Something Something My Town I Love My Friends Defend Pizza - a tale by K.G.
Ugly shirts, pizza references, overpriced beanies, lotsa cool kids, ... I must be at what they call a "pop punk show". It's pretty dark in here. It's raining outside. I grab a beer. The first band already started playing. I didn't think they'd be any good. I don't know why I thought that. Young Hearts is amazing. As Give Up The Ghost once proclaimed, "young hearts, be free tonight", such are these guys. Free in spirit, free in punk rock. The first impression I get of these guys is a spot-on cover of Propagandhi's Nation States. Wait, did that really just happen? I hear around and apparently these guys have only played a handful of shows. Sure, they've played in bands before, but as a new band with new songs and a new line-up, they sound tight as fuck. Their songs are catchy, full of hooks and very intense. They sound like nay old punk rock band in the 90s sounded. At least any old punk rock band on Fat Wreck Chords. You know. That kinda stuff. It's nice. I wanna see them again. A couple songs later they're done though.
My beer is finished so I get another one. I hang around in the venue, checking out the merch and the people. Some of my buds are here. That's always fun. I go to the back to stand at the bar while I watch Above The Underground. I tell my friend that I'm not sure if I like it or not. He tells me I do. I'm not too sure about that. It's hard to dislike, really, but it's nothing that I'd pay money for to watch, I think. They have some good stuff, and the guitarist that's not the lead singer should probably be the lead singer. I prefer his voice. Anyway, the show passes, I don't feel altered.
I think it's pretty amazing when you haven't released anything as a band for a good 3 years, but still can tour and draw an alright crowd that's stoked to see you play. Me VS Hero (pronounced 'mev-she-ro') do that. I haven't heard the band prior to one song I checked out last Thursday, which, frankly, I didn't like. But I'm here now, a lot of effort goes into these kind of shows so I would be stupid to not 'support the scene' and 'drag my ass over there'. I'm watching the band and they excite me. I'm not too big on the whole post-Movielife set of bands that popped up in the late 2000s, but you know, for one Me VS Hero is turning out to be at the better edge of that set and in general it is a kind of music that's inherently positive and uplifting, so who am I to be a sourpuss and not enjoy what these guys are doing on stage. Although I can't help constantly think the bassist looks a lot like my friend Lieven. Anyway, Me VS Hero play a rad but short set. They slowly get the crowd into action and some sing along with all their hearts. Some crowdsurf with all their body mass. Some stand in the back and absorb the music withh all their brains. Or ears. Ears first, then brains I think.
Then they stop. Everyone expects them to play an encore, but they don't. Weird, but I respect that. I don't really like encores. Just play your set and leave it at that. That's cool. That's "punk rock", as the kids may say. Maybe these days they'll say "oh, that's so pop punk". Stop trying to make "pop punk" happen, guys. It's not going to happen.
I spend the rest of the night drinking free beers and hanging out with friends. I meet new friends, that's always nice. I already forgot their names though. I'm an asshole. Anyway, these two dudes whose names I forgot give me a ride to the station so I can get on the train safe and dry. They're total sweethearts and I feel like a dick for not remembering their names. Thanks.
27-01-2014
I haven't told you this.
Last weekend Riverboat Gamblers played around. They stopped in Antwerp on Sunday. I had an exam the next day so naturally I decided to drink too much and miss my train home.
Anyway, Silver & Gold opened the night. They keep getting better, which is a good thing. I'm really looking forward to their full length record. They're heading for a reall cool gruff punx sound and I really like that. They all have beards and stuff. Obvi.
The Priceduifkes were next. It had been a while since I'd seen them play so it was fun. Some newsies, some oldsies, lotsa funsies. Also lots of people in the audience I hadn't seen in a while, so that was fun.
Apparently I yelled at one of my friends later that night, which I feel really bad about cause I don't remember that at all and I can't imagine myself yelling at her. There's just no good reason, so hearing that I did that the next day was kind of a major bummer. I'm sorry, dude.
Riverboat Gamblers played though, and I was drunx I think. I do remember they put on a really fun show, they pulled a pretty big crowd and for a Sunday night, the artmosphere was buzzin'. They're a good band and they showed that. That's nice.
What have we learned today?
1. punx show
2. I fucked up
3. classic
Anyway, Silver & Gold opened the night. They keep getting better, which is a good thing. I'm really looking forward to their full length record. They're heading for a reall cool gruff punx sound and I really like that. They all have beards and stuff. Obvi.
The Priceduifkes were next. It had been a while since I'd seen them play so it was fun. Some newsies, some oldsies, lotsa funsies. Also lots of people in the audience I hadn't seen in a while, so that was fun.
Apparently I yelled at one of my friends later that night, which I feel really bad about cause I don't remember that at all and I can't imagine myself yelling at her. There's just no good reason, so hearing that I did that the next day was kind of a major bummer. I'm sorry, dude.
Riverboat Gamblers played though, and I was drunx I think. I do remember they put on a really fun show, they pulled a pretty big crowd and for a Sunday night, the artmosphere was buzzin'. They're a good band and they showed that. That's nice.
What have we learned today?
1. punx show
2. I fucked up
3. classic
17-01-2014
Nervous Motherfucks
Antwerp on a Wednesday night. Beautiful city. That's what I would say if I visited the city. Instead of visiting the city, I went to the other side of town. Place to be: Music City. Some kind of venue, hidden between the kebab restaurants and night shops. Rad.
After not finding an ATM machine anywhere near and walking back 15 minutes, I finally got into the venue. It's a very cool place. Small, cosy, cans of Jupiler for 1,5 euro. I love this place. At 8pm there already were quite a few people.
A bit later Nervous Mothers was ready to rip up the place for their first show. With members of Vuur and Millions Of Them, two great forgotten bands, these guys tore it up. They assumedly played their entire demo, which is now available. Limited to 66 copies, which is the closest to 666 copies without the risk of ebing stuck with 600 tapes at home, I guess. Anyway, whoa. Fucking hell these guys are loud. And great! The kind of music where it's difficult to find a rhythm. I tried to nod my head along but sometimes it just didn't work. I love that. It's something very different than the standard catchy stuff I listen to all the time, but fuck I love it. Makes me angry. Anyway, energetic set, the guys haven't lost their touch. Being angry is crucial for a band of this type, and they did well on that part. They dedicated their set to "all women who don't wanna be mothers, wives or lovers" or something along those lines. I haven't thought about it yet but I think that's a very valid dedication.
Next up, Crywank. First of all, best name for anything ever. Second of all, the name makes a lot of sense in combination with the tunes. It's sad music played by some wanker, hence Crywank I guess. If I'm not mistaken, it's the singer/songwriter project by a dude on a 4-string guitar and a dude who drums on a box. It's awesome. So yeah, no bother using the bottom two strings, he just got rid of them, that's good. He started off by ranting a whole bunch, which he continued doing during the entire set, which was at least entertaining and amusing. Then he decided he was gonna do this rap sorta song first, so that got off to a good start. Some of the songs were absolutely brilliant, some were just okay, but I thoroughly enjoyed the set, but the guys' sincerity, honesty and under-the-influence rambling, as his musical efforts. It's just really sad music but I had to laugh so much, it's alienating a bit.
Anyway loved it. Check it out.
Then Old Skin played. Yes. I was super stoked for them. I've been following the Church Of Fuck label for the last couple months and this was one of the bands I was really excited about. And they delivered. They played and radical set, they got me in a very angry-at-the-world mood and just blasted away everything else. They put out a very good 7" full of loud, fast, chaotic, powerful and metallic music and it's totally worth it.
After not finding an ATM machine anywhere near and walking back 15 minutes, I finally got into the venue. It's a very cool place. Small, cosy, cans of Jupiler for 1,5 euro. I love this place. At 8pm there already were quite a few people.
A bit later Nervous Mothers was ready to rip up the place for their first show. With members of Vuur and Millions Of Them, two great forgotten bands, these guys tore it up. They assumedly played their entire demo, which is now available. Limited to 66 copies, which is the closest to 666 copies without the risk of ebing stuck with 600 tapes at home, I guess. Anyway, whoa. Fucking hell these guys are loud. And great! The kind of music where it's difficult to find a rhythm. I tried to nod my head along but sometimes it just didn't work. I love that. It's something very different than the standard catchy stuff I listen to all the time, but fuck I love it. Makes me angry. Anyway, energetic set, the guys haven't lost their touch. Being angry is crucial for a band of this type, and they did well on that part. They dedicated their set to "all women who don't wanna be mothers, wives or lovers" or something along those lines. I haven't thought about it yet but I think that's a very valid dedication.
Next up, Crywank. First of all, best name for anything ever. Second of all, the name makes a lot of sense in combination with the tunes. It's sad music played by some wanker, hence Crywank I guess. If I'm not mistaken, it's the singer/songwriter project by a dude on a 4-string guitar and a dude who drums on a box. It's awesome. So yeah, no bother using the bottom two strings, he just got rid of them, that's good. He started off by ranting a whole bunch, which he continued doing during the entire set, which was at least entertaining and amusing. Then he decided he was gonna do this rap sorta song first, so that got off to a good start. Some of the songs were absolutely brilliant, some were just okay, but I thoroughly enjoyed the set, but the guys' sincerity, honesty and under-the-influence rambling, as his musical efforts. It's just really sad music but I had to laugh so much, it's alienating a bit.
Anyway loved it. Check it out.
Then Old Skin played. Yes. I was super stoked for them. I've been following the Church Of Fuck label for the last couple months and this was one of the bands I was really excited about. And they delivered. They played and radical set, they got me in a very angry-at-the-world mood and just blasted away everything else. They put out a very good 7" full of loud, fast, chaotic, powerful and metallic music and it's totally worth it.
11-01-2014
Let me see a show of hands!
Background story: I participated in this mixtape project, right? It's this fun thing where a unch of people sign up to make mixtapes/mixcds and send 'em to other people, who in turn send theirs to people. It's fun cause you get to listen to new music and share your own. I got one from this guy called Toon. I knew who he was, but I don't think he knew me, which is pretty funny actually.
Anyway, so I get this mixcd from him, late December, and it's all bands from Limburg, and he made like a cardboard map, cut into the shape of Limburg and indicated which bands were from which town, which bands were still active and other stuff. I was really impressed and stoked. Toon later contacted me through Facebook and asked if I got it and if I liked it, and what bands were my favourite. So I tell him I like the song by Longlost a lot. He tells me they're playing a show in Brussels on Friday, 10th of January, together with his own band, Six Hands, and this other band on the mixcd, The Guru Guru. So three Limburgian bands on one night in a bar in Brussels. Sounds like fun, so I decided to go.
I get there at 8:30 and hang out at the bar until the bands start (at 9). I should be studying but okay, whatever. I wasn't. I was drinking beer and whiskey and stuff. The bar was called Rock Classic, for some reason, and we pretty cool. The stage was super high, which was weird at first but when the venue got pretty packed it wasn't really that awkward anymore.
At 9-ish, Six Hands started. Also, my friend Bram had arrived, that was cool. We drank beers. I've seen Six Hands before, that's how I knew who Toon was, and why the knowledge was not mutual. Toon plays bass. There's only six hands in this bands, so a quick mathematical equation confirms that there are two other dudes, one at the drums and one at the guitar. And they played music together. I like them a lot. It's mathrock or something? I really don't know how to describe them. For reference, listen to Fugazi's Brendan #1. But you could just as easily just listen to Six Hands, of course. Jumpy melodies, tense bass parts, insane drumming, the guys know how to put down a great song and play it live like it should be done. Appropriate "whoo"s and perfect buildups. Great band.
Longlost was up next. To be honest, I lost my mind for some time. Like, literally. My mind was wandering somewhere else and I had trouble finding it back. So I wasn't as attentive to Longlost's set entirely, although I was really looking forward to seeing them. The parts I actively remember were very, very cool though. There's also only six hands in this band, so the guitarist pulled some tricks with loops and all, and it worked out so that was great. Interesting musical dynamics, mostly just wild, and a bit crazy. Wicked vocal effects and backing vocals. A rock'n'roll attitude that I find in many a Limburg-based band, actually. Cool.
I met Toon afterwards. I thanked him for the mixcd, and he said he didn't even get one from anyone so I promised him I'd make one for him. Also, he used to be in a screamo band or something, that's cool. He's a really nice person, if you ever meet hem, be sure to, you know, meet him. Make him a mixtape or something. Romance him. Tell him he's pretty. Whatever.
After a nice and particularly weird conversation with 2 Bulgarian dudes, one of which was pretty excited about my zine, The Guru Guru started playing. Whoa. That was awesome. I'm not sure if they actually were, but half the band looked like they were on drugs. And that's not surprising if you hear them play. Funky, groovy, psychedelic music with a charming singer. Very rad set, I enjoyed it a lot. It helped that I was a bit under the influence as well. Also people did a mosh pit at the end? That was weird I think. I don't really remember if it was weird or if it made sense. I'm gonna go with weird.
Afterparty in Leuven. Forgot my party time watch, cause I wasn't planning on party-timing, but hey, sometimes the party finds you. I'm the worst.
I should be studying.
Anyway, so I get this mixcd from him, late December, and it's all bands from Limburg, and he made like a cardboard map, cut into the shape of Limburg and indicated which bands were from which town, which bands were still active and other stuff. I was really impressed and stoked. Toon later contacted me through Facebook and asked if I got it and if I liked it, and what bands were my favourite. So I tell him I like the song by Longlost a lot. He tells me they're playing a show in Brussels on Friday, 10th of January, together with his own band, Six Hands, and this other band on the mixcd, The Guru Guru. So three Limburgian bands on one night in a bar in Brussels. Sounds like fun, so I decided to go.
I get there at 8:30 and hang out at the bar until the bands start (at 9). I should be studying but okay, whatever. I wasn't. I was drinking beer and whiskey and stuff. The bar was called Rock Classic, for some reason, and we pretty cool. The stage was super high, which was weird at first but when the venue got pretty packed it wasn't really that awkward anymore.
At 9-ish, Six Hands started. Also, my friend Bram had arrived, that was cool. We drank beers. I've seen Six Hands before, that's how I knew who Toon was, and why the knowledge was not mutual. Toon plays bass. There's only six hands in this bands, so a quick mathematical equation confirms that there are two other dudes, one at the drums and one at the guitar. And they played music together. I like them a lot. It's mathrock or something? I really don't know how to describe them. For reference, listen to Fugazi's Brendan #1. But you could just as easily just listen to Six Hands, of course. Jumpy melodies, tense bass parts, insane drumming, the guys know how to put down a great song and play it live like it should be done. Appropriate "whoo"s and perfect buildups. Great band.
Longlost was up next. To be honest, I lost my mind for some time. Like, literally. My mind was wandering somewhere else and I had trouble finding it back. So I wasn't as attentive to Longlost's set entirely, although I was really looking forward to seeing them. The parts I actively remember were very, very cool though. There's also only six hands in this band, so the guitarist pulled some tricks with loops and all, and it worked out so that was great. Interesting musical dynamics, mostly just wild, and a bit crazy. Wicked vocal effects and backing vocals. A rock'n'roll attitude that I find in many a Limburg-based band, actually. Cool.
I met Toon afterwards. I thanked him for the mixcd, and he said he didn't even get one from anyone so I promised him I'd make one for him. Also, he used to be in a screamo band or something, that's cool. He's a really nice person, if you ever meet hem, be sure to, you know, meet him. Make him a mixtape or something. Romance him. Tell him he's pretty. Whatever.
After a nice and particularly weird conversation with 2 Bulgarian dudes, one of which was pretty excited about my zine, The Guru Guru started playing. Whoa. That was awesome. I'm not sure if they actually were, but half the band looked like they were on drugs. And that's not surprising if you hear them play. Funky, groovy, psychedelic music with a charming singer. Very rad set, I enjoyed it a lot. It helped that I was a bit under the influence as well. Also people did a mosh pit at the end? That was weird I think. I don't really remember if it was weird or if it made sense. I'm gonna go with weird.
Afterparty in Leuven. Forgot my party time watch, cause I wasn't planning on party-timing, but hey, sometimes the party finds you. I'm the worst.
I should be studying.
10-01-2014
Kollapse/No Fealty
As I've said before, I got a couple requests to review some stuff, which is nice cause it makes me feel like I'm doing something constructive. Of course that's not true, I'm just a vessel for these bands to promote themselves. But that's alright with me.
However, I'm a huge fudgewad so I haven't been doing those. Anyway, let's start with a short one.
No Fealty/Kollapse split 7" (2013, Angry Music/5FeetUnder)
1. No Fealty - Ravished
2. Kollapse - Father
Both bands hail from the same country of Denmark. They have a lot more in common, though. Fierceness, a brutal sound, high kinetic energy, a DIY attitude and a love for loud music.
The A-side is sort of the fast side of the record. Clocking in at about 2 minutes, No Fealty doesn't muck about with getting their point across. Pounding rhythms complemented by dissonant edgy riffs. Reminds me of Botch or Keelhaul or something like that. It's structured chaos. Ravished deals with war issues in an almost medieval way, which is sadly how some wars still go down.
The B-side is about thrice as long and a lot slower. Headbang material. Kollapse bring more straight-forward, sludge-esque slow-paced hardcore and do it in an enticing and captivating way. The subject of Father is rather clear and is a bit off-setting even, which only amounts to the emotional strength of the song. Very powerful.
So there you have it. Good split, a short fast chaotic song and a long, slow straight-forward song, but with enough musical similarities to make sense to put it together.
However, I'm a huge fudgewad so I haven't been doing those. Anyway, let's start with a short one.
1. No Fealty - Ravished
2. Kollapse - Father
Both bands hail from the same country of Denmark. They have a lot more in common, though. Fierceness, a brutal sound, high kinetic energy, a DIY attitude and a love for loud music.
The A-side is sort of the fast side of the record. Clocking in at about 2 minutes, No Fealty doesn't muck about with getting their point across. Pounding rhythms complemented by dissonant edgy riffs. Reminds me of Botch or Keelhaul or something like that. It's structured chaos. Ravished deals with war issues in an almost medieval way, which is sadly how some wars still go down.
The B-side is about thrice as long and a lot slower. Headbang material. Kollapse bring more straight-forward, sludge-esque slow-paced hardcore and do it in an enticing and captivating way. The subject of Father is rather clear and is a bit off-setting even, which only amounts to the emotional strength of the song. Very powerful.
So there you have it. Good split, a short fast chaotic song and a long, slow straight-forward song, but with enough musical similarities to make sense to put it together.
09-01-2014
The Apers/The Riptides
I totally forgot the Apers probably put out the best two pop punk tunes of 2013 on their split with the Riptides. Sure, the Riptides ripped as well, but the Apers fucking aped that shit.
That entire Apers-side has had plenty of loud spins on my record player. Both Said You'd Call Me and Be Mine Tonight are top-notch
Said You'd Call Me
Be Mine Tonight
Fuck, so good.
I haven't seen these guys in ages. Best band ever. So conquequently, best of 2013 as well!
Never forget.
That entire Apers-side has had plenty of loud spins on my record player. Both Said You'd Call Me and Be Mine Tonight are top-notch
Said You'd Call Me
Be Mine Tonight
Fuck, so good.
I haven't seen these guys in ages. Best band ever. So conquequently, best of 2013 as well!
Never forget.
30-12-2013
2013 was pretty fucking kind of alright
It's the end of the year and here's what I think ruled this year. You can download the songs here.
Fausto - Shin Punch
Hands down my favourite hardcore act of the year. They put out an EP of sorts. I saw them play and it was a lot of fun. Not necessarily serious, but very good. Shin Punch is my jam.
Outline - Final Call
One of the better Belgian releases of the year, Tombs. A couple of well-crafted melodic hardcore songs. I spent a couple days on a UK tour with these guys and they are the coolest. I love their music and I love their persons.
Ed Wood - Talking To The Void
I got an e-mail to review their split with Monolithian early in the year, then saw them play, met them and fell in love with all of them. Amazing band, amazing split, but they've broken up since a few weeks so that sucks.
Jabber - 200 Days
This is without any question the best song of 2013 and maybe ever. I have never loved a song so much as I love this one. Well, perhaps I have, but I am seriously infatuated. If I could ask a song out, I'd ask this one. It makes me feel all sorts of stuff but mostly I just wanna sing along, dance along and play along to it. Incredible. I think this is supposed to be on a split with Mixtapes next year.
Jabber - All I Wanted
Included for reference as to how amazing this band is. The physical release of their EP only saw light of day in 2013 I think, but it was digitally available in 2012, so that's not included here.
Lipstick Homicide - I Hope You Die
They released Out Utero which is incredible, I saw them play twice which was incredible. Tightest live band around, and one the fastest pop punk records of the year. I love singing along to this, cause I hope most people die.
Off With Their Heads - Shirts
My favourite song on Home. Home is incredible.
Mixtapes - Like Glass
I had a serious relentless crush on Mixtapes when they put out Maps and adored everything they put out since. I was less in love with Even On The Worst Nights but Ordinary Silence seems to hit the spot once again. Like Glass is probably the best song they've ever written. Lyrically super strong.
The Murderburgers - My Inner Mental Room
Just come and talk to me about this record. I love everything about the Murderburgers and These Are Only Problems. This song, the last one on it, hits pretty hard. Something with full circles and catharsis.
High Dive - Square One
I got into High Dive because of Ryan Woods of Defiance, Ohio fame, and I stayed a fan because they're amazing. The These Are Days EP is incredible power pop punk. I talked to them about their ideas and they're super cool people. Their set at Fest was infallible.
Boys - Long Walk
I listened to Boys because some band generally suggested them on some social media. They're super good. And this is only a demo. It's been released as a tape by Brassneck/WWSBD? and will be available as 7" through Bloated Kat, plus they self-released a CD-R of it. Buy all of it. It's that good. They're equally cute and bad-ass.
Like Bats - A More Enlightened Kind Of Fly
Like Bats is arguably the best band ever. I was so glad I could see them twice in the US. They put out this new song on some comp this year. I bet their next record is gonna be rad and it's gonna make me want to kill myself. That's good.
Honorable mention for Song Two which accompanied me on many a sad summer night this year.
Be My Doppelganger - The Smartest Kid In The World Takes A Break
They've strayed away from their 3 chord pop punk image with their new record. It's an amazing collection of essentially punk-based rock'n'roll songs and this particular song hits nails on the head as no song ever did before. Artless is a true work of art, and I'm excited to finally actually get it in the mail some time cause that's been dragging on for so long, heh.
UPDATE: I was supposed to include Off The Charts as well, but I forgot to add the file to the mix. Just listen to their record.
UPDATE #2: I totally forgot to include Muncie Girls. But they're like the best band in the world, so I just assumed that was a given.
Additional mentions for the Punchlines (or was that also 2012?), Direct Hit! and Esoteric Youth, who would have been included but I don't have immediate access to MP3 files of their songs right now.
I also listened to True Things way too much in 2013.
I put out an album myself as well, by the way.
Lots of personal stuff happened but nobody cares. At least you shouldn't care. Unless we're friends. Then you should care.
See you on the flip side, babes.
Fausto - Shin Punch
Hands down my favourite hardcore act of the year. They put out an EP of sorts. I saw them play and it was a lot of fun. Not necessarily serious, but very good. Shin Punch is my jam.
Outline - Final Call
One of the better Belgian releases of the year, Tombs. A couple of well-crafted melodic hardcore songs. I spent a couple days on a UK tour with these guys and they are the coolest. I love their music and I love their persons.
Ed Wood - Talking To The Void
I got an e-mail to review their split with Monolithian early in the year, then saw them play, met them and fell in love with all of them. Amazing band, amazing split, but they've broken up since a few weeks so that sucks.
Jabber - 200 Days
This is without any question the best song of 2013 and maybe ever. I have never loved a song so much as I love this one. Well, perhaps I have, but I am seriously infatuated. If I could ask a song out, I'd ask this one. It makes me feel all sorts of stuff but mostly I just wanna sing along, dance along and play along to it. Incredible. I think this is supposed to be on a split with Mixtapes next year.
Jabber - All I Wanted
Included for reference as to how amazing this band is. The physical release of their EP only saw light of day in 2013 I think, but it was digitally available in 2012, so that's not included here.
Lipstick Homicide - I Hope You Die
They released Out Utero which is incredible, I saw them play twice which was incredible. Tightest live band around, and one the fastest pop punk records of the year. I love singing along to this, cause I hope most people die.
Off With Their Heads - Shirts
My favourite song on Home. Home is incredible.
Mixtapes - Like Glass
I had a serious relentless crush on Mixtapes when they put out Maps and adored everything they put out since. I was less in love with Even On The Worst Nights but Ordinary Silence seems to hit the spot once again. Like Glass is probably the best song they've ever written. Lyrically super strong.
The Murderburgers - My Inner Mental Room
Just come and talk to me about this record. I love everything about the Murderburgers and These Are Only Problems. This song, the last one on it, hits pretty hard. Something with full circles and catharsis.
High Dive - Square One
I got into High Dive because of Ryan Woods of Defiance, Ohio fame, and I stayed a fan because they're amazing. The These Are Days EP is incredible power pop punk. I talked to them about their ideas and they're super cool people. Their set at Fest was infallible.
Boys - Long Walk
I listened to Boys because some band generally suggested them on some social media. They're super good. And this is only a demo. It's been released as a tape by Brassneck/WWSBD? and will be available as 7" through Bloated Kat, plus they self-released a CD-R of it. Buy all of it. It's that good. They're equally cute and bad-ass.
Like Bats - A More Enlightened Kind Of Fly
Like Bats is arguably the best band ever. I was so glad I could see them twice in the US. They put out this new song on some comp this year. I bet their next record is gonna be rad and it's gonna make me want to kill myself. That's good.
Honorable mention for Song Two which accompanied me on many a sad summer night this year.
Be My Doppelganger - The Smartest Kid In The World Takes A Break
They've strayed away from their 3 chord pop punk image with their new record. It's an amazing collection of essentially punk-based rock'n'roll songs and this particular song hits nails on the head as no song ever did before. Artless is a true work of art, and I'm excited to finally actually get it in the mail some time cause that's been dragging on for so long, heh.
UPDATE: I was supposed to include Off The Charts as well, but I forgot to add the file to the mix. Just listen to their record.
UPDATE #2: I totally forgot to include Muncie Girls. But they're like the best band in the world, so I just assumed that was a given.
Additional mentions for the Punchlines (or was that also 2012?), Direct Hit! and Esoteric Youth, who would have been included but I don't have immediate access to MP3 files of their songs right now.
I also listened to True Things way too much in 2013.
I put out an album myself as well, by the way.
Lots of personal stuff happened but nobody cares. At least you shouldn't care. Unless we're friends. Then you should care.
See you on the flip side, babes.
25-12-2013
Study break
I have a Christmas break from school. Ideally I spend all my time right now studying the things I didn't pay attention to in the last few months. And I am doing that. Just at a mediocre pace and level.
The best part about these weeks is I get to spend entire days in my room, drinking coffee, studying shit and listening to records. I get to revisit old records and check out new ones, or records I'vde been neglecting a bit. So let's go over the last few days.
Right now I'm spinning The Get Up Kids' Something To Write Home About. It's on pink vinyl. It's beautiful, aesthetically and musically. There's a case to be made for Four Minute Mile but Something... is by far my favourite Get Up Kids record. A plunge into the pop pool without diverging too much from their early emopunk roots. You know, I love pop music. I love clear-cut, well-produced, high-fidelity music. And that is part of why Something... is my favourite. I can sing along to almost every word, I've seen 'em 3 times now and I am well aware of the fact There Are Rules kinda blows. I remember wearing my way-too-small-but-I-still-wear-it-all-the-time TGUK hoodie to a Shai Hulud show and talking about them to their lead singer. He agreed that Something... is their best record. Why wouldn't he?
There are a lot of records that just pass the table and I put them back pretty swiftly. But those are also of importance. I hadn't listend to The Few And Far Between by Jason Clackley in a big while, but it's a good record, you know? I hadn't heard that Chinese Telephones record for so long, so it's a blast to hop along to those tunes again. But, there's a reason I don't listen to those records all that often. It's cause I have preferences. I have some go-to records and I have some records that are plain better than others so sometimes I just put them on the turntable. That makes sense.
One of those go-to's is Squirtgun's Fade To Bright. Dangerously underrepresented, underrated and underappreciated. Dangerously good. Their lyrics will blow your mind. I only found out recently Matt Hart is actually a poet. So for the songs he wrote, that makes total sense. This record is fantastic start to finish. Mass Giorgini, who plays bass on this and produced/engineered it, actually produced the first Copyrights record that same year (2003) and got those guys to sing on Never Fit. Those are fun facts that I like about music. This album is amazing.
The Dopamines. Everything by the Dopamines is basically go-to material. That basically means I'm not feeling all too shabby, but they help a lot. Vices is their best and I listen to that one most. But I listened to their self-titled this week and it still stands, man.
Similar remarks for the Hextalls discography.
I put on that Good Luck record, Into Lake Griffy, again. I mostly wanna hear both versions of Stars Were Exploding/Bringing Them Back To Life, but every song on it is top-notch musical pleasure. They're amazing musicians (check out everything Matt Tobey (Matty Pop Chart, Abe Froman, stuff with Kimya Dawson) and Ginger Alford (One Reason, Traveling, High Dive nowadays) do. I don't really know what their drummer does.)
Fuck, I re-visited One Year Later and the No Love Can Save Me EP by The Carrier. One of those melodic hardcore bands that were super popular some years back. Rightfully so. Amazing songs, hits hard as fuck.
In that vein, but on the opposite side of the polarity continuum: Death Is Not Glamourous. Holy shit they are good. That last record, Spring Forward, is the best not-youth-crew-sounding youth crew record of all time probably.
After Somethign To Write Home About finishes in a minute, I'm gonna listen to Defeater's Travels, and who knows what's gonna hit the deck? The Dauntless Elite? Mean Jeans? Punch? The Mars Volta? The Toasters? It's gonna be so much fun.
The best part about these weeks is I get to spend entire days in my room, drinking coffee, studying shit and listening to records. I get to revisit old records and check out new ones, or records I'vde been neglecting a bit. So let's go over the last few days.
Right now I'm spinning The Get Up Kids' Something To Write Home About. It's on pink vinyl. It's beautiful, aesthetically and musically. There's a case to be made for Four Minute Mile but Something... is by far my favourite Get Up Kids record. A plunge into the pop pool without diverging too much from their early emopunk roots. You know, I love pop music. I love clear-cut, well-produced, high-fidelity music. And that is part of why Something... is my favourite. I can sing along to almost every word, I've seen 'em 3 times now and I am well aware of the fact There Are Rules kinda blows. I remember wearing my way-too-small-but-I-still-wear-it-all-the-time TGUK hoodie to a Shai Hulud show and talking about them to their lead singer. He agreed that Something... is their best record. Why wouldn't he?
There are a lot of records that just pass the table and I put them back pretty swiftly. But those are also of importance. I hadn't listend to The Few And Far Between by Jason Clackley in a big while, but it's a good record, you know? I hadn't heard that Chinese Telephones record for so long, so it's a blast to hop along to those tunes again. But, there's a reason I don't listen to those records all that often. It's cause I have preferences. I have some go-to records and I have some records that are plain better than others so sometimes I just put them on the turntable. That makes sense.
One of those go-to's is Squirtgun's Fade To Bright. Dangerously underrepresented, underrated and underappreciated. Dangerously good. Their lyrics will blow your mind. I only found out recently Matt Hart is actually a poet. So for the songs he wrote, that makes total sense. This record is fantastic start to finish. Mass Giorgini, who plays bass on this and produced/engineered it, actually produced the first Copyrights record that same year (2003) and got those guys to sing on Never Fit. Those are fun facts that I like about music. This album is amazing.
The Dopamines. Everything by the Dopamines is basically go-to material. That basically means I'm not feeling all too shabby, but they help a lot. Vices is their best and I listen to that one most. But I listened to their self-titled this week and it still stands, man.
Similar remarks for the Hextalls discography.
I put on that Good Luck record, Into Lake Griffy, again. I mostly wanna hear both versions of Stars Were Exploding/Bringing Them Back To Life, but every song on it is top-notch musical pleasure. They're amazing musicians (check out everything Matt Tobey (Matty Pop Chart, Abe Froman, stuff with Kimya Dawson) and Ginger Alford (One Reason, Traveling, High Dive nowadays) do. I don't really know what their drummer does.)
Fuck, I re-visited One Year Later and the No Love Can Save Me EP by The Carrier. One of those melodic hardcore bands that were super popular some years back. Rightfully so. Amazing songs, hits hard as fuck.
In that vein, but on the opposite side of the polarity continuum: Death Is Not Glamourous. Holy shit they are good. That last record, Spring Forward, is the best not-youth-crew-sounding youth crew record of all time probably.
After Somethign To Write Home About finishes in a minute, I'm gonna listen to Defeater's Travels, and who knows what's gonna hit the deck? The Dauntless Elite? Mean Jeans? Punch? The Mars Volta? The Toasters? It's gonna be so much fun.
22-12-2013
Jaarboek
Quick note: Yearbook is a very good band.
I saw 'em Thursday at this small student-run bar in Leuven, den Bijsluiter. I missed Coma Commander cause I has radio duty, but I managed to see almost all of Yearbook's set. They're from the UK (England, more precisely) and they play quirky and fun rock music. I couldn't put my finger on it. I was thinking of bands to compare them too, but none came up at the top of my head. That's a good thing. They're doing their thing. Cool set, bought an EP, it's really good.
Uhm, so yeah, check it out if you dig nice and eclectic rock music that sounds like Weezer was put in a blender and made into a nice English smoothie. Whatever.
Thursday night drinks followed. Quite a few. I apparently woke up one of my housemates by singing along to I Hope You Die by Lipstick Homicide at 3:30 am while I was baking a pizza. Sorry. I don't actuyally hope you die. It's a song. It's a really good song
I saw 'em Thursday at this small student-run bar in Leuven, den Bijsluiter. I missed Coma Commander cause I has radio duty, but I managed to see almost all of Yearbook's set. They're from the UK (England, more precisely) and they play quirky and fun rock music. I couldn't put my finger on it. I was thinking of bands to compare them too, but none came up at the top of my head. That's a good thing. They're doing their thing. Cool set, bought an EP, it's really good.
Uhm, so yeah, check it out if you dig nice and eclectic rock music that sounds like Weezer was put in a blender and made into a nice English smoothie. Whatever.
Thursday night drinks followed. Quite a few. I apparently woke up one of my housemates by singing along to I Hope You Die by Lipstick Homicide at 3:30 am while I was baking a pizza. Sorry. I don't actuyally hope you die. It's a song. It's a really good song
17-12-2013
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