If only I could find one...

It's Tuesday, so there is a New A.V. Undercover

This week on A.V. Undercover we get to see Alkaline Trio (well Dan and Matt from Alkaline Trio) cover Archers of Loaf "web In Front." This is such a cool song and the 'Trio acoustic version of it is badass. Even my boss, who used to be a radio DJ and stated, "I fucking LOVE that song!" when I told her what the song was this week and who was playing it. Even her love for the original and her skepticism for this cover was burned away and she admitted it to not being that bad. FUCK NO, it is great. I have commented on here lately for my love of acoustic stuff and this song is no slouch.

Alkaline%20Trio%20covers%20Archers%20Of%20Loaf

A Very Slow New Music Tuesday

It is the end of the month, and this Tuesday is kind of a disappointment. The number of new releases is not only LOW but the quality of stuff that is out today is kind of a disappointment.

My highlights for March 30, 2010:

Flatfoot 56 - "Black Thorn" Chicago's own Flatfoot 56 releases "Black Thorn" just late enough to not get swallowed up in the St. Paddy's day over abundance of Celtic Punk music. It is a high-energy, Celtic folk punk along the lines of Dropkick Murphy's and Flogging Molly. But this has a more universal punk appeal in my mind.

John Lee Hooker - "The King of Boogie" I Love good blues and guitar roots music etc. This is an excellent example of just that and with 21 tracks and a price of $5.99 as of this post, who can go wrong?

Jawbreaker - "Unfun (Reissue)" This is surprisingly the ONE Jawbreaker album I do not have and it is probably one of their most popular. If you have not listened to Jawbreaker, how did you find my blog? They are one of the founders of the music I love. Just great, Americana punk rock. Really, you can not even come close to finding another person that sounds like Blake Schwarzenbach (who has a new band called Forgetters I am anxious to hear an album from)

So yeah, sorry this is a short post without any real detail into the albums. I am just trying to give you direction on it. Each of the names of the bands will send you to the new album on Amazon and they are all under $8 (2 of them are $5.99). Did I miss anything?

not even sure how I feel about this one

So, Hayley Williams from Paramore, doing a cover of Lady Gaga.





After that, feel free to treat yourself to this beautiful cover and make your ears happy

The Riot Before *NEW SONG*

The Riot Before are getting ready to release their new album "rebellion" on paper and plastick records sometime soon, (I keep finding different release dates depending on where you look...) Below is their newest release off this upcoming record, it's titled "What I've missed" the below stream is thanks to Alternative Press magazine.

I have been into this band for a year or 2 now and they have that jangly guitar sound with strong vocals that I love. Definitely a band that has a power and a passion in there songs that drive verse to verse and song to song. Melodies are strong and get stuck in your head enough to make you want to sing along.


The Riot Before - What I've Missed by altpress

A Great Album (guess what? it's free!)

Alexander Hudjohn was a member in Anchor Down, another great band that may not have had the exposure they deserved, but put out a great album called "Steel To Rust." They called it a day at 2009's FEST. They were completely "up my alley" in terms of music. Great songs, with music that makes you want to tap your foot and drum on your steering wheel, all while singing along to the raspy, yet still melodic vocals. IF you have not heard their ablum, you should go and get yourself a copy.

Well, as you may or may not know, I also have a thing for those same punk ethics and feelings when they are applied to folksy, bluesy, country-ish music and this is exactly what Alexander Hudjohn has created with "Acreage." There is something so intimate and revealing about an acoustic album that was recorded under simply conditions with just a few additions here and there. You really can't hide much in these situations, and "Acreage" completely delivers. There are even some guest parts on there in the form of a violin and even Jay Northington, from one of my favorite bands NOTHINGTON, playing harmonica and backing vocals.

If you want a copy of "Acreage" for yourself, head over to Alexander's bandcamp page

Good to Altpress doesn't overlook everything amazing

So I have had a subscription to alternative press for quite a long time now. The last few years have been hit or miss. They seem to have their shit together on all the trendy, poppy or whatever is popular with the high schoolers at the time. But when it comes to older bands, or amazing bands that seem to be huge in my eyes, but go forgotten with others, well they seem to be a day late and a dollar short. Their reviews are usually done months after the album has come out, where the haircut neon shirt bands have reviews prior to release. But, that is just me, jaded, older punk guy that I am (sarcasm)

Anywho, it looks as though they got something right, with this spot on review of "Wasted Potential" which I am a huge fan of as you can tell. Read it here

Do you like free and/or cheap music?

I LOVE dealing with labels directly. Not only can you usually get albums early, they usually send you something free, have sweet promo deals that include lots of shirts or buttons or other cds, plus you are getting things from the source, not some major chain that only gives back a cut. Also, if you are like me, big stores do not often carry what you are looking for and the indies all closed down close to you.

So, that being said, I am posting links to some of my favorite places to get digital downloads for good prices, in some cases free. I don't have the time to highlight everything, so spend some time looking and listening and let me know what is worth snagging.

Paper and Plastick -cheap and free albums

Quote unquote records -everything is donation based, download what you want and send them some money via paypal


Suburban Home Records/Vinyl Collective - cheap downloads, vinyl records, great bands

Death to False Hope records -also donation based

jumpstart records -cool releases, recently opened up for donation based downloading, each month they have cool free shirts and albums, you just pay for shipping

Lawrence Arms clip from their 10 year show

October 2009 was the 10 year anniversary show for one of, if not, my favorite bands. That is The Lawrence arms. They celebrated this as a totally bad-ass show at one of the best venues ever, Chicago's Metro. The recorded the show and are going to put out a dvd of the whole event. Today saw the posting of 2 videos of songs from that dvd: "recovering the opposable thumb" and one of my all-time favorite songs, "100 resolutions"

In case you have not figured out based on this blog title being from "The Revisionist" my absolute favorite song from The Lawrence Arms, I am a HUGE fan of this band.

Altpress has some SXSW videos up

This news actually comes off the Felix Culpa facebook page. There are a few Felix Culpa live videos up on the altpress.com SXSW features page.

The sound quality is ok, there are some distorted parts because of how they recorded it and the sound maxing out the camera. But really, this is pretty awesome. There are tons of great bands on there so far and I would assume there would be some more through the end of the week, but I do not know for sure. Smoke or Fire, minus the bear, terrible things, title fight, the forecast, rival schools, even mariachi el bronx, lots of great bands

I have been saying for years that I would like to go to South by Southwest, but it has never been something i can get together on. But damn, seeing these videos makes me want to go even more.

New Gaslight Anthem stuff is now online (someplace else)

So, one of my absolutely favorite bands, The Gaslight Anthem, have a new song posted and the cover of their new album has been released, both called "American Slang". Both of which you can see on their myspace page

They had said that they have never had a "goal" or a look or a predetermined idea of what they want to do. They just write and go in a have fun recording the record. What comes out it a snapshot of where they were musically and emotionally at that time.

There are so few bands out there that can cross generations and seem to have such a diverse audience and universal appeal. I have gone to see them play a few times now and each time has been amazing. the 2 times I got to see them in milwaukee there was a this older couple, probably 60s or older, that spent the entire show singing and dancing to EVERY SONG. They probably knew more lyrics than most of the kids up at the front of the stage.

Anyway, check this out, it is pretty cool and definitely gets me excited for what is to come

New Music Tuesday 3.23.10

So, this is kind of a disappointing day for new music. My recommendation for today is Look Mexico's new album "To Bed To Battle." This is a solid release with some skilled song-writing. I got it as a digital download from http://www.suburbanhomerecords.com/ over a week ago, so I kind of forgot this was even coming out today. Suburban Home has this and a ton of other great releases not only available in physical formats, but also for digital downloads and usually on the cheap side.

I have been kind of a mixed fan of Look Mexico. I really feel they started to hit their stride on "Grasp Asp" which was their 7th release, (including full albums and eps etc). I definitely think the standout track is the first one with guest vocals from Frank Turner, who is an amazing musician in his own right.

Honestly, when it comes down to it, this album is an excellent piece of indie rock and will be enjoyed by anyone looking for something other than the cheesy keyboards and low-fi sounds every other band seems to be embracing lately. It is definitely a solid release from a band that seems to get better and better each time they record.

The Felix Culpa

A lot of people I know have never heard of one of Illinois' great bands, The Felix Culpa. They have a new album out called "Sever Your Roots" which just got released on itunes today, but it has been on Amazon for quite a while. Amazon has it for $7.99 as a download. I got a limited edition disk from the band which comes in this cool, oddly shaped cardboard sleeve in a plastic envelope. More like a dvd case than cd.

But anyway, in February, I posted quite a bit about this band on my facebook page, even went so far as to call them my "band of the month" for February. They have a very unique sound I think. I tend to compare them to modern Thrice or Moving Mountains when asked what they sound like. The songs have an atmospheric, flow to them with an intense and driving power lurking around in the songs. These 2 components when discussed with words, sound like 2 extremes of the same line, but these songs have a power and an urgency that really can only be experienced by listening. "Sever..." continues the groundwork that was laid with their previous full length, "Commitment," and their 2 eps "Soso Remission" and "Thought Control." I think I heard about them while I was at an Emery show in 2004. Honestly, they are one of my "I don't know what to listen to right now...oh yeah, The Felix Culpa" type bands where listening to it never disappoints. The songs tend to stretch out past the 7 minute mark on more than one occasion but they never feel too long or too drawn out. There is something about the dense soundscape they paint on each song where the lyrics and vocals are just as powerful as the instruments and play off the sounds are much as any guitar chord or cymbal splash.

There is a lot to be said for a band that can help you relax when you are going to sleep, get you pumped for the day or just find its way into your mood when it needs to be adjusted/reveled in/embraced but all withing the same album and even in the same song.

Highly Recommended

Head on over to punknews.org and check out a cool acoustic video of Broadway Calls singer Ty Vaughn playing "Fuck You Seattle" from the back of their van. It is a great song and pretty damn good version of it right there

While you are there, look for the below image and download a free copy of Spanish Gamble's "It's All Coming Down." It is also on their myspace page I got this over the weekend and I have been enjoying it a lot. Definitely some great Gainesville punk. They remind me of Polar Bear Club and Hot Water Music. But they definitely have their own strong sound. I certainly have a place in my heart and my ears lately for jangly guitars.

Plus, IT IS FREE and comes straight from the band and their label.

This is going to be a fun 6 months.

So, the onion has a music site called The A.V. Club. Unlike the onion, they cover real things and do not make so much of a satire about everything. Don't get me wrong, The Onion is entertaining, but my music nerd loves to have some real info and reviews from people like me. This is exactly what the A.V. Club is.

Well, the reason for this post is to share something awesome that they are doing. Its called A.V. Undercover. Basically, they took a storeroom, that was round for some reason, gave it the most bad ass Chicago flag paint scheme I have ever seen, and made a list of 25 songs. Those 25 songs are up for grabs to whatever bands come in to play them. Here's the cool part, each time a song is picked, it is removed from the list so the next band only has 24 songs to choose from. Then, the last band has no choice, they have to play the last song on the list. Every Tuesday, they will be releasing the next song. The first song was Tears for Fears, "everybody wants to rule the world" covered by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. I will say, they did an absolutely amazing job and really made me like this song for once.

I am really excited for this new take on the cover song. Judging from the announcement video, there are going to be some cool bands participating. I know I could make out Matt and Dan from Alkaline Trio.

how does one truly "sell out?"

This is of course a rhetorical question. But really, has anyone ever totally been diehards for a band? All of your friends love said band. Then suddenly, that band changes, matures, has grown from hating the world to falling in love, settling down and get married and you can see, hear and feel that change in their music? I know I have seen it quite a bit. But, what I find so amusing is that those same people that put so much into that band suddenly start talking shit and complaining about that change. What drives me crazy, what I have witnessed so many times of my many years, as I turned into the grumpy, older punk guy that I am, is that when bands change, over the course of 5 years, 10 years whatever, is that as soon as a band starts getting noticed by bigger labels, bigger audiences, when a band writes about their passions, which DO CHANGE over time, people get all up in arms and hate on bands just because they are not 15 years old and writing songs about the government or about war, or eating meat or whatever.

People change, bands change, focuses in life change. Yesterday and today, over at Brendan Kelly's blog there have been debates and rants going on and on about Against Me! Here is my belief in it, if I was still doing everything exactly the same as I was doing, say 5 years ago, I would be stuck and unhappy and just going along with the flow refusing to keep striving for something more. Against Me! wrote some awesome songs about how fucked up our government was and is and about war and equality and everything, but every 4 years, the US let's their people vote. The government has the ability to change completely much as it did here recently. Well, so what? The former regime that Against Me! so strongly voiced their unhappiness about has been replaced. Does that mean that they have to suddenly start hating everything they were hoping for in the past, just so they can keep making the same songs to satisfy the same people? No, they shouldn't.

Now, that is a very heavy handed example and kind of a lame example, but it truly is the most simple way I can get my point across. We all change. Does that mean we are sell-outs? If you move from your shitty bedroom in your parents house because you finally got a new job or a raise or whatever, does that mean you are selling-out? Of course not. I think the people that spend the most time bitching and moaning about how a band is a sellout just because they grew up a little or because their priorities changed or because they want to keep making music because they love it, those people that shit their opinions the loudest are probably more jealous, or envious or just plain focused on "what could have been" that they do not realize what exactly has changed. Maybe they changed. Maybe their tastes have changed. These same people that complain their "favorite" band are sellouts are doing exactly what that band might have been and still are fighting for. They are labeling things, people, music that does not fit their ideal. They are mad that they have to go work at an office, get too many taxes taken out of their pay, go home, pay bills and get drunk until they pass out and do it again the next day. Just because you are not doing what you love everyday and a band is working hard to continue to be able to do what they love, that does not make them sellouts. That makes them passionate.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of people and bands out there that are the definition of a sellout. Those are the people that do things for the sake of being famous or just for the money. Those are all of the musicians and bands out there that decide to play music a certain way or dress a certain way, not because they love it, but because they know it is popular right now, it is going to make people like them. I tend to call these people hipsters, but dumbasses, dipshits, annoying, trendy etc are all acceptable terms.

I think that having opinions is great. Just don't shove it down my throat. If you don't like something, that's cool. If I do, that is cool too. If you can explain why you do or do not like something that is even better. You don't have to kill something just because you are against it. There could be others out there that absolutely love it more than anything. You have a choice to stop doing that thing, no one is making you buy their new album. Just move on to the next thing or try something new. But if you are going to just sit there and puke your opinions at everyone, tell them how wrong they are for something. If you are going to make sure that you tell each and every person you can how fucking smart you are and how dumb the rest of us are. Maybe you are the one that really needs to be criticized.

Quick Shot before work

SO this morning, punknews.org had a video the for a new against me! song from their new album out June 8th. you can also link to the video from their official site. This comes on the heels of the album being leaked recently and Tom Gabel openly admitting that the leak was "no drama" and he posted the lyrics on his blog

I have not gone searching for the leaked album as I stand by my firm belief in not illegally downloading music, for many reasons but mostly so I can continue to support the bands and labels I love so they will continue to produce great music.

My initial reaction to the song/video is, "I want more." While fun and with a great little guitar riff, the song ultimately feels too short to me. I am sure that is kind of the point with the title "rapid decompression" and how they shout "is coming to an end." right as the song abruptly ends. However, it does feel truly like an Against Me! song and really gets me excited for the new album. I have seen AM! twice live and I tell you, those shows had some crazy energy to them. If you have never been to a live show to see music, they are definitely a powerful band to see live.

AM! seem to have gotten a bad rap with their last, fully new album, "New Wave" as it was too different or that they had changed. But really, does anyone want to keep buying the same album over and over again from a band that just keeps doing the same thing?

I'm excited for this release and looking forward to having a physical album in my hand for it.

reposting some old things

These are the only old blogs I still want on here for now. Sorry for any confusion this might lead to.


From the archives (originally posted 9.4.2009)
I have been trying very hard to not spend money on stuff. But, really I mostly buy music. So, that being said, I have not been buying music. Well, I have, but from sites like amiestreet.com, used cds from disc replay or amazon, random sites with hard to find stuff, but I DO NOT download music illegally. But, one thing that this is making me do is listen to and appreciate stuff that sometimes gets pushed back. I know I have talked like this about lucero before, but today, today it was THE BROADWAYS.Now, I am not talking the new band "broadway" that just came out. I am talking about the band that evolved out of the death of SLAPSTICK. THE BROADWAYS. There are only 2 albums for this band. "broken star" and "broken van" both of which are amazing. to be honest "dropjaw" is my all-time favorite song. That band and music just seems to hold up year after year after year.The reason I am thinking this way is because I was talking with my boss and how there are just some songs that DO NOT hold up. You can totally tell and Elliot Smith song, something from The Cars, all of those "new wave" bands. They just sound '80s. There is no way to get rid of that fact. One person that I get irritated with in regards to holding up is Bruce Springsteen. His songs hold up as a whole, but really, stuff like "glory days" and "born to run" just kind of have that cheesy 80's feel to them and to be honest, i usually end up skipping those songs. They just kind of add a little more cheese year after year.However, The Broadways have a sound that is still being copied and still could be a successful band. The Lawrence arms are great, but I still love the Broadways just as much.


(originally posted 8.21.2009)
when we get to 20 tell me, I'm gonna throw up or "hey where do these stairs go?" "They go up"

(originally posted 8.14.2009)
she's just that kind of girl
Ok, so I go in phases with music. Sometimes I go for weeks and just listen to uptempo poppy stuff, then weeks of folksy, bluesy stuff, then hardcore screamy stuff, then rough hardcore...anyway you get the picture. However, no matter what I am currently into, there are a few bands that always make their way into my list. the Lawrence arms, Alkaline trio, hot water music, against me!, emery, the gaslight anthem...i talk about these bands all the time. But, there is one band that i kind of forget about. They never really go away from my list, but they kind of step outside the circle of my ears from time to time. That band is Lucero.Now now, do not put the "country" fact into your decision to hate them right off the bat. Most people do. I tell you, i have seen them live quite a few times, and my first experience listening to them was live, they blew me away. So much raw energy. Its almost impossible to listen to that band and not start moving some part of your body. The go from shake your ass alt-country to southern bluegrass in the drop of a hat and every time i get their music going, i find something new and amazing about it. typically, i do not like modern country. Not really at all. Yet, I can really get into the old old stuff. Roots music. Bluegrass. johnny cash. That stuff works for me.I guess that is what i see in lucero. A band that makes the music they feel. Not what people want to hear, not what is all over the radio. They make music that my mom can get into as much as me. That's something. Very little music transcends the generation of the artists creating it. Yea, yea...there is alot of old music out there that will always be good, the Beatles, the doors, the rolling stones, the who, pink Floyd...that music is not going to go anywhere. But its when a modern artist that appeals to "punk" kids as much as their peers and their seniors, that's when a band has something. how much of the music do you listen to that your parents also enjoy? Shit, i am only 27 and basically feel like the old crusty punk guy at a lot of the shows i go to. Too many swoop haircuts, skinny jeans, faux-hawks and stupid fucking scarves year round when it is 90+ degrees out. I just do not get that shit. All this hipster shit is driving me insane. Quit doing things because you think they are cool. Flat ironing your hair is not a comfort thing. Having your hat cocked with a straight brim pretty much defeats the purpose of a hat. Your hair in your eyes is not comfy, its fucking annoying.anyway, i digress. Lucero is a fucking amazing band. Check out all of the albums. Really, you will not be disappointed. Just make sure it is not the latin singer chick who is also named Lucero, that stuff is WAY different.Its the weekend, i am going to put all of my lucero shit on shuffle and go to bed.

well I shoulda done that earlier...

So, since I fell asleep pretty much as soon as I sat down last night, I just now downloaded the new Menzingers 3 song ep (they are calling it a single, but whatever). This is kind of the teaser to their new album "Chamberlain Waits" that is due April 10 from Red Scare.

I must say, I literally, 10 seconds into it, audibly said "holy shit, this is amazing."

So, only one of the 3 songs is not acoustic, but damn all 3 really come across very strong and very powerful. I have liked the other records that the Menzingers have put out in the past, but this little 3 song deal really gets me excited for the future of this band. For the "single" and only electric song, "I was born," to grab me that fast at this early in my day (took the day off of work), it really speaks to the power of the song and how much they have grown as musicians and songwriters.

Hey Red Scare, put up a pre-order for the full length already!

This is a very cool blog

great articles and excellent choice of bands so far

http://switchboardsessions.blogspot.com/

New Music Tuesday

There are a few albums out there today that some of you might be interested in getting, along with some things you might have never known even existed.

First off, the Brendan Kelly/Joe McMahon split "wasted potential" officially hits the market today. If you are like me, you already got your copy from Red Scare a few weeks back. But, for those of you that do not have it, you can get it from:
itunes
www.anchorlessrecords.bigcartel.com
http://redscare.storenvy.com/
and online retailers like interpunk.com

Also, the Menzingers have a new ep out with 3 songs. I will be picking it up from Amazon later today, once i get off my stupid job.

Smoke or Fire, Joe McMahon's full-time band, have a 7inch out today called "Prehistoric Knife Fight" and since i can not find it really anywhere, I am going to have to order it from http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/241 or maybe interpunk.

Lastly, since tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, and I tend to identify more with my Irish heritage than my German side, we have Boston's Dropkick Murphys and their new live album, aptly titled "Live on Landsdowne." I am kind of on the fence about this one personally, most of the songs seem to be almost perfect performances of the album tracks from what I can tell. I love the Dropkick Murphys and have pretty much all of the studio albums, but never bought a live one. So, like I said, I am on the fence on this one.

Over the past few weeks, there have been some great releases that I have picked up. Isles and Glaciers, the indie supergroup released an ep. This bands have Craig Owens,
Jonny Craig, Vic Fuentes, Nick Martin, Matt Goddard, Brian Southall, Mike Fuentes, all of whom have their own strong bands. Its a good one.

Also, fellow St. Paddy's favorites, Flogging Molly released a 2 disc live album and DVD. This is one I highly recommend. Something about the live performance just really kicks with this band.

Wasted Potential is out today.

I've had a copy for a few weeks thanks to Red Scare, but I also ordered the vinyl from Anchorless! I will say, one of the best purchases you can treat your ears to.

I promise

I swear, i am revamping this whole thing. The old shit is gone but not forgotten. There will be new things soon.