Tag Archives: Christmas

Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Vinyl

Album Review: Ramoms / Dad Brains – Merry XMas Spilt 7″

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Tis the season to be burnt out by Christmas music on indefinite rotation, right?  I know we only have like 2 weeks left of this, but every year seemingly becomes more challenging for me to stomach.  Hang in there folks.

Now if you happen to have kids as I do, repeating Christmas music intensifies to levels that can bring someone to the edge of insanity.   Seriously, I am at wit’s end with some of the tunes my son demands be played over and over especially when covered by off-key kids who probably were never compensated for their efforts in singing about a certain bullied reindeer.

Luckily, there are plenty of punk bands out there keeping me sane with their renditions and original songs about the holiday season that help ease the pain.  I do my best to sneak them in to daily rotation so my kids can appreciate what their old man is into.  Current favorites by my kids include Bad Religion and MXPX and I am totally ok with that.

It really seems especially this year there were quite a few releases by punk bands with holiday themed tunes, but one particular release caught my attention in a good, good way and has turned into my current holiday favorite.

The release I speak of is actually a split by Ramoms and Dad Brains called Merry  Xmas.  Put out recently by Pirates Press Records, this split encompasses everything a punk parent could appreciate during a stressful time of the year from more than one level.  Satire and spirit for all to embellish is the best distraction.

Ramoms, as you guessed, are an all Mom punk Ramones cover band from the Philadelphia area.  These ladies may not have full band credentials (I was totally mistaken and apologize – see comment below!) and are incredibly passionate about punk rock and more so with their kiddos.

Dad Brains is an all Dad hardcore band from California.  Featuring former members of No Motiv, The Missing 23rd, Creep Division,  and The F-ing Wrath, it’s safe to say this side project is not a total joke.

Ramoms took the classic “Chinese Rock” by the beloved Heartbreakers and turned it into “Lego Blocks”.  As a parent, Lego blocks can entertain kids for hours as well as cause some serious damage to feet in the evening, so I really appreciated this song.

Keeping true to their passion and reasoning to form a band, Ramoms also provided a great cover of the classic “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” by the Ramones.  Gritty and poppy, I am sure Joey would have approved.

“It’s Christmas Time” was a hilarious holiday spin-off of the classic Suicidal Tendencies track “Institutionalized” by Dad Brains.  You know you are in for something good when Cousin Eddie is quoted at the beginning of a track.  Substituting La Croix for Pepsi, it was spot on when it came to modern day holiday feelings and woes.  That last line though, “it doesn’t matter, I’ll probably go to Costco anyway” had me rolling.

“Grinch” was modernized by Dad Brains to have the hairy green Dr. Seuss character antagonizing at a local show.  I especially loved the nod to Ill Repute and Tony Cortez.

This EP seriously is great and had me chuckling a few times and easily could be the perfect gift for your punk parent of choice this holiday season.

Check out some of the tracks below and if you like what you hear, throw some cash their way and download it or better yet, head to Pirates Press Records and buy the wax before it sells out!

Blog On, Guest Blog, Video Games

1Up For The Kids

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During a time of the year where people are buy-buy -buying things for everyone on their list sometimes we forget about the true definition of the holidays.  It’s easy to get sucked up into all the chaos also know as the shopping season.  I myself have had enough of the retail wars that go on and spite people out there who buy things just to buy.  Take that wasted money and put it towards something meaningful, like a donation.  Uncle Buck does not need a Sham-Wow or a Snuggie…seriously.  Imagine donating money that will go towards a gift for a sick child that will not only make their day but also help ease the pain they are going through.

My pal and yours Kevin found this great website where a simple donation can really make a child’s day.  During this holiday season try to forget about all the big sales and unnecessary gifts for a moment and think about what the reason of the season is all about.  (Mom, calm down, I am still calling it Jesus Day…)

Take it away Kevin and Happy Holidays everyone!

Childs Play Logo

I’m sure that many of our readers have dabbled in a little video game geekery in their days.  You may have experienced the Tetris burn while trying to go to sleep after an eight-hour bender.  Maybe you feel the real measure of a man is in his achievement points?  Yeah, you know how awesome all of that is.  Admit it.

There are many folks out there that would think that gamers are a blight on society with their lack of social skills and appreciation for violence.  Gamers are good people who would just rather spend their free time with pixels rather than a putter.  You might be a little tired of video games getting a bad rap.  They’re just good old fun.  The creators of the webcomic Penny Arcade, Gabe and Tycho, felt the same way.  From their countless hours involved in the gamer community were aware that the caricature that was drawn by news fluff pieces and congressmen were not the people they knew.  Gamers are a good, generous bunch.  This inspired them in 2003 to start a toy drive for Seattle’s Children’s Hospital.  From that toy drive the Child’s Play charity was formed.

I first heard about Child’s Play about 2 years ago on digg.  At that time they were pretty much in hospitals in North America.  Now, Child’s Play is currently partnered with almost 70 hospitals, (and growing).   It was one of those charities that made so much sense.  These are some really sick kids that are stuck in a hospital who can’t do much outside–many of them can’t stray far from a bed.  Why not give them the fun of playing a game, or possibly interacting (with the permission of the parents I assume) with other people on PSN (Playstation Network) or Xbox LIVE?  I’m not trying to slight these kids, they’re pretty hardcore.  They have done no wrong in their short lives to anyone still life seems to be socking them in the gut.  Maybe the work of Child’s Play will let them know that the world isn’t totally evil.  It may be a bitch, but even bitches can be sexy.

These guys are all about the giving.  They’re an international 501(c)3 entity, so they’re legit.  Also, they keep their administrative costs at a bare bone 2-3%, so that means just more good stuff goes to the kids.  If you want to give there are a few ways you can go about it.  The easiest way is to go to the Child’s Play website to make a PayPal donation.  If you want to help out your local hospital, you can also click on a location on the interactive map on the Child’s Play main page.  You will then be redirected to your chosen hospital’s Amazon page.  That Amazon page lists all of the books, toys and games requested by the hospital, the quantities received, and still needed.  Find something on the list that you’d like to donate, and check out as you would with any Amazon purchase.  Your order will then be shipped right off to the hospital of your choice.

This is easily one of my favorite charities.  You know that as much of your dollar as possible goes right to making as many kids in rough situations a little happier.  You really can’t go wrong with that.

If you would like to make a donation CLICK HERE and select the state you wish to donate to.