Posted by Doug on Feb 1 2007 to Punk
I believe this band goes without saying, but since their label’s giving out choice MP3s, I had better use the opportunity to spread them about some more.
They are essentially a punk-ska band with a penchant for flamboyant horn lines, led by some dudes who aren’t even all that into ska. The result is albums that do not follow the typical ska cliches, and which are so brimming with brass bravado that it completely does not matter that you cannot understand anything he is saying. When the Mad Caddies are playing, it is time to dance, and that is just how it goes.
They are about to embark on a rather lengthy tour, and are putting out a new record soon. In the meantime, try out a sampling from every record (barring their debut Quality Soft Core, as it was under a different label). If you like your pop-punk more than your ska, consider anything off of The Holiday Has Been Cancelled or Rock the Plank (the latter is also good if you enjoy the occasional pirate-y tune). And as for me, I do not think a better record could have been made than Duck and Cover, but they come close with their most recent studio work on Just One More. I am hoping against logic that they can somehow continue this trend.
Downloads
From Duck and Cover
Macho Nachos – (MP3, 4.6 MB)
From Just One More
Villains – (MP3, 3.2 MB)
From Rock the Plank
Mary Melody – (MP3, 4.4 MB)
From Live From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of Eh
Drinking for 11 (live) – (MP3, 5.2 MB)
From The Holiday Has Been Cancelled
Something’s Wrong at the Playground – (MP3, 3.0 MB)
Posted by Doug on Jan 31 2007 to Pop
On the strength of Multiply and Divide alone, the Soviettes’ latest release would be more than sufficient. Fortunately, the rest of the album follows through on the promise made by this first track; namely, that it is going to be fast, catchy, and fun. I am generally a sucker for energetic punk bands fronted by boisterous women, and luckily with these folks, such a prediliction has not led me wrong.
Rather than barrage you with MP3s today, I will take the more minimalist approach and hope that simply the opening track will be enough to pique your interest.
Downloads
From LP III
Multiply and Divide – (MP3, 3.4 MB)
Posted by Hugh on Jan 31 2007 to Pop
There have not been any posts in a good while, but that is because I didn’t know The Epoxies had any MP3s up (OK, that is not the only reason). If I had been privy to the knowledge that Radiation was just sitting out there on the Internet, waiting for me to pimp it like Hank Hill pimps sweet lady propane, then pimping would have commenced previously. I have yet to listen to their self-titled debut as much as Stop The Future, but again, their debut does not have Radiation on it (not a good quote to take out of context). As opposed to most of the catchy songs whored around the world, this one has lyrical value, can you believe it? With lyrics like “I know I’d know the difference somehow / If I was being rearranged / I’m sure if I had been reprogrammed / Something somehow surely would seem strange!” you just can’t not be hooked. Aaaaaaand they’re from Portland. I am all about the Portland bands, except for when I am not.
Downloads
From Stop The Future
Radiation – (MP3, 3 MB)
Posted by Doug on Jan 12 2007 to Punk
To Hugh’s chagrin, it is time for more ska! This time, it’s one of the most solid ska bands that no one seems to have ever heard of. Hailing from that lie of an island (i.e., Rhode Island), they bring an extremely upbeat yet dark-sounding ska, using lots of horns and only occasionally slowing things down. It would be remiss to mark them as ska-punk, though there are definitely punk elements. Ska-swing-punk might be more apt, but the multiple-genre classification seems too ridiculous. I cannot understand half of what comes out of this guy’s mouth, but it is not necessary to enjoy it. Imperative recording!
While I do enjoy their newer release, 401, it just has not been able to come close to the impact For All the Massive has had on me. Such an excellent album all-around, and you can’t complain that every song sounds the same (though someone probably will anyway!).
Downloads
From For All the Massive
Gratidao – (MP3, 3.3 MB)
Skully – (MP3, 2.6 MB)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers – (MP3, 2.6 MB)
DaLomba (the Forbidden Dance) – (MP3, 3.3 MB)
Posted by Hugh on Jan 12 2007 to Gypsy
I am, in all other instances, not one to post about a musician who covers other people’s songs. But when they take the Dead Kennedy’s debut album and replace the guitars with accordions, I am sorry, but there is no way that I cannot talk about it! Even more awesomely, Duckmandu singer Aaron Seeman even has a fairly similar voice to that of Jello Biafra, so with a bit of imagination, you can pretend that Fresh Duck For Rotting Accordionists is an unreleased alternate version of the original album, where they used accordions. OK… maybe more than a bit of imagination. As a bonus, at least for Doug, Jason Webley sings backing vocals on a few tracks (none of these, though).
Downloads
From Fresh Duck For Rotting Accordionists
Kill The Poor – (MP3, 2.2 MB)
Let’s Lynch The Landlord – (MP3, 1.9 MB)
Holiday In Cambodia – (MP3, 3.7 MB)
Posted by Hugh on Jan 3 2007 to Punk
I have to push that monstrous best/of list down a lot, so here is some local punk rock. I am not entirely sure why they call themselves the Clorox Girls as they are all dudes, but regardless, they are fully capable of rocking even the most uptight socks off. It is not often that I start a one-man mosh, but once you’ve listened to Don’t Take Your Life five times in a row, it is all but impossible not to. You shouldn’t expect anything epic, as their longest song on two (rather short) albums is 2:20, but if you ever expect epic punk rock, then it is you who have the problem!
Downloads
From This Dimenson
Eons Away – (MP3, 2.2 MB)
From Clorox Girls
Don’t Take Your Life – (MP3, 2.2 MB)
Posted by Hugh on Nov 4 2006 to Punk
If you are a fan of Gogol Bordello, you will be a fan of Leningrad. They are largely the same; Eastern European music with high energy levels. Of course, Leningrad sings in Russian, but to borrow my own, increasingly cliched vernacular, you don’t have to understand the language to understand the music. I can’t say I’ve appreciated much of the ska lyrics that are sung in English anyway, so why not do it in Russian? The results are so goddamn amazing that I’d rather listen to them than write this post that will never do them justice anyway. While their music is outstanding, the icing on the proverbial cake is that they have eight albums up for free. I suppose you should listen to these songs first, before you go downloading willy-nilly. If you are interested in either punk or ska, I cannot recommend this band enough.
Unfortunately, the site apparently doesn’t allow direct linking to their files, so you will have to conquer their MP3 directory all by yourself! I will be so kind as to recommend some songs, of course; try Menya Zovut Shnur, Huynija, and Raspizdijay off of Dlya Milionov.
Posted by Doug on Sep 3 2006 to Folk
When I saw the World/Inferno Friendship Society play for the first time, I also inadvertently ended up finding out about all kinds of other bands. I would say “similar bands”, but that is somewhat impossible. However, there is a slight resemblance, in terms of reckless style. I found Mischief Brew and Guignol and Nanuchka this way, and likewise I found Mutiny.
I could cut this review short and simply give you a two-word review: pirate-folk. Think, raspy voice, the occasional female vocals, and more fiddles than you can probably handle. I’ll leave you with some samples, as that’s the best I can find, as hearing them does them a bit more justice.
Downloads
From Rum Rebellion
Bligh – (MP3, sample)
Here’s to Adventure – (MP3, sample)
Take a Chance – (MP3, sample)
Drink to Better Days – (MP3, sample)
Posted by Doug on Aug 11 2006 to Punk
With a name fairly similar to Hugh’s very own Quasi, this band is basically nothing like it. Forget I even mentioned that.
Found accidentally in New York, this female-fronted group (with electric violin) rocked the Bitter End like I did not ever expect it to be rocked. The songwriting is superb and excessively catchy. The violin, the lyrics, Rona’s delivery, it’s all too damn intriguing and fun. Plus they’re all cute (I will take the word of my female friends about the male members).
Unfortunately, they have ceased to exist. Luckily, the lead singer, Rona Figueroa (apparently the main force behind the group) still continues on, and the various other members also have gone off to do their own things. Their first and self-titled CD may be be quite difficult to find now (unless you contact her directly), but their latest is available through Amazon.
Downloads
From Quasilulu2 (yes, their second CD is differentiated by an appended ’2′)
Atlantis – (MP3, 3.3 MB)
Uptown – (MP3, 2.1 MB)
From Quasilulu
Welcome to Our World – (MP3, 4.7 MB)
Give Me Love – (MP3, 2.4 MB)
Posted by Hugh on Jul 21 2006 to Punk
Although I’m hardly a punk connoisseur, there are still punk bands that I like (besides the ones Doug implores me to listen to). One of these is my favorite of Oregon’s punk bands (that I’ve heard!), The Thermals. What I find refreshing about them is that, unlike many bands that today’s kids call punk, The Thermals have some crazy hard-rocking energy, especially on their debut, More Parts Per Million. Granted, that is a fairly moot point thanks to the music Doug’s been posting lately, but what’s one more? Besides one more, that is… yeah. And what crazy album art! Fuckin’ A!
Downloads
From Fuckin A
How We Know – (MP3, 4.5 MB)
From More Parts Per Million
No Culture Icons – (MP3, 2.2 MB)
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