Nathan Xander - The Fear

Cover art + Tracklist:

1.October
2.Colors
3.John Wayne
4.The Alchemist
5.Trial By Fire
6.True Love Never Did Run So Smooth
7.Emerald Cities
8.Dark Horses
9.Martyr's Song
10.A Long One
11.Every rainy Day

Nathan Xander is a young Folk Rock musician who hails from Chicago Il, though born in western Pennsylvania. His second self released production called 'The Fear' is my choice for review of the month.

I picked this for my review because it is out of my normal music rotation. I'm not a big folk or acoustic listener but when I do I usually go right for the classics. For this review I chose to not sugar coat anything too much for my approach to Xanders latest production. Reasons being, One, I am a musician myself and would want the same. Second reason being when you are a folk writer/singer you are making a bold statement that is echoed through your songs, nothing more, nothing less. To be able to write songs from your heart and have the guts to throw that out to an audience takes a lot. To stand out however, your songs really need to hit home and unfortunately I did not get this with 'The Fear'.

I was not moved by his music as a whole or by his lyrics the way I would be by say Neil Young on his instant classic 'Harvest'. Yes that is an extreme apples to oranges but when the music is so simplistic it's gotta do something. Folk songs that are great and timeless take you to a certain place and a certain time that, even if you were not there or lived it, there is still a connection and that just comes from being a human.

Xanders lyrics are really his weak point, and to me that has to be the selling point. In the words of Lars Ulrich his lyrics are "Stock" He uses a lot of cliche words to set a scene like "highways" "sister" and my most hated "Angel" pronounced AIN-GEL. Mix these in with songs about heart felt angst, struggle and hope it really does scream cliche. Xander seems to try and establish a time and a place and set a scene that just feels forced almost like he hasn't really lived this stuff. I don't blame him for this though. We can't all be the troubled souls we wish to be.

He is however a good musician. He hits some chords that create some catchy tunes and he also played the piano and the harmonica on 'The Fear'. The second tune on the album, Colors, drip of 70's Folk Rock influence and he even displays some blues knowledge on the track The Alchemist, which was actually my favorite tune. It may actually benefit Xander if he just stick with song writing and let another singer/lyricist take over on vocals. You can tell he is trying to put on an almost Dylan-esque voice which was nothing to write home about.

The over all sound production on 'The Fear' is pretty good. It's not heavily processed and has a pleasant very natural sound. Personally I would have like to see better song organization. It was a lot of back and forth between slow, medium, slow, fast and so on, so you couldn't really get into a certain feel. As soon as you get into a chill frame of mind he speeds it up only to bring you back down.

Again this is not the type of music I listen to on a daily basis, and I think that if Xander keeps chugging away at this he will get better with time. To me being a folk singer takes a lot of perception to life and the world around you and how you can deliver it in a way that hits home for a lot of people. I was not one of those people, but maybe you are. If you like you some acoustic jams and Americana style music I would definitely give him a listen. He is currently on tour with some other musicians as Nathan Xander and Witchhouse. As for me, I'm just going to stick with Americas greatest hits.

Bad Religion - 30 Years Live

Cover art + Tracklist

1. Fuck Armageddon, This Is Hell
2. Dearly Beloved
3. Suffer
4. Man With a Mission
5. New Dark Ages
6. Germs of Perfection
7. Marked
8. A Walk
9. Flat Earth Society
10. Resist Stance
11. American Jesus
12. Social Suicide
13. Atheist Peace
14. Tomorrow
15. Won't Somebody
16. Los Angeles Is Burning
17. We're Only Gonna Die

What can be said about Bad Religion that hasn’t already been said before? The band is legendary and has been an inspiration to hundreds of acts that followed them. The pioneers of West Coast Punk Rock have been in the game for 30 years and to show their appreciation they have released a free live album for download. It also serves as their way to commemorate their 30th anniversary tour.

Reviewing live albums always ends up boring for me. The album could be fantastic but there isn’t much to talk about regarding the material unless previously unreleased songs make their way onto the disc (see Earth Crisis) so I’m normally reduced to talking just about the production and overall feel of the record.

With that being said, both of those elements are incredible on this record. The production is one point. Most useless background noise has been carefully edited out to make it sound better but not to take away the “live” aspect of the record. You can really feel the energy coming from both the band and the crowd. As the album progressed I could totally hear that the band was feeding off the crowd’s energy and vice versa. When then band finally gets to their closing song “We’re Only Gonna Die” everyone in the room is at their peak energy level. It just shows how awesome Bad Religion is that after 30 years, they are still able to control a show like they do.

As awesome of a record as this is, I unfortunately still have some complaints with it. Aside from knowing some of the background information I do on this record, you can really tell that this was not recorded all in one night. After a few tracks you can specifically hear the cheering crowd fade out before the next song starts and the commentary from Greg Graffin between songs is very limited. When listening to a live album, I want to hear it as if I was there that night. I don’t want to hear a carefully spliced together collage of shows. It kind of kills the vibe for me. The other complaint I have is the lack of all three of my favorite Bad Religion songs Do What You Want, 21st Century Digital Boy, and Generator. I was really looking forward to hearing those tracks and was sadly disappointed when none of the made the cut for their 30th Anniversary Tour.

Two complaints that really don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. This album is fantastic and definitely recommended for all Bad Religion fans. Hell if you happen to be one of the 5 people in existence that never heard a Bad Religion song before, this is a good start. You get 17 great songs and an example of how awesome the band is live in one shot. Listening to this record made me dust off some of their other discs and now I want nothing more than to see them play live. Hopefully they come by soon after they release their next album in which they are currently working on.

Heaven Shall Burn - Antigone

This German band has put out one hell of a CD. I've heard people complaining about the fact that he sings clean vocals from time to time... but I personally think it doesn't effect the music negatively whatsoever.

These guys mix melodic death metal with hardcore and some brutal breakdowns and even cover a Disembodied song. I think this record is a maturing over their last effort, and I think that the production is top quality and thus makes the whole thing even better. Their melodies flow over a grodd drum beat and are overlaid with some distinctive and abrasive metal growled vocals.

My favorite track off this release is probably "Architects of Apocalypse" - a crushing journey through the end of the world - this song reminds me at times of Arkangel and at other times At the Gates. The drumming is very punishing and tight, and the entire song is pretty swell in general.

If you like Eurpoean hardcore/metal then this is one to check out.

Heaven Shall Burn - Invictus (Iconoclast III)

I’ve been a fan of Heaven Shall Burn since hearing their first split with Caliban back in 2001. Albums like Whatever It May Take and the In Battle There Is No Law (EP) were so incredible that I have been debating whether or not to fly to Germany just to see them. My intensity to make that trip definitely hit a crash when they released Antigone back in 2004. Gone was the Bolt Thrower worship from the previous outings and more cliché melodic metalcore. HSB even opted to experiment with clean vocals and keyboards on that album. It sounded more like a newer In Flames record than a Heaven Shall Burn one.

It appeared that the band received enough negative criticism for that record that they issued a statement prior to the release of 2006’s Deaf To Our Prayers saying “There will be no clean vocals used on this record” (or something to that effect). The album wasn’t a complete return to form but was more in vain of the earlier material than the previous record. The band clung onto the newer melodies but still threw in enough 4th Crusade inspired riffs as to show they didn’t lose it completely.

Now onto the Iconoclast Trilogy:

2008’s Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance) built upon the foundation that Deaf To Our Prayers laid out. The overall styling of the songs was nearly the same format but with better production and chunkier guitar parts, the album came off as if HSB’s music had taken steroids in the two years between albums. Marcus Bischoff was the most ferocious he has ever been over the bands entire career. It was this album that resparked that old craving that I had with this band.

The 2nd part of the trilogy was a live DVD shot during the touring for The Final Resistance and was used to hold the fans over until the band returned to the studio to complete the trilogy.

The new album, which is meant to be the main focus of this review, is mostly just a continuation of the last record. It starts off with a very similar piano & violin melody that leads right into a super heavy opening song. Production, instrument sounds, and vocal performance are all identical to the last record. The big difference this time around is that once again Heaven Shall Burn decided it was a good idea to experiment. Instead of clean vocals and keyboards the band jumped head first into the world of techno beats. They aren’t there all the time but they will make their presence known just enough to make you mad. To make matter worse these parts come in during sections of the song where it doesn’t make sense. The riffs and drumming were perfect without the inclusion of a techno bounce in the background. Most of the time they ruin what is going on as it sounds like there are two separate drummers playing different beats. They create an element of chaos that isn’t needed.

For the most part this record is a very solid outing from these Germans. The techno parts only show up a handful of times and nearly ruin every song they are apart of but the rest of the songs are still fantastic. Outside of the techno beats the only other song I can’t recommend is track 12’s Given In Death which features Sabine and Sebastian from Deadlock. The song features a lot of slow clean breaks with Sabine singing over top of them and even during the heavy parts that Marcus handles, it still doesn’t sound like a Heaven Shall Burn track.

I’d say atleast check this album out. I warn the fans of any era of Heaven Shall Burn’s music to be prepared to be annoyed. The techno parts obviously should not happen and track 12 probably should have been put on a Deadlock album instead. The rest of the album is listenable and can be considered an EP of good material. It’s not a total waste of money but is also not the best sequel to the previous album.

Miss Lava - Blues For The Dangerous Miles

The best summary of this album I can come up with is if Down and The Sword joined and decided to form a more radio-friendly version of their previous bands.

From start to finished the albums instrumental portion was very catchy while remaining on the heavier side of FM radio. Shine On (track 6) has a very (in my opinion) Swordish beginning riff to it and I think, this particular song, is my favorite on the album.

The vocals of Johnny Lee on the otherhand, really, really, aggrevated me on a majority of the tracks. High and whiny singing (beginning of Second Chance) seemed to completely contrast to the backdrop of the bands, 70's rock esque, instrumentals. A few tracks however(Blues for the Dangerous Mile and Blind Dog) his voice seemed to fit in nicely and created a nice cohension.

All in all if you are a fan of this style of metal I'd say pick it up (or download it as the case may be). The catchiness of the album as a whole is enough of a selling point from my perspective.

The National Tour High Violet Hard

Wildly-popular New Yorker moodists The National have a brand new LP out. It's called High Violet. It's very much a big deal.

The quintet will soon be cementing their status as one of the biggest bands in the land with a tour rolling through large-sized venues, played in front of fawning crowds. The sizeable list of National tour dates rolls out down below.

In bonus live-performance news: The National recently performed a live video set for Pitchfork in an old castle in upstate New York, and are soon to be filmed for celluloid posterity by legendary documentarian D.A. Pennebaker.

So Far Out of Hand:
May 21: Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
May 22: Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
May 23: San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
May 26: Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
May 27: Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
May 29: Quincy, WA - Sasquatch! Festival
June 2: Boston, MA - House of Blues
June 3: Boston, MA - House of Blues
June 4: Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
June 5: Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
June 6: Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
June 8: Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
June 9: Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
June 11-13: Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
June 16: New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
June 18: Buffalo, NY Albright-Knox Gallery
June 26: Pilton, England - Glastonbury Festival
July 1-4: Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival
July 6: Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Paradiso
July 8: Hamburg, Germany - Stadtpark
July 9: Brighton, England - Corn Exchange
July 12-13: Lyon, France - Les Nuits de Fourviere
July 14: Munich, Germany - Rathausplatz
July 16: Southwold, England - Latitude Festival
July 17-18: Lisbon, Portugal - Super Bock Super Rock
July 27: Brooklyn, NY - Prospect Park
July 31: Montréal, QC - Osheaga Festival
August 2: Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
August 3: Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theatre
August 4: Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theatre
August 5: Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
August 6: Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
August 7-8: Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
August 11: Oslo, Norway - Oya Festival
August 13: Gothenburg, Sweden - Way Out West Festival
August 14: Haldern, Germany - Haldern Pop Festival
August 15: St. Malo, France - Le Route du Rock
August 18: Vienna, Austria - Arena
August 21: Hasselt-Kiewit, Belgium - Pukkelpop Festival
August 22: Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands - Lowlands Festival
September 3-5: Stradbally, Ireland - Electric Picnic
September 10: Vancouver, BC - Malkin Bowl
September 11: Redmond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheater

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Sweet Live Video Jams

Ariel Pink has a totally happening new LP, named Before Today, that's coming out in June. And he has a whole pile of tour dates on the horizon, too, including a stint with openers Pearl Harbor and Magic Kids. 2010 is clearly treating Ariel Rosenberg well.

Anyone seeking a video taster of what might be expected from Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti live now has ample fuel for pre-tour excitement-building. The band's label, iconic indie imprint 4AD, has just shot them playing in a studio on the "Thameside island Platts Eyot," for their latest 4AD Session. The 20-odd minutes of video show the quintet kicking out some APHG cuts both new and old in sparklingly clear footage.

It's self-serving promotional material from the label, of course, but it's really good self-serving promotional material. Even though, I must say, I prefer listening to Ariel Pink on record, conjuring ridiculous visions in my head...

From the Vaults Friday: The Fugs, The Fugs First Album (1965)

The Year: 1965
The Album: The Fugs, The Fugs First Album
Who It Influenced: The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, The Fall, Half-Japanese, The Moldy Peaches, Jeffrey Lewis

These days, making a lo-fi, punk-spirited, DIY record is almost mundane. But in 1965? There was pretty much no one doing that. No one except the Fugs, that is; who, in their day, debuted with what may've been the first-ever underground rock record.

Half of The Fugs First Album was captured in one three-hour jam session, an acoustic goof-off in which the smart-ass poets behind the project —Tali Kupferberg and Ed Sanders— recast folksongs and traditionals in their own politicized manner, on vocals, rudimentary percussion, and barely-tuned acoustic guitar.

Later, they roped in members of drug-folk weirdos The Holy Modal Rounders to help them flesh out the other tunes; which ironically reappropriated rock'n'roll for their own ends. Rock was still new enough to be considered a public menace, but The Fugs' were quick to critique the genres new orthodoxy; to spin a subversion on the subversion.

The resulting tunes are anti-rock cliché ("Slum Goddess"), anti-locker-room-machismo ("Boobs a Lot"), anti Vietnam conflict ("Carpe Diem"), and anti-American-imperialism ("CIA Man"). They're raw, raucous, funny, and scuzzy; scrappy lo-fi ditties years before the punk world would embrace DIY as a badge of honor.

Guide to the 52nd Grammys' Best Alternative Album Nominees

Are the Grammy Award nominees —in all categories, at all times— anything less than baffling? And, like, especially in the 'Best Alternative Music Album' ghetto? With past winners including Coldplay, Green Day, Gnarls Barkley, the Beastie Boys, and U2, the category is direly lacking for definition. Not to mention utterly aching for inspiration. Fittingly, the 2009 nominees (awarded in a ceremony that takes place in 2010; yes, it's confusing) seem completely uninspired. The five records that supposedly defined alt-music in 2009 fall into two simple camps: bands bankrolled by the big four, and old people.

David Byrne & Brian Eno 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today'

Todo Mundo

37 years ago —which is, if we're to take their fondness for Steely Dan into account, where plenty of Grammy voters seem to wish they still were— David Byrne was in Talking Heads and Brian Eno was in Roxy Music. 30 years ago, they worked together on Talking Heads' classic Remain in Light LP. 29 years ago, they made an early case for sampling-as-art on their first co-billed collaboration, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. These historical facts —not to mention Eno having produced seven U2 albums— are the reasons Everything That Happens Will Happen Today has its Grammy nomination, and not any of the actual songs on the second Byrne/Eno collaboration; a years-on follow-up that has none of the daring of its recently-reembraced predecessor.

Death Cab for Cutie 'The Open Door' EP

Atlantic

Wait, are you serious? A five-song EP? Isn't this category called Best Alernative Music Album? Clearly clinging desperately to the warm familiarity of a thrice-nominated, Warner-bankrolled alt-rock behemoth, the Grammy voters/panel/committee/whoever nominated The Open Door, some throwaway, between-LP filler (a demo version of an album track!) from our old pals Death Cab for Cutie. No one's denying that Death Cab had a big 2009: they toured with Andrew Bird and Ra Ra Riot, and scored top-billing on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack. Hell, frontman Ben Gibbard even got hitched to She & Him cutiepie Zooey Deschanel, earning the admiration/condemnation of chaps everywhere. But, come on. This is a glorified B-sides collection. Five songs long.

Depeche Mode 'Sounds of the Universe'

Mute

Wait, Depeche Mode? Really? Is Dave Gahan's eyeliner that commanding? I know Sounds of the Universe landed at #3 on the Billboard charts, and that the band scored top-billing on Friday night at Lollapalooza, but isn't any part of good old Field 5: Category 22 about artistic worth? Depeche Mode's 12th LP was mediocre even by their long-mediocre standards; a dated collection of over-produced synth-rock whose 60 minutes felt both bloated and empty; way too long yet featuring few moments of actual inspiration. Their nomination here is a reward for record sales, sure, but also a tribute to their longevity. When the band began in 1980, Dirty Projectors' 27-year-old leader Dave Longstreth, for example, was not even a twinkle in his pappy's eye.

Phoenix 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'

Louyaté

All things considered, a nomination none too shabby; Phoenix being French, on an independent(-ish) label, and actually credible, three things Grammy nominees routinely are not. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix isn't Phoenix's finest hour —it pales in comparison to its predecessor, 2006's It's Never Been Like That— but, hey, it is Phoenix's best-selling hour, which is what's really important. You get a sense of the worldview of industry minions if you read Billboard's potential-Grammy-noms preview. Phoenix, it says, "aren't eligible for Best new Artist this year because the band's breakthrough album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, is actually its fourth." Wow! Next thing you'll tell me Merriweather Post Pavilion is actually Animal Collective's ninth...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'It's Blitz!'

Interscope

The least surprising of the five, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' nomination for It's Blitz! follows their nomination for Show Your Bones in 2006, which followed their nomination for Fever to Tell in 2003. The trio have been one of the more consistently acclaimed and continually interesting bands to toil for major-label beancounters this decade, and It's Blitz! is, in the Grammy realm, aided by the fact that it's easily Yeah Yeah Yeahs' most commercially-accessible LP. Having been twice the bridesmaids, perhaps 2010 —well, I mean, 2009, technically— will be the year Yeah Yeah Yeahs finally take home their first golden Gramophone... Oh, who're we kidding! Given the Grammys' long-standing history of idiocy, the winner can only be the EP, right?

And the winner is...

Glassnote

Phoenix! Surprisingly, the Grammy was handed out to the least established name on the list. Which is to say more of the company than Phoenix themselves; both in this category and in the entire field. In an interview with Pitchfork the day after the ceremony, Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars confirmed that winning a Grammy was hardly a moment of glory. "It's very nice, but you feel some sadness to it, too," he said, of collecting a statue that usually elicits talk of "God" and "blessing" in embarrassing measures. "It's hard to enjoy the moment." And, of suffering through the seven-hour ceremony itself, he politely smiled: "I wish there were more bands that I like." Which is exactly how it feels, every year, to look at the Grammy nominations.

Interpol: New Album Looming, Touring with U2, Bidding Adieu to Carlos D

On April 28, moody New Yorker dudes Interpol broke several years of silence to pronounce: "We're stirring." The stirring involved the unveiling of a brand new jam, "Lights," and promises of a forthcoming fourth LP.

Since then, Team Interpol has been a hive of activity. They've bid adieu to bassist/style icon Carlos Dengler (with an announcement whose hyperbole suggests frontman Paul 'Julian Plenti' Banks wrote it: "we will remain, as always, deeply respectful fans of this blazingly talented individual"), announced a run of shows supporting stadium-rock institution U2, and, now, released summer tour dates of their own.

Though they've promised "exciting recruits" to fill in on bass in the absence of Dengler, no announcements have been made as to who exactly those shall be. Nor have official details of that fourth LP been unleashed. But stirring they are:

Turn On the Bright Lights:
June 21: Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
June 22: Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
June 23: Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
June 25: Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock Café
June 27: Minneapolis, MN - TCF Bank Stadium *
June 28: Des Moines, IA - People's Court
June 30: East Lansing, MI - Spartan Stadium *
July 1: Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's
July 2: Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
July 3: Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre *
July 5: Columbia, MO - Blue Note
July 6: Chicago, IL - Soldier Field *
July 8: Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
July 9: Miami, FL - Land Shark Stadium *
July 10: Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
July 12: Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field *
July 14: Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live
July 16: Montréal, QC - Montreal Hippodrome *
July 17: Montréal, QC - Montreal Hippodrome *
July 19: New York, NY - New Meadowlands Stadium *
July 20: Providence, RI - Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
July 21: New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
July 23: Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights
July 24: Lancaster, PA - Chameleon
September 18: Paris, France - Stade De France *
September 22: Brussels, Belgium - Stade Roi Boudoin *
September 23: Brussels, Belgium - Stade Roi Boudoin *
September 26: San Sebastian, Spain - Anoeta Stadium *
September 29: Seville, Spain - Olympic Stadium *
October 2: Coimbra, Portugal - Estadio Cidade Coimbra *
October 3: Coimbra, Portugal - Estadio Cidade Coimbra *
October 8: Rome, Italy - Olympic Stadium *
* supporting U2

The History of Punk Rock

The Foundations of Punk Rock

The beginnings of punk rock are often furiously debated. This is partially because everyone has different definition of punk rock, and partially because its foundation stones are found in several places.

"Punk Rock" was originally used to describe the garage musicians of the '60's. Bands like the Sonics were starting up and playing out with no musical or vocal instruction, and often limited skill. Because they didn't know the rules of music, they were able to break the rules.

The mid to late '60s saw the appearance of the Stooges and the MC5 in Detroit. They were raw, crude and often political. Their concerts were often violent affairs, and they were opening the eyes of the music world.

The Velvet Underground is the next piece in the puzzle. The Velvet Underground, managed by Andy Warhol, were producing music that often bordered on noise. They were expanding the definitions of music without even realizing it.

The final primary influence is found in the foundations of Glam Rock. Artists like David Bowie and the New York Dolls were dressing outrageously, living extravagantly and producing loud trashy rock and roll. Glam would end up splitting up its influence, doling out portions to hard rock, "hair metal" and punk rock.

New York: The First Punk Rock Scene

The first concrete punk rock scene appeared in the mid '70s in New York. Bands like The Ramones, Wayne County, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Blondie and the Talking Heads were playing regularly in the Bowery District, most notably at CBGB.

The bands were unified by their location, camaraderie, and shared musical influences. They would all go on to develop their own styles and many would shift away from punk rock.

While the New York scene was reaching its heyday, punk was undergoing a separate creation story in London.

Meanwhile, Across the Pond

England's punk scene had political and economic roots. The economy in the United Kingdom was in poor shape, and unemployment rates were at an all-time high. England's youth were angry, rebellious and out of work. They had strong opinions and a lot of free time.

This is where the beginnings of punk fashion as we know it emerged, and they centered out of one shop. The shop was simply called SEX, and it was owned by Malcolm McClaren.

Malcolm McClaren had recently returned to London from the U.S., where he had unsuccessfully tried to reinvent the New York Dolls to sell his clothing. He was determined to do it again, but this time looked to the youths who worked and hung out in his shop to be his next project. This project would become the Sex Pistols, and they would develop a large following very quickly.

Enter The Bromley Contingent

Among the fans of the Sex Pistols was an outrageous bunch of young punks known as the Bromley Contingent. Named after the neighborhood they all came from, they were at the first Sex Pistols shows, and quickly realized they could do it themselves.

Within a year, the Bromleys had formed a large portion of the London Punk scene, including The Clash, The Slits, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Generation X (fronted by a young Billy Idol) and X-Ray Spex. The British punk scene was now in full swing.

The Punk Rock Explosion

By the late '70s, punk had finished its beginning and had emerged as a solid musical force. With its rise in popularity, punk began to split into numerous sub-genres. New musicians embraced the DIY movement and began to create their own individual scenes with specific sounds.

In order to better see the evolution of punk, check out all of the subgenres that punk split off into. It's a list that's constantly evolving, and it's only a matter of time before more categories appear.

Smoke Or Fire - Prehistoric Knife Fight

After releasing two full length albums on Fat Wreck Chords, Smoke Or Fire is coming back with their third LP. To make fans happy they just released a seven inch with two new songs, that show the direction the band is taking.

Just like on their debut album “Above The City”, the new songs are very influenced by the melody of pop punk, but they still have a twist of fast and packed gruff punk, as a cross between old Against Me! and new Dear Landlord, but with less harmonic parts yet harder. A song like “Speak Easy” shows how the guitar riffs and the punk attitude are still there to make people move, yet “Modesty” is more intimate with its lyrics that deal about serious issues about life and work.

Smoke Or Fire is surely one of the punk rock bands we will wait for in 2010, with a full album that will show how punk rock is still alive and kicking in 2010.

Dirty Tactics stream new album “It Is What It Is” and finalize European tour

Philadelphia’s Dirty Tactics have just launched a sneak stream of their debut album for Say-10 Records. You can check out the stream of their new album, It Is What It Is, on the band’s Punknews.org profile page. The album starts on track 6. The first 5 tracks are from the band’s previous EP, Gangster Stamina.

It Is What It Is will be officially released on May 25^th.

To celebrate their upcoming European tour, Dirty Tactics is also releasing a split 7” with UK’s Bangers on All In Vinyl and another 7” on Flix Records. Both 7”s will be out to help support the band’s 30+ day European tour that starts later this month.

Before that, the band is playing a few shows on their way down to Rad Fest in Wilmington, NC.

Alternative Press recently featured Dirty Tactics in their “100 Bands You Need to Know for 2010” issue.

Dirty Tactics European Tour Dates

5/24 – Cambridge, UK@ Portland Arms

5/25 – London, UK @ The Purple Turtle

5/26 – Leamington, UK @ Spayce

5/27 – Exeter, UK @ Cavern Club

5/29 – Southampton, UK @ Goblets

5/30 – Norwich, UK @ The Marquee

5/31 – Kingston, UK @ Fighting Cocks

6/1 – Brighton, UK @ The Prince Albert

6/2 – Liege, Belgium @ The Carlo Levi

6/3 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Onderbroek

6/4 – Kamen, Germany @ JKC Kamen

6/5 – Groningen, Netherlands @ Vera

6/6 – Herself, Belgium @ De Choke

6/8 – Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang

6/9 – Malmo, Sweden @ Bodoni

6/10 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Henricksberg

6/11 – Rendsburg, Germany @ T-Stube

6/13 – Chemnitz, Germany @ Subway to Peter

6/14 – Giessen, Germany @ AK44

6/15 – Gottingen, Germany @ Juz

6/16 – Koln, Germany @ Ex-Club Scheisse

6/17 – Steenwijk, Netherlands @ Trashfest

6/18 – Berlin, Germany @ KvU

6/19 – Torun, Poland @ NRD Club

6/21 – Karkow, Poland @ Kawiarnia Kaukowa

6/22 – Wienna, Austria @ Tüwi

6/23 – Budapest, Hungary @ Mappa Club

6/25 – Belgrad, Serbia @ KC Grad

6/26 – Szentes, Hungary @ Youth House

6/27 – Zagreb, Croatia @ AKC Medika

6/28 – Kranj, Slovenia @ AKD Izbruh

6/30 – Timisoara, Romania @ Life

7/1 – Sibiu, Romania @ Propaganda

7/2 – Bistrita, Romania @ Amantes Cafe

7/3 – Cluj-Napoca, Romania @ Booha Bar

7/4 – Kosice, Slovakia @ Collosseum/Upstairs Club

7/6 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Tovarna Rog

7/7 – Regensburg, Germany @ Kalkwerk Proberaum

7/8 – Herrenberg, Germany @ JuHa Herrenberg

7/9 – Ostfildern, Germany @ Zentrum Zinsholz

7/10 – Muchen, Germany @ Kafe Marat

Green Day invites acclaimed German punkrockers DONOTS to support 3 tourdates

March 2010 saw the release of the highly acclaimed, brand new studio album „The Long Way Home“ by legendary German Punkrockers DONOTS. The album combines catchy punkrock songwriting, melancholic 80s wave influences and folk elements in singles such as „Calling“ or „Forever Ends Today“.

The band released the album on their DIY indie label SOLITARY MAN RECORDS and has just finished the first headlining club tour in support of the record which hit the German Album Charts at #24 as highest new entry.

Last week GREEN DAY invited the DONOTS to join them on their 3 stadium dates in Germany alongside RISE AGAINST and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACK HEARTS.

Says the band: „What gives? We are super stoked that Green Day have invited us to be their support on all 3 upcoming shows in Germany! We got confirmed for Hannover, Munich and Mainz the other day and are more than grateful for the opportunity to open up for a band that has been an inspiration for us especially in our early days. We used to work at a youth club in our hometown Ibbenbüren back in the 90s where Green Day played a post-Kerplunk show. Barely more than 140 people attended that very intimate show. The Donots were completely blown away by the energy, the songs and the attitude. It’s safe to say that night had a huge impact on our sound and songwriting. 16 years later we get to play stadiums with Green Day and once again we are absolutely thrilled!“

The relentless touring machine will release their all new album „The Long Way Home“ in Japan this month and are set to license the record to other international territories later this year.

Good Luck tour west coast, release donation based four song demo

Bloomington, Indiana’s, GOOD LUCK will be touring to support their debut album Into Lake Griffy that was released on vinyl by No Idea Records (see dates below).

The debut album was originally self-released on CD, but the fine folks from No Idea fell in love with the album and band, which quickly lead to pressing the wonderful album on a vinyl format.

The band features members of One Reason, Matty Pop Chart, K-10 Prospect, Abe Froman, Mt. Gigantic, Bodyhammer, and Los Gatos Negros.

Good Luck also have a demo of new material entitled “Demonstation 2010” that they are selling as the shows. The demo consists of three new songs and a cover of Cindy Lauper’s 80’s hit, “When You Were Mine’. You can stream all four songs and make a donation for a high-bit-rate download of the demo on their band camp site.

GOOD LUCK TOUR DATES

5/21 - Bellingham, WA @ TCH. w/ TerrordactylsS,
Mythological Horses, Oracle Cop

5/22 -Seattle, WA @ Healthy Times Fun Club. w/ Agatha, a
Million Years Ago, Mega Bog.

5/23 -Olympia, WA @ Northern All Ages Project (321 4th
Avenue). w/ Kimya Dawson and Your Heart Breaks.

5/24-Portland, OR @ Early All Ages House Show (5516 N. MISSISSIPPI)

5/24-Portland, OR @ DUCKETT’s -21+ Bar Show

5/25-Davis, CA @ House Show (720 Anderson St.) w/ Elders.

5/26-Reno, NV @ Holland Project (121 Vesta Street.). w/
Fugitive Kind, Little Gentlemen

5/28-San Jose, CA @ House of the Dead Rat (416 W San
Fernando St.). w/ Pillowfights, Smokejumper, and The Albert Square

5/29- San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside (1600 17th
Street). w/ The Acquitted.

5/30- Berkeley, CA @ Gilman (924 Gilman St). w/ Soupatch,
Cars Can Be Blue, Hard Girls, Fischer.

5/31-Santa Barbara, CA @ Biko Coop (6612 Sueno Rd.
Isla Vista). w/ Adult Braces, Watercolor Paintings.

6/1- Chino, CA @ The Warehouse at 12th & G (13390 12th
st). w/ God Equals Genocide, Forming, The French Exit.

6/2- San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe (9500 Gilman Dr. Bldg. 161.) w/ Doctor Bird, Da Bears.

6/3- Phoenix, AZ. 7:30 pm @ Trunk Space (1506 NW Grand Ave.)
w/ Andrew Jackson Jihad

6/4- Santa Fe, NM @ TBA

6/5- Oklahoma City, OK @ Sauced Pizza ( 2912 Paseo St.)
w/ Blanche Devereaux, Alone, SFN

6/6- Springfield, MO. @ The Lemon Drop (416 W. Commercial)

10 Bands to Catch on the 2010 Vans Warped Tour

With all of the bands on the Vans Warped Tour, it might be hard to decide who to see. We've nailed down our best bets for the 2010 Vans Warped Tour, choosing only from the bands that will be playing the entire tour this year. That way, if you follow our list, you'll get a chance to catch all of the bands on it (you know, provided they're not all playing in the same time slot).

You can find our listing of all of the bands on the tour, including the ones only playing select dates, here.

10. The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Sideonedummy Records

They only have three members, but the misnomer is easy to overlook once you hear their music, a frantic, spastic take on Delta Blues (complete with washboard) that has landed the band slots touring with Flogging Molly, a slot on Springer and now a run on Warped.

Official Site

9. The Pretty Reckless

Interscope Records

If you're looking for a celebrity on the Warped Tour stage, The Pretty Reckless set will be the one to catch. The band is fronted by one Taylor Momsen, better know for playing Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl. It's more than gimmick, though, as The Pretty Reckless plays raw, dirty rock that picks up where the grunge bands of the '90s left off.

Warped Tour Spotlight

8. AM Taxi

For The Win!

If the Gaslight Anthem are punk rock's take on Springsteen, then Chicago's AM Taxi are punk rock's take on Gaslight Anthem. Mixing great songwriting with elements of old-school punk with influences like Clash-fueled reggae, world beat and pure pop, this is a band poised to be one of the most exciting, innovative bands on the tour.

Official Link

7. Andrew W.K.

Universal Music

A classically trained musician, Andrew W.K. may not have invented the "party hard" punk rock sound but he certainly perfected it. Although recent years have seen him doing TV and producing records, I'm hoping his return to the stage of Warped will be similar to his last time on its mainstage, which was a supersoaker-fueled rager of positive energy. This guy comes to party, and doesn't leave until everyone is partied out.

Official Site

6. The Casualities

© Nicole Lucas

A solid presence on the punk scene for over a decade and an unapologetic adherence to the principles of old school street punk makes the Casualties one of the best -- and the punkest -- picks for this year's Warped Tour. Their set will be fast, loud and memorable.

MySpace Site

5. Far From Finished

Teriyaki Matz - Think Fast! Records

If you're lamenting the lack of the Street Dogs on this year's Warped Tour, check out Far From Finished. These guys carry the Boston street punk banner just as high and as proudly as their better-known peers.

Official Site

4. Dillinger Escape Plan

Relapse Records

A "mathcore" band out of New Jersey, Dillinger Escape Plan combines complex riffs and growled vocals into an aggressive wall of sound. What's more impressive than their music, though, is their live show. Expect... well expect anything, and be prepared for some furious energy and quite possibly frontman Greg Puciato flying over -- or stepping on -- your head.

Official Site

3. Face To Face

Antagonist Records

These skate-punk playing Fat Wreck Chords veterans were a staple in every proper punk's record collection, and their breakup in 2003 was a sad day indeed. A few years later, 2008 saw the joyful reunion of these heavyhitters, and the entire Warped Tour this year will be privy to a set from a band that has attained legendary status.

Official Site

2. The Sparring

Old Shoe Records

This is a band that boasts and impressive pedigree. Fronted by Joel Bourne (formerly of Tiger Army and Dear and Departed) with Chris Dally (of Death by Stero) on drums, the Sparring are a group that delivers a reeling mass of street punk straight from the speakers to your head, not apologizing if it knocks you down.

MySpace Site

1. Riverboat Gamblers

© Nicole Lucas

This Texas group delivers one of the most energetic live shows I've ever seen. Riverboat Gamblers frontman Mike Wiebe is known for spending as much time in the crowd and climbing the walls as he does onstage. We've caught them in Detroit and a few times in their Texas, they always hit the stage a breakneck pace, delivering a set that's relentless and fun.

Official Site

Defiance, Ohio detail new album and leak a new song

No Idea Records has announced the details for the new studio album from Defiance, Ohio. The album is titled Midwestern Minutes and was recorded this past March and April by Mike Bridasky at Russian Recording Studio in the band’s hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. Bridasky also produced the band’s critically acclaimed previous album The Fear, The Fear, The Fear, released by No Idea Records in late 2007.

The 11-song album will be released on LP/CD via No Idea Records on July 6^th 2010.

You can check out an early leak of the track “Hairpool” on the band’s No Idea Records profile page.

The band is currently booking an extensive US tour starting in June. Dates will be announced shortly.

Bassist/vocalist Ryan Woods offered a brief communiqué from the studio:

“I’m not sure what it will turn out like, but I do feel it is a bit of a change. I think we were a lot more careful in arranging the songs, for example, a lot more thought-out harmonies, some songs have lots of strings, some none at all. There is a lot more use of the piano, a Wurlitzer, and a return of the upright bass on some songs. A couple of the songs are quite theatrical in content and orchestrated musically. In contrast, I think a couple songs are also more “punk” sounding than the last record. We are very excited! I feel like we really worked as a group to make the songs and I think it will be a really good representation of where we are as a band now, for better or for worse.”

Defiance Oho have released three previous albums: Share What Ya Got, The Great Depression, and The Fear, The Fear, The Fear. All can be ordered through No Idea Records.

Defiance, Ohio is:

Geoff Hing - guitar, vocals
Ryan Woods - bass, vocals
Will Staler - drums, guitar, vocals
BZ - violin, piano
Sherri Miller - cello, banjo, vocals
Theo Hilton - drums, guitar, piano

Midwestern Minutes Track Listing:

1. Floodwaters
2. The White Shore
3. A Lot to Do
4. Cigarettes
5. Hairpool
6. Dissimilarity Index
7. The Reason
8. Her Majesty’s Midwestern Islands
9. Diamonds Theme Song
10. You Are Loved
11. Everyone Else on the Other Side

A Wilhelm Scream - Self Titled EP

After releasing three full length albums on Nitro Records, A Wilhelm Scream changed record label and joined Paper And Plastick Records (which is fast becoming one of the most interesting punk rock labels out there). The band’s latest effort is a five song EP that shows how these five New Bedford, MA men are developing their own sound.

From the easy listening, catchy and melodic hardcore pop punk tunes of their first albums (when they still were named Smackin’ Isaiah) to a more intricate work of guitar riffs, complicated rhythms and not always so catchy melodies, that need to be eaten and digested even by the most observant listener. Me, in this case.

The EP starts with one amazing tune entitled “Australias“, where you can hear Trevor Reilly’s intricate guitar works fused with Nuno Pereira’s amazing vocals. The song is a little bit long and complicated in the end, so you almost lose the sense of urgency and crazyness that was given at the very beginning during the song’s intro. “Every Great Story Has a Shower Scene” is quite possibly the best track on the record: it’s fast, packed and it does not leave space to let the listeners breathe. Like what the band used to play on such albums as “Ruiner” or “Career Suicide“. The third song “Fun Time” is maybe the slowest song A Wilhelm Scream ever wrote: it deals with singing the song when singing/drinking with your own friends, and it’s a kind of cheer you up tune, even tough the theme is more about not being able to relax or to calm down. “Bulletproof Tiger” brings me back to the older time when “Mute Print” came out: it’s fast, with more metal riffs than ever and it’s a totally inspired song, about a family member fighting his demons and drug addiction. The lyrics and Nuno Pereira’s vocals are intense, but the 3:49 minutes are really long and sometimes you get the feeling on losing the meaning of it. “Skid Rock“, the best track by A Wilhelm Scream I heard since “We Built This City! (On Debts And Booze)” is the last on and it starts with the great bass riff of Brian Robinson: it’s not a case it’s used to open their shows a lot this year. The metal riff that comes in right after reminds me of an Iron Maiden generic song, but when the choruses start you cannot not want to move. It’s a great opener for live show and an even better closer for this EP.

Coffee Project leaks new track from debut album and announce more dates

Gainesville’s Coffee Project has leaked a stream of their song “I Will Run,” from their upcoming Paper + Plastick album Moved On. You can head over to IndieRockReviews.com to hear the song.

Coffee Project is the brainchild of good friends Buddy Shaub (Less Than Jake) and Jake Crown (Rehasher). Moved On was self-produced in Shaub’s home studio with guest appearances from Kim Helm (Whiskey & Co.), Jon Gaunt (Chuck Ragan’s fiddle man), and Michael Claytor (Umoja Orchestra).

The band previously leaked a couple other tracks from the album. You can find a stream of “This Is Me Getting Over You In Two Chords Or Less” over at ReaxMusic.com and “Easy Does It” on the band’s MySpace page.

In May, Coffee Project will embark on a tour to support the release of Moved On with labelmates Blacklist Royals and Greenland Is Melting.

Moved On is the follow-up to their previously released 10″ EP Easy Does It and their digital-only EP Pickle, both released by Paper + Plastick.

You can check out footage of Coffee Project performing “A.M. P.M.” at THE FEST 8 via Alternative Press.

Coffee Project Tour Dates

5/12 – Gainesville, FL @ 1982

5/13- Florence, SC- Vaga House

5/14 – Wilmington, NC @ RAD FEST @ Charlie Brownz

5/15- Durham, NC- James Joyce Pub

5/16 – Virginia Beach, VA @ The Bridge

5/17 – Richmond, VA @ The Camel

5/18 – Harrisonburg, VA @ The Blue Nile

5/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ The AVA House

5/20 – Ridgewood, NY @ The Silent Barn

5/21 – Johnstown, PA @ 709 Railroad Street

5/22 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House

5/23 – Louisville, KY @ Skull Alley

5/24 – Nashville, TN @ The Rabbit Hole

5/25 – Atlanta, GA @ WonderRoot

5/27- Tallahasee, Fl @ Coolifornia

5/28- Gainesville, Fl @ Common Grounds

How to Write a Punk Rock Song

Write a Punk Rock Song

Photo by mzacha

While punk rock music originated in the 1970s, its influence is still felt in today's music. Artists such as Green Day and The Dresden Dolls create their own styles within the punk genre. Although writing a punk rock song that sparks serious head-banging from the crowd is possible, constructing the right blend of lyrics, emotion and music takes practice. Learning to write a punk rock song can help you express yourself and demonstrate your inner rock star.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Get lyrical inspiration from punk rock legends. Groups such as Bad Religion and The Clash helped define the genre by cranking out angry, anti-establishment masterpieces. Listening to their music can put you in the frame of mind to create your own masterpiece. Turn up the volume on classic tracks such as "Faith Alone" and "Police and Thieves" before writing sessions. Study the way the lyrics and music are constructed to get inspired.

2. Step 2

   Define your mood. Punk rock songs usually fall into the broad categories of lyrical, political, angry and humorous. Starting with one of these moods in mind can spark a cool song idea. Don't be afraid to have multiple moods expressed in your song. For example, an angry song can still be lyrical and a political song can still be humorous. Think of personal events that make you feel strong emotion when trying to write a song that other people can "feel."

3. Step 3

   Keep the verses short. Punk rock song verses are short and candid. This is your time to say what you can't say at work or in other, more formal settings. Let the words flow on paper as you think them to avoid losing your purest thoughts and emotion.

4. Step 4

   Write a catchy chorus. The chorus, or "chant," in a punk rock song should release the unbridled energy of the song's theme. Create a memorable chorus by using repetitive, short phrasing. Altering the tempo and delivery method of the chorus can result in serious head-banging. Some of best punk rock songs are identified by the words in their choruses.

5. Step 5

   Walk the line between expressing emotion and maintaining your rage. There is a distinction between expressing emotion and whining. Find a way to describe your lonely or angry feelings without coming across as needing sympathy. Ask a friend to review your song for signs of overly emotional lyrics.