Saturday, April 19, 2025
20th Century Boys - self titled
20th Century Boys from Fullerton, California are a newer band with an old school pedigree. Singer and guitarist Jeff Moses (The Flamethrowers, The Cornfed Project), bassist Mike "Rocko" Occhiato (The Flamethrowers, The Joneses, The Vice Principals), and drummer Jason Hubbard (Penal Colony) are all longtime fixtures of the L.A. rock 'n' roll scene. Unsurprisingly, their debut album (out on Rum Bar Records) reeks of the '70s and early-to-mid '80s in the most wonderful way. These 11 tracks take elements of sleazy glam rock, '70s punk, power pop, and dive bar rock 'n' roll and mash it all into a timeless and irresistible concoction. "Suzy" is a stone cold smash, and it's by no means the only banger in the bunch. There's nothing tricky or grandiose going on here: just good, solid rock 'n' roll with a beat you can dance to and hooks for days. Some tracks live at the intersection of dirty glam and power pop. Others bring to mind Johnny Thunders–inspired punk rock 'n' roll or the Stones at their booziest. I love hearing little nods to the classics (like the "Teenage Kicks" inspired riff on "Tricky Situation" or the "baaaaaby!" refrain on "Rumble at the Dance Hall" that tips its cap to The Dictators' "Stay With Me"). There's even a cool cover of a golden oldie by U.K. glamsters The Gunslingers. I can't imagine any fan of Rum Bar Records not digging this album, and it's exciting to hear music like this still being made and made well. Moses proves himself to be a fine songwriter and one hell of a guitar player. Since the recording of this album, Claude Guecia has taken over bass duties, but 20th Century Boys are going as strong as ever. When I was a young pup coming up in the music-reviewing world, it seemed like there were bands like this everywhere you turned. But now this sort of real-deal, tried-and-true glam-punk rock 'n' roll is not nearly as ubiquitous. Kudos to labels like Rum Bar for endeavoring to keep it alive!
Friday, April 18, 2025
Strange Neighbors - People Pleasers Pleasing People
Now this is exactly what I needed: a new full-length album from New York's Strange Neighbors! The band is made up of Aidan Strange on vocals, Beau Valentine on drums, Dana Bennewitz on bass, and Zach Schweiker on guitar. People Pleasers Pleasing People is the group's second long player and first since 2019. Following some excellent singles and EPs released over the last few years, this is a wonderfully satisfying album that will surely lift the spirits of a world in dire need of some joy. The things that make Strange Neighbors so hard to classify are the very things that make them such a treat. Calling them power pop or indie pop or alternative rock just feels insufficient. They are all of those things but perhaps none of those things. So I'll just put it this way: if smart, fun, and super-charming pop songs which bring to mind '80s/early '90s college radio via Gen Z sound like something you'd be into, People Pleasers Pleasing People is an album you absolutely need to hear (now imagine me proofreading this review out loud and tripping all over that album title!).
https://strangeneighbors.bandcamp.com/album/people-pleasers-pleasing-people
https://open.spotify.com/album/1J6wSGa4KL3S7k1PXBQxtS
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFerJPrdwETN9KLjIQhmfYw
https://www.instagram.com/strangeneighborsmusic/
https://www.facebook.com/strangeneighborsmusic/
https://www.tiktok.com/@strangeneighbors
https://bsky.app/profile/strangeneighbors.bsky.social
https://strangeneighbors.substack.com/
https://www.breakingsound.com/strange-neighbors/
Unicorn Dogs - Inauguration
Unicorn Dogs are having quite the year! Their brilliant debut album Age Typical Junk Behavior will soon be getting a vinyl release in collaboration with a couple of titans in the pop-punk label world: Jolly Ronnie Records and Mom's Basement Records. In conjunction with this LP release, they've put out a music video for their should-have-been smash hit "Dumb Stuff." Meanwhile, the band has a brand-new digital EP out today titled Inauguration. After taking a quick peak at song titles like "Snake Oil Salesman," "Executive Order," and "Chief Executives," you will have no trouble discerning the concept of this EP. Let's just say that when it comes to opining on the state of America post January 20, 2025, Unicorn Dogs are not afraid to tell you how they really feel. This is a band that's good enough to write about any topic under the sun and make it feel urgent and anthemic. So you can imagine that Unicorn Dogs raging against America's descent into authoritarianism is going to be powerful stuff.
When it comes to protest music of any kind, I'm always looking for one main thing: the music has to be on par with the message. And that is certainly the case here. I will paraphrase my brother from across the pond and say that Unicorn Dogs are the epitome of pop-punk with balls. I've heard very few bands capable of writing songs that sound this raw and this catchy. Of course you can feel the passion and indignation in these songs, and that all comes through more forcefully due to the quality of the melodies and the cleverness of the lyrics. The band has turned Inauguration into a choose your own adventure experience: you can listen to the entire EP in one single shot (with some added snippets) or enjoy it one track at a time. Covers of "Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed)" by Raveonettes and "Serendipity" by Trusty are Bandcamp exclusive bonus tracks that fit in quite nicely with the rest of the EP. All this for $2 is a deal and a steal for fans of pop-punk and opposers of fascism!
Sunday, April 13, 2025
S.U.G.A.R./BLOWERS - Split 10"
You've got to love Daniel at Alien Snatch Records, who frequently releases 10-inch vinyl records simply because they are freaking cool. For a label owner, there is no real financial incentive to put out a 10-inch EP. You just have to love the aesthetics of it. And for a record collector, this is a fun format — a veritable mini-album! Alien Snatch's latest 10-incher is a split which finds Berlin's mighty S.U.G.A.R. paired with Australia's Blowers. So we've got two of the top bands in today's garage/punk scene represented here. The S.U.G.A.R. side contains the roaring, straight-forward punk rock 'n' roll of "Electric Chair" plus a great cover of God's classic "My Pal." Blowers' side features four tracks of raw & super lo-fi garage punk. Blowers have a new album coming out at the end of the month that's gonna blow your ears right off your head. In the meantime, these tracks will whet your appetite. This was a well-conceived split. If you like one of these bands, you are almost certain to like the other. In fact, the two bands will be touring Europe together next month. Follow them on social media for more info!
https://aliensnatch.bandcamp.com/album/s-u-g-a-r-blowers
https://blowersband.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4tDHNu6HYY9gAVh9BtiM
https://www.instagram.com/sugarpunkberlin/
https://www.facebook.com/sugarpunkberlin/
https://www.facebook.com/blowersband
https://www.instagram.com/blowersband/
https://www.facebook.com/ALIEN.SNATCH.RECORDS/
Friends of Cesar Romero - Spider Dreamer Sweet Tooth
Is it possible that even the great J. Waylon had room to step up his game? His long-running solo project Friends of Cesar Romero has released some of the modern-day garage/punk/power pop scene's finest music over the last several years, and his Doomed Babe Series has become the stuff of legend. But with installment number 44 in the series, J. Waylon has done something I wasn't quite expecting: not just meet my expectations but rather exceed them. While the majority of FOCR's releases are EPs or singles, Spider Dreamer Sweet Tooth is a proper full-length album. And without question, I'd say it's the band's best release yet.
Friday, April 11, 2025
The Speedways - "Visiting Hours" 7"
I was absolutely floored when The Speedways dropped the new track "Visiting Hours" back in February. It was the band's first new song in nearly two years, and it did not disappoint. If you have been waiting patiently for "Visiting Hours" to come out on record, now is a fine time to make your move. The single (co-released by Stardumb, Beluga, and FOLC Records) has been pressed and will be shipping very soon. The A-side instantly rocketed to the top tier of my list of all-time favorite Speedways songs — and that puts in it some very good company. The track that's new to me here is the B-side, "Now That I Know How." This song channels Tom Petty via The Beatles, and who in the world wouldn't be into that? Lyrically, this is a vintage Matt Julian dissection of a doomed relationship. That guitar riff will really grab you, and Julian's vocal delivery is spot-on as per usual. In some alternate universe where 1979 never ended, this 45 has already gone gold! This is a very strong return for The Speedways, and that bodes well as we await the band's fourth LP due out later this year. Now go order the vinyl while you still can!
https://thespeedways.bandcamp.com/album/visiting-hours-single
https://folcrecords.bandcamp.com/album/folc275-the-speedways-visiting-hours-preventa-preorder
https://www.folcrecords.es/producto/the-speedways-visiting-hours-presale-preventa/
https://www.belugarecords.com/products/the-speedways?_pos=1&_sid=f43a3796c&_ss=r
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/the-speedways-visiting-hours-7
https://thespeedways.bigcartel.com/product/the-speedways-visiting-hours-7
https://www.themachineshoprocks.com/The_Speedways_Visiting_Hours_7_on_Blue_vinyl_p/7speedways.htm
https://www.endlessdetentionrecords.com/product/speedways-visiting-hours-7/
https://www.instagram.com/thespeedways
https://www.facebook.com/JustAnotherRegularSummer/
https://www.youtube.com/@thespeedways2920
The New Brutarians - "Born Out of Time"
It has been over two years since The New Brutarians last released new music. But America's favorite pop art glam-protopunk rock 'n' roll band is about to treat us to a summer of hits! After the gonzo lo-fi stylings of the excellent Don't Want To Know Your Secrets EP, Adam, Christina, and friends figured it was time to treat us to some more polished, sub–three-minute pop gems. Our first taste of this is the new single "Born Out of Time," which has been released to coincide with tonight's special event at the Redwood Bar in Los Angeles: an Adam T. art show and glam punk gig extraordinaire featuring The New Brutarians (acoustic), The Juvenile Wrecks, Richard Duguay and The Beautiful Decline, Monodelux, and Bill DeGidio of The Pagans. Produced by Robbie Rist (yes, THE Robbie Rist!), "Born Out of Time" is a perfect little shot of glitzy, melody-driven rock 'n' roll. The lyrics are amazing, and Adam's voice sounds so freaking cool on this track. And those backing vocals are absolute majesty. If glam punk with a power pop heart is your thing, this song will be right up your alley. "Born Out of Time" has left me wanting more, and thankfully more is very soon to come!
Sunday, April 06, 2025
Dauber - Falling Down
Dauber, a trio from Hudson, New York, features Mike Abbate (Screaming Females) on guitar and vocals alongside Jenna Fairey on drums and Quinn Murphy on bass. Falling Down, the band's debut album, is out now on Dromedary Records, Recess Records, and State Champion Records. This is the kind of record that we need more of these days. The band bangs out one track after another of raw & energetic melodic punk. There's nothing fancy going on here — just honest, hard-hitting punk rock with thoughtful (and sometimes very bleak) lyrics and hooks for days. Vibe-wise, I'm reminded of '80s and '90s melodic punk, but Dauber is no retro act. The songwriting is solid as hell, and the playing is tight and punchy. This, my friends, is the sound of a band playing its guts out. And from start to finish, the songs deliver the goods. If you dig old school melodic punk or rough-around-the-edges modern pop-punk, you need some Dauber in your life.
Geoff Palmer - Kodak Flash
I've been a big Geoff Palmer fan since the early days of this blog. I'm a fan of everything he does, but I have to admit I have an especially soft spot for his pop-punk stuff. So of course I'm on board with him doing a whole EP of pop-punk tunes. On Kodak Flash, he is supported by one heck of a band: Tyler Spatz on bass, Paul Kennedy on drums, Zack Sprague on guitar, and F & L favorite Daniel James on lead guitar. These four tracks (two of which have already been smash hits on the Underground Garage) are everything that pop-punk music ought to be: exceptionally well-crafted, catchy as hell, relatable to life, and simply fun to listen to. Palmer is talented enough to play any kind of music, but he keeps going back to this kind of stuff because he truly loves it. And given that my tastes lean more to the pop side of the pop-punk equation, these songs could not be any more up my alley. Even when these folks put the pedal to the metal on a song like "Rubberneck," those melodies and hooks are undeniable. "Bye Bye Baby" hearkens back to Road to Ruin/End of the Century–era Ramones, and I could not be more stoked. "Teenage Memories," with its wistful lyrics and exquisite harmonies, hits that sweet spot where pop-punk and power pop become one. By its very nature, this EP is bound to leave you wanting more. Delivering four songs in less than eight minutes, this is an all killer, no filler experience. Kodak Flash is a first class effort all the way and yet another must-buy from the red-hot Stardumb Records. The vinyl release is on a one-sided 12", and I'd recommend moving quickly if you want one of those beauties!
https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/kodak-flash-ep
https://open.spotify.com/album/7fSmPRIxJZaQ2lkd0z0YtE
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/geoff-palmer-kodak-flash-12
https://www.themachineshoprocks.com/Geoff_Palmer_Kodak_Flash_12_EP_p/gpep1.htm
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/geoff_palmer/
https://bsky.app/profile/geoffpalmer.bsky.social
https://www.facebook.com/stardumbrecords/
https://www.instagram.com/stardumbrecords/
Saturday, April 05, 2025
Ricky Rochelle - "I Miss Joey"
Ricky Rochelle's third single of the year finds him back in the pop-punk lane, and it's a song that really speaks to my heart (and probably yours as well). It's almost impossible to believe that Joey Ramone has now been gone for 24 years. For a lot of us who were fans, it still seems like just yesterday that we lost him. "I Miss Joey" is Ricky Rochelle's tribute to Joey Ramone. It's a simple, heartfelt song about how deeply missed the king of punk still is after all these years. The line "He never knew the legacy he'd leave" really hits me hard when I think about how profoundly influential the Ramones were on almost every band or artist I write about today. Ricky Rochelle has a way of writing and singing songs that is so genuine and heart-on-sleeve. Here he celebrates Joey Ramone not just as a musical influence but also as a person he deeply admired. You can feel the love in this song. What more could you ask for from a tribute?
Lùlù - "Sur la Corde"
French power pop band Lùlù took the world by storm last year with its self-titled debut single. And now, in advance of its full-length debut, it has unveiled its second single, "Sur la Corde." Lùlù (featuring members of AVIONS, Irnini Mons, Pogy et les Kéfars, and Edgar Suit) is now making it clear that that its first single was no fluke. This band is the real deal! "Sur la Corde" is a song about the trials and tribulations of being in a band: the strained relationships, the mixed emotions, and the drama that can ensue when everyone runs out of patience. Surely many of you reading this right now can relate. Sometimes your bandmates can seem like your best friends and your worst enemies at the exact same time! Lùlù's debut LP will be out soon on Howlin' Banana Records (France), Dangerhouse (France) and Taken By Surprise (Germany). For now, enjoy the anthemic power pop of "Sur la Corde"!
Friday, April 04, 2025
Vista Blue - Clear Eyes, Full Hearts
As you may have deduced from the title, Clear Eyes, Full Hearts is inspired by the acclaimed American television program Friday Night Lights (specifically the show's first season). The fact that Vista Blue wrote a full album about a TV show adapted from a movie adapted from one of the greatest non-fiction books ever written is very much on-brand. The band's last album, Stay Gold, was an homage to the novel (and movie) The Outsiders. Creating your own art about someone else's art is a very cool thing in my book. If someone asked me why I like Vista Blue so much, I'd probably say it's because they're pop culture geeks just like I am. If you're a fan of this band and have never seen Friday Night Lights, that should in no way discourage you from buying Clear Eyes, Full Hearts. Just be warned that it will make want to watch the show, so be prepared to make some time for a binge.
What I love about Vista Blue is that you never know what you're going to get even though you always know what you're going to get. The band never strays too far from its signature style of pop-punk steeped in power pop and indie pop influences, but it always offsets its fastballs with plenty of curves and change-ups (I acknowledge that mixing my sports metaphors will get me two minutes in the penalty box). Over the course of a full-length album especially, it becomes clear what a wonderfully talented (and in my estimation, criminally underrated) songwriter Mike is. The band comes out swinging with "Can't Lose," which references the inspirational words of Coach Taylor but could just as easily be applied to our own lives. Songs like "She Doesn't Wanna Be Your Rally Girl," "Everybody Loves Football," and "Alamo Freeze" find Vista Blue running plays that have been proven to work time and time again. Elsewhere, the playbook opens up with the aggressive, minimalist punk of "Texas Forever" and "Grady Hunt's List," the quasi-instrumental rally anthem "Go, Panthers!", and the anthemic power pop of "State." And of course there's a VB-style arrangement of "Devil Town" to wrap it all up.
While it thankfully lacks the lofty pretensions of a rock opera, Clear Eyes, Full Hearts definitely captures the spirit of the television series that inspired it. Whether you aspire to go to State or just need a little motivation to get through your day, this album has something to offer you. I can't listen to lyrics like "Some people wrote us off as easy to eliminate/But clear eyes and full hearts are things that they just can't evaluate" and not think that they also apply to Vista Blue on the occasion of its tenth anniversary. It would be goofy for me, in reference to a band I've reviewed 53 times, to say this album was better than I thought it would be. But it's certainly one of the best things Vista Blue has ever put out. I would highly recommend cranking it loudly in the car as you head out to grab some milkshakes or catch Crucifictorious's next gig. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!
Guerrilla Teens - Monkey's Paw
What can I say about Guerrilla Teens that I haven't already said before? Simply put, this is one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands out there — featuring members of some of the punk world's most illustrious acts of the past three decades. Far from a mere continuation of The Humpers or Lovesores, Guerrilla Teens have their own thing going on — and it's exciting! Featuring the talents of Scott "Deluxe" Drake on vocals, Jeff Fieldhouse on guitar, Saul Koll on guitar, Tim Connolly on drums, Anna Andersen on bass, and Dave Sobel on keyboards, Guerrilla Teens are not looking back at past glories. They're too busy crafting the next generation of classic punk rock 'n' roll songs to rest on any laurels. Their last album Under the Dagger was one of 2023's overlooked gems, but the follow-up Monkey's Paw beats it by miles. The album is out now in digital form, and a vinyl release from the ever-dependable Sioux Records is coming soon.