Tag Archives: Punk

Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Reggae, Review, Rock

Album Review: Authority Zero – The Tipping Point

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Hailing from Mesa, AZ, Authority Zero combines various levels of music and mashes them into their own style.  Punk rock, thrash, reggae, and even a hint of skate rock can be heard throughout their years of material.  The band really take pride in incorporating those styles to their catalog as well as carries a strong love for bands like Bad Religion and Pennywise.  Having been kicking ass and taking names for almost 20 years now, spite many challenges in their career, Authority Zero has not calmed down one bit.

This Tuesday, Authority Zero will be releasing an all new album titled The Tipping Point.  These West Coast punkers have dropped an impressive release full of energy and fast-paced fun.  With plans of touring Europe in a month to support their new release, Authority Zero really seem to be moving in the right direction.  Ask anyone in their infamous Zero Crew and I am sure they will agree.  Still, I am just as pleased as I am shocked this is only their fifth studio release.

The very fast-paced “No Other Place” started off the album with plenty of speed and aggression sure to entice a circle pit.  It was almost too easy to hear the gracious nod to Pennywise and Bad Religion in this track from Jason DeVore’s singing style.  Add some necessary group vocals aside with quick and heavy guitar riffs, you can hear the influential bands that helped build Authority Zero.

“Undivided” continued with more of a 90s punk feel with DeVore having a great flow from start to finish.  The chorus was catchy as hell, the drums were just non-stop, and the guitars carried well.  My only distraction was the Dicky Barrett sounding scream that ultimately stopped the song for a moment, but then jumped right back in.

“For the Kids” had a Good Riddance feel to it that I really enjoyed.  I really caught on to these lyrics because they really hit home to me as DeVore sang “this one’s for you” about more or less – me.  Well, at least young me.  Great song about yesteryear to any music fan who was surrounded by friends in any scene.  Age may be catching up with a lot of us, but those memories will last forever.  This track is worth a listen.

I really was beginning to wonder if Authority Zero dropped the reggae from their sound and then “Struggle” started.  It’s not terrible by any means, but the current me never really got into this version of Authority Zero.  “On The Brink” followed returning to their punk sound.

“Today We Heard The News” was another reggae track on the album, but this one I actually enjoyed.  The horns throughout kept the track interesting while I tried to figure out what DeVore was singing about.  From what I gathered, it was about a protest about something and not giving up fighting the cause. (EDIT: apparently it is about the passing of Tony Sly.  I am kind of kicking myself for not grasping that.  Thanks to a reader for that one.)

“Shakedown in Jaurez” also kind of hit home to me, but in a different matter seeing how I currently live 30 minutes away from that city and am more than aware of everything that goes on there.  The song itself, mixed punk and reggae for a sound I just could once again not get into.

Ending the album was “21st Century Breakout”, a sped up punk track that got stuck in my head.  I could not help but think about Bad Religion once again as DeVore sang just like Mr. Greg Graffin at times.  Setting that aside, this track was killer and pretty much was my choice cut on the entire album.

After all the changes Authority Zero has gone through in the last few years, it is almost admirable to see them continue on.  With a revolving door of members leaving and joining along with countless other setbacks during the band’s existence, the band seems to have finally found some well-deserved stability.  With all those drawbacks though, I am shocked they did not call it quits and start something new already.

Case and point, just 2 weeks ago, the band’s long-time bassist Jeremy Wood announced on his Facebook page he was leaving the band to spend more time with family and other personal reasons.  Luckily lead signer, and the last of the original lineup, Jason DeVore quickly announced the band had a touring bass player to join them on the road in support of their upcoming release The Tipping Point.  Somehow, I have the feeling this album was properly named by the band for more reasons than one.

There is no doubt in my mind if you are a fan of the punk rock genre that you have heard of this band or seen them live at a Warped Tour or heard them on a video game soundtrack.  They have been in the game for nearly 20 years and it can definitely be heard in The Tipping Point.  No matter how many changes this band goes through, it would appear that Jason DeVore has no intention giving up something he truly loves.

Cleveland, Music, Music News, Punk, The Awesome

A-F Records Sampler

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I can’t say that I am surprised that two of my favorite Cleveland acts were picked up by A-F Records.

Earlier today, A-F Records shared a pretty kick ass announcement:

Today, we’re proud to welcome “Worlds Scariest Police Chases,” “Worship This!” and “All Dinosaurs” to the A-F Records family.  We’ll be releasing records from all of them this summer.  In the mean time we’ve put up a free digital sampler for download containing two  songs from each artist.  It’s available at: www.a-frecords.com/sampler

Click on the above photo to download a killer sampler through A-F Records.  I am liking what I am hearing already.

Here is what members of Anti-Flag had to say about these new additions to their label:

WORLDS SCARIEST POLICE CHASES – Pittsburgh, PA –www.facebook.com/wspolicechases

“I know you are not supposed to play favorites with your children. And being a ¼ of Anti-Flag  and A-F Records means that all of our collective releases are our “kids”… But fuck it. This is hands down the most important record we released and may ever release. I produced it with them over 4 days and I still LAUGH/CRINGE/FEEL SHOCKED AND OFFENDED by each brutal track. They’re fucking cops. They’ll steal your pot. They hate their dads. And their songs are fucking incredible.” – Chris#2

WORSHIP THIS! – Akron, OH – www.facebook.com/WorshipThisOH

“In a laptop production era, it’s pretty great to come across a band that gives a shit. Worship This! are a band that you want to be friends with. They sound real, sincere, touchable, on a level that I haven’t seen in years. Melodic punk rock in a world where there is very little true melodic punk rock. Tracked live, “Tomorrow, I’ll Miss You”, is 4 friends capturing and documenting real life. If you like records that are Copernican, you’re going to want this in your collection.” – Justin Sane

ALL DINOSAURS – Cleveland, OH – www.facebook.com/TodosLosDinosaurios

“All Dinosaurs share sonic kinship to Propaghandi…fast, brutal, without being a “metal” band. Road dogs without a care for the confines of genre, they’re a band who can and will play for everyone and with everyone” – Chris #2

Congratulations to Worship This!, All Dinosaurs, and World’s Scariest Police Chases!!!  I look forward to hearing both of your releases this summer.  Speaking of new releases, the good dudes in Signals Midwest are putting the finishing touches of their next release that will drop this summer as well.  And people told me there is no music scene in Cleveland…
Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: The Bronx – The Bronx (IV)

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Well folks, it looks like The Bronx is back and let me tell you, they are sounding pretty damn amazing.  Setting aside their mariachi project, Mariachi El Bronx, the band is back in full rock-out  mode and just dropped an all new, impressive release.  Keeping up with trend of their previous three releases, The Bronx (IV) completely rules in every way possible.  As a fan, I may be a tad biased, but having listened to it over and over for a week now, I can honestly tell you all that this album is one of the best I have heard of this year, and the year has not even technically started yet.

“The Unholy Land” started off the fun, poignant album with a more rock feel.  Perhaps the Foo Fighters rubbed off on them a tad when Mariachi El Bronx toured with them a couple years back, but I assure you this track still owns.  Caughthran sings “I am the anti-Christ of the holy ghost, do you want to die or just come real close” hard throughout this track with the rest of the band just cutting loose.  I especially loved the latter guitar breakdown.

“Youth Wasted” had a certain 80s punk vibe to it that I came to appreciate early on.  Sure, it was not broken down and raw as one might expect when you compare such an era, but perhaps the lyrics “youth is not wasted, I’m young” is what prompted me to think back.  The heavy “Too Many Devils” did not capture my attention my first listen, but once I heard it again, I loved it.

“You can not change the life you’re born to live” started and ended the 90s alt sounding “Torches”.  The lyrics were incredible throughout as was the music that spend up and slowed down this jam.  Sure this was not the hardest, heaviest track on the album, but it was by far one of the best to listen to.  “Under The Rabbit” followed with melt-your-face moments that recalled prior Bronx tracks from previous releases.  “Ribcage” was another track that caught me in a good way.  Maybe it was the speed of the song, or just the overall theme of the track with an apparent crime interrogation that just kept things so entertaining.

Caughthran cleared his throat throughout “Life Less Ordinary”.  The track, which had nothing to do with that terrible Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor movie, might have been conceived during the Mariachi El Bronx days as it is toned down and carried duel vocals, but I am not complaining at all.  I really dug this track a lot and just listening to it seemed like a confession “I’m not ashamed to say I’ve lost my mind” when sung just sounded so sincere.

The Los Angeles punk rock act has always been a band I have appreciated since their original release about 10 years ago.  What is nice to see is the level of maturity they have reached.  The lyrics are more meaningful than ever and spite that you may think, this band has not even come close to going soft.  Where the mariachi side project was fun, I longed for some of their wholesome rock / punk / goodness and IV delivers.  I firmly believe this is the album, if not already, that people will be talking about this year.  There are so many bands you can hear throughout this album including Refused, The Strokes, The Pixies, Nirvana, Against Me!, and even Helmet that is not hard to find something about it to obsess over.

Bragging Rights, Good Times, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music News, Punk, Rock, The Awesome

Jeff & Brian’s Birthday Show Is This Saturday @ Now That’s Class!!!

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Dudes and dudettes…  It is with great honor that I inform you of the best show to ever happen on 02/02/13 at Now That’s Class in Cleveland, America:

Annabel (Cleveland) – Luther (Philly) – Ma Jolie (Philly) – Worship This! (Olympia) – Collapser (D.C.) – + Comedy by Matt Celeste

Doors at 8pm, show starts at 9pm.  $6 at the door.  Bring extra cash to spend on all the band’s merch, especially the out of town ones!!!  Ryan Ford, the guy who created this awesome flyer will be selling some prints of it as well.  It would be in your best interest to set one aside for me…  Seriously.

If you do not hit up this show, you are in fact missing out on an amazing night of top notch music and debauchery for those of you who engage in the alcohol induced drinks of fun or bath salts.

I am honored Mr. Jeff Russell of Signals Midwest has put my name on this flyer and is going to somehow try and Skype the show to me.  Sadly I can not be there on account that I am an idiot and moved across the country last June, plus I work that night…  Still, I really hope all my friends can make it out for this night full of some amazing bands that include some of my best buddies.  This is the show that you need to be at.  Tell everyone.

Alt Rock, Country, Indie, Music, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Restorations – Restorations

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It just occurred to me this evening that I have not once talked about a band that I adore.  This is one of those bands I feel everyone should have heard about by now, and for all I know, you have.  I was introduced to them a few years back and pretty much have adored them since.  The band I speak so highly of (I know the anticipation is killing you) is none other than Philadelphia’s post-punk indie rock outfit Restorations.  Seriously, how in the hell did I NOT review these guys before?

Yes, I am a wee bit late on this one, but you know what?  Screw it.  So what if their self-titled debut album dropped in 2011 on Tiny Engines and was repressed on vinyl last summer because so many vinyl junkies ate it up?  I feel the need to share this amazing group in hopes that they score one more fan per my recommendation and I am pretty certain that will be happening.

The moment “Nonlocality” started with the laid back intro, I just knew I was in for something good.  The gritty, raw opener brought a certain country folk feel to my ears and then everything changed for the better when the singing started and the hypnotizing guitar solo floated in the background.  With just one song in, I was sitting there pointing to it as my favorite.  “West River” followed carrying that same intensity that impressed me from the get go.  The songs really reminded me what would happen if Goo Goo Dolls and Hot Water Music collaborated, yeah I know, weird.

“Canadian Club” had an Against Me! feel to it at the start but soon mellowed into a great jam.  I really loved vocalist Jon Loudon’s raspy singing style on this song but have the feeling that this track was intended to be heard live by all.  “Sideways House” leaned more towards a 90s alt-rock that was welcomed to my ears.  “Broken Vacuum”, I feel, showcased the band as musicians well.  Hearing the distorted bass at the beginning  joined with the drums and guitars just moments later sounded so good.  So many songs these days are written so quickly that you sometimes miss hearing a well put together track.  The same goes for the closing track “When You’re Older”.  It was not just an end song, it was a crowning achievement by the band and any listener will be able to hear that.

Restorations combines the right bunch of genres of music including rock, country, and punk making for one hell of a listen.  You say like Elliot Brood?  Listen to Restorations.  Lucero?  Listen to Restorations.  Gaslight Anthem?  Yeah, listen to them, I seriously doubt you will regret it and if you do, sorry.  I am surprised this album is not bigger than it already is and I can not wait to hear what they come out with next.  I am predicting something amazing.