SONG OF THE WEEK: 10-13-2024

SONG:  "Rippin Up The Boundary Line"

ARTIST:  Dropkick Murphys

ALBUM:  "Okemah Rising"

YEAR:  2023

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Quincy, Massachusetts

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Rippin Up The Boundary Line" appears to be about a call to action, urging listeners to break down the barriers that separate the rich from the poor, and to fight against the forces that prevent the growth of a strong and vibrant working class. The lyrics are a powerful indictment of the corporate and political forces that seek to maintain the status quo, and the song encourages listeners to stand up and fight back against these oppressive forces.

DROPKICK MURPHYS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Do Or Die (Hellcat Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - The Gang's All Here (Hellcat Records)

* peaked at #184 on the Billboard 200

2000 - The Singles Collection, Vol. 1 (Hellcat Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Sing Loud, Sing Proud (Hellcat Records)

* peaked at #144 on the Billboard 200

2002 - Live On St. Patrick's Day (Hellcat Records)

* peaked at #155 on the Billboard 200

2003 - Blackout (Hellcat Records)

* peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200

2005 - The Singles Collection, Vol. 2 (Hellcat Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - The Warrior's Code (Hellcat Records)

* peaked at #48 on the Billboard 200

* certified gold

2007 - The Meanest Of Times (Born & Bred Records)

* peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200

2010 - Live On Landsdowne St., Boston, MA (Born & Bred Records)

* peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200

2011 - Going Out In Style (Born & Bred Records)

* peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200

2012 - Live At Fenway (Born & Bred Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Signed And Sealed In Blood (Born & Bred Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

2017 - 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory (Born & Bred Records)

* peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200

2021 - Turn Up That Dial (Born & Bred Records)

* peaked at #74 on the Billboard 200

2022 - The Machine Still Kills Fascists (Dummy Luck Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Okemah Rising (Dummy Luck Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON DROPKICK MURPHYS:

Dropkick Murphys are a band that formed back in 1996, hailing from Quincy, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. After dropping a few EP's, the band released their debut full length album, "Do Or Die", in 1998. This would be the only full length album to feature the band's original lead singer, Mike McColgan on vocals as he would leave the band in 1998. Al Barr, frontman for the band The Bruisers, would join the Dropkicks as their new lead singer and bassist Ken Casey would also take a more prominent role in lead vocals as well. The band's first album with Barr would be 1999's "The Gang's All Here". They would follow that up with 2001's "Sing Loud, Sing Proud". 2003's "Blackout" generated some success thanks in part to songs like "Walk Away" and "The Dirty Glass". The 2005 album "The Warrior's Code" would be certified gold and contained perhaps the band's most famous song, "I'm Shipping Up To Boston". Not only was that song featured throughout the movie "The Departed", it is also a staple at all of Boston's sporting events. In 2007, the band released "The Meanest Of Times". 2011's "Going Out In Style" would peak at #6 on the Billboard 200 charts, becoming the band's highest charting album to date. 2013 saw the release of "Signed And Sealed In Blood", featuring another stand out single by the band, "Rose Tattoo". "11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory" was released in 2017 and followed up by "Turn Up That Dial" in 2021. In 2022, Al Barr took an indefinite hiatus from the band to care for his mother who was battling dementia. In 2022 and 2023 respectively, the Dropkicks put out two albums, "The Machine Still Kills Fascists" and "Okemah Rising" which were based off of lyrics and writings of Woody Guthrie. These would be the first albums without Al Barr on vocals since 1998. Most recently, the band released the single "Sirens" in 2024. Dropkick Murphys are legendary here in Boston, but they are also a pretty big deal all over the world. Early on, the band Rancid took the Dropkick's under their wing, even signing them to their own label, Hellcat Records. The Dropkick Murphys are synonymous with Irish pride and celtic punk. These guys ooze blue collar work ethic and firmly stand behind unions and the working class. They also take huge pride in being from and representing Boston and it's surrounding areas. There may not be one band more known for their hometown than the Dropkick Murphys, that's for sure. I'm from the Boston area, so yeah, I'm biased as hell! The Dropkick's rule and their lengthy music catalogue backs that statement up no doubt!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Rumjacks

The Real McKenzies

Flatfoot 56

Street Dogs

Social Distortion

TEN DROPKICK MURPHYS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Warrior's Code

2. Going Out In Style

3. The Dirty Glass

4. Barroom Hero

5. Rose Tattoo

6. The State Of Massachusetts

7. Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding

8. You'll Never Walk Alone

9. Good Rats

10. 10 Years Of Service

SONG OF THE WEEK: 10-6-2024

SONG:  "It's Alright"

ARTIST:  Useless ID

ALBUM:  "Live In Tel Aviv"

YEAR:  2023

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Haifa, Israel

YEARS ACTIVE:  1994 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"It's Alright" appears to be a song about an ending relationship. The vocalist was clearly dumped by this girl and though there was lots of blame to share, the vocalist believes she will ultimately regret letting him go. I chose a live version of "It's Alright" for my song of the week. You can check out the original studio version on Useless ID's 2004 album "Redemption".

USELESS ID DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Hashsub (Falafel Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Dead's Not Punk (Falafel Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Get In The Pita Bread Pit (Falafel Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Bad Story, Happy Endings (Kung Fu Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - No Vacation From The World (Kung Fu Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Redemption (Kung Fu Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - The Lost Broken Bones (Suburban Home Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - The Lost Broken Tunes Vol. 1 (Bullion Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - The Lost Broken Tunes Vol. 2 (Bullion Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Symptoms (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - State Is Burning (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Live In Tel Aviv (Double Helix Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON USELESS ID:

Useless ID is an Israeli band that formed back in 1994. The band self-released their first couple album through their own label, Falafel Records. These albums were 1995's "Hashsub", 1998's "Dead's Not Punk" and 1999's "Get In The Pita Bread Pit". In 1996, vocalist and bassist Yotam Ben Horin joined the band and by 1999, he became the lead vocalist and chief songwriter. The first release that featured Yotam on vocals was a split EP with The Ataris called "Let It Burn". Kris Roe of The Ataris was one of the first major punk artists to take Useless ID under his wing. He is a big reason why Useless ID signed on with Kung Fu Records. The band released three albums through Kung Fu. 2001's "Bad Story, Happy Endings", 2003's "No Vacation From The World" and 2004's "Redemption". Tony Sly from No Use For A Name was another punk artist who really helped Useless ID along the way. He helped co-write and co-produce many of the tracks on "No Vacation From The World". If you listen to Useless ID, you can really hear the No Use influence in their songwriting. In 2008, the band released "The Lost Broken Bones". In 2012, the band signed a deal with Fat Wreck Chords where they released 2012's "Symptoms" and 2016's "State Is Burning". The band's most recent release was a live album called "Live In Tel Aviv" in 2023. Useless ID is a pop punk/skate punk type of band. They are not only heavily influenced by that mid 90's, southern California skate punk bands, they should be considered one of them, even though they are from Israel. As I said earlier, bands like The Ataris and No Use For A Name really championed Useless ID. I've seen Useless ID open for both of those bands and they were outstanding live shows. Useless ID's lead vocalist Yotam Ben Horin has been really focusing on his solo stuff for the last few years, hence why Useless ID hasn't released a new studio album of original material since 2016. Hopefully the live album the band put out a year ago will spark a fire under the guys to work on some new stuff.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Allister

Authority Zero

No Use For A Name

Good Riddance

Much The Same

TEN USELESS ID SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Before It Kills

2. Killing A Ghost

3. We Don't Want The Airwaves

4. Turn Up The Stereo

5. No Time For Me To Be A Teenager

6. How To Dismantle An Atom Bomb

7. It's Alright

8. At Least I Tried

9. Dissolve

10. Running Late

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-27-2024

SONG:  "Everybody Needs An Enemy"

ARTIST:  500 Miles To Memphis

ALBUM:  "We've Built Up To Nothing"

YEAR:  2010

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Cincinnati, Ohio

YEARS ACTIVE:  2003 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here's what 500 Miles To Memphis lead singer Ryan Malott had to say about "Everybody Needs An Enemy". "That’s the song on the album, it’s our rock opera,” he says, “that song kind of defines everything that we’ve been through. Drugs and alcohol, being on the road all the time. Just the guilt of being the bad guy. I know I’m a good person but there’s people out there who don’t like me. It’s the transition, the sobering up. You move on, you accept that a lot of people don’t have to like you.”

500 MILES TO MEMPHIS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - 500 Miles To Memphis (3rd Silo Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Sunshine In A Shot Glass (Deep Elm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - We've Built Up To Nothing (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Live At The Historic Southgate House (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Stand There And Bleed (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Revival (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Blessed Be The Damned (Paper + Plastick Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Hard To Love (Flat Aht Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON 500 MILES TO MEMPHIS:

500 Miles To Memphis is a Cincinnati, Ohio band that formed back in 2003. Their debut full length studio album came out in 2005, called "500 Miles To Memphis". The band followed that up with 2007's "Sunshine In A Shot Glass". 2010 saw the band release "We've Built Up To Nothing" while in 2014, they dropped "Stand There And Bleed". In 2019, 500 Miles To Memphis put out the album that I first found out about the band, that album was "Blessed Be The Damned". Their most recent full length album would be 2021's "Hard To Love". 500 Miles To Memphis is a band that you just can't peg when it comes to a specific genre. They really go all over the place. You hear punk rock, bluegrass, country, rock-a-billy, cow-punk and even some celtic punk in their sound. It makes for a very intriguing listen for sure. While all of those styles aren't anything new, to hear them all come from one band, sometimes song to song, makes this band very interesting. They always keep you on your toes! I found out about these guys a little late. I saw the video for "Hold On Tight" and I instantly knew that I had to check out this band. I'm very glad I did as 500 Miles To Memphis is a super solid band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Arliss Nancy

Chuck Ragan

Blacklist Royals

Brendan Kelly

Tumbledown

TEN 500 MILES TO MEMPHIS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Hold On Tight

2. Bethel, OH

3. Barfly

4. Lead Me On

5. Stereo

6. All My Friends Are Crazy

7. Broken, Busted, Bloody

8. Medication

9. The River

10. Dropout

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-22-2024

SONG:  "No More"

ARTIST:  Bryan McPherson

ALBUM:  "Live At Club Passim 2004"

YEAR:  2004

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Boston, Massachusetts

YEARS ACTIVE:  early 2000's - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"No More" was inspired by a friend of Bryan McPherson's. It appears to be about someone who once had it all but has lost everything, or perhaps more like he threw it all away. At one point this man accepted his fate and just wanted to be left alone but by the end of the song, he realizes he doesn't want to die alone. It's a common story unfortunately. Alcoholism leads to homelessness leads to isolation.

BRYAN MCPHERSON DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2007 - Fourteen Stories (O.F.D. Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - American Boy/American Girl (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Wedgewood (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live Like A Motherfucker (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - King's Corner (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Livestream 10/29/2020 (American Boy/American Girl Full Album Performance) (O.F.D. Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2022 - How To Draw Everything (O.F.D. Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2024 - Emigrant And The Winter Of Death (O.F.D. Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON BRYAN MCPHERSON:

Boston's own Bryan McPherson got his start on the music scene sometime in the early 2000's. The proud Dorchester native's first full length album came out in 2007, called "Fourteen Stories". This was followed up by 2012's "American Boy/American Girl". 2015 saw the release of "Wedgewood". In 2019, McPherson released "King's Corner". This was the first time I heard Bryan McPherson and I instantly fell in love with the song "Ghost Of My Hometown". In 2022, he released "How To Draw Everything" and in 2024, he put out his most recent album, "Emigrant And The Winter Of Death", which was inspired by his time spent in Yellowstone. Bryan McPherson is a throwback to the prominent folk singers of the 60's like Bob Dylan. His roots however, are in the Boston punk scene where groups like Dropkick Murphys and The Ducky Boys took him under their wing. Bryan's songs are very personal and intimate and I'm very glad I found out about his music, be it a little late. I'm not so sure if I would have been so appreciative of his music in the early 2000's so maybe it worked out well that I found out about him so late. Thanks to guys like Chuck Ragan and Tim Barry, I really found love for these punk guys that started to play acoustic and i'd put Bryan McPherson right in with those guys who create such great songs. My only beef with him is he moved to L.A. in 2010! Come on man!! What ya leavin' Boston for dude!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Ducky Boys

Mark Lind

Joey Briggs

Kevin Seconds

Jason Devore

TEN BRYAN MCPHERSON SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Ghost Of My Hometown

2. Born Again American Blues

3. Where Is Jane

4. Neurontin

5. The Ballad Of Andy Conn

6. Worker's Song

7. Here We Go

8. O.F.D. (Originally From Dorchester)

9. 2 Birds

10. Songs Of Freedom

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-15-2024

SONG:  "Black Lung"

ARTIST:  The Killigans

ALBUM:  "Dread Naught" EP

YEAR:  2022

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Lincoln, Nebraska

YEARS ACTIVE:  2004 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Black Lung" appears to be a song about having the world by the balls when you're young, but as you get older, things begin to fall apart in your life. The vocalist was in total control as a young man, but now, he can't keep his life together.

THE KILLIGANS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Brown Bottle Hymnal (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - One Step Ahead Of Hell (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Live At The Zoo Bar (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Honor (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Another Round For The Strong Of Heart (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Dance On Your Grave (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE KILLIGANS:

The Killigans are a celtic/folk punk band hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska. The band formed in 2004. Their debut full length album came in 2006 called "Brown Bottle Hymnal". This was followed up by 2007's "One Step Ahead Of Hell". 2010 saw the band release "Honor" and 2012, the band released "Another Round For The Strong Of Heart". The band's most recent full length was "Dance On Your Grave" in 2018 and their most recent release was the stand alone single, "The Rowdy Ones" in 2023. As I said earlier, The Killigans are a celtic punk/folk punk band who also infuse elements of street punk, country and even Eastern European folk in their sound. They are very much a DIY type of band. As far as I know, all of their albums have been self-released by the band and I don't believe any label is associated with them. I know being from Boston, I hold the Dropkick Murphys close to my heart so if you enjoy bands like the Dropkick's, you should definitely take a listen to The Killigans. Very solid band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Rumjacks

The Real McKenzies

Flatfoot 56

Dropkick Murphys

The Roughneck Riot

TEN THE KILLIGANS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Burn It Down

2. The Rowdy Ones

3. Lullaby For The Working Man

4. Peducah

5. Ballad For My Old Man

6. Prodigal Son

7. Liquor Store

8. Hit The Deck

9. Empty Streets

10. Whiskey And Gin

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-8-2024

SONG:  "Serf Rock"

ARTIST:  Russian Girlfriends

ALBUM:  "Russian Girlfriends"

YEAR:  2022

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Albuquerque, New Mexico

YEARS ACTIVE:  2014 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Serf Rock" appears to be a song about  society flailing in disarray and the indifference of previous generations who should have seen it coming.

RUSSIAN GIRLFRIENDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2015 - All Around (Guero Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - In The Parlance Of Our Times (A-F Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2022 - Russian Girlfriends (CD Baby Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON RUSSIAN GIRLFRIENDS:

Russian Girlfriends is  a New Mexico band that got it's start back in 2014. The band's debut full length album dropped in 2015, titled "All Around". The band's sound caught the ears of Anti-Flag who signed the band to their label, A-F Records for the release of their sophomore album, 2019's "In The Parlance Of Our Times". After this release, lead vocalist Adam Hooks would leave the band leaving vocal duties to guitarist Ian Jarrell. Jarrell's first album on vocals would be the 2022 self-titled release, "Russian Girlfriends". Russian Girlfriends' sound is rooted in punk rock and some metal. I loved Adam Hooks' vocals and songwriting on the band's first two albums so that is a tough loss for the band losing him as their vocalist. Ian Jarrell does fill in admirably, but Hooks really made the band stand out. It's amazing these guys have been around for 10 years already! I kinda consider them a new band still! Time flies right? Well, these guys are definitely worth checking out, for sure!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Deforesters

Burnt Tapes

The Penske File

The Drowns 

A Vulture Wake

TEN RUSSIAN GIRLFRIENDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Day We Put The Dog Down

2. Serf Rock

3. Pride Parade

4. Bones Of A Saint

5. Angry Bong Rips

6. Terrible Twos

7. Hit The Ceiling

8. How Low Can A Punk Get

9. Antidote

10. Redfield

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-1-2024

SONG:  "Lips Like Knives"

ARTIST:  Escape The Fate

ALBUM:  "Out Of The Shadows"

YEAR:  2023

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Las Vegas, Nevada

YEARS ACTIVE:  2004 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Lips Like Knives" appears to be a song about being broken by a relationship. The vocalist has just been beaten down by this girl. She has mistreated him and basically stripped him of his soul. He can't get the time spent back, and he may not be able to recover his soul either.

ESCAPE THE FATE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Dying Is Your Latest Fashion (Epitaph Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - This War Is Ours (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200

2010 - Escape The Fate (DGC/Interscope Records)

* peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200

2013 - Ungrateful (Eleven Seven Music)

* peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200

2015 - Hate Me (Eleven Seven Music)

* peaked at #58 on the Billboard 200

2018 - I Am Human (Better Noise Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Chemical Warfare (Better Noise Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Out Of The Shadows (Big Noise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON ESCAPE THE FATE:

Escape The Fate formed as a band back in 2004, hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada. The band's debut full length album would be 2006's "Dying Is Your Latest Fashion", distributed through legendary punk label Epitaph Records. Shortly after this album, the band's lead singer, Ronnie Radke, wound up going to prison for his involvement in an altercation that ultimately led to the murder of an individual. Radke did not pull the trigger, but he was involved to a lesser extent. The band officially parted ways with Radke in 2008 and brought on Blessthefall lead singer Craig Mabbitt to take Radke's place. Mabbitt's first album on vocals for the band would be 2008's "This War Is Ours". 2010's self-titled "Escape The Fate" would be the band's highest charting album, peaking at #25 on the Billboard 200. The band's next two releases, 2013's "Ungrateful" and 2015's "Hate Me", also charted on the Billboard 200. In 2018, the band dropped "I Am Human", which was followed up by 2021's "Chemical Warfare" and the band's most recent release, 2023's "Out Of The Shadows". Escape The Fate is like a post-hardcore, emo/screamo type of band. I first started listening to these guys in the Ronnie Radke era. That is still my favorite version of the band. Luckily, when Radke got out of prison, he formed Falling In Reverse, which is kinda like an extension of what he may have done had he stayed in Escape The Fate. I do like Craig Mabbitt too. I'm kinda done with the gritty vocals though. I call them "cookie monster" vocals! I prefer the songs that have clean vocals on them. I think Mabbitt's best song with Escape The Fate is "Walk On". That's a really cool song! But let's cut through the chase, Radke's "Situations" is their best song. My opinion! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Falling In Reverse

The Dead Rabbitts

A Day To Remember

Silverstein

From First To Last

TEN ESCAPE THE FATE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Situations

2. Walk On

3. The Flood

4. There's No Sympathy For The Dead

5. Issues

6. One For The Money

7. Ungrateful

8. H8 My Self

9. Liars And Monsters

10. Broken Heart