Rogue Anthem – What To Believe
“Rogue Anthem was founded by Myke Augustat to carry a message to the forgotten and the underdog.” Unfortunately, Augustat passed away in July of this year. What To Believe is a tribute CD to help benefit Augustat’s family, with all proceeds going to Augustat’s wife and children. What a great tribute it is: fast and furious punk rock that seems to touch on some crossover in many places. At times I hear a distinct influence from The Crucified… but maybe that is just the fanboy in me. That is certainly a good influence to hear. “Needle Down” brings in some harmonica and piano to the instrumental mix for a bit of groovy stomp. The mix is a bit muddy at times (hey – this is punk after all!), but not to the point of hurting your ears. Lyrically, the press release sums it up best: “raw punk rock that combats the garbage fed to us on a daily basis through the media and other sources that claim to be promoting the welfare of mankind, all the while destroying the true image of what it means to be Human.”
Wovenhand – The Laughing Stalk
Fans of Wovenhand know what to expect from David Eugene Edwards and company: Gothic Alternative Americana weirdness at its best. Every album from Wovenhand seems to retain the same feel while offering up some new twists that really fit well. But at its core, this is music that has to be experienced on vinyl… and Sounds Familyre rewards those who listen correctly with another beautiful record package. The letterpress cover is a sight to behold in itself – simple yet beautiful. The record also comes with a CD and digital download, so you get it all. “In the Temple” was released as an early sample of the album, and also serves as an example of one of those tracks that seem a bit different from past albums (at least to newer fans like me). At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked this track, but after hearing it in context of the whole album, I have grown to love it. The whole album is solid from start to finish, like their past albums, so don’t let this one pass you by.
Platoon 1107 – We Glory In The Title
Call it crust, call it skate punk, call it crossover. Platoon 1107 is one extreme new punk album from Thumper Punk Records and Veritas Vinyl. Platoon 1107 is the solo project of Jimmy Sisco (Absolved, Of Puritans And Lepers, ex-Nomad). This album screams 80’s – it sounds just like the skate/crossover mixtapes me and my friends would make to thrash to. But there is more than skate rock here – this EP is basically a tribute to the men and women that serve in the armed forces around the world. And to top all of that off, there is a cover of an Altar Boys song (“Final Hour”) that features guest vocals and guitar solos by Mike Stand himself. Some might find the mixture of punk rebellion mixed with patriotic honor a bit odd, but it works here.
Live Report: The Choir – Magnolia, TX 10-6-2012
This was my first house concert – those hosting the show were more than gracious to admit strangers like me. With this being the third night on this short Fall tour, it seemed so fitting that the The Choir had thus far played in a church, a bar, and now somebody’s backyard.
This concert was the full lineup: Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong, Tim Chandler and Dan Michaels playing sax and lyricon (who we were lucky enough to have because he was only able to play part of the tour). The band occupied the back patio as a stage but that didn’t deter them from putting together a full electric two-hour set opening with the first four songs from the 1988 release Chase the Kangaroo. After skipping ahead to the song “Chase the Kangaroo,” the guys broke off from their usual presentation of that entire album to spend more time on songs from their new release The Loudest Sound Ever Heard.
One thing that was so evident was how timeless The Choir’s musical library is. While songs like “Consider,” “Sad Face,” and “Circle Slide” were true to their original recordings, they didn’t sound at all like they were 25 years old. The transition from those songs to more recent releases like “Taking the Universe In,” “Strange Girl,” and “Burning Like the Midnight Sun” was seamless.
A fair portion of the audience seemed to be getting their first exposure to The Choir, yet the songs seemed to connect well enough that the two hour set really wasn’t long enough. I still had my list of personal favorites that I would have liked to hear but I know that when you’ve been cranking out great music for nearly thirty years there is going to be some picking and choosing when it comes to making up a set list.
One of the best parts of a house show is the opportunity to visit with the band following the concert. The guys were more than happy to hang out and meet new friends and reminisce with old fans.
The Choir is continuing to tour as they have dates currently scheduled through November. Also, their 2012 release The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is currently available at their website www.thechoir.net.
The B-Attitudes – …Meaning Underneath The Sound
I don’t know why, but the name of this band made me think I was getting a CD of punk or maybe even ska-influenced punk… which is not a bad thing. But listening through the album I was quite surprised to get a disc full of alternative rock heavily influenced by many of our heroes and influences here at Down The Line. Daniel Amos, Poor Old Lu, Michael Knott, Collective Soul, U2, and King’s X are all good points of reference for the sounds here. The first track (“Humble Me”) sounds like a mix made up of a heavier Poor Old Lu with the funkier parts of Adam Again or King’s X. “Whisper In A Cave” has a catchy riff that starts off with a nod to a well-known song but goes in its own direction. “Faraway” is a catchy driving acoustic number that sounds like it could have been on the original Brow Beats album. Obviously, this is an indie effort, which shows a bit around the edges here and there. I would love to hear these guys on label with a decent budget to record these songs. They will be featured on the next Basement Tapes podcast, so look out for that or check out their CD. You will like it.
Metanoia – Retroceder Nunca
This is probably a first – a punk rock CD that comes with a money back guarantee? As in, they guarantee that you will like it. If you are in to punk rock, I would probably venture to make the same guarantee. Yes, the lyrics are all in Spanish. No, I don’t know Spanish – so I have no idea what they are singing. But I do find myself immediately pulled in by the grove of the first track. There is a ton of energy on this album – like the real energy that you hear from real punk bands but not the big time record label fodder. To my ears, this sounds like what MxPx would have sounded like on their first album if they were heavier. Well, that and wrote about half the number of songs. And sung in Spanish. But that is just to say that these songs are catchy, fast, and a bit on the heavy side. So give them a shot – you literally have nothing to lose.
The Predators – Roundabout
The Predators are back! But, of course, since you read our last issue (right?) you knew that already. In 2011 they released their comeback nine track album Roundabout. You can order the physical disc and have it shipped from the UK or grab the digital version from iTunes or Amazon. I went for the Amazon version – but I think some smart US label (Retroactive… hello?) should jump on releasing this disc here (along with their back catalog). Roundabout is a great slab of 1980’s influenced alternative rock with punk and new wave overtones. “Set Me Free” starts off with a great mid-paced alternative groove with a cry to God for freedom. “Burning Ambition” kicks in a more aggressive song with snarling guitars. “Blind Pride (Hey Mr Jones)” is a slower number that works well as a lament. “Your Love” is just catchy and fun to listen to. Fans of music from the 80s will find many sounds to like here. Bands like this keep going or call it a day based on fan support – so grab this album and let them know you want there to be new albums by the Preds in the future.
Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy – WaterSky
Phil Keaggy and Jeff Johnson together on one album? The amount of talent on display here is mind blowing. I hate to sound cliché, but the best words to describe this collaboration are rich, textured, nuanced, and reflective. Epic is another good overused word that truly applies here – there are eight instrumental tracks that all clock in between 5 and 8 minutes each.
What also really connects with me is that this album feels like a true journey. Sometimes instrumental albums try to take you on a journey, but end up just sounding like random instrumental jams. There is thought and purpose behind every note here that makes you feel like you are seeing different shades of nature while floating along a river.
Phil Keaggy makes his guitar sing on this album like only he can. Jeff Johnson adds brilliant keyboard work along with some otherworldly sounds. I also love the bass and percussion that these artists add. You hear something new each time you listen.
This is actually the second album that this duo has recorded. Both collections were inspired by their time in the Frio River canyon area of Texas. After experiencing this album, I need to get out and visit this canyon. It must be one awe-inspiring sight.
[2012 Ark Music | Pre-order: arkmusic.com]Punk for the Gospel Volumes 1 and 2
This first compilation is what the ‘Christian punk scene’ has needed for quite a while…actually, we’ve needed this since the beginning! What I love about the Thumper Punk label is that they represent all the different facets of the punk rock sound. There are all the tired arguments of what is and isn’t punk; fortunately these guys cover their bases with it all and bring you the best from the underground. This release is the first of two and all money raised from the sales of these comps goes to support missionary work from inside the punk community. The first compilation is all what I would consider the harder, edgier, white heat sounds of punk rock, and disc two offers this up as well as some more experimental sounds that also are incorporated in punk rock, although not the heaviest and rawest tracks associated within the expansive genre. (expansive and undefined) To choose standout tracks is hard because I like all of them, but here goes…
I really like the label giving the nod to bands and players that have been in and around for some time. Dogwood’s “Homeland Insecurity” was so much fun to hear. I bought their first album More Than Conquerors years and years ago and hearing them again brought back a flood of great memories. Government Hate Mail is comprised of former members of The Clergy, Crux and Empty Tomb. The Altar Billies is Mike Stand from the Altar Boys, Chuck Cummings from Aunt Bettys (and a gazillion other awesome bands) and Johnny X on standup bass. Lust Control is on here too, you know who Doug Van Pelt is; did you know Lust Control also originally had Paul Q-Pek from One Bad Pig? Doug’s HM Magazine and Heaven’s Metal Fanzine are a staple to the metal scene, and his contributions are formative in the music world. Another band that has been around for some time is Flatfoot 56. These guys have been bringing it for over a decade now, and what I love about them is the Celtic infused music in the same vein as Dropkick Murphys. Craig’s Brother is another notable mention from the “old” guard, and one of the better acts that Tooth ‘n Nail put out years back when I scooped up everything they released. The Deal is hands down one of my favorite bands and they rank up there with Scaterd Few as far as bringing original music to the Christian scene, plus they were at one time signed to Facedown Records. Grave Robber is also on here and will probably be recognized by a bunch of people although I’ve never been a big fan…their music is good, but I don’t like the “christianing up” of the horror punk genre if that makes any sense; that would be my hang up and not the bands problem.
Some of my favorite songs by bands that are new to me include the start off sing along sounds of The Old Timers, the stripped down and rough sounds of The Lonely Revolts, the groove oriented Grace & Thieves and the thrash inspired Unshackled. There is so much here that I really enjoy…Gorilla Warfare is another great throaty, heavy sound that I want to hear more of! The rockabilly rumblings of 100 Philistine Foreskins is fun, and the band Empty Tomb makes me want to kick a door down. Perhaps my favorite find on comp two was the track
“Blood, Sweat and Circle Pits” by Desiring Dead Flesh. These guys capture the raw intensity of a live show in 1minute and 8 seconds and remind me of the harder tracks by bands like The Descendents and Dead Milkmen.
This label is the real deal. They bring good music with a positive message, music that represents a subculture that is ever evolving and changing, but these bands stay true to the DIY ethics and the call for personal and social change. If you like bands like The Pogues, Social Distortion, L.E.S Stitches, Dead Boys, Dead Kennedys, Leatherface and Bad Brains; if you miss the sounds of Agnostic Front, The Misfits, NOFX and Bad Religion as well as the messages in music by Minor Threat, Snapcase and No Innocent Victim, this is a great place to start! Also, click on their Facebook link and give them a “like”. Labels like this need to get as much exposure as they can, they are a dying breed and we must support them!
[2012 Thumper Punk Records | Purchase: thumperpunkrecords.com]Wales Road – Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt
So I’m contacted by a band that claims they are a mix of The 77s and Rez Band. Honestly, my first thought was: yeah right. But after checking out their CD… that description is a good place to start. Wales Road has a crazy range of influences in their music – from metal to new wave to punk. And not just in the music, but also of the vocal styles of singer/guitarist/band leader Tommy Wales. Whether or not you like this will probably depend on how you like Wales’ take on combining those styles. For me, it works in most places. Three is a good mixture of original songs and a few classic hymns re-interpreted like “The Old Rugged Cross.” I was also sent a DVD documentary called Take My Life: A Rock-U-Mentary that explains more about Tommy Wales and his ministry. You don’t too often get non-Christians willing to go on camera heaping praises on a Christian musician for the Christian music they record, but there are a few here and that is impressive. Overall, a good recommendation for people that want something rocky, bluesy, punk-ish and different.