Tag Archives: punk

Review: Cerce – self-titled EP/7”

Cerce self-titled EPCerce (pronounced “sir-say”) is a fierce, scorching, raging fire, with flames that rip forth unpredictably, burning fast. The 5-piece Boston band just released their self-titled, 6-song EP/7”, so I grabbed a fire extinguisher and gave it a listen.

The EP opens with a slow, brooding, feedback-heavy, meandering instrumental. The song helps set the stage for the pain, furor, and soul-baring to come, almost lulling you, before seamlessly plowing into the second track, “Weary,” drums pounding at a very fast tempo. Continue reading


Not Forgotten: forgetters Announces Full-Length

forgetters

After the break-up of Jets to Brazil in 2003, fans of Blake Schwarzenbach held their collective breath waiting to see what would come next from the legendary frontman/guitarist. It took five years before Thorns of Life surfaced in 2008, and vanished far too quickly, breaking up less than a year later following the departure of drumming legend Aaron Cometbus.

Later in 2009, fans got the news they were again waiting for; Blake had formed another band, a 3-piece called forgetters (check out this December 2009 live set recorded by National Underground at a packed show in Gainesville). About a year later, their first release, a 4-song, self-titled EP, came out. It was an outstanding taste of what the band had to offer, though fans wanted more. But, after touring in 2011, their bassist (Caroline Paquita) left the band and, despite some rumors and hints that the band may continue, it remained unclear if it was the last we would hear from them.

That is, until September 9, 2012 when it was announced via the band’s blog that a new full-length album was going to be released November 14. Additionally, the post says forgetters will be touring, news that is equally as exciting.

I’m beyond stoked about this news. As a huge fan of Blake, it will be a sad day when he hangs it up for good; so, anytime I learn that we’ll be privileged to more music, it puts off the end a bit longer. I love what I’ve heard from forgetters, and I’ve been lucky to have seen them twice, impressed both times. But I’m also curious to see if they’ll just be a 2-piece going forward and what impact that will have on their sound and live shows.

Regardless, November 14 couldn’t come sooner.


The Inside Scoop on FEST 11 from Rocket Fuel Podcast

Jeff, at the always brilliant Rocket Fuel Podcast, just released his annual FEST preview special. Jeff sits down for an in depth interview with FEST main man Tony Weinbender. Tony discusses how FEST 11 came together, his picks of the weekend, and details of other projects he has been working on, like a Gainesville outdoor concert series and even a Tampa leg of FEST.

In addition to the interview, check out music from Latterman, Masked Intruder, Braid, and many more bands who will be descending on Gainesville late next month.


Gunning For More

Pilot To Gunner

After an eight-year silence, Pilot To Gunner is back, releasing a new song from their forthcoming album. And I couldn’t be more excited.

When their debut album, Games At High Speeds, came out in 2001, I was blown away. Between the song structure and the vocals, it sounded really fresh to me and I was sold. But after only one other full length, 2004’s Get Saved (also an excellent release), PTG appeared to vanish.

Well, they’re back. Guilty Guilty is expected to drop in October on Arctic Rodeo Recordings and, like Get Saved, was produced by the legendary J. Robbins. Rumor has it that it’s 12 tracks of awesome. I’ll let you know if that’s true once I get my hands on a copy (expect a future post)!

The new song, “We Die Today,” is streaming at Punknews.org. It’s just over three minutes of angular, rhythmic, rock and roll with Scott Padden’s distinct vocals dancing powerfully over the tempo changes. The hooks are huge, too, causing uncontrollable head-nodding and body twitching.

If this track is any sign of the rest of the album, fans of PTG will be stoked to find the band back on the scene. And those unfamiliar with the band should quickly familiarize themselves with the back catalogue.


Bands You Need To Know: Leagues Apart

Leagues Apart

If you were fortunate enough to see Leagues Apart at Fest last year, you are probably already a fan. The Manchester, UK based band has been making friends around the world with their frenetic and fun live shows for years now. If you are in the crowd for their show at what is sure to be a packed Loosey’s at FEST 11, expect jokes, human pyramids, and plenty of beer. But, most importantly, expect to see one of the best bands England has to offer.

Leagues Apart proudly wears their influences on their sleeve – early Menzingers or Hot Water Music are a good reference point – but the band’s clever lyrics and amazing shared vocals add something uniquely English to the mix, making a sound that is all their own. With their most recent EP, Buffalo Club, the band does something very few manage; they capture all the passion, energy, and urgency you find at their shows and, in the process, make an EP that is virtually impossible to listen to without hitting the play button the second it ends.

Make sure you catch them at FEST 11 on Sunday October, 28 at Loosey’s at 5:10pm.


The Copyrights- North Sentinel Island


The Copyrights’ fifth studio album, North Sentinel Island, opens up with the band’s most straightforward, hardhitting, rock and roll riff in years, and best of all, they’re completely unapologetic for it. The opening track quickly segues into a blend of crunchy guitar riffs layered on top of melodic vocal hooks. Before “Trustees Of Modern Chemistry” finishes, you can rest assured that the band hasn’t lost any of their steam in their three-year absence since 2008’s Learn The Hard Way came out.

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Ninja Gun – Roman Nose

In the years since the release of Restless Rubes (2008), Ninja Gun has gone on countless tours with the likes of Against Me!, Fake Problems and The Gaslight Anthem. Getting out of rural Georgia, must have been a heck of an experience for the band.  It was also during these years that the economy was in tatters and when any hope for change has been more or less withered away. These were the harsh and troubling times that are largely reflected in Nina Gun’s new record, Roman Nose….

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Two Riot Fests??!?!!

Not content with your festival options? Well, you now have two extra choices because Riot Fest 2011 and Riot Fest-East have announced their line ups.

The Chicago line up includes the likes of Weezer, Social Distrotion, Descendents, X, Youth of Today, Suicide Machines, Helmet, The Menzingers, Cheap Girls, The Copyrights, Chinese Telephones and about a million other bands. Riot Fest 2011 will be taking place over the weekend of October 6 – 9 in Chicago and tickets will be going on sale Friday June 24 at 9 AM Central time.
While Riot Fest-East will be a one day event on September 24th in Philadelphia, and it will be featuring a slimmed down but still impressive line up which includes the Descendents, X, Dead Milkmen, Hot Water Music, Naked Raygun, Suicide Machines, Samiam, The Menzingers, Larry and His Flask and more.


Bands You Need to Know – Little League

Remember the days when the word emo was associated with people like this and notwith people like this ? For those who were born too close Kurt Cobain’s suicide, this is probably a hard concept to fathom, but it used to be that way. Those days are long gone, corrupted by legions of high schoolers and the vapidness of the internet age. Stuff like fashion and trends are always silly and fickle things, but the music associated with “prehistoric emo” though, that used to be a good and honest sound. Currently, there seems to be a resurgence of bands which find their influences amongst those old emo bands. I think can say that Tallahassee’s Little League are one of those bands.  Continue reading

Joyce Manor- S/T

Ah, these past few years have been quite the rollercoaster ride. We’ve seen metalcore rise and wane almost as quickly as it came. Screamo is not a bad word anymore. Hot Topic emo kids have now moved on to American Apparel and became hipsters. Gruff voiced beard punks are the new 90’s skatepunkers and yet, amidst the constant waves of change, emerges Long Beach, CA’s own Joyce Manor.

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