SONG OF THE WEEK: 1/30/22

SONG:  "Scream Until You're Coughing Up Blood"

ARTIST:  Against Me!

ALBUM:  "Reinventing Axl Rose"

YEAR:  2002

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Naples, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  1997 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Scream Until You're Coughing Up Blood" appears to be a song about holding on to your ideals no matter what. Even if it means losing friends that have lost the same passion for going to the wall for what they once believed in. Perhaps the later Against Me! song "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" is about the vocalist turning into one of those old friends and he has given up the fight. In this song, however, he's still very much in the battle.

AGAINST ME! DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Reinventing Axl Rose (No Idea Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - As The Eternal Cowboy (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Searching For A Former Clarity (Fat Wreck Chords)

* peaked at #114 on the Billboard 200 on 9-24-05

2006 - Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live In London!!!

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - New Wave (Sire Records)

* peaked at #57 on the Billboard 200 on 7-28-07

2009 - The Original Cowboy (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - White Crosses (Sire Records)

* peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 on 6-26-10

2011 - Total Clarity (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Transgender Dysphoria Blues (Total Treble Records)

* peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200 on 2-8-14

2015 - 23 Live Sex Acts (Total Treble Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Shape Shift With Me (Total Treble Records)

* peaked at #80 on the Billboard 200 on 10-8-16

MY THOUGHTS ON AGAINST ME!

Against Me! is a Florida based band that formed back in 1997. Originally, it was just a vehicle for lead singer Laura Jane Grace (formerly Tom Gabel) to put out acoustic material. After a few EP's and band members being added to the fray, Against Me! became a full on band. It wouldn't be until 2002 for the band to release their debut full length album, "Reinventing Axl Rose". At this point, the band caught the ear of Fat Mike of NOFX who signed the band to his Fat Wreck Chords label. The band's breakout album would be 2005's "Searching For A Former Clarity". This would be their first album to chart on the Billboard 200. Ironically, Fat Mike hated this album. Having Fat Mike, someone very respected in the punk rock community, disrespect their album in public like that perhaps was the beginning of Against Me! being labeled as "sell outs". Probably didn't help their image when they signed to major label Sire Records as well. With Sire, Against Me! released two albums, 2007's "New Wave" and 2010's "White Crosses". In 2012, Tom Gabel informed the band that he has dealt with gender dysphoria all his life and he was beginning his transition to becoming a woman. He now went by the name Laura Jane Grace. He also would form his own label at this point, Total Treble Records. In 2014, Against Me! released their highest charting album, "Transgender Dysphoria Blues", a very personal album for Laura Jane Grace. Against Me!'s most recent full length was 2016's "Shape Shift With Me". There were some rumors that Laura Jane Grace was going to break up Against Me! but she assured her fans that the band will not be going anywhere and though she has released some solo material and an album with her backing band The Devouring Mothers, Against Me! has in fact been in the studio since 2019 working on their next album. Against Me! is an awesome punk rock band. I can't believe the amount of shit they get for being sell outs. Seems crazy to me and I could give a shit less. Is their music good? Are their songs good? Um.. yes and yes! I first heard of Against Me! when "Searching For A Former Clarity" came out, and I thought the album was great. Screw Fat Mike!! lol! In fact, the only songs I don't care for from the band are some of those early EP's where Grace is just screaming over acoustic guitar and sounds like it was recorded in my car trunk!! Since they became a full on band, they've been great. Hopefully the pandemic didn't screw up too much shit for the band and their new album drops soon.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Menzingers

The Gaslight Anthem

The Lawrence Arms

Alkaline Trio

Hot Water Music

TEN AGAINST ME! SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Black Me Out

2. I Was A Teenage Anarchist

3. Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover)

4. Don't Lose Touch

5. Baby, I'm An Anarchist!

6. From Her Lips To God's Ears (The Energizer)

7. Because Of The Shame

8. Thrash Unreal

9. Sink, Florida, Sink

10. Crash

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1/23/22

SONG:  "Becoming Self-Aware"

ARTIST:  The Swellers

ALBUM:  "The Light Under Closed Doors"

YEAR:  2013

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Flint, Michigan

YEARS ACTIVE:  2002 - 2015

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Becoming Self-Aware" appears to be a relationship on the brink type of song. The vocalist seems like he's finally realizing all the mistakes he's made. Before, he either ignored them, or was oblivious to his own shortcomings. Perhaps he's finally "becoming self-aware", albeit a little too late.

THE SWELLERS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - End Of Discussion (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - My Everest (Search And Rescue Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Personalized Songs 2008 (PureVolume Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2009 - Ups And Downsizing (Fueled By Ramen Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Good For Me (Fueled By Ramen Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - The Light Under Closed Doors (No Sleep Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE SWELLERS:

The Swellers formed as a band back in 2002, hailing from Flint, Michigan. The band is the brainchild of brothers Nick (guitars/vocals) and Jonathan (drums) Diener. Early on, the band self-released the album "End Of Discussion" in 2004. Their first label distributed album would be 2007's "My Everest". By this point in their career, The Swellers were already on a Warped Tour and were also touring the U.S. pretty constantly. In 2009, the band inked a deal with Fueled By Ramen Records and released "Ups And Downsizing". This album helped garner the band supporting slots with bands such as Paramore, Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake, Bayside and Silverstein to name a few. In 2011, the band released "Good For Me" which featured probably the band's most famous track, "The Best I Ever Had". The Swellers' most recent release would be 2013's "The Light Under Closed Doors" through No Sleep Records. On June 24, 2014, the band announced they were breaking up and announced some farewell show dates. The band played their last show on May 1, 2015. The Swellers were a melodic punk band heavily influenced by the skate punk/punk rock revival bands as well as alternative and grunge bands of the early and mid-90's. Besides Nick and Jonathan Diener, the band was a revolving door of members. Perhaps this is why they decided to break up as they could never keep a consistent line-up. I got into The Swellers kinda late. The first album I had by them was "Good For Me". "The Best I Ever Had" was the song that struck me early on. I felt the same as them as 90's music holds a very special place in my heart so I appreciate the ode! Even though I found out about The Swellers late, I'm glad I did as they were a really solid punk rock band. It's a shame they called it quits because they made really great music. I guess Nick is working as an engineer on the production side of making music and owns his own studio where he records other artists. Not sure if The Swellers will ever surface again. One can only hope!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Menzingers

I Am The Avalanche

Polar Bear Club

Four Year Strong

The Loved Ones

TEN THE SWELLERS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Best I Ever Had

2. Big Hearts

3. Should

4. Chasing Rainbows (No Use For A Name cover)

5. Better Things

6. Bottles

7. Sleeper

8. Fire Away

9. Bad For Me

10. Skoots

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1/16/22

SONG:  "The Shine"

ARTIST:  Dave Hause

ALBUM:  "Devour"

YEAR:  2013

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

YEARS ACTIVE:  1995 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Shine" appears to be a song about taking the worst elements of something, could be in relationships or the ills of society, and turning them into songs. I would guess that most songwriters probably find it easier to create from pain because that emotion cuts and scars. Through song, you give hope to the person feeling the same way. Through song, maybe you make someone feel that they are not alone.

DAVE HAUSE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2011 - Resolutions (Paper + Plastick Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Devour (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Bury Me In Philly (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Kick (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Blood Harmony (Blood Harmony Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON DAVE HAUSE:

Dave Hause has been part of the Philadelphia punk rock scene dating back to the mid-90's. He first played in a band called Step Ahead which dissolved and some of the guys in that band formed The Curse, which was Dave's first foray into lead vocals. While in The Curse, Hause also played guitar and performed backup vocals with the band Paint It Black. In 2004, he formed his own band, The Loved Ones. The Loved Ones were Hause's main focus till about 2009 when he began touring solo, doing acoustic sets. In fact, Hause was one of the first people to hitch on with Chuck Ragan's "Revival Tours", which featured punk rock frontmen in more stripped down, acoustic sets. At this point, Hause was all in on doing his solo thing. His debut full length album was 2011's "Resolutions". On the strength of that album, Hause signed a deal with Rise Records. His first album through Rise was 2013's "Devour", which features my favorite song by Hause, "We Could Be Kings". Do yourself a favor and check out the acoustic version of that song. It's incredible. In 2017, Hause released "Bury Me In Philly". At this point, he formed a touring band called The Mermaid to play on his tours. The Mermaid features his brother Tim Hause as well. 2019's "Kick" would be his last album through Rise Records. Hause and his brother Tim formed their own record label, Blood Harmony Records, which they released Dave's most recent album, "Blood Harmony". Dave Hause is a beast! His roots are very much in punk rock and his songwriting is excellent. This dude can really write awesome melodic songs! I love The Loved Ones. I was, and still am, a little bit bummed that they have not released anything since 2009. I guess they aren't broken up as they still perform the odd show every now and again, but Dave Hause is clearly focused on his solo career. Though, he also performed in the band The All Brights in 2015 and the punk rock supergroup The Falcon, which also features Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio. I first learned of Dave's music from The Loved One's debut album back in 2006. "100K" is still one of my favorite songs. As for his solo stuff, as I said earlier, Hause is an incredible songwriter. I think "Devour" and "Bury Me In Philly" are phenomenal albums but all his stuff is aces. When I listen to how good his songs are and the crap that they play on the radio now, I wonder often what the Christ is wrong with people!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Brian Fallon

Chuck Ragan

The Gaslight Anthem

Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room

Sundowner

TEN DAVE HAUSE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. We Could Be Kings (acoustic version)

2. My Mistake

3. The Great Depression

4. Resolutions

5. Dirty Fucker

6. C'mon Kid

7. Gary

8. Saboteurs

9. Surfboard

10. The Ditch

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1/9/22

SONG:  "Concrete Shoes"

ARTIST:  Sundowner

ALBUM:  "Neon Fiction"

YEAR:  2013

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Chicago, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  2006 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Concrete Shoes" is a song that appears to be about being stuck in life basically. It seems the vocalist's current situation, environment and surroundings have got him basically stuck in place. Re-living past mistakes and repeating them as well. The only light at the end of the tunnel is to smash his "concrete shoes" that have held him down and seek a new start with new surroundings and new hope for the future.

SUNDOWNER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2007 - Four One Five Two (Red Scare industries)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - We Chase The Waves (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Neon Fiction (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Little Elephant Sessions (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SUNDOWNER:

Sundowner is a side project of Chris McCaughan. Chris is better known as a member of Chicago punk stalwarts, The Lawrence Arms. While Sundowner is considered a solo effort, Chris has enlisted other performers to form a band. Sundowner was formed in 2006 and in 2007, they released their debut full length album, "Four One Five Two". Three years later, the band released their sophomore effort, "We Chase The Waves". In 2013, Chris and Sundowner signed with Fat Wreck Chords, a label he is very familiar with as The Lawrence Arms are also signed with Fat. Through Fat, they released "Neon Fiction". Sundowner's most recent release was the live album, "Little Elephant Sessions" in 2014. As I said earlier, Sundowner is a side project for Chris McCaughan of The Lawrence Arms. This is a mostly acoustic style as compared to the punk rock sound of The Lawrence Arms. When on tour, Sundowner often covers The Lawrence Arms songs, but gives them an acoustic vibe. Chris has joined a long list of punk rock frontmen who have decided to put out stripped down, acoustic music on the side. He joins the likes of Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Tony Sly (No Use For A Name), Tim Barry (Avail) and his own bandmate in The Lawrence Arms Brendan Kelly. Being a big The Lawrence Arms fan myself, I heard of Sundowner right when their debut album came out in 2007. I thought their last album, 2013's "Neon Fiction" has been their best work so far. "Cemetery West" is a great song. Sundowner hasn't done much recently but again, it is a side project for Chris who spends most of his focus on The Lawrence Arms.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room

Chuck Ragan

Joey Cape

Dave Hause

The Gaslight Anthem

TEN SUNDOWNER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Cemetery West

2. This War Is Noise

3. Life In The Embers

4. Mouth Of A Tiger

5. Origins

6. Great Lakes/Great Escapes (The Lawrence Arms cover)

7. In The Flicker

8. My Boatless Booze Cruise

9. Midsummer Classic

10. As The Crow Flies

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1/2/22

SONG:  "Twisted"

ARTIST:  Avail

ALBUM:  "Satiate"

YEAR:  1992

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Richmond, Virginia

YEARS ACTIVE:  1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Twisted" appears to be a song about going insane. You almost get the sense that the vocalist is in a manic state where sounds are freaking him out and no matter what he does to clean up his surroungings, he just winds up making things worse. Definitely seems like it's about someone who is crumbling and can't keep it together.

AVAIL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1988 - Each Other (self-released demo)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1989 - Reaching Out (self-released demo)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1992 - Satiate (Catheter-Assembly Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1994 - Dixie (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1994 - Live At The King's Head Inn (Old Glory Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - 4AM Friday (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Over The James (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Live At The Bottom Of The Hill In San Francisco (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - V.M. Live Presents...Avail (Liberation Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - One Wrench (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - Front Porch Stories (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON AVAIL:

Avail formed as a band back in 1987, originally from Reston, Virginia. After a couple of years and a few demo's, the band basically broke up, but member Joe Banks decided to keep Avail alive by partnering with Tim Barry of the band Learing Disabled Kids. Now Avail was ready to move forward as a proper band. The band's debut album was "Satiate" in 1992. This album caught the ear of famed punk label Lookout! Records who promptly signed the band. The band's first album on Lookout! was 1994's "Dixie". 1996's "4AM Friday" featured Avail's most famous track, "Simple Song". The band finished their work with Lookout! in 1998 with the release of "Over The James". In 2000, Avail inked a deal with Fat Wreck Chords and released "One Wrench". The band's most recent release would be 2002's "Front Porch Stories". It seemed at this point that Avail had called it quits as a band. Frontman Tim Barry began to focus on a solo career of acoustic/Americana type songs. Some 12 years after "Front Porch Stories" was released, Avail reunited to play a live show at The National in Richmond, Virginia. They have since went on some tours but there is no word as to whether the band will get back in the studio to work on new music. Avail is a hardcore punk band through and through. These guys really represent their hometown of Richmond, Virginia and their city has always held Avail up on a pedastal. As respected as Avail was in punk rock circles, they never could get over the hump as a super successful band. They were always regarded as an underground band. I think Avail is a good punk band, but I think Tim Barry's solo stuff is incredible. His songwriting really shines on his solo releases. I first heard of Avail in 1996 when I heard "Simple Song" from their 4AM Friday album. To me, that's their signature song for sure. As much as I'd like to see what Avail could come up with for new music in 2022, I'm also very content with Tim Barry continuing to put out killer solo albums.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Strike Anywhere

Good Riddance

American Steel

Dillinger Four

The Bouncing Souls

TEN AVAIL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Simple Song

2. West Wye

3. Union

4. Cross Tie

5. On The Nod

6. March

7. Black And Red

8. Pink Houses (John Mellencamp cover)

9. Taken

10. Tuesday