Song Of The Week: 10/27/19

Song: "Hell Or High Water"

Artist: Smackin' Isaiah (A Wilhelm Scream)

Album: "The Champagne Of Bands" EP

Year: 2001

Place Of Origin: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Years Active: 1999 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Hell Or High Water" appears to be a song about a broken relationship, and a broken man because of that relationship. You can tell that he still yearns for her to be with him. He remembers her touch and her scent. It almost feels like maybe he lost her tragically. When he says he's never gonna let her down. Perhaps she's passed and he's going to do right by her even after she's gone.

A WILHELM SCREAM DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2000 - The Way To A Girl's Heart Is Through Her Boyfriend's Stomach (Tank Records) (as Smackin' Isaiah)
2001 - Benefits Of Thinking Out Loud (Jump Start Records) (as Smackin' Isaiah)
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 has it's roots dating back to 1993. The guys in this band hail from New Bedford, Massachusetts. After going through line-up changes and name changes, in 1997, they settled on the moniker Smackin' Isaiah. After releasing some self-released cassettes and some EP's, the band put out their debut full length album in 2000, "A Way To A Girl's Heart Is Through Her Boyfriend's Stomach". The band's next recording became much more serious and you can feel the band rounding into form with 2001's "Benefits Of Thinking Out Loud". At this point, the band became A Wilhelm Scream. "Benefits Of Thinking Out Loud" was re-issued under their new name in 2004. Also in 2004, A Wilhelm Scream released "Mute Print". This would mark the beginning of a three album deal with Nitro Records. 2005 saw the release of "Ruiner". For me personally, this is where A Wilhelm Scream really sucked me in as a big fan. The song "The King Is Dead" is just a fierce punk rock song! Next up for the band would be 2007's "Career Suicide". This is probably the band's fastest and most aggressive release in their catalogue. This album would be re-issued in 2017 with a slew of b-sides and demo recordings. The band's most recent full length studio album would be 2013's "Partycrasher". Yet another gem of an album! Supposedly, the boys in A Wilhelm Scream have been in the studio since early 2019 working on a new album. A Wilhelm Scream is fast, technical and hardcore punk at it's roots. Plus, they're Mass-holes like me!! That gotta count for something!! My first experience with this band was the 2005 album "Ruiner" and i've been hooked ever since. If you like your punk fast and your guitar playing technical then A Wilhelm Scream is a band for you. Their sound is similar to artists like No Trigger, Propagandhi, Strike Anywhere, Bigwig and Strung Out. This band is killer, or "pissah"! Like I said we're fellow Mass-holes! Can't wait for their new album to come out, hopefully soon.

TEN A WILHELM SCREAM SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The King Is Dead
2. The Soft Cell
3. The Horse
4. Boat Builders
5. Bulletproof Tiger
6. We Built This City (On Debts And Booze)
7. Famous Friends And Fashion Drunks
8. Rip
9. Number One
10. Skid Rock

Song Of The Week: 10/20/19

Song: "Eyes Like A Target"

Artist: Hidden In Plain View

Album: "Operation: Cut-Throat"

Year: 2002

Place Of Origin: Morristown, New Jersey

Years Active: 2000 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Eyes Like A Target" is yet another song about a relationship on the outs. It has a sick and twisted feel to it however. Though the vocalist is saying his girl is free to leave, it appears he's going to make that departure as difficult as possible. You can definitely feel his anger for her after the heartbreak and sorrow that she's put him through. He wants her to feel what he is feeling because of her actions.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - Life In Dreaming (Drive-Thru Records)
2007 - Resolution (Drive-Thru Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW:

New Jersey's own Hidden In Plain View got their start as a band back in 2000. By the time the band was ready to cut their second EP, they hooked up with Drive-Thru Records, the label which they pretty much stuck with up until 2007. In 2004, the band was ready to drop their debut full length album, "Life In Dreaming". This album featured what is probably the band's most famous song, "Bleed For You". The band followed up that album in 2007 with their sophomore effort, "Resolution". While the band had some promise, the members decided to call it quits in 2007 and focus on other ventures. In 2013, Hidden In Plain View got back together to play a one off live show in Philadelphia. 2015 saw the band embark on a tour to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their debut album "Life In Dreaming". Hidden In Plain View also dropped a brand new EP that year entitled "Animal". Hidden In Plain View's style is that of a melodic, alternative rock/pop punk type band. They're a pretty good band. They don't really stand out from all the bands of a similar ilk, but they have some memorable songs. Its been a few years since they had a new release, but the band is still touring. Most recently they performed at The Warped Tour. If you enjoy listening to bands like The Starting Line, Halifax, Spitalfield, Matchbook Romance or So They Say, then you'd most likely enjoy Hidden In Plain View's music. As I've said on some other posts, some bands lead the way while others follow. I'd put Hidden In Plain View in the "follower" crowd. They're a good band and I like their music, but they just don't stand apart from their contemporaries.

TEN HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bleed For You
2. Bendy
3. Hunting The Hunter
4. Like An Ocean
5. Twenty Below
6. Ashes Ashes
7. Garden Statement
8. No Way Out
9. Mr. Jones (Counting Crows cover)
10. Self Inflicted

Song Of The Week: 10/13/19

Song: "Green To Me" (Hum cover)

Artist: Funeral For A Friend

Album: "Songs Of Farewell And Departure - A Tribute To Hum"

Year: 2011

Place Of Origin: Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom

Years Active: 2001 - 2016



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Green To Me" appears to be a song about waking up in a hospital, most likely after some tragic accident. You get the sense that the vocalist is lying in his hospital bed with all these wires attached to him. He notices that his girl has awakened and seems ok. The songs lyrics almost describe the scene through medically induced eyes, which, would be more than likely if you were recovering from some sort of accident. This song is a cover by Funeral For A Friend. The original song is performed by the band Hum and can be found on their 1998 album "Downward Is Heavenward".

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation (Atlantic Records)
2005 - Hours (Atlantic Records)
2006 - Final Hours At Hammersmith (Atlantic Records)
2007 - Tales Don't Tell Themselves (Atlantic Records)
2008 - Memory And Humanity (Victory Records)
2011 - Welcome To Armageddon (Distiller Records)
2013 - Conduit (Distiller Records)
2015 - Chapter And Verse (Distiller Records)
2015 - Hours/Live At Islington Academy (End Hit Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND:

Funeral For A Friend formed as a band back in 2001. This United Kingdom outfit put out their debut EP in 2002 called "Between Order And Model". After winning a Kerrang! Award for "Best UK Newcomer", Funeral For A Friend quickly signed a major label deal with Atlantic Records. In 2003, the band dropped their debut full length album, "Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation". This album was certified gold and had three top 20 singles in the UK, "Juneau", "She Drove Me To Daytime Television" and "Escape Artists Never Die". When the band dropped their next album, 2005's "Hours", their sound departed from being a post-hardcore, almost screamo type of band to a more melodic sound. This album was recorded in Seattle at two studios owned by the band Pearl Jam. This is my personal favorite album by Funeral For A Friend. 2007 saw the release of "Tales Don't Tell Themselves". This album debuted at #3 on UK album charts. In 2008, the band wanted to get back to that heavier, hardcore style and display a more technical sound. They achieved this with the album "Memory And Humanity". This album also marked the end of their time on Atlantic Records as Victory Records would distribute this album. 2011 saw the band release "Welcome Home Armageddon". 2013's "Conduit" would peak at #34 on the UK album charts and in 2015, the band released their last full length studio effort, "Chapter And Verse". In 2015, Funeral For A Friend also released a live album, "Hour/Live At Islington Academy" which features the band playing their 2005 album "Hours" in it's entirety. In 2016, FFAF embarked on their "Last Chance To Dance" tour which culminated on May 21st. This was the band's last goodbye... well, almost. While the band had no plans to reunite for new music or play live, they decided in 2019 to perform three concerts at the end of October with all the proceeds going to a friend of theirs who is terminally ill. Perhaps these shows will rekindle that spark and light that fire under the guys to reunite permanently? One can only hope. Funeral For A Friend is a really good band. They've went through some stylistic changes but for the most part they incorporate post-hardcore, screamo, melodic rock and punk elements throughout their catalogue. "Hours" was the album that first drew me to this band. I think it's a great album, one of my favorites no doubt. I'm kind of growing out of the "screaming" vocals thing but Funeral For A Friend doesn't overkill with them. They strike a great balance between clean and screaming vocals which suits me fine. If you like bands like Finch, Silverstein, Senses Fail, A Static Lullaby or From First To Last, then you would most likely enjoy Funeral For A Friend. Fingers crossed that these three benefit shows for their friend re-ignites that passion in them to get back together and create new music. This band is too damn good to be no more!

TEN FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. History
2. Into Oblivion (Reunion)
3. Streetcar
4. Kicking And Screaming
5. Roses For The Dead
6. Juneau
7. Best Friends And Hospital Beds
8. Front Row Seats To The End Of The World
9. 1%
10. Walk Away

Song Of The Week: 10/6/19

Song: "Ball Of Confusion" (Temptations cover)

Artist: Bouncing Souls

Album: "Ugly Bill" EP

Year: 1991

Place Of Origin: New Brunswick, New Jersey

Years Active: 1989 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Ball Of Confusion" was originally performed by The Temptations. This was one of the many psychedelic soul records that Norman Whitfield wrote and produced for the Temptations between the late '60 and early '70s. The song tries to make sense of the chaos and disorder pervading the times. Lyrically, the song attacked the Vietnam War, Nixon's government, and drug addiction, making it one of the few protest records that came from Motown. The version of the song I chose for my song of the week is a cover version by The Bouncing Souls. The original Temptations version can be found on their 1970 album, "Greatest Hits II".

BOUNCING SOULS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - The Good, The Bad, And The Argyle (Chunksaah Records)
1995 - Maniacal Laughter (Chunksaah Records)
1997 - The Bouncing Souls (Epitaph Records)
1999 - Hopeless Romantic (Epitaph Records)
2000 - The Bad, The Worse, And The Out Of Print (Chunksaah Records)
2001 - How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Epitaph Records)
2003 - Anchors Aweigh (Epitaph Records)
2005 - Live (Chunksaah Records)
2006 - The Gold Record (Epitaph Records)
2009 - Ghosts On The Boardwalk (Chunksaah Records)
2011 - Live At Generation Records, NYC: April 18, 2009 - Generation Records
2012 - Comet (Rise Records)
2016 - Simplicity (Rise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF THE BOUNCING SOULS:

The Bouncing Souls formed as a band back in 1989. They forged their start in the college town of New Brunswick, New Jersey. The bands first full length release was 1994's "The Good, The Bad, And The Argyle" which was basically a compilation of the band's EP's that they had released in their early years as a band. 1995's "Maniacal Laughter" was the band's first album of all orignally recorded material. This album caught the ear of the guys at Epitaph Records who went on to sign The Bouncing Souls to their label. Their first release with Epitaph, "The Bouncing Souls", wasn't a particularly great album. Lead singer Greg Attonito has said that it's basically an album of unfinished songs. In 1999, however, The Souls began to find themselves as a band. "Hopeless Romantic" showed that this was a band that had a lot of promise on the punk scene. After releasing a b-side and rarities compilation in 2000, The Bouncing Souls continued their rise in the punk rock world with 2001's "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" leading to what I think was the band's pinnacle, 2003's "Anchors Aweigh". By now, The Bouncing Souls had produced many punk rock anthems, or "Manthem"'s if you will, but "Anchors Aweigh" featured two punk anthems that to this day are two of my favorite songs, "Kids And Heroes" and "Sing Along Forever". In 2005, the band released their very first live album then followed that up with 2006's "The Gold Record". This album features a sweet cover of Avoid One Thing's "Lean On Sheena". As 2009 approached, The Bouncing Souls celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing a series of digital singles. Twelve of these singles were packaged into an album called "Ghosts On The Boardwalk". In 2012, The Bouncing Souls signed a deal with Rise Records to release "Comet". 2016 saw the band release their most recent full length album, "Simplicity". The Bouncing Souls continually show that they are still going strong as they released a brand new EP in 2019 called "Crucial Moments". The Bouncing Souls are a hugely respected and influential band in punk rock. They're known to have brought back the "pogo" style pits at their shows, thanks to their energetic and anthemic songs. As their star rose, they always were quick to lend a hand to up and coming bands, especially in their native New Jersey. In my mind, "Kids And Heroes" is just one of the best punk songs ever! I love the shit out of that song!! Some of The Bouncing Souls punk rock contemporaries are bands like Face To Face, The Lawrence Arms, Lagwagon, Off With Their Heads and No Use For A Name. If you're a fan of melodic punk or skate punk like any of those bands, then you would most likely enjoy the music of The Bouncing Souls. Iconic band with an iconic following.

TEN BOUNCING SOULS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Kids And Heroes
2. True Believers
3. Lean On Sheena (Avoid One Thing cover)
4. Sing Along Forever
5. Manthem
6. Gone
7. Ghosts On The Boardwalk
8. Coin Toss Girl
9. The Pizza Song
10. Crucial Moments