Category Archives: New Release

Akron, Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review

EP Review: House Crimes – The LarkBoy Tapes Pt 1

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You know what’s cool about being an old punk? Years and years worth of building punk connections that lead to amazing friendships. Friends who, even if you do not talk to them nearly as much as you used to, carry that common ethos that transformed your youth forever. Friends who still surround you in one way or another be it at a show or reaching out saying they want you to check out their new band’s EP. Yeah, that’s cool and always will be to me.

Yesterday, my pal Jason asked me if I could maybe do a little write-up on a project he’s been working in featuring members of Akron’s Worship This!. Of course I said yes.

I knew they were writing some songs, but had not been made privy to any of it yet. I remember when they told me the were having weekly sessions, I was so stoked about it because I always enjoyed their style and could not wait to see what they came up with.

Akron’s House Crimes will be streaming their debut 4-song EP titled The LarkBoy Tapes Pt 1 this Sunday. I lucked the hell out and got an early taste of it and let me tell you, it rules.

Melodic DIY punk from dudes who have surrounded their lives in the genre. They did this for themselves and decided to share it with everyone else out there. Featuring Josh Taylor (WT), Aaron Novak (WT), Jeff Fargo (WT), and Jason Utes (Model Martel), this band certainly carries some seasoned talent.

“Bad Energy” is a quick one, but good ol’ Taylor opens his pipes up without any hesitation. Sure, it carries a Worship This! style, but has this renewed energy to it. Hell, they even did a music video for it so you know they are excited about it too:

“Goodbye February” carries collective singing by all and is beyond fun. I loved the drumming throughout as well as just the message of continuance and drive even if results aren’t quite there.

A different path was taken with “Prom Night” that offsets the other tracks. I am not going to ruin it for y’all, but this was a crazy, poignant one that kept me thinking for a few after it ended. Really loved the way things went with this one from the music style to the overall storyline.

“Humanity is a Cult” was a punk rock call out. This track carried contributions from all to make it just a straight up banger with a message to be heard.

Overall, this was a damn good EP to listen to. It is quick mind you, but it is memorable from a bunch of dudes who cut their teeth on punk rock way before streaming existed.

I admit, I was rather hyped up to do this writeup as it brought back a lot of memories from some really remarkable humans. I likely will dig in deep to some DIY punk tonight and reminisce more.

March 1st you will be able to check out The LarkBoy Tapes Pt 1. If we are lucky, they will drop a full-length before the year ends. I personally am stoked for some House Crimes.

https://housecrimes.bandcamp.com

90's, Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock

EP Review: The Methadones – Love On Layaway b/w My Insanity Plea

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It’s been a long ass time since I have seen new material by Chicago pop punk heroes The Methadones.

Ironically, it has seemingly been an equal amount of time since I have done a proper review on anyone, so I decided if Dan Schafer can do something with the rest of the band, then I guess so can I.

The Methadones have been around on and off since the mid-90s and have put together some amazing albums in that time. Where not dropped frequently, they are solid and there is not one album that I ever made a face about.

Much the same holds true with this EP dropped by the homies at Red Scare Records. It might be just two songs, but let’s be clear…it is two NEW songs by The freaking Methadones.

Still holding things down, Dan (Sludgeworth / The Riverdales / Screeching Weasel / Dan Vapid & The Cheats) and band dropped new material with help from a new addition, Simon Lamb (Screeching Weasel / Dan Vapid & The Cheats / The Riverdales). The result is brilliant. I cannot tell you how many times I have spun this EP.

“Love On Layaway” is beyond an enjoyable track that has no hesitation grabbing the listener by the earholes. One might be fooled upon learning this is the first time this band has dropped something new sine 2009.

“My Insanity Plea” has a little tougher and really had some nods to 80s punk rockers who went solo in the 90s. Loved the drumming backing the clean riffs over lyrics of defeat.

If you fancy the power pop-punk rock tunes you need to check out these new tracks. My only hope is a new album is in the works because I certainly have a Methadones addiction and refuse to seek help.

This EP is streaming on all of the platforms out there that mostly underpay the musicians, or you can be cool and order yourself a copy of the LP by clicking the link below:

The Methadones “Love On Layaway” 7″ CCCP 258-7 · Red Scare Industries Online Store

You can also support them on Bandcaamp:

Love On Layaway | The Methadones

Cleveland, Music, New Release, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Hunden – A Calming Press

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I will be the first to admit I have not been that great about tossing out reviews and whatnot. If this one makes it to your eyes, then I am one stoked music lover. It kills me it’s already March and this is my first post of the year, but I write this with the best intentions.

Cleveland’s Hunden is a fuzz-heavy, riff-supreme threesome that, upon listening to their debut, forced me to dust off the keyboard and just hammer out something to talk about it.

Dare I mention they are a Northeastern Ohio supergroup in a sense?

Featuring Toby Reif (Sidekicks, Orbits), Nick Schmitt (Harvey Pekar), and Adam Peduch (Two Hand Fools, Heart Attack Man), Hunden already had my attention the moment I heard anything given their history with the local music scene.

It was no shocker how “Escape Trajectory” pretty much blew out the speakers. The track was just brutal from the start and Reif enough supplied vocal angst that had me thinking of Hum and Helmet. Then “Subtext” came on that was more aligned with Sunny Day Real Estate.

“Healer” carried so many Cave In vibes it was not even funny. Technical and catchy with brute force. Stephen Brodsky, take note of these guys… Seriously, this track is just so together and produced perfectly.

And it is not just all fuzz and riffs, but there sure is a ton and it is amazing. “A Calming Press” has softer moments with piano, but soon just ramps back up. “Prix Fixe” was beyond superb with its ups and downs.

A Calming Press clocks in at just under 30 minutes, but it just smacks right into you barely giving you a moment to breathe. Given where these guys came from, it certainly is a new avenue to tackle musically, and they succeeded in doing so.

Let me be clear, I am 47 years old and thrilled bands like Hunden still get me all sorts of amped up. I cannot wait to see these dudes play No Class on March 22nd with post-hardcore screamers Brain Cave. Hunden has the potential to turn some major heads with this release, I promise you, totally worth the listen.

BRAIN CAVE, CONSUMER CULTURE, KNUB, & HUNDEN @ NO CLASS

Friday, March 22, 2024

Brain Cave
Consumer Culture
Knub
Hunden
———
Bar Show
Cost: $10
Doors: 8pm
Age Limit: All Ages
Tickets: At The Door
RSVP ON FACEBOOK

90's, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: The Bollweevils – Essential

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Sometimes a band from your past does the ultimate awesome and puts out new material 14 years after their last release. Chicago’s Bollweevils surprised many, including myself, and dropped an incredible album called Essential on the possible world-famous Red Scare Industires records.

The album title is a strong nod to the actual professions of the members of the band. No lie, aside from Dr. Daryl Wilson (yes, a real doctor who saves lives), there are first responders and educators who make up the Bollweevils.

This band has always resonated with me well because they had a few albums on Dr. Strange Records back in the 90s which I listened to frequently. They called quits in 1996 and came back into the scene around 2006 when they played Riot Fest but kept a low profile and clearly took the time they needed to get back at it without missing a beat.

“Predisposition” kicked things out as if the band never stopped. What a powerhouse of an opener. Wilson and crew sound better than ever and I hate to say this, but I was pleasantly surprised about this. Like I should have even carried that thought.

Following up was “Galt’s Gulch”, a well put together track similarities gravitating towards an Ayn Rand novel. The fact they repeat “who’s John Galt”, which in the novel was about the sad current state of affairs much like today. “Atlas Shrugged” is the book I speak of, and if you ever read it, you’ll understand more.

One of my favorites on this album was “The Cutting Solution”. This track was well supplied with some insane drumming that just kept the energy high. Wilson’s singing was just so on point here.

“Theme” was just that. If the Bollweevils had their own show like the Aquabats do, this would certainly be the song that played at the start. Certainly, this a tongue and cheek track, but goddamn this was so fun.

Then there was “Bottomless Pit”, another banger. The entire band came together so well on this one. Fast and to the point, it was exactly what I would expect from these guys.

The track that just won me over was “Resistance.” In true punk fashion, this track had me wanting to memorize the lyrics so I could play it over and over while singing along. Loved the breakdown as well as the group vocals. It was not a complicated song yet got the job done.

“Liniment and Tonic” should be the old punker anthem moving forward. All the old punkers who are reading this with their arms crossed in the back, this one is for you. Enjoy.

The Bollweevils are timeless in my book. They have definitely put in their time years ago and Essentials has no indication of a break ever with their sound. They are still energetic and catchy as ever. Fair warning though, this album clocks in at just over 22 minutes. I assure you there is no lull in this release and there are plenty of playback opportunities.

As I find myself closer to 50 these days (punk is dad), it is beyond refreshing to hear a band from your teenage years still killing it. In a day and age when most punk rock does not even rest on the edge of the genre, it’s the punk rock veterans who continue to remind me why I adore this kind of music.

Available on CD and LP, the album is out there for you to obsess over. Do not sit on this one. Trust me.

Listen to it: CLICK HERE

Buy it: CLICK HERE

Alt Rock, Grunge, Indie, Music, New Release, Punk, Review

Album Review: Big Nothing – Dog Hours

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Bands like Big Nothing are hard to come by. I first learned of them back in 2019 and have been a fan since. Their style then was something that was just so enticing to my ears. Said release became one of my favorites and to this day is still in regular rotation.

Featuring Liz Parsons (bass/vocals), Matt Quinn (guitar/vocals), Pat Graham (guitar/vocals), and Chris Jordan (drums), Big Nothing has this distinctive charisma all in thanks to how they share vocal duties that coincides with the music they create. Their overall style, which clearly shows strong appreciation for various genres of music, results in an unique sound that teeters between indie punk and alt-country without missing a beat.

“Always On My Mind” opened up this 10-track album with an impactful yet chill song about inhibitions around courtship. I loved their regressed sound that the band managed to produce outside of traditional studio sessions all in thanks to stupid Covid.

I loved everything about “A Lot of Finding Out.” With so many proper Westerberg similarities, this track sucked me in immediately. It was personal and wholesome and catered directly to the listener.

“Still Sorta Healing,” all in thanks to Parsons, reminded me of early Juliana Hatfield in the best way. This track brought me back to the days when I shook off the grunge and started expanding on my musical tastes

The damper “Curiosity” was an alt-country stumble that truly hit at somber feelings. I’m almost afraid to know what this one was about. Truly a personal battle with the loss of great impact.

I feel the band came together the most in “Dog Hours.” This track was just great in every way. Without being overly complex, it carried a good sound throughout.

“Make Believe” had Parsons taking over lead vocals once again changing the dynamic of the album without distraction. I honestly look forward to this shift as it showcases the true talent of this band.

“Accents” just ruled. The hook on this track was so memorable it had me singing along at first listen. This track is going to get this band a lot of attention I feel. Seriously, scroll down and listen to this one.

In true alt-country form, “What I Wanna Say” closed down the album with a good story backed by harmony and twang. I loved the laughing and someone saying “done” at the end, but it just left me wanting more.

Dog Hours continued where Chris left off for listeners like myself who just simply wanted more jams from their debut. There was a clear in change in tempo and style for the benefit of the band. With a more intimate, pure sound, I feel more connected to this band. As much as I adore their debut, Dog Years is equally as impressive.

Call me corny, but they really should have called themselves Big Everything. Dog Hours without a doubt is one of my fav releases of the year.

Big Nothing links:
Bandcamp / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Lame-O Records