A punk fan looks at 50.

So many people my age are content to listen to the same crap they heard in high school. I guess I do to but mostly punk from my college days.
I am looking for the new and interesting bands as well... If my musical tastes stopped in 1981, I would have missed out on so much great tuneage. Yes I love the Clash. Black Flag. Fear. But new stuff comes around all the time. So in the second half century of my life I vow to keep up the search for the most interesting and vital sounds around. Maybe I can start a great punk band when I retire from my day gig. You have to stay young.

The Bastard Son of Johnny Cash: Check this guy out!

His name is Jesse Morris. He appears to be from San Francisco according to his myspace page. He does punk songs in the the style of Johnny Cash. Here is his version of "Six Pack", the infamous old Black Flag tune. I would buy this guy's record if there was one. Black Flag and Johnny Cash both had that "in yer face" attitude to their music, and Jesse mixes them together very well here. I would like to see him tour with Hank III, Wayne Hancock and Big Sandy. Now that would be a great show.

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Originally uploaded by vhf

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead will be releasing their seventh full length on February 8, 2011. The record is titled Tao of the Dead and will be the second on their own imprint, Richter Scale Records. The album comes almost exactly two years after the February 2009 release of The Century of Self .

The band will of course be touring in support of the new album, kicking things off in Europe at the end of March on a co-headlining tour with Rival Schools and then heading out in the US at the end of April – dates to be announced shortly.

Keith Morris - New Project OFF!

Keith Morris - Circle Jerks
Originally uploaded by wanapixel

Keith Morris is one of the grandfathers of American punk. He traces his roots back to the early LA punk scene, as former frontman for legendary Black Flag. As the 80s dawned, he went in a new direction with his band the Circle Jerks. I loved the Jerks because of their weird sense of humor and hard riffs.
So, not long ago, I hear he has created a new supergroup called OFF! Seems natural, first Black Flag and now OFF! He will be creating great punk until America runs out of pest control products. Can't wait to see what comes of it. A cd? A tour? Who knows, but even RAID can't kill these old roaches, who keep putting out great punk into their fourth decade. Geez are we getting old?

London Calling: Voted Best Punk Album of All Time by Dissident Readers!

London Calling
Originally uploaded by Adriano Comissoli

We have closed the polls and the votes are in. London Calling by The Clash, was voted the best punk album of all time. I can't say that I disagree. There have been so many great punk records over the years, but London Calling was a special record. It was a double LP that blew away any notions of what punk should sound like. Running the gamut from punk to ska to folk and dub, the songwriting was deep and the tunes were classic.
The opening cut was the title track, the plaintive London Calling. This is still a classic. Brand New Cadillac, a psychobilly tune was next. Jimmy Jazz, track 3, was a jazzy little number. Hateful and Rudie Can't Fail are both tuneful tracks to end side 1.
Side 2 featured some nice softer tunes. Spanish Bombs and Lost in the Supermarket are VERY soft from a punk perspective, but are great songs, full of insight. Clampdown is more straight-forward power punk. Then follows the punk classic, Guns of Brixton.
Side 3 boasts rockers Koka Kola, and Death or Glory. Side 4 finishes with my personal theme song of the time I'm Not Down, along with Train in Vain and Revolution Rock. If you don't have this disc, GET IT! I was still in high school when it came out 30 (ugh!) years ago. I graduated in 1981. This was the soundtrack of my youth, alongside other greats such as Black Flag - Damaged. Hope you have enjoyed this tribute to the album Dissident Times fans have voted their favorite all-time punk recording.

Hit the Switch! New record is out, and it rocks HARD

Chino, California based Hit the Switch has a new cd out. Hit the Switch mixes SoCal punk, hardcore and thrash that is powerful stuff. I found them a couple of years ago on their cd, Domestic Tranquility and Social Justice. The new disc is called Observing Infinity.I love their low tech, straightforward approach to the music. It sounds raw, energetic and thrashes with a real sense of urgency. Take a stroll to their myspace page here:

Against Me! has new trax due on July 7th!

Against Me at Warped Tour
Originally uploaded by tomkclarke.com

At least somewhat new, to us. The new disc is called "The Original Cowboy" and it features hard rocking demos from circa 2003. Hailing from Gainesville, they manage to NOT sound like Lynryd Skynrd, and blaze their own musical trail. Just last year, Against Me! was named best punk band by Rolling Stone mag. As if they know punk, but I agree with them on this one. This band IS a great punk band. Not derivative of earlier punks, and forging a new sonic trail through the murky swampland. I love the vocals and the bass work of this band. Every great punk band needs that low end and the raspy vocals. Against Me! never disappoints...

Rancid's "Let the Dominoes Fall" due on Tuesday!

Tuesday will be a busy day for me. My son who broke his arm a while back will be getting his cast off. I will be starting a new job and have to travel to Pittsburgh for some training. Somewhere along the way I need to pick up the long awaited Rancid cd, "Let the Dominoes Fall" coming out on Epitaph Records on June 2. From the previews I have heard, it sounds like classic Rancid. They don't stray too far from their traditional sound, but that is a good thing. It has a mellower vibe to it than their 2000 classic "Rancid" album. That's great too. We can't keep up that intensity forever, but can mature and keep the fire going. Like Husker Du, who continued to evolve after Zen Arcade, I feel that Rancid still has years of great material in them.
They are touring in support of the album. I call the best gig on this tour at Summerfest in Milwaukee. If you have never been there, the environment is great, the food is plentiful, and there is more music than you could shake a bratwurst at. I have seen some memorable shows there on the lakefront in Milwaukee. Violent Femmes, B52s, Sugar Cubes, Public Image Ltd, you name it.
Like I said, the disc has a mature vibe to it. Like when 40 year old guys play punk. But that is a good thing!

Bargain Bin Treasure: Jon Cougar Concentration Camp CD

I am a sucker for cd bargain bins. I am also a sucker for a band with a great name. These two things came together when I found this disc:
Jon Cougar Concentration Camp "No More Room in Hell". I had vaguely heard of these guys years ago, but never heard them. Turns out there was an interesting story there.
The band started as four friends jamming in the San Diego area. The friends went on to cut some tracks, and join other bands. The Queers, a great surf punk band is one of them. I always liked them, but stumbled on their name. I felt like I was offending someone when I mentioned them... Another member joined The Dwarves. Both bands that I had heard of. JCCC, as they are known has been defunct for many years, but this disc has a lot of raw energy and power. Sounds like it was recorded in a basement in about 45 minutes, but that is a GOOD thing!
I love the bargain bins. You never know what you will find.

It was 20 Years Ago Today... Royal Crescent Mob

1991 Royal Crescent Mob
Originally uploaded by clare_and_ben

I was just listening to some old Royal Crescent Mob today. Spin the World, was released in 1989. I like a lot of the music from that era. The punk funk fusion of bands like 24-7 Spyz, Momma Stud, Red Hot Chilipeppers, and the RC Mob were banging it up, with funk bass, punk guitar and rap/rock lyrics. It was a nice time, and the music had a good natured feel to it.
The scene was throbbing with heavy bass and punk/metal guitar riffs.

Here are some of my faves from 20 years ago:
Royal Crescent Mob- Spin the World
24-7 Spyz- Gumbo Millenium
Fishbone- Bonin' in the Boneyard
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Blood Sugar Sex Magic

I thought it was THE FUTURE of music. I thought ALL music would sound like this. The real breakout bands from that era were Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More. They had a little staying power.
But tastes change. Good music lives on. I thought Momma Stud was going to be THE next big thing. I was wrong. Still sounds great however. Listen to some older cd's and expand your mind. See where we THOUGHT music was going at one time. You just may enjoy it!

Make Do and Mend: Good Band to Check Out!

Originally uploaded by Sacha Maxim

Whilst rummaging through material of new and up-and-coming bands to write about, I kept coming back to these guys. Make Do and Mend. They are set to release Bodies of Water in the next few days. Hailing from West Hartford CT, the new tunes will be available on vinyl or cd. Tour dates mostly on the east coast and west coast. Nothing in the middle 2/3 of the US for now. Their sound is classic and fresh at the same time, going down familiar roads but not getting stuck there. Tuneful, post-HC/punk and thoughtful lyrics. Check them out!

New Material from Strung Out

Jason Cruz - Strung Out
Originally uploaded by andrew_mo

Just listening to the new cd by Strung Out. They are sounding as raw and melodic as ever. The new disc is called Prototypes and Painkillers. There is a track called Lost Motel, a free mp3, which can be found here: http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/736.
The new disc is a follow up to their 2007 standout recording Blackhawks over Los Angeles. Hoping they make it to the midwest soon.

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!!!

Agent Orange: Tour 2009 Info

Agent Orange
Originally uploaded by epmd

If you are not familiar with these guys, Agent Orange goes back to the early days of SoCal punk. Their sound has stradled punk, surf, and the early days of what we called hardcore. Their power trio format was the schematic for many a punk band in the 80's, mine included (Angry Dissidents). With a guitar, bass and drum attack, the music takes on an urgency that you miss with a fuller sound. Take the Minutemen, Husker Du, and the Meat Puppets. These were diverse and sparse power trios of the same era. Nice to see the boys on tour. I may get out the old Blood Stained Hitz compilation, and trip up to Newport for a show.
February 24, 2009 New City Suburbs Edmonton, Alberta
February 25, 2009 Cheers North Red Deer, Alberta
February 26, 2009 The Underground Calgary, Alberta
February 27, 2009 Amigos Cantina Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
February 28, 2009 The Distrikt Regina, Saskatchewan
March 1, 2009 Royal Albert Arms Winnipeg, Manitoba
March 4, 2009 The Embassy London, Ontario
March 5, 2009 Touche Bar Hamilton, Ontario
March 6, 2009 The Alex Brantford, Ontario
March 7, 2009 Katacombes Montreal, Quebec
March 8, 2009 Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York
March 9, 2009 Southgate House Newport, Kentucky
March 10, 2009 Tiger O'stylies Berwyn (Chicago), Illinois
March 11, 2009 Knickerbockers Lincoln, Nebraska
March 12, 2009 Pt's Club Inferno Denver, Colorado
March 13, 2009 Club Vegas Salt Lake City, Utah
March 14, 2009 The Cheyenne Saloon Las Vegas, Nevada
March 15, 2009 Cocky Bull Victorville, California

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead to release new CD This Week!

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Originally uploaded by vhf

Followers of this blog know that one of my favorite bands and band names out there is "...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead". Century of Self is the title, and as usual the Austin- based band pushes the sonic envelope. From the samples on their website and myspace, I am looking forward to the new offering. I hear shades of Husker Du, Smashing Pumpkins and a lot of other sonic mayhem in their sound. Hoping a tour will follow.

Voodoo Glow Skulls!

Voodoo Glow Skulls
Originally uploaded by Riff55

For those who say that ska is dead, The Voodoo Glow Skulls drive a stake right through their head. Since 1988, these SoCal skacore aficianados have been bringing it. I have been into these guys since the Band Geek Mafia days, and they continue to put out great music. Check out Epitaph Records website and Victory Records for free mp3's of these guys. I love the "in yer face" attitude of their music. My favorite tracks by these guys are "Left for Dead", "Steady as she Goes" and "Hit a Guy With Glasses". Check them out!

Primeval Punk Pics

Here are a couple of pics a friend sent me of a punk band I played in back in the late 70's and early 80's. Standing up there on a flatbed truck cranking out some Ramones no doubt... Check out the trucker hats, before the guy from Pennywise spoted one, and the old coffin shaped Phantom guitar. I am playing the ES 335 archtop guitar, proving that ANY guitar is a punk guitar. Very funny stuff!

Blink 182 to reunite, prepare for summer tour

Blink fans are happy, as they have announced an upcoming summer tour. An "on-the-mend" Travis Barker will join the rest of the members for a summer tour. It also appears there will be an upcoming album in the works. Nice to see a group that has great chemistry get back together and continue where they left off.

Ten Essential Women of Punk?

calendar girl punk rock jenny 3
Originally uploaded by Robots For Magnolia

Who are the Ten Essential Women of Punk? I can think of lots of great candidates. Nowadays there are tons of great punk singers of the female persuasion. The Soviettes, The Eyeliners, Tilt, the list goes on, and there are plenty of great female artists in the punk genre... But who were the first? Who paved the way? Here is my list. If I left anyone out, feel free to comment! In no particular order.

Patti Smith:
Who is considered the poet laureat of punk. I remember her stuff coming on the scene in the late 70s (editor's note, I am an old fart) and the passion of her lyrics and vocals. She brought a literate and lucid vision to the music scene at the time, and was (and still is) an original. Most people are at least partly familiar with her from the near hit Because the Night. My fave was always Pissing in the River.

Exene Cervenka (X)
Passionate singer of the great SoCal punk band X, I always loved the sense of urgency Exene displayed in her vocals. The album Los Angeles is a definite "add" for any collection, and my favorite tune by X was Breathless. This was actually done for the soundtrack of the 80's film Breathless, but the tune was better than the movie anyway.

Wendy O.Williams (Plasmatics)
When punk was scary and new, so was Wendy O. My mind reels with pictures of WOW blowing up a car on the Tom Snyder show, blowing up school buses, wielding a chainsaw onstage. She was both scary and exciting, like her music. The blonde mohawk and schoolgirl skirt, whipped cream and duct tape. Not to be confused with any other band leader on the planet... She had attitude, and showmanship. She tragically ended her life a few years back.

Debbie Harry (Blondie)
Not a true punk by today's style, but punk in a NY art house sort of way. Like Talking Heads, Blondie, Television, etc. who were considered punk in the 70's. Debbie had a great stage presence, classic beauty and an interesting voice. I always liked Rip Her to Shreds with its attitude. She pioneered mixing rap and rock with Rapture. They delved into new wave, electronica, dance and punk.

Joan Jett (The Runaways)
I am the same age as Joan and these ladies. As a hormone- raged teen, seeing Joan, Cherie, and Lita et al, was quite overwhelming. One performance of Cherry Bomb was enough to start an adolescent male riot. I give Joan the vote since she was the best known, but all the Runaways deserve the nod. They paved the way for riotgirl punk and bands like The Donnas.

Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth)
Noise, art punk, hardcore or whatever, Kim was one of the original noisemakers who helped launch the avant garde punk scene in the early 80s. She was just one of the band, not a novelty, as bands with female members were in the days before the came on the scene.

Gaye Advert (The Adverts)
From the other side of the pond, I needed someone to represent britpunk. Gaye fills that bill. She is one of the original britpunk women I remember from back in the day. Good punk vocs and stage presence, with tons of the britpunk attitude. I like the old snarling dog style of the British rockers.

Kira Roessler (Black Flag)
Kira gets the nod because she was tough enough to tour with Black Flag. I'm not sure that I am even tough enough to tour with Black Flag. Van rides to nowhere, sleeping on floors, eating stale fast food... For additional punk rock cred, she was once married to Minutmen bassist Mike Watt as well. And a very good bassist. I saw her and Mike Watt in Chicago as "Dos" doing their 2 bass spiel back in the early 90's. Good show!

Nico (Velvet Underground)
Not punk as we know it, but proto-punk. Nico showed that women did not need to all sing ballads and play the victim, but could be on the cutting edge of rock music. I give her the pioneer award for her work with Lou Reed and the Velvets.

Suzi Gardner (L7)
Although more of a grunge player, I am giving Suzi props because she walks the line between grunge and punk. She also appeared on the Black Flag cut Slip it In. She was the female character providing miscellaneous moans, vocals, screams, etx. It don't get more punk than that.

Alright, who did I leave out? Post angry and insightful comments below! I love girls with guitars!!! Especially the angry ones.

TSOL releases new tracks. FREE!!!

TSOL
Originally uploaded by Kevin Baldes Concert shots

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Free Downloads is the new release from old schoolers TSOL.Check it out here . These guys go back to the roots of SoCal punk, hailing from Long Beach, CA. and formed in 1979. The new material is a nice mix of styles that show you what early punk was like. Not so formulaic as it is today, there are shades of glam, metal, hardcore and the like. I even hear some early Bowie going on in there. I am an old fart by punk rock standards, so I root for the old schoolers. Download this release. You just might learn something.