Category Archives: Punk

Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Music, Music News, Punk, Rock

Darius Koski Solo Debut To Drop April 7th

9 March, 2015 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Hey Swingin’ Utters fans, Darius Koski is about to debut his solo album. Before you start throwing down assumptions that the guy is going acoustic just to to make a quick buck, please see what he had to say about the whole solo route:

“I’ve been wanting to have an outlet for it for so long—for longer than I’ve been with the Swingin’ Utters, basically. And I just hadn’t done anything with it. I didn’t really know how I was going to release it, I hadn’t done much live, I have problems remembering lyrics… So I’ve been putting it off for so many years, but it’s finally coming together, and I’m thrilled about it. I’m totally going to go for it.”

Now that you’ve read that, how about you take a listen to one of this new songs:

https://soundcloud.com/fat-wreck-chords/darius-koski-listen

You’re weren’t expecting that much twang were you? I know I was not, but I will tell you this, I love it.

Dropping on April 7th, Sisu, is in a genre really of its own with a plethora (yes I said plethora) instrument playing including guitar, piano, banjo, accordion, violin, glockenspiel, vibraphone, melodica, ukulele, and percussion. This is not just some solo album. This is years of built up creativity by Koski finally being released property.

I know I am stoked to hear this.

Pre-orders are up at Fat Wreck as of today. Hurry up and get you some.

Garage, Indie, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Big Dick – Disappointment

12 February, 2015 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Indie-punk duo Big Dick have returned with an all new album titled Disappointment.

This is a follow up to the band’s impressive 2013 self-titled debut and once again has been released through Dirt Cult Records.

Before you question the band’s name and its meaning, just note it was taken from a NoMeansNo song title. Don’t dig in too deep you pervs. Who am I kidding? If you ever heard the original song, your questions might be validated instantly.

Anyways…

Cultivating their own sound with just drums, bass, and dueling vocals, Big Dick really reaches back to 90s alternative rock styles while keeping a DIY punk and even garage rock edge. The result is melodic yet heavy at times making for a truly killer listen.

“Let Down” was a catchy self-esteem downer of a track fueled throughout with a heavy distorted bass. This opening track was a subtile reminder to me how much I enjoy this band as well as one of my favorite cuts on this release.

“Last Days” straight up ruled with the dual harmonies and just addicting bass riffs. It’s hard to believe that there are only two dudes in this band when you hear songs like this. This was another favored track over the rest.

“Up A Step” took more pop-punk noise route that was totally ok with this listener. At times, the vocals just seemed off but not enough to ruin the track.

“Out On A Limb” was a tad more technical with intricate bass lines. The dual vocals and singing on “Crawl” was worth of an immediate second listen. I dug this track a ton.

Tracks like “Marnier”, “Good Hunting”, and “Another Minute” really showed the band has matured and mastered their own sound. From the lyrics to the insane drum and bass playing, I could not help but just get sucked into what I was listening to. Then came “Young Love”, a more experimental track of sorts that clearly could have been a Ween b-side.

“Bad Dream” was one of my favorite tracks on the album. I loved the different genres I could hear in this track, especially the grungy garage rock. The slight harmonies in the background and the throat-clearing screams made it that much better.

Disappointment is anything but that. Fans of Japandroids, Two Gallants, and even Death From Above 1979 are going to eat this up.

70's, Cleveland, Indie, Music, Music News, Punk, The Awesome, Vinyl

Cleveland’s Blue Arrow Records To Release Jonathan Richman Singles

11 February, 2015 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I am so stoked to be able to share this:

Cleveland’s Blue Arrow Records have started their own record label with the same name and first on their roster is the amazing Jonathan Richman.

Seeing that I am huge fan of them both, I could not help but stop what I was doing tonight to share the good news.

Jonathan Richman is easily one of my favorite singer-songwriters out there. His career reaches all the way back to the 70s with the Modern Lovers and has continued over the years with him turning more into a solo artist. I have always appreciated his upbeat outlook on life as well as got a kick out of seeing him in There’s Something About Mary and Kingpin.

Blue Arrow Records is a brick and mortar record store staple on Waterloo in the East Cleveland neighborhood of Collinwood. Owned by the good folk Pete and Debbie Gulyas, the store has been selling vinyl and other music related formats/memorabilia since 2009. I adore that store (and the owners) and have found some incredible gems there over the years including a lot of Richman’s catalog.

The Gulyas’s actually used to own a shop on Coventry in Cleveland Hts. and met Richman in the area some 18 years ago.

Over the years, a friendship was formed between the Gulyas’s and Richman. Just a few years back, Richman asked the Gulyas’s to help sell merch on an East coast tour. It just makes sense that this is happening.

On March 1st, Blue Arrow will release 7-inch singles by Richman, “O Sun” and “Keith”. There are plans for a full length to drop in the Fall as well as extending the label to other acts in due time.

Click on the album covers below to place your pre-order today at Blue Arrow Records ($10 each – Ships in April):

Richman is actually playing the Euclid Tavern on March 8th with Tommy Larkins on drums. If you know what is good for you, you will make it and see him perform. It is a show not to be missed.

Emo, Indie, Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

4-Way Split Review: Sundae Bloody Sundae

14 January, 2015 Brian Mc Leave a comment

4 bands, 4 songs, all emo. That is what Sundae Bloody Sundae is all about.

The 4-Way Split was put out by Skeletal Lightning last November and easily has the ability to make you take a break from life and check your feelings.

Don’t worry, it’s ok to do that – we are human after all and this split is not all that sad.

Featuring new and unreleased music by four talented acts, Sundae Bloody Sundae is a great comp to be listening to if you are looking for a little variety by some bands you may have overlooked at one time or have not even heard of.

The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die‘s “Fat Heaven” will depress the shit out of you and make you hungry possibly for a donut. Man, what a downer of track. I seriously think listening to this with your head down, walking slowly in public and avoiding all eye contact is the only way to listen to this tune. I loved it. There is a reason so many people dig this band…

Rozwell Kid did an impressive cover of Spirit Night’s “The Weather”. I can’t lie, I thought I liked the original more, but the more and more I listened to this track over and over, Rozwell Kid’s own Weezer-esque twist on the original won me over.

Kittyhawk….oh Kittyhawk. You make my heart bleed. Listening to “Soft Serve” turned me into just a pile of mush. The thing I loved the most about this track is the 90s feel I sensed throughout. Dare I say, but the dual vocals remind me of The Cranberries a ton.

Two Knights‘s “Benji’s Cool Times Summer Jamz” was a little technical, a little instrumental, and plenty interesting to listen to. Starting off uppity, things soon slowed down with a self-reflection of sorts.

At a whopping $3 to download or $5 for a flexie, I think this would be well spent money to any music fan out there. This will last a lot longer than a sundae, especially if you are me.

Tracklisting (Two-sided):
Side A:
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – “Fat Heaven”
Rozwell Kid – “The Weather (Spirit Night)”

Side B:
Kittyhawk – “Soft Serve”
Two Knights – “Benji’s Cool Times Summer Jamz”

Pressing information
1,000 copies –
– /250 White Flexi w/ screenprinted hand-numbered covers (Available exclusively at FEST 13)
– /750 Clear Flexi w/ full color cover.

Indie, Music, Music News, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Various Artists – Todd Is My Co-Pilot

8 January, 2015 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Just before the end of 2014, Dirt Cult Records head honcho, Chris Mason, decided to drop some tunes for all to hear on a comp called Todd Is My Co-Pilot.

Apparently a few years back, Mason and his pal Walker decided that someone needed to make a Todd C. comp for all to hear.

What once was a booze-fueled conversation between pals turned into reality as Mason reached out to tons of bands and many of them sent in covers to be included. Maybe it did not go as quickly as he and Walker had intended, but one day Mason realized he had more than enough to make their idea a reality.

So who exactly is Todd you ask? He’s actually Todd Congelliere, the founder of Recess Records and also the one-man show / front-man for bands such as The Underground Railroad To Candyland, F.Y.P. and Toys That Kill.

I am sure if you are a fan of punk rock, you now know who I speak of. Even if you are not, you should check out this comp and become familiar with Todd C. This dude packs tons of talent.

Todd Is My Co-Pilot features covers by amazing acts like The Brokedowns, Iron Chic, Low Culture, Sundowners, and even Mike Watt and the Secondmen.

Vacation did a great rendition of “Dead Inside” while Iron Chic put their own twist on Toys That Kill’s “White Lies”. I loved the fuzzy bass on this track. Apocalypse Meow’s clean cover on “Illegitimate” was very close sounding if not a little slower but still awesome.

Full Sun was an act on this comp who I have not really gotten to know, but after hearing them cover Toys That Kill’s “31 Year Old Daydream”, I realize that needs to change. The very 80s female driven punk rock sounds were perfect for this take and invited me to check out their original material.

Hearing The Plurals cover Todd C’s “You’ll Hear My Voice” instantly reminded of the very interesting video I saw for this song that was full of Kewpies. Check it out here.

Of course I need to talk about Mike Watt & the Secondmen’s take on “No One”. I was so stoked to see Watt and crew on this comp and to be honest, their version of the track was….well…experimental-ish. It was like Primus meets Ween meets Toys That Kill. I still dug.

This is not just some half-assed idea when you look at who all contributed. The best part about this comp? Dirt Cult released it for free. Zero cheddar. Nada.

So what the hell are you waiting on? Either head over to the Dirt Cult Band Camp page, or click below and proceed to download. It’s pay what you want, so do your thing and hope no one finds out how much of a cheap ass you really are. More importantly, enjoy.

brokenheadphones.com