SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/30/20

SONG:  "Time On My Own"

ARTIST:  Swingin' Utters

ALBUM:  "Here, Under Protest"

YEAR:  2011

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Santa Cruz, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Time On My Own" appears to be a song about taking advantage of time spent alone. The vocalist treasures this time to be creative, or even to be destructive. The thing that pisses him off is that he often wastes this time when he's alone. I think when you have time to yourself, it limits the outside distractions and allows for better concentration and even better evaluation of things you want to accomplish and I believe the vocalist cherishes this time, so long as it doesn't go to waste.

SWINGIN' UTTERS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - The Streets Of San Francisco (New Red Archives)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - A Juvenile Product Of The Working Class (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - More Scared:  The House Of Faith Years (SideOneDummy Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Five Lessons Learned (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Swingin' Utters (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - Dead Flowers, Bottles, Bluegrass, and Bones (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Live In A Dive (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Hatest Grits:  B-Sides And Bullshit (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Here, Under Protest (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Poorly Formed (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Fistful Of Hollow (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Peace And Love (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SWINGIN' UTTERS:

The Swingin' Utters formed as a band back in 1987, hailing from Santa Cruz, California. Originally the band was called Johnny Peebucks and the Swingin' Utters. Johnny "Peebucks" Bonnel is the lead singer of the band. By the time the 90's rolled around, the band was just called Swingin' Utters. The band released some EP's early on, most of which were put on the compilation, "More Scared:  The House Of Faith Years" so their first proper debut album was 1995's "The Streets Of San Francisco", which was produced by Rancid's Lars Frederiksen. In 1996, the band signed on with Fat Mike of NOFX's label, Fat Wreck Chords. This relationship is still intact to this current day. The Swingin' Utters were basically straight forward street punk but by the time their 1998 album, "Five Lessons Learned" was released, you could hear some Irish folk punk influence start to be incorporated in their sound. After their 2003 album, "Dead Flowers, Bottles, Bluegrass And Bones" was released, the Utters went on a bit of a hiatus with all the members focusing on other side projects, most notably Filthy Thievin' Bastards and Druglords Of The Avenues. In 2011, however, the band came back with a vengeance, releasing "Here, Under Protest". Swingin' Utters were back no doubt! They have dropped three more albums since then, their most recent being 2018's "Peace And Love", which would prove to be the band's most political album to date. The Swingin' Utters are a terrific punk rock band and one of the pillars of the Fat Wreck Chords label. As I said earlier, their sound is very street punk, laced with an Irish folk punk vibe. In fact, lead singer Johnny Bonnel has often called their music loud and aggressive folk or country songs! They were never the most successful band, but they are highly respected and hugely influential in punk rock circles. The first time I heard the Swingin' Utters was hearing their song "Pills & Smoke". I believe I heard that on a punk compilation, most likely one of the Fat comps. I instantly fell in love with that song and starting buying up all the Utters albums. They've been pretty consistent with their albums, in fact, I'm loving their new albums. Swingin' Utters is definitely top tier when it comes to street punk/Irish folk punk rock bands.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Bombshell Rocks

Good Riddance

The Briggs

Get Dead

Dropkick Murphys

TEN SWINGIN' UTTERS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Pills & Smoke

2. Brand New Lungs

3. '39 (Queen cover)

4. The Next In Line

5. The Librarians Are Hiding Something

6. Five Lessons Learned

7. Human Potential

8. Fistful Of Hollow

9. All That I Can Give

10. Teenage Genocide

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/23/20

Song:  "White Ghost"

Artist:  The Snips

Album:  "Blackouts"

Year:  2010

Place Of Origin:  Welland, Ontario, Canada

Years Active:  1999 - 2013

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I'm not totally sure what "White Ghost" is about! I can't find the lyrics anywhere on the net so it's hard to digest all the lyrics by listening. I know the vocalist says he can't sleep at night and there's a white ghost in his room or his house or something like that. Maybe it's about something that's eating at him or something that's stressing him out. I'd love to get a hold of the lyrics so I can try to get a feel of what the vocalist is singing about.

THE SNIPS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Check Your Audio (The Union Label Group)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Highs Of Low (Badassed Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE SNIPS:

The Snips formed as a band back in 1999, hailing from Ontario, Canada. Originally, they were called the Ceremonial Snips. The first taste of the band came in 2004 with the release of the EP, "Fuck The Pain Bring The Noise". In 2006, the band released their debut full length studio album, "Check Your Audio". As the Ceremonial Snips, the band played a little faster and their songs all featured a horn section. I wouldn't call them fully ska but horns were prevalent in pretty much all their songs. At some point between 2006 and 2009, the band changed their name to The Snips. The band also incorporated a more streamlined punk/rock sound, with less horns though they do serve as accent pieces to some of their songs. As The Snips, the band's first release was the EP "Blackouts". The band's most recent release, and what would come to be their last, was the full length album "Highs Of Low" which dropped in 2012. I first heard of The Snips from their "Blackouts" EP. I liked what I heard right away. The track "Black Leather Vest" from that EP is my favorite track by the band. After buying "Highs Of Low", I worked my way back through their catalog to discover some of their material as the Ceremonial Snips. I must say, I was glad they shifted to less horns and more punk rock in the vein of The Flatliners, The Riot Before and Polar Bear Club. That style of punk rock has really been what i've been feeling as far as music goes i'd say for the last 10 or 15 years or so. I really dig the melodic style and the scratchy vocals, without sounding like a "cookie monster" band!! As I said earlier, the band does incorporate horns but not as much as they used to and I definitely wouldn't classify their sound as ska, which i'm not a huge fan of. Unfortunately, The Snips played their farewell show on August 29, 2013 and are no longer a band. This band seemed to have some potential, but I'd grade them as a 3rd tier, borderline 2nd tier melodic punk band. If they continued in the direction they were going with "Blackouts" and "Highs Of Low" I'd probably definitely call them 2nd tier. They're really good. Just not Flatliners good.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Riot Before

The Holy Mess

How Dare You

The Sainte Catherines

Timeshares

TEN THE SNIPS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Black Leather Vest

2. Meeting Place

3. Tired Tires

4. Old Engines

5. Digital Letter

6. Check Your Audio

7. Blood Maps

8. Lines

9. Gazebo Of Love

10. Days Deflate

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/16/20

Song:  "When I Come Around"

Artist:  Green Day

Album:  "Awesome As Fuck"

Year:  2011

Place Of Origin:  East Bay, California

Years Active:  1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here's a quote from songfacts.com about "When I Come Around". "A track from Green Day's first major-label album, "When I Come Around" is a very personal song lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote about being away from his girlfriend, Adrienne Nesser, and the frustrations they both felt when he was on the road. Billie Joe met Adrienne in 1990 when Green Day performed in Minnesota, where she lived. He was just 18, and found it difficult to maintain a long distance relationship, especially with his touring schedule. In this song, he affirms his devotion for her, assuring her that when he does get to see her (when he "comes around") he will make it up to her."

GREEN DAY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1990 - 1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1991 - Kerplunk (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

* certified platinum

1994 - Dookie (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 1-28-95

* certified diamond

1995 - Insomniac (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 10-28-95

* certified 2X platinum

1997 - Nimrod (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 on 11-1-97

* certified 2X platinum

2000 - Warning (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 10-21-00

* certified gold

2002 - Shenanigans (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 on 7-20-02

2004 - American Idiot (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 10-9-04

* certified 6X platinum

2005 - Bullet In A Bible (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 on 12-3-05

2009 - 21st Century Breakdown (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 5-30-09

* certified platinum

2011 - Awesome As Fuck (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 on 4-9-11

2012 - Uno! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 10-13-12

2012 - Dos! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 12-1-12

2012 - Tre! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 on 12-29-12

2014 - Demolicious (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #112 on the Billboard 200 on 5-3-14

2016 - Revolution Radio (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 10-29-16

2019 - Woodstock 1994 (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200 on 4-27-19

2020 - Father Of All Motherfuckers (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 2-22-20

MY THOUGHTS ON GREEN DAY:

Back in 1987, guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt formed the band Sweet Children when they were just 15 years old. By 1989, they changed their name to Green Day and by 1990, they added Tre Cool on drums. This line-up is the same to this very day. The band had some EP's early on, then released what was their proper full length, "Kerplunk", in 1991. By 1994, Green Day was signed to a major label, Reprise Records and their album "Dookie" made them explode on the musical landscape worldwide. Just after the Grunge explosion of the early 90's came a punk rock resurgence in the mid 90's and Green Day, along with Rancid, The Offspring and Bad Religion were at the forefront of this movement. "Dookie" has been certified Diamond, selling over 20 million units worldwide! 1995's "Insomniac" was a heavier album for the band and still highly successful for the band. 1997's "Nimrod" featured the song "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)", which was initially just a b-side for the band. This song showed a softer, acoustic side to Green Day and was an enormous hit for the band. 2000's "Warning" featured less distorted guitars but still had punchy pop punk anthems throughout. Even though the album went gold, this period was considered a down time for the band, many questioning whether they lost their fastball. Of course, in 2004, that all was proven to be bullshit! "American Idiot", a punk rock opera concept album was released to major success. This album saw Green Day's popularity soar once again, selling over 14 million units worldwide and being certified 6X Platinum. Green Day was no longer just on top of the punk rock world, they were now on top of the rock world in general. The band followed up "American Idiot" with another concept type album "21st Century Breakdown". This continued Green Day's reign on rock music. As 2012 came around, Green Day decided to back off the concept albums and go back to their roots releasing three full length albums full of pop punk gems, "Uno!", "Dos!" and "Tre!". These three albums charted well but the band may have been better served combining them and cutting down the songs to make one killer album. In 2016, Green Day released "Revolution Radio", yet another solid punk rock effort by a band that was in a groove. The band's most recent album was 2020's "Father Of All Motherfuckers". Ya know, every now and then in a band's career, especially a band that has been around as long as Green Day, they go outside the box and stray from what has made them who they are. I feel this is that album for Green Day. I think they strived too hard to make something different. There's almost a Motown vibe to their new album. I don't mind seeing a band grow and mature, but I hate when they totally veer away from the core of who they are. As you can tell, I didn't really like this album too much. Anyway, word at the Green Day camp is that Billie Joe has written at least 6 songs and is waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to die down to get together with the boys and record new music. Green Day is a monster of a band. If punk rock has a Beatles, I would say Green Day would be that. Billie Joe is just a great songwriter. His lyrics are great. His hooks and melodies are great. When you think pop punk, there is no one better than Green Day in my mind. I first got into Green Day like i'd say the majority of people did and that was by hearing songs from "Dookie". From there I worked my way back to their earlier material and have been buying their new releases every time they come out. Besides their last album, "Father Of All Motherfuckers", I love every Green Day album, including their live releases and their b-sides compilation "Shenanigans". They are top tier pop punk, no doubt. In fact, they're top tier any genre of rock music. They are legendary, they are super influential, they are Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and they are most likely in my top 5 bands of all time.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Foxboro Hot Tubs

Pinhead Gunpowder

The Offspring

My Chemical Romance

MxPx

TEN GREEN DAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Going To Pasalacqua

2. J.A.R.

3. Armatage Shanks

4. Suffocate

5. Youngblood

6. She

7. 2000 Light Years Away

8. 21st Century Breakdown

9. Minority

10. Nice Guys Finish Last

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/9/20

Song:  "Architects"Artist:  Rise AgainstAlbum:  "End Game"Year:  2011Place Of Origin:  Chicago, IllinoisYears Active:  1999 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:"Architects" appears to be a song about questioning the older generation about if they still have that fire in their belly to stand for the ideals that they used to believe in and that they laid the foundation for. It's also a call to the younger generation to take up the flag of those ideals and to be the new leaders in the continuous fight for what it just and what is right.RISE AGAINST DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):2001 - The Unraveling (Fat Wreck Chords)* Did not chart on the Billboard 2002003 - Revolutions Per Minute (Fat Wreck Chords)* Did not chart on the Billboard 2002004 - Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (Geffen Records)* Peaked at #136 on the Billboard 200 on 8-28-04* Certified gold2006 - The Sufferer & The Witness (Geffen Records)* Peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 on 7-22-06* Certified gold2008 - Appeal To Reason (DGC/Interscope Records)* Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 on 10-25-08* Certified gold2011 - Endgame (DGC/Interscope Records)* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 4-2-112013 - Long Forgotten Songs:  B-Sides & Covers 2000 - 2013 (Interscope Records)* Peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200 on 9-28-132014 - The Black Market (Interscope Records)* Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 on 8-2-142017 - Wolves (Virgin Records)* Peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 7-1-172018 - The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1 (Virgin Records)* Peaked at #55 on the Billboard 200 on 8-11-18MY THOUGHTS ON RISE AGAINST:Rise Against formed as a band back in 1999, hailing from Chicago, Illinois. Joe Principe (bass) and Dan Wleklinski (guitar) had just left the band 88 Fingers Louie and decided to form a new band. Initially, the band was called Transistor Revolt and featured a young up and coming singer called Tim Mcllrath. The band soon hooked up with famed punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords and changed their name to Rise Against. The band dropped two albums with Fat Wreck, 2001's "The Unraveling" and 2003's "Revolutions Per Minute". By 2004, Rise Against propelled to major label status with the release of "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture". This album was the beginnings of their crossover success thanks in part to the singles "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away". When 2006's "The Sufferer & The Witness" dropped, Rise Against was now headlining material. Their 2008 album "Appeal To Reason" was seen by many as a more radio friendly album as compared to their earlier, more aggressive albums. No matter, the song "Savior" stayed on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart for 65 weeks! Rise Against would keep pumping out successful album after successful album in the 2010's with "Endgame", "The Black Market" and "Wolves". Most recently, the band put out "The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1" in 2018. This album featured re-worked and mostly acoustic renditions of some of their songs. Rise Against's roots are in hardcore punk and melodic hardcore. They are heavily influenced by Black Flag and Minor Threat and you can hear elements of those band's sound in Rise Against's music, though Rise Against is much more melodic and offers many sing-a-long choruses. Rise Against is also a socially conscious band. Their lyrics and songs shine a light on many social, economic, environment and human relations issues. They are not shy about raising their voice or standing up for causes they believe in. I first heard Rise Against when "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture" came out. I remember the first three songs on that album blowing me away and I was a die hard fan and still am to this day. I think Rise Against are an incredible band. They are definitely one of my top 10 bands and i'd have to think about it but, they may be in my top 5! They are as top tier melodic hardcore punk as melodic hardcore punk rock gets!!SIMILAR ARTISTS:Anti-FlagPennywiseStrike AnywhereStrung OutBad ReligionTEN RISE AGAINST SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:1. Prayer Of The Refugee2. Savior3. People Live Here4. The First Drop5. Like The Angel6. Make It Stop (September's Children)7. The Violence8. Lanterns9. Voices Off Camera10. Everchanging

Song Of The Week: 8/2/20

Song:  "Where Eye Meets Eye"

Artist:  Blindside

Album:  "A Thought Crushed My Mind"

Year:  2000

Place Of Origin:  Stockholm, Sweden

Years Active:  1994 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Where Eye Meets Eye" appears to be a song about the beauty of God. The vocalist seems to think in the grand scheme of things, he's insignificant or at the very least unknown to God. But, once he let's God into his heart, he understands that God has love for all, including him.

BLINDSIDE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - Blindside (Solid State Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - A Thought Crushed My Mind (Solid State Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - Silence (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200 on 9-7-02

2004 - About A Burning Fire (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200 on 3-13-04

2005 - The Great Depression (DRT Entertainment)

* peaked at #89 on the Billboard 200 on 8-20-05

2011 - With Shivering Hearts We Wait (INO Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON BLINDSIDE:

This Swedish band got it's start back in 1994. Originally, the band was called Underfree but by 1996, they changed their name to Blindside. The band's debut full length studio album dropped in 1997, called "Blindside". Their sophomore effort, 2000's "A Thought Crushed My Mind" didn't garner too much success, but it did allow Blindside to tour supporting American band P.O.D. Right off the bat, the boys in P.O.D. took a liking to Blindside and were instrumental in getting Elektra Records to sign the Swedish outfit. Blindside's major label debut, 2002's "Silence", put the band on the musical map! This was probably the band's most successful album thanks in part to the hit singles "Pitiful" and "Sleepwalking". By the time their next album dropped, 2004's "About A Burning Fire", Blindside became a headline act, especially in Europe. Although "About A Burning Fire" was the band's highest charting album, Elektra decided to drop Blindside from it's label. That did not deter the band as they came back a year later with a new album in 2005, "The Great Depression". In 2007, Blindside dropped the "Black Rose" EP, then had a little bit of a hiatus before releasing "With Shivering Hearts We Wait" in 2011. In 2012, it was announced that Blindside inked a record deal with BMG Europe. But, all was pretty much silent on the Blindside front for years until the band released the single "Gravedigger" in 2019. Blindside are a post-hardcore band with hints of alternative metal and post-grunge elements. Their later albums saw them experiment with occasional techno or jazzy elements. They are a rock band at their core though. My first experience with Blindside was definitely the "Pitiful" single and the whole "Silence" album. To me, this is their wheelhouse. My personal favorite albums by them are "Silence" and "About A Burning Fire". I enjoyed their next few albums but they didn't hit me like "Silence" and "About A Burning Fire". I thought the band had broken up after 2011. Nothing seemed to be going on with them for years but it was good to see them drop the single "Gravediggers". Hopefully, that's a sign that there is more to come. For me? I would consider Blindside to be a 2nd tier post-hardcore band. They're highs are very high. "Pitiful", "Eye Of The Storm" and "Caught A Glimpse" are f'n great f'n songs! I just don't think they have put out a grade A album from front to back yet. Still, Blindside is a really solid band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Dead Poetic

Anberlin

Thrice

12 Stones

Chevelle

TEN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT BY BLINDSIDE:

1. Pitiful

2. All Of Us

3. Eye Of The Storm

4. Caught A Glimpse

5. Fell In Love With The Game

6. Sleepwalking

7. Our Love Saves Us

8. When I Remember

9. Gravedigger

10. The Way You Dance