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THE
VANDALS - HOLLYWOOD POTATO CHIP - KUNG FU/SHOCK - AVAILABLE
JUNE 28 -
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Seems
like it wasn't that long ago that Internet Dating Studs was just released,
now the guys are back with a new album, this time they got Jerry Finn
(who's worked with just about every major band) to mix it. The band
is almost like a part time job for the guys now who have their hands
dipped in just about every pond doing things like filmmaking, alcohol
distribution, and of course running Kung Fu and Josh drumming for
every second band who hits a studio. Maybe it's that reason that this
album kinda lacks something, they haven't changed their sound, formula
or anything like that, they are as fast as ever, quirky as ever, but
it just didn't grab me like much of their older stuff did instantly.
They still take the piss and do it well, but this one only just scrapes
passable, it's good but nothing great, theres a few mp3's floating
around, check them out and judge for yourself.
Highlights : Crushed, My Neck, My Back. |
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LOUD
& PROUD - VOLUME 1 - BRUTUS RECORDS - AVAILABLE
NOW -
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Compilation
put together in Italy featuring punk and Oi bands from across the
world, mainly Italy and Japan but also USA, Japan, South Africa and
Australia's own Bulldog Spirit from Canberra, who also contribue the
shortest track on offer. 25 tracks all up an hour and sixteen minutes
of in your face tunes ranging from awesome to pretty average, but
considering most of these acts are unheard of before it makes for
a winner for the punk/oi fans. Standouts come from a band called Pissed
On Arrival from Salt Lake City, Utah, female fronted ballsy punk rock,
sounds great. Captain Bootbois from Korea also contribute a couple
of pretty cool tracks as do The Bloodline and Skin Disorder as well
as our local reps Bulldog Spirit who probably have the best recording
quality on offer on here too. Check it out available from the Brutus
Records site.
Highlights : Pissed On Arrival, The Bloodline, Bulldog Spirit. |
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KING
MIDAS - ROMEO TURN - ELLET / INERTIA - AVAILABLE
NOW -
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Hailing
from Norway are these guys, King Midas their name and 11 tracks on
offer on this album. An interesting sound they manage to deliver an
indie rock sound with a bit of darkness to the sound, dark but still
poppy. A great voice on the lead singer gives the music some character
that jumps out as the early highlight of their sound, without it i
think boredom would kick in quickly. The music is well composed, very
simple, but effective. Hard to draw a comparison too anyone, quite
a unique sound, at times getting a little into Nick Cave territory
but i wouldn't put them in the same pond. Quality release, indie rock
fans check them out.
Highlights : I can't help but deceive you, little girl &
Romeo Turn |
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TWELVE
TRIBES - THE RE-BIRTH OF TRAGEDY - FERRET / STOMP - AVAILABLE
NOW -
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The
Ferret stable is gaining quite a popular name releasing some quality
acts of late, here's another, on their Ferret debut Twelve Tribes
lay down a hard hitting album. Hailing from Ohio, these guys have
been around and done their time and come come up with the release
of their career so far here. With so many bands mising the metal and
the hardcore and grumbling out track after track of the same old rubbish
over and over again, these guys ar far from that, perhaps more singing
than previous releases, but they do know how to grumble like the best
of em. A great heavy melodic sound, with lyrics you can actually understand,
which is always a winner in my books, check these guys out.
Highlights : Venus Complex, Backburner |
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MELLEE
- EVERYDAY BEHAVIOUR - HOPELESS / SHOCK - AVAILABLE
28TH JUNE -
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If
you judge a book by it's cover on this one you might very well miss
out, not so much the artwork but pull out the booklet and you will
find one of the most cheesy band photos you have ever seen in your
life, if this is the one that made it, i'd hate to see the rest. Anyway
photo's aside they're lucky they can come up with a good tune, this
11 track album produced by J.Robbins is pretty well summed up in the
bios opening lines "Piano-based rhythms, sugar-coated pop
hooks and Beach Boys-esque harmonies formulate an album rich with
songs that merge the indie-rock sound with pop sensibilities"
It may sound a little scary on paper, but when played makes for good
listening. Good vocals that don't annoy, decent lyrics and a very
neat production. There is slight hints of Piebald at times, maybe
just because of the piano though. The piano is well slotted in the
mix, it doesn't take over, just sits in perfectly. Nice upbeat catchy
pop rock that's very easy on the ear, a band that will suprise you
upon listening.
Highlights : Lions Cage, The War, Sleeping Through Autumn |
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US
ROUGHNECKS - TWENTY BUCKS & TWO BLACK EYES - EPITAPH / SHOCK
- AVAILABLE NOW -
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“We’re
all about bringing the toughness back to punk,” says bassist Big
Jay, who also doubles as a member of Lars Frederiksen’s other band,
the Bastards. “Fuck that wimpy shit, get some balls and play some
rock & roll.”. Enter the US Roughnecks, doing the street punk
rock 'n roll thing, you can predict the sound, bruising punk rock,
far from anything original, but much more listenable than alot of
the tripe around at the moment. I guess there isn't too much street
punk type lyrics you can write about that hasn't been covered a million
times already, on here you find the standard 'Fuck The Cops' type
song, the songs about times on the streets with your crew etc. There
are bands alot better, but there are also bands a hell of alot worse,
makes for a decent listen, just fun punk rock from the streets. For
fans of Lars & The Bastards, Bombshell Rocks, The Business etc
Highlights : Serve & Protect, Roughneck Noise, Lost
Paradise |
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THE
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME - IN THE END IT'S OVER - CHATTERBOX - AVAILABLE
NOW -
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After
a few artwork delays this re-release (their first on Chatterbox) of
their debut from 2002 originally released through Deplorable. Chaotic
metal influenced hardcore racket is the simple description for the
Sydney four piece's sound. If you like your music dark, noisy and
like the soundtrack to a huge train wreck then you've probably already
got this EP. Those who've seen them live would also fall into the
above bracket, building a huge reputation on their live show. Their
energy harder to capture on disc when you have such an intense show
and i think it comes across alot better live with the visual element
added. Instores now, for fans of Converge, Coalesce etc
Highlights : The Pattern Maker |
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ALPHA
STATE - BREATH AWAY - INDEPENDENT - AVAILABLE
NOW -
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Melbourne
based act Alpha State have this four tracker doing the rounds, they
play gritty hard rock, female fronted, chunky riffs, pretty sure this
is their debut. 3 originals and a cover of Salt N Pepa's 'Push It',
not a bad recording for a start, they play a sound that relies alot
on production to really leave an impact, something that im sure they'll
progress on in future releases. Energetic, heavy but still maintaining
a catchy element, fans of the heavy rock sound should keep an eye
out for this mob, theres definate potential with a bit of a fatter
production and experience undeer their belts they could develop into
something quite decent. Look out.
Highlights : Circus |
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THE
GO SET - SING A SONG OF REVOLUTION - KARVIN RECORDS / MGM - AVAILABLE
NOW -
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The
debut album from Melbourne's The Go Set is out now as the band winds
up their Aussie tour before heading over to Europe, 11 tracks of Celtic
inspired Aussie rock/punk, bagpipes and all. 37 minutes, recorded
over 2 days in Birdland Studios with Lindsay Gravina at the helm.
The aim was to capture the live experience as much as possible, hence
the short time spent recording, probably a few takes of each song
and a million beers later, heres the final product. Fast flowing,
catchy, singalong, drinkalong aussie (for all those who whinge about
no bands singing in aussie accents) tunes. Some slow, some fast, but
all pretty damn decent and worth a listen. I'm sure with the indie
approach the band have it won't set you back an arm and a leg either
so check it out when you see it, easy comparisons to draw to would
be aussie rock versions of recent touring buds The Real Mckenzies
with a little Dropkick Murphys in there. Grab a beer and whack it
on.
Highlights : 1788, Sing Me A Song, Raymond O'Byrne |
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