While I've been a massive Bandcamp user for over a decade, I just came across something on the platform I'd never seen before: a label subscription. Not a bad idea! Dammit Records is a punk rock label out of the UK that has several releases on Bandcamp. The label realized that there are lots of bands out there that might not yet have enough material to release a full album or EP but still have some amazing tracks to offer the world. This led to the idea of a subscription service. For a small monthly fee, Dammit Records gives you access to all the tracks from its ever-growing roster of "un-heard" bands. While the label says its submissions will be of a wider genre compared to what it usually releases, at least for now the Dammit sound can be generally described as old school punk. And you know I love old school punk! Listening to the tracks currently available via the Dam-Nations subscription, I feel like I'm experiencing a really good punk rock compilation from back in the day. Remember how we used to discover new bands like that?
My initial interest in Dam-Nations was due to the inclusion of the first officially-released tracks from Negative Zeros and (The) Kickboy -- two new bands featuring Vince from The Keefs (Yes, the band that was the subject of this blog's very first post!). But I was pleased to discover that there are a ton of other killer bands in the mix as well. Negative Zeros' "You Make Sick" is a perfect shot of primordial ooze punk rock and roll for fans of The Stooges, Misfits, and Dead Boys. In my humble opinion, (The) Kickboy's "Abrupt Drug Holiday" alone justifies the purchase of a subscription. This band nails that classic California punk sound. Think Avengers/X/The Brat with a touch of early Black Flag. Several other Dam-Nations tracks caught my attention in a big way. Offering up the super-fun "Fanny Pack," The Lousekateers remind me quite a bit of fellow New Yorkers The Kowalskis. "Answers" by Bad Blood is great snotty punk rock meets early hardcore. Wrecked's "Die Alone" scratches my itch for some hard-edged sing-along street punk. Aubrey Eels and Punky Ruckus both specialize in old school punk rock with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
I really dig the concept that Dammit Records is going for with this subscription service. The label is focusing on up-and-coming bands in the punk world and helping them get their music heard. And while you're taking a leap of faith in committing to a subscription, the tracks available so far indicate that this label has a really good ear for quality punk music. The label is making no money out of this: everything gets re-invested into promoting and supporting the bands on the roster. For more information, check out Dammit Records on Bandcamp!
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