Life In A Bungalo

Radio Bungalo is pleased to present an interview with Jim Lindberg, lead singer of Pennywise. Besides being the vocalist of one of the biggest bands since the mid-’90s punk explosion, Lindberg is an accomplished author, recently releasing his acclaimed memoir, “Punk Rock Dad.” The book sounds like it might be a silly coming of age story about a out of control punk, but in actuality it is a look at life on the road for one of the hardest working independent bands. This interview will be transcribed next week for those who would rather read than listen, but I encourage you to hear Lindberg talk about his daughters, writing, and life in Pennywise. Feel free to post a comment about your favorite Pennywise memory.

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 Radio Bungalo #34 [25:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Rise Against/Silverstein/Comeback Kid/Only Crime
Nokia Theater, NYC
June 27, 2007

With a stage set that looked like a desolate futuristic warehouse, and a lighting show that could blind people in the balcony, Rise Against took stage at New York’s state-of-the-art Nokia Theater and just handed the audience their collective asses. The band tore through all their aggro-melodic punk tunes, including songs from most of their records, but concentrating primarily on their latest melodic hardcore masterpiece “The Sufferer and the Witness.” The band played two encores, coming back with a short acoustic set that featured an amazing cover of Jawbreaker’s “Touring Song.” Read more »

As I rounded the corner and made my way down Front Street in DUMBO, I spotted an enormous mob bunching up in all directions, taking up every inch of street space while off duty cops with ear pieces attempted to bring about some type of order and create something resembling a line. Georgie Bungalo told me there was no way I could miss the place. Jonathan Levine was hosting the opening for Shephard Fairey’s new work, and clearly this was something people wanted to see. Read more »

Revolution on Canvas, Volume 2:
Poetry from the Indie Music Scene
Edited by Rich Balling
Grand Central Publishing

As I get closer and closer to 30, I’m coming to the conclusion that I’ve completely lost touch with the music kids like. There was a period in time when all the punks 10 years my junior were listening to bands that were just becoming popular as I was slowing down in the scene. I was so happy that they had discovered bands like Ignite, Strife, and Agnostic Front. Sadly, most of those bands have long since vanished, replaced by a new crop of angst ridden rockers that I don’t understand and do not appreciate it. Read more »

Pierce the Veil
A Flair for the Dramatic
Equal Vision

Equal Vision has made a critical mistake when signing new bands. Pierce the Veil is a shining example of when a label forgets about integrity and honest rock and roll and signs a flash in the pan with no real substance. You’re not gonna find the next Saves the Day or Coheed and Cambria here folks.

“A Flair For the Dramatic” should sound familiar to you as it sounds exactly like half of the shit that passes for “punk rock” these days. Whiny vocals, lamer lyrics, cookie cutter drums, and an embarrassing look are among Pierce the Veil’s many faults. “Chemical Kids and Mechanical Brides” starts the record with a whimper and its all downhill from there. When singer Vic Feuntes cites Silverchair as one of his main influences you know there’s something wrong. Read more »

The Art of Alex Gross:
Paintings and Other Works
Chronicle Books

Chronicle is known for putting together stunning testaments to modern artists such as Gary Baseman, and the lowbrow art movement (try lifting the hulk-size “Art of Modern Rock”). But, when it came time to put together a compilation of works by painter Alex Gross, the book company chose elegance over size.

At a little more than 150 pages, “The Art of Alex Gross” charts the progression of one of the brightest diamonds in the contemporary art movement. The book documents dozens of his colorful, often Asian-inspired paintings and each piece is given ample space in this over-sized hardcover. Read more »

Full Vinyl:
The Subversive Art of Designer Toys
by Ivan Vartanian
Collins Design

In he last few months, there’s been a rash of books about the recent “vinyl toy craze,” however most of the hundred-page tomes released by pop culture purveyors and toy manufacturers, have served more as giant catalogs (think Sears Wishbook) than actual reading material. Surprisingly, Collins Design (a division of Harper Collins) has jumped on the bandwagon with a book that actually has some substance to it.

Drenched in a neon-pink, echo-friendly, corrugated cardboard cover (nice to think green), “Full Vinyl” balances the line between history book and photo album, choosing to spotlight only the heavy hitters in the toy scene, and focusing on the artists and the art rather than just their toys. The book opens with a substantial introduction to the world of designer toy collecting, and segues into the world of Bounty Hunter and Kaws. Read more »

The book gods have gone and dropped off ten tons of books at the Bungalo and we need to review these things eventually. Unlike most professional “book reviewers” who get paid a ton of dough to read the first chapter and give the book as sold B or A rating every time (I’m looking at you EW), we actually take the time to read what people send us. So after much delay, I’m going to crank out a book review, feature, or interview every day this week, culminating with an interview with Jim Lindberg (lead singer of Pennywise and author of “Punk Rock Dad”) this Friday. Take a look, it’s in a book, it’s reading rainbow…