punk

The Sovereigns: Pick It Up

During this day and age, I find it more and more difficult to find punk bands which sport the punk genre in a legitimate sense. However, recently, my ears have been rewarded with some of the scarce spoils in which rarely become available to a dedicated browser like myself. The album ‘Pick it up’ by ‘The Sovereigns’, resurrects the late 1980’s/early 1990’s version of ska-punk that many believe to have died long ago. Hysterical drum beats (with a tempo range between relatively fast to extremely rapid), catchy brass sections, walking bass lines and power chords strummed from a fanatically distorted guitar help to ensure that all of the desired boxes are ticked. These aspects then conglomerate to form a sound similar to that of Anti-flag, NOFX and Reel Big Fish. Additionally, the bands vocalist portals politically motivated and humerous lyrics through a rough and husky voice - while he also manages to stay in key. This deems the Sovereign’s music worthy of a wider audience and saves them from being restricted to only those of the traditional punk scene.

Alive and Well at The Trash Bar – a music documentary on NYC rock, punk & metal scene

In 2006 New York City lost two of it's most beloved and influential rock and roll music institutions. But CBGB and Continental were merely victims of a larger epidemic - the corporate takeover of lower Manhattan. Little did anyone know at that time that a seemingly run-of-the-mill music venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, would, by a series of fateful events, take over to carry the torch and continue a longstanding New York City tradition. In an age when big business rules all, it's true that a rock and roll club can still manage to live up to a core set of values held near and dear to the hearts of thousands of music fans, the legacy of the NYC rock and roll movement, and the idea of what that movement represents to those who have only read about it. Welcome to The Trash Bar!

Escarlatina Obsessiva “Pandemic” – free punk-rock album from Brazilian duo

Escarlatina Obsessiva is a rock duo from Brazil, made up of Karolina (who plays the bass and provides the vocals) and Zaf (who plays the guitar, keyboards, and synthesizers). The duo was formed in 2006, and is influenced by European post punk and American punk rock bands from the 1980s. Escarlatina Obsessiva has already released two albums, "Chants of Lethe" and "Blossomy Parks." Their latest album release is entitled "Pandemic," and it has just been released on the French netlabel Zorch Factory. The album features ten brand-new punk and post-punk tracks.

The Leftouts – “Last One Standing”

Lepork Records is a new net label specializing in South American punk artists. The small offering of online albums is interesting but I was especially drawn to The Leftouts and their free album titled Last One Standing. It is a raucous effort incorporating power pop with punk. I especially like the opening track, “19 Days” and the tense title tune. This album, as well as the albums by other bands on this net label deserve a listen for their inexhaustible energy but also to show how global the punk genre has become.

Amanda Palmer: Who Killed Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer is a performer most recognized for being a lead singer, pianist & a songwirter of a cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls. Released in September 2008, "Who Killed Amanda Palmer" is her first solo album. It was produced mainly in Nashville, TN by Ben Folds under the umbrella of Roadrunner Records (which is also the record label for The Dresden Dolls). The title of the album refers to the famous TV series "Twin Peaks" which revolves about the murder of a teenage girl named Laura Palmer.

NWPUNKROCK: 30 plus years of punk in the northwest [2007]

"NWPUNKROCK" is a indie documentary showcasing the last 30 plus years of punk in the northwest - from Vancouver, BC to Olympia, Wa and Seattle. It's not an expensive, full blown production, but rather a labor of love and passion for punk music that deserves some recognition. As Dave, the films producer says, it is not an attempt to showcase every band to ever exist, but show a cross section of a little bit of every era. You will find lots of interesting interviews from bands and musicians separated by plenty of rare concert footage - it is a very raw look at the history of punk in the northwest.

The Franks: Un E.P.

The Franks is an indie punk band from Los Angeles, California. In 2008 they've released their debut "album" entitled "Un E.P." under a Creative Commons license. I put the word "album" in quotes because they zoom through the material in under 15 minutes with 2 songs being in the area of one minute (maybe that's why is it called "Un E.P.)! Aside from their length, the songs are actually pretty fun and enjoyable.

Drunksouls: On verra plus tard…

Drunk Souls is a totally independent Reggae/Rock/Funk band from France. Their songs, written both in English and French, are sometimes fun & playful, sometimes dark & sad, but always very insightful and strong. I think it is the ever-present bass that makes them so powerful, but check them out for yourself.

Farkus: Thought You Should Know

Farkus is a Chicago based fresh rock band who's debut album "Thought You Should Know" is getting rave reviews and already placing on internet top albums lists. Download the Torrent and check it out yourself.