It’s pretty safe to say that 2014 has been the year of amazing releases by artists old and new.
Honestly I think I say that every year, but you know what? I mean it every single time I say it.
I have a new favorite band to listen to as of late and they are called Beach Slang. Featuring members of Weston, Ex Friends & Crybaby, this Philadelphia threesome is seriously one of the best new acts I have heard in a while.
If I had to compare them to someone out there in the music world, I would say an easy-going Jawbreaker. This indie pop-punk act defines themselves as: “Guitar, bass, and drums. Played loudly.” I could not agree more.
Recently, Beach Slang debuted their EP Who Would Want Anything So Broken? and I can not stop listening to it. Check out “Punk or Lust” and “Filthy Luck” to see why exactly I am all about these guys.
I seriously can not wait until Beach Slang drops a full length. I have the feeling it is going to be an incredible listen. Until then, good luck finding this EP on a 7″. I think it’s sold the hell out right now on Dead Broke Rekerds, but with good reason of course.
So the other day while saying goodbye to some friends at the local tattoo shop here in Las Cruces, my pal Walker asked me if I have ever heard of a band called Nancy. Of course I was quick to ask who Nancy was and before I even finished my sentence, he was jamming them throughout the whole shop.
I am completely obsessed with this band right now. Think Ramones and MC5 with some surf punk fun mixed in.
After taking a few moments to scour the internet to find out more about them, all I could find out was they hail from Wyoming. Other then that, I got nothing. Let’s hope that changes soon. In the mean time, check out this bitching band:
I hate the term “latest internet craze” when it comes to all those stupid, time-killing photos tons of internet addicted humans who fancy themselves comic reliefs by “planking”, “owling”, “horsemaning”, and oh, let’s not forget “cone-ing” (although I will admit it was funny the first time I saw it).
If you have no idea what I am talking about, a.) you are lucky and b.) google them for more explanation. It’s not a craze. It is stupid and shame on you mainstream media for evening bringing it to light thinking any of it is funny.
When I think of a latest internet craze, I think of something that is a little more meaningful than some douchebag laying on a curb while some other douche takes a picture of them. Seriously, that is NOT FUNNY. Get off the hotel sign and quit pissing me off.
Anyways, enough of my rants today. I will tell you about the latest internet craze… DIY bands offering up their music online (some for free). Skipping “the man”, these DIY bands take care of it all by themselves with help of independent labels and work hard doing it.
That right there is way more interesting to me that seeing a some huge dude perch like an owl (honestly it looks like he is trying to poop his pants).
DIY bands are nothing new, but boy are they becoming more and more plentiful these days. There are tons of websites out there (some labels and some just hosts) that host DIY bands and their music like Death To False Hope Records, If You Make It, and BandCamp.
One DIY act in particular that I have been digging lately is Direct Hit!. Last night I downloaded their newest LP called Domesplitter that was put out by Kind Of Like Records. I found the download on their BandCamp page after receiving an email from one of the band members self-promoting the new release (I think I was on a mailing list from downloading one of their EPs earlier on Death To False Hope Records – I am ok with that as it is not spam). I will admit that I did not pay anythingfor the download, but I am planning on order ordering Domesplitter on vinyl (in fact, I just did, so there! Redemption on my end!).
Milwaukee’s Direct Hit! is a pop punk act with an edge. Domesplitter was a little heavier than I was anticipating and for that I loved it more. This is the band’s first full length release that actually contains songs from the band’s first five EPs – an anthology have you. Even if the album is technically not brand new material, I must say I am impressed with it. Full of hooks and anthem-like sing-a-long opportunities, the songs on this release are down right fun to listen to. This is a band I should have been a fan of since the beginning.
It’s pretty safe to say that 2014 has been the year of amazing releases by artists old and new.
