Saturday, March 16, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-17-2024




SONG:  "Please Nominate A Better Human"

ARTIST:  Kevin Seconds

ALBUM:  "Please Nominate A Better Human" single

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Sacramento, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1978 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Please Nominate A Better Human" appears to be about voting for someone who has felt the struggle of life and found a way to dig themselves out through hard work and honesty instead of voting for privileged, rich people that are out of touch with the common man.

KEVIN SECONDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Rodney, Reggie, Emily (Cargo Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Stoudamire (Earth Music)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Heaven's Near Wherever You Are (Headhunter Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Rise Up! Insomniacs (Asian Man Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Good Luck Buttons (Asian Man Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Don't Let Me Lose Ya (Asian Man Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Off Stockton (Rise Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - New Years Rulin's (This Means Nothing Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound (Birthday Money Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON KEVIN SECONDS:

Kevin Seconds was born in Sacramento, California but he made his mark on the music world in Reno, Nevada when he helped form the legendary punk band 7 Seconds. 7 Seconds, along with bands like Minor Threat and Bad Brains, were at the forefront of the hardcore, straight-edge movement. During the 80's, 7 Seconds helped to root the seed for several punk bands to grow from. Lead vocalist Kevin Seconds began doing some solo projects as early as 1989. In 1994, Seconds released his first full length album, "Rodney, Reggie, Emily". He would follow that up with "Stoudamire" in 1997. After 2001's "Heaven's Near Wherever You Are", Kevin signed a deal with punk label Asian Man Records where he released his next three albums, 2008's "Rise Up! Insomniacs", 2010's "Good Luck Buttons" and 2012's "Don't Let Me Lose Ya". 2014 saw Seconds release "Off Stockton". Also in 2014, Seconds released an album inspired by Woody Guthrie's New Year's resolutions for 1943. Kevin's most recent full length album was released in 2016, titled "Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound". You gotta check out Kevin's bandcamp page. This dude puts out stand alone songs constantly and has been doing so for years. It's a good mix of acoustic, folksy stuff and some stuff that's a throwback to his 7 Seconds days. Kevin Seconds is really a legend in punk rock circles. 7 Seconds is definitely one of the most influential bands to come out of the hardcore punk scene. But even with 7 Seconds, Kevin didn't like to be put in a box. They altered their style throughout the years before leaning back on their punk roots with their most recent releases. Kevin's solo stuff started out as mostly acoustic stuff. Definitely a more Americana vibe but as I said earlier, some of his stand alone singles that he's been putting out could easily fit on a 7 Seconds album. When I first got into punk rock music, it was more from 90's skate punk. So when I started working my way back to 80's punk, it was bands like Bad Religion, Social Distortion and 7 Seconds that I really loved. 7 Seconds could go hard, but they always seemed to have a good melody, much like some of those 90's skate punk bands. Kevin Seconds is the man and I'm glad he keeps putting out music. I guess 7 Seconds broke up in 2018 but they did get back together in 2022 to do a tour with the Circle Jerks so who knows. Maybe they have something in the oven too!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Brendan Kelly
Joe McMahon
Dan Andriano
The Riot Before
North Lincoln

TEN KEVIN SECONDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Rise Up! Insomniacs
2. My Recollection
3. Cellphones & Guitars
4. The Elements And You
5. Random Harm
6. You Ain't Talking To No One
7. Weather Everything
8. I, Pedestrian
9. A Random Thought
10. Wash Teeth If Any


Saturday, March 9, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-10-2024




SONG:  "Fan Fiction"

ARTIST:  Lagwagon

ALBUM:  "Railer"

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Goleta, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1990 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Lagwagon lead vocalist Joey Cape explained what "Fan Fiction" is about. Here's his own words. "The song is about any band’s or artist’s triumphant return after being inactive for a period of time. When they return to tour, fans often speak of their early career with great exaggeration and sometimes pretend to have loved the band always. When, in fact, they just recently discovered the band and grew to appreciate the music in the interim between the active days and the present reunion. Followers fan the fire of a reunion. I used a space and star analogy for this one. Space statistics are mysterious and entrancing. The analogy and imagery are fun."

LAGWAGON DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Duh (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1994 - Trashed (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1995 - Hoss (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Double Plaidinum (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Let's Talk About Feelings (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Let's Talk About Leftovers (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - Blaze (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Live In A Dive (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Resolve (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Hang (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Railer (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LAGWAGON:

Lagwagon formed as a band back in 1990, hailing from Goleta, California. Named after their often broken down touring van, Lagwagon signed with their good friend Fat Mike and Fat Wreck Chords right out the jump and have remained with that label throughout their career despite having interest from major labels in the mid 90's. The band's debut album was 1992's "Duh", recorded in just 4 days. They followed that up in 1994 with "Trashed", which featured the song "Island Of Shame" which generated lots of buzz for Lagwagon. 1995 saw the release of "Hoss". Classic skate punk album. '97 saw the release of "Double Plaidinum". In 1998, Lagwagon dropped "Let's Talk About Feelings" which features one of their best known tracks, "May 16". 2000 saw the band release the rarities and b-sides compilation "Let's Talk About Leftovers". The band went on a short hiatus after this release with all the members beginning to focus on various side projects but they soon got back together in 2003 for the release of "Blaze". 2005 proved to be a busy year for Lagwagon, dropping their very first live record, "Live In A Dive" and a new studio album, "Resolve", which was dedicated to original Lagwagon drummer Derrick Plourde who had passed away. It was a 9 year span between that album and their next, 2014's "Hang", the longest such span of their career. The band's most recent release was 2019's "Railer". Lagwagon is at the top of the heap when it comes to skate punk bands. They are so well respected and highly influential in punk rock circles. Joey Cape is such a top notch lyricist and vocalist. A friend of mine turned me on to Lagwagon in the 90's. He used to always play "Let's Talk About Feelings" and from the first notes of "After You My Friend", I was hooked! I was always more of a No Use guy, but let's cut through the chase here, Lagwagon is an awesome band. I actually really love their "Blaze" album. That's probably my favorite from these guys but their whole catalogue is superb. The releases have been a little sporadic over that last 10 years though. The boys need to pick up the pace on that! They still tour rather frequently however. Top band!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

No Use For A Name
Good Riddance
Pulley
Strung Out
Millencolin

TEN LAGWAGON SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Never Stops
2. After You My Friend
3. Violins
4. Failure
5. A Feedbag Of Truckstop Poetry
6. Made Of Broken Parts
7. Island Of Shame
8. Heartbreaking Music
9. Stealing Light
10. Angry Days



Saturday, March 2, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-3-2024




SONG:  "John The Baptist Blues"

ARTIST:  Local H

ALBUM:  "Live In Europe"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Zion, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1987 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I'm not the most religious guy, but "John The Baptist Blues" appears to be a song about how John The Baptist of The Bible was beheaded just before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and also how the crowd chose a prisoner called Barabbas to be pardoned over Jesus. I chose a live version for my song of the week. You can find the original studio version on Local H's 2015 album "Hey, Killer". 

LOCAL H DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Ham Fisted (Island Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - As Good As Dead (Island Records)
* peaked at #147 on the Billboard 200

1998 - Pack Up The Cats (Island Records)
* peaked at #140 on the Billboard 200

2002 = Here Comes The Zoo (Palm Pictures Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles (Studio E Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Alive '05 (Cleopatra Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Twelve Angry Months (Shout! Factory Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Hallelujah! I'm A Bum (Slimstyle Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Hey, Killer (G&P Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Live In Europe (G&P Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Lifers (AntiFragile Music)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LOCAL H:

Local H formed as a band back in 1987. Originally, the band was a 3-piece, drums, guitar and bass but when the bassist left the band, guitarist/vocalist Scott Lucas and drummer Joe Daniels decided to move forward as a 2 man band. The band's first official release was an EP in 1991 titled "Drum". As grunge and alternative rock began gripping the nation, Local H wound up signing a contract with major label Island Records and released their debut full length, "Ham Fisted", in 1995. It was their next album, 1996's "As Good As Dead" that really put Local H on the map. Thanks in part to the singles "Bound For The Floor", "Eddie Vedder" and "Fritz's Corner", Local H started to gain a bigger fanbase. 1998's "Pack Up The Cats" would be Local H's highest charting album, peaking at #140 on the Billboard 200. After this album, original drummer Joe Daniel departed the band and was replaced by Brian St. Claire. He would perform as the drummer on Local H's next four albums, 2002's "Here Comes The Zoo", 2004's "Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles", 2008's "Twelve Angry Months" and 2012's "Hallelujah! I'm A Bum". St. Claire would be replaced by Ryan Harding for the band's next releases, 2015's "Hey, Killer" and 2020's "Lifers". Local H's most recent release would be "Local H's Awesome Quarantine Mix Tape #3" in 2021. Local H was the original most famous 2 man band! That is before The White Stripes came around. As I said earlier, Local H caught the wave of the grunge/alternative rock movement that was so prominent in the 90's. The band's style, especially early on was very reminiscent of Nirvana. Local H is probably most well known for their live shows and the fun things they do at times to incorporate the crowd, like passing out lists that the fans can fill out to create set lists or doing full on cover shows on Halloween of bands like Nirvana and Kiss and more. They are a really fun band. I'll always remember seeing these guys perform a show with Silverchair and Handsome in Boston. Great times! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Sponge
Everclear
Candlebox
Stone Temple Pilots
Bush

TEN LOCAL H SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Fritz's Corner
2. All Right (Oh, Yeah)
3. California Songs
4. Cynic
5. Half Life
6. Cold Manor
7. Mansplainer
8. Patrick Bateman
9. Time (Pink Floyd cover)
10. 24 Hour Break-Up Session




Saturday, February 24, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-25-2024




SONG:  "Horror"

ARTIST:  Myelin

ALBUM:  "Reservoirs" EP

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  London, England

YEARS ACTIVE:  2016 - present ??



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Horror" appears to be a song about not only dealing with the outside problems, but also dealing with the mess in your own head. The vocalist definitely seems like he's in a war with himself.

MYELIN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

Myelin has not released a full length album to date.

MY THOUGHTS ON MYELIN:

Myelin was formed in 2016 in London, England by vocalist/guitarist Dan Bond. Bond was more well known from being in the band Apologies, I Have None from their inception in 2004 till 2014. Myelin's first release was the double sided single "Die/Horror" in 2016. Then in 2017, the band released the EP "Reservoirs". This proved to be the last release from Myelin. Their Facebook page was somewhat active in 2020 with only one post in 2021. If you like Apologies, I Have None, you would most likely like Myelin. Their styles are very similar, I'd say Apologies may be a little heavier but both bands are quite excellent! The lyrical content is very dark as well. As far as I know, Dan Bond hasn't rejoined Apologies, I Have None but there really doesn't seem to be any updated news on Myelin either. They may be done as a band after delivering just five songs! I hope not. These five songs are very good. Their fans deserve more!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Apologies, I Have None
Idle Class
Harker
The Penske File
Above Them

TEN MYELIN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Die
2. 15
3. Horror
4. Gaps
5. Cave

Myelin only has five songs to date.


Saturday, February 17, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-18-2024




SONG:  "Nihilist Nation"

ARTIST:  Sweet Empire

ALBUM:  "A New Cycle"

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Amsterdam, Netherlands

YEARS ACTIVE:  2008 - 2023



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Nihilist Nation" appears to be a song about not succumbing to the wrongs of the world. There's so many forces in the world that can make you lose the fight and just give in and go with the flow. But acceptance is almost like dying. You don't want to be numb. You want to feel, even if it hurts. You want to take life back and not conform.

SWEET EMPIRE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2011 - This Season Needs Torches (Shield Recordings)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Old Ideas Keep Fighting Us (Shield Recordings)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - A New Cycle (Shield Recordings)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - All Empires Fall (Shield Recordings)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SWEET EMPIRE:

Sweet Empire formed as a band back in 2008, hailing from Amsterdam. The band members all getting together from various local bands. Their very first release was an EP in 2010 called "The Flood". The band's debut full length album came out in 2011, titled "This Season Needs Torches". They would follow that album up in 2014 with their sophomore release "Old Ideas Keep Fighting Us". Sweet Empire pretty much toured all over Europe for almost 5 years until their next release, 2019's "A New Cycle". The band's most recent release would be 2023's "All Empires Fall". Shortly after the release of this album, the band announced that they had broken up. Sweet Empire is a band that has some melodic punk elements along with some pop punk and melodic hardcore as well. I'm almost 100% positive I learned of this band from the punk rock blogsite, DyingScene. Though their was not a lot that seperated Sweet Empire from many other bands of the same ilk, they were a pretty solid listen and I'm sorry that they decided to call it quits.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Crazy Arm
Leagues Apart
The Real Danger
Apologies, I Have None
Above Them

TEN SWEET EMPIRE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. No Roads Untraveled
2. Thoughts And Prayers
3. Hostile World
4. Torches
5. V.K.T.
6. The Breakfast Club Revisited
7. The Mapmaker
8. Rosa
9. Western Gates
10. Chaplin


Saturday, February 10, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-11-2024




SONG:  "Murder Shanty"

ARTIST:  The Rumjacks

ALBUM:  "Sleepin' Rough"

YEAR:  2016

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Sydney, Australia

YEARS ACTIVE:  2008 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Murder Shanty" is a tale about the passing of the seasons and the cycle of life.

THE RUMJACKS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2010 - Gangs Of New Holland (Laughing Outlaw Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Sober & Godless (Four Four Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Sleepin' Rough (Four Four Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Saints Preserve Us (Four Four Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live In London (Acoustic Sessions) (Four Four Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live In Athens (Four Four Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Hestia (Four Four Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE RUMJACKS:

The Rumjacks formed as a band back in 2008, hailing from Sydney, Australia though most of the bandmembers now reside in Europe. The band's first release was an EP in 2009 called "Hung, Drawn & Portered". Their debut full length album was released in 2010, titled "Gangs Of New Holland". This album contains the song "An Irish Pub Song" which has over 85 million views on YouTube! The band's next release would be 2015's "Sober & Godless". This was followed up a year later in 2016 with "Sleepin' Rough". 2018's "Saints Preserve Us" would be the band's last release with vocalist Frankie McLaughlin. Though the band supported McLaughlin through three domestic violence charges in 2012, his behavior and violence towards the band and the crew gave The Rumjacks no other choice but to sever ties with him. McLaughlin was replaced on vocals with Mike Rivkees. The first album with Rivkees was 2021's "Hestia". The Rumjacks most recent release was an EP in 2022 called "Brass For Gold". The Rumjacks are a celtic punk band very much in the same vein as the Dropkick Murphys. In fact, Rivkees, a native New Englander, filled in for Dropkicks frontman Al Barr for a tour when Barr was caring for his ailing mother. The Rumjacks are top notch and Rivkees has proven to be a pretty awesome replacement on vocals for McLaughlin. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Real McKenzies
Dropkick Murphys
The Killigans
Flatfoot 56
Street Dogs

TEN THE RUMJACKS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. An Irish Pub Song
2. Saints Preserve Us
3. Sainted Millions
4. A Fistful O' Roses
5. Blows & Unkind Words
6. Light In My Shadow
7. A Smuggler's Song
8. Fact'ry Jack
9. The Black Matilda (acoustic version)
10. Crosses For Eyes


Saturday, February 3, 2024

SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-4-2024




SONG:  "Lost In Transit"

ARTIST:  Burnt Tapes

ALBUM:  "Never Better"

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  London, United Kingdom

YEARS ACTIVE:  2014 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I can't find the lyrics to "Lost In Transit" on the web anywhere but it seems the song is about how the drugs and the booze have the vocalist kind of going in all different directions. Like his mind is going all over the place. He can't seem to figure out exactly what he wants. But the drugs are good!

BURNT TAPES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2019 - Never Better (Lockjaw Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON BURNT TAPES:

The members of Burnt Tapes were all actually born in Athens, Greece, but they decided to move to London and form a band back in 2014. Their very first release was an EP in 2014 titled "Wasted History". Their debut and only full length studio album to date is 2019's "Never Better". The band has put out a few EP's as well as some singles over the years. Their most recent release was the stand alone single "Little Sister" in 2023. The Burnt Tapes are one of the most recent bands that I've been following so they are very new to me. They self-describe their sound as "regret punk". They have pop punk and melodic punk tendencies. They're a pretty good punk band. I'm still learning their catalogue but I'm liking what I'm hearing so far. Hopefully they tour the States soon.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Russian Girlfriends
The Penske File
Deforesters
The Drowns
Harker

TEN BURNT TAPES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Yuzi
2. Don't Make Me Play Bocelli
3. Drift Champ '16
4. Greek Wood
5. Working For The Weekend (Loverboy cover)
6. Birds, And Birds, And Animals, And Things
7.  Little Sister
8. Holiday (The Get Up Kids cover)
9. Getitgotitgood
10. Dynasty, Die With Me