SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-31-2024

SONG:  "Waking The Demon"

ARTIST:  Bullet For My Valentine

ALBUM:  "Live From Brixton:  Chapter Two, Night One"

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Brigend, Wales

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here's what Bullet For My Valentine's lead vocalist Matt Tuck had to say about "Waking The Demon". "Waking the Demon" is about finding someone's inner demon. Most of us in the band got pushed around in school so the song is about getting tormented, day in and day out for years, and then one day – 'snap!' – fight back!" I chose a live version for my song of the week. You can check out Bullet For My Valentine's 2008 album "Scream Aim Fire" to hear the original.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - The Poison (Visible Noise Records)

* peaked at #128 on the Billboard 200

* certified gold

2008 - Scream Aim Fire (Jive Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

2010 - Fever (Jive Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

2013 - Temper Temper (RCA Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200

2015 - Venom (RCA Records)

* peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200

2017 - Live From Brixton:  Chapter Two, Night One (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Live From Brixton:  Chapter Two, Night Two (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Gravity (Spinefarm Records)

* peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200

2021 - Bullet For My Valentine (Spinefarm Records)

* peaked at #153 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE:

Bullet For My Valentine got it's start back in 1998, hailing from Brigend, Wales. Originally, the band was called Jeff Killed John and their style was kinda nu-metal in the same vein as bands like Korn. They released a few EP's under this moniker, but in 2003, the band shifted their sound to a more proper metal infused hard rock style and changed their name to Bullet For My Valentine. Their first release under their new moniker was a self-titled EP in 2004. The band dropped their debut full length album in 2005 with "The Poison". They splashed big with this debut album, eventually the album would be certified gold. The band followed that album up with 2008's "Scream Aim Fire". Though a really solid album, the band has stated that this album was made more for their critics than for themselves. 2010's "Fever" was the album they made for themselves, fuck the critics! "Fever" would be the band's highest charting album, peaking at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart. BFMV kept the ball rolling with major label releases through RCA Records in 2013 with "Temper Temper" and 2015 with "Venom". As of 2017, Bullet For My Valentine has been putting out albums through Spinefarm Records, beginning with 2018's "Gravity" and the band's most recent release, 2021's "Bullet For My Valentine". Bullet For My Valentine is one of those bands that seemed like they were initially more accepted by punk rock crowds on Warped Tours before they were embraced by metal fans of tours like Ozzfest. I can see why. Though you can definitely hear the metal influences in their music, they also can bring a melodic form of hard rock music. I think their style reminds me a bit of Iron Maiden, with the use of melodic dual  guitar solos and stuff like that. I think the first song I heard by these guys was "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" and they had me hooked early. I definitely lean more towards grunge and punk bands more than metal, but I dig some metal influenced music. Bullet sometimes gets some shit for not going all out metal or all out whatever, but I think they're great at whatever the fuck they do! They write great songs at the end of the day, no matter what genre anyone wants to pigeonhole them in.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Avenged Sevenfold

Escape The Fate

A Day To Remember

Corey Taylor

Godsmack

TEN BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Hearts Burst Into Fire

2. Tears Don't Fall

3. Knives

4. Your Betrayal

5. 4 Words (To Choke Upon)

6. Fever

7. No Way Out

8. Don't Need You

9. Ace Of Spades (Motorhead cover)

10. Temper, Temper

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-24-2024

SONG:  "I Won't Say I'm Sorry"

ARTIST:  Face To Face

ALBUM:  "Live In A Dive"

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Victorville, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1991 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"I Won't Say I'm Sorry" appears to be a song about not backing down or apologizing because you stand by every word you said. Relationships, eh? Even when you're right, you're wrong and so on. But, this time the vocalist is standing his ground because he believes he's 100% right. I chose a live version of "I Won't Say I'm Sorry" for my song of the week. If you want to check out the studio version, it's on Face To Face's 2016 album "Protection".

FACE TO FACE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Don't Turn Away (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1995 - Big Choice (A&M Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - Face To Face (A&M Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Live (Vagrant Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Ignorance Is Bliss (Beyond Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Standards & Practices (Vagrant Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Reactionary (Vagrant Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - How To Ruin Everything (Vagrant Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Laugh Now, Laugh Later (People Like You Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Three Chords And A Half Truth (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Protection (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Hold Fast, Acoustic Sessions (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live In A Dive (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Standards & Practices, Vol. II (Antagonist Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - No Way Out But Through (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON FACE TO FACE:

The origins of Face To Face actually began in 1987 but it wasn't until 1991 that the guys took the moniker Face To Face and geared their musical direction towards punk rock. This Victorville, California product's debut album would be 1992's "Don't Turn Away" which eventually got re-released through legendary punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords. As punk rock had a revival in the mid-90's, major labels were itching to get their hands on punk bands. Face To Face was no different as they signed a deal with A&M Records for the 1995 release "Big Choice" and the 1996 album "Face To Face". "Big Choice" featured the song "Disconnected" which was really the song that broke the band and generated buzz for them. In 1999, the band released "Ignorance Is Bliss". This album was a bit of a departure for the band musically. While some fans were turned off by the change in style, I think as the years passed, I know for me, I have much more respect for the album. In 2000, the band returned to it's punk rock roots with "Reactionary". This album starts off with a banger of a song, "Disappointed". 2002 saw the band release "How To Ruin Everything". Unfortunately, Face To Face announced they were breaking up in 2004. This seemed to come out of nowhere. Luckily, the hiatus was short lived and in 2008, the band got back together. In 2011, Face To Face returned with a monster album, "Laugh Now, Laugh Later". They followed that up with 2013's "Three Chords And A Half Truth". In 2016, the band returned to Fat Wreck Chords with the release "Protection". In 2018, Face To Face released an acoustic album called "Hold Fast" and their most recent release would be 2021'a "No Way Out But Through". Face To Face is an incredible band. They fall right in line with that 90's punk vibe. I got into these guys a little late actually. I knew of them throughout the 90's but I never quite went all in on them. A friend of mine used to always play their covers album, "Standards & Practices" and I thought it was cool, but I never really got into a band because of cover songs, well, besides Me First & The Gimme Gimmes that is. One day he played "Reactionary" when it first came out and I was blown away by the opening track "Disappointed". Since that day, I've been a huge fan. Face To Face is just a top notch band. Underrated as far as I'm concerned.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

No Use For A Name

Lagwagon

The Bouncing Souls

Good Riddance

Pulley

TEN FACE TO FACE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. It's Not All About You

2. Disappointed

3. The New Way

4. The Devil You Know (God Is A Man)

5. Bent But Not Broken

6. Disconnected

7. Right As Rain

8. No Way Out But Through

9. No Authority

10. I Won't Lie Down

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-17-2024

SONG:  "Please Nominate A Better Human"

ARTIST:  Kevin Seconds

ALBUM:  "Please Nominate A Better Human" single

YEAR:  2017

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Sacramento, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1978 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Please Nominate A Better Human" appears to be about voting for someone who has felt the struggle of life and found a way to dig themselves out through hard work and honesty instead of voting for privileged, rich people that are out of touch with the common man.

KEVIN SECONDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Rodney, Reggie, Emily (Cargo Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Stoudamire (Earth Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Heaven's Near Wherever You Are (Headhunter Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Rise Up! Insomniacs (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Good Luck Buttons (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Don't Let Me Lose Ya (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Off Stockton (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - New Years Rulin's (This Means Nothing Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound (Birthday Money Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON KEVIN SECONDS:

Kevin Seconds was born in Sacramento, California but he made his mark on the music world in Reno, Nevada when he helped form the legendary punk band 7 Seconds. 7 Seconds, along with bands like Minor Threat and Bad Brains, were at the forefront of the hardcore, straight-edge movement. During the 80's, 7 Seconds helped to root the seed for several punk bands to grow from. Lead vocalist Kevin Seconds began doing some solo projects as early as 1989. In 1994, Seconds released his first full length album, "Rodney, Reggie, Emily". He would follow that up with "Stoudamire" in 1997. After 2001's "Heaven's Near Wherever You Are", Kevin signed a deal with punk label Asian Man Records where he released his next three albums, 2008's "Rise Up! Insomniacs", 2010's "Good Luck Buttons" and 2012's "Don't Let Me Lose Ya". 2014 saw Seconds release "Off Stockton". Also in 2014, Seconds released an album inspired by Woody Guthrie's New Year's resolutions for 1943. Kevin's most recent full length album was released in 2016, titled "Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound". You gotta check out Kevin's bandcamp page. This dude puts out stand alone songs constantly and has been doing so for years. It's a good mix of acoustic, folksy stuff and some stuff that's a throwback to his 7 Seconds days. Kevin Seconds is really a legend in punk rock circles. 7 Seconds is definitely one of the most influential bands to come out of the hardcore punk scene. But even with 7 Seconds, Kevin didn't like to be put in a box. They altered their style throughout the years before leaning back on their punk roots with their most recent releases. Kevin's solo stuff started out as mostly acoustic stuff. Definitely a more Americana vibe but as I said earlier, some of his stand alone singles that he's been putting out could easily fit on a 7 Seconds album. When I first got into punk rock music, it was more from 90's skate punk. So when I started working my way back to 80's punk, it was bands like Bad Religion, Social Distortion and 7 Seconds that I really loved. 7 Seconds could go hard, but they always seemed to have a good melody, much like some of those 90's skate punk bands. Kevin Seconds is the man and I'm glad he keeps putting out music. I guess 7 Seconds broke up in 2018 but they did get back together in 2022 to do a tour with the Circle Jerks so who knows. Maybe they have something in the oven too!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Brendan Kelly

Joe McMahon

Dan Andriano

The Riot Before

North Lincoln

TEN KEVIN SECONDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Rise Up! Insomniacs

2. My Recollection

3. Cellphones & Guitars

4. The Elements And You

5. Random Harm

6. You Ain't Talking To No One

7. Weather Everything

8. I, Pedestrian

9. A Random Thought

10. Wash Teeth If Any

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-10-2024

SONG:  "Fan Fiction"

ARTIST:  Lagwagon

ALBUM:  "Railer"

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Goleta, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1990 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Lagwagon lead vocalist Joey Cape explained what "Fan Fiction" is about. Here's his own words. "The song is about any band’s or artist’s triumphant return after being inactive for a period of time. When they return to tour, fans often speak of their early career with great exaggeration and sometimes pretend to have loved the band always. When, in fact, they just recently discovered the band and grew to appreciate the music in the interim between the active days and the present reunion. Followers fan the fire of a reunion. I used a space and star analogy for this one. Space statistics are mysterious and entrancing. The analogy and imagery are fun."

LAGWAGON DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Duh (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1994 - Trashed (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1995 - Hoss (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Double Plaidinum (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Let's Talk About Feelings (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Let's Talk About Leftovers (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - Blaze (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Live In A Dive (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Resolve (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Hang (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Railer (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LAGWAGON:

Lagwagon formed as a band back in 1990, hailing from Goleta, California. Named after their often broken down touring van, Lagwagon signed with their good friend Fat Mike and Fat Wreck Chords right out the jump and have remained with that label throughout their career despite having interest from major labels in the mid 90's. The band's debut album was 1992's "Duh", recorded in just 4 days. They followed that up in 1994 with "Trashed", which featured the song "Island Of Shame" which generated lots of buzz for Lagwagon. 1995 saw the release of "Hoss". Classic skate punk album. '97 saw the release of "Double Plaidinum". In 1998, Lagwagon dropped "Let's Talk About Feelings" which features one of their best known tracks, "May 16". 2000 saw the band release the rarities and b-sides compilation "Let's Talk About Leftovers". The band went on a short hiatus after this release with all the members beginning to focus on various side projects but they soon got back together in 2003 for the release of "Blaze". 2005 proved to be a busy year for Lagwagon, dropping their very first live record, "Live In A Dive" and a new studio album, "Resolve", which was dedicated to original Lagwagon drummer Derrick Plourde who had passed away. It was a 9 year span between that album and their next, 2014's "Hang", the longest such span of their career. The band's most recent release was 2019's "Railer". Lagwagon is at the top of the heap when it comes to skate punk bands. They are so well respected and highly influential in punk rock circles. Joey Cape is such a top notch lyricist and vocalist. A friend of mine turned me on to Lagwagon in the 90's. He used to always play "Let's Talk About Feelings" and from the first notes of "After You My Friend", I was hooked! I was always more of a No Use guy, but let's cut through the chase here, Lagwagon is an awesome band. I actually really love their "Blaze" album. That's probably my favorite from these guys but their whole catalogue is superb. The releases have been a little sporadic over that last 10 years though. The boys need to pick up the pace on that! They still tour rather frequently however. Top band!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

No Use For A Name

Good Riddance

Pulley

Strung Out

Millencolin

TEN LAGWAGON SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Never Stops

2. After You My Friend

3. Violins

4. Failure

5. A Feedbag Of Truckstop Poetry

6. Made Of Broken Parts

7. Island Of Shame

8. Heartbreaking Music

9. Stealing Light

10. Angry Days

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-3-2024

SONG:  "John The Baptist Blues"

ARTIST:  Local H

ALBUM:  "Live In Europe"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Zion, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I'm not the most religious guy, but "John The Baptist Blues" appears to be a song about how John The Baptist of The Bible was beheaded just before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and also how the crowd chose a prisoner called Barabbas to be pardoned over Jesus. I chose a live version for my song of the week. You can find the original studio version on Local H's 2015 album "Hey, Killer". 

LOCAL H DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Ham Fisted (Island Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - As Good As Dead (Island Records)

* peaked at #147 on the Billboard 200

1998 - Pack Up The Cats (Island Records)

* peaked at #140 on the Billboard 200

2002 = Here Comes The Zoo (Palm Pictures Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles (Studio E Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Alive '05 (Cleopatra Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Twelve Angry Months (Shout! Factory Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Hallelujah! I'm A Bum (Slimstyle Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Hey, Killer (G&P Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Live In Europe (G&P Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Lifers (AntiFragile Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LOCAL H:

Local H formed as a band back in 1987. Originally, the band was a 3-piece, drums, guitar and bass but when the bassist left the band, guitarist/vocalist Scott Lucas and drummer Joe Daniels decided to move forward as a 2 man band. The band's first official release was an EP in 1991 titled "Drum". As grunge and alternative rock began gripping the nation, Local H wound up signing a contract with major label Island Records and released their debut full length, "Ham Fisted", in 1995. It was their next album, 1996's "As Good As Dead" that really put Local H on the map. Thanks in part to the singles "Bound For The Floor", "Eddie Vedder" and "Fritz's Corner", Local H started to gain a bigger fanbase. 1998's "Pack Up The Cats" would be Local H's highest charting album, peaking at #140 on the Billboard 200. After this album, original drummer Joe Daniel departed the band and was replaced by Brian St. Claire. He would perform as the drummer on Local H's next four albums, 2002's "Here Comes The Zoo", 2004's "Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles", 2008's "Twelve Angry Months" and 2012's "Hallelujah! I'm A Bum". St. Claire would be replaced by Ryan Harding for the band's next releases, 2015's "Hey, Killer" and 2020's "Lifers". Local H's most recent release would be "Local H's Awesome Quarantine Mix Tape #3" in 2021. Local H was the original most famous 2 man band! That is before The White Stripes came around. As I said earlier, Local H caught the wave of the grunge/alternative rock movement that was so prominent in the 90's. The band's style, especially early on was very reminiscent of Nirvana. Local H is probably most well known for their live shows and the fun things they do at times to incorporate the crowd, like passing out lists that the fans can fill out to create set lists or doing full on cover shows on Halloween of bands like Nirvana and Kiss and more. They are a really fun band. I'll always remember seeing these guys perform a show with Silverchair and Handsome in Boston. Great times! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Sponge

Everclear

Candlebox

Stone Temple Pilots

Bush

TEN LOCAL H SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Fritz's Corner

2. All Right (Oh, Yeah)

3. California Songs

4. Cynic

5. Half Life

6. Cold Manor

7. Mansplainer

8. Patrick Bateman

9. Time (Pink Floyd cover)

10. 24 Hour Break-Up Session