Like a bunch crystal meth fiends, ever since last year’s release of Static Radio NJ’s EP “One For The Good Guys”, punk/hardcore fans everywhere have been begging, demanding, and threatening the mothers of the band members for a new release. To relieve some of the withdrawal symptoms for their fans, Static Radio NJ is set to release their first LP “An Evening of Bad Decisions…”on September 9^th, 2008.

I had a chance to listen to the album and let me just say this: wow! (Note: this is not your normal wow… this is you’re “holy shit, this album is definitely one of the best releases of 2008 wows). Let me explain:

Static Radio NJ plays melodic hardcore punk, think a mix between Ensign and Kid Dynamite. Those familiar with their EP will find that “An Evening of Bad Decisions” is much more melodic than “One for the Good Guys”. The vocals are much more harmonized (without ever losing their gruff), and at times, you could even see the Lifetime influences making an appearance. Static Radio NJ however, is able to make their sound more melodic without ever losing their brashness and fury.

One of the most remarkable things about the album is how smooth it is on one listen. There aren’t any tracks that feel out of place, and the album truly feels complete. It’s really hard to pick a stand-out track, as they are all really damn good. If you’re going to make any bad decisions this evening, don’t make the mistake of missing out on Static Radio NJ’s newest release.

MP3:
Static Radio NJ- Marc

Static Radio NJ – Ferren Decks

(and even though it’s not on the newest release, it’s my favorite song by Static Radio NJ)
Static Radio NJ – Won’t Sleep

Pre-order:
Official Site

Also check out Housewives write-ups of:
Static Radio NJ “One For The Good Guys

Kid Dynamite

I haven’t been too active in checking out new music lately. When the Weakerthans are so good why bother listening to anything else right?

But I had a little free time at work today and decided to listen to a few promo emails we’ve gotten. Within the first minute of the first Light Pollution song I heard I knew I would be writing a post.

Definitely take a listen if you’re a fan of The Arcade Fire, David and the Citizens or Ravens and Chimes. Rough vocals and spots of lush instrumentation are what keep me listening to their 5 song self titled EP. The band is currently out on an East Coast tour, definitely try to catch them especially if you’re in PA as they’re playing with Housewives favorites The Extraordinaires.

MP3: Light Pollution- The Spark

Dates:

Jul Aug 1 2008 – Rachel Kohl Library – Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Aug 1 2008 – House Show w/ The Extraordinaires – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 2 2008 – Union Hall w/ Happy Anarchy and Greenland – Brooklyn – New York, New York
Aug 4 2008 – Garfield Artworks w/ The Extraordinaires – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aug 5 2008 – The Gypsy Hut – Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug 6 2008 – The House – Dekalb Rock City
Aug 7 2008 – Stonefly Brewery w/ Sleep Tight Co. – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aug 8 2008 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, Illinois
Aug 30 2008 – New Bohemian Music Festival w/Murder by Death, HEALTH – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Aug 31 2008 – Art In The Park 2008 – Freeport, Illinois

Myspace

Sweltering, blistering, and any other adjective you like would be perfect to describe BRAINDEAD. Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love (speaking of which, I almost saw a fight break out in Love Park last night, pretty sweet), BRAINDEAD plays a mix of youth-crew style hardcore (such as Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today) and more modern hardcore (Hope Conspiracy, Bane, Give Up the Ghost).

BRAINDEAD has something for everyone (and by everyone, I mean hardcore kids)… One minute you’ll get some chunky riffs that you windmill kids will love, straight into some stage-diving sing-alongs.

While there isn’t anything particularly revolutionary or ground-breaking about BRAINDEAD, they definitely are one to add to your collection if you like some solid hardcore music.

MP3:
BRAINDEAD – Guilt And Shame
BRAINDEAD – No Consequences

Buy:
Interpunk

Plain and simple: If you like straight up, no frills punk rock, you’re going to like Violent Society. In the veins of Clit 45, Oxymoron, (Insert your favorite Street Punk band here).

The vocals are snotty as all hell and the music is furious while maintaining incredibly catchy. Be careful when listening, it’s been known to invoke random circle pits in places usually deemed inappropriate.

MP3:

Violent Society – Negative Attention

Violent Society – You’re Gonna Fall

Violent Society – I Wanna Know

Buy:

Interpunk

Don’t worry Jorge, we got your back. Here’s a little hardcore sampler for you, wherever you may be:

MP3:

Paint It Black – Four Deadly Venoms

Give Up The Ghost – There’s A Black Hole In The Shadow Of Pru

Youth Of Today – Prejudice

Minor Threat – I Don’t Wanna Hear It

Bones Brigade – Nothing Changes

Scraps and Heart Attacks – Queen Of Prussia

Buy:

Interpunk

Smartpunk

Amazon

Many elitist punks out there will probably scoff at the fact that I’m posting Saves The Day, but in all honesty, their 2nd album “Through Being Cool” is a solid pop-punk album. If you can get past the whiny vocals, you’ll see they have (or had, I actually never followed the band except for this record) some solid punk influences. Definitely will be a shock to those only familiar with their later work.

MP3:
Saves The Day – Banned From The Back Porch
Saves The Day – Through Being Cool

Buy:
Saves The Day

(photo from www.mitchclem.com/nothingnice)

“If you love someone, set them on fire”. I’m pretty sure the name of this song pretty much sums up the band.

Buy:
Dead Milkmen

Well I meant to go to Siren this year, looks like it was a heck of a good time. The thing is, I got home from The Dark Knight at 4am on Friday night and the G train is running as a shuttle and well it’s really really hot outside.

I did manage to drag myself out of my air conditioned room into the heat of the city for an after show at the Bowery Ballroom.

It was worth it. Despite a sparse and not entirely enthusiastic crowd Murder Mystery delivered. The retro pop was danceable and catchy as hell (I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person there who’s gonna have Love Astronaut stuck in their head all week.) Coleman’s deadpan vocals and Fels’ deadly bass lines floated through the crowd cool as a cucumber. If you missed this one they’ve got another show in the city on Sept 10th at the Highline Ballroom.

MP3: Murder Mystery- Love Astronaut
MP3: Murder Mystery- Who Doesn’t Wanna Give Me Love

Buy

Shit man, it’s the Ramones. Everybody knows the Ramones. Hell, they’re name has become some merchandised that I will guarantee (or your money back) that you can go to Sears and pick up a shirt with their logo on it (although please don’t do that).

Regardless, they were one of the biggest (if not the biggest) influence in punk rock, and they’re first album (“Self Titled”) is the most influential record in the history of punk.

Some (punker-than-thou) complain about The Ramones, claiming that their songs are simplistic and cranked, sped up Beach Boy rock. All I have to say to these people are: you are absolutely correct… However, this was the beauty of the Ramones rather than a pitfall: simple yet catchy chord progressions and faster than anything ever heard during that time period.

Check out where it all started, and learn some songs that weren’t “hits” but amazing all the same.

Buy:

Amazon

I’ll come clean: I don’t really follow MxPx anymore. However, I will admit that MxPx was one of the main bands that got me into punk in the first place. After going a few years without listening to them, I felt like I was connecting with an old friend after taking a listen to “Let it Happen” (a pretty solid pop-punk album, similar to Chesire Cat/Buddha days of Blink-182). Definitely worth a listen.

Buy:

MxPx