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Cleveland, Listing It Up, Live Shows, Music, Punk, Top 12

My Top 12 Live Punk Rock Albums

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I just viewed a clip of an amazing video taken from a Bruce Springsteen live show recently where he brought punk rock legend Mike Ness on stage to play “Bad Luck”.  Have you seen it?

This was just another one of those random concert highlights made possible by a live show with a performer who had a good idea for the evening and the fans who were all in attendance that night now have ultimate bragging rights as they can say “I was there.”

I have always been a fan of live shows and will always be.  It’s one of those things in life that I enjoy doing and can not see myself quitting anytime soon.  The atmosphere alone with screaming fans and endless smiles makes the experience worth returning to.  I love being a part of the evening and telling friends what I saw the next day followed by a bold “I was there” bragging statement about something only the ticket holders that night got to see before anyone else.

I admit I do not attend as many shows as I used to but I still make an effort to hit a few local venues and festivals every year just to keep the momentum going.  If a band I am a fan of rolls through town I do what I can to make arrangements to get to the venue that night to see them.

When not driving downtown to see shows I like to occasionally listen to a live show from the comfort of my home.  It’s easy to say I would rather be in a packed club listening to live music as the experience is like none other, but sometimes just hanging out at home is good enough as well.

Having a decent collection of live albums I thought I would narrow things down a bit and ask myself:

What Are My Top 10 Live Punk Rock Albums?

Scratch that…

What Are My Top 12 Live Punk Rock Albums?

Twelve is much better of a number to work with where there is so many live CDs to choose from.

Sure I could have a top live shows list from all genres but that would take me forever. As a music lover there are a ton of recorded shows out there that I own or have listened to that have had a huge impact on me. I think it would be best to start with baby steps with the genre of music that means the most to me; punk rock.  I also decided to keep it to actual releases by record labels and include no bootlegs (although I have some amazing live shows that never were released…)

After pondering this question for a couple of days I soon realized how hard this was for me to answer.  I had a nice sized list of live shows in my head but found it was no easy task to narrow down.  For the record, this was a very difficult list to compile for me as a fan.  There are so many other bands that deserve to be on this list but these top twelve mean the most to me.

In no particular order I here are my top twelve live punk rock CDs:


Social Distortion – Live At The Roxy
Mike Ness and crew always put on a good live show and this CD is listening proof.  Having been a long time fan of this band it was clear that this CD needed to be on my list.  Mike Ness more than a punk rock legend, the guy, to me, is a god and will be playing his heart out on stages all over the world until he is 100 years old.  I will never grow tired of this CD ever.


NOFX – I Heard They Suck Live
Without a doubt this was one of the most entertaining live CDs I have ever heard.  I remember buying the cassette and playing it over and over memorizing even the talking in between songs.  NOFX puts on a fine show as well featuring all sorts of independent hits.  I find it humorous that I list this CD directly after Social D because this show was played at the Roxy as well to a crowd of rowdy fans.  If you have not heard it you are missing out, unless you are not a fan of NOFX.


The Clash –From Here To Eternity Live
Ok I am sure you are wondering why this album has a big line through it.  Truth is I loved this CD for years until I heard a recent live release…


The Clash –Live At Shea Stadium
Now before you all jump on me and remind me that this CD is just The Clash (minus the original drummer) playing more popular songs hear me out.  This show was not even a headlining show (they were opening for The Who) and the year was 1982; right about the time The Clash was headed on a downward spiral the would lead to the dismissal of the group.  The set was shorter than their other live CDs but to me it was a great listen start to finish.  I have listened to this CD a lot since it was released and it has made me reignite my love for one of the greatest punk bands of my time.


The Dead Kennedy’s – Live At The Deaf Club
Just thinking of how this shoe was recorded in 1983 still amazes me.  My first and only taste of a live performance by this band was when I heard the improv “Night Of The Living Rednecks” on Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death.  I was sucked in by Jello Biafra’s method of story telling on this track and of course a fan of The Dead Kennedy’s so it was more or less a bonus to me when a full length live CD was finally released.  It also kills me that I was 2 years old when this concert took place.  I’d love to hear from someone who was at this show just to hear their personal experience.


Ramones – Loco Live
Do I really need to explain myself here?  Over thirty quick punk rock classics on one CD from the band that started punk rock in the states.  I don’t think many folk can disagree that this CD belongs in anyone’s live punk CD list.  It’s not top quality but it sure is fun as hell.


Bad Religion – Tested
This CD was not added into my collection for quite some time mainly because the CD was not readily available locally to me.  Once I did get my hands on it though it became one of my favorite CDs to listen to by Bad Religion.  I loved how the band recorded this CD, by plugging directly into their mics which in turn eliminated a lot of the crowd making for a more solid listen.  With a solid setlist and exceptional performance by the punk rockers this is one of my favorite love CDs out there.


Flogging Molly – Alive Behind The Green Door
This Irish punk rock act is, without a doubt, one of the greatest bands to see live in my opinion.  One thing I love about this disc is that it was released before any of their studio albums and recorded at Molly Malones, the bar where this band got their start.  There are not a lot of bands out there that have followed this approach by releasing a CD full of songs that later would be studio recorded on to various releases over the years.  The performance is clearly under the influence but ever so much fun.


Misfits – Evilive
The recording of this live show is horrible yet I love it.  It is about the closest listen I have ever gotten to true live Misfits from back in the day.  I did once witness the Misfits when Michael Graves took over the singing duties but it was no Glen Danzig and spite the good time I had it was not a genuine Misfits experience.  This is a show I only dreamed of saying “I was there.”  Full of classic songs,  I also loved hearing Henry Rollins guest sing on “We Are 138.”


Death By Stereo – Death Alive
Many people may have not heard this CD when it first released as it was first given out for free with issues of the Volume 3 issue of Law of Inertia magazine in 2003.  In 2007 the live performance was reissued by the band as Law Of Inertia went out of print and many fans missed out on this incredible recording.  If you are a fan Death By Stereo or just good wholesome hardcore punk you really should check out this CD.  This benefit show is full of so much energy I am surprised no one was hurt in the recording of it.


Face To Face – Live: Face To Face
Trevor Keith and crew have always had a special place in my punk rock heart.  I love this band, always will, and this CD is listening proof of how great they are.  The songs are all raw and full of energy and just impress track after track.  When I think of a live album that I could listen to over and over again this is the one.


The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Live From The Middle East
Ska is not dead, never was, never will be.  Ska may not be very popular these days but if you are a fan of the genre I suspect will be making a comeback soon, I am sure you know who the Bosstones are and very well have heard this CD.  The performance contained in this CD makes it worthy of multiple listens.  Such a great CD from beginning to end.


Against Me! – Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live In London!!!
Singing and shouting and good times for all on this CD.  If you only have New Wave in your collection I think it would be best to put that down and go out and find this CD.  I find myself singing along as if I were actually at the show while listening to this CD.  That to me is a good live album.

Again, this list was so hard to compile.  I would make a list of a whole bunch of band’s live CDs and then start crossing them out once I thought of another.  I am sure I will be hearing from a lot of folk telling me I missed someone and at that time I will smack myself in the head and hate myself for 9 seconds because I forgot about a phenomenal show.  I am ok with that though because I know there are a lot of awesome shows out there. A lot of artists can be put in this list but after all, it is my top 12.

I’d love to hear what your top 12, 10, even 2 are!  As music fans we are entitled to what we like and sharing the love for music is a great thing.

Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review

Tom Gabel – Heart Burns – EP Review

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Tom Gabel had a busy 2008.  Not only did the front man of Against Me! headline the Van’s Warped Tour with his associates all summer long but he also recorded his own solo EP called Heart Burns and toured solo on the Revival Tour this past fall in support of it.  The seven song EP was released under Sire records and has Tom Gabel taking things under his control, making for a good listen.

Tom Gabel playing at the Vans Warped Tour in Cleveland 2008
Tom Gabel playing at the Vans Warped Tour in Cleveland 2008

Just in case you didn’t know, Tom Gabel was Against Me! from the get go.  He started the band at age 16 all by himself and played acoustical shows in support of his first release the Acoustical EP.  In a nutshell, his success with his solo material, which came from years of hard work and dedication, soon turned into the band Against Me! many are now familiar with.  Hoards of fans have eaten up many of their albums that incorporated folk with punk rock and high sing along qualities. The rest is history.

Of course that history includes the heartbreak of many dedicated fans when Against Me! went so called “corporate” and signed to a nation label. They released the radio friendly New Wave, one of the band’s most successful releases to date.  Tom Gabel and his band mates were called sellouts for what they did but, regardless of their decision making, they have moved on with new fans all over the world and seem to handle being seen in the spotlight quite well.

Now why Tom Gabel chose to do another solo album remains to be determined.  Some may think he wanted to stray away from the band to focus on his individual talent while others think he went back to his roots as an apology to all of those die-hard fans.

Regardless why he chose to do the Heart Burns EP, I was looking forward to it, as I became a fan of all of his material once I finally pushed aside the hype and decided to actually listen to the band.  The first time I was told about Against Me! I wanted nothing to do with them.  I hated them without ever giving them a chance.  Soon thereafter I was working at a record store and a little scenester girl I worked with played the CD and I was hooked.   I have since seen Against Me! live every time they come to my city.  They put on an amazing show.

Leading up to the EP’s release, Tom Gabel took use of networking wonders MySpace and released one man performance videos for each song released from the EP.  The videos were just a taste of the EP with rough cut versions of politically charged songs and were visually pleasing.  Check out Tom Gabel’s MySpace page if you want a taste of them and while you are at it, check out a previous blog I posted with some other videos there for your viewing pleasure. (I also posted a couple of my favs at the bottom of this blog…)

After seeing the videos I figured this EP would in fact be a collection of those mostly acoustical songs and nothing more.  When “Random Hearts” started with electronic beats leading to Tom Gabel’s trademark raspy singing I realized this was something entirely different.  My initial taste of Tom Gabel’s new solo material sounded like Against Me! meets The Faint without all the dancing.

The following “Conceptual Paths” added elements of folk with very mild reverb on his voice at times.  I loved this song and to think I just stared playing the CD.  “Cowards Sing At Night” humored me; it was clearly about John McCain as the song ended “your war is over Johnny”.  The simple indie rock riffs kept the song flowing

“Amputations” seriously reminded me of classic garage rock with its heavy on guitar distortion.  At one moment I am reminded of “Ballroom Blitz” with the way Tom Gabel sings “There’s no heat between lovers and a summer night.”  Perhaps if you hear the song you will know what I am talking about.  Aside from the sweet similarity, the song is incredible and by the end you are surrounded by the trademark Against Me! group signing.   The song was initially played by Against Me! acoustically last March at in-store events causing a lot of fans to question if the song happened to be a New Wave b-side.

Just when I thought I could not be more impressed by this EP “Anna Is A Stool Pigeon” came on.  The lyrics, a hidden secret love story revolving around an activist guy who fell in love with an undercover FBI agent unknowingly, were an adventure alone.  Chuck Ragan from Hot Water Music added back up vocals and harmonica kept my interest.  Butch Vig from Garbage, who also is the executive producer of the EP, even added his drumming skills to pull together one hell of a track.

This EP is continuing evidence that Tom Gabel is to be heard by many regardless if he does it on his own or with Against Me!.  I have high expectations for his musical career and I see him not slowing down anytime soon.  You don’t have to like Against Me! to enjoy the Heart Burns EP.  Sure it has its sing along moments and for the most part sounds like Against Me!.  I am sure all the die hard will rave about it, or bitch about it for the sake of it not being Against Me!, but it is a genuine effort and to be enjoyed by all.

Folk, Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Rock

Tom Gabel To Release Solo Material

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Against Me!‘s Tom Gabel has been doing a little sumptin sumptin on the side.  The front man of the ever popular Against Me! is doing things his own way this time.  He will be releasing a solo album on Oct 28th, 2008 called Heart Burns. 

Leading up to the release Tom Gabel has been releasing music videos via MySpace of songs that will be appearing on his project. I hadn’t had a chance to check them out until now…and now you can too:

100 Years Of War

Random Hearts

Cowards Sing At Night

Harsh Realms

From what I am gathering the EP to be released will actually be live performances.  This is really a highly anticipated release for me.  This comes from the guy who used to HATE Against Me! too. 

When I first got into Against Me! there was already a huge following and a couple of albums had been released.  I listened to a few tracks and tried real had to like them but I couldn’t.  It was mostly from fans telling me how awesome they were and how incredible they sounded before my ears even got a taste.  Scene kids jamming them down my throat was not helping the situation when I worked at a record store.

I still gave them a couple more chances and even saw them play with Smoke Or Fire.  Soon after hearing them a few more times I started hearing the more folk driven tracks and I suddenly liked them.  When I caught them live my opinion changed entirely.  They were so fun, full of smiles, and played their hearts out.  Sing-a-longs galore.  Suddenly I liked what I once hated…

I remember when New Wave came out earlier this year.  Die hard fans soon hated the band and called them sellouts.  They were upset the band went mainstream.  I became a bigger fan myself after hearing that album, it is insane.  That’s music industry for ya though…  You have to pay the bills some how and if selling out means helping ensure a financially sane future then I say go for it… 

Oct. 28th is right around the corner and if you like Against Me! you should support Tom Gabel and pick up his solo release.