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THE VANDALS - HOLLYWOOD POTATO CHIP - KUNG FU/SHOCK - AVAILABLE JUNE 28 -
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Seems like it wasn't that long ago that Internet Dating Studs was just released, now the guys are back with a new album, this time they got Jerry Finn (who's worked with just about every major band) to mix it. The band is almost like a part time job for the guys now who have their hands dipped in just about every pond doing things like filmmaking, alcohol distribution, and of course running Kung Fu and Josh drumming for every second band who hits a studio. Maybe it's that reason that this album kinda lacks something, they haven't changed their sound, formula or anything like that, they are as fast as ever, quirky as ever, but it just didn't grab me like much of their older stuff did instantly. They still take the piss and do it well, but this one only just scrapes passable, it's good but nothing great, theres a few mp3's floating around, check them out and judge for yourself.
Highlights : Crushed, My Neck, My Back. |
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:: www.vandals.com :: www.kungfurecords.com :: www.shock.com.au :: Pre-Order Online from Shock Records [Here] $24.95 ::
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LOUD & PROUD - VOLUME 1 - BRUTUS RECORDS - AVAILABLE NOW -
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Compilation put together in Italy featuring punk and Oi bands from across the world, mainly Italy and Japan but also USA, Japan, South Africa and Australia's own Bulldog Spirit from Canberra, who also contribue the shortest track on offer. 25 tracks all up an hour and sixteen minutes of in your face tunes ranging from awesome to pretty average, but considering most of these acts are unheard of before it makes for a winner for the punk/oi fans. Standouts come from a band called Pissed On Arrival from Salt Lake City, Utah, female fronted ballsy punk rock, sounds great. Captain Bootbois from Korea also contribute a couple of pretty cool tracks as do The Bloodline and Skin Disorder as well as our local reps Bulldog Spirit who probably have the best recording quality on offer on here too. Check it out available from the Brutus Records site.
Highlights : Pissed On Arrival, The Bloodline, Bulldog Spirit. |
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:: www.brutusrecords.com :: Order Online from Brutus Records [Here] ::
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KING MIDAS - ROMEO TURN - ELLET / INERTIA - AVAILABLE NOW -
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Hailing from Norway are these guys, King Midas their name and 11 tracks on offer on this album. An interesting sound they manage to deliver an indie rock sound with a bit of darkness to the sound, dark but still poppy. A great voice on the lead singer gives the music some character that jumps out as the early highlight of their sound, without it i think boredom would kick in quickly. The music is well composed, very simple, but effective. Hard to draw a comparison too anyone, quite a unique sound, at times getting a little into Nick Cave territory but i wouldn't put them in the same pond. Quality release, indie rock fans check them out.
Highlights : I can't help but deceive you, little girl & Romeo Turn |
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:: www.kingmidas.no :: www.elletrecords.com :: www.inertia-music.com :: Purchase Online from Chaos Music [Here] $33.95 ::
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TWELVE TRIBES - THE RE-BIRTH OF TRAGEDY - FERRET / STOMP - AVAILABLE NOW -
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The Ferret stable is gaining quite a popular name releasing some quality acts of late, here's another, on their Ferret debut Twelve Tribes lay down a hard hitting album. Hailing from Ohio, these guys have been around and done their time and come come up with the release of their career so far here. With so many bands mising the metal and the hardcore and grumbling out track after track of the same old rubbish over and over again, these guys ar far from that, perhaps more singing than previous releases, but they do know how to grumble like the best of em. A great heavy melodic sound, with lyrics you can actually understand, which is always a winner in my books, check these guys out.
Highlights : Venus Complex, Backburner |
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:: www.twelvetribesmusic.com :: www.ferretstyle.com :: www.stomp.com.au :: Order Online from Sanity Music [Here] $23.41 ::
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MELLEE - EVERYDAY BEHAVIOUR - HOPELESS / SHOCK - AVAILABLE 28TH JUNE -
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If you judge a book by it's cover on this one you might very well miss out, not so much the artwork but pull out the booklet and you will find one of the most cheesy band photos you have ever seen in your life, if this is the one that made it, i'd hate to see the rest. Anyway photo's aside they're lucky they can come up with a good tune, this 11 track album produced by J.Robbins is pretty well summed up in the bios opening lines "Piano-based rhythms, sugar-coated pop hooks and Beach Boys-esque harmonies formulate an album rich with songs that merge the indie-rock sound with pop sensibilities" It may sound a little scary on paper, but when played makes for good listening. Good vocals that don't annoy, decent lyrics and a very neat production. There is slight hints of Piebald at times, maybe just because of the piano though. The piano is well slotted in the mix, it doesn't take over, just sits in perfectly. Nice upbeat catchy pop rock that's very easy on the ear, a band that will suprise you upon listening.
Highlights : Lions Cage, The War, Sleeping Through Autumn |
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:: www.meleerocks.com :: www.hopelessrecords.com :: www.shock.com.au :: Pre Order from Shock Records [Here] $29.95 ::
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US ROUGHNECKS - TWENTY BUCKS & TWO BLACK EYES - EPITAPH / SHOCK - AVAILABLE NOW -
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“We’re all about bringing the toughness back to punk,” says bassist Big Jay, who also doubles as a member of Lars Frederiksen’s other band, the Bastards. “Fuck that wimpy shit, get some balls and play some rock & roll.”. Enter the US Roughnecks, doing the street punk rock 'n roll thing, you can predict the sound, bruising punk rock, far from anything original, but much more listenable than alot of the tripe around at the moment. I guess there isn't too much street punk type lyrics you can write about that hasn't been covered a million times already, on here you find the standard 'Fuck The Cops' type song, the songs about times on the streets with your crew etc. There are bands alot better, but there are also bands a hell of alot worse, makes for a decent listen, just fun punk rock from the streets. For fans of Lars & The Bastards, Bombshell Rocks, The Business etc
Highlights : Serve & Protect, Roughneck Noise, Lost Paradise |
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:: www.usroughnecks.com :: www.epitaph.com :: www.shock.com.au :: Purchase Online from Chaos Music [Here] $29.95 ::
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THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME - IN THE END IT'S OVER - CHATTERBOX - AVAILABLE NOW -
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After a few artwork delays this re-release (their first on Chatterbox) of their debut from 2002 originally released through Deplorable. Chaotic metal influenced hardcore racket is the simple description for the Sydney four piece's sound. If you like your music dark, noisy and like the soundtrack to a huge train wreck then you've probably already got this EP. Those who've seen them live would also fall into the above bracket, building a huge reputation on their live show. Their energy harder to capture on disc when you have such an intense show and i think it comes across alot better live with the visual element added. Instores now, for fans of Converge, Coalesce etc
Highlights : The Pattern Maker |
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:: www.thestockholmsyndrome.com :: www.chatterboxrecords.com :: Purchase Online from Chaos Music [Here] $12.95 ::
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ALPHA STATE - BREATH AWAY - INDEPENDENT - AVAILABLE NOW -
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Melbourne based act Alpha State have this four tracker doing the rounds, they play gritty hard rock, female fronted, chunky riffs, pretty sure this is their debut. 3 originals and a cover of Salt N Pepa's 'Push It', not a bad recording for a start, they play a sound that relies alot on production to really leave an impact, something that im sure they'll progress on in future releases. Energetic, heavy but still maintaining a catchy element, fans of the heavy rock sound should keep an eye out for this mob, theres definate potential with a bit of a fatter production and experience undeer their belts they could develop into something quite decent. Look out.
Highlights : Circus |
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:: www.alpha-state.com :: Purchase Online from The Can [Here] ::
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THE GO SET - SING A SONG OF REVOLUTION - KARVIN RECORDS / MGM - AVAILABLE NOW -
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The debut album from Melbourne's The Go Set is out now as the band winds up their Aussie tour before heading over to Europe, 11 tracks of Celtic inspired Aussie rock/punk, bagpipes and all. 37 minutes, recorded over 2 days in Birdland Studios with Lindsay Gravina at the helm. The aim was to capture the live experience as much as possible, hence the short time spent recording, probably a few takes of each song and a million beers later, heres the final product. Fast flowing, catchy, singalong, drinkalong aussie (for all those who whinge about no bands singing in aussie accents) tunes. Some slow, some fast, but all pretty damn decent and worth a listen. I'm sure with the indie approach the band have it won't set you back an arm and a leg either so check it out when you see it, easy comparisons to draw to would be aussie rock versions of recent touring buds The Real Mckenzies with a little Dropkick Murphys in there. Grab a beer and whack it on.
Highlights : 1788, Sing Me A Song, Raymond O'Byrne |
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:: www.thegoset.com.au ::
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