen live easily over 12 times.

After battles with drugs and alcohol as well as with a brush with death due to a fire that claimed all of lead singer Scott Russo’s possessions (but not family), the band took all of their problems and issues and used them as fuel to write an all new album.  Recently the band, including original members Russo and bassist Pat “PK” Kim, dropped  Swan, their sixth studio album on Breaksilence Recordings/Suburban Noize Records.

“Starships and Apocalypse” started off the 11-track album with a more rock driven feel with Russo in singing about some Gucci knock-off glasses wearing woman who clearly is out of this world.  “Nevermind” followed with a more Killers synthesizer sound going on in the background.  “Dark Dayz” slightly hinted to older sounding Unwritten Law making for a good track to listen to.  I love the way how Russo can still tell a story while singing.

Out of nowhere came “Sing” an acoustic song that just put the breaks on the entire album.  For those of you that have heard Music In High Places you can agree with me that UL plays great acoustical songs.  Gentle and just beautiful to listen to, this was one of my favorite cuts on the album.

“Let You Go” was more of a ballad than a song.  The track lead up to an explosion of group vocals that laid behind Russo’s vocals.  Just by listening to it you can tell there was a lot of effort put into it.  I loved the change up when the bass took over only for it to build up again.

“Chicken (Ready To Go)” featured hip-hop god Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.  The first time I listened to this song I just shook my head and wondered why in the hell did there have to be a hip-hop/rock song on this album.  The truth is, the track is actually kind of catchy.  I loved Del’s raps (as always) and  really got a kick about half way though the song when Del steps back and lets Russo do his thing for the chorus.

“Love Love Love” was a touching track that I am positive will land on a mix for that next special someone out there that steals my heart.  It was a ballad by a punk rock back with a lot of heart and a ton of talent.

Unwritten Law leans more towards a rock act these days, but still they have not completely lost that punk rock edge I adored the first time I heard them.  A lot can happen in fifteen years and this band is proof of that.  From playing side stages to headlining their own shows, Unwritten Law has paved their way to rock-stardom their own way.  Swan is continued proof that this foursome still has what it takes to make it in the music world.

Country, Indie, Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Those Darlins – Screws Get Loose

Leave a comment

Fueled with a new found (and very welcomed) sex appeal while looking ever so refreshed, Those Darlins are back with their all new sophomore album entitled Screws Get Loose.  Nikki, Jesse, Kelley, and  Linwood continue their quest to have constant fun, drink the stiff drinks, and tour the country all while leaving a lasting impression on all who join in their nightly rock n roll shambles.

Even amidst non-stop touring, minus a brief timeout due to pair of broken bones in Nikki Darlin’s forearm after she lost a battle with Ohio terrane, the band was quick to record a follow up to their 2009 debut.

Screws Get Loose, in reference to the screws used to hold Nikki’s bones in place last summer, was released once again on Oh Wow Dang Records.

Known for being a more of a country / punk / garage rock sounding act, the foursome have switched things up a tad and added a nice indie rock style to their sound in their mix.  One of the coolest aspects of this change is hearing Linwood, the band’s lone male drummer, lend his pipes on the album as well as help write some of the tracks.  The girls still trade off with vocals throughout the album keeping it catchy and all so fun.

The title track “Screws Get Loose” open up things with a song carrying a couple of references to why screws were needed in the first place.  The new sound coming from the quartet was good and quite the shock to hear.  It was almost as if Those Darlins left their country sounds on the porch in Murfreesboro and headed off to the big city for a entirely new prospect.

“Be Your Bro” hands down is my favorite track on the album. Having heard it months earlier at a live show of theirs last Fall, I fell in love with the Darlins a little harder because of this track.  Singing of how the girls just “wanna run and play in the dirt” while said guys “just wanna stick it in” just proved how real the girls are and how not afraid they are to tell it how it is.  Singing “I may have girly parts but I have a boy’s heart” hopefully will throw a hint at any Darlin chasing fellow, or will it?

“Let U Down” premiered Linwood’s vocals, an improvement in the direction of the band if you ask me.  Not that there was anything wrong with the girls taking vocal duties throughout the songs, but Linwood has himself a very fitting voice that goes perfectly with the music that they all create.  This is a track that needed to be heard.

“Mystic Mind” was a trippy track that didn’t necessarily fit the rest of the album but was hard not to listen to.  “$” was a step back for a moment into what I previously was used to coming from the Darlins and their group vocals.

“Starving for something and it ain’t your touch” start off the hilarious “Fatty Needs A Fix”.  The track easily is a continuation to “The Whole Damn Thing” off their debut album, as a drunken end to a night out required some immediate stomach pampering and nothing more than that.

“Waste Away” put a halt to the party with a direct message to a certain someone to knock off the hardcore partying.  This track reached back to material from their previous album.  “BUMD” closed the album with what sounded like to me something pulled from the 60’s.  The song differed from the others with more proof of how much talent these four musicians possess.

It was almost a shock to hardly hear any country driven tracks on this album, but it’s just proof that Those Darlins are maturing into an even more of an amazing act.  Shorter than I would have liked, Screws Get Loose is a great album from start to finish with plenty of tracks to help you shake your baby-maker throughout thanks to all of the members coming together and doing what they like to do best.  If you were not a fan of their first release, you might just want to pop this one in and see if it catches your fancy.

Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Me First & The Gimmie Gimmies – Go Down Under

1 Comment

There is a huge difference between a gimmick and a good idea.  For Me First & The Gimmie Gimmies (Me First), a punk rock super-band of sorts, their idea of covering classic songs with a punk rock twist is far from a gimmick.

Featuring members from acts such as Swingin’ Utters, NOFX, Foo Fighters, and Lagwagon, Me First originally was just a side project with the members only wanting record cover songs to offer them up on compilations.  Soon after they were releasing singles followed by full length albums through Fat Wreck Chords that covered all sorts of genres from rock to country and to even showtunes.  16-years later the band is still pushing out cover songs that sometimes (who am I kidding – everytime) sound better than the original.

This time around, Me First has graced everyone with five Australian band covers on the Me First Go Down Under EP.   It’s a quick listen, but at the same time absolutely brilliant.  The band also made sure to drop the EP when they were touring in Australia. 

So what is it about hearing a punk version of  “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS that is so damn enjoyable?  Maybe because it is sped up, or perhaps because lead vocalist Spike just has a great singing voice.  I should admit that I may have liked that song growing up, but prefer the Me First version hands down – it sounds so much better.

Hearing Air Supply’s “All Out Of Love” made me wonder about the challenge this band endured while covering such a cheesy track.  As much as I despise this song I could not help but crack a smile while it played through and hold myself back from singing along.

“Friday On My Mind” by the Easybeats was entertaining but not as much as hearing the boys cover Olivia Newton-John’s “Have You Never Been Mellow”.  I used to hate that song but now have a new found love for it.  Thanks guys.  Ending the EP was a Rick Springfield cover of “I’ve Done Everything For You”.

It is very possible that Me First recorded this album in a weekend for kicks and giggles on their end as well as for their fans.  I am sure it was still a difficult task to learn the songs with a straight face as well as find some free time to get together.  After all, these guys have full time gigs in the music world.

Being that Me First is just a side project, the band members are all some pretty busy people with their actual bands.  It’s nice to see them keep up this fun little cover band, one that I have been a fan of since high school.  I hope for their sake and mine it continues for years to come. 

I still have yet to see this band live as somehow I missed them when they played the Warped Tour years ago in Cleveland.  I blame beer for that one because I know I was at that show.  Still, I am sure they will be back soon and maybe if I win the lottery anytime soon I can head to Vegas and see them play at the Punk Rock Bowling show on 05/29/2011.  That would be awesome.

I may have mentioned before that Me First is not a gimmick but also they are not to be taken seriously.  They are a group of great guys out there just having some fun reinventing classics into something much more tolerable to most folks’ ears.  Check out their latested EP, I guarantee you will enjoy it.  At just $8 for a 7″ or CD it is well worth the price for something fun to listen to.