The onetime member of hardcore act Million Dead has been doing things his own way just prior to Million Dead calling it quits. Since then Frank Turner has been doing things his own way with a more folk approach and this September he’s releasing an all new album on Epitaph Records titled Poetry Of The Deed.
I can not even tell you how excited I am for this release.
Epitaph was kind enough to send me a link to share his first single off the track titled “The Road”. The song is insane and I think it would be in your best interest to download it now and thank me later.
Banded then disbanded then rebanded, American Steel is back with their second release since their regrouping.After reuniting just two years ago after a five year hiatus the Bay City punkers have a follow-up release on Fat Wreck Chords titled Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts since joining forces with the independent label in 2007.
Having been around since 1995 the band has had some obstructions with some change ups and personal battles including a bout of Leukemia, but they overcame those obstacles and seem to be back in full force.With their onward battle to keep as a band they pretty much keep the punk rock tough in their music on their latest release making for a solid listen.
Opening track “Emergency House Party” has a full forced approach to it.Reminding me of the SoCal punk styles of the nineties I found myself already enjoying the CD just one song in.Before the track “Tear The Place Apart” even finished I found myself tapping my foot and singing along as if I had heard the song a hundred times before.
“Your Ass Ain’t Laughing Now” is a clear callout to someone that might have overlooked the abilities of American Steel in their early stages or perhaps jaded them.The song is comical as well as just fun to listen to with a small ska feel hiding behind guitar playing.
Hinting at a Strung Out style was “The Blood Gets Everywhere” a track that was a little more technical than the others.I absolutely adored this song and found myself sitting there with the CD book open in front of me reading the lyrics while listening along to the song.I felt like a kid all over again.
Title track “Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts” was a little more of an upbeat punk track inviting you to move along to the song but with a clear discontented message that really will make you think.If a video has not been made for this track showing people carelessly dancing around then maybe one should be.
“Lights Out” was more of a rough sounding punk rock track once again hinting back to the SoCal style of the nineties.Fast paced and to the point the track really reminded me of Face To Face.“Bergamot” continued with the awesomeness of the album as well did “Where You Want To Be”.
This album is going to be liked by a lot of people once all of the current American Steel fans tell all of their friends how great Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts really is.From start to finish I was treated to a revelry of a punk rock album.With no dull moments throughout, this is one of those recordings out there that sets the standard for wholesome punk rock.
American Steel truly has outdone themselves on Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts as they just sound stronger and more controlled than ever.One can only hope they expand their mini tour of the West Coast to more of a statewide venture.I would love to see these guys rock out live. Fans of Alkaline Trio and Face To Face will get a kick out of Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts as well anyone else out there who likes straightforward punk rock from a band not trying too hard just to turn heads.
Just in time for the holiday weekend, a free summer sampler thanks to the good folk at Fearless Records.
All you need to do to get it is to visit the record label’s MySpace page and click on the top of the page where it says FREE. The 7 track sampler contains some great tracks from some up and coming artists and seeing how it is free, you might as well just check it out. I did! (and I actually like a few of the tracks too…especially the Def Leppard cover!)
Some info about the summer sampler (as well as some of the bands) direct from an email I received from Fearless Records:
The 2009 Fearless Records Summer Sampler is finally here and you can download it all for FREE on the top of our Myspace page. The 7-song sampler also includes unreleased songs by Breathe Carolina, The Word Alive and Lets Get it. Check out the full track listing below and download your copy TODAY!
Track Listing
1. Sparks The Rescue – “Autumn”
2. Breathe Carolina – “Welcome To Savannah”*
3. The Word Alive – “Quit While You’re Ahead”*
4. Artist Vs Poet – “Assurance Closure”
5. Eye Alaska – “Walk Like A Gentleman”
6. A Skylit Drive – “Those Cannons Could Sink A Ship”
7. Lets Get It – “Do Not Disturb”*
The Fearless Records Myspace has also suited up for the kick-off of the 2009 Vans Warped Tour! The new Fearless Myspace will be your one-stop shop for everything Warped including exclusive video content, updated photos and exclusive giveaways for MySpace friends ONLY.
So if you’re not yet a Fearless Myspace friend, add us today to stay updated with Warped Tour all summer long and make sure you check back daily!
Eye Alaska Full Album Stream of “Genesis Underground”
Eye Alaska‘s upcoming album, “Genesis Underground,” is now streaming in it’s entirety on AbsolutePunk.net. “Genesis Underground” is available in stores and online Tuesday July 7th. To celebrate, the band will be doing an Absolute Punk Chat on Monday, July 6th, at 7pm ET/4pm PT, so be sure to tune in!
If you like what you hear, make sure to pre-order your copy of “Genesis Underground” now at iTunes, SmartPunk, InterPunk, or MerchNow.
Let’s Get It is excited to announce that their upcoming “Digital Spaces EP,” due out August 4th, is now available for pre-order. Pick up your copy today from SmartPunk, MerchNow, or Interpunk and receive a free poster with purchase. In addition, with all SmartPunk pre-orders you will also receive an autographed booklet signed by the entire band!
Breathe Carolina Official Album Art & Tracklisting
Breathe Carolina have released the official album art & tracklisting from their upcoming album Hello Fascination in stores and online August 18th. Check out the album art and tracklisting here.
Also, remember to catch them playing live all summer long on this years Warped Tour! Breathe Carolina Tour Dates
The Maine “Pour Some Sugar On Me”
The Maine have released a clip of their new cover song, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard, on their MySpace page. You will be able to purchase the song off their upcoming Deluxe Edition of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” available July 14th. Also, don’t forget to check out the band on this years Warped Tour and keep up to date with them all summer long on their blog!
Who am I kidding? I am all about Those Darlins. Out of nowhere they were introduced to my ears thanks to the good folk at Thirty Tigers and I could not help but to like them. There was just something about their take on rock infused with country that was ever so appealing to me. I turned into an instant fan.
This past Saturday their debut album was released on LP on First Vinyl Saturday.. I might have purchased 2 copies… They were available to Music Saves in Cleveland and Shake It Records in Cincinnati so I know great independent record stores have them.
I’m currently in the works of finishing a review of their CD that very well may be one of my favorite releases of the year. I know we are only 6 months into the year and anything can happen…
Today I received an email from Those Darlins I thought would be best to just share in its entirety. It’s an announcement from the girls to you:
America…
We’re coming to get you.
We dare you to just say yes.
Those Darlins will soon be roaming this great nation, bringing all Americans together the only way we know how: sheer freak spectacle.
But don’t just come see the spectacle, be the spectacle. We want you. We dare you. We, in fact, need you.
Have a drink, have a dance. Don’t worry about the environment being intolerant, too cool, too lame, too country, too anything. EVERYONE is invited; you’re one of us.
It’s Summer 2009, and, damnit, be here with us in the now. Don’t let the economic downturn ruin your appetite for some basic human relief: a good time.
Say yes… we already have. And we are bringing gifts (records, drinks, maybe even a kiss from our merch-man Byron) to the folks ready to lead the charge with us at every show.
Grow some fur, burn your laurels, let us see your inner spirit animal.
And, until then, enjoy Red Light Love, and make a date with us to make this the best summer ever.
SUMMER TOUR DATES
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.” – HST
6/25: Atlanta @ Drunken Unicorn
6/26: Athens, GA @ AthFest
6/27: Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge $
7/07: Arlington, VA @ Iota Club & Cafe
7/09: NYC @ Mercury Lounge +
7/10: Brooklyn @ Southpaw **, ++
7/11: Philadelphia @ Johnny Brenda’s
7/13: Pittsburgh @ Club Café
7/14: Cleveland @ Beachland Tavern
7/15: Pontiac, MI @ The Pike Room
7/16: Indianapolis @ Radio Radio
7/17: Chicago @ Schubas
7/18: Minneapolis @ 7th St. Entry
7/20: Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Company
7/21: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown Front Room
7/22: Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
7/23: Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
7/24: St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
7/25: Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
9/18 & 19: Bristol, VA @ Bristol Roots & Reunion Festival
$ W/The Black Lips – VINYL RELEASE PARTY
+ W/Heavy Trash (Jon Spencer) CD RELEASE PARTY
** W/So So Glos BROOKLYN RELEASE PARTY
++ W/We Are Country Mice BROOKLYN RELEASE PARTY
BUY THE DEBUT ALBUM EARLY NOW!
OPTIONS To Buy The CD Early Before Official 7/7 street date:
1) VINYL (W/CD of FULL ALBUM) at INDIE RETAIL STORES NOW! — it really is the most beautiful package. Hope you get to indie retail soon while they are giving away a pair of Blublocker sunglasses with the purchase of the vinyl and you get the CD as well inserted in the package. (Editiors Note: Rumor has it that the first pressings are PINK!)
When you partake in a festival with hundreds of bands sometimes it is easy to miss someone you really wish you could have seen perform. With Bonnaroo that was all too common for me as I felt like I was in a relay race going from one tent to another taking in what performance I could before heading to the next stage for a new fix.
I missed a lot of acts because of the favoritism and just plain old bad timing.
Patterson Hood sadly was one of the acts I missed at Bonnaroo. I just was unable to fit him in to my personal schedule on the second day of the festival. The lead man of the Drive-By Truckers played a small stage at Bonnaroo showcasing some of his new material from this second solo release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs). I am sure it was amazing.
I have not heard any of his new solo material yet so I was left with an empty feeling of how great it could have been to be in the crowd listening to him play. I would also have loved to have seen Sugar‘s bassist David Barbe play along side the country/rock artist. I used to be a huge Sugar fan in the 90’s.
Luckily the good folk at Thirty Tigers sent me an email with infor about Patterson Hood’s latest release along with a MP3 of one of his new songs to share with all my wonderful readers.
PATTERSON HOOD TO RELEASE MURDERING OSCAR (and other love songs) June 23, 2009
“For more than a decade, Hood has been transforming all that preys on him into songs that are loud, rowdy, and angry, but also humorous, intelligent, and compassionate.” – Pitchfork
“Hood is a supremely talented songwriter.” – Popmatters
Athens, GA – Patterson Hood will release Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) on June 23, 2009 on Ruth St. Records./Thirty Tigers. The second solo record from the leader of the Drive-By Truckers has been 15 years in the making. The album was produced by Hood and long-time DBT producer David Barbe (Sugar). Most of his DBT band mates join him on the album as well as Don Chambers, Will Johnson and Scott Danbom from Centro-matic/South San Gabriel. This is also the first time Hood’s father David Hood, famed Muscle Shoals bass player, joins him on a record.
The album was recorded at Chase Park Transduction Studios in Athens, GA and will also be released on 180 gram vinyl. The vinyl release will include three exclusive bonus tracks. An a cappella version of “Range War” will also be available exclusively with iTunes. “Pollyanna” and “Pride of the Yankees” are available to preview on his Myspace page: www.myspace.com/pattersonhood.
Tour dates:
Joining Hood on tour will be Brad Morgan (drums), John Neff (guitar/steel), Scott Danbom (keys/fiddle), Will Johnson (guitar) and David Barbe (bass), who has not toured since his days with Sugar. Will Johnson will open the shows.
June 12 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo
June 18 Nashville, TN Grimey’s in-store
June 18 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
June 19 Louisville, KY Headliner’s
June 20 Chicago, IL The Metro
June 22 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
June 23 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
June 24 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
June 25 Washington, DC The Black Cat
June 27 Athens, GA AthFest
July 8 San Francisco, CA Independent
July 10 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom w/ The Gourds
July 11 Seattle, WA No Depression Festival
Track listing: 1. Murdering Oscar
2. Pollyanna
3. Pride of the Yankees
4. I Understand Now
5. Screwtopia
6. Granddaddy
7. Belvedere
8. The Range War
9. She’s A Little Randy
10. Foolish Young Bastard
11. Heavy and Hanging
12. Walking Around Sense
13. Back of a Bible
BONUS TRACKS (on vinyl only): Uncle Phil and Aunt Phyllis in the Month After the Election
Playboy Mansion
Sam’s in the Ground
