Song Of The Week: 7/19/15

Song: "Before Dust"

Artist: Chuck Ragan

Album: "Kindred Spirit" (split EP w/ Rocky Votolato)

Year: 2015

Place Of Origin: Gainesville, Florida

Years Active: 1993-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

It's a bit difficult for me to describe what I think "Before Dust" is about because I can't find the lyrics to the song anywhere on the net. After listening several times, I can pick up a few things. "Before Dust" could be a Biblical reference referring to a time before God created the Earth. Possibly, it could be a reference to life in the Great Plains before the devastating dust storms basically gutted people's crops and destroyed their livelihood between the years 1932 and 1939. Perhaps if I ever stumble across the official lyrics to "Before Dust" I will come back and edit this post with a better idea of what the song may be about.

CHUCK RAGAN'S DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2007 - "Feast Or Famine" (SideOneDummy Records)
2007 - "Loz Feliz" (SideOneDummy Records)
2007 - "The Blueprint Sessions" (No Idea Records)
2008 - "Bristle Ridge" w/ Austin Lucas (Hometown Caravan Records)
2009 - "Gold Country" (SideOneDummy Records)
2011 - "Covering Ground" (SideOneDummy Records)
2014 - "Till Midnight" (SideOneDummy Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF CHUCK RAGAN:

Chuck Ragan is probably most known for being one of the frontmen and guitarists for punk rock stalwarts Hot Water Music. Since 1993, Hot Water Music has released 7 full length albums as well as a slew of EP's, splits, live albums and appearances on compilations. In 1998, Ragan got his first taste of playing acoustic, rootsy songs when he and Chris Wollard of Hot Water Music created the side project Rumbleseat, who released one full length album. That project would plant the seeds for what was to become of Ragan's solo career. In 2005, Hot Water Music decided to go on a hiatus giving Ragan a chance to focus on his solo career. From 2007 to the present, Ragan proved to be a tireless worker and performer releasing full lengths, splits, singles and collaborations all while releasing yet another Hot Water Music album, 2012's "Exister", and doing Hot Water tours as well as solo tours. In 2008, in fact, Ragan created The Revival Tour, a tour that goes off almost yearly and features a who's who in the world of punk rock artists who perform stripped down acoustic sets. Those who have been featured on the tours are Ragan, Tim Barry (Avail), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), Kevin Seconds (7 Seconds), Frank Turner, Chris McCaughan (The Lawrence Arms), Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) and Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio). Ragan's most recent effort was 2014's "Till Midnight". This album still featured Ragan and his acoustic but also more of a full band vibe, complete with shuffle drums, slide electric guitar and stand up bass. His most recent release was 2015's split EP with Lucero's Rocky Votolato called "Kindred Spirit". Chuck Ragan, along with Avail's Tim Barry, is one of the first punk rockers to go the Americana, roots and folk route with his music. Now, there are a slew of punk frontmen who have branched off to do acoustic stuff from No Use For A Name's Tony Sly, to Lagwagon's Joey Cape, to The Briggs' Joey Briggs to Chris Creswell of The Flatliners. Punkers going acoustic seems to be all the rage all of a sudden. But it all started with Chuck Ragan and nobody does it better than him. His personal heartfelt lyrics and passionate, scruffy vocal delivery are a perfect marriage over acoustic guitars.

TEN CHUCK RAGAN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Meet You In The Middle (featuring Brian Fallon)
2. Ole Diesel
3. The Flame In The Flood
4. For Broken Ears
5. Something May Catch Fire
6. Pretty Good Year (The Loved Ones cover)
7. Bedroll Lullaby
8. Let It Rain
9. For Goodness Sake
10. Wash My Feet In The Waves

Song Of The Week: 7/12/15

Song: "Taken By The Dark"

Artist: Hawthorne Heights

Album: "Zero"

Year: 2013

Place Of Origin: Dayton, Ohio

Years Active: 2001-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Taken By The Dark" seems to be about an inner struggle with the vocalist between following a path which is unknown or not to. Leaving everything you know behind and starting over is a difficult and major decision. It's basically saying that everything in your life up to that point may have been a lie. It's a sobering thought, one that has affected the vocalist's mental stability. But, sometimes to find the light at the end of the tunnel, you have to travel through the dark in order to find it.

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS' DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - "The Silence In Black And White" (Victory Records)
2006 - "If Only You Were Lonely" (Victory Records)
2008 - "Fragile Future" (Victory Records)
2010 - "Skeletons" (Wind-Up Records)
2013 - "Zero" (Red Entertainment Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS:

Hawthorne Heights formed as a band back in 2001. Originally called A Day In The Life, the band put out 1 full length album and 1 EP under that moniker before changing their name to Hawthorne Heights. The band's debut album, 2004's "The Silence In Black And White" has achieved platinum status thanks in part to the hit singles "Ohio Is For Lovers" and "Niki FM". Their second album, 2006's "If Only You Were Lonely", was their highest charting album, reaching #3 on the Billboard 200 charts. That time period was the band's most successful as their next 3 albums as well as a few EP's failed to attain as much success as their first two albums. Tragedy befell the band in 2007 as rhythm guitarist and original member Casey Calvert passed away on the band's tour bus. The band would write tribute songs on behalf of their fallen friend such as "Four Become One" and "Bring You Back". Hawthorne Heights' sound is a contrast of styles all lumped into one. Sometimes they are post-hardcore, sometimes they are power pop, sometimes they are emo and sometimes they are just alternate rock. Their sound is similar to bands such as Armor For Sleep, Senses Fail and Taking Back Sunday, although Hawthorne Heights is a little darker than Taking Back Sunday. By 2015, the only original members remaining in the band are vocalist/guitarist JT Woodruff and bassist Matt Ridenour. Original drummer Eron Bucciarelli left the band in 2014 and original lead guitarist Micah Carli left in 2015. Despite the loss of those two members, Woodruff has stated as recently as February of 2015 that the band are in the process of recording new material for a future release.

TEN HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. New Winter
2. Nervous Breakdown
3. Bring You Back
4. Is This What You Wanted
5. Golden Parachutes
6. Ohio Is For Lovers
7. Niki FM
8. Rescue Me
9. Taken By The Dark
10. Saying Sorry

Song Of The Week: 7/5/15

Song: "Disappear"

Artist: The Ducky Boys

Album: "Dead End Streets"

Year: 2013

Place Of Origin: Boston, Massachusetts

Years Active: 1995-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Disappear" appears to be a break-up song. The vocalist kind of sees this relationship as doomed from the start. They both are from seemingly two different worlds and perhaps he feels she should have not had interest in him right from the start but that's how love works sometimes. I get a sense that there are still feelings for each other underneath but instead of working out their differences, you get a sense that the vocalist thinks she will be better off without him and it's best for her to just erase all of her memories of their time spent together.

THE DUCKY BOYS' DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - "No Getting Out" (GMM Records)
1998 - "Dark Days" (GMM Records)
2004 - "Three Chords And The Truth" (Thorp Records)
2006 - "The War Back Home" (Sailor's Grave Records)
2012 - "Chasing The Ghost" (State Line Records)
2013 - "Dead End Streets" (State Line Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF THE DUCKY BOYS:

The Ducky Boys formed as a band back in 1995, featuring Mark Lind on vocals/bass guitar, Mike Mardsen on vocals/guitar, Mike O'Leary on guitar and Jason Messina on drums. With a sound strongly rooted in Boston street punk, locally The Ducky Boys garnered a strong underground following. Following the release of their second album "Dark Days" in 1998, the band basically broke up. Mark Lind, the band's main songwriter and vocalist, would join a few local side projects, most notably Saints And Sinners and Dirty Water, both of which gained a moderate following in the Boston area. In 2004, Lind, Messina and newly recruited guitarist Douglas Sullivan would reform The Ducky Boys as a trio. The band's next two releases, 2004's "Three Chords And The Truth" and 2006's "The War Back Home", started giving The Ducky Boys some national recognition in punk circles. By 2013's "Dead End Streets", the band went back to a four piece with the addition of guitarist Rich Crimlisk. Currently, The Ducky Boys seem to be operating on a part-time basis. Though all the members have said that the band is still very much together, there hasn't been much action in their camp since their 2013 release "Dead End Streets". In 2014, the band did get together to perform a benefit concert with the Street Dogs and Avoid One Thing to raise money for 2 firefighters who were killed in duty. Lind, Crimlisk and Messina have formed a new band called The Warning Shots, which has a more aggressive edge than The Ducky Boys sound. Along with bands like Street Dogs and Dropkick Murphys, when you think Boston punk, you have to throw The Ducky Boys in there as well. Though their music is rooted in that Boston street punk style, over the years you could hear the influence of rock and roll in their music as well, much like a band like Social Distortion incorporates old rock-a-billy and even blues inspired classic rock like The Rolling Stones. Mark Lind is a busy man, juggling The Ducky Boys with his solo material, as well as his other side projects, Saints And Sinners, Dirty Water and most recently, The Warning Shots. Make no mistake, however, The Ducky Boys are his main project and hopefully, the band will release new material soon.

TEN DUCKY BOYS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Tortured Soul
2. Enough Of My Time
3. Disappear
4. I'll Rise Up
5. Scars
6. Boston, USA
7. The Middle Children Of History
8. I Guess I'm Broken
9. Untitled
10. A Pretty Bad Year

Song Of The Week: 6/28/15

Song: "Pantomime"

Artist: Incubus

Album: "HQ Live"

Year: 2012

Place Of Origin: Calabasas, California

Years Active: 1991-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Pantomime" appears to be a song about actions being louder than words. The vocalist is saying that feelings and touch sometimes say more than anything that is spoken. Expressing yourself, especially through a loving touch or showing emotions and feelings without speaking a word to each other is somewhat an even more powerful experience between two people, especially two people who are connected emotionally, physically, spiritually and even sexually. Silence is beautiful when your actions speak louder than your words! The original studio version of "Pantomime" appears on the 2004 "Alive At Red Rocks" DVD. The track appeared on a bonus disc that came with the DVD.

INCUBUS' DICOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - "Fungus Amongus" (Stopuglynailfungus Music)
1997 - "S.C.I.E.N.C.E." (Epic/Immortal Records)
1999 - "Make Yourself" (Epic/Immortal Records)
2001 - "Morning View" (Epic/Immortal Records)
2004 - "A Crow Left Of The Murder" (Epic/Immortal Records)
2006 - "Light Grenades" (Epic/Immortal Records)
2011 - "If Not Now, When" (Epic/Immortal Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF INCUBUS:

Incubus formed as a band back in 1991 when all the members were still in high school. Their early years and first two albums featured a style that was kind of a mix between hip hop, rock music and groove orientated riffs. Almost like a mash up of Red Hot Chilli Pepper and maybe a 311 type band. 1999 saw a shift in style and sound to a more melodic, alternative rock format while still maintaining some of their groove. This stylistic change proved to be the right way to go for Incubus as 1999's "Make Yourself", 2001's "Morning View" and 2004's "A Crow Left Of The Murder" went double platinum, double platinum and platinum respectively. The past ten years have been a little more on the quiet side for Incubus as they have only released two albums in that time, 2006's "Light Grenades" and 2011's "If Not Now, When". Along with their 7 full length studio releases, Incubus has also released several live albums, EP's, video albums and a few greatest hits compilations. Currently, the band has just released an EP called "Trust Fall (Side A)" in 2015 and they plan to release "Trust Fall (Side B)" this year as well. They are touring the U.S. this summer in support of these two EP's. Incubus has sold more than 13 million albums worldwide, making them one of the more successful melodic, alternative rock acts in the music world. They perfected their style on their 1999 breakthrough "Make Yourself" and really, have a definitive sound that is all their own. While they have moments of a heavier sound, as shown on their single "Megalomaniac", they are more known for their groove.

TEN INCUBUS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Talk Shows On Mutw
2. Nice To Know You
3. Megalomaniac
4. Anna Molly
5. Wish You Were Here
6. Love Hurts
7. Adolescents
8. Drive
9. Make A Move
10. Pardon Me

Song Of The Week: 6/21/15

Song: "82"

Artist: Stone Sour

Album: "House Of Gold & Bones - Part 2"

Year: 2013

Place Of Origin: Des Moines, Iowa

Years Active: 1992-1997, 2000-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

To understand what this song is about is to know that "House Of Gold & Bones" parts 1 and 2 are concept albums. "82" is sort of like the catalyst to the whole story. It's the main character, "The Human", looking back to his childhood and remembering his stepfather that was hateful and abusive to him. He sees that year, 1982, as the year when he lost his innocence as a young boy. He vowed to run away from that person and that pain and make sure he would never be like his stepfather. Looking back on his life now, however, he finds that he's just like his stepfather. It's quite a sobering and startling moment for the man but it is also a reminder that he can change who he is and he must change who he is because he doesn't want to be full of hate and be abusive to others. He wants to be a better person. "House Of Gold & Bones" parts 1 and 2 is basically the story of this man and his journey to evolve as a better human being.

STONE SOUR'S DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - "Stone Sour" (Roadrunner Records)
2006 - "Come What(ever) May" (Roadrunner Records)
2010 - "Audio Secrecy" (Roadrunner Records)
2012 - "House Of Gold & Bones - Part 1" (Roadrunner Records)
2013 - "House Of Gold & Bones - Part 2" (Roadrunner Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF STONE SOUR:

Stone Sour's origins go back to 1992, when vocalist Corey Taylor and drummer Joel Ekman formed the band. The band recorded several demos together, some of those tracks would later appear on the band's debut album "Stone Sour" in 2002. In 1995, however, Taylor became the lead vocalist for nu metal band Slipknot and Stone Sour was eventually put on the back burner. In 1997, Stone Sour basically disbanded as the prime focus shifted on Slipknot and the success that band was having. In 2000, Taylor enlisted guitarist Josh Rand and decided to re-form Stone Sour. While Slipknot is the more aggressive, more metal outfit, Stone Sour is more of an alternative metal/hard rock band, along the lines of bands such as Staind or Taproot with hints of metal/grunge icons Alice In Chains. Since the early 2000's, Stone Sour has become one of the more successful hard rock/metal outfits on the music scene. 4 of their 5 full length albums have reached the top 10 on rock music charts and they have been nominated for three Grammy Awards. Currently, Stone Sour has released "Meanwhile In Burbank" in 2015. This EP is the first in what will be three EP's to be released known as "The Burbank Trilogy". The other two EP's set for future release will be called "Straight Outta Burbank" and "No Sleep Till Burbank" respectively. All three EP's feature cover songs of bands that Stone Sour like and are influenced by.

TEN STONE SOUR SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Gone Sovereign
2. Through Glass
3. Say You'll Haunt Me
4. Tired
5. Absolute Zero
6. Get Inside
7. Bother
8. 30/30-150
9. Do Me A Favor
10. Inhale

Song Of The Week: 6/14/15

Song: "A Part Of Everyone's Disease"

Artist: Sic Waiting

Album: "Anchors Astray"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Oceanside, California

Years Active: 2005-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"A Part Of Everyone's Disease" appears to be almost like an anthem for slackers. It's an ever-growing group of people, the un-enthused, the non ambitious, the "it's better to just sleep than to get things done" people. To me, the vocalist almost has a "if you can't beat them, join them" attitude and by the end of the song, he seems to be falling in line with the slackers. He became a part of the "disease" if you will. Definitely seems like a lack of ambition or a lack of energy song.

SIC WAITING'S DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - "Your Name In Lights" (self released by band)
2010 - "Anchors Astray" (self released by band)

CURRENT STATUS OF SIC WAITING:

Hailing from Southern California, it wasn't a far stretch that the guys in Sic Waiting would be influenced by several of the 90's skate punk bands from neighboring cities, bands like Pulley, Strung Out, No Use For A Name, Lagwagon and Bad Religion. Those influences definitely helped Sic Waiting hone their style of punk rock, while incorporating some of their own style as well. Along with two self released full length albums, Sic Waiting also released two EP's, 2013's "Vices" and 2015's "Highway Miles", the latter which was only sold at the band's live shows. Since 2012, Sic Waiting has been signed to Dang! Records. Lead vocalist, guitarist and chief songwriter Jared Stinson also does a solo acoustic project under the title Dead Frets when he isn't working on new music or touring with Sic Waiting. This is a throwback skate punk band. If you are into that 90's style, Fat Wreck, skate punk bands, then you should definitely give Sic Waiting a listen. Solid band, you will not be disappointed!

TEN SIC WAITING SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. This Town Is Burning
2. The Salesman
3. Long Island Sound
4. The Price Of A Good Night's Sleep
5. A Part Of Everyone's Disease
6. Last Line Of Defense
7. Lines In The Road
8. Active Alumni
9. Victims
10. It's Not Rocket Science

Song Of The Week: 6/7/15

Song: "Savagely Attack"

Artist: 7L & Esoteric (featuring Inspectah Deck & Ghostface Killah)

Album: "Czarface"

Year: 2013

Place Of Origin: Boston, Massachusetts

Years Active: 1996-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

To know what "Savagely Attack" is about is to know what the album "Czarface" is about. It has a Marvel Comics/superheroes theme about it. All three verses are sort of an ode to the "golden age" of hip hop when it was more about your lyrical skill to kill other emcee's on wax than about your gold, your cars or your money. It's refreshing to hear hip hop like this nowadays. This is how it sounded when it was raw and really from the streets and lyricism was an artform that earned you your respect in hip hop circles. Respect wasn't earned by how much money you had in your pocket or how many albums you sold. It was earned by how good your flow was.

7L & ESOTERIC'S DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2001 - "The Soul Purpose" (Landspeed Records)
2002 - "Dangerous Connection" (Brick Records)
2004 - "DC2: Bars Of Death" (Babygrande Records)
2006 - "A New Dope" (Babygrande Records)
2006 - "Dope Not Hype" (mixtape)
2010 - "1212" (Fly Casual Creative Records)
2013 - "Czarface" (Brick Records)
2015 - "Every Hero Needs A Villain" (Brick Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF 7L & ESOTERIC:

7L (the DJ) and Esoteric (the rapper) first met each other back in 1996 as they both worked at a college radio station in Boston, Massachusetts. They gained a reputation in the underground hip hop scene in the Boston and Cambridge area and eventually began putting out albums. They are both influenced by their love of comic books of superheroes and villains as well as their love for the "golden age" of hip hop and their style really represents those two interests. Both 7L and Esoteric are also members of underground hip hop groups Demigodz and Army Of The Pharoahs. The group also formed a musical relationship with legendary Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck, a relationship which dates back to 1999 when he appeared on 7L & Esoteric's EP "Speaking Real Words". In fact, Deck is a featured artist on their 2013 album "Czarface" and the trio are currently gearing up to release their next collaborative effort, "Every Hero Needs A Villain" in the summer of 2015. If you are a fan of old school Wu-Tang Clan or other "golden age of hip hop" artists such as EPMD, Kool G. Rap or Gang Starr then you should check out the work of 7L & Esoteric. It's clear that they respect the game and are true hip hop artists, not anything like the crap that's on the radio today masking itself as rap or hip hop.

TEN 7L & ESOTERIC SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. 12th Chamber (feat. Inspectah Deck)
2. Speaking Real Words (feat. Inspectah Deck)
3. Rise Of The Rebel
4. Call Me E.S.
5. Savagely Attack (feat. Inspectah Deck & Ghostface Killah)
6. Deadly Class
7. Be Alert
8. Secret Wars
9. Graphic Violence
10. Mic Mastery