SONG OF THE WEEK: 7-30-2023

SONG:  "The Sweetest Girl" (demo)

ARTIST:  Mark Lind

ALBUM:  "Demos"

YEAR:  2013

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Boston, Massachusetts

YEARS ACTIVE:  1995 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Sweetest Girl" appears to be a song about, well, the sweetest girl! The vocalist is obviously smitten with this girl. This is just a love song about someone that the vocalist always wants to be around and when they're apart, he longs for her. A love song I said!! This is a demo version of the song. You can check out the studio recording of "The Sweetest Girl" on the 2014 album "Chasing The Ghost" by The Ducky Boys.

MARK LIND DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Death Or Jail (Sailor's Grave Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Compulsive Fuck Up (State Line Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - The Truth Can Be Brutal (Sailor's Grave Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2009 - Homeward Bound (State Line Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Demos (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - The Last Bastion (State Line Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON MARK LIND:

Mark Lind is a punk rocker from the Boston town of Charlestown. Lind was a teenager back in 1995 when he formed the punk rock band The Ducky Boys. While The Ducky Boys have been his main band, he has also played in the bands Sinners And Saints, Dirty Water and most recently, The Warning Shots as of 2015. But I'm here to talk about his solo works. Lind put out his first solo record in 2006, called "Death Or Jail" and he would stay busy on the solo front, releasing an album every year for four years. After "Death Or Jail", he put out "Compulsive Fuck Up" in 2007. In 2008, he began calling his solo efforts, Mark Lind & The Unloved. The first release under that moniker was 2008's "The Truth Can Be Brutal". Then in 2009, he released "Homeward Bound". In 2013, Lind put out a demo collection through his Bandcamp page. His most recent solo release was 2019's "The Last Bastion". The last few years, Lind has kept it pretty much local. He has his own label, State Line Records, and he was also selling vinyl punk albums or something like that. From his Facebook page, it sounds like he's eager to start doing music again. Lind is an important figure here in the Boston punk rock scene. The Ducky Boys are part of an array of great punk rock bands like Dropkick Murphys, Far From Finished, Street Dogs and Avoid One Thing to name a few. Mark Lind always seemed like he had something coming out for the better part of 25 plus years. If it wasn't the Ducky's, it was Saints And Sinners. If it wasn't Saints And Sinners, it was Dirty Water or solo stuff. The Warning Shots! He always seemed to be busy and putting out new music. It's been a little slow the last few years but like I said, it sounds like he wants to get back into the music. Hopefully that means new Ducky Boys! One can hope!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Dirty Water

The Ducky Boys

The Blue Bloods

Far From Finished

Born To Lose

TEN MARK LIND SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Coke & Jack

2. Everything Falls Apart

3. Better Days

4. An Open Letter To Boston

5. An Anthem For The Damned

6. Who's To Say

7. No One To Cry To

8. New Year's Day

9. Wasted Years

10. Too Much

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7-23-2023

SONG:  "Sell My Soul"

ARTIST:  Seether

ALBUM:  "Poison The Parish"

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Pretoria, South Africa

YEARS ACTIVE:  1999 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Sell My Soul" appears to be a song about giving someone the encouragement to push through whatever is in front of them and not to let anything bring them down or stop them from moving forward. The vocalist seems like he came to terms with himself. That there is no hope for himself but he is trying to make sure that this other person learns from his mistakes and does the right thing and continues to push forward along their path.

SEETHER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Disclaimer (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #92 on the Billboard 200 on 8-20-02

* certified gold

2004 - Disclaimer II (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #53 on the Billboard 200 on 6-15-04

* certified platinum

2005 - Karma And Effect (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 on 5-24-05

* certified platinum

2006 - One Cold Night (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #50 on the Billboard 200 on 7-11-06

2007 - Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 10-23-07

* certified platinum

2011 - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 5-17-11

2014 - Isolate And Medicate (The Bicycle Music Company)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 7-1-14

* certified gold

2017 - Poison The Parish (Canine Riot Records)

* peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 on 5-12-17

2020 - Si Vis Parem, Para Bellum (Fantasy Records)

* peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200 on 8-28-20

MY THOUGHTS ON SEETHER:

Seether is a South African band that formed back in 1999. Originally the band went under the name Saron Gas, and released one album under that moniker. But, after inking a deal with Wind-Up Records, the band quickly decided to change their name to Seether, in honor of the Veruca Salt song of the same name. The band's debut album was 2002's "Disclaimer". Thanks to the single "Fine Again", Seether was generating some buzz. In 2004, the band released "Disclaimer II" which features new songs as well as re-worked tracks from their debut album. The song that really put the band over was the re-worked version of "Broken" featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence. Now the band was going platinum! 2005's "Karma And Effect" continued the success for the band with singles like "Remedy" and "The Gift". In 2006, the band recorded a live acoustic set and released it as "One Cold Night". 2007 saw the band continue their platinum status with the release of "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces" which features my favorite song by the band "Rise Above This" which I guess was written about lead vocalist/guitarist Shaun Morgan's brother who committed suicide. 2011 saw the band release their highest charting album, "Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray", which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. 2014's "Isolate And Medicate" would achieve gold status. It was also the band's first release not on Wind-Up Records. In 2017, Seether released "Poison The Parish" and in 2020, the band released their last full length studio album, "Si Vis Parem, Para Bellum". Their most recent release was a 2021 EP titled "Wasteland - The Purgatory". Seether is a band that is heavily influenced by the Seattle grunge sound. They play a heavy, melodic form of hard rock music. Some call them post-grunge. Some call them nu-metal. They can definitely be lumped in with bands like Staind or Bush. Grungy, melodic. Just a hard rock band to me. Being a huge fan of the Seattle bands, I got into Seether pretty much right from their debut album. I always thought they were a solid band. I love their song "Rise Above This". I just think that song has a killer melody and hook. They have heavier stuff than that song, but I just think that's a tremendous song. My favorite by the band for sure. These guys have been pretty damn successful for their entier career and it seems they are due for some new material so, we'll see. I haven't heard if the band is working on anything at this time.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Staind

Breaking Benjamin

Three Days Grace

Puddle Of Mudd

Saint Asonia

TEN SEETHER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Rise Above This

2. The Gift

3. Remedy

4. Country Song

5. Broken (featuring Amy Lee)

6. Dangerous

7. Against The Wall

8. Fine Again

9. Seether (Veruca Salt cover)

10. Words As Weapons

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7-16-2023

SONG:  "Fucking Liar" (re-recorded version)

ARTIST:  X-State Ride

ALBUM:  "Comrade Games" EP

YEAR:  2016

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Guastalia, Bologna, Italy

YEARS ACTIVE:  2002 - 2017

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I can't find the lyrics to "Fucking Liar" anywhere on the net so after a few listens, it appears to be about how people, or a person, try to obstruct your path or try to stand in the way of your goals or what you're trying to achieve, or even what you believe in. The vocalist seems like he's going to stand his ground and fight for what he believes in no matter what.

X-STATE RIDE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - The Great Rebirth (Indelirium Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Against Me (Indelirium Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - X-State Ride (Indelirium Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON X-STATE RIDE:

X-State Ride was an Italian band that formed back in 2002. After honing their craft for four years, the band released their debut album in 2006, titled "The Great Rebirth". One year later, the band dropped their sophomore full length studio album, "Against Me". After five more years of touring relentlessly, the band released what I think is their best album, 2013's "X-State Ride". Their most recent release was the 2016 EP "Comrade Games". In 2017, the band announced on their Facebook page that they had broken up. X-State Ride is kinda like Italy's version of Propagandhi! Fast, melodic, hardcore, technical punk rock! Really solid band. I don't follow a ton of punk bands outside the U.S., but X-State Ride was a very good band. It's a shame that it's getting harder and harder these days for good, underground bands to stay afloat. I'm not sure how it is overseas, but I know that here in the U.S., we lose some really good bands yearly just because it's harder and harder to make any money just releasing albums anymore. All their money is through touring and merch and let's face it, some of these bands charge like $10 for their shows, which is great for us fans, but takes a real toll on these underground bands. Oh well. Here's to 15 great years as a band X-State Ride! Solid band for sure.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

PMX

Asado

Never Hit Again

Laughing In The Face Of

DC Fallout

TEN X-STATE RIDE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Crimeocracy

2. 1984

3. The Stream Of Indifference

4. Free Fall

5. Alone In A Crowd (re-recorded)

6. Forsaken Place

7. Something You'll Regret

8. Walk Your Way

9. Don't Blame Me

10. Rising

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7-9-2023

SONG:  "A Martyr For My Love For You"

ARTIST:  The White Stripes

ALBUM:  "Icky Thump"

YEAR:  2007

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Detroit, Michigan

YEARS ACTIVE:  1997 - 2011

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

In August 2007, Guitar World asked Jack White if this song, which has the narrator pining for a leggy teen girl, was his contribution to the great genre of jailbait song. White answered: "I don't know, because I'm not sure who that character is. How old is he, the guy who's singing? Maybe he's 16 just like the girl." Jack White added: "The main idea is that the guy is going to make a sacrifice and not ever explore the idea of having a relationship with the girl, 'cause he knows it's going to end up anyway. What if we were smart as to do that in real life? Most people, when they start a relationship don't say, 'Oh come on, we know how this is is going to end. Let's not even bother.' The idea is, what's the difference between negativity and realism? They're very close. A lot of things I say sound realistic in my mind, but to other people they may sound very negative."

THE WHITE STRIPES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1999 - The White Stripes (Sympathy For The Record Industry Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - De Stijl (Sympathy For The Record Industry Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - White Blood Cells (Sympathy For The Record Industry Records)

* peaked at #61 on the Billboard 200 on 7-3-01

* certified platinum

2003 - Elephant (V2 Records)

* peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 on 4-1-03

* certified platinum

2005 - Get Behind Me Satan (V2 Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 on 6-7-05

2007 - Icky Thump (Warner Bros. Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 6-15-07

MY THOUGHTS ON THE WHITE STRIPES:

The White Stripes formed as a band back in 1997. The group consisted of husband and wife, Jack White on guitar, piano and vocals and Meg White on drums. Meg started playing drums the very same year that the group was formed. This Detroit two piece dropped their debut album in 1999, titled "The White Stripes". Right off the bat, you could see this band was a mash up of blues influenced indie rock, with a garage rock feel. The band dropped their sophomore effort in 2000, called "De Stijl. It was their third album, 2001's "White Blood Cells", that put The White Stripes on the rock and roll map. Thanks in part to the hit single, "Fell In Love With A Girl", this album catapulted to platinum status and the major labels were calling. In 2003, The White Stripes inked a deal with V2 Records and put out their most successful album, "Elephant". This album featured the band's most famous song, "Seven Nation Army", a true anthem for the band. In 2005, The White Stripes dropped "Get Behind Me Satan" and in 2007, they released "Icky Thump", what would be the band's last album together. Even though Meg and Jack divorced in 2000, they decided to keep the band going. After 2007's "Icky Thump", Meg began really battling anxiety and it made it harder and harder for the band to perform, especially live. There were rumors of a possible 7th studip album, but those plans ultimately fell through. The band called it quits in 2011 and haven't performed since. I was kinda late to the party on The White Stripes. I dug a few of their songs that I heard but I never really got into them that much. That was until I heard the song "The Denial Twist". I love that song! It just gallops! After hearing that, I went back into their catalogue and I'm glad I did. Jack White is a real true riff master! I mean, some of their stuff is Zeppelin-esque, dare I say! It's too bad the band has broken up. While Jack is still very much out there in the music sphere, Meg has decided to stay out of the spotlight. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Queens Of The Stone Age

The Vines

Foo Fighters

Them Crooked Vultures

Everclear

TEN THE WHITE STRIPES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Denial Twist

2. We're Going To Be Friends

3. Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground

4. Seven Nation Army

5. Hotel Yorba

6. The Hardest Button To Button

7. Icky Thump

8. Fell In Love With A Girl

9. My Doorbell

10. Ball And Biscuit

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7-2-2023

SONG:  "Infinite Wisdom"

ARTIST:  The Flatliners

ALBUM:  "Inviting Light"

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

YEARS ACTIVE:  2002 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The definition of "infinite wisdom" is, "used to convey the tendency (or lack thereof) of groups and decision making bodies to consider common sense and obvious implications of their actions". I feel that the "infinite wisdom" of the person the vocalist is singing about is what is frustrating the vocalist and making him aggravated, wanting that person to leave him alone.

THE FLATLINERS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - Destroy To Create (Union Label Group

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - The Great Awake (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Cavalcade (Drive Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Dead Language (New Damage Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Division Of Spoils (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Inviting Light (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2022 - New Ruin (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE FLATLINERS:

The Flatliners are a Canadian band that got their start back in 2002. After putting out some demo's, the band dropped their debut full length album in 2005, titled "Destroy To Create". This album would be the band's only release to feature some ska elements in their sound. Beginning with their next release, 2007's "The Great Awake", The Flatliners sound would be more of a melodic, skate punk style. 2010's "Cavalcade" actually peaked at #54 on the Canadian music charts. Many see this as the album that made people take notice of The Flatliners. In 2013, the band put out another gem of an album, "Dead Language". 2015 saw the band put out a b-sides and rarities compilation called "Divisions Of Spoils", a fantastic collection! In 2017, "Inviting Light" was released and in 2022, the band reunited with legendary punk rock label, Fat Wreck Chords, to put out their most recent full length, "New Ruin". The Flatliners are an awesome band! I'm so glad they ditched the ska for a more straight forward approach to punk rock. It has served them well. These guys are a relentless touring band and they seem to put out an album every three to four years. The longest gap between albums for The Flatliners was five years between the last two releases and that was mostly because Flatliners' vocalist Chris Cresswell was playing with Hot Water Music for a a few years. I first got into these guys when their 2010 album "Cavalcade" came out. I still get pumped when I hear "Carry The Banner"! Great f'n song! I tend to call bands like The Flatliners "gruff" punk. The vocals are scratchy and the energy is great. I fell in love with this style and The Flatliners were a main reason, but also because of bands like Polar Bear Club, Red City Radio and Off With Their Heads. I really dig these bands!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Red City Radio

Dead To Me

A Wilhelm Scream

The Lawrence Arms

Banner Pilot

TEN THE FLATLINERS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Carry The Banner

2. Wynford Bridge

3. Birds Of England

4. Indoors

5. Resuscitation Of The Year

6. Performative Hours

7. Eulogy

8. Hang My Head

9. The Arousal Of Repair

10. Fred Got Slacks