Umeå, Sweden based crossover hardcore punks LOTUS GRIP are streaming their debut EP, recorded and produced by the band at their rehearsal space, available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Itunes etc. and slated for a 2018 CD release via their own label Outer Rim Productions. Constructed of parts from old school, modern and rock/metal influences, the record drowns groovy melodies in a mixture of dirt and of basement punk. It shows a young band already trying new things and succeeding. Interesting.
We’re all about groove and pleasant mosh inducing rhythms and melodies. Four young dudes, friends since high school, trying to figure out this life, coming together to express something greater and unexplainable through the controlled violence of hardcore music.
Violin/Cello driven atmospheric crust band MORROW (members of GATTACA, HYENA, AUTARCH, FALL OF EFRAFA!) have premiered a new crushing record called ‘Fallow’ on and Halo of Flies Records and Alerta Antifascista Records, who have shared their End Of The Year wrap-up with us earlier this week. The record tells the story of future primitive cultures in the ruins of civilisation and will officially hit the streets this coming Spring. Sonically, the record is both muscular, ambitious and accessible enough to appeal to punk/metal fans of almost all stripes. Listen below and expect a full IDIOTEQ interview soon!
Morrow are a violin and cello driven atmospheric crust band, in the vein of Ictus, Fall of Efrafa and Remains of the day. They began their post civilisation odyssey in 2016’s “Covenant of Teeth” the somber string laden D beat, seated in the forests and ice scapes of future primitive cultures. “Fallow” picks up where their debut ended; following the same protagonists as they leave the safety of the forests in search of knowledge amongst the sweltering, vibrant and violent carcass cities in the desert south. It is a far more raucous record; a pandemonium of drums and throaty cello as our characters face a chaotic, terrifying and majestic landscape, one of bared teeth amongst the sand storms and screaming voices. Fallow features guest vocals from members of Gattaca, Monachus, Autarch, Wildspeaker, Hyena, Sol and Fall of Efrafa.
Tor Johnson Records has shared a new live compilation of songs recorded during the label’s 15th anniversary show earlier in 2017. They have decided to donate 100% of the sales to GirlsRock! RI. Listen below, donate, see our insightful interview HERE, and check out Tor Johnson’s End Of The Year List HERE.
Although there aren’t many women on this bill (they couldn’t play that night) that we hope to encourage more girls, women, trans, and gender non-conforming folks to play music in the future and Girls Rock! RI is making that happen.
The influential 2008’s full length ‘all we are is now’ from Atlanta screamo / post rock band I CREATE will get a vinyl re-release along with additional tracks ‘your sun is a destroyer’ + 2 new unreleased jams! The Upwind Productions released LP will be pressed for the band’s upcoming European tour in May! One of the stops include the Ultimate Screamo fest in Warsaw – go here to see the details of the gig and stay tuned for the full itinerary.
More than a year since their debut demo, Warsaw LGBT friendly hardcore punks GLAMOUR (mentioned in our interview with HEATSEEKER) are streaming their debut EP “Glitter Stomp!”. Listen below and catch them live at Noise for Refugees benefit gig with PROTEIN and TORPUR on February 13th at ADA Puławska in Warsaw!
Lovely named veteran grindcore band from Japan FUCK ON THE BEACH have teamed up with powerviolence / fastcore pack from Malaysia called TERLARANG for a new massive 21-track split assault. Buckle up and listen below, but watch out, cause it’s a one hell of a ride!
Vegan Straight Edge Punks TIME AND DISTANCE are streaming a couple of new tracks from their new split with their kindred spirits from Poland VICIOUSxREALITY, who have revealed two of the new jams too. Listen below, expect the official release on January 18, 2018 via Youth2Youth Records and catch both bands live on their Brazilian run in January – GO HERE to see the details.
Portland hardcore pack CUTTING THROUGH (New Age Records) and Barcelona’s youth crew APPRAISE (Refuse Records) are teaming up for a European Tour in April! GO HERE to see the dates and please get in touch via [email protected] if you can help with the shows in France and Italy!
Swedish straight edge hardcore pack DISAVOW (members of ANCHOR, GUST, MURDEROFCROWS, OAK and PAINTED WOLVES) is currently on their Winter tour. GO HERE to see the dates and be sure to check out their new EP at this location.
Wrocław, Poland’s swingin’, chaotic hardcore punks TORN SHORE are back with two new tunes ‘Set To Fail / Lost Love’, their first new jams since their 2015 record ‘Lifeburner‘. There’s no doubt their mastery at reiterating a formula we already know is staggering, but some risks would definitely enliven the flavors next time. Nevertheless, it’s sooo good to hear them back! Listen below and GO HERE to check out our introductory interview, premiered in May 2015.
Polish hardcore outfit Torn Shore are intense, following in the chaotic footsteps of acts like Converge and Every Time I Die. Their new album, Reduced, is an exercise in unrestrained vocals, shrieking guitars and sludgy breakdowns. Listening through the album, it’s easy to imagine stage dives and mic grabs galore. / Decibel magazine
Artsy post hardcore rockers LA DISPUTE have shared a new pay-what-you-want release which contains the audio from an RPG session they played this summer. It;s called “Finding Felix (Tales From The Loop RPG)” and can be listened below. See the whole explanation at this location.
A group of four 12 year olds in suburban Nevada try to balance doing their school work, practicing with their rock band The Loop, and finding their missing friend Felix when no one else seems to care.
Listen as we play the Tales from the Loop RPG from Fria Ligan in this two part story. This game session has been edited to remove dice rolls, rule questions, and any other crunch so you are just left with the emerging story from the play session.
Toruń, Poland’s gritty 80s infused hardcore punk rockers SUICIDExBYxCOP are streaming their wild new record via NIC Records, Melina Crew Records, and Nieroby Records. Musically invigorating, lyrically and thematically conscious, “Lost” gets my vote right away and deserves your listen, so don;t miss out on it! Check it out and see some cool live pics HERE.
Eugene, Oregon’s emotional screamo trio SENZA is streaming 2 new shattering tracks ‘Misornithist’ and ‘Tunnel Vision II’, hopefully off their longer release, to be detailed soon. No official word on the new jams has been handed down yet.
Polish dark, sludgy hardcore pack GUANTANAMO PARTY PROGRAM (check out their newest record and IDIOTEQ interview HERE) are teaming up with crust hardcore pack DESZCZ for a European tour in mid-January. GO HERE to see the dates.
Colchester’s crust / black metal act JØTNARR are streaming their amazing split with Münster grind powerviolence beast AUREOLE OF NASH! Both sides destroy, burn and rampage and they’re sure to leave you begging for more! Listen below and grab it via React! With protest, and IFB Records.
Aureole of Ash dishes out 4 tracks of nightmarish grinding fury. Pure whirlwind grind death with absolute grit and spite on vocal duties, complete with perfect use of samples! If you’re sick of religion and nazis like the rest of us, this may ease your pain. Members of Resurrectionists, Saligia, Arsen AKA Konig Der Monster.
Jotnarr plow through 2 tracks of filthy blackened squalor – massive black metal darkness with hints of raging crust and just that touch of melody here and there to add a dark emotional weight.
Bali, Indonesia based Youth Embrace Records is streaming the debut track from melodic hardcore band CONSIST. “Embers” feels very familiar and the band sounds more than comfortable with exploring their influences as well as venturing into more gritty territory that gives their sound a fine DIY feel. Listen below.
PLAGUE WALKER, a screamo side-project by COMA REGALIA’s Shawn Decker, who has joined us with his Top Records of 2017 feature earlier this week. While Shawn has recorded all instrumental parts by himself, his friend Anai is responsible for those awesome vocals! Palomas is a 13-track emo/screamo effort for fans of Coma Regalia, Beau Navire, I Hate Sex, Old Gray, and alikes. These 13 tracks show most of the screamo hooks in all their glory and serve as a great addition to Decker’s impressive catalogue. Listen below and grab a copy via Shawn’s Middle-Man Records, I Corrupt Records (GER), Sombras Del Progreso (USA), Emocat Records (CAN), À Fond d’Cale Prod (FRA), Dasein Records (DEN), and Hungry Ghost Collective (USA).
Palatka, Florida’s heavy metallic hardcore pack BIND (featured on IDIOTEQ in January 2017) has shared a new 2 track EP including their version of Juggernaut by CROWN OF THORNZ! Lsiten below and stay tuned for the full LP “Life Goes On”, coming soon!
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN performed their farewell shows on December 27-29 in New York City at Terminal 5 venue. They were joined by Faith No More frontman Mike Patton to perform their 2002 EP, Irony Is A Dead Scene (SEE A BUNCH OF VIDEOS HERE), as well as their original singer Dimitri Minakakis (SEE HERE) for some of their earlier works. The very last show took place yesterday, December 29. The band was joined by Dimitri Minakakis and Adam Doll. Videos from that gig can be watched at this location.
In other news, Sophie’s Floorboard blog has posted the entire discography of DEP. Grab it RIGHT HERE. Sorry, Lars!
NJ female fronted powerviolent hardcore pack SICK SHIT has announced a new EP called THICK SPIT. Check out the amazing cover and track listing HERE.
Australian heavilly prolific psych rckers KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD have dropped yet another LP this year! Gumboot Soup closes the series of 5 long players this year and you can hear it below!.
Polish instrumental atmospheric post metal act POSTNATURA have released their debut self-titled album earlier this month. Influenced by post rock, metal, folk and oriental music, and enriched by expressive VJ visualizations, POSTNATURA are not creating anything thoroughly new, but they’re at least articulating some of the best of the genre in a classy fashion. Their debut offering definitely triumphs, thanks to how well its parts complement each other. Listen for yourself and catch them live if you get the chance.
German Emo Hardcore outfit MAHLSTROM is back with their debut. After 2 EPs and one split with Every Stranger Looks Like You it took more than 1,5 years to finish the debut 12″ record and Through Love Records are releasing this exclusively on limited vinyl, CD and digital. Watch out for further news and information on this via both the band’s, as well as the label’s Facebook (+HERE).
Warsaw veteran hardcore punks NOISENSE are streaming a couple of new tracks off their new collection LP Quis Custodies Ipsos Custodes? on D.I.Y. Koło Records.
Icelandic ambient post rockers SIGUR ROS have wrapped up their lengthy 2017 touring schedule with their final show at 4-day norður og niður festival in Reykjavik. The full show had been streamed and now it’s available online below.
The band commented:
127 shows over 19 months in 37 countries on 5 continents – it’s been, as they say, a long strange trip, and tonight it comes to an end with the final show, where else, but in the band’s hometown of reykjavík, as the climax of their norður og niður 4-day festival extravaganza. and you can watch it all, live in real time at 8pm gmt, saturday december 30th, via our homepage. the future is unwritten, so be present. over and out.
German emo punk label lifeisafunnything is streaming ‘I Won’t Feel Anything’, a new track off the new record from emo/indie band NEVASCA called ‘Collecting Dust’. The band comes from Murmansk, Russia and will release the full record on February 16th via lifeisfunnything, Friend Of Mine Record, Dingleberry Records, Longrail Records, Not So Happy Records, Personal Data, Chuchi Records, Hardcore For The Losers, Emocat Records, and Damn Fine Tapes.
Blackened, dark chaotic hardcore band RALM have shared their debut album La Danza Macabra, including a cover of Spanish neocrust band KHMER.
Philly’s noise rockish post hardcore act PAST TENSE HERO have dropped their debut demo dubbed ‘Wolf Finger’. The record brings a pleasing experimentalism and raw 80s feel to the table, works their way into your brain after just one play and it seems we have a new interesting player on the map!
9 months since their impressive demo, Rome fuzzy, raw hardcore punks SECT MARK are back with a new EP on Iron Lung label. They have revealed a new track called “Attempts” and it’s available for streaming below! A serious adrenaline rush. Listen and stay tuned for the full stream and official release on January 26, 2018.
“A new breed of maniacal Italian hardcore. Short, drippy, seething and nasty as hell. The fuzz fucked intro of last song, side A (“Scouts” -ed.) had me shermed up and ready to bust through a brick wall. As a whole ‘Worship’ brings to mind a broken pugilist pissing in an exhaust stained fountain and then fighting the cops with knuckles full of busted teeth. Not sure why, but that is the image this music evokes. It’s ugly, nihilistic and mean. I like that. I hate everything else. For fans of S.H.I.T., Deformity and Warthog.” -MK
Chicago based noise / sludge rockers ESCAPE IS NOT FREEDOM (members from ARCTIC SLEEP) will be releasing a self-titled, split cassette on February 23, 2018 with dusK Village (members from Rabies Caste, KESSEF, Tangorodrim). Crossing the boundaries of rock, sludge, noise and grunge, both bands manage to create a wall of sound while not losing any sense of melody and creativity. The band is streaming the opening track ‘Boiling Nails’ below.
The life-shattering debut album of UK-based one-man black/death/noise monstrosity VESSEL OF INIQUITY has landed online via Sentient Ruin Laboratories. Fifteen minutes of unfathomable audial terror designed to disintegrate existence directly from within. Fifteen minutes of inconceivable sonic trauma administered through the unholy abuse of the most blighted blackened death metal and of the most anti-human and liminal strains of noise, drone and power electronics.
A sensorially annihilating and humiliating sonic holocaust that has brought together the diverse but equally decimating aesthetics of extreme acts like Gnaw Their Tongues, Impetuous Ritual, and Teitanblood to conceive the most absurd and completely unthinkable realms of musical devastation.
Norwegian 90s/00s inspired groovy rock/metal act UNTIME is streaming a new track off their debut record on Ampmandens Records, to be released on January 25h. We couldn’t have asked for a better teaser, so check it out and stay tuned for a full stream soon!.
Belgian experimental alt rockers THOT have a new live video. It was shot during the last Europavox night in Brussels, with Ulver (No) as headliner (!) and it comes from their excellent new album FLEUVE.
Polish death metal label Hellthrasher Productions has premiered a free / name-your-price sampler featuring selected tracks from their 2017 catalog, inclkuding tracks from Gjendød, Perdition Winds, Havukruunu, Ars Magna Umbrae, Ecferus, Vitriol, Ljosazabojstwa, Engulfed, and Hands Of Thieves.
Polymorphic, emotional ambient indie rockers SECRET GRIEF have released their version of popular Christmas tune called “Silver Bells”, first performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the motion picture The Lemon Drop Kid in 1951.
Italian KGB / Soviet Union themed punk rockers SVETLANAS had their own addition to this past Christmas, a tong-in-cheek= tune called The Svetlanas Are Coming To Town. Listen below, GO HERE to see where to catch them live in January, and NAME THAT TUNE to get their free CD!
Fullerton, CA punk/power pop band ODD ROBOT have released a cover of the holiday favorite “O Holy Night”. The track is hosted at the bands Bandcamp page and is available for Pay What You Want. Proceeds will be donated to the Ventura County United Way, to help those affected by the recent wildfires.
Odd Robot released their debut full-length album, “A Late Night Panic,” earlier this year on Wiretap Records, who have joined us with their 2017 wrap-up earlier this month. They’re currently in the studio recording the follow-up album due out in early Summer 2018.
Another skateboarding-addicted fast and in your face band as joined the Slaughterhouse roster! This time, the Italian label is happy to announce the second album from WARGAME. This very young band from northern Italy already shared stage with lots of great acts like Necrodeath, Slander, Insanity Alert, Raw Power, Crippled Fox, Indigesti and it’s ready to blow your mind with 13 new songs in vein of late 80ies thrash crossover. Check out their new music video and the full stream of Dead Skaters Brigade LP below.
Charleston, West Virginia’s alt indie post hardcore rockers EMBRACER are streaming their new record “No Gospel”. Listen below and GO HERE to see more details and their upcoming live dates.
hate5six videographer has shared a bunch of cool live videos, including full set video of EARTH CRISIS and BURIED ALIVE performing live at This Is Hardcore 2017, xSERVITUDEx and RENOUNCED performing live at The Underworld in London on December 17, 2017, KNUCKLEDUST, SPIRIT CRUSHER and 50 CALIBER performing live at Nambucca in London one day earlier, and a couple more. See 3 of them below and GO HERE to watch them all.
NYC female-fronted grunge rockers CASTLE BLACK have premiered a layered and supernatural vibed music video for “Seeing In Blue”, a track off their EP Trapped Under All You Know. The video is a perfect depiction of the Brooklyn trio’s atmospheric vibe and powerful sonic-packed sound. With an infusion of genres and influences, CASTLE BLACK takes inspiration from 70’s punk and 90’s grunge – reminiscent of acts such as Sleater-Kinney, The Dead Weather, Hole, Savages, and Bikini Kill.
Brazilian shoegazin’ doom / alt metal band ISAURIAN are streaming their debut EP “All The Darkness Looks Alive” , mastered by James Plotkin (Botch, Isis, etc.), co-produced/mixed by Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory, Front Line Assembly, etc) and featuring a remix by the great Justin K. Broadrick (Jesu, Godflesh, etc.). The band is already recording a new EP under the supervision of Matt Bayles (Isis, Caspian, Mastodon), who will also mix their upcoming release. They started recording it at Dissenso Studio with Muriel Curi (Labirinto) as one of the engineers. All in all, the band seems to be one of the most overlooked pack of gifted, well experienced musician who created a short collection of great, atmospheric melodies that burrow deep into the mind and deepen that magical feel of the first ‘Mer De Noms’ listen almost 18 years ago.
Few albums still feel relevant, fresh, and contemporary-sounding, ten-years after their initial release. THE OCEAN’s Precambrian, originally released in November 2007, is one such case: the band’s most mature and versatile album to that date, Precambrian is distinguished by complex yet intimate songwriting, huge orchestrations, subtle electronic textures and immense harmonic and dynamic density. With guests appearances by Caleb Scofield (Cave In, Old Man Gloom), Nate Newton (Converge), Tomas Hallbom (Breach), Eric Kalsbeek (ex-Textures), and musicians from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Precambrian remains a career-defining milestone for the band and a fan favorite. To commemorate its release, Pelagic Records will issue a special tenth anniversary edition of Precambrian on March 16th, 2018. The 3xLP, available in three color variants, comes with a brand new studio re-recording of ten-minute opener “Rhyacian” featuring the current lineup of guitarist Robin Staps, vocalist Loic Rossetti, drummer Paul Seidel and bassist Mattias Hägerstrand.
Italian raw d-beat hardcore punk pack CARNERO have released a demo of the songs of their first album, live recorded 4 years ago with their previous line up. Listen below and GO HERE t see our interview, premiered in July 2015.
Metallic hardcore pioneers INTEGRITY will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary next year with a number of Spring live shows in America. GO HERE to see the dates.
Rare footage of a 2001 shows from emo rockers TAKING BACK SUNDAY has surfaced online. It was recorded in Long Island before they were signed to Victory Records and put out Tell All Your Friends.
Found on an old tape my girlfriend had in a shoe box for the last 17 years! Looks to be a crowd of 50 or so stuffed into a place called The Sahara in Long Island. Super surprised at the audio quality! Merry Xmas!!
Fat Mike of NOFX / Fat Wreck Chords is collaborating with BLINK-182’s Travis Barker on yet-to-be-detailed “Cokie the Clown” album.
Mathcore / metalcore torchbearers NORMA JEAN will be celebrating their Redeemer album (2006). Joining them on a string of live shows will be Gideon, Toothgrinder, and Greyhaven. GO HERE to see the dates and HERE to see the poster.
DEFTONES will be doing a brief South American tour with QUICKSAND! See all their upcoming shows HERE.
RANCID’s Tim Armstrong (aka Tim Timebomb) has posted his version of Dr. Seuss’ “You’re a mean one, Mister Grinch.”
Dublin based experimental post hardcore / metal band SUZAKU AVENUE have recently released a new surprising, very refreshing EP called “Interiors”. Spiced up with thought provoking, significant commentary on modern social struggles and some personal struggles, this curious work of art sounds very individual, heartfelt and adventurous. Sonically, it is about mixing various influences and seeing how they blend together. Happily for both the band and us, listeners, this approach works brilliantly. They couldn’t have asked for a better debut. Can’t wait for a slightly better produced follow-up and a full, perhaps concept, LP!
“Sometimes Irish bands come out of the blue to just floor you like this, and it’s incredibly refreshing when they do. Suzaku Avenue have daring musical style that at times sounds like a completely free form, train of troubled consciousness confessional; except you know they’ve worked very hard at crafting it all. Nothing here is straightforward, safe or comfortable. It’s challenging and provocative, all over the place and yet unified by that unnerving theme that runs through it all…It’s not noisecore: it’s noir-core.” – Metal Ireland
“It’s 25 minutes of music that will leave you feeling breathless, disoriented, and perhaps a little bit violated. Interior’s take on composition is the equivalent of being a 2 year old violently smashing Duplo blocks against each other until they finally snap into place…in a good way.” – Metal Trenches
“The underlying current of social urban decay, social & relationship issues running throughout the EP only further feed the urge to want to hear what the band has to offer in the future, in ending the band show plenty of honesty, emotion & feeling on this release, traits that make you want to see the band achieve a high level of success in the future.” – Metal and Carnage blog
Polish grindcore act ANTIGAMA have recently released an absolutely stunning album via Selfmadegod Records. Grind aficionados should be all over this little gem. They’ve kept honing their sound since the start and despite experimenting with influences, have consolidated it into a solid one they can call it their own by now. Nonetheless, imagine a mix of NASUM, DEPHOSPHORUS, ROTTEN SOUND, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, DISCORDANCE AXIS and throw in some of their own unpredictability and you have an idea what their music sounds like. It’s exceptional and top-notch. Selfmadegod Records have a clear winner on their hands.
Translation Loss Records are proud to announce the release of WAKE, Misery Rites. The Calgary, Canada grind legion will release their blistering new album, Misery Rites on February 23, 2018. Few metal heads would say the name WAKE isn’t synonymous with “relentless”. Over the last decade, consistent ethics, back-to-back tours, and a veritable stream of releases have turned this humble grinding metal outfit into a Canadian institution. Check out a new track below and GO HERE to see our mid-2017 interview with WAKE!
EYEHATEGOD will kick off a massive North American tour next week supporting Black Label Society and Corrosion Of Conformity. The journey begins December 27th and runs through February 27th, with headlining shows scattered throughout and more to be announced in the coming weeks. EYEHATEGOD will also play this year’s edition of the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore, Maryland in May as well as Hellfest in Clisson, France in June. See all confirmed dates HERE and HERE.
Long-running Ohio sludgecore unit FISTULA recently issued the first wave of an ongoing split seven-inch series. Released via PATAC Records, the first two installments find FISTULA sharing wax space with fellow sludge stalwarts Come To Grief and -(16)-. The band’s split with Come To Grief features two original and categorically scathing unreleased tracks while the second features -(16)- ‘s cover of “Complications” by Killing Joke and FISTULA’s rendition of “Mongoloid,” by Devo. To celebrate their combined release, Decibel is offering up a stream of both records alongside an in-depth interview with guitarist Corey Bing, at THIS LOCATION.
CVLT nation magazine has posted a couple of cool 2017 ‘best of’ roundups with a bunch of amazing records wirth a check – HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.
Fat Wrech Chords’ bands Lillingtons, Western Addiction & Good Riddance listed their top LPs of 2017 exclusively for BrooklynVegan HERE.
We have updated our End Of The Year segment with a bunch of cool wrap-ups HERE.
The Quietus have their Best Metal Records list HERE.
DIY Conspiracy shared their Top Straight Edge Records of 2017.
San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans MACHINE HEAD have released a live video for their classic track ‘Ten Ton Hammer’, coming from the bonus DVD with a concert filmed live at The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA, 2015. The release comes out along with their highly anticipated new album ‘Catharsis’, to be released on January 26 via Nuclear Blast (go here to see a video documenting the recent fan listening session in L.A.).
Austrain/German/Swiss touring festival Impericon has announced dates for 2018, including live performances from COMEBACK KID, WE CAME AS ROMANS, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, LIONHEART, SILVERSTEIN, BURY TOMORROW, BOSTON MANOR, OBEY THE BRAVE, KNOCKED LOOSE, and more. See more details HERE.
Dayton, Ohio’s punk rockers THE RAGING NATHANS are streaming new single and music video for their song “B1505”,
coming from their new album “Cheap Fame”, out 2/2/18 on Rad Girlfriend Records.
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia’s noisy garagve punks BOOJI BOYS are streaming their new LP ‘Weekend Rocker’ on Drunken Sailor Records. Ignore the first sentence in the official press release, read up the rest of the piece to learn more about the band, and listen the whole thing below.
Punk is dead. We know this because everyone fucking tells us all the fucking time, from Crass to Buzzfeed to that jaded stranger in the pub who started talking to you three hours ago but you can’t get him to shut the fuck up and leave you alone.
But fuck, man, punk’s ghosts are something special. Take Nova Scotia’s Booji Boys, for example, who know their way around a dumb hook or two (always played at pace, through blown-out speakers and tempered with the perfect balance of smarts and snot). They may be named after a Devo song, but they’ve more in common with the mutoid new wave of Uncontrollable Urge than the art-wacko pop of Whip It, and that’s no bad thing.
They arrived seemingly from nowhere at the start of 2017 with a debut that still sounds like one of the freshest, most deliciously energetic albums to emerge all year. Since then there’s been a six-track EP (Sweet Boy, on Cruel Noise Records) and now they’re back to close out an eventful 12 months with a raging second LP. And they’re releasing it on Christmas Day, because a) it’s the perfect gift for us all and b) they fucking can.
For the most part, Weekend Rocker picks up from where its predecessor left off – a Robert Pollard-esque, DGAF attitude to fidelity and a batch of tunes that’ll have you punching the air with joy as you gasp for breath. It’s a relentless collection, in the best possible sense. What’s more, it’s bookended by two solid diversions: the title track opener compresses more furious intensity into the its one minute and 13 seconds running time than a lifetime in the company of that jaded pub guy could ever provide; meanwhile closer Oh Yeah is seven minutes of melodic curveballs that starts out loud and ends up feeling transcendent in the same way as Fucked Up’s finest moments. They know what they’re doing, alright.
Punk may be dead, but there’s something totally fucking beautiful about music that feels this goddam alive. You know what to do. – Will Fitzpatrick
Thumper Punk Records pleased to announce the release of Platoon 1107’s album called “Respect Is Due”, featuring cover songs of seven hardcore punk classic tracks. The music is heavy, urgent, and without the frills, with a total track time of just over 8 minutes. Hardcore American patriotic punk paying homage to those who have earned their respect.
In case you wondered what ‘patriotism’ means here, we’ve got the official word from Jimmy:
I am not a nationalist nor do I affiliate with far-right (or far-left) organizations. Rather, I consider myself a “centrist” politically-speaking. In my mind, the middle path is the way. I have labelled my band, Platoon 1107, as a “patriotic” band for the following reasons. First, I served several years in the United States Marine Corps. I am very proud of this. I love my country very much. Our government has many policies that are not beneficial to its citizens (or citizens of other nations) and has done some horrible things around the world, but this is how it has been for a very long time in the USA no matter who our President is. What I am proud of is the Constitution and the tremendous freedoms and power that it gives to the people themselves. I am proud of my fellow Americans (which includes people from EVERY nation!) and the great things they have done for making this world a better place! This is also why I call myself “patriotic”. I know the term “patriotism” has some negative connotations, and if some people feel that the term is wholly negative and cannot be used to denote “good”, then that is their belief and I respect that. But that is not what it means to me or millions of others who are simply proud to live where we live. Yes, I am an American patriot, but does this mean I look down on other nations, or think we are #1? Not at all. I have NEVER talked bad about any other country or group of people in my lyrics. Ever. A nationalist band would.
What is “American”? It is a country made up of people from EVERYWHERE! I am proud of this inclusiveness. “Out of many…ONE!” is one of our mottos. And just for the record, I am half Serb (my Mom is from there). The USA has had some terribly unfair policies and actions towards that nation for many many many years. So does my patriotism in America mean I think less of my homeland of Serbia? Never! But I also consider myself a patriot of Serbia, simply for many of the same reasons I listed regarding my love for the USA. I am proud of my blood and proud of where I live now. THIS is my “patriotism”.
TIGERS JAW has announced details of a 2018 U.S. headline tour. The dates, which will feature special guests Yowler and Looming, are set to begin February 22nd at 3S Artpace in Portsmouth, NH and traverse across the country through mid-March (see attached itinerary). Tickets for all dates will go on sale this Friday, December 22nd at 10:00AM local time. For tickets and more information, visit tigersjaw.com.
The band performed a cool acoustic session with THE MENZINGERS at the ALT 921 Radio Theater in Scranton, Pa on December 15th. GO HERE to see the videos.
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL has shared the official music video for “We Fight,” the band’s lead single and politically minded rallying anthem from their forthcoming LP Crooked Shadows, out February 9th. Directed by David Mack – the Emmy nominated writer and artist behind Daredevil from Marvel Comics – the heartening video sees flourishes of hand painted illustrations as they transform through empowering imagery. Watch Dashboard Confessional’s “We Fight” music video now on Fueled By Ramen’s YouTube channel.
Earlier this month Dashboard Confessional announced details of their 2018 headlining “We Fight” tour, which will herald the release of the band’s long-awaited new LP, Crooked Shadows. The tour, which features special guests Beach Slang, is set to get underway March 20th in Houston, TX and will include stops at New York City’s Brooklyn Steel (3/29) and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium (4/21). For tickets and more information visit their official website.
Farnham pop punks HOMEBOUND are pleased to unveil new single ‘Bound to Be‘. They released their second EP ‘The Mould You Build Yourself Around’ in February 2017 via Rude Records, and have since gone on to tour with the likes of Trash Boat, Neck Deep, Four Year Strong and Set It Off.
