Damn, show starts at 6 and I’m still an hour and a half away! I pull into Asbury Lanes, half expecting to see that the show has already started and I missed a good number of the bands. Luckily for me, the show got off to a (very) late start, and I was able to catch them all.

Best Of The Worst

The Best of the Worst are setting up, and they look pretty young. Mid-high school maybe? Able to sneak in another game of Pacman before they start (damn red ghost, gets me every time!) Best of the Worst start, and play some ska influenced hardcore. Although at some points sounded a little too screamo, these guys do have potential. Some songs sound a bit underdeveloped (seems to be a common problem when mixing ska and hardcore), but definitely one of the better opening locals I’ve seen.

Sonic Boom Six

Hoooooly shit was I not prepared for Sonic Boom Six. Before this show, I have never heard of these guys (and gal), but once they started sound checking with some sweet reggae rhythms, I knew I was going to love this band. Hailing from the U.K, this was their very first US show, and what a show! Immediately, they got the entire crowd bouncing, singing along (even those of us who don’t know the lyrics), and jumping to their mix of ska/reggae/ragga/and hip hop. Definitely check these guys out, (I’ll be making a posting on them in the future sometime) as I think they completely stole the show. Some highlights: “Piggy In The Middle”, “Sound of a Revolution”, “Northern Skies” and “Meanwhile Back In The Real World.”

MP3:

Sonic Boom Six – Sound of a Revolution

Next up were New Jersey’s finest, the Hub City Stompers (the reason I came out to this show). The band was (relatively) much more sober this time around since I saw them at their birthday bash a little while back, but by the time they were done with the set, the entire stage was covered in beer. Skanking through their entire set, I was too busy to be paying attention what was going on around me, although the stage banter was pretty hilarious (Them threatening to kick the Flaming Tsunami’s asses if they didn’t play “Bird watching and vice versa”/ making fun of Sonic Boom Six since they were from England…) There was one rather overly ska kid (all dressed in a suit and whatnot) who looked super offended when they played Ska Train to Dorkville (a song pretty much poking fun at ska)… lighten up dude.

Very solid set:
Ska Ska Black Sheep

Bumble-B

Chatterbox

Where’s My Hooligans

Johnny Date Rape

Clutch Tango

Skins Don’t Cry

Phantom (brand new)

Skinhead Boi

Mass Appeal

I’ve Got A Boot

WTFIU?

Ska Train To Dorkville

MP3:

Hub City Stompers – WTFIU?

Now when I reviewed the Flaming Tsunamis a while back, I mentioned that I was curious to see how they sounded live as I thought there music would translate better… needless to say, I was completely correct. They put on an energetic set, getting me into it even though I was standing on the side (something I NEVER do at shows, but didn’t feel like being in the hardcore dancing pit). If they’re around you, check them out, their shows are incredibly energetic and it is obvious they are simply having fun doing what they love to do. Some standout songs: “Bird Watching and Vice Versa”, “Bennet Brauer”, “If You Really Love Me”.

Mp3:

Flaming Tsunamis – “Bird Watching and Vice Versa”

BUY:

Sonic Boom Six

Hub City Stompers

Flaming Tsunamis

I wouldn’t exactly call Fredericksburg Virginia a breeding ground for heavy metal (hell, I wouldn’t even call it a breeding ground for light metal). The college town doesn’t seem to have much Nordic roots (it’s rather colonial and Jefferson actually), and out of the many restaurants I’ve been to over my 4 years there, I have yet to see a place offer any “blood of the Christian-born” soup.

Yet, even with the lack of goat-sacrifices, a small legion of Satan’s army manages to be metal as all bloody hell. These minions are more commonly known as “Grave Robbing Extravaganza”, and their debut LP “Buzzard Feast” will seriously melt your face (and then your skull for good measure).

The songs are epic (which takes a little punk rocker like me who is used to songs clocking under a minute some getting used to), with their 8 songs album clocking in at exactly one hour. Crazy shredding, insane drumming, and enough growls to make The Lion King crawl away in shame, these guys have a range of influences. Hell, (I’ve said hell four times now, just to make this post more metal), acoustic guitars even make their way in a few of the songs, and not in a “Look at me as I sit under a tree shirtless with my long board after a rousing game of ultimate Frisbee trying to impress chicks with my Dave Mathews covers” sort of way; no, these acoustic guitars are more of a “long walk on the beach with Charles Bronson” if you see what I’m saying. Also, as much as they will probably deny it, I definitely hear some punk influences in some of the songs (especially the two songs posted at the end of this post).

Also, those bastards wouldn’t use the logo I drew for them during their “logo contest”.

Please make sure to harass them and get my logo on a t-shirt.

MP3:

Grave-Robbing Extravaganza – Sperm Whale Versus Giant Squid

Grave-Robbing Extravaganza – Treaty of Versailles 1919

Official Site

The Bouncing Souls section on the BYO Records Split Series contains some of the most underrated songs they have ever written. I was listening to the split while skating the other day, and broke out into a goofy ass grin. Few songs could make me smile and feel nostalgic for all my friends as much as “Punks in Vegas”. Nothing like some Souls at midnight on a cold clear night.

MP3:
Bouncing Souls – Punks In Vegas
Bouncing Souls – Bryan’s Lament

Buy:
BYO Records

Man you know you haven’t blogged in a long time when you get a voicemail from your mom asking if you’re ok cause she noticed you hadn’t made a post in awhile.

I’m ok mom. Just busy.

Here’s a song I’ve been listening to alot lately. It’s from Okkervil River’s Black Sheep Boy Appendix. Also here’s a delightful picture of a sailboat!

MP3: Okkervil River- Another Radio Song

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Ahh acoustic music… slow, peaceful, and completely for the weak-hearted. Even us punk fans have a soft spot for a sweet, touching, relaxing arpeggio. So dim the lights, light some candles, and get your MELLOW on!

5: River City Rebels – Stars and Stripes

Acoustic guitars the way I like it. Complete with full blown gang vocals, poignant lyrics, and more drunken rambling than Dublin on St. Patty.

4. Against Me – Baby, I’m An Anarchist!

A beautiful love song between an anarchist and a democrat… complete with strained vocals, screams, and hilarious lyrics.

3. Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution – It’s A Wonderful Life

Ska influenced acoustic, brought to you by Tom, (famous from Catch 22 and Streetlight Manifesto)

2. Call It Arson – Hoopin & Humpin

When I first received this album, between the cover art and the name, I thought it was a Metal-core band. Dead wrong, although they seem to be a bit pushy… I’ll call it whatever the fuck I like thank you very much!

1. Bach – Concerto No.1 BWV 1046 in F Major

Not only is Bach the godfather of punk rock, he is also the godfather of acoustic music. The first 5 seconds of this song makes me feel so fancy, I sometimes give myself fake monocles when listening. This is the fucking jam right here!

BUY:

Amazon

There’s this interesting little place in NYC called “The Moth” that allows people to get on stage and tell a story, usually around 15 minutes or so. Let me just say, these stories are usually completely hilarious (there’s a few sad ones in there though) told by people from all walks of life (from Moby to a man who owns a pizza shop).

I’d highly recommend checking them out here. Richard DiSalvo’s “Anthony The Hat” is a good place to start. I’ve listened to them all (the one’s posted that is), and I’m craving for more. Luckily they just put out a podcast I’d urge all to check out. Oh, and if the name sounds familiar, that’s because “The Moth” is often featured on “This American Life”.

If you don’t know Less Than Jake’s Pezcore, shame on you! You should probably get off the internet, go get yourself a copy, and lock yourself in your room for the next few months and just listen to it, over and over and over and…

Yes, I am aware that this album is older then the internet and earth itself, but as it is one of my favorite albums of all time. Sure, Less than Jake and myself may have parted ways just like LTJ parted ways with ska (although they’re saying there will be a great return to it), it doesn’t change the fact that their early work is completely amazing. Energetic and raw, Pezcore was definitely the soundtrack to my youthful teenage days. And I must say, to this day I find myself wishing that I had my own flag.

MP3:

Less Than Jake – My Very Own Flag

Less Than Jake – Robo

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Man, Bouncing Souls “Monday Morning Ant Brigade” accurately describes the way I felt about getting up and going to work today. Tough waking up for a job you know you’re going to quit soon. All well, I guess it beats last Monday when I got into a car accident on the way to work.

MP3:

Bouncing Souls – Monday Morning Ant Brigade

Buy

What can be said about MC Chris? Well, for one, it’s probably the most hilarious rap I have ever heard and he definitely does not take himself seriously. He also samples the NES game “Gauntlet II” in my favorite song by him, “The Tussin”… so mad props for that. Finally he has a distinctly high voice for a rapper, which just adds to the hilarity. In conclusion, you should probably check it out. Actually, you watch Adult Swim, you probably already have heard of him, as he is MC PeePants in Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

MP3:

MC Chris – The Tussin

MC Chris – White Kids Love Hip Hop

Buy

I-Spy can accurately be described in two words: grittier Propagandhi. This is true both musically and lyrically. Their discography (Perversity is Spreading… It’s About Time!) has everything they’ve recorded, and the album clocks in at around 57 minutes. If the vocals of I-Spy sound familiar, it’s probably because the frontman was Todd the Rod, who later joined Propagandhi after John Samson left to form the Weakerthans. If you like the songs Todd wrote in Prop, then you’d love this album.

MP3:

I Spy – Appliances and Cars

I Spy – When We Grow Up

I Spy – More Than Joke

Buy:

G7 Welcoming Committee