Ten Essential Uplifting Punk Songs for these Hard Times!

"Rise above" graffiti, Erie Canal
Originally uploaded by jcolman

Times are tough. Here is a batch of punk songs that will make it easier. In no apparent order, here are some of my favorites:

Rise Above - Black Flag
The be all end all of great punk tunes! "Try to stop us, it's no use!!!" Henry Rollins screaming into the mic, and he means business...

I'm Not Down - The Clash
A very personal and thoughtful account of personal trials and mustering up the strength and courage to overcome them.
"I've been beat up, I've been thrown Out
But I'm not down, Oh I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, Oh I'm not down"

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
If this classic song done up SoCal punk style doesn't bring a smile to your face, then, as Louis Jordan would say, "Jack, you dead!"

I'm OK You're OK - MXPX
In a comforting way, MXPX is like your old pal, reminding you of better times, and that things are gonna be alright...

Do or Die - Dropkick Murphys
Leave it to the Murphs to give you the wakeup call against complacency. Don't let the bastards get you down!
"Your dreams are in danger, and We Must Rise
Our time has come we are under the gun It's Do or Die"

Living - The Circle Jerks
"Everyday is such a test, When this world's such a mess
But I'll try hard- I'll do my best, Won't get bogged down- like all the rest
Got no hamsters in my head- No monkeys on my back
No chains and shackles- to hold me down I wanna fly- I wanna fly"
That was my theme song back in the early 90's. I better find that cd and give it a spin!

New Day Rising - Husker Du
The whole lyric is like, Bob Mould shouting and screaming over and over "New Day Rising", but for some reason I get comfort from this...

Somewhere - Husker Du
Once again, in bittersweet verse, Bob Mould promises us that:
"Somewhere the dirt is washed down with the rain
Somewhere there's happiness instead of pain
Somewhere satisfaction has no name Somewhere I can
be the same". Hopeful lyrics.

I Believe in Miracles - The Ramones
I used to be on an endless run. Believe in miracles cause Im one.
A have been blessed with the power to survive. After all these years Im still alive.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
I have been blessed with the power to survive.
After all these years Im still alive.
The futures here today. Its not too late.
Its not too late, yeah! I believe in miracles.
I believe in a better world for me and you.
Oh, I believe in miracles. I believe in a better world for me and you
Very deep stuff in a Ramones sort of way.

Rise Up - Pennywise
"Well it's up to you what you really want to do - take time - to find a way
Focus on your vision you're on a secret mission
Ignore what the masses say
Well it's up to me what I really want to be
And I'm still searching for the day
We got to fight we got to feel we got to know that this is real
If we're going to win this race
We gotta rise up open our eyes up."

Put these tracks on a playlist and you might find yourself feeling better about the world, the economy, the situation we are currently in. I know you folks out there have some favorite tunes, so PLEASE comment below!
Rise Above!!!

New CD from Dropkick Murphys

The new disc from Boston's own Dropkick Murphys is an interesting set of tunes. Along with the rollicking fun tracks they are known for, they offer a distinctively serious side as well. Their arrangements featuring an amalgam of traditional Irish folk and hard-headed punk rock is both unique and derrivative of bands like the Pogues. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
The band's latest includes moving tributes to fallen hometown heroes, funeral dirges and folk tunes that tell a story, along with their usual alcohol-fueled brutality. Highly recommended!

The Real McKenzies = Great Canadian Celt Punk

In the tradition of such bands as Dropkick Murphys, here is another of my favorite Celt Punk bands. The Real McKenzies. And they are too. Real McKenzies, that is. Doesn't every band need three guitarists and a bagpipe player?

Hailing from Vancouver, BC, their sound has been best described as "the Sex Pistols meet Scottish folk". Here is some info taken from the band's MySpace page:

"Founded by frontman Paul McKenzie in 1994, he cites his family as another motivating factor, “As a lad, my parents and grandparents would dress me up in a kilt and make me sing and dance to traditional Scottish music. Starting a Scottish punk band is my way of getting revenge!” You’re probably wondering how it is that group of Canadians can rightly rollick and roam the countryside in the name of Scotland. Paul McKenzie offers an explanation, “A great many Scots immigrated to Canada. Ya see, the Scottish went north and the Irish went south...as they often do.” The Real McKenzies have just finished up recording their latest full length 10,000 Shots, at San Francisco’s esteemed Motor Studios with Fat Mike behind the knobs. 10,000 Shots is their first album for Fat Wreck Chords and it follows up two full lengths on Honest Don’s: Loch’d & Loaded and Oot & Aboot. No doubt about it though, this is their best sounding record thus far and it always helps to get these drunks in a proper studio with someone urging them along. Guitarist Dirty Kurt clearly explains, “We don’t wanna cut into our drinkin’ time, so we spend as little time as possible in the studio.” Makes perfect sense to us. The Real McKenzies are proven warriors of the road, having toured North America six times and Europe (where they draw huge crowds) five times. They’ve toured and played shows with Rancid, Shane MacGowan, NOFX, Flogging Molly, The Bay City Rollers (yep, it’s true), The Briefs, and many more. Always touring, always drinking, and always rockin’, the haggis-fueled McKenzie clan is hearty bunch that desires only to bring their brand of Celtic punk rock to every remote corner of the globe. Dirty Kurt puts it best, “We’ve been through tons of members, tons of broken bones, and tons of beer.” Their unending tour schedule would make William Wallace himself exhausted. Always performing in full Highland regalia, the Real McKenzies are a true credit to their ancestors. For their live show they don kilts, high stockings, and sporrans (those weird belt thingies). And you really have to see the size of their bagpipe player’s mohawk to truly appreciate it! Okay okay, so it’s not entirely traditional, but their live show is hands down the rowdiest punk show this side of Glasgow. These inclusive punks see to it that everyone has a good time and a stiff drink in their hand. Preferably Scotch..."
Free mp3s are to be had here:

http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/731

Pretty Neat Videos on Yahoo Music

http://new.music.yahoo.com/users/alphanumericcode/playlists/videos/playlistname-F272936E-0499-4191-BC57-08346968C327;_ylt=AhIXlW.P1_u4bemceWBnc305wSUv
This link is for some videos I tagged. There are great videos in there once you wade past the crap like Lil Wayne and Jeezy and other people with no talent and stupid names... I made a playlist of bands like Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, NOFX, ...and you will know us by the Trail of Dead, and others. I am old enough to remember music videos before MTV became a reality show sleazefest. I wish there was a channel that played good punk, alternative, hardcore and the like videos. If you have Insight Cable, they do have some good music videos, but you have to queue them up one at a time, which is a pain.