Counting (out of step) sheep

Usually I don’t post at night because I’m busy with other shit, but I’ve been busy all weekend and really felt like making a post today.  It’s approaching midnight for us East Coasters here, so I figure, why not make a mix for all you people out there who have the night jobs/studying/just plain fucking can’t sleep.

MP3:
Rancid – Midnight
Ceremony – Dead Moon California (Midnight in Solitude)/The Difference…
Bedouin Soundclash – Midnight Rockers
Bouncing Souls – Midnight Mile
Grey Area – Insomnia
Bad Religion – In The Night
Less Than Jake – Last Rites To Sleepless Nights
The Soviettes – Middle Of The Night

More Mixes For Your Insomniac Hearts:
I Went To Costa Rica And Didn’t Get Malaria
Punk Rock Valentine’s Mix (because I love you)

Buy:
Interpunk

Dismount contains 6 sing-along punk songs clocking in around 15 minutes.  On the album, The Holy Mess play catchy, aggressive punk rock tunes in the veins of The Menzingers/Banner Pilot, except a lot gruffer and a lot more beer soaked.  The album is fun and full of anthems, perfect for the upcoming summer.  While The Holy Mess usually leaves politics out of their music, there is a nod to Propagandhi at the end of “Crazy Horny”, and I could see comparisons to the band’s earlier stuff.

Everybody should check out this Philly band, and if you haven’t heard of The Holy Mess before, the Dismount EP is a damn good place to start.

MP3:
The Holy Mess – Captain, We’re Drinking!

More Shit For You To Check Out Punk:
Holy Mess – Benefit Sesh
Holy Mess – Briefcase Full Of Bruise

Buy:
The Holy Mess (I couldn’t find just the Dismount EP anymore, but the Self Titled has all the songs from Dismount.)

1208 (pronounced twelve-oh-eight or twelve-zero-eight… not one thousand two hundred and eight…) released their debut Feedback is Payback back in 2002, and it is some damn solid skate punk.  You don’t find too much of that particular flavor of punk around much anymore, but I’d be lying if I said that I don’t love that melodic punk sound.

Go check your record collection real quick, its alright, we’ll wait for you.  Ok back?  Did you find The Deviates, Millencolin, or Pennywise’s early shit?  Then you’ll dig 1208 and should probably check them out.

Fun fact: the singer of 1208 (Alex) is actually Greg Ginn of Black Flag’s nephew.

MP3:
1208 – 1988

Chicken Soup For The Punk’s Soul:
The Deviates – My Life
The Scandals – The Sound Of Your Stereo
NOFX – Pump Up The Valuum

Buy:
1208 – Feedback Is Payback

Sydney Ducks

Even though the show was sold out, when San Francisco openers Sydney Ducks took the stage the huge venue was pretty empty still.  No matter, gives me plenty of room up front.  I never heard of these guys beforehand, but just taking one look at them I thought I knew what to expect.

Coming out in mostly collared shirts, these guys just screamed oi band to me. But instead of the normal repetitiveness that I often find with oi, they had many other influences going for them (as was apparent with the lead singer’s Out Of Step Minor Threat tattoo).  They threw in some mid-tempo hardcore in between the oi sing-alongs, and I have to say I was digging them.

I don’t know any of their catalog so I’m not really sure what songs they played (besides Stray Dogs), but I can tell you by the time the set ended the room was packed with people who were drawn in to the tight sounds of Sydney Ducks.

Paint it Black

Anyone who reads this site regularly knows that I fucking love Philly’s own Paint it Black, but unfortunately, seeing them play a show lately is sort of a rare occurrence (let’s put it like this: I’ve seen both Kid Dynamite AND Lifetime since the last time I saw PIB… trust me, that’s not a complaint, but gives you an idea of how inactive PIB has been lately).  I was stoked to be seeing them again, even if there was a barricade in between the stage and the crowd (so fucking weird at a Paint it Black show).

The band took the stage to the sound of what I believe was Ghostface Killah, and immediately launched into “The Ledge”.  Dan did the best he could with the barricade, jumping in between the space and staying there the majority of set, and us small but incredibly dedicated group of fans immediately started with the pile-ons, barricades be damned.  They ripped through songs from all of their albums with very little stage banter in between.  Guitarist Andy seemed the most bummed about the barricade, claiming that while expensive shows with barricades are great and all, it’s not where their heart is, and they much rather prefer a good basement or house show (Terrordome anyone?)

Still, barricade or not, it’s always great to them, and I’m glad they didn’t cancel their set.  I talked to Dan a bit after the show, and apparently Jared got into a bike accident and they almost canceled.  Get well soon Jared.

Setlist (From What I Remember And Not In Order)
The Ledge
Salem
Cannibal
Womb Envy
CVA
White Kids Dying Of Hunger
Past Tense, Future Perfect
Pink Slip
Exit Wounds
Atheists In Fox Holes (I Think)
Cipher (I think)
Memorial Day
Bliss

Street Dogs:

Photo by Cindy Frey

I wound up talking to a lot of people in the crowd, and it seemed like a lot of them were there for the sole purpose of seeing the Street Dogs.  Street Dogs are one of those bands that I don’t listen to regularly, but every time I’ve seen them, they put on a fucking fantastic show.  Fronted by original Dropkick Murphy’s singer Mike, it looks like they’ve put out a decent amount of albums since I’ve last listened to them (ok, last one I really knew was their debut Savin Hill… I admit I’m a little behind).

These guys took the stage, and it’s impossible to not sing along.  Even if you don’t know all the words, you’ll find yourself chanting along to the blue collared tunes.  Singer Mike took some ribs at the 76ers for a while and generally had some good natured jokes with the crowd.  The highlight for me was when the crowd started chanting “LET’S GO MURPHY’S! LET’S GO MURPHY’S!” which the band responded by playing 3 songs off Do or Die, including Do or Die, Get Up, and Never Alone.  Fuck yes.

Cock Sparrer:

Finally the main reason the majority of people were here in the first place: to see the legendary Cock Sparrer.  These guys have been at it since 1972 and have kept for the most part a pretty nuclear lineup over the years (at one point when the singer was introducing the member’s, he said “and he’s the baby of the band, he’s only been playing with us for the past 20 years”).  Cock Sparrer may be old, but holy shit they fucking tear it up better than bands a quarter of their age.

They opened up with “Riot Squad” and the crowd went apeshit with a sporadic frenzy of a pit.  Unfortunately there wasn’t that much room for a full blown circle pit, but we did the best that we could.  Cock Sparrer didn’t let up for the rest of the night playing the majority of fan favorite Shock Troops and throwing in a few from the rest of their releases, from their debut Self Titled to their latest Here We Stand.  The band apologized for it taking them 40 fucking years to get to Philadelphia, and they kept taking digs at each other about their age (“It’s way past his bedtime!”).

If Cock Sparrer comes around your area, do yourself a favor and go see them.  They were one of the most influential punk bands around even if they never got the same amount of fame as bands like The Clash or The Buzzcocks, and they STILL, 40 years later… put on a hell of a show.

Setlist From What I Remember (Not In Order):

Riot Squad
Watch Your Back
Working
A.U
Sussed
Where Are They Now
Argy Bargy
Because You’re Young
Think Again (I think)
Chip On My Shoulder
Get A Rope
Teenage Heart
I Got Your Number
What’s It Like To Be Old
England Belongs To Me
Take Em All
We’re Coming Back

MP3:
Paint It Black – Memorial Day
Street Dogs – Savin Hill
Cock Sparrer – Take Em All

More Punk Rock For Your Teenage Heart:
The Buzzcocks – Singles Go Steady
Paint It Black – Amnesia
The Steal – Self Titled
Sham 69
Anti-Pasti

Buy:
Interpunk

OFF is back, and they are as pissed off as ever.  With their latest Self Titled album, OFF rips through 16 punk rock tracks in 15 minutes, leaving behind a whirlwind of old school hardcore destruction.

For those who don’t know, OFF is a punk band fronted by Keith Morris (of Black Flag/Circle Jerks fame) and features members from Red Kross, Burning Bridges, and Hot Snakes.  Playing brash and unapologetic hardcore, OFF picks up where they left off on their First Four EPs.  Not that Keith Morris cares, as he stated in an interview “I really, really liked the record. I’m not one of the guys that sits around and says “We did this on this one and then on that one we did that.” I’ve never paid attention to anything like that. If the music is good, it transcends.”

The album starts off with the snarling “Wiped Out”, and continues an unrelenting assault all the way through closer “I Want One”.  On the way, guitarist Dimitri expands on the normal three chord approach by sprinkling in sporadic leads throughout the album and even slows things down a bit on “King Kong Brigade”.  Meanwhile, no one is safe from Keith’s biting lyrics.  Whether it be the criticizing old bands and future ones on “I Got News For You” (which with the lyrics “You bet I got something against you too” almost seems like a response to Black Flag’s “You Bet We’ve Got Something Personal Against You”) or “Feelings Were Meant To Be Hurt”, Keith unleashes a pissed off vocal fury with more angst and anger than people half his age.

OFF’s Self Titled is a must for anyone who likes no frills, no bullshit punk rock.  While the band may get a lot of publicity due to their members, the music definitely holds up and sounds like it came straight from the 80s.

MP3:
OFF – I Got News For You

More Punk Rock:
Black Flag – Damaged
Black Flag – The First Four Years
The Adolescents
Bad Religion – How Could Hell Be Any Worse?

Buy:
OFF! (CD or Vinyl)

MP3:
Youth Brigade – Punk Rock Mom
The Vapids – Make Mommy Proud
The Misfits – Mommy, Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight?
Bouncing Souls – I Like Your Mom
Dangers – Stay At Home Mom
Screeching Weasel – Mother
Ceremony – Mothers and Fathers

More Mixes:
Scenester 101: How To Be A Modern Day Street Punk
Scenester 101: How To Be A 3rd Wave Ska Dork
Scenester 101: How To Be A Skinhead
Scenester 101: How To Be Hardcore

Buy:
Interpunk

Photo Taken By: Kurt Christensen

I’m not the biggest fan of screamo (and I came a long way… I used to downright hate it), but I’ve always liked Thursday.  Maybe it’s the fact I’m originally from NJ and Bruce Springsteen himself will come around and uppercut you in the balls if you don’t like Thursday, or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve always respected the band for being the first to start the whole screamo thing without singing about broken hearts, hair dye, or whatever the fuck else most sing about.

That being said, I haven’t seen Thursday since 2003, and am pretty much unfamiliar with most of their catalog with the exception of Full Collapse, Waiting, and Jet Black New Year.  After Thursday broke up, I was bummed I wouldn’t get to see them again, but last night Geoff Rickly (singer) played a free show covering Thursday songs at Philly’s own Gunner’s Run (I guess it’s obvious who didn’t want the band to break up).

Unfortunately I was late due to being caught in traffic after a Philadelphia Union game (DOOP DOOP DOOP MOTHERFUCKERS), but I was able to catch most of his set.  Geoff looked nervous up on stage in front of everyone, and I remember reading in an interview that he always got nervous even when the full band did an acoustic version of a song, because if he fucks up, everyone will know.  Of course, everyone will be too busy singing along to care, but when you’re solo with an acoustic guitar, you leave yourself much more exposed.

Armed with his acoustic guitar, Geoff asked people to sing along to the overlapping vocal parts, but asking was unnecessary. The small bar was packed with fans, and people were shouting along to every word of every song.

Usually I’m not big on the whole acoustic performance, but I had a blast and Geoff killed it (and the fact that the show was free definitely helped matters).  Made me incredibly nostalgic for when I used to go see Thursday way back in the day.

Highlights:
Cross Out The Eyes (and I fucking just missed it)
Understanding In A Car Crash
How Long Is The Night
War All The Time

MP3:
Thursday – Jet Black New Year

More Shit You Love:
Saves The Day – Can’t Slow Down
La Dispute – Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River Between…
Lifetime Live In Philly

Buy:
Thursday’s Albums

While Propagandhi has evolved into a more thrash punk sound as of late (which I fucking love for the record…), the first full length by these snotty Canadian punks featured 12 songs of politically infused skate punk bliss.  Released 19 years ago back in 1993 (holy shit, feel old yet?) How To Clean Everything completely shreds from anthem Anti-Manifesto all the way to the Cheap Trick of I Want You To Want Me.

Lyrically, Propagandhi tackles political issues and feminism (and the fact ska sucks on one track), but they do incredibly bluntly.  Songs such as Stick The Fucking Flag Up Your Goddamn Ass You Son Of A Bitch aren’t exactly subtle, and neither is the outro to the reggae influenced Haillie Salasse, Up Your Ass which features a chorus simply chanting “fuck religion”.  Still, there is a certain charm to all this bluntness, and Chris’s lyrics are rounded out by John K (of The Weakerthans) who played bass and occasionally sang some more emotional lyrics, as heard on the song Showdown.

Definitely a must for any punk fan in general, Propagandhi is one of my favorite bands, and How To Clean Everything shows their old melodic skate punk roots.  Fuck, I noticed I didn’t post on Today’s Empire Tomorrow’s Ashes as well… guess that’ll go into the queue.

Mp3:
Propagandhi – Anti Manifesto

More Housewives Posts You’ll Dig (Or Else):
We Interviewed Todd The Rod of Propagandhi
Propagandhi – Where Quantity is Job #1
Propagandhi – Supporting Caste
Propagandhi – Less Talk More Rock

Buy:
Propagandhi – How to Clean Everything

RIP Adam.

Playing self-described “cinema-grind”, as we’ve posted before… these dudes take movie themes and just run wild with them.  Their 2007 EP Destination: Time Tomorrow takes movies featured in the future (Alien, Jurassic Park, etc) and creates some of fucking brutal songs around them.

Some may see this as gimmicky, but as someone who doesn’t watch many movies, I couldn’t give two shits and just love the tunes.  Something that separates Graf Orlock from many other grindcore bands is that they throw in enough melodic breakdowns to keep people not really into grindcore interested.

These guys have been been in my regular rotation for a while now, and I highly recommend any fan of brutal hardcore check them out, even if it’s for their crowning achievement of mixing the Jurassic Park theme into a heavy as fuck song.

MP3:
Graf Orlock – The Dream Left Behind

More:
Graf Orlock – Destination: Time Today
Dangers – Messy, Isn’t It?
Phobia – Cruel
Swallowing Shit

Buy:
Graf Orlock – Destination Time Tomorrow