SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-28-2024

SONG:  "Choke"

ARTIST:  Jason DeVore

ALBUM:  "Conviction III:  The Road To Clarity"

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Mesa, Arizona

YEARS ACTIVE:  1994 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Choke" appears to be a song about being caught in the trap of an alcohol soaked depression. It seems like the vocalist is using alcohol to either forget or to soothe life's problems. The thing is, however, is that the problems never go away. So it's just a vicious cycle of trying to numb the pain.

JASON DEVORE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Conviction (Operation Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Conviction 2:  The Crooked Path (Operation Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Conviction III;  The Road To Clarity (Operation Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON JASON DEVORE:

Jason DeVore has been making music on the punk scene since 1994. The Mesa, AZ native of course is best known as the frontman for the band Authority Zero. With Authority Zero, DeVore has released eight full length studio albums to go along with three live acoustic albums since 1994. In the band's downtime, DeVore has managed to put together a little solo career. Starting in 2006, DeVore released his first solo album, "Conviction". He would follow that up in 2011 with the release of "Conviction 2:  The Crooked Path". DeVore's most recent solo release would be 2019's "Conviction III:  The Road To Clarity". As I said earlier, DeVore's main focus is, and always has been his band Authority Zero. While Authority Zero's style is a mesh of skate punk, reggae punk and some folk punk, his solo style is much more in a stripped down state, acoustic guitars, etc. DeVore is a fantastic songwriter and that shows both in his solo work and with Authority Zero. He also put out a Celtic punk type album with a band called The Bollox which is also really good. Authority Zero is one of my favorite bands so I get amped anytime Jason DeVore puts out anything. Dude's a beast!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Russ Rankin

Jim Lindberg

Kevin Seconds

Apologies, I Have None

The Riot Before

TEN JASON DEVORE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Courage

2. Hold Me Down

3. Hey Kid

4. I Hate To Say I Told You So

5. New Orleans

6. The Crooked Path

7. Choke

8. When We Rule The World

9. Call Out

10. Wait

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-21-2024

SONG:  "The Barber's Unhappiness"

ARTIST:  The Matches

ALBUM:  "Recomposer (Live)"

YEAR:  2016

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Oakland, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1997 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Barber's Unhappiness" is based on the short story by George Saunders "The Barber's Unhappiness". Its about this old-ish barber who still lives with his "Ma" and often stares at younger girls and like makes up scenarios with these women  in his head but never approaches them because they'll just think he's a creepy old man.

THE MATCHES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals (Epitaph Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2006 - Decomposer (Epitaph Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - A Band In Hope (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #179 on the Billboard 200

2009 - The Matches Album 4, Unreleased; Graphics? Title? Or Not Needed? (xlocalsmusic)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - 10YearsEVDKTL (Live) (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Recomposer (Live) (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Aband1nhOpe (Live) (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE MATCHES:

The Matches got their start back in 1997, hailing from Oakland, CA. Originally, the band was called The Locals but a Chicago band of the same name threatened a lawsuit against them so they changed their name to The Matches. The band's debut album had the tongue in cheek titled, "E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals". The Chicago band The Locals was led by frontwoman Yvonne Doll, hence the funny title. This album caught the ear of legendary punk rock label Epitaph who promptly signed the band and re-released their debut album. The band's sophomore effort would be 2006's "Decomposer". This album showed a shift in style musically. While at their core, The Matches were a pop punk band, but "Decomposer" saw them explore different sounds. Their next release, 2008's "A Band In Hope" would shift their sound even further, showing some experimental elements in their sound. In 2009, there was some internal conflicts within the band and the members decided they were going on a hiatus. They would release a b-sides and bonus track compilation called "The Matches Album 4, Unreleased; Graphics? Title? Or Not Needed?". In 2014, the band reunited to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of "E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals" by playing some live shows and releasing the live album, "10YearsEVDKTL". They would do the same thing for "Decomposer" in 2016, releasing the live album "Recomposer" and again in 2016, dropping "Aband1nhOpe", a live release celebrating the 10 year anniversary of "A Band In Hope". In 2020, a documentary was released about the band called "Bleeding Audio". As I said earlier, The Matches sound is based in pop punk but they developed more and more experimentally with each album they released. I think those changes made them a rather unique sounding band. In fact, it took me a little while to really appreciate this band. I kinda dug their pop punk beginnings but some of the newer stuff took a little while to grow on me. If you ask me now, I think "Wake The Sun" is my favorite song by the band. It's such a great song! The Matches haven't done any new material since 2008/2009 but they have still toured, especially celebrating those 10 year anniversary's of their albums. I'm not sure if they consider themselves an "active" band at this point however.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Midtown

Bayside

Sugarcult

The Starting Line

Four Year Strong

TEN THE MATCHES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Wake The Sun

2. Life Of A Match

3. Audio Blood

4. Papercut Skins

5. Like Yesterday

6. Dog-Earred Page

7. Chain Me Free

8. Salty Eyes

9. Yankee In A Chip Shop

10. Little Maggots

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-14-2024

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SONG:  "The Catalysit"

ARTIST:  The Purps

ALBUM:  "Let's Re-Tox"

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Ithaca, Michigan

YEARS ACTIVE:  2010 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Can't find the lyrics to "The Catalyst" anywhere on the net so I'm not totally sure what the song is about exactly, The definition for catalyst is a person or thing that precipitates an event or change so take that for what it's worth. I assume who he's singing about in the song is the "catalyst" for something.

THE PURPS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2010 - Music Is Dead (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

* released when band was called Purple Nightmare

2013 - Melodrama Radio (Machete Bomb Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

* released when the band was called Purple Nightmare

2017 - Let's Re-Tox (Machete Bomb Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE PURPS:

The Purps formed as a band back in 2010, hailing from Michigan. Originally, the band went under the name Purple Nightmare. Their debut album was called "Music Is Dead". I'm not l00% sure if the album was released in 2010, 2011 or 2012. I think it can only be found on the band's website. Their second album, "Melodrama Radio, was released in 2013. By the end of 2013, beginning of 2014, the band officially began calling themselves The Purps. The first album released as The Purps was 2017's "Let's Re-Tox". That album is also the band's most recent release. I guarantee I found out about The Purps through the DyingScene blog. They are just a straight forward punk rock band. "Let's Re-Tox" is a pretty solid album so these guys have some chops for sure. There has been no word as to whether they are going to release new music but they have played live shows as recently as 2023 so they're still kicking! Perhaps something is on the horizon.. hopefully!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Colorsfade

Bash Brothers

Sic Waiting

Strike Twelve

This Is A Standoff

TEN THE PURPS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Catalyst

2. The Lake

3. Someday

4. This Girl

5. Left Of Me

6. Just Leave

7. Boys Don't Cry (The Cure cover)

8. Wrong, Right, $$

9. Call Girl

10. Angel Died

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-7-2024

SONG:  "Pigsty"

ARTIST:  Bayside

ALBUM:  "Acoustic, Vol. 2"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  New York City, New York

YEARS ACTIVE:  2000 - present 

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Pigsty" conveys a message of frustration and a longing for justice against someone who continuously spreads lies, manipulates others, and lacks any moral compass. The song serves as a cathartic outlet for the narrator to express their disdain and hope for the person's eventual downfall. I chose the acoustic version of "Pigsty" for my song of the week. You can check out the original on Bayside's 2014 album "Cult".

BAYSIDE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - Sirens And Condolences (Victory Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Bayside (Victory Records)

* peaked at #153 on the Billboard 200

2006 - Acoustic (Victory Records)

* peaked at #200 on the Billboard 200

2007 - The Walking Wounded (Victory Records)

* peaked at #75 on the Billboard 200

2008 - Shudder (Victory Records)

* peaked at #54 on the Billboard 200

2008 - Live @ The Bayside Social Club (Victory Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Killing Time (Wind-Up Records)

* peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200

2014 - Cult (Hopeless Records)

* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200

2016 - Vacancy (Hopeless Records)

* peaked at #69 on the Billboard 200

2018 - Acoustic, Vol. 2 (Hopeless Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Interrobang (Hopeless Records)

* peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON BAYSIDE:

Bayside formed as a band back in 2000, hailing from the Queens borrough of New York City. Their very first release was an EP in 2001 called "Long Stories Short". Soon the band signed a deal with Victory Records and released their debut album, "Sirens And Condolences", in 2004. Bayside followed that album up with their self-titled in 2005. This album was the real beginning of Bayside having some success in the music world. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the band on October 31, 2005 when their drummer, John Holohan, died when the band's van crashed in Wyoming during icy conditions. Bayside released an acoustic album in 2006 including a new song "Winter" which was a tribute to Holohan. 2007 saw the band drop "The Walking Wounded" and 2008's "Shudder" wrapped up the band's deal with Victory. In 2011, the band dropped "Killing Time" through Wind-Up Records. 2014 saw the band ink a deal with Hopeless Records. That same year, Bayside dropped what is their highest charting album so far, "Cult". In 2016, the band released "Vacancy". 2019 was the last full length the band put out, "Interrobang" and the band's most recent release was an EP in 2023 titled "The Blue EP". Bayside are a really strong band. They are very much a melodic rock band. Certainly they have some pop punk elements but I'm not sure I really consider them to be punk. I kinda think of bands like Taking Back Sunday when I listen to Bayside. Great songs. Great melodies. Great hooks. Lead singer Anthony Raneri always had kind of a distinct vocal style to me. I don't hear too many vocalists that sound like him. I think his style is unique and it gives Bayside a certain charm about them. I heard of these guys when their debut album came out in 2004 but it was definitely their second release that turned me on as a fan of the band. But it was their 2011 release, "Killing Time", that featured what is my favorite song by the band to date, "Already Gone". Killer riff on that song! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

I Am The Avalanche

Taking Back Sunday

Alkaline Trio

Senses Fail

Armor For Sleep

TEN BAYSIDE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Already Gone

2. Devotion And Desire

3. Duality

4. Winter

5. Masterpiece

6. Pigsty

7. Prayers

8. Monster

9. No One Understands

10. Pretty Vacant

 downfall.