Song Of The Week: 3/2/14

Song: "Stained Glass And Marble"

Artist: Rise Against

Album: "The Unraveling"

Year: 2001



"Stained Glass And Marble" appears to be about how organized religion uses fear and seclusion to maintain their followers. By only reading and following "the book", you tend to put yourself in a box, unaware of other opinions or beliefs. I think what the vocalist is trying to say in this song is that true faith or spirituality comes from within. And the beauty of the nature around us is like heaven on Earth. It definitely seems as though the song prefers spirituality over organized religions. Rise Against formed as a band back in 1999, hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band formed out the ashes of 88 Fingers Louie and Baxter. Originally, the band was called Transistor Revolt and in 2000, they self-released the "Transistor Revolt" EP. In 2001, Transistor Revolt changed their name to Rise Against and were signed by legendary punk label, Fat Wreck Chords. The band released their debut album "The Unraveling" that year as well. In 2003, Rise Against released "Revolutions Per Minute". At this point, the band was slotted as opening act for such groups as Sick Of It All, NOFX, No Use For A Name, AFI and Strung Out. The band also played it's very first Warped Tour. By the end of 2003, Rise Against would sign with major label, DreamWorks Records, which would be bought out by Universal Music leaving Rise Against on Geffen Records. In 2004, they released their major label debut, "Siren Song For The Counter Culture". This would be Rise Against's 1st album to crack the Billboard 200 charts and would eventually be certified gold. In 2005, the band earned slots of the Taste Of Chaos Tour as well as the United Kingdom's Reading and Leeds Festivals. 2006 saw the band release "The Sufferer & The Witness". Thanks in part to the singles "Ready To Fall" and "Prayer Of The Refugee", this album would peak at #10 on the Billboard 200 charts. Rise Against was officially a headlining act from this point on. In 2007, the band released the "This Is Noise" EP in Canada. This EP would be released in the States in 2008. The band's fifth full length album, "Appeal To Reason" would officially claim the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 charts, making it Rise Against's highest charting release to date. Though the album marked the band's most commercial success, critically, it did catch some flack for moving too far away from the band's hardcore punk roots. A support tour for "Appeal To Reason" lasted for almost two full years, culminating with the release of the live dvd, "Another Station: Another Mile" in 2010. Never a band to shy away from political and social views that they hold dear, Rise Against turned up the heat with their 2011 release "Endgame". For instance, a song like "Help Is On The Way" directly spoke about the tragedies in the Gulf States like Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill while "Make It Stop (September's Children)" dealt with homophobic bullying, which led to some teenage suicides. While supporting the album on various headlining gigs, Rise Against also won the opening slot on the Foo Fighters tour in 2011. 2013 saw the band release the compilation "Long Forgotten Songs: B-sides & Covers (2000-2013). As it says in the title, Rise Against amassed a pretty big b-sides collection over the years, as well as doing some cover songs as well. This album put all of those rare tracks on one single disc, a huge treat for any fan of the band. Currently, bassist Joe Principe has stated that Rise Against should have a new album out some time in 2014. Singer Tim McIlrath has also confirmed as much. He stated that the band feels rested and recharged and ready to work on some new material. Rise Against's roots are in hardcore punk. Through the years, they have added huge melodic elements and sing-a-long choruses to their repertoire. They are everything I love about a band. Their songs are hard charging punk with lyrics that are deep and offer insight to various causes whether you agree or disagree with their views. I'd say Rise Against is definitely a top 10 favorite band for me, possibly top 5 if I gave it more thought. Can't wait for the new album!!

Song Of The Week: 2/23/14

Song: "Joan"

Artist: Carpenter

Album: "Sea To Sky"

Year: 2010



"Joan" is a song that appears to be about watching someone you love fading away. I get the sense that the vocalist is watching this loved one in her final days. Whatever illness she has has completely taken over her so much so that she doesn't even recognize him anymore nor her surroundings. Anyone who has ever watched a family member, friend or significant other succumb to a disease and literally die right in front of you can appreciate the lyrics to this song. Carpenter formed as a band back in 2005, hailing from Vancouver, Canada. Carpenter formed out of the ashes of post-punk bands All State Champion, By A Thread and Daggermouth. Daniel Sioui, the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Carpenter was actually inspired to create his new band after listening to John Cougar Mellancamp of all people! Carpenter tries to incorporate that rootsy feel to their brand of progressive/indie punk rock. In fact, some people label their music "farmcore". Their support of agriculture and farmers is something the band takes very seriously. So much so that even famed country artist Willie Nelson has contacted the band about being involved in his Farm Aid benefit concerts. Carpenter released their debut album "Law Of The Land" in 2008. The band steadily built their reputation across Canada as a solid live band. In 2010, Carpenter signed to Paper + Plastick Records and released their follow up album "Sea To Sky". This album featured the single "Mean Things". The partnership with Paper + Plastick allowed the band to generate some buzz not only in their native Canada, but in the United States and Europe. The band also began touring more frequently in those places as well. Currently, since 2012, the band has been working on new material. Band members have confirmed that they will likely have a new album out sometime in 2014. Carpenter is a really solid band with a ton of potential. They are still quite an underground band, but if you meshed bands like The Flatliners and The Gaslight Anthem and maybe sprinkled in a little folk punk as well, you'd get something that resembles Carpenter. "Sea To Sky" is a great listen from the first song to the last. I'd recommend this album to anyone.

Song Of The Week: 2/16/14

Song: "Living Saints"

Artist: Polar Bear Club

Album: "Chasing Hamburg"

Year: 2009



"Living Saints" is a song that appears to be about a relationship that is basically over. In her eyes, at least, he is nothing more than a mere acquaintence. For the vocalist, however, he is not quite ready to move on from this relationship. He is not ready to break the ties, however it appears the ties have been permanently severed. Polar Bear Club formed as a band back in 2005, hailing from upstate New York. The band's very first release was in that same year in the form of a five song demo. The songs on that demo caught the ears of Triple Attack Records who signed the band and distributed their 2006 EP, "The Redder, The Better". This EP stated generating some buzz for the band, especially, oddly enough, in Australia. In 2007, the band signed to Red Letter Records. 2008 saw the band release their debut full length album, "Sometimes Things Just Disappear". Polar Bear Club supported this album by touring with such acts as The Gaslight Anthem, A Wilhelm Scream and American Steel, gaining more and more of a following along the way. In 2009, the band signed with Bridge Nine Records. The Gaslight Anthem took Polar Bear Club along with them to tour Europe, which would mark the first time the band had played overseas. After that tour, the band released their second album, "Chasing Hamburg". "Living Saints" was the first single and video for that album. 2010 saw the band play the Hevy Music Festival in the U.K. and the band also performed at the 2011 Soundwave Festival in Australia. 2011 also saw the band release another album, "Clash Battle Guilt Pride". While supporting this latest album, the band played both the Leeds Festival and the Reading Festival in the U.K. in 2012. The band also released a live acoustic album in 2012 called "Live At The Montage". In 2013, Polar Bear Club once again performed at Australia's Soundwave Festival then came back to the States to record their next album. In November of 2013, the band released their fourth LP, "Death Chorus". Many fans of the band will notice that vocalist Jimmy Stadt sounds a bit different on this album. The vocals are very clean on "Death Chorus" whereas most of the band's previous albums featured raspy, not quite but almost "screamy" vocals. Stadt explained that over the course of making records and touring since 2005, he had lost some range in his vocal chords. He had them checked out medically, but couldn't find what the problem was. He insisted that this change was not a change in direction for the band or to go mainstream, but he declared that in order for the songs to sound their absolute best, he had to change his vocal style because he couldn't take the strain on his vocal chords anymore. Currently, Polar Bear Club is touring in support of "Death Chorus". The band members of this band came together under all kinds of influences ranging from Hot Water Music to Third Eye Blind and you can tell in their music. While considered a post-hardcore/punk band, they are not afraid to incorporate pop melodies in some of their songs. This is a band that I have just recently began getting into and the more I listen, the more I like! A very solid band that I can't wait to hear more from.

Song Of The Week: 2/9/14

Song: "The Torch"

Artist: Dropkick Murphys

Album: "Live On St. Patrick's Day From Boston, MA"

Year: 2002



"The Torch" is a song the appears to be about a bitter old man who has done hard labor his entire life and is now facing his last years on this Earth. He is broken down physically from all his years of hard work and he really hasn't shown his family much in the way of affection. In fact, the only thing he has handed down to his son is his bitterness and his occupation, yet, his loved ones still pray for him in his dying days even though all they receive back from him is scorn. The Dropkick Murphys formed as a band back in 1996, hailing from Quincy, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. The band received their first big break when fellow Bostonians, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones selected them as openers on their 1997 tour. After releasing several EP's, The Dropkick's were signed by Hellcat Records, a sub-label of Epitaph Records owned by Tim Armstrong of Rancid. In 1998, the band released their debut full length, "Do Or Die". Shortly after the release of this album, lead singer Mike McColgan left the band to become a Boston firefighter. In 1999, the band recruited Al Barr, formerly of The Bruisers, to share vocal duties with bassist Ken Casey. Barr's first vocal appearance with the Dropkick's was "The Gang's All Here", which featured the single "10 Years Of Service". This album is the beginnings of where the "Dropkick" sound started to really develop, hardcore/street punk meshed with Irish punk. In 2000, the band released the compilation, "The Singles Collection: Vol. 1". This comp featured b-sides, EP tracks and rarities that the band had put out up to that date. 2001 saw the band release their third album, "Sing Loud, Sing Proud!". By this time, the band was expanding, now featuring bagpipes, mandolins, keyboards, etc. This album is also where the original version of "The Torch", my song of the week, is found. 2002 saw the band release their very first live album, "Live On St. Patrick's Day From Boston, MA". This show was recorded at the now defunct Avalon Ballroom in Boston. In 2003, the Dropkick's released "Blackout". This album featured the singles "Walk Away", "Fields Of Athenry" and the crowd favorite "The Dirty Glass". In 2004, the Dropkick Murphys provided the rally cry for the would-be world champion Boston Red Sox with their single "Tessie". In 2005, the compilation "The Singles Collection: Vol. 2" was released, again this comp featured rarities, live songs and b-sides just like the first volume. 2005 saw the band drop "The Warrior's Code". This album reached #49 on the charts and featured the singles "Sunshine Highway" and "The Warrior's Code", a song dedicated to legendary Lowell, MA boxer Mickey Ward. This album also featured the anthem "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" whose lyrics are taken from a Woody Guthrie poem and was featured prominently in the Martin Scorcese movie "The Departed". The song is now a Boston anthem and is played heavily as a rallying cry at most Boston sporting events. In 2007, the band formed their own label, Born & Bred Records and released their next album on that label. "The Meanest Of Times" debuted at #20 on the charts and it's lead single, The State Of Massachusetts" was ranked 83rd in Rolling Stone's Top 100 songs of 2007. In 2010, the Dropkick's released their second live album, "Live On Landsdowne, Boston, MA". The show was recorded at the House Of Blues in Boston and the cd/dvd reached #25 on the charts. The success continued for the band in 2011 as their album, "Going Out In Style", debuted at #6, the highest charting album of the Dropkick Murphys career so far. This album featured the singles "Going Out In Style", "Memorial Day" and "Sunday Hardcore Matinee". A bonus edition cd/dvd was released shortly after featuring the band's live headlining set at historical Fenway Park. In 2013, the band released their 8th album, "Signed And Sealed In Blood". This album featured the singles "Rose Tattoo", "The Season's Upon Us" and "The Boys Are Back". The Dropkick's played their largest headlining show to date after this release at Boston's TD Garden. After the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, the Dropkick's released an EP through Itunes called "Rose Tattoo: For Boston Charity EP". This 3 song EP features acoustic renditions of their songs as well as guest vocals by Bruce Springsteen. All the proceeds of that EP go directly to the victims of that horrible attack. Currenty, the Dropkick's are preparing for their annual St. Patrick's Day shows in Boston. They are a very active band and when you think Celtic punk, the Dropkick's are very much at the forefront of that genre. They are not shy about representing the working class and the blue collar folks and they take major pride in their Irish roots and their Boston neighborhoods.

Song Of The Week: 2/2/14

Song: "Lost Along The Way"

Artist: Staind

Album: "The Illusion Of Progress"

Year: 2008



"Lost Along The Way" is a song that appears to be about pausing to appreciate the moment. Sometimes it seems that times goes by and you fail to appreciate the relationship you have and the love you both share for each other. Sometimes these feelings get lost with time and it's good to take a moment and relive the spark that made the relationship what it was at the beginning. It's a realization to not take your relationship with the person you love for granted. Staind formed as a band back in 1994, hailing from Massachusetts. After spending their early years as a cover band, they finally self-released their debut album, "Tormented", in 1996. After securing an opening slot on a tour with Limp Bizkit, Fred Durst agreed to co-produce their 2nd album, "Dysfunction", which was released through Flip Records in 1999. These two albums featured Staind at their darkest and heaviest. Singles such as "Just Go", "Mudshovel" and "Home" helped "Dysfunction" reach #74 on the Billboard 200 charts. The band landed a spot on the Family Values tour supporting acts such as Limp Bizkit and The Crystal Method. In 2001, Staind dropped "Break The Cycle". Spawning five hit singles, "It's Been Awhile", "Outside", "Fade", "For You" and "Epiphany", this album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and sold 716,000 copies in the first week of sales. "Break The Cycle" would ultimately become Staind's highest selling album, selling more the 7 million units world wide. 2003's "14 Shades Of Gray" would also debut at #1. With singles like "Price To Play", "So Far Away", "How About You" and "Zoe Jane", you could see Staind becoming a much more radio friendly band. The hard edges of "Tormented" and "Dysfunction" and even some of the dark material featured on "Break The Cycle" were beginning to fade away in favor of radio friendly power ballads. 2005's "Chapter V" would continue this trend as well. This album would be certified platinum eventually, thanks in part to singles such as "Right Here", "Falling" and "Everything Changes". The band would also embark on their first tour of Australia to support "Chapter V". In 2006, Staind released a greatest hit compilation called "The Singles: 1996-2006". The album featured three bonus live acoustic cover songs, Tool's "Sober", Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" and Alice In Chains' "Nutshell". 2008 saw the band release "The Illusion Of Progress". This album featured the singles "Believe" and "All I Want", the 13th top 20 hit on the rock charts for Staind. It would be three years until Staind released their next album, "Staind". "Staind" was released in 2011 and was really a throwback to the "Dysfunction"/"Tormented" era of the band. The band was intent on making a heavy record and they very much succeeded as you can tell by their lead single "Not Again". In 2012, the band members of Staind decided to go on a short hiatus from writing, recording and touring together. Vocalist Aaron Lewis used this time to re-focus on his emerging folk/country solo career. Currently, the band has confirmed it will get back together to co-headline the Welcome To Rockville Festival in April as well as the Rock On The Range Festival in May. No word yet on if the band has been working on new material and their has been no news of future release dates but the fact they are playing some shows indicates that new material will probably be on the way. Staind plays a form of rock that could be considered heavy, melodic arena rock, perhaps post-grunge. At their beginnings, they were very heavy and dark with hints of metal. By their 4th album, they were a radio friendly rock band along the lines of a Creed or a 3 Doors Down. It was good to see them get back to their roots with their last self-titled album. Hopefully, they continue with that trend in the future.

Song Of The Week: 1/26/14

Song: "Here Comes Devereux"

Artist: None More Black

Album: "Icons"

Year: 2010



"Here Comes Devereux" is a song that appears to be about the vocalist's insecurities. Whether that is being uncomfortable in public settings or around women or just not being able to harness his own creative juices when it comes to writing music and songs. You get a sense that he just wants to fade away in the shadows of the corner of a room and not be seen. He just doesn't seem comfortable in his own skin, even when it comes to doing what he loves to do, creating music. None More Black formed as a band back in 2000, hailing from New Jersey. Lead singer and chief songwriter Jason Shevchuk left his former band Kid Dynamite to finish up film school. While at school, however, Jason began writing some new material and ultimately decided to form a new band, None More Black. The band's first released material came in the form of a 7" for Sub Division Records in 2001. In 2002, after several line-up changes, a demo circulated to Fat Wreck Chords who signed None More Black to their label. 2003 saw the band release their debut album for Fat Wreck entitled "File Under Black". In 2004 the band released an EP called "Loud About Loathing". The band continued on in 2006 releasing their second full length, "This Is Satire". After touring to support this album, the band decided to go on hiatus in 2007. They did announce they would play shows every now and then however. The hiatus of None More Black was short lived as the band would reform in 2008 and announce that they were indeed going to be working on a new album. This album would be released in 2010 and was called "Icons". None More Black displays a sound that is reminiscent of melodic punk with gritty vocals. Comparisons to Hot Water Music or The Flatliners are not too far off base. A lot of their song titles and album names are takes on various forms of pop culture. They often reference things from the Seinfeld show and This Is Spinal Tap, just to name a few. Where a lot of punk bands are overtly political, None More Black often uses humor and satire in their songs, kind of like The Lawrence Arms or Dillinger Four to name a few. I'm not too sure about the current status of None More Black. Their last release was in 2010 and they did tour to support the album, but now it's pushing almost four years since that release. A lot of the time, when you have bands like None More Black, their members actually all have other jobs to make ends meet. They're not hugely successful, like a Bad Religion, where their music and touring can be their main source of income, hence the long downtime between albums possibly. Whatever the reason, None More Black is a good, solid punk band that's worth checkin' out.

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.