Song Of The Week: 6/30/19

Song: "Poverty For All"

Artist: Ignite

Album: "Our Darkest Days"

Year: 2006

Place Of Origin: Orange County, California

Years Active: 1993 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Poverty For All" is a song that's written about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Ignite's lead singer, Zoli Teglas is of Hungarian descent and the history of his native homeland and it's fight against the Soviet Union and communism after World War II are very important issues to him. Hungary used to have a democratic, voting government. Then World War II happened and the Soviets pretty much took over Eastern Europe and spread communism. In 1956, a revolt began, starting with college students, to push out the communist ruling government. Eventually, the Soviet army was sent in to re-establish control. Hungary and it's people would suffer the hardships of a poor economy and very little, if any freedom for years to follow. Ignite is shining a light on Hungary's oppressed history with this song.

IGNITE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Scarred For Life (Lost & Found Records)
1995 - Family (Lost & Found Records)
2000 - A Place Called Home (TVT Records)
2006 - Our Darkest Days (Abacus Recordings)
2016 - A War Against You (Century Media Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF IGNITE:

Ignite formed as a band back in 1993, part of the heralded punk scene of Orange County, California. The band released it's debut album in 1994 called "Scarred For Life" but it was their second album, "Family", which gave the band it's voice. Why? Because that was the first album that Zoli Teglas contributed vocals for the band. The band started to solidify it's foundation with touring. It earned the respect of the hardcore punk scene in the mid-90's and in 2000, Ignite started to make it's mark with the release of "A Place Called Home". Even though "A Place Called Home" was the band's best effort to date, they were still very much an underground band. In 2006, I personally think they found who they are as a band with the release of "Our Darkest Days". This was just a solid hardcore punk album and the song "Bleeding" is just a banger! It would be ten years before Ignite would release another full length album. But, before they did, in 2010, Teglas joined seminal punk band Pennywise when their lead singer Jim Lindberg departed that band. Teglas recorded vocals for the Pennywise album "All Or Nothing" and toured with the band to promote that album. Eventually, Teglas departed Pennywise and Lindberg returned. In 2016, Ignite returned with another triumphant album, "A War Against You". This album proved that Ignite is the real deal when it comes to hardcore punk. Ignite just doesn't seem to get the credit they deserve as a band. Maybe it's just the nature of the music business nowadays or whatever but you always hear of bands like Bad Religion and Pennywise getting their props, and deservedly so. But Ignite is a great punk band and Zoli's vocals are incredible. He may have the best range of any punk rock singer. The band is also known for wearing their beliefs on their sleeves. The content of their songs is very much in favor of the rights of people and their fight for freedom, the health and well being of the environment and shining a light on all forms of atrocities. If you dig hardcore punk bands like H2O, Strung Out, Pennywise, Strike Anywhere or Good Riddance, then you should do yourself a huge favor and listen to Ignite if you haven't already. Especially their last two album. Incredible stuff!!

TEN IGNITE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bleeding
2. This Is A War
3. Nothing Can Stop Me
4. Fear Is Our Tradition
5. Begin Again
6. Let It Burn
7. Veteran
8. Place Called Home
9. Embrace
10. Holding On

Song Of The Week: 6/23/19

Song: "Everybody Stabbed Me And It Didn't Even Hurt"

Artist: Rory

Album: "We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good"

Year: 2006

Place Of Origin: Altamonte Springs, Florida

Years Active: 1998 - 2007



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

When I read the lyrics to "Everybody Stabbed Me And It Didn't Even Hurt", I get a sense that the vocalist got caught up in something that he was way over his head in. But this wasn't just a bad choice. This turned out to be a life and death choice. I'm thinking maybe he got in a relationship with the wrong girl and perhaps that girl's lover or husband made sure the vocalist paid for that. The lyrics kind of paint a picture of a scene straight from a mob movie, complete with being duct taped at the mouth, tied up and stuffed in a suitcase. The man rolled the dice and crapped out!!

RORY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good (One Eleven Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF RORY:

While Rory formed as a band back in 1998, this Florida outfit didn't release any material until 2004, with the EP, "Always Right As In We Are". This EP was released through One Eleven Records, which would ultimately be the only label Rory would deal with in their musical career. The band released their debut full length album in 2006, titled "We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good". This album helped the band secure supporting slots on tours with bands like Fall Out Boy and Less Than Jake. By 2007, Rory decided to call it quits. Not a hell of a whole lot to say about this band. Seems they we're gone as soon as they arrived on the scene! They're your typical pop punk/melodic punk band. They didn't really stand out among the pack in that genre, they just fell along in the pack. They have some good songs but nothing really sticks out as a great song. Just good. If you like bands like Rookie Of The Year, The Fully Down, Adelphi, Don't Look Down or Meriwether, then you might like some of Rory's material. I've heard some people compare them to Taking Back Sunday or early Brand New but Rory really can't hold a candle to either of those bands in my opinion.

TEN RORY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Deja Vroomier
2. Nice Planet, We'll Take It
3. Kind Of Like Chloroformity
4. The State Of How
5. This Could've Been A Dance Dance Revolution, But Now It's Just A Dance
6. Typical
7. Tonight I Don't Care, I'm Having Candy For Dinner
8. Conversations With Strangers
9. Packed More Trunks Than The Jersey Mob
10. It's On Senor...GO!

Song Of The Week: 6/16/19

Song: "Salty Eyes"

Artist: The Matches

Album: "Decomposer"

Year: 2006

Place Of Origin: Oakland, California

Years Active: 1997 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Salty Eyes" appears to be an ode to your favorite song. I'm sure everyone has certain songs they they love that when they hear it, it almost makes all your problems go away and for that couple of minutes, it makes you feel good, almost to the point of becoming emotional. If you really love music, you most definitely have certain songs that do this for you.

THE MATCHES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals (Epitaph Records)
2006 - Decomposer (Epitaph Records)
2008 - A Band In Hope (Epitaph Records)
2009 - the Matches album 4, unreleased; graphics? needed? (self-released)
2014 - 10YearsEVDKTL (self-released)
2016 - Recomposer (self-released)

CURRENT STATUS OF THE MATCHES:

Formed as a band back in 1997, this Oakland, California outfit came to life when all the guys were still in high school. Originally, the band was called The Locals and they played a style that was more like ska punk. The band was forced to change their name to The Matches to avoid legal problems because of another band who had the same name. By 2003, The Matches were ready to drop their debut album. "E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals" was originally self-released by the band but in 2004, The Matches signed a deal with Epitaph Records who re-released the album. This album saw a decided shift in musical style as well as the band displayed a more pop punk style. The Matches released a video for the song "Chain Me Free" which was a modest hit for them. In 2006, the band released "Decomposer". This album was yet another departure in style, daring to go just about anywhere without being confined in a pop punk bubble. This album also featured almost a different producer for nearly every song. The album spawned the singles "Papercut Skin" and "Salty Eyes". In 2008, "A Band In Hope" was released. This album featured the single "Wake The Sun", which happens to be my personal favorite song by The Matches. With their Epitaph contract up, the band self-released a b-sides and rarities compilation titled "the Matches album 4, unreleased; graphics? needed?". Shortly after this 2009 release, The Matches announced that they were going on a hiatus with all the members focusing on several different side projects. In 2014, there were rumblings on The Matches social media sites that a reunion could be in the works. What was supposed to be a one-off reunion in their hometown of Oakland turned into nine total dates of sold out shows. Those shows culminated in the release of the band's very first live album, 10YearsEVDKTL, which included the band's debut album played in full. The band also embarked on a tour of Australia in 2015. This tour culminated in the release of the band's second live album, "Recomposer", in which their album "Decomposer" was played front to back. The Matches most recent release was a 2 song EP called "Life Of A Match/Crucial Comeback (Mary Claire)". "Life Of A Match" has a very cool video for it. Check it out on YouTube. The Matches are a band that doesn't like to be boxed in when it comes to musical style. Just when you think you have them pegged, they change it up drastically on their next album. I think their roots are based in pop punk but they stray from that, sometimes from song to song. Some punk bands I'd compare them too a little bit are bands like Bayside, The Academy Is..., Midtown, Matchbook Romance and The Starting Line. I'd definitely say that The Matches push their musical limits further than any of those bands. Not saying they're better, they're just more likely to experiment musically.

TEN THE MATCHES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Wake The Sun
2. Papercut Skin
3. Life Of A Match
4. Audio Blood
5. Sick Little Suicide
6. Like Yesterday
7. Chain Me Free
8. Yankee In A Chip Shop
9. Point Me Toward The Morning
10. Salty Eyes

Song Of The Week: 6/9/19

Song: "Revelations"

Artist: Audioslave

Album: "Revelations"

Year: 2006

Place Of Origin: Glendale, California

Years Active: 2001 - 2007



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Revelations" appears to be a song about someone who thinks they know more about what's good for you than you do yourself. I get a sense the vocalist is being sarcastic about this person's attitude towards him. Like, if you know what really ails him, why don't you help him? If you know why he's broken, why don't you fix him? It's a relationship where one person is seeking total control of the other. Her best interests have to be his. God forbid he thinks for himself or does what he thinks is best for himself.

AUDIOSLAVE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Audioslave (Epic/Interscope Records)
2005 - Out Of Exile (Epic/Interscope Records)
2006 - Revelations (Epic/Interscope Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF AUDIOSLAVE:

In 2001, the three remaining members of Rage Against The Machine, Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums) decided to find a new lead singer to form a new band. Enter music producer Rick Rubin who suggested that Morello ask Chris Cornell who had been doing solo stuff after the break-up of Soundgarden. The band's chemistry was apparent from the very first time they jammed and after a short period named as Civilian, the band adopted the name Audioslave. The band's debut album, "Audioslave", debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 charts, achieved gold status in one month and by 2006, was certified triple platinum! The lead single "Cochise" introduced the band to the world but it was the second single "Like A Stone" that catapulted the band to major success. "Like A Stone" became a #1 single for the band and they were on top of the rock and roll mountain, even as Chris Cornell had to enter rehab and finalize a divorce from his first wife. In 2005, Cornell was now clean and sober and the band was clicking on all cylinders with the release of their sophomore album, "Out Of Exile". This album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts and was certified platinum in just three weeks after it's release date! The band secured their second #1 single as well with the song "Be Yourself". After releasing that album and touring in support, the band quickly re-entered the studio and released their third and what would be final album, "Revelations" in 2006. Since the band's inception, their was always some turmoil going on, whether it was on the business side or the creative side. The tensions came to a head in February of 2007 as Chris Cornell announced he was departing the band, ultimately closing the door on Audioslave as a band. Morello, Commerford and Wilk reunited with Zack de la Rocha and performed a few one-off live reunion shows with Rage Against The Machine but ultimately, that band still couldn't get over thier differences to do anything long term. Morello also had a solo project called The Nightwatchman and currently, he, Wilk and Commerford have teamed up with B-Real of Cypress Hill and Chuck D. of Public Enemy and formed a new rock/rap outfit called Prophets Of Rage. Cornell had resurrected his solo career as well as reuniting with Soundgarden. Not only had Soundgarden been touring worldwide, they also released a new album called "King Animal". In 2017, Chris Cornell performed some songs with his Audioslave bandmates during a Prophets Of Rage show marking the only time since 2007 that the band had performed together. There was even talk that Audioslave could possibly be reuniting for some live shows and perhaps even new studio material. All of those hopes were dashed however when Chris Cornell was found dead in his hotel room on May 18, 2017. Audioslave was a true supergroup. Though they were only a band for 6 years, they received three Grammy nominations, sold over 8 million albums worldwide and in 2005, became the very first American rock band to perform an open-air concert in Cuba. They were big time to say the least! If you loved Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden, then this band just seemed like a match made in heaven. And they no doubt were. Chris Cornell, in my mind, was the greatest hard rock vocalist of all time. This dude was just an amazing singer with an amazing range. Tom Morello is such an innovator on guitar. He gets sounds out of that thing that no other guitarist gets. Wilk and Commerford have just a steady groove that works together and really is the glue of the songs. Even though I love Audioslave, I was much happier when I found out that Soundgarden would be reforming. Soundgarden is just a beast of a band and in my mind, that is where Chris Cornell rightfully belonged. It was just one of the worst days when Cornell died because we will all miss his amazing voice on new songs, whether he did them with Soundgarden, Audioslave or solo. We will never have new songs and that sucks. Thank God he left us with so much material that we can go back and enjoy and his Audioslave songs always find a spot on my car stereo rotation!

TEN AUDIOSLAVE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Cochise
2. I Am The Highway
3. Show Me How To Live
4. Be Yourself
5. Doesn't Remind Me
6. Like A Stone
7. Shape Of Things To Come
8. Revelations
9. Out Of Exile
10. Wide Awake

Song Of The Week: 6/2/19

Song: "Omie Wise"

Artist: Greg Graffin

Album: "Cold As The Clay"

Year: 2006

Place Of Origin: Madison, Wisconsin

Years Active: 1980 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Omie Wise" was written in the 19th century about the real life murder of a girl named Naomi Wise. The first recorded version of the song was performed by G.B. Grayson in 1927. The song tells the story of Omie and her murderer, John Lewis. When Omie became pregnant, Lewis tricked her into running off to get married, but, he instead dragger her to a river and drowned her. Greg Graffin covered this song for his 2006 album "Cold As The Clay".

GREG GRAFFIN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - American Lesion (Atlantic Records)
2006 - Cold As The Clay (ANTI-Records)
2017 - Millport (ANTI-Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF GREG GRAFFIN:

While Greg Graffin was born in Madison, Wisconsin, make no mistake about it, he's a Los Angeles, California recording artist. Graffin was just 15 years old when he helped to form the legendary punk rock band Bad Religion. As the frontman for one of the most iconic and influential punk bands of all time, he and Bad Religion have gone on to release 16 full length studio album from 1980 to the current day, with their most recent release 2019's "Age Of Unreason". Though Bad Religion is a well oiled machine that doesn't appear to have any end in sight, there have been a few down times where Graffin had the time to write and record for some solo material. In 1997, Graffin released his first solo album, "American Lesion", through Atlantic Records. Much of this album was written during a time when Graffin's marriage was dissolving and the songs reflect that. It wouldn't be until 2006 that Graffin would release his second solo album, "Cold As The Clay". This album was heavily influenced by 18th and 19th century American folk songs and featured some covers of those American standards, including "Omie Wise". This album was produced by fellow Bad Religion bandmate and owner of Epitaph Records, Brett Gurewitz. The album was released through ANTI-Records which is a subsidiary of Epitaph. Graffin's most recent solo release would be 2017's "Millport". This album was produced and co-written by Gurewitz once again and featured members of Social Distortion as backing musicians. As you can see, Bad Religion is most definitely the main focus of Greg Graffin in his almost 40 years in the music industry. But when he's not being the frontman of punk rock's most bad ass band, or getting his PhD in the history of science at Cornell University, or lecturing courses at that very same Cornell University as well as UCLA, or authoring books, then he is going down that folksy, Americana type road for some solo albums. It's been kind of a thing with punk rock frontmen lately, that urge to put down the electric for an acoustic guitar. It's worked for guys like Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Tony Sly (No Use For A Name), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) and Tim Barry (Avail) and damn straight, it works for Greg Graffin as well. Everything this dude does is gold!

TEN GREG GRAFFIN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Don't Be Afraid To Run
2. Lincoln's Funeral Train
3. Opinion
4. Backroads Of My Mind
5. Talk About Suffering
6. Omie Wise
7. Predicament
8. Cold As The Clay
9. Making Time
10. When I Fail