Song Of The Week: 6/28/20

Song: "Yurf Rendenmein"

Artist: AFI

Album: "Very Proud Of Ya"

Year: 1996

Place Of Origin: Ukiah, California

Years Active: 1991 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Yurf Rendenmein" is a song that appears to be about someone trying to fit in but changing who they are to be just like everyone else. The vocalist is kinda calling out this person. Like, why are you acting like us just to think you fit in? He would rather the person just be themselves and allow them to accept them for who they trully are. This is a re-recorded version of the song. The original appeared on AFI's debut album "Answer That And Stay Fashionable".

AFI DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Answer That And Stay Fashionable (Wingnut Records
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1996 - Very Proud Of Ya (Nitro Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1997 - Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes (Nitro Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1999 - Black Sails In The Sunset (Nitro Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2000 - The Art Of Drowning (Nitro Records)
* #174 on the Billboard 200

2003 - Sing The Sorrow (DreamWorks Records)
* #5 on the Billboard 200
* certified platinum

2006 - Decemberunderground (Interscope Records)
* #1 on the Billboard 200
* certified platinum

2007 - I Heard A Voice - Live From Long Beach Arena (Interscope Records)
* #133 on the Billboard 200

2009 - Crash Love (Interscope Records)
* #12 on the Billboard 200

2013 - Burials (Republic Records)
* #9 on the Billboard 200

2017 - AFI (The Blood Album) (Concord Records)
* #5 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON AFI:

These California kids got their start as a band back in 1991, when the guys were in high school and could barely play their instruments! They released a few EP's and eventually dropped their debut album, "Answer That And Stay Fashionable", in 1995. This album was produced by Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Dexter Holland of The Offspring liked what he heard from AFI and inked them to a deal on his own label, Nitro Records. At this point, AFI was a hardcore punk/skate punk type of band. In 1999, you could hear a style shift on their "Black Sails In The Sunset" album. The band began to incorporate horror punk elements to their hardcore sound. Their 2000 album, "The Art Of Drowning", became their first album to chart on the Billboard 200 and the band was seeing enough success to gain some interest from major labels. In 2003, AFI dropped "Sing The Sorrow" through major label DreamWorks. This would prove to be their most successful album in terms of album sales. This record achieved platinum status thanks in part to hit singles like "Girl's Not Grey", "The Leaving Song Pt. II" and "Silver And Cold". "Sing The Sorrow" spent 51 weeks on the Billboard 200 charts! Their next record, "Decemberunderground", became their first and only #1 album of their career to date. The band continued success in the late 2000's and 2010's with three more charting albums, "Crash Love", "Burials" and "AFI (The Blood Album)". AFI's last release was an EP called "The Missing Man" in 2018. Word out of the AFI camp is that their next full length studio album is complete and was set for release in 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the band decided to release it in 2021. AFI has been a solid band for a very long time now. Amazing that they've been a band for 29 years now!! It probably doesn't seem like they've been around that long because they really broke in 2003 with their "Sing The Sorrow" album. They didn't blow up out of nowhere however. This is a band that paid it's dues before they got to taste big success. You can tell that they are heavily influenced by bands like The Misfits, Descendents and The Cure. As I said earlier, they got their start as a hardcore punk/skate punk band but by 2000, they started veering down that horror punk/goth punk and at times emo path. They also incorporated some elements of pop and electonic music. Still, their sound's foundation is rooted in hardcore punk. I first got into AFI when I heard "The Leaving Song Part II" from "Sing The Sorrow". I may have heard a song or two by them before that but I really began to take notice when they released "Sing The Sorrow". I'd say "Sing The Sorrow", "Decemberunderground" and "Crash Love" is my wheelhouse for AFI. But, I enjoy their latest releases as well as their early releases too. This is a top tier hardcore/horror punk band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Alkaline Trio
Senses Fail
Taking Back Sunday
Strung Out
Anti-Flag

TEN AFI SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Love Like Winter
2. The Leaving Song Part II
3. Totalimmortal
4. Medicate
5. Miss Murder
6. The Days Of The Phoenix
7. Girl's Not Grey
8. White Offerings
9. 17 Crimes
10. Get Dark

Song Of The Week: 6/21/20

Song: "99 Red Balloons"

Artist: 7 Seconds

Album: "Scream Real Loud...Live!"

Year: 2000

Place Of Origin: Reno, Nevada

Years Active: 1980 - 2018



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Nothing like having Wikipedia break down the meaning of a song for you!! Here's the basis of "99 Red Balloons". "99 balloons are set free and are mistaken for UFOs, causing a general to send pilots to investigate. Finding nothing but balloons, the pilots put on a large show of fire power. The display of force worries the nations along the borders and the war ministers on each side bang the drums of conflict to grab power for themselves. In the end, a cataclysmic war results from the otherwise harmless flight of balloons and causes devastation on all sides without a victor." This, of course, is a cover of the 1983 hit from the band Nena. 7 Seconds has a studio cover version of this song on their 1985 album "Walk Together, Rock Together".

7 SECONDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1984 - The Crew (BYO Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1985 - Walk Together, Rock Together (Positive Force/BYO Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1986 - New Wind (Positive Force/BYO Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1987 - Live! One Plus One (Positive Force/Giant Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1988 - Ourselves (Restless Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1989 - Soulforce Revolution (Restless Records)
* #153 on the Billboard 200

1991 - Old School (Headhunter/Cargo Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1993 - Out The Shizzy (Headhunter/Cargo Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1995 - alt.music.hardcore (Headhunter/Cargo Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1995 - The Music, The Message (Sony/BMI Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1999 - Good To Go (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2000 - Scream Real Loud...Live! (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2005 - Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over! (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2014 - Leave A Light On (Rise Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON 7 SECONDS:

7 Seconds is a legendary hardcore punk band from Reno, Nevada that formed back in 1980. Some say that they were actually the first band to call their sound "hardcore". Early on, the band released many EP's which were later released on compilation albums. Their first album was going to be "United We Stand" which was set to be released in 1983. However, the album was aborted. It did see the light of day in 1991, renamed as "Old School". So, the band's first proper full length studio release would be 1984's "The Crew". Next for the boys was the highly influential "Walk Together, Rock Together". With the release of their 1986 album, "New Wind", 7 Seconds musical style began to shift to a more melodic, new wave-ish feel. Some of their albums during these years seemed to have more in common with U2 rather than any hardcore punk band. Their 1989 album, "Soulforce Revolution" was the band's only album to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at 153. Just after the grunge explosion of the early 90's, a punk rock revival began to happen with bands like Bad Religion, Green Day, Rancid and The Offspring burning up the charts. 7 Seconds would capitalize on that wave themselves, inking a deal with major label Sony/BMI and releasing "The Music, The Message" which saw a return to a punk rock sound. By the time their album "Good To Go" was released in 1999, 7 Seconds officially got back to their hardcore punk roots. The band's most recent release was 2014's "Leave A Light On". The band broke up in 2018 citing physical and mental health of the band members as the reason. They just physically and mentally could not perform on tours anymore and health had to become the main focus of some of the bandmates. 7 Seconds is legendary among punk rock circles. They paved the way for the hardcore punk movement of the early 80's and beyond. I got into 7 Seconds much later in their career. In the mid to late 90's, I loved skate punk bands like No Use For A Name, Lagwagon and Pennywise. I heard a few 7 Seconds songs but the first album I got from them was their 2005 record "Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!". I loved this album. In fact, it reminded me of a band that I loved in the early 2000's, Deviates! I know the boys in Deviates were highly influenced by Pennywise, but their sound is eerily similar to that of 7 Seconds. I really think bands like 7 Seconds and Bad Religion were kinda like the catalyst for skate punk. Those two bands were hardcore, but they had a melodic sound to them which is really what skate punk became, like melodic hardcore. It sucks that 7 Seconds decided to call it a day. Lead vocalist Kevin Seconds still tours as a solo artist and releases a shitload of music through his Bandcamp page. His brother Steve Youth has been battling alcholism and depression which is probably the biggest reason Kevin decided to end 7 Seconds so his brother can get the help he needs to recover. 7 Seconds is a top tier hardcore band, despite their U2-ish years!! Forefathers of hardcore punk!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Circle Jerks
Adolescents
H2O
Descendents
Minor Threat

TEN 7 SECONDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Young 'Til I Die
2. Walk Together, Rock Together
3. Rules To Follow
4. Satyagraha
5. Leave A Light On
6. Still On It
7. New Wind
8. 99 Red Balloons (Nena cover)
9. Escape And Run
10. Best Friend

Song Of The Week: 6/14/20

Song: "Trying To Breathe"

Artist: Off With Their Heads

Album: "In Desolation"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Years Active: 2002 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Trying To Breathe" is a song that appears to be about trying to cope with the pain and agony of withdrawal. The vocalist definitely appears to be hurting as he's on the come down from a drug-induced high. He's looking to get anything to numb his pain. Depression is a muthafucka!!

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

2006 - Hospitals (Rock Bottom Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2008 - From The Bottom (No Idea Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2010 - In Desolation (Epitaph Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2013 - Home (Epitaph Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2016 - Won't Be Missed (Anxious And Angry Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2017 - Live From The Rock Room (Asbestos Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2019 - Be Good (Epitaph Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2020 - Character (Anxious And Angry Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON OFF WITH THEIR HEADS:

This Minnesota punk rock product got it's start back in 2002. The first piece of music they put out on the market was a 7" single called "Fine Tuning The Bender" in 2003. In 2006, the band released "Hospitals" which is sort of considered an EP. 2008's "From The Bottom" is often cited as Off With Their Heads' debut full length album. In 2010, the boys were inked to legendary punk rock label Epitaph Records. This was a pretty big deal for the band to be a part of the label that featured so many punk rock bands that they were inspired by. Along with their three Epitaph full length releases, the band also put out two acoustic albums through their own label, "Anxious And Angry Records. The second of these two releases, 2020's "Character", was the most recent Off With Their Heads release. This is really a kick ass band. I'd say between 2005 and 2020, there were a lot of what I call "gravelly punk" bands that were emerging on the scene. They seemed to be broken out of the mold of earlier bands like Hot Water Music, The Lawrence Arms, Dillinger Four and 88 Fingers Louie. You had bands like The Flatliners, The Dopamines, Polar Bear Club, The Menzingers and Banner Pilot that were dropping albums that were melodic but had a little heavier edge to them and raspy or "gravelly" vocals. Off With Their Heads fit right in to this punk rock genre. Vocalist/guitarist Ryan Young has pretty much been the only mainstay in Off With Their Heads and really, he is the heart and the soul of the band, writing all the songs and music. The rest of the band has pretty much been a revolving door of musicians. Young wound up having a nervous breakdown in 2013 but luckily, he kept himself together and Off With Their Heads has been consistently releasing music. Along with their seven full length studio albums, the band has dropped a slew of 7" singles, splits, EP's and live compilations. I learned of Off With Their Heads through the DyingScene.com blog which is an awesome spot to discover punk rock bands. Of course, they gotta get their shit together! Site has been stalled for months now. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER DYINGSCENE!!! Anyway, Off With Their Heads is a top tier punk rock band in this guy's humble opinion. Really solid band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Banner Pilot
The Lawrence Arms
Red City Radio
Dear Landlord
The Menzingers

TEN OFF WITH THEIR HEADS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Drive
2. Fuck This I'm Out
3. Nightlife
4. I May Be A Lot Of Shitty Things, But At Least I'm Not A Rapist Like You
5. Disappear
6. Be Good
7. I Am You
8. Die Today
9. Clear The Air
10. Take Me Away

Song Of The Week: 6/7/14

Song: "The Fire"

Artist: Senses Fail

Album: "The Fire"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Ridgewood, New Jersey

Years Active: 2002 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Fire" appears to be about how the vocalist's life seems to be like a never-ending black hole. Depression is making him fall deep into a path of destruction. Whether that's harming himself with drugs, hurting himself physically or being destructive to the things he owns and most appreciates. He is scared that he has become everything that he hates and it's slowly killing him and causing him pain.

SENSES FAIL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - Let It Enfold You (Vagrant Records)
* #34 on the Billboard 200
* certified gold

2006 - Still Searching (Vagrant Records)
* #15 on the Billboard 200

2008 - Life Is Not A Waiting Room (Vagrant Records)
* #18 on the Billboard 200

2010 - The Fire (Vagrant Records)
* #32 on the Billboard 200

2013 - Renacer (Staple Records)
* #84 on the Billboard 200

2015 - Pull The Thorns From Your Heart (Pure Noise Records)
* #109 on the Billboard 200

2018 - If There Is Light, It Will Find You (Pure Noise Records)
* #57 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SENSES FAIL:

These New Jersey boys got their start back in 2002. The band's first release was an EP titled "From The Depths Of Dreams". Early on, Senses Fail proved to be a force in the Jersey post-hardcore/screamo scene. The band quickly inked a deal with Vagrant Records and dropped four albums with that label. Their debut, "Let It Enfold You", has been certified gold. 2006's "Still Searching" had a more streamlined, pop orientated feel to it, while still keeping some heavy elements. 2008's "Life Is Not A Waiting Room" would reach #1 on the US Indie charts. 2010's "The Fire" and 2013's "Renacer" saw Senses Fail focus on a heavier sound, full of screaming vocals, while still incorporating clean vocals as well. The band's most recent albums, 2015's "Pull The Thorns From Your Heart" and 2018's "If There Is Light, It Will Find You", are more clean in the vocal department and incorporate a more alternative rock/pop punk feel to them. There are rumors that Senses Fail may have a new album set for release in 2020 as well. Senses Fail is really vocalist Buddy Nielsen's baby. The other band members have been a revolving door with Nielsen being the only constant. They are a pretty solid band. Their sound has spanned many genres, screamo, post-hardcore, pop-punk, alternative rock, etc. They have been a constant on Warped Tours and have shared the stage with the likes of Silverstein, The Used, Millencolin, Finch, My Chemical Romance, The Early November and Taking Back Sunday to name a few. I started getting into the band after hearing "Buried A Lie" from their debut album. But it was the single "Calling All Cars" from their second album that really made me focus on them even more. They've been pretty consistent with their albums. As I've said in previous blogs, I'm kinda done with the "screamo" sound nowadays so I'm happy that it seems like their last few albums have been more geared towards cleaner vocals. I'd consider Senses Fail a definite 2nd tier screamo/post hardcore band. Borderline top tier.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Hawthorne Heights
Silverstein
Taking Back Sunday
Bayside
From First To Last

TEN SENSES FAIL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Calling All Cars
2. Buried A Lie
3. The Fire
4. New Jersey Makes, The World Takes
5. Rum Is For Drinking, Not For Burning
6. Can't Be Saved
7. Family Tradition
8. Gold Jacket, Green Jacket
9. The Importance Of The Moment Of Death
10. Mi Amor