The Beastie Boys still have it. Have what you ask?
Talent.
“Make Some Noise” stars a whole slew of Hollywood making for a entertaining as hell video. I am sure you have already seen it, but it is too hilarious not to share.
Wondering what is going to happen next? Me too. There is a 30-minute full version of this video that is probably going to be released right around the time that Hot Sauce Committee Part II drops on May 3rd.
I can’t wait.
Just caught this amazing video for “Wrong Way Kids” that dropped a couple days ago by one of my all-time favorite punk rock bands. Bad Religion never ceases to amaze me…
A little bit about the video from Epitaph:
Influential punk rockers Bad Religion have released a moving video for the new single, “Wrong Way Kids” from the group’s critically heralded album, The Dissent of Man. The song is an up-tempo, powerfully melodic tribute to the band and their fan’s shared histories as rebellious yet durable outsiders.
The footage begins in present day with lead singer Greg Graffin offering a knowing message of hope for Bad Religion’s many fans: “Even though they’re misfits,” he states, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” A subsequent shot reveals a defiantly unconventional Graffin on stage with the band back in 1984 counting down the song intro. From there it’s a surging beat, powerful guitars and signature sing-along chorus set against a stirring non stop montage of found footage showing the band’s remarkable rise from teen rebels to international punk luminaries.
Seriously, how cool is that video? Young and old Bad Religion footage really shows how far 30-years can go.
The grandfathers of punk will actually be playing a show in Cleveland on May 7th. Sadly they are opening for Rise Against. If you ask me, Rise Against should be opening for them.
Sadly I will not be attending the show. I want to, I really want to. This will be the first Bad Religion show I have missed since they played the Rock Hall a couple years ago as a suprise guest. This is one of those bands I make sure I am present at every show, but sometimes I can’t make them all.
I am more excited about Record Store Day(RSD) this Saturday than most typical commercialized holidays…ok, all holidays with the exception of that one you drink a lot on…
This Saturday is the day all you wax junkies. I will be out about about Waterloo seeing what I can find in a sea of impressive limited edition RSD releases.
The two major RSD releases I am hoping to snag are the Deftones covers album and the Menzingers yellow limited edition vinyl (going to be tough to find). I am also on the look out for a few 7″ splits including: Green Day / Husker Du, Mastodon/ZZ Top and Mumford & Sons / Laura Marling. It is safe to say I will find some other goodies too.
Lucky for me I have great friends in other states who will be keeping their eyes wide open for me for some of these releases. I am sure they will ask me to return the favor and I am perfectly ok with that.
Music Saves and Blue Arrow Records both will be open at 12 o’clock to engage in one of the greatest days of the year. Live bands and DJs will be present at both locations to entertain throughout the day. Good times are going to happen.
I just hope it is not ice cold outside like it was last year. I was freezing last year and then went to an Indians game after and froze more. I do love all that is Cleveland and that is why I did it. It probably did not help that it was just above 30 degrees and I wore shorts and a hoodie…
This yeah, however, I plan on skipping the baseball game. I do plan on destroying a burrito at Chili Peppers on 185th afterwards though.
A few years back I was handed a CD by this band called Ninja Gun. All I could think in my head was what in the hell is a Ninja Gun and why is there a peach on the front cover?
Prior to listening to that album, I assumed that they were going to be just another screaming, loud and young act that I would care less about and almost passed it up. I am glad my curiosity got the best of me though as I was sorely shocked once I heard what Ninja Gun was all about.
They were more of a melodic folk/rock/country driven act that impressed me well past my expectations. To this day their debut release, Restless Rubes, is spun in my household regularly.
On April 12th Ninja Gun will release a four-song EP entitled Roman Nose on Sabot Productions. This is the band’s follow up teaser to that 2008 debut Restless Rubes that I almost passed over.
Led by Jonathan Coody, the band has toured with many a punk act in their time thanks to being less than an hour away from Gainsville, the punk rock capital of Florida. Regardless of their sound, they have always had no problem keeping the punk fans entertained.
Starting off the EP was “That’s Not What I Heard”, a poppy yet chilled-out track that carried layered acoustic guitars setting a certain mood for a good ol’ porch hangout with friends. As relaxed as it sounded though, the lyrics were pungent and well-written.
The track “Hot Rain” tells the story of the demise in farming in the band’s hometown. Just listening to this track I can hear improvement in the band’s sound. It just sounded so well put together.
“Lepers In Love”, a tune about a seemingly unjust relationship, was a killer track. The song carries a certain slow-waltzing feeling at the beginning but rocks out shortly after.
The mellow “Roman Nose” on the other-hand, told the tale of a good man selling an “old thing” an ultimate token of love for his special someone. Musically it was such a sorrow-sounding song, but became beautiful once the lyrics dissolved in my mind.
All I could think while listening to this EP is how funny it is that Ninja Gun is known to tour with punk bands yet I know they would have no problem playing along side Lucero or opening up for Wilco or even The Avett Brothers.
I find it humorous that there are a peaches incorporated on the EP’s artwork now knowing that their hometown of Valdosta, GA is surrounded by peach farms. The first time I saw the cover art for Restless Rubes and the lone peach sitting there, I could not gather why there was a peach on it. Come on folks, I am from Ohio…
Valdolsta can be a little busy downtown, but the surrounding areas are quiet towns with not a lot to do. Trust me, I’ve been there. It looks like the type of city many folk dream of escaping from and moving on to bigger and better things, but they don’t – not because they are prisoners of the city, but because it’s a really chill and relaxing place to live.
Ninja Gun was once a hidden jem but I am thinking that is all going to be changing very soon. Roman Nose is just a taste of what this small-town band has in store for their next full release and I could not be happier for them.
Want to hear “That’s Not What I Heard”? Head over to Magnet Magazine and check it out for yourself!
Detroit’s Fireworks have just posted a free track available for download in anticipation of their May 24th release of Gospel.
CLICK HERE to check it out the track called “Summer”.
Guitarist Chris Mojan had this to say about the upcoming release:
“Gospel represents Fireworks better than anything we’ve done in the past. I think it really is the photo for the fundamentals we started this band on. The songs came so naturally and working with Brian (McTernan) pushed them and us to a level we’ve never came close to reaching in the past. Fireworks Lives.”
Gospelis now available for pre-order at: www.merchdirect.com/fireworks.