Song Of The Week: 1/19/14

Song: "D'You Guys Wanna Fuckin' Party After This? No."

Artist: The Sainte Catherines

Album: "Fire Works"

Year: 2010



"D'You Guys Wanna Fuckin' Party After This? No." is a song that to me appears that the vocalist is finally at a place in his life where what he does is fun. You strive to get somewhere or accomplish certain things with what you're doing and you have to endure a lot of ups and downs and obstacles along the way. I think in this song you sense that he is past all the bullshit and is content with where he's at. He's finally enjoying the moment and his surroundings. The Sainte Catherines are a melodic punk band that formed back in 1999. They took their name from the famous Sainte Catherine's Street in downtown Montreal, possibly the city's most famous street and where most travellers spend their time when they visit the city. Of course, The Sainte Catherines hail from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their first album was 1999's "Those Stars Are For You". Oddly enough, this album was released on a German label, Yoyo Records. In 2002, the band signed with Eyeball Records and released "The Machine Gets Under Way". 2003 saw the band release "The Art Of Arrogance" through local label Dare To Care Records. This album started to generate some buzz around the band, so much so that they began generating interest from famous punk label Fat Wreck Chords. In fact, The Sainte Catherines became the first band from Quebec to sign with Fat Wreck and in 2006, they released "Dancing For Decadence", probably their most successful album. The band would play their 500th live show in 2006 and also release a split 7" with the bands Fifth Hour Hero and Whiskey Sunday. In 2007, the band released "The Soda Machine", a compilation album which featured most of the band's b-sides and rare tracks throughout the years. In 2010, the band signed with Anchorless Records and released their fifth full length studio album, "Fire Works". 2011 saw The Sainte Catherines release a 7" entitled "Dead Dogs", which featured two unreleased tracks. Unfortunately, this would prove to be the band's last official release. After going on a farewell tour with The Hunters, The Sainte Catherines officially disbanded in April of 2012. Currently, some of the band members formed a country/folk band called Yesterday's Ring. Also, lead singer Hugo Mudie and Fred Jacques began touring together as far back as 2011, performing acoustic sets. The two would eventually release an EP, titled "Miracles". If you enjoy melodic, hardcore punk bands with gritty vocals, along the lines of Hot Water Music or Off With Their Heads or Swingin' Utters, then you'd probably enjoy The Sainte Catherines. They're not breaking any new ground or totally standing apart from the rest, but they are a solid punk band no doubt.

Song Of The Week: 1/12/14

Song: "Hear My Train A Comin'"

Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Album: "Valleys Of Neptune"

Year: 2010



"Hear My Train A Comin'" is an epic blues number by legendary guitarist and performer Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix had been toying with this song from as far back as 1967 but the version I chose was a studio recording featuring the reunited Experience line-up with Jimi on guitar, Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. This masterpiece was dusted off and released on the 2010 album "Valleys Of Neptune". The song itself appears to be about maybe being discarded or written off in your hometown as you're growing up, but then leaving that all behind, becoming huge and successful, then going back and proving that those people knew nothing, kind of like throwing it in their faces. Jimi Hendrix received his first guitar in the mid to late 50's and never looked back. As a teenager, he formed several bands before joining the Army. While in the Army, he met Billy Cox, a bass player, and the two had jammed several times. Cox would show up later on in Hendrix's career. After getting a discharge from the Army, Jimi began to make his main focus music. From 1963 till 1966, Jimi performed in many backup bands including those who worked with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, The Isley Brothers and Little Richard. Chas Chandler, formerly of the band The Animals, saw Jimi perform live and decided he wanted to work with him. He felt Jimi's version of the song "Hey Joe" could be a huge hit. Chandler got Noel Redding to play bass and Mitch Mitchell to play drums and formed The Experience. "Hey Joe" was released as a single in 1966 and reached #6 on the U.K. charts. In 1967, Jimi and the Experience released "Purple Haze", reaching #3, and "The Wind Cries Mary", which peaked at #6. After working on several more songs, including "Are You Experienced", "Foxy Lady", "Red House", "Highway Chile" and "Fire", the band released their debut album, "Are You Experienced". This album peaked at #2 on the U.K. charts, only The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's" held them from the #1 spot. In the U.S., the album reached #5 on the Billboard 200 charts. In June of 1967, Hendrix appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival. This performance cemented him as an artist that would transcend the rest. He literally became a star after that performance, in the U.S. especially. In December of '67, The Experience released their second album, "Axis: Bold As Love". This album would reach #3 in the U.S., thanks in part to songs like "Spanish Castle Magic", "Wait Until Tomorrow", "Little Wing", "Castles Made Of Sand" and "Bold As Love". 1968 saw Jimi release his most successful album of his career, "Electric Ladyland". His cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" became his highest selling single, so powerful that Dylan himself declared "Watchtower" Jimi's song! The album also featured such classics as "Crosstown Traffic", "Gypsy Eyes", "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". This album saw Hendrix really take control of the producing aspect of his music, a move that caused Chandler to sever his professional relationship with Jimi. Hendrix, along with the help of engineer Eddie Kramer, would handle all recording aspects of the album. In 1969, Noel Redding left the band after several conflicts with recording processes. Redding would be replaced by Jimi's old Army buddy Billy Cox. The newly formed band would now be called Band Of Gypsys and their first major event was headlining the historic Woodstock Festival in August of 1969. Shorly after that performance, Mitchell was replaced on drums by Buddy Miles. In 1970, the Band Of Gypsys were recorded on several nights at the legendary Fillmore East. Select recordings were put together as the live album "Band Of Gypsys". This album featured the epic "Machine Gun", one of Jimi's finest and most innovative performances. Shorly after that release, Jimi released the single "Stepping Stone", a single that he wasn't happy with production wise. By this time, the Band Of Gypsys had run their course and it was said that the original Experience would be getting back together. Mitchell was in, but Jimi informed Redding that he would not be a part of the band, choosing to stick with Billy Cox instead. The "new" Experience played their last show in the United States on August 1, 1970. The last time Jimi appeared on stage ever was at an appearance at Eric Burdon's new band War's concert. Burdon, of course, is most known as the lead singer of The Animals. It would be less than 48 hours after this small appearance that Jimi Hendrix would be dead. After spending the night with his girlfriend, she woke up to find Jimi breathing but unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital where he died of what appears to have been a toxic combination of barbiturates and sleeping pills. At the young age of 27, Jimi Hendrix left this world as the greatest guitarist of all time. His innovations were legendary and his influence was staggering. His music still stands up today against anything that comes out. It's timeless. Luckily, Jimi left enough material, whether it was studio recordings or live material, that has seen the light of day in the years following his death. In 1971, "The Cry Of Love" and "Rainbow Bridge" were released and in 1972, "War Heroes" was released. All of these releases featured new material that Jimi had been working on prior to his death. Eddie Kramer was not happy about these releases because he wanted to put together the closest product of what would have been Jimi's next album. In 1997, Kramer got his wish when he produced "First Rays Of The New Rising Sun". This album is probably the best window into where Jimi was heading musically, even though Jimi felt that a lot of that material was unfinished or at least not up to his standards yet. In 2013, Experience Hendrix LCC, the family run estate that watches over the Jimi Hendrix brand, released "People, Hell & Angels", which was similar to "First Rays". In 2010, Experience Hendrix LCC in partnership with Sony Music's Legacy Recordings, released "Valleys Of Neptune", whose title track was one of the last remaining unreleased songs that Hendrix fans were yearning to have. Currently, it has been confirmed that Experience Hendrix LCC is in possession of several demos that Jimi had been working on in the months prior to his death for a concept project called "Black Gold". There has been no official release date for this material as of yet, nor any inkling as to what they are going to do with the material or how finished a product it is. Of course, anything new from Jimi will be well worth the wait!

Song Of The Week: 1/5/14

Song: "Smile"

Artist: After The Fall

Album: "You Don't Have To Sleep To Dream"

Year: 2010



"Smile" is a song that appears to be about a relationship that is growing and moving in many directions but the one constant is their burning passion and love for each other. No matter what obstacles appear between the two, it's her smile that overcomes everything else. You get a sense the vocalist is saying that no matter what comes up in their life, they will make it through because they have each other. There is not a whole hell of a lot of information about After The Fall on the internet. I know they are from Nebraska and probably formed around 2007. The band should probably think about changing their name because when you search "After The Fall", mostly what comes up is information about the long running Albany, New York hardcore band After The Fall. Nebraska's After The Fall is much more Red Jumpsuit Apparatus or Taking Back Sunday than the hardcore punk of the band from Albany. In 2007, After The Fall released a five song EP entitled "We Invented A World". In 2010, they self-released their first full length album, "You Don't Have To Sleep To Dream" and in 2012, they released another EP, "Your Final Goodbye", which featured four songs. Currently, the band remains unsigned as they continue to tour to make a name for themselves and possibly earn a recording contract. My advice to them.. change your band name so that you are not confused with someone else. I think that could be the first step in the right direction for this band.

Song Of The Week: 12/29/13

Song: "Depraved"

Artist: Anberlin

Album: "Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place"

Year: 2010



"Depraved" is a song that appears to be asking if you are depraved of truth, or have you been deceived into thinking or believing in something that might be negative or perhaps may even cause pain. The vocalist just wants the listener to not be a slave to anything or anyone and to stand on their own two feet and be knowledgable of all beliefs. He also does not want the listener to be ashamed of themselves should they see that their belief system was negative. It was taught to them, or perhaps brainwashed in them. Basically, he's saying to use your eyes to see, use your brain to learn. There's a big world out there, don't be chained inside a box. Expand your mind and embrace differences. Anberlin formed out of the ashes of the band SaGoh 24/7. Hailing from Florida, SaGoh 24/7 was a punk band back in 1998. They released two album under that moniker but the band eventually disbanded. Members of that band wanted to explore a different sound and musical direction and thus, in 2002, Anberlin was formed. The band signed with Christian punk label Tooth & Nail Records. This led to two misconceptions, one that Anberlin was a punk band and two they they were a Christian band. Anberlin is much more melodic rock than punk and they have stated that their religious befiefs are personal and their band is entertainment, period. In 2003, they released their first album, "Blueprints For The Black Market". This album wasn't a huge success by any means. It sold just over 60,000 units and spawned one moderately successful single, "Readyfuels". 2005 saw the band release "Never Take Friendship Personal". This album reached #144 on the Billboard 200 charts and featured the singles "A Day Late" and "Paperthin Hymn", the latter which reached #38 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2007, the band released "Cities". This album debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling 34,000 copies in the 1st week of sales. Momentum was gaining for Anberlin and their successes led them to embarking on their very first headlining tour with support from the band Bayside. 2007 also saw the band release "Lost Songs", a compilation of unreleased material, b-sides and other rarities. The band would go on to sign with major label Universal/Republic by the end of that year as well. In 2008, Anberlin released their major label debut, "New Surrender". This album sold 36,000 units in it's first week, reaching #13 on the Billboard 200. The first single on the album was "Feel Good Drag". In 2010, the band released "Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place". This album would be produced by famed producer Brendan O' Brien, who's most well known for his work with bands such as Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. This album featured the single "Impossible" and the band supported the album with a major tour with 30 Seconds To Mars. 2012 saw the band release "Vital". This album would be the band's most aggressive music to date, as shown on singles like "Self-Starter" and "Someone Anyone". In 2013, Anberlin released "Devotion". This was a compilation album that featured demos and remixes from the "Vital" sessions as well as a live & acoustic DVD. The compilation also featured three brand new tracks, including "City Electric" which would be released as the first single of that album. Currently, Anberlin has just released it's "Devotion" project in October of 2013. It has also been said that the band has been working on new material in that same month for a potential new release, possibly next year. They are a very active band, releasing new album almost every other year. Though they are rooted in punk, mostly because of their association with Tooth & Nail Records, they are much more 30 Seconds To Mars than they are MxPx. All in all, they are a very solid rock and roll band.

Song Of The Week: 12/22/13

Song: "Backseat"

Artist: Gardener

Album: "New Dawning Time"

Year: 1999



"Backseat" is a song that appears to be about a young couple who are still living at their parent's house. It seems they just decide to hop in the car and drive with no particular destination. They're just happy to get away. The whole journey seems liberating and totally spontaneous to them. Gardener's origins as a band date back to 1996, when the bands Seaweed and The Screaming Trees were embarking on a tour of the U.K. Seaweed frontman Aaron Stauffer and The Screaming Trees' Van Conner would write two songs together that would eventually turn into a full band effort, thus the birth of Gardener. By 1999, the two had enough material to put together a full album. That album would be "New Dawning Time" and it would be released through legendary Seattle label Sub Pop. Gardener would be far different in terms of musical style than the grungy aggression of both Seaweed and The Screaming Trees. In fact, the band labeled their sound as "shack" rock. Though it featured guitars, bass and drums, their music would also feature an array of other instruments including sitar, tabla, flute and mellotron. Besides "New Dawning Time", the only other release I know of is a 7" vinyl single of the song "Boys Of Summer", originally performed by Don Henley. Though Gardener did tour in support of "New Dawning Time", the band itself was a short lived project. Stauffer went back to Seaweed for a short time while also working on the brief project Not From Space and another odd sounding band, The Blue Dot. Van Conner went back to The Screaming Trees for a short period but that band disbanded in 2000. He did some session work for Mark Lanegan's solo album as well as some work for Queens Of The Stone Age. The current status of Gardener is there is no status. The band hasn't put out any new material and hasn't performed live for more than ten years now. Stauffer is back to touring with Seaweed and they have been rumored to have a new album in the works while Conner has a new alternative metal project called Valis in which he is the vocalist/lead guitarist.

Song Of The Week: 12/15/13

Song: "Shadow Of A Soul"

Artist: Godsmack

Album: "The Oracle"

Year: 2010



"Shadow Of A Soul" is a song that appears to be how the vocalist appears to be changing who he is at the current time. He is no longer the man he once was, and perhaps, he's a shell of his former self. But, does he really see himself differently? Or is it those who once knew him who do not treat him the same? It seems he feels alienated by those he grew up with and isolated and alone in a place he once called home. Godsmack formed as a band back in 1995, hailing from Lawrence, Massachusetts. The core line-up has been Sully Erna on vocals and guitars, Tony Rombola on lead guitar, Robbie Merrill on bass and Shannon Larkin on drums. Originally called The Scam, the band soon changed their name to Godsmack, some say an ode to the Alice In Chains song of the same name. In 1996, the band recorded their debut album, "All Wound Up" for a mere $2600. This album basically featured most of the tracks that would be remastered for their 1998 major label debut, "Godsmack". It was their songs "Keep Away" and "Whatever" that took to local radio in Boston and really began to jumpstart their career. It definitely caught the interest of major label Universal/Republic who signed Godsmack in 1998. The band earned a spot on the Ozzfest tour as well as Woodstock '99. They also embarked on a European tour opening up for Black Sabbath. Their self-titled album debuted at #22 on the Billboard 200 charts and by 2001 had been certified 4x platinum. In 2000, the band released "Awake". This album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 charts and reached 2x platinum status, thanks in part to the singles "Awake", "Sick Of Life" and "Greed". 2003 saw the band release "Faceless". This album debuted at #1 and featured the single "I Stand Alone", which had originally appeared on "The Scorpion King" soundtrack, and "Straight Out Of Line", which was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2004, Godsmack released the EP, "The Other Side", which featured all acoustic tracks, including three new songs, "Running Blind", "Voices" and "Touche". 2006 saw the band release "IV". Featuring the single "Speak", this album also debuted at #1 and sold 211,000 copies in the the first week of sale. To celebrate their 10 year anniversary, the band released "Good Times, Bad Times...Ten Years Of Godsmack". This was a greatest hits compilation which featured the band covering "Good Times, Bad Times" by Led Zeppelin as a bonus track. In 2008, Godsmack released the non-album single "Whiskey Hangover". In 2010, the band released "The Oracle". This album would be the third straight album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts. 2012 saw the band release their very first live album, "Live & Inspired". This album featured a bonus EP featuring some cover songs. Currently, according to lead singer Sully Erna, Godsmack plans to start working on new material possibly in late 2013 or early 2014 with hopes of releasing a new album. Though some people criticize Godsmack for their close similarities to the sound of bands like Alice In Chains and Metallica, there's no denying they have carved out their own niche in the rock and roll/metal world. They have become one of the biggest and most successful acts in hard rock music today.

Song Of The Week: 12/8/13

Song: "Lehigh Acres"

Artist: Against Me!

Album: "White Crosses" (Limited Edition)

Year: 2010



"Lehigh Acres" is a song about a community in Florida, located near Fort Myers, where a boom in homes, both being built and bought, occurred in the early 2000's. Eventually, the homes began to lose their property value and most of the people who bought were in over their head. It was basically a middle class community that veered towards poverty in a short amount of time. Though the song is about a specific community, it is a story that is known all too well all over the country. Lenders gave out money much too easily and people acquired debts that they could not afford. Against Me!, hailing from Florida, formed back in 1997. Originally, Against Me! was going to be the platform with which vocalist/guitarist Tom Gabel was going to release his solo material. He first released a demo cassette in 1997. In 1998, he added drummer Kevin Mahon and they released another demo called "Vivida Vis!". In 2000, the band released the "Against Me!" EP through Crasshole Records. 2001 saw the band release the EP "Crime As Forgiven By Against Me!". Released through Plan-It-X Records, this EP was the band's 1st widely distributed material. Against Me! also released an acoustic EP that year as well. In 2002, the band signed with No Idea Records and released their 1st full length album, "Reinventing Axl Rose". The band's line-up finally rounded out as well, featuring Gabel on vocals/guitar, Warren Oakes on drums, James Bowman on guitar and Andrew Seward on bass. 2003 saw the band sign with Fat Wreck Chords and release "The Eternal Cowboy". This album reached #36 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart, thanks in part to the singles "Cavalier Eternal" and "Sink Florida Sink". 2005's "Searching For A Former Clarity" was Against Me!'s first album to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching #114. The songs "Don't Lose Touch" and "From Her Lips To God's Ears (The Energizer)" became the band's first two music videos. In 2006, the band released "Americans Abroad!!!Against Me!!!Live In London!!!", their very first live recording. In 2007, the band was signed to major label Sire Records. They enlisted the help of producer Butch Vig, famously known for producing Nirvana's "Nevermind", and released "New Wave". This album peaked at #57 on the Billboard 200 charts and featured the singles "Thrash Unreal", "White People For Peace", "Stop" and "New Wave". In 2008, Against Me! supported the Foo Fighters on a major North American tour. Sire also released "New Wave B-Sides" as a digital only release. 2009 saw Oakes leave the band and Hot Water Music drummer George Rebelo join. The very same year, Fat Wreck released "The Original Cowboy", an album which featured demos and rare recordings from the "Eternal Cowboy" sessions. In 2010, the band released "White Crosses" with Vig handling the production aspect once again. This album featured the singles "I Was A Teenage Anarchist", "White Crosses" and "High Pressure Low". At #34 on the Billboard 200 charts, "White Crosses" is the highest charting Against Me! album to date. Despite the success of the album, the band and Sire Records parted ways. Drummer Rebelo also left the band to return to his old band Hot Water Music. Jay Weinberg was announced as the new drummer. In 2011, Fat Wreck released "Total Clarity", an album featuring demos and rarities recorded during the "Searching For A Former Clarity" sessions. The band also released the two song 7", "Russian Spies/Occult Enemies". Gabel would also form his own record label at this time called Total Treble Music. All future Against Me! recordings would go through this new label. In 2012, Gabel came out as a transgender saying he's suffered with gender dysphoria since childhood. He changed his name to Laura Jane Grace and began living as a woman. He's stated that this change would not affect his band, however. He, or should I say she now, began working on a concept album that would be titled "Transgender Dysphoria Blues", which would be about a transgendered prostitute. Grace would be producing and engineering this album. In 2013, Weinberg left the band and Adam Willard stepped in on the drumkit. Longtime bassist Andrew Seward also left the band. His spot was filled by former Refused bassist Inge Johansson. The band released the single "True Trans" which featured acoustic versions of two songs that are to appear on their new album, "FuckMyLife666" and "True Trans Soul Rebel". Currently, Against Me! plans to release "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" in early 2014. Though the line-up of Against Me! seems to be a revolving door, the band is very much Gabel/Grace's baby and her vehichle to express her songs. Against Me! is one of those bands that come out and gives me hope that their is still great, guitar driven music out there in a world of bubblegum pop and hip hop. Against Me! is a punk band that stands out for their originality and their their deep catalogue of great music.