Allow me to subtract 1/2 of my age for a moment and let me get all excited over Mixtapes.
I freaking love that band. So funny. I feel better now.
They are playing Cleveland in a couple weeks, so round up the troops and be there. It’s going to be a good time fo sho.
May 8 – Cleveland, OH @ Now that’s Class- Mixtapes w/ Dear Landlord
If you liked Mixtapes (how could you not), head over to Death By False Hope Records and download their album Maps for FREE!!!
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.
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.
After an 11-year hiatus, Atari Teenage Riot is back. Is This Real? will be dropping in June on Dim Mak Records.
This. Is. The. Awesome.
I can not tell you how excited I am. This is like a dream come true. Many of my friends know of my obsession with this band. I was lucky enough to catch them once in my lifetime.
To make this dream a reality, I have two songs from the upcoming release and I must say, wow. These guys (and gal) have not changed a bit.
Check out “Activate”:
Atari Teenage Riot - ActivateCheck out “Blood In My Eyes”:
Atari Teenage Riot - Blood In My EyesAbout the songs:
“Activate!” starts the album with Atari Teenage Riot’s most concise statement of intent yet. On a backing of explosive 1991 hardcore jungle synths, super collider bass kicks, and guitar shrapnel Alec, Nic, and Kidtronik spurn us into a campaign of equality, activation, and eradication of ignorance.
“Blood In My Eyes” features Nic Endo on lead vocal. She speaks out for the multitude of women who have become the victims of human trafficking, their sexuality exploited for financial gain right under the gaze of the ineffectual governments of the self-proclaimed civilized west. Nic, wholly in tune with her trademark Japanese face-paint depicting “Resistance,” makes her point in the inimitable Atari way.