SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/28/22

SONG:  "I'll Be There"

ARTIST:  A Change Of Pace

ALBUM:  "It Could Be Worse"

YEAR:  2011

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Peoria, Arizona

YEARS ACTIVE:  2001 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"I'll Be There" appears to be a song about proving to someone that you will always be there for them. The vocalist explains all of the terrible things that happened in this girl's life, losing her Dad, finding out that her friends really weren't real friends. Never finding a boy that would make her feel a true commitment. But, the vocalist is adament and true that despite all this that has left her, he will always be there for her.

A CHANGE OF PACE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - An Offer You Can't Refuse (Immortal Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2006 - Prepare The Masses (Immortal Records)

* peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200 on 8-26-06

2011 - It Could Be Worse (A Change Of Pace Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON A CHANGE OF PACE:

A Change Of Pace formed as a band back in 2001, hailing from Peoria, Arizona. The members were still in high school when the band formed. Their first release as a band was in 2003 when they dropped the EP, "Change Is The Only Constant". Their debut full length album came out in 2005, titled "An Offer You Can't Refuse". The band dropped their most successful album in 2006, "Prepare The Masses", which peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200 charts. In 2008, original lead singer, Torry Jasper, parted ways with the band and longtime friend Micah Bentley filled in on vocals for the band's next two releases, including their last full length release to date, 2011's "It Could Be Worse". The band would shortly call it quits in 2011 after releasing this album but they decided to reunite with original vocalist Torry Jasper and play some dates and possibly release a new album, which never came to fruition. In 2016, the band played some shows to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of "Prepare The Masses" and then decided to call it quits once again. In 2019 however, the band reunited to headline "Pop Punk Night" at The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona. These guys have played a show as recently as June of 2022 so they are still together though there has been no new material released since 2013, and that was a B-Sides compilation. A Change Of Pace kinda is two different bands under the same name. At their core they are a pop punk band but the Torry Jasper years featured more screaming and clean vocals where the Micah Bentley years was pretty much all clean vocals and definitely a little poppier as well. I know for sure the first song I heard from A Change Of Pace was "Loose Lips Sink Ships". This was around the time where I really started to get into bands like Taking Back Sunday and I went on a pop punk excursion for a few years. I do prefer the Torry Jasper years over the Micah Bentley years as they had a little more grit. All in all though, pretty good pop punk band here.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Halifax

The Starting Line

Armor For Sleep

Senses Fail

A Static Lullaby

TEN A CHANGE OF PACE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Weekend Warriors

2. Loose Lips Sink Ships

3. Bullets Over Broadway

4. She Believed (Never In Herself) (acoustic version)

5. Take Care

6. Every Second

7. The First Time We Ever Met

8. In This Together

9. I Wanna Know

10. Shoot From The Hip

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/21/22

SONG:  "...Less"

ARTIST:  1000 Degrees

ALBUM:  "A Little Beat Faster"  EP

YEAR:  2009

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Genoa, Italy

YEARS ACTIVE:  2009 - present ??

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Man.. I've been picking some rare tracks for my song of the week lately. I can't find the lyrics to "...Less" anywhere on the net. These guys are from Italy, so even though they sing in English, it's sometimes hard to decipher the lyrics. I get a few here and there. Doesn't help that I'm almost deaf too!! If I come across the lyrics to this song, I'll be sure to update this post. As of now, I have no idea what "...Less" is about.

1000 DEGREES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2011 - Has Already Past (IndieBox Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Back To A New Way (IndieBox Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON 1000 DEGREES:

1000 Degrees formed as a band sometime around 2009, hailing from Italy. Their first release was an EP called "A Little Beat Faster" in 2009. They dropped their debut full length album in 2011, titled "Has Already Past". The band released a video for "Shelter", as you can obviously see above as it's my song of the week! In 2014, the band released their sophomore effort, "Back To A New Way". This release was the band's most recent. 1000 Degrees can be at times melodic, almost pop punk and at other times be very technical, along the lines of A Wilhelm Scream or Propagandhi. They manage to mesh those styles very well to form their sound. I first caught wind of this band from reading about them on dyingscene.com. I believe the first song I heard from them was "Jack Elmackson". They really haven't been that active since 2015. They have posted a few things on their Facebook page as recently as 2019, but it is mostly of old live footage and what not. I'm not sure if they have disbanded or not and being that they are from Italy, there isn't a boatload of information about them. If you dig that technical punk style, these guys are a nice hidden gem you should check out.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Laughing In The Face Of

DC Fallout

Never Hit Again

Asado

Curbside

TEN 1000 DEGREES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Shelter

2. Sayonara

3. Jack Elmackson

4. Orso Grigen

5. Downhill

6. Astronaut

7. Hoping For Better Times

8. Orango Train

9. Great Expectations

10. My Girlfriend Is So Hot

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/14/22

SONG:  "Skeleton Key"

ARTIST:  Subwaste

ALBUM:  "Allies" split EP w/ Stabbed In Back

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Orebro, Sweden

YEARS ACTIVE:  2006 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

According to Subwaste's lead singer, Tobbe Pettersson, "Skeleton Key" is a song about being locked out of life and looking for a skeleton key, feelings plenty of people have these days but can't always articulate.

SUBWASTE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2012 - Broken Machine (Warbird Entertainment)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Enemy Within (Subwaste Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SUBWASTE:

Subwaste is a Swedish punk band that formed back in 2006. Their very first release was an EP called "Straight Out Of The Underground" which came out in 2007. After some splits and compilation appearances, the band emerged with their debut full length studio album in 2012, "Broken Machine". It would be six years before Subwaste released their sophomore full length, but finally in 2018, "Enemy Within" was released through their own label. Heavily influenced by the punk rock movement in 1977, as well as the street punk scene happening in America, Subwaste mixed a little of both of those styles to come up with their own. The first song I heard by Subwaste was "Warehouse" from their "Broken Machine" album back in 2012. I'm not quite sure where I found out about this band, if it was from a friend or a website or from a little birdy in the sky! Being from Boston and the fact we love our street punk here, perhaps I saw them open for someone, Street Dogs or Far From Finished? Who knows. Pretty solid band for sure.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Burning Streets

Far From Finished

Heartbreak Stereo

Born To Lose

Saturday's Heroes

TEN SUBWASTE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Warehouse

2. Lifetime

3. One Man Fight

4. It's Alright

5. Tight Rope

6. Skeleton Key

7. State Of Hate

8. Alcoholic Demon

9. One Thing

10. Telling Myself

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/7/22

SONG:  "Those With No Fortune"

ARTIST:  Burning Fiction

ALBUM:  "The Story Will Continue..." EP

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Perth, Australia

YEARS ACTIVE:  2005 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I hate it when I can't find the lyrics to a song anywhere on the net!! In a rush to do this blog this week, I just didn't have the time to really dissect the video and try to figure out the lyrics. I'm a lazy ass.. I know!! Maybe, when I get more time, I'll come back and edit this week's song of the week. "Those With No Fortune" is a pretty killer track, I can tell you that!

BURNING FICTION DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2009 - Don't Lose Touch (Pee Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Contrasts (Pee Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON BURNING FICTION:

Burning Fiction formed as a band back in 2005 in the land down under! The bands first release was a 6 song EP through Hence Records called "Material". From there the band inked a deal with Pee Records where they reside to this day. Their debut full length album came out in 2009, titled "Don't Lose Touch". Their most recent full length release would be 2016's "Contrasts". The band also has a few EP's under it's belt as well as a few splits with other bands. The last music they put out was 2021's "Burning Fiction" EP. These Australians play a melodic punk style that draws heavy influence from the Southern California scene of the mid 90's and beyond. They also dabble in some technical aspects that give you a Propagandhi vibe at times. Being that they are from Australia, there isn't a whole hell of a lot of info on them out there here in the States. From their Facebook page, they do seem like they are super active, playing live and releasing songs here and there. I'm probably 99% positive I discovered this band through DyingScene.com. What a great blog site for all things punk. They've turned me on to many a punk band over the years, Burning Fiction included. Now with covid kinda on the back burner here, hopefully these guys can get some dates here in the States. I'd love to check them out live. Promising band. Albeit one that's been around over 15 years!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Protagonist

From Plan To Progress

X-State Ride

Never Hit Again

Doesitmatter

TEN BURNING FICTION SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Last To Leave

2. Mr. Frothington

3. Served So Well

4. Geneva Woods

5. Ode

6. Closer

7. Trainwreck

8. My Delirium (Ladyhawke cover)

9. Leg It

10. Drifting In & Out

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7/31/22

SONG:  "Restless"

ARTIST:  Rumbleseat

ALBUM:  "... Is Dead"

YEAR:  2005

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Gainesville, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - 1999

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Restless" appears to be a song about being broken by someone. The vocalist doesn't want to give up but this person knows exactly what to do to keep him down. In his quest for happiness, he just keeps coming up roadblocks. He remains in this fight though.

RUMBLESEAT DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - ... Is Dead (No Idea Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON RUMBLESEAT:

Rumbleseat was a short-lived side project for Hot Water Music members Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard, as well as Samantha Jones. The band put out four 7" singles which were later put on the compilation album "... Is Dead". This album also features some rare tracks as well. Even though the band was long broken up, "... Is Dead" didn't see the light of day until 2005. Perhaps this acoustic side project was the impetus for Chuck Ragan to eventually embark on an acoustic solo career and create the Revival Tours which featured several punk rock frontmen ditching the electric guitars for acoustics. Though Ragan continues to do some solo stuff, and Wollard also did some side work with his band The Ship Thieves. Both guys still find time to work with their main gig, Hot Water Music. I was a fan of Hot Water Music since the 90's so I pretty much heard of Rumbleseat right when they came out. The band is a bit of a rarity so if you are a fan of Ragan's solo work, you should definitely give Rumbleseat a listen.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Chuck Ragan

Drag The River

The Riot Before

Brendan Kelly

Dan Andriano

TEN RUMBLESEAT SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Restless

2. California Burritos

3. Walk Through The Darkness

4. Trestles

5. Jackson

6. Moonshiner

7. Cursing Concrete

8. Chattanooga Bend

9. Saturn In Crosshairs

10. Rye Whiskey 

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7/24/22

SONG:  "The Last Testament"

ARTIST:  The Arrivals

ALBUM:  "Volatile Molotov"

YEAR:  2010

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Blue Island, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Last Testament" appears to be a song about living life in the moment because life is short. You can plot and plan out your life to cross every "t" and dot every "i", but life keeps moving and life is spontaneous. I think the vocalist is kinda saying to stop and take a breath and take in the moment because in a blink of an eye, it's over. Don't let life pass you by.

THE ARRIVALS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2000 - Goodbye New World (Thick Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - Exsenator Orange (Thick Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Marvels Of Industry (Recess Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Volatile Molotov (Recess Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE ARRIVALS:

The Arrivals formed as a band back in 1996, hailing from just outside of Chicago, Illinois. They were part of a pretty big punk rock scene going on in Chicago that featured some legends in the genre such as Alkaline Trio and The Lawrence Arms and a little later on Rise Against. Their very first release was a split single with The Tossers. Their debut full length album was released in 2000, called "Goodbye New World". They followed that up in 2003 with the release of Exsenator Orange. After fullfilling their deal with Thick Records, The Arrivals signed a deal with Recess Records for their next two albums, 2007's "Marvels Of Industry" and 2010's "Volatile Molotov". The band's most recent release was a split with the band The Arteries in 2011. Though they haven't released any new music in ten years, The Arrivals are very much still together and still perform live shows often, especially in the Chicago area. Some people have said that their sound is like if Mission Of Burma was trying to write Kinks songs! I always kinda felt they had a Hot Water Music vibe to their sound. The first song I ever heard from The Arrivals was "Elise" which I believe was on some comp. I dug that song, like I said, they had a Hot Water vibe. Maybe a little 88 Fingers Louie vibe as well. The first album I got by them was 2007's "Marvels Of Industry". I think these guys are a good band. They don't really stick out among the pack but they definitely have some cool tracks in their catalog.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Tim Version

House Boat

The Holy Mess

North Lincoln

The Riot Before

TEN THE ARRIVALS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Failure

2. Frontline

3. I'm Sorry For Saying I'm Sorry

4. Simple Pleasures In America

5. Hearts In The Right Place

6. Fat Of The Land

7. Two Years

8. Northern Hospitality

9. Elise

10. The Last Testament

SONG OF THE WEEK: 7/17/22

SONG:  "Searching For Shorelines"

ARTIST:  Permanent Bastards

ALBUM:  "Gun Club" EP

YEAR:  2007

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

YEARS ACTIVE:  2007 - present ???

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

To be honest, I have no clue what "Searching For Shorelines" is about. After a few listens, I found it hard to get all the lyrics down and I can't find the lyrics anywhere on the net to take a stab at what I think the song is about. If anyone got the lyrics, post them on my YouTube page under the video!

PERMANENT BASTARDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2009 - Emericans (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON PERMANENT BASTARDS:

Permanent Bastards got their start I believe around 2007. They come from a suburb of Toronto in Canada. Their first release was an EP called "Gun Club" in 2007. They self-released their debut full length album in 2009 titled "Emericans". Their most recent release was in 2011, an EP called "Young Girls". I haven't heard that these guys have broken up but they've been pretty inactive for almost 10 years now. They were posting regularly on their Facebook page in 2016 but pretty sporadically since. They posted three cryptic posts on their Facebook page in 2020 but nothing much came of it. I assume they're done which is a shame. I found out about these guys through dyingscene.com. Their "Emericans" album is a great listen. These guys have a bit of an Against Me! vibe to them. I really like this band so it sucks that they don't have a whole hell of a lot of material out there. "Those Forgotten Pioneers" is a great song. The whole "Emericans" album is great. I'd love to hear some new stuff from these guys but it seems that is less and less likely with each year that passes.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Snips

The Sainte Catherines

Carpenter

The Arrivals

Black Lungs

TEN PERMANENT BASTARDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Those Forgotten Pioneers

2. Caught In The Crossfire

3. Emericans

4. Bloody Mary

5. Constance

6. Searching For Shorelines

7. White Tree

8. Faux Real!

9. S.O.S.

10. Add Fuel To The Fire