Mugger - Luck Forever

 

It's interesting to se the current wave of hardcore where there is little, if no understanding of classic punk from an era well before blast beats and break downs. So it's refreshing to hear a band who really get that and bring it to the fore without coming off as burnt out old guys. The end result is Mugger, whose new album Luck Forever is blasting, abrasive and a ton of fun to sink your teeth into. This is punk rock done right, with a deep understanding of the genre and a sneer on the faces of everyone executing on it... and it rules. 

Luck Forever impresses because of the pointed nature of the sound. From the first track Mugger establish exactly who they are and what they sound like and then they stun you time and time again with some of the most impressive executions on vintage punk and hardcore sounds that I have heard in a good long while. Mugger understand the inherent magic of the genre and it's hard not to be charmed by the crushing speed punk sorcery that they bring to the table. With washed out vocals and massive waves of distortion threatening to overwhelm everything else, Luck Forever showcases a band who are wholly their own, exciting and unrelenting. 

Grab a copy of the album today! 

https://quietpanic.net/collections/mugger

Terminal Bliss - Brute Err/ata

Now this is a fun one. Terminal Bliss is a Virginia punk supergroup featuring members of Pg. 99, Darkest Hour, City of Caterpillar and Iron Reagan. The band members are a one of a kind force in the scene, immersing themselves in twisted waves of sound and leaving you in awe of what they have accomplished. Delving into the chaotic morass of Brute Err/ata is a delight as the band lay down knowledge with Black Flag inspired rhythms, high energy riffs and an overarching sense of punk rock devastation across ten high powered tracks. 

It's a delight to really sink your teeth into what the band has accomplished here. Though the run time of this record is just north of ten minutes, the strangely joyful noise of the band leaves me delighted. It shows a group of punk dudes operating at the highest level and consistently showing that they are a force to be reckoned with in the underground. These sorts of collaborations are just the sort of thing that punk rock are supposed to be about, angry vocals, heavy grooves and music that anyone can play. It's the songwriting, in this case in particular, that helps make the band so special. What more could you want from a punk band? 

Immerse yourself in the venom spitting magic of Brute Err/ata. Let yourself really delve into the writhing murk and fall in love time and time again with the stripped down and strangely gorgeous poetry of this record. Terminal Bliss execute at a million miles an hour whilst eagerly spitting blood all over the floor. You can take it or leave it, but for those of us obsessed with Black Flag, Negative Approach and Gauze, then there are few bands that better carry the torch for this music. Delve into the magic and get in the pit. 

Pre-order the album!

https://terminalblisscult.bandcamp.com/

Refused - The Malignant Fire EP

It's become something of a tradition for Refused. They release an album and then follow it up not too long after with an EP. The latest iteration of this is The Malignant Fire EP. It's five stunning tracks of punk rock fury. There's so much to love about this record from Swedish House Mafia cover to massive choruses that serve to remind us what we all need to be worrying about. There is a very meaningful terror to what the band is doing, and the more you delve into their potent ministrations the more you remember why Refused are among the greats.

The albums opening track, 'Malfire' has a chorus crying "The wolves are at the door" and it feels incredibly potent and scary in the face of the upcoming US election. On top of that though is a general sense of terror and desire to build a better world. For instance, 'Born On The Outs,' which is a reimagining of Swedish House Mafia's classic, 'Greyhound' features lyrics about "It's not my country until it's everyone's." It's a potent message for an age increasingly defined by xenophobia and terror of an unknown future. In other words, The Malignant Fire EP sees Refused doing what they do best, protesting against the system with perfectly constructed punk rock anthems. 

The Malignant Fire EP is a refreshing blast of punk rock energy from Refused .A fitting next step after 2019's masterful new album, War Music this is just another step forward fo ra band who seem determined to leave listeners in awe. This is punk rock that reminds us why the genre started, but also takes the music to the next level. Ultimately - Refused are just operating on another level from us mere mortals. It's hard not to be charmed and the more time you spend embedding yourself in their sonic ministrations the more you will fall in love. 

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/RefusedBand

Cliterati - Ugly Truths/Beatuiful Lies

Cliterati have long been one of my favorite West coast punk bands. Their mix of genres and sneering attach is fun to listen too, coming up in a scene of hard hitting bands that Tankcrimes seems to crank out with glee. Their latest offering, Ugly Truths/Beautiful Lies is fifteen tracks of fun and over the top political punk fury. With anthemic choruses, ('Unfuck The System' is a particular standout) and direct callouts of entites like FOX News, it's hard not to have any sort of appreciation for punk rock and not be at least a little bit enamored with what Cliterati are doing here.

There is a sort of crazed desperation here that comes from being marginalized in an increasingly oppressive society. Cliterati are looking at the problems facing America today not as ivory tower liberal observers but as people who have to wade through the shitstorm that is this country every single day. It's rare that you find a band who can communicate nuanced political opinions without being art rock nerds, but Cliterati manage to find a balance and continually impress. This is straight up some of the best written punk rock that I have heard come out of the US scene in years and that serves to make Ugly Truths/Beautiful Lies all the more addictive.

Punk rock needs fury to keep it alive. Cliterati have that fury. There is a rage here, a tormented hate that seems to drive every single thing that they do. In an era where punk rock has frequently lost its edge or has simply spent too much time in art school its refreshing to find a group who emphasize black and white art alongside DIY ethics. While in some ways Ugly Truths/Beautiful Lies could be seen as belonging to a bygone era of punk their message is distinctly 2019 and should certainly not be ignored.

Find them on Facebook! 
https://www.facebook.com/slimepriestess/

Violation Wound/Cliterati - Split

Any day with new material from Cliterati is a good day! Their latest split, this time with the impregnable Violation Wound is an absolute blast of a listen. It's exciting, over the top and endlessly potent. There are rare times that you find a punk record that is this self aware but also this angry. Yet with this album the two bands seem to perfectly understand what they stand for and what punk rock can be. Smart and avoiding a lot of the cringier cliches of the genres modern wave, this is what political punk fans have been looking for.

Cliterati are leading the charge on this one with five tracks that deliver the selfsame angry queer feminist punk rock that has made the band so consistently fascinating. The driving power of vocalist Ami Lawless is a sound to behold. She guides her hard grooving rioters into a place of pure punk rock violence and once you get going it's impossible to turn your head away. Meanwhile, Violation Wound come out swinging with their track Victimizer. Their five song offering to the album sees Autopsy's Chris Reifert guiding his band of madmen across demented vistas and reveling in the unholy murk of their brand of DIY mayhem.

You can see the mosh pits opening up for both sides of this split. This is the kind of punk split I enjoy, in large part because the sides don't mimic each other as much as they compliment each other. There is a chaotic and maddening power here, the blazing might of a track like the 25 second long Worthless Figurehead, one of my favorites from Violation Wound, that speaks to how insane this album is at its best. Cliterati are embracing new heights, and it's exciting to see Violation Wound still cracking skulls five years in, what more could you want?

Find the bands on Facebook!

Cliterati: https://www.facebook.com/slimepriestess/

Violation Wound: https://www.facebook.com/Violationwound/

Woorms/A Hanging - Split

This is an interesting split to say the least. A record that counterbalances a wonderfully slow noise punk band with a thrashy and over the top hardcore band, this split between Woorms and A Hanging is not only a thrilling juxtaposition, but a great way to showcase two damn good bands. There is something inherently exciting about discovering new music on a seven inch, and when the bands bring two very different attitudes to the table it becomes even more exciting to see what is happening and how people operate.

Woorms kick off the split with their single song contribution to the release. Clearly influenced by heavy riff rock like the Melvins and Helmet, the crushing bottom end of The Math Says Yes simply goes to show the sheer amount of sonic punishment that the band is capable of bringing to the table. Toss in a few noisy splurges and you start to get somewhere. However it is a welcome relief when A Hanging kick down the door. The first of their three track contribution, Graft is straight sonic punishment. Within 30 seconds it tells you exactly what the band is all about and you can close your eyes and envision bodies flying and punks going crazy.

Dizzying in its variety and blasting forward with the sort of bloodthirsty magic that makes punk rock so valuable in the first place, this is a split that conjures up images of graffitied basements, stinky crust houses and house shows attended by a devout and passionate group of fans.These are the types of bands who folks like me were raised on. They reflect the influences that are not only key to properly grasping what this music is all about but also showing us there is a path and if we carry on we will find meaning in this nihilistic semi charmed life.

Find Woorms on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/WOORMS-820255734812259

Find A Hanging on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/ahanging

Pre-order the record:
https://woorms.bandcamp.com/album/split-7-w-a-hanging-digital

Jaya The Cat - A Good Day For The Damned

What I love about this blog is how every once in a while I stumble upon something truly great that I never would have expected to be even remotely for me. A Good Day For The Damned, the latest offering from longstanding reggae punks Jaya The Cat is a perfect example of this. A record that sees their unique brand of punk refined into powerful and deeply emotional songs that are not without their sense of fun it's hard to deny yourself of the endless and surreal pleasure that Jaya The Cat bring to us.

There is a sublime sense of poetry in the melodic work of A Good Day For The Damned which serves to make it an especially addictive listen. Toss in an almost Tom Waites-esque world weariness and you start to realize that Jaya The Cat are tapped into something greater. Just as much as this record can be a little dense and weird because of the reggae vibes it also becomes all the more powerful because the writing is truly excellent and it really speaks to something inside all of us. The B side of this record is especially fascinating. Tracks like The Streets Of Shoreditch remind us exactly how talented Jaya The Cat are.

Yet within all of this, like I said before, these guys remain extremely fun. They have silly song titles and the occasional lyric that will make you smirk. This is all intentional and a huge part of what serves to make this band so engaging. Rather than just letting themselves be written off as another punk band, Jaya The Cat use A Good Day For The Damned to show they can create music that is anthemic and beautiful, which will speak to us and guide us through the hard times, after all 'you're beautiful and I love you'.

Find them on Facebook! 
https://www.facebook.com/JayaTheCat

Surgeon, Sunrot, Devoidov and Dutchguts at Aviv

Aviv is a really fun place to see a show. It has that wonderful punk rock vibe that makes so much of the Brooklyn scene so great but manages to have excellent sound, a cheap bar and a relatively safe atmosphere. It's a venue that has managed to figure out the best of both worlds, which makes me sad that they will be closing down son. As with many nights like this it started at punk o'clock, in many ways only adding to the inherent charm of the venue and the show. There's something special about gathering with twenty five other punks and falling in love all over again.

First up were black metallers Surgeon on tour from Philadelphia. They came on and delivered the same sort of destructive madness that made their new record Beast Of Light such a hit. Surgeon understand the fundamental beauty of black metal, and though they seemed limited by the size of the stage they delivered a set that left me in awe. Their sheer compositional excellence shines through in a live setting and you start to get a sense for how goddamn talented these guys are. They hint at several types of black metal but manage to create something that is entirely their own - passionate and over the top.

Sunrot were at the end of a three day run with Surgeon, and despite their frontwoman losing her voice they managed to put on a killer show, brought forward by Lex's dynamic antics. There is something wonderfully huge about this bands sound, it's easy to get lost in their sound. They represent a great combination of punk rock aesthetics and sludgier, doomier frontiers. Sunrot move forward with a sort of antediluvian might, aware of their own humanity but willing to push boundaries in the name of punk rock. They are the sort of band tailor made for Aviv - they understand the genre can take us farther, but show that they will never forget their roots.

I had seen Devoidov years ago when they were still Pharaoh. Now they have another guitar player and a more evolved, far gnarlier sound. They were stunning to watch live, they represent a very exciting side of the sludge metal genre, beautifully orchestrated but also wonderfully sludgy. Their music is fundamentally jam oriented, but their understanding of riffs is truly exciting and hints at a band who could go on to do some amazing things. As is, they are a lot of fun to watch and suggest to me that Devoidov is exactly the next phase that Pharaoh needed to enter to start to achieve their full potential.

I hadn't seen Dutchguts last night but I'd heard a lot about them. I'm thrilled to report that they totally live up to the hype. This is the sort of fuzzy, dirty and fucked up rock and roll band who perfectly represent what their genre is all about. Tossing in a Motorhead cover to their set to liven things up you get the sense that Dutchguts are the spirit of punk rock. Sure some of the songs drag on, but with guitar tone this tight and riffs that juicy it's hard not to remain entranced by Dutchguts. Sure they went on late, but they fucked shit up anyway because their unique blend of stoner rock, hardcore and punk is what the underground feeds on.

And so the underground beats on - nights like these remind us that we can still have fun moshing with our friends, engaging in gang vocals and even taking group photos. Bands need floors to sleep on and shitty food to eat - that's part of how it's supposed to be and the people who run Aviv get that. It was a night that showed that despite the nihilism of the underground there is still hope and no matter what we can find a way forward, figure out the eternal pain we all suffer from and drink a few beers with our friends.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Surgeon: https://www.facebook.com/Surgeonmusic/?fref=ts

Sunrot: https://www.facebook.com/sunrotmusic/?fref=ts

Devoidov: https://www.facebook.com/pharaohNJ/?fref=ts

Dutchguts: https://www.facebook.com/DUTCHGUTS/?fref=ts

Death Metal meets Punk on February's Noisem/Ilsa Tour

I've seen Noisem something like ten times in the last year and a half. I might have an addiction problem or maybe it's just that these guys are among the best of the best. Every time I see them is a special occasion and it's hard no to fall in love with their distinct brnad of riffy death metal that has more than a little raw bombast.

After a few months of relative quiet the band is apparently ready to get back out on the road. Of course - we shouldn't forget - DC punk legends Ilsa will be touring right along side them. This is going to be an utterly sick combo that is going to be hard to match on the underground metal circuit. The Noisem Facebook page informs us that the band won't be playing much after this until August making this a crucial opportunity for fans in the Northeast to check these guys out for the last time for a little while. 

Dates:

February 12th: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar

February 13th: Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie

February 15th: New York, New York - St Vitus (With Coffins)

February 16th: Montclair, New Jersey - Meatlocker

Refused in Paris (@Le Trianon, 01/12/2015)

Whether you love them or hate them, Refused are the best example of a band whose artistic delivery and impact match their gargantuan ambition. The same way “Who wants to be a Millionnaire” contestant John Carpenter confidently baffled the world by calling his dad to boast about his 1 million dollar winning, the ballsy statement that is “The Shape of Punk to come” has baffled the world with its accurately foretold prophecy. What was once a grossly underrated band rose up and returned to the scene, greeted by the newfound fan base and praise they deserve. Returning to Paris for the 2nd time since their reformation, the punk quitet from Umea, Sweden were greeted to a Sold-out show at the large, prestigious venue known as Le Trianon.

Scheduled to open up for the band were a local four fifth all-girl band known as X Syndicate, whose sharp attire consisting of black and white suit and tie combos combined with their voluminous haircuts and makeup made for quite the first impression. The bands’ blatantly straightforward overdriven blend of punk n’ roll bordering on slow thrash, while incredibly simplistic, did make for a nice starter for the show… at least initially. While there wasn’t anything all that bad about the set, the bands’ lack of inspiration seemed to become more and more evident as time went by during the course of their uninterrupted mishmash of metal guitar 101 riffs. The vocalist did give out a solid performance, though her microphone was all too often way too low in the mix. Most disturbing of all was the staleness of the performers whose onstage attitude made them seem a lot more preoccupied by the press photographers at the front of the stage than their actual audience. Overall, I couldn’t shake the bitter aftertaste hinting towards a sense of shallowness after listening to a somewhat fun but all too generic set of riffs and songs.

Refused were then next in line and prepared to take on their avid fans. As the time for the bands’ set to start off came night, the audience was greeted and treated to an introduction with Kendrick Lamar’s King Kunta, suggesting the bands’, an unexpected yet pleasant choice that got a fair share of the audience pumped up. The Swedes took to the stage looking sharp as ever with their buttoned shirts and fired up with Elektra off of their comeback record Freedom. While the opening number for the show did feel somewhat underwhelming, the band quickly got back on track after getting warmed up for the first few minutes, getting all fired up in time to unleash The Shape of Punk to Come  unto the audience as a follow-up. Vocalist Dennis Lyxzén visibly needed a song or 2 to get warmed up but as soon as the initial tracks gave him time to get in the groove he quickly turned into a juggernaut. With a fair balance of songs off of Freedom and the classic The Shape of Punk to Come to please and win over old and new fans alike, the band delivered an incredibly fun and intense live set, brilliantly articulated and punctuated with breaks and builds to keep the show fresh and dynamic. Admittedly not a fan of larger venues such as Le Trianon, particularly in the context of a punk show, I was very impressed by the bands’ ability to make the best out of their setting and close off the typically large gap between the stage and audience through their explosive stage presence and their interaction with the audience. With Dennis swirling his mic chord and jumping around like an acrobat while busting some sweet moves, the band shows little to no signs of ageing  and are visibly still fully charged up with the electrifying energy that inked their music and name in punk rock anthology. With each outburst of the bands’ syncopated rhythms and danceable rock grooves contagious enough to tear lesser prepared venues down to the ground, Refused had their audience on their toes and running wild in the pit.

Having lost nothing in the way of their militant spirit, the band also took a brave stand to address the COP21 summit as well as the tragic events having struck Paris only 2 weeks earlier. The quintet from Sweden had played at le Bataclan the last time they toured France and were very adamant in spreading a message of unyielding love and solidarity to their audience. “THIS is our Weapon! Please take care of each other!” the band cried out, with Dennis Lyxzén on the brink of tears as they fired up “Rather be Dead”, during which he jumped into the crowd to yell the refrain alongside the fans.

Thanks to the bands’ incredibly rich sound, Refused offered a superbly paced and diverse set, crashing down with hard-hitting powerhouses all the while steering clear from a one-dimensional sequence of the same grooves and moods. I was most notably pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of the dance-able rock numbers such as the new Servants of death which helped to switch up the mood for a bit.

The bands’ live Bombination in 14 bursts flew by in what seemed like a mere half hour, closing off the main set with a brilliant rendition of the classic “Worm of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull” before leaving the stage. A sold-out venue full of fans cannot be fooled though, as every single person in the room were fully aware that the band had still some unfinished business to attend to. After a roaring ovation of fans calling out for the closing songs of the evening, the band returned to the stage to the iconic opening riff to “New Noise”, to which the crowd lost their minds and split pit from side to side before wreaking havoc. To add some more the icing on the cake before bringing an evening to a definite close, the band followed up their anthemic encore with the crushing “Tannhäuser / Derivè”, the perfect encore for the bands’ phenomenal set.

With a set such as this one, Refused leave no doubt as to the band’s relevance in today’s rock scene, their latest creative output and their explosive live shows stating loud and clear that these Swedes are going to keep tearing it up for years to come. Don’t believe what they say, Refused are fucking alive and kicking it harder than ever.

Robin.

Thank you to the staff at HIM Media for making this live report possible!

Live photos by Nessie Monteiro.

Setlist 

1. Elektra

2. The Shape of Punk to Come

3. The Refused Party Program

4. Dawkins Christ

5. The Deadly Rhythm

6. Françafrique

7. Rather Be Dead

8. Coup d'état

9. War on the Palaces

10. Servants of Death

11. Refused Are Fucking Dead

12. Thought Is Blood

13. Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine

14. Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull

15. New Noise

16. Tannhäuser / Derivè

The Casualties - Chaos Sound

The Casualties have always captured my imagination because they more than almost any other band seemed to invoke the punk rock bogeymen that scared my parents so much when I was first getting into this. The loud and proud rebellion of their blazing guitars, searing solos and crushing vocal lines has never been better, the band has grown but maintained their street punk cred, proving that while this shit may be nihilistic, there is still some hope, and somehow, despite it all, we may just be able to find a way through the modern day hell that holds so many of us back. Chaos Sound is the sound of freedom, and The Casualties know it.

Every chorus here resonates, ever solo has a strange perfection despite the unmitigated madness that defines so much of it. Sure, the band has broken all the rules and refuse to even learn them, but that doesn't stop them from putting together a damn good song. The rollicking bass lines and sing a long anthems attest to this and remind us of the overarching power of the band. Most street punk bands last barely more than a few months, The Casualties have been at it for twenty six years. Despite it all though, Chaos Sound remains remarkably true to their roots, mocking the bullshit that others try to force on hem and pounding forward with the wonderfully obnoxious sounds we have know for so long.

Particularly touching is the Motorhead cover, R.A.M.O.N.E.S though the record was almost certainly recorded before Lemmy's death it's still encouraging to hear one of the greatest bands of all time cover another one of the greatest bands of all time singing about yet another one of the greatest bands of all time. It gives the entire thing a weird sense of circular supremacy and gives us a chance to sit back, smile and fall in love with punk all over again. Chaos Sound gets to the bleeding heart of the genre and don't you ever forget it.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/TheCasualties/

The Tips - Twists'n'Turns

Regular readers know that every once in a while I like to cover some material that is kind of out of left field, at least for a metal blog. I think this is what drew me to covering Dusseldorf reggae trio The Tips today. Their new record, Twists'n'Turns is a fascinating fusion of punk rock and more traditional reggae sounds that isn't afraid to get bombastic. The end result is an album that will interest and excite the listener and provoke a deeper look, not just into what punk music can be, but really rock and roll as a whole.

The distinctive rhythms of The Tips are nicely offset by occasional punk twists and turns (Get it?) and the vaguely psychedelic vibe keeps things nicely laid back. It also helps to communicate a sentiment of almost extraterrestrial torment. Toss in the occasional mind bending solo and you start to get a record that feels almost unreal. Twists'n'Turns has captured my attention, not just because it's an awesome album but because it has a mood all of its own. The distinctive sonic flavors painted by these songs is oftentimes unreal and requires a couple of listens to really nail down. The Tips are pushing rock music in interesting new ways, and the weirder the better.

There is a very visceral power to the protests and pleas of desperation that accentuate this record. Despite the cheery exterior there is something wonderfully dark about what The Tips are doing here and wrapping your head around it is only the first step in the rock and roll nightmare that this band represents. They are fully aware of their own innovation, and while others have managed to produce similar stuff it's The Tips who push it to a whole new level and make their sound that which could define a new generation.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thetipsofficial

Garbage Brain, Darkwing and Sharkmuffin at The Gateway

Rock shows are interesting to me, especially since I spend so much time at metal shows, their twisted fuck up of a cousin. That being said - rock shows are fucked up in their own wonderful way, especially at a unique spot like The Gateway, a venue that perfectly blends DIY culture with the beauty of the New York scene. There was something beautifully hedonistic about the evening, a Bernie Sanders Rally, with women randomly taking shirts off, dudes doing shots at the bar,, and the university culture that seemed to define the 80s coming back in full force in defense of a self proclaimed socialist from Vermont.

First up was Garbage Brain, a sort of psychedelic rock and roll band who make music that felt simply timeless. Their stripped back brand of garage punk was notable because it spoke to a simpler reality and a more beautiful time, there is something strangely about a Garbage Brain live set, with their drummer providing backup vocals and their crunchy riffs storming through the mix. This is the kind of band who seem to thrive on intellectual gatherings that let kids feel the potent rebellion in their veins. There is something important to what Garbage Brain do, it speaks to the human condition in a sort of abstract way and reminds us where we came from.

Darkwing were up next playing their distinctive brand of what they call 'surf grunge'. With a special emphasis on "Ooo, Ooo's" Darkwing are a fun band to watch, muddy riffs coming face to face with flashy solos and pummeling drums. There is a wonderful inherent darkness to what Darkwing do that seems to stem from the idea of the tortured artist, it's clear that the band is very much a vehicle for the frontman, Rich, but there's nothing wrong with that - in fact it only serves to help evidence the purity of his intentions. This is a band who are simply fun to watch and aware of the power and glory their music can provide.

The last band I saw that evening was Sharkmuffin who were a fun but dark all-girl punk trio. There is something strangely appealing about the band and the way they represent the torture of humanity and yet couch it in a wonderfully hopeful sense of rock and roll magic. Sharkmuffin are a sort of existential experience, fazed out and weird but also a lot of fun to listen to. Sharkmuffin rapidly established a distinctive sound and used it to define the rest of their set, making for some exciting listening that allowed for a sort of spiritual communion between band and audience. Sharkmuffin understand the potency of the live experience and they are masters because of it.

And so the night came to an end - friends were made, even if they were the type of people you might only meet once, and bands watched and perhaps ore importantly money raised for the man who might be our only salvation. Then again - as these bands evidenced, rock and roll might be our salvation, we might not need a balding socialist from Vermont. But does it really matter? Rock and roll is rock and roll and any show at the Gateway is decidedly a good time, so perhaps we should be happy with that and the hipstery madness that cleanses our souls.

Find them on Facebook!

Garbage Brain: https://www.facebook.com/GarbageBrain/

Darkwing: https://www.facebook.com/darkwingdarkwing/

Sharkmuffin: https://www.facebook.com/sharkmuffin/

Nordjevel - S/T

Nordjevel are quite an interesting band to say the very least. Their uncanny ability to make truly exciting black metal that still heeds all of the old tropes hasn't gone unnoticed in the modern scene and watching them grow has been a pleasure. The blazing majesty of old resonates proudly on Nordjevel and speaks to all that this band has been able to accomplish. Driving forward with an almost punk rock like energy there is something strangely human about the music on this album. It burns brightly and provides solace against the frostbitten north.

The punch staccato riffing on Djevelen I Nord is just one example of what makes this album so inherently dynamic. Despite the relative lack of melodies or traditional dynamics Nordjevel are able to use a rather straightforward and monochromatic soundscape to shape the songs on the record to their bidding. You find yourself soaring over snowy plains – the harsh snows stinging your face but your mount driven ever on by the basement dwelling punk rock energy of the albumm. Nordjevel almost operate at a crossroads – aesthetically black metal enough to play major festivals but also sufficiently crusty as to not seem out of place playing a basement punk show.

Or perhaps I'm totally off the mark. After all – it's easy to get swept up in black metal soundscapes and attribute something greater where there is not. That being said – Nordjevel are a lot of fun to listen too – they masterfully guide the listener through nine tracks that bleed into each other nicely and leave you with a sense of utter completion – freedom from the darkness and shelter from the storm. As dark as a midwinters night on the Arctic Circle but sufficiently hopeful as to pull you out of the deepest murk – Nordjevel may be this generations true black metal saviors.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/nordjevelofficial/?fref=ts   

Sixteen Scandals

Sixteen Scandals are one of those fun alt-punk bands that help to make the genre so gosh darn worthwhile. Stripped down and unafraid to acknowledge pop roots as well as more traditional punk ideas their new single Don't Call Me Shirley is a surprisingly summery and fun track that all you rock and rollers can dance along too. Epic in scale and simply danceable these guys have been able to put together punk rock that speaks to 2015. Sixteen Scandals gets what makes this type of music so special and it gives you something that lets you feel alive. In a world of sorrow we need more music like this - music that's out there to help you and not to harm you, it gives you a chance to cleanse yourself in loud guitars and half-shouted vocals. In a world where punk rock too often takes itself too seriously Sixteen Scandals is able to be intelligent, funny, but also poignant - speaking to the human condition and giving us a chance to find freedom.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/sixteenscandals

The Black Black, The Unconditional Love, Bangladeafy, and Vulture Shit at the Tiger Lounge

There is something strangely satisfying about going to some fun little basement spot in Williamsburgh to celebrate the 64th birthday of a universally beloved rock star. Last night I got to see four great bands that showed me the power of the New York underground - a scene that I had missed out on in my excitement at being in the heart of the global metal scene. And so this DIY spot captured my heart last night as I spent time talking with all sorts of psyched out underground dudes and dudettes who were simply glad to be alive.

First up was The Black Black - one of those bands who simply get the fundamental power of stripped back and reliable rock and roll. With a surprisingly talented drummer and some rather distinct guitar work these guys carried on the grand tradition of basement rock. There music was potent with melodic lines leaping out and the twin vocalist approach being exploited in the grandest possible way. There is something strangely reassuring about what The Black Black do - perhaps in the way that it speaks to the fundamental power of rock and roll and reminds us that the music we love will never die. The Black Black get the glory of the genre and watching them tear it up was a wonderful start to the evening.

The Unconditional Love are one of those two pieces who you can never seem to find any information about on the internet but that you can't help but love. Sure the PA was fucking up on them and the mixing wasn't quite where it could have been - but in a weird way that didn't matter. Their modern grunge sound captured the perpetual strife of the millennial generation. There is a very real sadness to what they do that is strangely cleansing and hard to ignore. It's impossible to put into words what a band like The Unconditional Love do but I know I like it. Midway through their set the band members swapped instruments and then suddenly swapped back - I don't know what that has to say about the human condition and maybe I'm just hung over - but in a weird way I found that wonderfully poetic.

Finally the hour had come for the band I had come out to see - the triumphant Bangladeafy. This bass and drum two piece is redefining what it means to be a technical metal band and they are ridiculously inspiring to watch. The bands frontman Jon has a unique technical attack that emphasizes tapping and it gives his bass playing a wholly unique timbre. The playing scatters itself all over the place with weird time signatures defining the music and leaving listeners trying to scrape together the beautiful fragments of the music. Bangladeafy are the real deal and soon will become impossible to ignore. Their new material sounded even better than the two albums worth of classics they've already pounded out - simply put - this may be the most exciting band on the New York underground scene right now.

The evening closed out with Vulture Shit who have a surprising cult popularity that led to a great vibe in the wonderfully intimate Tiger Lounge. Forty-odd people crammed into a tiny ass room singing along to some deranged three piece punk band makes for some great rock and roll memories. Vulture Shit put together an admirable set with a powerful encore that left every screaming along. These guys are raw and wonderfully fun - their unique line up (bass, drum and vocals) giving them a distinct approach - nevertheless they weren't afraid to show the influence of older punk bands - leading to a set that had a nice mix of old and new - a perfect finale to an evening of madness.

Now I'm preparing myself to go see a highly exclusive classical music event and realizing that in some ways it's all the same - New York City punk and Beethoven is all part of the same Western canon and with the way things are going you best not forget it. These bands all speak to the fundamental nature of the nation - and while yeah - Sting wasn't there, he might as well have been. A rad soiree all around - this is not the kind of thing you can ignore, underground music might just be ready to boil over.

Find the bands on Facebook!  

The Black Black: https://www.facebook.com/theblackblack.nyc

Bangladeafy: https://www.facebook.com/Bangladeafy?fref=ts

Vulture Shit: https://www.facebook.com/vultureshit?fref=ts 

The Offenders - X

The Offenders are more than just a bouncy ska band - they have a profound understanding of punk rock too which makes their sound an engaging fusion of styles that will keep you charmed and open your mind with potent sounds and powerful lyrics that will get you singing along and pumping your fist. The fact of the matter is that after 10 years of hard work The Offenders have been able to release a definitive statement with X that will make listeners smile and draw new fans to their rather unique sound.

While yeah - at times the production can sound a little flat, you don't get to put out six albums in ten years if you're not an absolutely top notch band - and The Offenders are. They have been able to balance a diverse set of sounds on this record and I think that it definitively proves the enduring power of rock and roll. The fact that in the same song you can hear elements of The New York Dolls as well as The Specials, or hell even Streetlight Manifesto is stunning to me and is a huge part of what makes X so god damn enjoyable. Simply put - The Offenders have created a feel good sound that will make you want to dance around the pit.

Jangly and light hearted The Offenders have really gotten to the bottom of things on X and it leaves me excited for what is to come from these rock and rollers. Icons in their own right it's hard to deny a band who speak so directly to the heart. The Offenders know what it means to make you laugh, cry and hurl and that's exactly what makes this whole thing so beautiful. At the end of the day - it's impossible not to fall in love with what this Berlin based group does, so get your dancing boots on and come join in!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/theoffendersofficial

Posers - S/T

I saw Posers live a few months ago and was immediately stunned by their approach to punk rock. Sure these dudes (And dudette) can crust it up with the best of them, but they also bring a sense of old school punk. The fusion of ideas here is brilliant, poppy, and endlessly charming. The thing is - people want punk rock that is fucked up, smart, but also danceable. and this female fronted act does exactly that. Posers provide a sort of cleansing release - with every side of the punk rock spectrum covered in a surprisingly tight and polished package, despite all appearances to the contrary.

Posers understand what it means to craft pure fuckin' punk rock in a beautiful unadulterated form. Even the first song on the EP Nothing features a noisy bridge worthy of Full of Hell whilst balancing this out with tasty choruses. The Iggy Pop like madness that defines some of these tracks is simply unforgettable and immediately gets at what attracted so many of us to this fucked up thing we call punk in the first place. And yet - unlike many of their peers who might be billed 'revivalist' Posers actually are bring punk music forward. They remain as tortured as a raw nerve, and refreshingly visceral, and yet that doesn't stop them from writing songs that you can sing along too.

What I'm trying to say is that all appearances seem to indicate that Posers is a Raw Power for a new generation. Posers are part of a new movement of punk bands that fuse old and new to create something incredibly fun that speaks to the heart and reminds us why punk rock matters. Not stuck up their own ass and willing to wear their influences on their collective sleeve (I'm looking at you Better Future) Posers stand tall as one of the most exciting bands in punk right now and they need to be treated as such.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/WeArePosers?fref=ts

Eat The Gun - Howlinwood

What's always struck me as odd is that despite years of adoring some of the darkest and most fucked up doom and black metal out there, I still have a love for simple rock and roll. Perhaps there is no clearer example of that than in Eat The Gun's new classic Howlinwood which has a kind of Bad Religion-esque power to it that makes the record anthemic and fascinating, reflecting the eternal power of a genre that caused an entire generation to throw their lives away in the name of the music that they loved.

Despite many tendencies to the contrary in their peers I never really get the impression that Eat The Gun are trying to invoke the past on Howlinwood. Sure you get ideas from all different eras of rock and roll but you also get the sense that Eat The Gun are trying to build towards something grand. The sense of epicness that provides flavor to these tracks also helps to instill Howlinwood with a sense of meaning, as if these guys are turned onto a deeper reality that reflects the human condition. Maybe I'm over romanticizing but I think after multiple listens it becomes increasingly difficult to deny the transcendent qualities that this album has.

It speaks to the diversity of Steamhammer/SPV that they could put this out in conjunction with a record like Hammercults Built For War, and yet somehow it works. The thing is, Howlinwood may be high energy and major key rock and roll but it still reflects the same darkness that thrash bands try to communicate. Eat The Gun might bring the party and refuse to surrender, but they also are here to help open your eyes and guide you towards a patently beautiful world that you might otherwise never have understood.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/eatthegun.official?fref=ts

Southern Queers, Benson and Meteor Smash at Fennario's

There is a strange poetry to the American underground, the kind of thing that hopelessly single romantics like myself find ourselves getting lost in. The charm of a place like Fennarios with its all ages shows and crop of regulars is stunning and helps to define the local scene, so of course I value any and all chances I get to go out and worship at the altar of these regionally famous stomping grounds. The point is - Fennario's, and there two sound guys, quasi-legends Justin Wilson and Nick Brower helps to cement suburban punk music in West Chester.

Meteor Smash were up first, and though I've seen these guys more times than I care to remember I'm still in love with what they do. Their almost Suicidal Tendencies like sound is the kind of thing that you find yourself digging in too and falling endlessly in love with. They bring forth crushing riffs with a few doomy moments that make the whole thing triumphant. Seriously - Meteor Smash could easily make it as a doom band. Yet to deny their hardcore roots would be a travesty in its own right, and their fun, slightly over the top stage presence makes them veritable staples of the suburban scene, even if they've only been around for a few months.

I found myself falling in love with Benson simply because they represent all the sweetness and triumphant shittiness of suburban punk rock. Suburban punk isn't supposed to be 'good' and Benson get that. By acknowledging that they are essentially a crappy Modern Baseball they manage to become transcendent. There is something almost mesmerizing about what these guys do, they are truly excellent at their craft as stripped down as it might be. Benson are dudes you went to high school with and watching them bring the party on stage is an endlessly rewarding experience that will have you reveling in the true power of punk rock.

Speaking of which, Southern Queers are another band who seem to reflect the strange innocence that punk can have. With a singer who literally has polka dotted hair Southern Queers left me with a lot of questions. Yet their distinct brand of grimy punk rock in the grand old style captured my heart. They're doing stuff you've heard before but that's part of the beauty of it. They have a distinct visual aesthetic and represent a lot of interesting visual conflicts. Their cross dressing frontman with a strangely giggly strange presence gives this two piece an overall queerness that is actually really fascinating and well done proving that punk rock remains a place where this kind of exploration can push boundaries and help all society.

I write this now half drunk and preparing to go practice some guitar before crashing out. I have no clue what state I'm sleeping in tomorrow and if I'll even be able to get all my hours in at work this week, but fuck it - nights like these are what I truly live for. Punk rock is essential to the lifeblood of America as it keeps those of us too weird to live, but too rare to die trudging forth, searching for hope in a world of shit. There is a way out, and it dangles right before us, a path forward that will allow us to transcend.

Find some of the bands on Facebook!

Meteor Smash: https://www.facebook.com/meteorsmashpa?fref=ts

Southern Queers: https://www.facebook.com/southernqu33rs?fref=ts