September
2000
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Recent Releases:
G.F.I.
"Unspeakable Homemade Hardcore"
Roughtongue Records
Rating: 9/10
Ok, all I have to say is this band kicks some serious ass! G.F.I. is one of those bands that just scream punk, punk even down to their lyrics. After hearing cuts like "When I Get A Job" and "G.F.I. Anthem" I can't help but reminisce on the days when I would go see bands like D.I. or Dr. Know and how I could relate to their outlook on life and their surroundings. My favorite song of the CD has to be "Middle Finger Salute" because I can relate to it. This song depicts the exact feelings I have every time I see some dipshit business man, putting along the freeway in his over priced beamer thinking he owns the world! You know, your typical Orange County yuppie. Not only do I recommend getting this CD but you must see these guys live. Front man Nick Razor keeps the crowd going with the comic whit only El Heffe from NOFX has, hell he even looks like his twin brother! And with a tight band to back him up makes G.F.I. a band that most definitely will leave an impression on you. Click here to check out G.F.I.'s website.
- Scott Harding
Strung
Out
"The Element of Sonic Defiance"
Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 9/10
- Aimee Schwartz
Daycare
Swindlers
"Testosterosa"
Rating: 7/10
First of all I recommend buying this CD for the cover art! Nothing like some big titties to grab the attention of perverted minds like mine! Secondly, why aren't these guys on a label like FAT or Epitaph? The Daycare Swindlers have a mixture of different influences that are very apparent in all their songs. For instance "She Devil Stomp" is an instrumental that sounds something Reverend Horton Heat would bust out with. And "15 Minutes" gives the feel of energy and power of that the Offspring is famous for. And as the CD plays on you can notice a very clear Ska/Punk influence similar to Rancid. So it comes down to this...Daycare Swindlers possess that rare talent of being able to record a great CD that makes you wonder what the next song is going to sound like! So if you are into the SkaPunkaRockabillyRock type of music, then get you computer stomp'n ass to www.dcswindlers.com !
- Frank Rizzo
ChixDiggit
"From Scene to Shining Scene"
Honest Dons Deep Deep Pockets
Rating: 8/10
- Hank Gerban
Split
Decision
"Split Decision"
Rating: 8/10
- Aimee Schwartz
Bargain
Music
"77 003"
Beatville Records /
77 Records
Rating: 8/10
Hot Damn Allakazam! Smoke that joint and light up that bong because it's time to hitch a ride on the groove bus! Bargain Music is just the key for all you Sublime fans that are looking for another band to jam to. Hell the singer of this band even lensed the videos for Sublime's "Wrong Way" and "Doing Time"! This soulful band all started out in 1997 when Josh Fischel (singer of Bargain Music) was having an informal jam session with The Ziggen's singer Burt Ziggen and Burt encouraged him to start his own band. Bargain Music is a melting pot of rap, punk, R&B, reggae and HR, yup that's right, Bad Brain's very own front man HR makes a special appearance on this CD. And just when you think there is no room for more special guests, it turns out that Mike Watt produced it! So if you are ready to take a leap into psychedelic, expansive music then take another hit of the chronic and teleport your soul to www.77records.com/bargainmusic/ and get your groove on!
- Scott Harding
Ill
Tempered
"I Got Your Souvenir"
Get Off Your Ass Productions
Rating 8/10
Straight outta Chico CA. Ill Tempered is a reality check to those who let the world control their every move. Spattn' out lyrics that illustrate real life relations and encouragement to rise to a higher ground of life, Ill Tempered tells it like it is. Their music is Hard Core Punk at it's finest. They kinda remind me of an early Agnostic Front! "Just Another Night" is my favorite cut of the CD. Not only is it hard driving and tight as fuck, it tells a story often told too much in or society these days. The story is about a kid just drink'n beer, skating around, minding his own business when suddenly a half witted jock gangbanger feels the need to step in and fuck things up. Their sick bass lines and thunderous guitar riffs combined with razor sharp vocals makes Ill Tempered a band that you just gotta check out. So if your into bands like Blink 182 well then go home, suck your thumb, and cuddle up to your teddy because this band is not for you!
- Frank Rizzo
Kid Chaos
"Love In The Time of Scurvy"
Vile Beat Records
Rating 7/10
Ok, don't mistake the name Kid Chaos with that inbred idiot Kid Rock because these guys eat schmucks like him for lunch! Kid Chaos is a horn driven punk band from Denton TX. "Love In The Time of Scurvy" is the debut CD from this catchy band. Now when I say "horn driven" please don't think of Ska because these guys are anything but Ska. the singer's voice is along the lines of The Dead Boys with a twist of Zeke. Kicking things out with an acrobatic rhythm section, heroic guitars, Kid Chaos present a sound that is a step ahead of other bands in the melodic punk genre. The lyrics on this CD are not of political outlook but more of humor and wit. Click Here and find out more about Kid Chaos!
- Scott Harding
Motorsoule
"Motorsoule"
Rating: 7/10
- Frank Rizzo
Live
Animals
"Live Animals"
Mail Room Productions
Rating: 7/10
Aimee Schwartz
DynoMight
"Self Titled"
Rating: 8/10
Busting
out of Orange County, CA comes the sonically charged DynoMight.
The bands four song EP combines rock, punk and rap forming an
unusual and intriguing style.
DynoMight is studying the ways of such well-known acts as 311 and
Zebrahead, presenting non-stop heavy hitting songs on their debut EP.
The band has a great sense of humor, which is most notable on
tracks, “Supermodel” and “PG-13.”
This is a new group that OC should definitely take notice of and
get ready for the explosion, get ready for DynoMight.
For info on the band email them at: DynoMight@socal.rr.com
-Joe
Licavoli
HED(pe)
"Broke"
Jive Records
Rating: 9/10
(HED) pe’s sophomore release on Jive records is more of the same and more from this talented group from O.C. Their Boundaries are a little more expansive on this album but, don’t worry all the steadfast (HED)pe stuff is in there too! The painful romp into “Pac Bell” is a sample, and sound effect heavy song, that is a just one example of the varied wells from which this band samples from. While songs like “bartender” and “I got you” are more what you are used to, chunky full guitar, with a insidious bass line. Along with Jarhed aka M.C.U.D. one of the few capable singers in the Hip Hop Grind core scene. He can sing and scream with the best of them. The guys from (HED) get some help singing, from Morgan Lander from Kittie, and Serj Tankian from System of A Down, collaborating along with M.C.U.D. aka Jahred on track 3 “feel good.” It’s one of my favorite tracks from the Broke CD. This is a for sure buy, if you liked (HED)pe’s first release. So go out and buy this cd it’s a definite step forward for a band that has a limitless future ahead of them. So finish your b.t. And get to the record store, now!
-Scott Wulfestieg
Gran
Turino
"Gran Turino Two"
26.2 Records
Rating: 8/10
Foot
thumping and finger snapping is the obvious reaction from the first track,
“Coup D’Etat,” off the new album, “Gran Turino Two” from the
coolest band out of Knoxville TN.
Gran Turino is a nine-member explosion of funk, jazz, soul, R&B
and rock and roll.
“Gran Turino Two” is an album unlike anything that is popular
today-which is a complete shame.
The bands influences flow from Rick James to the Jackson Five-just
for the melodic vocal harmonies.
It is refreshing to see a band with an incredibly tight horn
section that is neither, ska nor swing. Gran Turino is the type of band
that you would picture in a dark nightclub with the audience in the palm
of their hand, whistling and bobbing their heads to the fascinating group.
Some of my favorite tracks on the new album include “Moments With
You”, “Interlude”, and “Are You Livin.”
I see big things ahead for Gran Turino and they should be commended
for making a rare and clever sophomore effort.
-Joe
Licavoli
Punk O'
Rama 5
Epitaph Records
Rating: 8/10
Epitaph
has done it once again with the newest effort to their punk rock
compilation series Punk O Rama.
The newest Punk O Rama which is number five for the label, includes
many notable Epitaph artists and some of my favorites, NOFX with “Pump
Up The Valuum”, ALL with their legendary punk sound on
“Problematic”, Rancid going full throttle punk rock on “Rancid”
and Pennywise on “Badge of Pride.”
Some of the newest Epitaph artists that deliver great racks on Punk
O Rama 5 include, former Nitro records artists Guttermouth with “Secure
Horizons”, 98 Mute with “Slow Motion Riot” and Death by Stereo’s
“Looking Out For #1.”
I am usually impressed with the compilations Epitaph puts out, but
this one seems to be one of the best-combining Epitaph veterans and new
artists to give an excellent taste of the talent on the label.
-Joe
Licavoli
Soma
"Sleepy Little Home"
Rating: 8/10
Soma
is a welcome change to the ordinary and unimaginative bands that pop out
of Orange County, CA.
The Huntington Beach based band has a sound that gives out a
relaxing, but fun vibe.
The bands new album, “Sleepy Little Home”, combines rock, pop
and some jazz forming a clever and amazing sound.
Some of my favorite songs on the new album include,
“Connected”, Tomorrow” and “Share My Space.”
Soma is over flowing with talent and I would not be surprised if a
record label picked them up in the very near future.
For information on the band you can email them at: Somalove@earthlink.net.
-
Joe Licavoli
Longfellow
"Longfellow"
Long Records
Rating: 9/10
Placentia, CA’s pride and joy Longfellow is back with a new self titled EP, which contains seven new songs to quench the thirst of fans eagerly awaiting a full length from the band. The EP keeps the original Longfellow vibe of hard guitars and melodic vocals heard on the bands last album, “And So On…” but mixes things up a bit with heart pounding drumbeats and clever lyrics. The new EP is released on the bands own label, Long records, and it’s the bands first recording after departing Los Angeles based Kung Fu records. From the first track, “Peaks and Valleys,” it’s obvious that Longfellow has not lost one ounce of energy that they started out with six years ago. Longfellow proves they are a truly rare band with insane front man, Tom Schmitt, who lays down thought provoking lyrics and empowering vocals, while guitarists, Mike Doherty and Tony Warner go crazy with extraordinary guitar riffs. All the while, Steve Zeringue beats away on the bass and Darren Reynolds keeps the tempo on the drums. All the songs on the new album are remarkably good, but some of my favorites include, “Trite,” “Fading Into Forgotten,” and “Allergy Season.” Longfellow is one of the best Orange County bands around and they are one of the few punk bands that can make a great record and put on an amazing live show. I would definitely recommend you go see the band live and pick up the bands new EP. Check Longfellow out at www.longfellow1.com
-Joe
Licavoli
