August
2000
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Recent Releases:
ALL
"Problemadic"
Epitaph Records
Rating: 8/10
All does it again with "Problemadic"! I've been waiting for over two years for these bad asses to come out with a new CD. "Problemadic" is packed full with great songs covering everything from love to having a broken manhood. One of my favorite songs is "Stupid Kind Of Love" and it is because of the lyrics more than the sound itself. This song depicts a poor fella stuck in one of them relationships that no one can understand. You know, when you dating a bitch! Anyway, it's a great song. One thing I didn't like about this CD is the fact that the title song "Problemadic" isn't on it! Oh well I guess I'll have to go out and buy Punk O' Ramma 5 being that is the only CD that features it. There aren't too many bands that kick as much ass as ALL and the Descendants, so when they come out with new material it's always gonna be something you don't expect except that it's gonna smoke!
Click here and hear our exclusive interview with All!
- Scott Harding
Dr. Know,
Hellions
and Fang
"Fish & Vegetables"
Hello Records
Rating: 9/10
Nothing is better than hearing long awaited new material by one of my favorite bands of time Dr. Know. Well except one thing, when the CD is personally handed to you by front man Brandon Cruz! Thanks Brandon! This limited 1st edition (only 300 are being made) not only consists of 4 new songs from Dr. Know, but also new material from The Hellions and Fang. I have to admit, although I like all the bands on this CD, and all the songs are good, Dr. Know stands out the most. Being around for about 2 decades proves that this is a band that has the talent and the skill to keep it going! And they show it on these new songs. They are not like bands such as Bad Religion (don't get me wrong here I love Bad Religion) that have a noticeably different sound as the years go by, Dr. Know still produces that in your face punk that makes you wanna bite the head of a small child! NOW THAT'S PUNK! My favorite is a song called "I'm So Punk". This song is great because it talks about a person that I think every person knows. The dumb shits that sit around trying to fit in and be punk but go about it in the wrong way. "Hey look at me bumming change from my friends and wearing a Blink 182 patch on the back of my jacket, I'm Punk!" Well think again sissy boy, maybe you should get a copy of "Fish and Vegetables"! This CD is gonna be a hard one to find so I suggest you click here to get it. In the meantime, I hear Dr. Know is gonna release a full length on Hello Records soon so check www.hellorecords.com to find out when!
- Scott Harding
Lickie
Strike
"The Mercury Project"
FastMusic Records
Rating: 8/10
Be sure to check out the review of Luckie Strike's show in our caught in the web section by clicking here and hear the exclusive interview of Luckie Strike by clicking here!
- Scott Harding
River
City Rebels
"Racism, Religion, And War"
Victory Records
Rating: 8/10
Another great release from Victory Records! River City Rebels mix 3 chord, infectious street punk with raw melodic horn lines. Now for you core punkers, don't be thrown off when I say horn lines! Their sound is not ska! Their sound is that of the early punk movement with strong hints of newer bands like The Dropkick Murphys. In fact my first time hearing this CD I thought the only thing that would complete this CD would be if it came with a mug of Guinness Beer! Their lyrics sport the nihilism and disdain for the system only the Sex Pistols have been able to do until now. You can tell that these guys are musically adventurous without giving up the charm and urgency of their youth, the average age of this band is 18! If your looking for a new band to become your new obsession then come check out their site on Victory Records and click this! I assure you, you wont be disappointed in this CD.
- Frank Rizzo
Old
School 101
"Pura Vida"
Victory Records
Rating 7/10
"Pura Vida" is OS101's second full length for Victory Records. These New Jersey punks are described as hard, melodic, infectious and fun. It may sound a bit basic, but that's how punk is supposed to be. OS101 reminds me a lot of early Suicidal Tendencies with a Madball / Agnostic Front twist. The throaty vocals of singer Skip Skool have just the right amount of melodic force that makes OS101 stand out of the bunch! The fact that the band members have been jamming with each other since the 80's in another bad called Hogan's Heroes also shows that they are experienced musicians and not just some cheesy garage band that lucked out and got a good record deal. You can tell these boys have been working hard for their position they hold now. Their catchy lyrics on this CD reflect their attitude of keeping life full of energy rushes and good times! Some of the standout tracks are "Pizzacore", "Spam in a Can" (featuring the horns of Catch 22) and "Colorforms". Wanna know more about this foursome? Chick here punkass!
- Frank Rizzo
Smogtown
"Fuhrers Of The New Wave"
Disaster Records
Rating 9/10
Ok first of all you know these guys are going to fuck shit up because they are on Duane Peter's Disaster Records label along side another bad ass band The Pushers. With serious '77 roots influence Smogtown's "Fuhrers Of The New Wave" promote subjects like corporate moneymaking bullshit, real life of teens, street fighting and TV influence.... all the elements of top of the line punk rock! Another thing that makes this CD so intense is the raw and unpolished sound that Smogtown unleashes. In a world of polished up neo punk, I get sick of hearing all these shitty studio bands trying to sound like Bad Religion or Pennywise. So hearing Smogtown is to my ears as a cool beer is to my mouth, refreshing and addictive! Another element that makes this CD so great is their use of sound effects to help bring out the message of their songs, for example their song "Freeway Driving" has sounds of a car crashing and eating shit with a hint of sirens in the back! Do yourself a favor.... go to your local liquor store, buy that 40oz of love you have been promising yourself and listen to "Fuhrers of The New Wave" by Smogtown!
Want more info about these punks? Go here, you skinny bitch! Oh yeah we interviewed them too so go here and listen to it.
- Scott Harding
Tiger
Army
"Tiger Army"
Hellcat Records
Rating: 10/10
Check out some samples of their songs by going to www.tigerarmy.com !!!
- Frank Rizzo
Union 13
"Youth Betrayal And The Awakening"
Epitaph Records
Rating: 8/10
UNION 13 is a grade-A band. They put out great albums to let yourself get wild and tempered about concerns in the world, but it also makes you think, which some of us need to do. Union 13's albums are the most intelligent, fast, melodic, and rocking punk albums I've heard in awhile! These East L.A. punkers bring back the old school punk attitude and the message as well. The music is great, fast and hard, while at the same time containing substance. The lyrics are revealing and are about more than just average everyday punk song. . I think a lot of people relate with the messages they bring in their fast paced, boot stomping, head moving beats. This is their 3rd release on Epitaph and I would have to say it is by far the best. We had a chance to interview these guys last month (click here to check it out) and their story is almost a fairytale. From hard living in L.A. to a promising life as musicians this band has seen more than most people their age and older! Check them out!
- Scott Harding
Agent
Felix
"Cooler Than You"
DYI
Rating: Muthafuck'n 10/10
- Colin Kooistra
