While most of the world is currently obsessed with all things Olympic (Come on Australia!), a few items of music news have recently caught my attention.
I’m really pumped to hear that Brand New have announced that they’ll soon be working on a new album after they finish touring in September. Their last sublime release The Devil & The God Rage Inside Me is probably my favorite album of all time so I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table for their latest release.
Bloc Party have surprised everyone by announcing that an online version of their new album Intimacy would be available this Thursday. Despite the new age of digital downloads it still came as somewhat of a surprise that a high profile band like this would release their latest record with no fanfare or buildup. If you purchase it online, they’ll also send you the hard copy of the album (with some bonus tracks) when it’s released way later in October (27th). I’ve given a listen to some of the new songs on their myspace page which all seem to have the same industrial synthesiser sounds as Mercury did. While this isn’t a bad thing it does look like the new album is going to be a lot less commercial accessible than A Weekend In The City was.
Lagwagon have recently released their 7 song EP wittily titled I Think My Older Brother Used To Listen To Lagwagon. While my initial listen only left me wanting more (why not a full album?), it’s a short but sweet release that should appeal to anyone who likes the Lagwagon of old. In other Joey Cape related news, the man himself will soon be releasing his solo album titled Bridge. While Cape is no stranger to branching out into other areas (Bad Astronaut, Me First & Gimme Gimmes), this is his first solo attempt at a full acoustic album. Even though I’m generally not a fan of this style, his previous EP split with Tony Sly (No Use For A Name) and a quick listen to an early release track (No Little Pill) from Bridge both show that he’s got the chops to go it alone. Look out for it’s release on September 29th.
In October Rise Against will release their highly anticipated new album titled Appeal To Reason. The recent release of the cover art & 13 song track list, containing song titles like Collapse (Post Amerika) & Re-education (Through Labor) indicate that the album will be politically charged. The later song is currently streaming through their myspace site & should tide you over until the full album is release on October 6th. Everyone who orders the album on iTunes will receive this single and a live track now and an exclusive b-side after the album is released. I can’t wait to hear more heavy hitting punk metal goodness for this Chicago foursome and if the rest of the songs are as good as this one then we’re in for a treat.
Earlier in the week, The Academy Is… released their new record Fast Times At Barrington High which is currently being streaming online at Muchmusic.com. While the band have always walking a tight line between pop punk & pure power pop, it sounds like they’ve finally crossed over into full blown commercial territory with their latest effort. I was actually pretty disappointing after my first listen as all the tracks sound like they’ve lost their rock edge and are filled with sappy romantic lyrics. However since their last album Santi took a lot of listens before it finally grew on me, I’ll hold my judgment until I’ve given it a few more spins.
I’ve also given an advanced listen to Anberline’s new album New Surrender, (set for release on September 30th) & am pleased to say that these Christian rockers have delivered the goods yet again. Apart from the baffling inclusion of a re-release of their old hit The Feel Good Drag, the rest of the album is chock full of great tracks and highlight the fact that the band is yet to release a bad (or even average) album. Stay tuned for my upcoming review.
One recent release that has really impressed me is The ’59 Sound from The Gaslight Anthem. The album was released a couple of days ago & I highly recommend that you rush out & buy this one. Their debut album Sink Or Swim was my favorite album of 07 and this New Jersey foursome just seem to go from strength to strength with another solid folk/rock/punk record. After recently seeing them play an awesome gig at the Arthouse it comes as no surprise that they’re now embarking on a massive tour supporting Rise Against, Thrice & Alkaline Trio (surely the best lineup ever!). I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Brian Fallon after the show & was surprised to hear that the Australian crowd left such an impression that they had to come back for two encores. It was also great to hear that they’re a great bunch of genuine guys that love what they’re doing and have worked hard to get were they are. Even though they have a relentless touring schedule here’s hoping that they hit our shores again soon!
While tour announcements have been fairly scarce at the moment, I was excited to hear that Streetlight Manifesto will be heading to Australia again on November the 2nd. These guys blew me away with their energetic ska sets when they supported Less Than Jake/Reel Big Fish last year, so I’m expecting even bigger things when they headline their very own show at The Corner Hotel. Tickets only cost $37 (considering there’s seven band members that means they’ll only pocket ~$5 each) & can be picket up from the Corner box office.
Last night I was lucky enough to witness the phenomenal live show of Socal punk legends Unwritten Law at the Palace. If you missed a chance to see what was basically their ‘Best Of’ show, then keep an eye out for their first live CD/DVD combo titled Live & Lawless recorded at The Key Club in Los Angeles. The album is set for release on September 16th and contains 16 live tracks and a DVD featuring 22 songs, including a five-song acoustic set.
Next week (Saturday 30th) I’ll be continuing my trend of checking out at least 3 bands a month and can’t wait to see Thrice at The Corner Hotel. There’s also the Horsell Common gig at The Hi-fi bar on the 5th September and The Matches will be playing at The Corner Hotel (I love this place) on the 13th September. I’ve yet to book my ticket to the Gyroscope/Shihad show at The Ferntree Gully on Friday 12th September (woo, 2 gigs 2 nights) but this one promises to be HUGE.
Just a reminder to the Pennies crew to let me know if you plan on seeing any of these bands, as I’m getting pretty sick of being a lame o and having to see all these awesome bands by myself. Come on people get off your lazy arses!
Well that’s about all for the Crazyman music news wrap up, so till next time (when I can be bothered), keep on rocking!
Hey come on man I have been to a lot of shows with you.
Yes I agree with the Anberlin and why the fuck would they put a track from 2 albums ago on this release?? Then it hit me. They are now on universal and as this is a major label they have made them use this song as the single as they think it will sell well.
Anyway I have been in to anberlin since Scotty gave me their first CD and then me Scotty and Josh went to see them for the first time live at the everlyn and ever since then I have never missed them live or missed a Cd from these boys as they are just fantastic.
Hey from Japan you guys!
What’s the lowdown on the Thrice show? Did they play a mix of old and new?
I was damn disappointed to miss them, but I have to say the live scene in Kobe completely makes up for it! While we don’t get so many international acts (No Use is playing Osaka next Friday….but unfortunately sold out so can’t see them), there are so many local punk, ska and rock bands around here that the 7 or 8 “live houses” have full line-ups most nights a week! I still can’t believe you can pay around $12 on a Monday or Tuesday to watch a 6pm to 10pm gig and be back home at a reasonable hour.
I’ve made friends with a Japanese guy who fronts a wacky J-Ska band called “Big Bonus”, and through him have gotten free access to a couple of shows at a cool place called Blue Port. If you think the Corner is a good venue, this place is so tiny and intimate it feels like going to someone’s garage. (Plus you can grab onto the ceiling when crowd surfing!)
The crowds are so different to back home too…people don’t jump around with fists flying trying to be all macho. Skank circles are fun and the whole pit is filled with funny Japanase guys doing crazy dances. Saw one guy bowing continuously while jumping up and down on the spot with his arms pressed against his sides (Riverdance style).
They’re theatrically wacky in typical Japanese style but also extremely technically skilled…which surprised me as many small backup bands you see in Australia sound and look average. I think even the amateurs here could make a lot of money outside of Japan.
Getting involved with the Kobe punk scene has been a definite highlight of my time here so you guys should definitely come and experience it. Last weekend me and and another Aussie went out drinking all night after a show with all the bands…around 30 of us took up a large room of an “izakaya” (place where you sit with bare feet at low tables and pay $20 for all you can eat and drink) and taught each other insults in our languages. Needless to say it’s not something you can easily do back home…some of the guys there were pretty famous throughout Japan and another was telling me about trying with Fat Records in the US. But being foreigners, we are a novelty (it seems not many other English teachers or expats here like punk anyway)
Now onto the music….there’s so much good stuff coming out of this country I’m amazed we don’t hear more of it!
I’ve uploaded a few samples for you and have the links to the full albums:
http://www.mymiddlenameisross.com/mp3s/
Hawaiian6 (my favourite J-band) – the vocals really stand out with these guys. Check out “Without a Sound” for the biggest, most kick arse chorus I’ve heard for a long time, and “The Betrayal” which is equally catchy.
IQ20 – Slightly harder-edged than H6 and the vocals reminds me of Wilhelm Scream. Love the gang backup vocals also and their live show is intense.
Nicotine – the NOFX of Japan! I think they’re actually touring buddies when NOFX come over here.
Over Arm Throw – so catchy but not too poppy. Reminds me of something but I can’t tell what….
69Bug – http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iJ9iKlC6E
This is like No Use for a Name with Millencolin vocals! Download Skate first if you like it.
Here are some download links:
http://megaupload.com/?d=1ULFTWC0 (password is “sharpensyouup”)
http://www.foropunk.com/topic/20961/sid/e9e983766bb0eb4bff54d04747f30721
(Other good bands I’ve tried so far from this page are Ellegarden, Parking Out, Hi-Standard, and search for “Labret” and “No Mean the Three” on myspace)
cheers, let me know what you think of it
Hi Andy,
Nice to hear from you, I’ve been meaning to send you an email but have been busy organizing the move from my apartment into heath’s last one.
I’ve read the posts on your blog site & they’re well written & entertaining, so keep them coming.
As expected Thrice were great. They started out with 2 or 3 older songs from the Artist & the Ambulance (Cold cash & colder hearts) & The Illusion of Safety (The Red Death) which really got the crowd going. They then followed up with most of the heavier tracks from Fire including Firebreather, The Arsonist & Backdraft which were all fantastic. The rest of the set contained a mixture of songs from Vheissu and the Air & Earth EPs (Daedalus,The Earth Isn’t Humming, Come All Your Weary & Broken lungs). I really didn’t like their Water EP but thankfully they only played a couple of songs from that one (The Whaler & something else). Overall the later part of the gig had a more relaxed vibe & didn’t quite build upon the energy & momentum of the earlier songs. There were a few old school fans that didn’t know what to do when they couldn’t mosh to the Air & Earth songs and most of them kept coming & going from the pit, The highlight of the night were the Vheissu tracks Image of the Invisible & Red Sky but Broken lungs was also outstanding. Overall the show just left me wanting more and I wouldn’t have minded seeing them play the next night as well. While it wasn’t the best show of the year (mind you I’ve seen about 25 or so gigs so far), I would rate it a 7.5 / 10
Great to hear that the punk scene is alive & well in Japan. Whenever I think of japanese punk I always picture Mach Pelican, even though they’re from Australia.
The couple of tracks you uploaded of Hawaiian6 are really good, so I’ll have to track down the rest of their stuff.
You’re spot on about the comparison between Nicotine & NoFx. I’m not quite sure if I’ll get into them as their style of punk i.e, juvenile doesn’t really appeal to me anymore.
I’ll have to give a bit more of a listen to the other bands as you can’t really tell much about a band from just 1 song. I’ll let you know what I think when I give their whole albums a listens.
Keep rocking in Japan & keep the stories coming.
Good stuff.