Horribly Wrong “C’mon and Bleed With”
Horribly Wrong C’mon and Bleed With Eradicator Records/Shit in Can Records The Horribly Wrong is a band almost lost to the annals of obscure midwestern punk history. They were active for maybe three years (2002-05), played maybe 20 shows and barely strayed from their home base of Bloomington, IN. They put out a 7” EP [...]
The Beastie Boys “Ill Communication” Deluxe Edition
Beastie Boys “Ill Communication” Deluxe Edition Capitol I spent most of this past weekend blasting my favorite Beastie Boys record “Ill Communication” and I’m happy to report that it sounds as good today as it did when it first came out in The Beastie’s fourth proper release has been re-issued as a double CD deluxe [...]
The Quakes "Negative Charge"
The Quakes Negative Charge If Buffalo, NY’s chosen sons The Quakes are known for one thing (besides their zeal for ’80s covers), it’s that they release the most consistently marvelous records year after year. “Negative Charge” is no exception, commencing with the poppy “Seven Seas Alone,” an apropos tune in these days of non-swashbuckling pirates [...]
NoBunny “Love Visions”
Nobunny Love Visions 1-2-3-4 Go! Records I bought this CD after I told myself I need to stop spending money on stupid shit. I’m glad I bought it – you should, too… this will seriously make your life better. Originally released as a limited LP-only on Bubbledumb Records, Love Visions was picked up by 1-2-3-4 [...]
Mike Edison “I Have Fun Everywhere I Go”
Mike Edison I Have Fun Everywhere I Go Faber and Faber, Inc. Mike Edison and the Rocket Train Delta Science Arkestra I Have Fun Everywhere I Go Spoken word CD Interstellar Roadhouse My goodness did he ever! Mike Edison is a rock’n’roller, pornographer, wrestling journalist, hedonist, confidante of GG Allin, Beatles-hater, fierce First Amendment protector [...]
Guns ‘N’ Roses “Chinese Democracy”
Guns ‘N’ Roses “Chinese Democracy” Geffen Notes: Double LP set in a gatefold sleeve How does one review the unreviewable? That’s what it comes down to. Guns ‘N’ Roses were once my favorite band – 15 years ago. In that time, I discovered grunge, punk, hardcore, psychobilly and pretty much disassociated myself from the LA [...]
Good Riddance "Remain In Memory"
Good Riddance “Remain In Memory” Fat Wreck Chords Notes: 2x Colored LP (Red, Blue), Gatefold, Limited to 1,100 Fat Wreck Chords comes through with one of the most impressive tributes to a band that helped merge the worlds of punk and hardcore. Documenting Good Riddance’s final show in Santa Cruz, California “Remain in Memory” is [...]
Replacements Reissues Royale
Royalty Checks for the Replacements – Huzzah! All those damn reissues plus a book! Banner year for the Replacements – eight CD reissues and a book! Looks like they’ll be getting royalty checks for a while – good for them. Also looks like Tommy Ramone (producer of Tim) will be getting some – not so [...]
Jay Reatard – Matador Singles ‘08
Jay Reatard Matador Singles ‘08 Matador Records Who woulda thunk a kid in his 20s would have two collections of singles released in the same year (and these covering only a two year span of his 10-plus year career)? The ever-prolific Jay Reatard keeps evolving his distinct, agitated pop sound. These songs are creepy as [...]
New York Dolls Photographs by Bob Gruen
“New York Dolls Photographs” by Bob Gruen Abrams Image Bob Gruen scored a dream job when he happened upon a New York Dolls gig at the Mercer Arts Center in New York way back in 1972. Every rock & roll photographer dreams of discovering an amazing band early in their career and then following them [...]
The Champagne Charade "Glitter City"
The Champagne Charade “Glitter City” North Jersey is hiding Rock and Roll’s best kept secret. Fronted by the lovely Saetia LaReoux, the Champagne Charade are unapologetic with their poppy metal assault. Guitars blaze, drums and bass thunder and LaReoux can fucking sing her heart out. This band is the real deal and everyone should take [...]
Rise Against "Appeal to Reason"
Rise Against “Appeal to Reason” DGC/Interscope Rise Against have returned with another record teeming with fist pumping, adrenaline-fueled melodic hardcore, but this time the emphasis is clearly on the melody. You’d think that with all the crap going on in the world today, a band as relevant as Rise Against would be spewing lyrics vicious [...]
Gentleman Jesse and His Men "S/T"
Gentleman Jesse and His Men Introducing… Douchemaster Records I think my friends are getting sick of me talking about this band, but goddamn are they something. I was tempted to type this review in all caps but was afraid to come across as ridiculous (or like that crazy ex-girlfriend who you can’t get a read [...]
Koffin Kats "Drunk in the Daylight"
Koffin Kats “Drunk in the Daylight” Hairball 8 The Koffin Kats live in die by the term “No Filler.” Every one of their records has been a fine-tuned masterpiece, from the full-length “Inhumane” to the short but sweet “Straying from the Pack”–every album these guys put out is track-by-track flawless. Weighing in at an epic [...]
Hellbound Glory "Scumbag Country"
Hellbound Glory “Scumbag Country” Gearhead Records Hellbound Glory gets props right off the bat for one of the greatest band names in years. Couple that with an amazing record of country-fried hellbilly rock ‘n’ roll, and you have one of the best package deals of 2008. “Scumbag Country” is a balls-to-the-wall road ripper with tunes [...]
Bad Idea–Great Tattoo
One of the dumbest ideas I’ve had as of late was to try and interview artist Sunny Buick while she was tattooing me. I lasted one question and then just stopped talking. I did get some nice portraits of her after the tattoo session. Hopefully, I can pick her brain next time she is in [...]
Thee Merry Widows "The Devil’s Outlaws"
Thee Merry Widows “The Devil’s Outlaws” The brides or rock & roll Frankenstein have returned with a record of mid-tempo psycho anthems that provide the perfect soundtrack to the latest zombie invasion. While not as viciously heavy as some of their contemporaries, the gals that make up the Merry Widows approach their music with a [...]
H2O "Nothing to Prove"
H2O “Nothing To Prove” Bridge 9 Records H2O have returned after a very long hiatus and their fans couldn’t be luckier. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, “Nothing to Prove” is a potent melding of power punk and mid-90s hardcore, lacking any macho posturing and soaked with infectiously catchy tunes. H2O have never been [...]
Brine + Bastards "Set Sail For Sodomy"
Brine + Bastards “Set Sail For Sodomy” Refugee Records New Jersey punk veterans Brine + Bastards are set to plunder the world of rock with the release of their much anticipated debut record “Set Sail For Sodomy,” featuring 13-tracks teeming with blarney, swagger, and a heaping spoonful of awesome. Yeah, B+B dress like pirates, and [...]
Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders "Holdin’ Onto Trouble’s Hand"
Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders Holdin’ Onto Trouble’s Hand Rankoutsider Records Pat Todd is a man that just won’t quit! Barely over a year ago, the ex-Lazy Cowgirls’ front man assembled a new rock and roll troupe and put out a 28-song double-CD (The Outskirts of Your Heart, Rankoutsider Records) of his trademark mix of [...]
Young Werewolves "Cheat the Devil"
Young Werewolves “Cheat the Devil” www.theyoungwerewolves.com Out of the grindhouse and onto the radio, the Young Werewolves fire on all cylinders with silver bullets blazing and fangs bared. This band of punky surf rockers pummel the listener to oblivion with 14 infectiously catchy numbers about horror movies and Hollywood babylon. Every song on “Cheat the [...]
B-Movie Rats "Radio Suicide"
B-Movie Rats “Radio Suicide” Rankoutsider Records I have this B-Movie Rats t-shirt that I’ve worn the hell out of for years. I don’t know where it is now, probably lost it in my cross-country move. I got their newest CD in the mail and was surprised. I haven’t heard anything from them in years and [...]
The King Khan and BBQ Show "S/T"
The King Khan and BBQ Show “S/T” In the Red Records This record can be summed up in five words: “Motherfuck! This is so good!” My own laziness astounds me sometimes. I’ve had this record for like three months and am only writing this review now. I don’t know why I waited so long, I [...]
Corpse Show Creeps "Blackblood Call"
Corpse Show Creeps “Blackblood Call” Hairball8 Somehow this little gem got stuck behind my amp and I’m just now starting to really dig into it. This band of Minneapolis-based horrorpunks play swinging grooves against a frantic backbeat that makes you want to dance while bludgeoning your head with a broken Jack Daniels bottle. The music [...]