Sunday, November 29, 2015

Song Of The Week: 11/29/15







Song: "Long Ride Home" (Patty Griffin cover)

Artist: Dave Hause

Album: "Unreleased"

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Years Active: 1996-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Long Ride Home" is a pretty straight forward song lyrically. It appears to be about losing your spouse after a very long marriage (40 years in the song). It's about reflecting on the life you both had together and regretting perhaps, some of the things you said in those years and wishing you were kinder to that person. It's about how the house you once shared together now feels empty, much like you do on the inside. It's a beautiful song about losing your life long love. "Long Ride Home" was originally written and performed by Maine folk singer/songwriter Patty Griffin and was released on her 2002 album "1000 Kisses". This version I chose was covered by Dave Hause and performed acoustically for Altar TV in 2014. It was never released on any of his albums.

DAVE HAUSE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2011 - "Resolutions" (Paper + Plastick Records)
2013 - "Devour" (Rise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF DAVE HAUSE:

Dave Hause first made his mark on the music scene back in the mid-90's. Hailing from Philly, his first musical endeavor was a hardcore/punk outfit called Step Ahead. His next project would be a band called The Curse, which he played guitar and shared vocals. Around the same time he was a part of The Curse, he joined the band Paint It Black as a guitarist and back up vocalist. In 2004, he would leave Paint It Black to focus on his new project The Loved Ones, for which he was the lead singer, guitarist and chief songwriter. In a 5 year span, The Loved Ones dropped 2 full length albums as well as 2 EP's. 2009 would see Hause begin his solo career. Hause's musical style reflected that of his contemporaries such as Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem) and Tim Barry (Avail). He too would be part of Ragan's annual "Revival Tour", where punk rock frontmen performed stripped down versions of their other band's material as well as original solo material, sometimes collaborating on stage with each other during the shows. Hause released his first solo album in 2011, called "Resolutions", which features the title track "Resolutions" as well as the single "C'mon Kid". In 2013, he released his second album, "Devour". This album features the stand out track "We Could Be Kings". While Hause is currently more focused on his solo career at the moment, the door has not been closed on The Loved Ones as of yet. In fact, Hause has gotten back with The Loved Ones to perform at select shows. His last releases date back to 2013, as he has released several EP's and 7" singles to go along with his 2 full length album releases. The Loved Ones last release dates back to 2009. I expect to see new material from Hause sooner rather than later, whether that is solo stuff or a new release with The Loved Ones. Hause is a gifted songwriter and lyricist. With The Loved Ones, he brought an energetic form of melodic punk rock that was similar in vein to bands like The Bouncing Souls. His acoustic material was more melodic rock than punk, but still vital in both their lyrics and structure. Hause is right up there with the best of the best when it comes to punk rock frontmen who went the solo/acoustic route. He is not out of place at all with the likes of Chuck Ragan, Tim Barry, Brian Fallon, Dan Andriano, Joey Cape, Tony Sly or Laura Jane Grace. In my mind, Hause should be even more popular on regular rock radio than he is. Makes me wonder if people have any idea what good music is anymore!!

TEN DAVE HAUSE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. We Could Be Kings
2. Prague
3. Time Will Tell
4. C'mon Kid
5. The Great Depression
6. Resolutions
7. Autism Vaccine Blues
8. Same Disease
9. Ghost On The Boardwalk (Bouncing Souls cover)
10. Pray For Tucson

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Song Of The Week: 11/22/15







Song: "You're No Match"

Artist: Bayside

Album: "Cult"

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Queens, New York

Years Active: 2000-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"You're No Match" appears to be a song where the vocalist has seen the person he was in a relationship with for what she really is. She's a devil in disguise who only gets involved with men to use them. The vocalist is not so much broken up over this failed relationship, in fact, he thinks he is so much better of a person than her that he considers her no match and someday, he feels confident that he will meet someone who will treat him as he should be treated while she will just continue on with hollow relationships for the rest of her life.

BAYSIDE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - "Sirens And Condolences" (Victory Records)
2005 - "Bayside" (Victory Records)
2006 - "Acoustic" (Victory Records)
2007 - "The Walking Wounded" (Victory Records)
2008 - "Shudder" (Victory Records)
2008 - "Live At The Bayside Social Club" (Victory Records)
2011 - "Killing Time" (Wind Up Records)
2014 - "Cult" (Hopeless Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF BAYSIDE:

Bayside formed as a band back in 2000. They managed to slip their demo tape to the band New Found Glory who helped Bayside get their foot in the door of the industry. Their very first release was an EP titled "Long Stories Short" in 2001. The buzz generated from that EP sparked some interest from label Victory Records who promptly signed Bayside in 2003. The band's 5 year run with Victory Records produced 4 studio albums, 1 live acoustic album and 1 full band live album as well. During that time the band churned out major singles such as "Masterpiece", "Devotion And Desire", "Duality" and "No One Understands". Tragedy befell the band in 2005 however, as their friend and drummer, John "Beatz" Holohan died when their van hit a patch of ice and tumbled over. The song "Winter" off the band's 2006 "Acoustic" album is a dedication to their fallen friend. In 2011, the band parted ways with Victory and signed on with Wind Up Records who released their 2011 album "Killing Time". Vocalist Anthony Raneri spent a short time focusing on his solo material before getting back together with the band for the release of 2014's "Cult", which was distributed by Hopeless Records. Currently, the band recently finished up a tour with The Early November in support of "Cult". Bayside is kind of a breath of fresh air as a band. With so many carbon copies out there, certain genres seem to get saturated with similar sounding bands. Bayside writes very good songs and Raneri's vocal style is rather unique. Musically, the band's contemporaries are Taking Back Sunday, I Am The Avalanche, Silverstein, The Swellers and Transit, but it's Raneri's vocal deliverary that makes Bayside stand out. While at it's core, Bayside is a melodic pop punk band, they are not afraid to explore different styles so long as the music is true to what Bayside's all about. Very solid band who stays ultra active when it comes to releasing new music.

TEN BAYSIDE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Already Gone
2. Devotion And Desire
3. Duality
4. Masterpiece
5. Winter
6. No One Understands
7. Pigsty
8. Sick, Sick, Sick
9. Time Has Come
10. Don't Call Me Peanut

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Song Of The Week: 11/15/15







Song: "The Rip"

Artist: A Wilhelm Scream

Album: "Mute Print"

Year: 2004

Place Of Origin: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Years Active: 1999-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Rip" appears to be a song that is about coming to the realization that any entity, whether it be government, religion or even just those people who you looked up to as heroes, are not exactly as they appear and they have basically just been using you all your life to get you to be followers of their agendas. The fact is, there are millions of people who fall into this following. This song is the anthem for those that buck the trend and put their own best interests as priorities in their lifes, not the interests of bigger entities.

A WILHELM SCREAM DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2000 - "The Way To A Girl's Heart Is Through Her Boyfriend's Stomach" (as Smackin' Isaiah) (Tank Records)
2001 - "Benefits Of Thinking Out Loud" (as Smackin' Isaiah) (Jumpstart Records)
2004 - "Mute Print" (Nitro Records)
2005 - "Ruiner" (Nitro Records)
2007 - "Career Suicide" (Nitro Records)
2013 - "Partycrasher" (No Idea Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF A WILHELM SCREAM:

A Wilhelm Scream's roots as a band date back to 1999. At the beginning, the band was known as Adam's Crack, which was more or less a Nirvana type band. Then with the addition of lead singer Nuno Pereira, the band changed it's name to Koen for a short period before settling on the moniker Smackin' Isaiah. The band's Smackin' Isaiah days saw a band that was generally writing skate punk songs that were often humorous in theme. With the release of 2001's "Benefits Of Thinking Out Loud", you could see a band that was starting to take itself a little more serious and the lyrical content began reflecting that as well. It was after this album that the band officially changed it's name to A Wilhelm Scream. "Benefits Of Thinking Out Loud" would actually be re-released under their new moniker by Jumpstart Records. From 2004 through 2007, the band put forth a 3 album assault on the masses, releasing "Mute Print", "Ruiner" and "Career Suicide". All three of these releases were on the Nitro Records label. In 2009, the band released their self-titled EP through Paper + Plastick Records. The band would then sign on with No Idea Records for what would be their latest release, 2013's "Partycrasher". Currently, as of August of 2015, the band has confirmed that they are working on new material which will be a follow up to 2013's "Partycrasher". A Wilhelm Scream is a staple in the local Boston punk rock scene. It took them a few years and a few band name changes to finally form a musical identity, but they definitely got it all figured out by the time of their 2004 release "Mute Print". I'd say if you took the classic, melodic punk style of a Face To Face, added in the technical musicality of a Propagandhi and a sprinkle of hardcore punk aggression of someone like a BigWig, you'd get a sense of the sound of A Wilhelm Scream. Their style will never garner them mainstream success, but that is not their crowd or who they are targeting. They target the underground hardcore punk scene and that is their comfort zone. If you are a fan of band's like Propagandhi, Strike Anywhere, Strung Out or Rise Against (especially early R.A.), then you should check out A Wilhelm Scream.

TEN A WILHELM SCREAM SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Soft Cell
2. I Wipe My Ass With Showbiz
3. Boat Builders
4. Stab. Stab. Stab.
5. Australias
6. The King Is Dead
7. Bulletproof Tiger
8. Number One
9. The Rip
10. The Horse

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Song Of The Week: 11/8/15







Song: "Fine Tuning The Bender"

Artist: Off With Their Heads

Album: "Fine Tuning The Bender" 7" single

Year: 2003

Place Of Origin: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Years Active: 2002-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Fine Tuning The Bender" appears to be about being stuck in a rut. The vocalist seems to be saying to himself that it's time to leave this cold and grey town, but for some reason, finds himself stuck in the same place. Days have turned into years and the vicious cycle continues for him. For whatever reason, he wants out, but cannot bring himself to leave. He's not even sure why he can't just up and go. Perhaps it's the alcohol that keeps him where he is.

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - "Hospitals" (Rock Bottom Records)
2007 - "All Things Move Toward Their End" (No Idea Records)
2008 - "From The Bottom" (No Idea Records)
2008 - "Insubordination Fest 2008" (Insubordination Records)
2010 - "In Desolation" (Epitaph Records)
2013 - "Home" (Epitaph)

CURRENT STATUS OF OFF WITH THEIR HEADS:

Off With Their Heads formed back in 2002. The band is the brainchild of lead vocalist/guitarist Ryan Young. After dropping a slew of 7" splits and singles and dropping the 2006 LP "Hospitals", the band caught the ear of No Idea Records who signed the band to a deal. First thing No Idea did was to redistribute the band's 7" singles in the form of a compilation album called "All Things Move Toward Their End", then they released the band's 2008 album "From The Bottom". Off With Their Heads and No Idea Records did not exactly have a good relationship with one another however. There was a lot of tension and strife between the two. Off With Their Heads was hoping to release another compilation featuring more of their 7" songs, but No Idea basically squashed that idea. The band and label ultimately parted ways. This turned out to be a good thing for the band as they eventually signed with legendary punk rock label Epitaph Records who released their most recent albums, 2010's "In Desolation" and 2013's "Home". Under Epitaph, the band refined their sound and songwriting and began to shine as a band. Most recently, the band dropped a couple of singles in 2015, one was a cover of a Langhorne Slim and the Law song called "On The Attack" and the other was a Bad Religion cover song, "Sorrow". Both of these singles were released through Ryan Young's website/podcast "Anxious And Angry". Young created Anxious and Angry as a place where people can discuss various mental health issues via his podcast as well as being able to buy the band's merchandise. It's basically the go to place for all things Ryan Young and Off With Their Heads. Mental health issues are a definite focus in many of Young's lyrics as he has been dealing with them all his life, even suffering a nervous breakdown in 2013. The podcast has been as theraputic as his band and his music to help deal with his own issues. If you are a melodic hardcore/punk rock fan of contemporary bands such as Banner Pilot, Dear Landlord, Dillinger Four, House Boat or The Flatliners, they you should definitely give Off With Their Heads a listen. Very solid punk rock band that features very personal, heartfelt lyrics.

TEN OFF WITH THEIR HEADS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Drive
2. Nightlife
3. I May Be A Lot Of Shitty Things, But At Least I'm Not A Rapist Like You
4. Don't Make Me Go
5. Janie
6. Die Today
7. Sorrow (Bad Religion cover)
8. Clear The Air
9. Fuck This, I'm Out
10. Seek Advice Elsewhere

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Song Of The Week: 11/1/15







Song: "Burn The Bodies To The Ground" (live)

Artist: I Am Ghost

Album: "Live In Orange County"

Year: 2009

Place Of Origin: Long Beach, California

Years Active: 2004-2010



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Burn The Bodies To The Ground" almost appears as if it's about the vocalist just being disgusted and fed up with his surroundings and the people he associates with. Everyone is loaded and miserable, even his girlfriend is draped in misery. When I listen to the song and read the lyrics I get a sense like the vocalist is in his house with a bunch of leeches and hanger on's and maybe what he thought once was cool, he is now disgusted with, thus he just wants to burn down the house and everyone in it. He's seeking a drastic change in his life no doubt. This version of "Burn The Bodies To The Ground" is a live take from I Am Ghost's album "Live In Orange County". The original studio version can be found on the band's 2008 album "Those We Leave Behind".

I AM GHOST'S DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - "Lovers' Requiem" (Epitaph Records)
2008 - "Those We Leave Behind" (Epitaph Records)
2009 - "Live In Orange County" (self-released)

CURRENT STATUS OF I AM GHOST:

I Am Ghost was formed back in 2004, the brainchild of lead singer Steve Juliano who sought out bandmates through MySpace. Soon after settling on band members, I Am Ghost self released and EP called "We Are Always Searching" in 2005 and soon caught the attention of legendary punk rock label Epitaph Records who signed the band and re-released their EP. The band's debut album, 2006's "Lovers' Requiem" showed a band that definitely offered a unique style in an over-saturated genre. While featuring aggressive, goth punk guitar riffs and hardcore and metal elements, the band also featured female back up vocals, violins and keyboards which distinguished them from the crowd. Tensions within the band created a rift as to what musical direction they should go and ultimately, the back up vocals of Kerith Telestai and the keyboards of Brian Telestai would be no more as both departed the band. While the band's next effort, 2008's "Those We Leave Behind", was a more aggressive and angry record, the band definitely lost some of what made them unique from their debut album. After touring the U.S. and Europe in support of "Those We Leave Behind", I Am Ghost decided to break up. The break up was officially announced on July 17, 2010 by lead singer and founder Steve Juliano. Currently, I Am Ghost is still very much no longer a band. Juliano has gone on to form another band called Requiem (formerly Requiem For The Dead) which is in the same vein as I Am Ghost. If you are a fan of dark/punk/goth/hardcore/metal type bands like Escape The Fate, Aiden, My Chemical Romance, Avenged Sevenfold and AFI, then you would probably enjoy I Am Ghost's music. It seemed this band was really on to something before the Telestai's both departed. After their departure, the band definitely sounded more generic. Not bad, just not groundbreaking either.

TEN I AM GHOST SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Pretty People Never Lie, Vampires Never Die
2. Our Friend Lazerus Sleeps
3. Those We Leave Behind
4. Killer Likes Candy
5. Bone Garden
6. The Girl Epilogue, Pt. 1
7. Lovers' Requiem
8. Kiss Me Like You Wanted - We Will Never Tell
9. Don't Wake Up
10. Saddest Story Never Told