I’m always cautious about bands that are deemed as “supergroups”. Usually it’s a bunch of musicians way past their hey day trying to make an extra buck by using the popularity of their old bands (cough Osaka Popstar cough) and they as a general rule of thumb, usually suck.

So when I heard that Keith Morris of Circle Jerk/Black Flag fame was starting up a new band with members of Burning Bridges and Red Kross, I was skeptical. After listening to The First Four EPs (name ring a bell at all?), hoooooly shit was I blown away.

This is the album that Circle Jerks should have made after Group Sex. 16 songs blasting in around 18 minutes, it sounds as if someone back in the 80s took Keith Morris, threw him in a box, wrote “do not open until 2010″, and here we are with OFF! today.

The music down to the recording sounds like early Black Flag and Circle Jerks, and even with age, Keith really hasn’t lost any of his bite. Check this album out.

Video:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-743Hy1RI?fs=1]

More:
Black Flag – The First Four Years
Minor Threat
Western Addiction

Hello trusty readers! Hopefully you’ve had your fill of Tofurky and organic cranberry sauce. This past weekend I headed out the fam’s in NJ and then up to Long Island to visit some friends, blasting Billy Joel the entire ride. Perfect weekend, only to be tarnished by the speeding ticket I got this morning (boo…) Here’s a little mix of some Jersey and NY bands for the weekend, and look out for some new reviews this upcoming week.

MP3:
Kill Your Idols – Enjoy The Show
Bomb The Music Industry- I’m a Panic Bomb, Baby!
Barnaby Jones – Danielle Steel Reserve
Saves The Day – Deciding
The Bouncing Souls – Argyle
Ensign – Revolution’s End
Static Radio NJ – Marc
Bigwig – Owned and Operated
Lifetime – Irony is for Suckers
Blanks 77 – Radio Hits

So Jersey:
Battle: Bouncing Souls vs Band of Horses!
Bouncing Souls 20th Anniversary Collection Vol I
Hub City Stompers – Ska Ska Black Sheep

Buy:
Interpunk

Atom and His Package is an acquired taste, for those of us who like our musical palette to be tickled (that’s what she said). Once described by a reviewer as “retarded Sesame Street music”, there really is no middle ground with Atom, you either love his music or completely despise it. However, if there is one album that could be considered his most accessible for non-Atom fans, it would definitely be “Attention! Blah Blah Blah”.

For those who are familiar with Atom’s earlier stuff, he writes songs over 80s sequencers, but on “Attention Blah Blah Blah”, most of the songs have more traditional instrumentation (don’t worry the synthesizer is still there) making it more listenable for most.

Songs like “Possession” and “The Palestinians Are Not The Same Thing As The Rebel Alliance, Jackass” are some of the heaviest songs Atom has ever written, while tracks like “Friend, Please Stop Smoking” and “Out To Everyone” are some of the more catchy songs we’ve come to love by Atom.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different for your day, check out Atom.

MP3:
Atom and his Package – Possession (Not The One By Danzig)

More:
Atom and his Package vs Fugazi
Atom and His Package – Society Of People Named Elihu
Totally Michael Debut
Team Robespierre

Buy:
Amazon

Last night I headed out to a basement show somewhere in the depths of Philly at the Bordello to catch one of my favorite Philly bands “Lighten Up”. The show was small, with probably around 30-40 people there. I never listened to any of the other bands on this show, but they were tiiiiiight son. Also, Spraynard was playing last, but I had to bounce beforehand so I missed their set.

V-Boys

I honest to god have no idea how I never managed to catch these local Philly dudes. They’ve opened for various shows that I’ve been to, but for some reason I was always running late and missed their set. They played solid garage punk, and seemed to be having a blast playing with Four Lokos in hand.

This Is Your Life

Holy shit, these guys fucking ruled. Coming from Richmond VA and on tour with their buddies Hold Tight, This Is Your Life played an energetic set. Some of their riffs reminded me a bit of Propagandhi or The Wilhelm Scream, except with more hardcore influences. They played a cover of Minor Threat’s Filler which got the crowd singing along. Tight set, would definitely check these guys out again.

Hold Tight

I was talking to someone before Hold Tight set up, and was told that they were a pop-punk band. I was a bit skeptical at first wondering if I would like them or not, but after the first song I was completely sold. They reminded me a bit of early Saves The Day (Can’t Slow Down era) mixed with Lifetime. Definitely the feel good band of the night, and I couldn’t help but have a huge grin on my face throughout. Also, the fact they closed with Blink-182s “Pathetic” had me singing along to every word (don’t judge fuckers).

Lighten Up


The reason I came to this smoke filled, intimate, fucking awesome basement. It’s been a bit of a while since Lighten Up played their last show in Philly, but they definitely didn’t miss a beat through out the set. Opening with their usual closer, “Absolutely Not” they had most in the crowd singing along to their furious brand of hardcore.

Playing a some of the new songs they’ve recently recorded (or at least made public), they translate really well live, and are definitely a bit more melodic than anything else they’ve written. Lighting quick set ending under 10 minutes.

Setlist (Pretty Complete, Not In Order)

-Absolutely Not
-Life On Earth
-Born To Perspire
-Boys II Wolves
-Same Shirt Different Day
-Get The Poison Out
-Lost In Space
-Summer Fiction
-Lighten Up

MP3:
Lighten Up – Invisible Checks

More:
The Steal – Bright Grey
Lighten Up – Absolutely Not
Paint It Black – Amnesia
Friends of Friends

Buy:
Jump Start Records

Alright duders/dudettes, it’s been a while, but in our last Scenester 101, we taught you how to be a skinhead, but maybe you’re just too dorky for that. So this time around, we’ll teach you how to be a third waver ska rudie.

7. Rude Boy

Yeah yeah, I know Rihanna fucked up the term for the mainstream, but you must never let people call you “ska dork”, “ska nerd”, or “that fucking weird guy who tries to pick up girls 10 years younger than him”. No, you are a RUDE BOY! If you’re name is actually Rudy, that’s an instant 70 scene points. Also, try to convince your parents to bring you down to the courts to legally change your name to Rudy.

6. Pork Pie Hats
No, not porky pig hats. These are essential for any ska kid. It’s important to look like you’re from the 1920s.

5. Checkerboard

Because you never know when an impromptu Nascar race will start.

What if chessmaster Bobby Fischer resurrects as a zombie and comes to town? You’re going to want to calm him by wearing as much checkerboard patterns as possible. Ska kids like to say that it represents unity against racism, but really, they just miss their chess club days.

4. Operation Ivy Covers

They Even Existed Before Reel Big Fish!!!!!

Operation Ivy invented ska. Forget those Jamaican dudes in the 60s such as Desmond Dekker or Toots and the Maytals, Operation Ivy invented ska, and you must pay homage by requesting Operation Ivy songs to any ska band you see. If you are in a ska band, you are officially kicked out of ska unless you guys cover Operation Ivy. Nothing says original like covering the same songs that have been covered 2000 times.

3. Ska Band Names

If you start a ska band (you DO plan on starting a ska band, right?) the name is probably the most important thing. Forget the fact that you should probably practice so the 13 year olds you recruited from your local high school marching band doesn’t sound like complete shit, you should spend your entire time coming up with a really cool name.

Cool ska names are completely random or have a ska pun in them. So a name such as “Aunt Jamima’s Cell Phone Charger” is an ok ska name (just random), but if you change it to “Aunt Jamiska’s Cell Phone Charger” will instantly give you at least 53 scene points.

2. Pick It Up

This is your slogan, your life. You must yell pick it up at all times, no exceptions. Knock things out of strangers hands so you can tell them to pick it up (note: it should be said like this: “pickitup pickitup pickitup”) Also, throw in some maniacal laughter in there (“HA HA HA!”)

1. Skanking

Skanking was a dance that originated back in the 60s when those Jamaican posers would dance to ska. What was originally a fluid, follow the beat of the music (booooooring) dance had been improved by the third wavers. Now, anyone can skank! All you have to do at a concert is open a pit, but instead of slamdancing, just starting running around in circles! You are now a skanking pro.

Mp3:
Mustard Plug – Aye Aye Aye
One Cool Guy – Skank The Night Away
Potshot – Radio
Big D and the Kids Table – Shining On
Spring Heeled Jack – Jolene
Less Than Jake – My Very Own Flag
The Impossibles – Plan B

Ska Not Your Thing? Our Other Scenester 101s:
Scenester 101: How To Be A Skinhead
Scenester 101: How To Be Hardcore

Buy:
Interpunk

After a ridiculously crappy Saturday, I saw there was one saving grace left… and that was to head out to Asbury Lanes to catch punk rock legends, Youth Brigade. Let me say, thank (insert deity of your choice) I went.

The Scandals

First up was New Jersey locals The Scandals. These guys looked a bit younger, but completely fucking killed it. Playing straight up punk rock with roots from Rancid and early Bouncing Souls, The Scandals played an energetic set with a small but dedicated fan base singing along. Definitely need to check out some of their albums.

The HandMe Downs

Gritty Detroit punk rock that reminded me a bit of The Have Nots, the crowd wasn’t as into them as the last band. Shame, because I thought these guys were completely fucking awesome. Maybe it was the fact the band had so many technical difficulties (strings breaking, cymbal issues, etc), but they played through it with an energetic set, with the lead singer letting the crowd in the back (90% of the audience) know that “if you don’t come up to us, I’ll come to you fuckers”. The vocalist kept his promise, jumping into the back with the microphone and breaking the 4th wall. Fuck yeah.

Youth Brigade

It’s a rare show when I go and I like all the opening bands, especially when I haven’t ever heard of them, but I was pretty stoked to Youth Brigade at this point. They took the stage and blasted into “Old Man Bar”, and what an appropriate name, as the majority of the crowd still hung out in the back. Fine with me, gave me plenty of room to dance. Eventually, a few songs in, the crowd warmed up and had people dancing throughout.

Youth Brigade played a decently long set, and had the majority of songs I wanted to hear. The in between banter was pretty hilarious, with them taking lighthearted shots at Jersey, letting us know that the rest of the world sees us as that god-forsaken show “Jersey Shore”. At one point in the pit, I was accidentally hit square in the face, which resulted in instant nose bleed and black eye (I went back out in the pit, but I missed one of the encore songs due to tending my injuries).
Also random: Jack Terricloth of World Inferno Friendship Society showed, but to my disappointment, did not partake in the dancing….

Setlist:
Where Are All The Old Man Bar
Violence
It’s Not Like That Anymore
Sick
Spies For Life
You Don’t Know Shit
Fuck You!
What Are You Fighting For?
Punk Rock Mom
We’re In
One In Five
Believe In Something
Modest Proposal
All Right Then
Street Dominator
Let Them Know
Did You Wanna Die?
Fight To Unite
I Hate My Life
Sink With California

Encore:
Men In Blue
2 others that I don’t remember

MP3:
Youth Brigade – Sink With California

More:
Youth Brigade – Sink With Kalifonija
Youth Brigade – To Sell The Truth

Buy:
BYO

I’m a little worried. Usually with Smoke or Fire, anytime they have an album, it’s always a grower for me, and then usually after feeling lukewarm about it for a few months, I come to completely love it and have it be one of my favorite albums (this is true for both “Above The City” and “What Separates Us All”).

With their latest November 9th release “The Speakeasy”, I fell in love with it on the first spin. Worried that it may have been a fluke, I listened to it again. Nope, still love it. These Boston turned Richmond Virginia punk rockers made one hell of an album, complete with the harmonies, intricate melodies, and gruff vocals we’ve grown to love from Smoke or Fire.

The Speakeasy is also the best flowing album by Smoke or Fire. While I love their previous releases, I would find myself skipping some of the slower acoustic songs, but on their latest effort, even the acoustic songs completely fucking rule (look no further than the political love song “Honey, I Was Right About The War”).

If you dig melodic punk rock, you definitely need to check this shit out. I can guaren-fucking-tee you this will be on my top 10 of the year.

MP3:
Smoke or Fire – Monsters Among Us

More:
Smoke or Fire Live
Smoke or Fire – Above The City
Smoke or Fire – This Sinking Ship

Buy:
Fat Wreck

Take a step back to 2002, where there was a 17 year old strapping young lad (ahem, yours truly) was a young punk rocker in New Jersey. At this point, I listened to a variety of punk bands, but the only hardcore I listened to was older stuff such as Bad Brains, 7 Seconds, and Minor Threat. I yearned for something a bit heavier, but since this was NJ we were talking about (screamo capital of the freaking world), bands deemed hardcore by everyone was shit like Finch, From Autumn To Ashes, and Thrice… stuff I completely despise. Sure I liked old school hardcore, but sometimes you need something a little bit heavier and darker.

One day, I randomly stumbled across The Hope Conspiracy’s “Cold Blue”, and holy shit I was blown away. Heavy as fuck, dark and angry, the title “Cold Blue” aptly described the mood… this is what my angst ridden self was looking for. This was true modern hardcore.

The Hope Conspiracy’s “Cold Blue” is what turned me into a fan of recent hardcore, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

MP3:
The Hope Conspiracy – Liar’s Parade

Housewives Conspiracy:
Ten Yard Fight
Phobia – Cruel
Give Up The Ghost – Year One

Buy:
interpunk

On Florida’s Go Rydell’s “Golden Age”, the band blasts through 10 songs in around 15 minutes. And in the spirit of the album, I’m going to keep it short.

Taking cues from Kid Dynamite and Shook Ones, the band plays high energy melodic hardcore with brutal vocals backed by solid melodies. At times, it sounds like they are trying just a little too hard to be Kid Dynamite, but with this being their debut, I’m pretty stoked to see what else they have up their sleeves as they develop their own sound a bit more.

Don’t get me wrong though, “Golden Age” is a hell of a listen if you’re like me and can’t get enough of those no bullshit melodic hardcore albums.

MP3:
Go Rydell – Golden Age

No Bullshit Melodic Hardcore:
Full Kid Dynamite Set (2010)
Paint It Black – New Lexicon
The Steal – Bright Grey
Lighten Up – Absolutely Not

Buy:
Black Numbers

Well, it’s November 2nd, and what a shitty October it’s been (good fucking riddance). I need a mix to pretty much sum up the last 2 weeks of my life, and these are the songs that helped me get through the day. Maybe you need it too.

MP3:
The Killing Tree – Violets are Blue
Rise Against – Voices Off Camera
Give Up The Ghost – The Ice Age Is Coming!
Killing the Dream – Picking Up The Pieces
Ceremony – My Hands Are Made Of Spite
Off With Their Heads – Drive
Bomb The Music Industry- I’m a Panic Bomb, Baby!
Paint It Black – Memorial Day
Bouncing Souls – Apartment 5f

More Mixes:
Songs to Piss Off The Personal Fitness Trainer Below Me Mix
Drunken Yuppies Breaking Into My House Mix
Your Job Sucks Mix
Every time it Rains, The Bus Is Late Just To Spite Me

Buy:
Interpunk