New Brutarians - "Delinquent Things"

The New Brutarians' summer of singles continues with the release of "Delinquent Things" — a hip-shaking, balls-out glam rocker. Adam T. sticks to the lead singer role on this recording, and he's joined by Billy Summer on guitar, Famous George on bass, Alan MP from The Juvenile Wrecks on lead guitar, producer Robbie Rist on drums & keys, Ronnie Dee on sax, and Roxx Gang front-man Kevin Steele (making his first public appearance in nearly a decade) on backing vocals. What a lineup that is, and you can definitely feel the party atmosphere on this track. The New Bruts promised us some bigger-sounding rock 'n' roll this summer, and clearly they are delivering. "Delinquent Things" has the DNA of the Stones, Dolls, and Dramarama coursing through its veins, but it also has that distinctive Adam T. quality in the songwriting and vocal delivery. And lyrically, this is brilliant stuff — the kind of song that manages to be memorable & poetic without being the least bit subtle. All in all, this is the perfect summertime rocker for all of you who aspire to stay up all night breaking all the rules. The digital release is live now; vinyl will be coming out on Sioux!

-L.R.

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/track/delinquent-things
https://open.spotify.com/album/3yr6OecjYartJFD555Z6R0
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians

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!

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0IINwORCb3XodXYaOduZkh
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/
https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians/
https://www.instagram.com/adamtpopartist/

Vicious Dreams - Turn Off My Brain

I'm rather pissed at myself. It's a great feeling to hear a band you touted when they were just starting out grow into something truly great. But it's not such a great feeling when you realize you missed an entire album (which totally kicked ass) from this band years ago. Where in the heck was I when Vicious Dreams released their self-titled LP four years ago? How in the hell did I not know about that record? So now with the release of the new long player Turn Off My Brain, I'm basically discovering two Vicious Dreams albums that are new to me. And they're both great! With its power pop–influenced old school punk style, this Orlando-based trio could not be any more up my alley. A split release between Brassneck Records, GC Records, Swamp Cabbage Records, and Dirt Cult Records, Turn Off My Brain is a super-good album with something very meaningful to say. A lot of these songs articulate what it's like to cope with a crazy, confusing world while dealing with anxiety and ADHD. Those are immensely relatable themes in today's world, and I applaud the band for writing honest and urgent songs about mental health struggles. A lot of you are gonna be feeling these songs in a major way. Everything about this record hits the spot. The songs are thoughtful, catchy, and powerful, and the production allows the band to sound polished yet still plenty tough. I love the way Amanda and James share vocal duties — often taking turns singing lead but sometimes singing together. That mix of personalities is part of what makes this band so appealing. 

Short and sweet at just nine tracks, Turn Off My Brain doesn't waste a single second. This is a terrific set of songs, and it's great to hear some straight-forward catchy punk rock that hearkens back to the late '70s and early '80s without copying any bands in particular. I have to admit I was skeptical about hearing yet another band take on Pointed Sticks' "Out of Luck," but I've got to tell you that Vicious Dreams have totally nailed that song and most definitely put their signature on it. Amanda has one of the best singing voices in punk rock, and I'm a bit perplexed as to why more people don't talk about this band. If you, like me, have slept through the last eight years of Vicious Dreams, head on over to Spotify or Bandcamp and get acquainted with their catalog. And the rest of you are probably wondering why I'm so late to the party! Note to self: follow Vicious Dreams on social media! 

-L.R.

https://viciousdreams.bandcamp.com/album/turn-off-my-brain
https://open.spotify.com/album/6UtYGXqd9NDOi0Y5CefCZx
https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/turn-off-my-brain
https://www.facebook.com/ViciousDreams77
https://www.instagram.com/vicious__dreams/

Owen Adamcik - One Way Owen

The second installment in Owen Adamcik's Power Pop Paradise series — which promises to be a monthly event — is titled One Way Owen and available now for your streaming pleasure. The prolific Orlando-based teenage songwriter has made a seamless transition from punk rock to power pop. Last month's The Owens was an exceptionally promising release, and One Way Owen is even better. This EP retains the home-recorded charm of its predecessor, but it finds Adamcik progressing in his recording process with the addition of real drums and amps. Again he favors efficient song structures and an emotionally direct style. Only one of these five tracks exceeds the two-minute mark, yet there's nothing about these songs that feels half-assed or incomplete. Adamcik's talent for crafting a simple but irresistible hook is undeniable. And on this release in particular, the strain in his voice really adds to the sincerity of the material (I'm reminded a little of a young Mikey Erg). Adamcik is clearly a student of power pop history, and he fully gets the timelessness of the style. As long as humans exist, love songs will never go out of fashion. If you're a power pop fan, the promise of monthly EPs from Owen Adamcik for the foreseeable future ought to have you really excited.

-L.R.

https://owenadamcik.bandcamp.com/album/one-way-owen
https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZhLN8QkFeAxP2D7kA9ntl
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oWJDtoJg2gtd6_9fkpGCg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvmfP7zC68KYAi_v53R6Qpg
https://www.instagram.com/owenadamcik/

The New Brutarians - Don't Want To Know Your Secrets

 

Hot on the heels of its dynamite debut album Hysteria and in advance of an already-written follow-up, everyone's favorite Florida-based lo-fi pop art minimalist glam punk rock n' roll duo has treated us to a surprise mini-album featuring some of its strongest songs to date. Adam T. and Christina Wright, collectively known as The New Brutarians, have gone back to their roots on the six-song release Don't Want To Know Your Secrets. With inspiration striking, these new songs came to be. Rather than wait to record them later, the duo cut them live in all their glorious rawness. In contrast to the (relatively) produced sound of the LP, these tracks have a looser, more spontaneous feel that's reminiscent of the band's debut single. Yet in terms of the quality of the songwriting, these tunes are miles ahead of what The New Brutarians were doing back in the year that cannot be mentioned. "I Don't Want To Know Your Secrets" is "vintage" New Brutarians and a perfect choice for a leadoff/title track. Adam channels his inner Stiv Bators on this Velvets inspired lo-fi toe-tapper, and the keyboards add a whole new dimension to the song. "In My Next Life" is my pick for the "hit" here. It features some of Adam's best-ever lyrics and a melody you can hum all day. Depending on your point of view, it's either folky punk rock or punky folk rock. Is there really a difference? "Enterprise" is one of those songs that slowly works its way into your soul and becomes unshakeable. With its kiss of saxophone and avant garde feel, "Delta Blue" sounds like it should be emanating from someone's New York City apartment at 3:00 AM. "Hollywood" could almost pass for a missing track off G N' R Lies. In keeping with The New Brutarians' history of standout cover songs, the album closes with a spooky and artistic interpretation of Bob Dylan's modern classic "Standing in the Doorway." 

If you're like me and consider The New Brutarians one of the freshest and most exciting acts in today's underground rock n' roll scene, you will not be disappointed with Don't Want To Know Your Secrets. Certainly it's going to be some time before the duo's next full-length sees the light of day. This excellent mini-album is an unexpected treat in the interim. And how great is that cover art? This release is available for your listening pleasure from YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. Look for a limited edition cassette pressing coming soon on Bandcamp!

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/21ErNgjQp2FgSJELPn1XA4
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lPGNFVrNZZ8vBQb_DQp8l-QfAMad-R8WM
https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-want-to-know-your-secrets-ep/1674432322
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians/
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/

New Brutarians - Hysteria

After much, much, much delay, the New Brutarians finally have their debut LP out into the world! Out now on the illustrious Alien Snatch Records, Hysteria is every bit the lo-fi glam-pop proto-punk rock and roll masterpiece I was hoping for from this Sunshine State duo comprised of Adam Turkel (vocals, guitar, bass, and keys) and Christina Wright (drums and vocals). It has been two and a half years since I first wrote about this band -- although it feels like much longer given what's been happening in the world over that time! Hysteria is full of scrappy pop songs crafted under the influence of glam rock, pop art, and early punk rock. If you love Johnny Thunders, Television, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Nikki Sudden, the Only Ones, and '70s Stones, you've just found your new favorite band. Hysteria includes some of the New Brutarians' stellar singles from the last couple years such as "A Little Hit of You," "(Rock Me) I'm A Dadaist" (easily the greatest song title of all-time), the truly marvelous "New Muse," and the COVID anthem "Living In Isolation." The half of the album I had not heard before proves to be every bit as formidable. "16 Savior" is nothing short of pop perfection. The Velvets-inspired "The Prettiest Girls (Sing the Saddest Songs)" is the first New Brutarians song to feature Christina Wright on lead vocals -- and hopefully not the last! "I Know Where Richey Edwards Lives" and "Stop! In the Name of Art" (featuring Treasure Island) are classic shots of '77 glam-punk. "Butterfly" is something we rarely hear these days: a really great old school punk rock ballad.  

Recorded by Adam Turkel, Billy Summer, and Gino Gambino in the midst of the great pandemic, Hysteria arrives triumphantly in the summer of 2022. It was recorded in dark, desperate times, and its release was delayed for over a year by bottlenecks at pressing plants. The fact that you can now hold this vinyl record in your hands seems like great cause for celebration. Together, Adam and Christina make music that affirms anew the healing power of rock and roll. Their influences, while obvious, are absorbed and interpreted with a style and personality that are uniquely theirs. Hysteria's existence on vinyl enables it to be enjoyed the old-fashioned way: you can drop the needle on the vinyl, relax, and read the lyric sheet as you fully experience each song. If this album proves anything, it's that Adam T is not just a tremendous pop artist and righteous screamer but also one of his generation's true punk rock poets. Hysteria is limited to 500 copies. It's available in the States from the New Brutarians' Bandcamp and in Europe directly from Alien Snatch. Don't miss one of the year's best LPs!

-L.R.

https://aliensnatch.bandcamp.com/album/new-brutarians-hysteria
https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/album/hysteria
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/
http://www.aliensnatch.de/
https://www.facebook.com/ALIEN.SNATCH.RECORDS/

The New Brutarians - Hysteria (Streaming Release and LP Preorder)

Now it can be told! It has been a well-kept secret for a while that The New Brutarians will be releasing their debut LP on my favorite record label of all-time, the mighty Alien Snatch Records. The band has officially opened preorders for the vinyl release via Bandcamp. The LPs will be shipping next month. If you absolutely can't wait to hear this glam-punk blockbuster, it's now up on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Otherwise, you can now order a copy of Hysteria on black or solid gold vinyl directly from the band. The vinyl release contains an exclusive track called "Stop! In The Name of Art." While I'm going to save my full review for the official release next month, I will say that Adam and Christina have outdone themselves on their full-length debut. Long delayed by the international vinyl pressing crisis, Hysteria is finally arriving and proves to be well worth the wait. For a nice little taste of what to expect, check out the official music video for "New Muse" below!

-L.R.

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/album/hysteria

https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians

https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/

https://open.spotify.com/album/05uDOSidKL6qYXJqzsLDxc?si=fde4d41fb892473c

The New Brutarians - "Barter Baby (I'll Trade You My Heart)"

2021 has been the year of delayed records. The pressing plants are so bogged down that albums recorded now just might see the light of day before a human lands on Mars. The New Brutarians, a band I'm quite fond of, must now wait until spring of next year for their debut album Hysteria to come out. Some bands will just say, "Screw it!" and release the music on other formats. But The New Brutarians seem poised to wait this one out for another half year or so. In the meantime, Adam and Christina have turned loose an outtake from the Hysteria sessions called "Barter Baby (I'll Trade You My Heart)" . This track kind of channels the Rolling Stones by way of the Velvet Underground -- or maybe it's the other way around? As always, I dig the lo-fi glam/proto-punk vibe. Lyrics are always a highlight of an Adam T. composition, and they're absolutely brilliant on this track. I got through one verse and was like, "Man, I wish I could write like that!". While "Barter Baby" didn't make it onto the album, it's no throwaway. The song is a staple of the band's live set and would probably have been released as a single at some point. Enjoy it now, and look forward to Hysteria next year!

-L.R.

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/track/barter-baby-ill-trade-you-my-heart
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/

Kevin K/Ricky Rat - Party Store

Kevin K (Road Vultures, Lone Cowboys) and Ricky Rat (Trash Brats, Dead Boys) making an album together is an idea so great that it's shocking it didn't already happen decades ago! When it comes to old school punk rock, these two guys are as legit as it gets. Kevin K has literally been playing in punk bands since the '70s, and Ricky Rat came up just a few years behind him. Just as importantly, these two are kindred spirits on both a personal and musical level. Out on Circumstantial Records, Party Store is very much like the other forty-some albums Kevin K has played on over the years. It's real deal American punk music for fans of Johnny Thunders, the Ramones, and Dead Boys. A Kevin K album never disappoints, and having Ricky Rat in the mix on guitar makes Party Store an extra special affair. This release features a great mixture of songs from an old timer who clearly has still got it. "Identity Crisis" and "She's Cold" are vintage Kevin K punk rock pop songs - strengthened all the more by Ricky Rat's melodic and totally rocking guitar work. Elsewhere, there are ballads ("You Don't Call"), bluesy numbers ("Shame"), and straight-up old school punk rippers ("Dog House"). The deeply emotional "Song For Lulu" is darn close to a pure pop song, and it's one of Kevin K's finest moments as a songwriter. And while I swing pretty far to the left politically, I must say I get a real chuckle out of "Sensitive Generation".

In this rotten year 2020, having new music from Kevin K is like comfort food for the soul. I had super high expectations when I saw Ricky Rat's name attached to this project, and I must say that I was not disappointed. If you've been a longtime Kevin K fan, Party Store is exactly what you'd expect it to be. If you've somehow never heard of Kevin K and Ricky Rat, this album would be a great introduction to a couple of living legends of the punk/glam/power pop scene. Digital album is available from Amazon. Order the CD from Altamont Records!

-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/kevinkrocknroll/

https://www.amazon.com/Party-Store-Kevin-Ricky-Rat/dp/B08CZB7GP3/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Kevin+K&qid=1597366248&s=dmusic&sr=1-1

http://altamontrecords.com/collectibles/kevin-k-ricky-rat-party-store-cd-2020/
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1561114-Kevin-K

The New Brutarians - "Living In Isolation"

Some of you may have had your fill of topical songs this summer. But I still can't get enough. To me, one of the major points of art is that you can create something of value inspired by our shared human experience. And right now, humans are sharing an unprecedented experience. The New Brutarians, America's favorite new glam rock pop art proto-punk duo, have just released the ultimate 2020 anthem in their new track "Living In Isolation". Produced by Gino Bambino at SunWray Studios, "Living In Isolation" just might be the best New Brutarians song to date. There's something just a little "off" about the fidelity of the recording that gives this song a surrealistic feel. And that's totally perfect for a song about the present state of the world. I love the complexity of what this song is. One one hand, it's dark and apocalyptic. On the other hand, it's really catchy and upbeat enough to get you tapping your toes. Adams's lyrics are remarkable. He's written about a pandemic-stricken world with honesty and bleak realism, but with a glimmer of hope still flickering. The lines "Every song I hear tonight/Sounds like shite/The words real trite/But I'll spin it again tomorrow when the sun is shining" absolutely blow me away.

In addition to "Living In Isolation", The New Brutarians also recently released "The Warrior Song" from their quarantine recording sessions with Gino Gambino. This track has a rawer, fiercer sound than most of the band's existing tracks. For the lack of a better term, I'll say it's the band's "punkiest" song yet. It reminds me a little of Adam's old band The Beatings. Again, the lyrics are totally fantastic and well worth your inspection. Both "Living In Isolation" and "The Warrior Song" can be streamed from The New Brutarians' Bandcamp and SoundCloud pages. And be sure to check out the music video the band just made for its killer 7" track "A Little Hit of You"!



-L.R.

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/track/living-in-isolation
https://soundcloud.com/adam-turkel-836476637
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians/

The New Brutarians - "New Muse"

How about another cool tune from The New Brutarians? Yes, please! When we last checked in with Adam and Christina, they had just given us a preview of their debut 7". I don't know if the record has even been released yet, but now they're back with a track off of their second EP due out in September. "New Muse" again finds the duo hitting that sweet spot where pop art, glam rock, and proto-punk intersect. It's probably the band's most overtly "pop" song yet, but it's still art damaged enough to frighten off the squares. Last time I mentioned that The New Brutarians would be rounding out their first EP with a track called "(Rock Me) I'm A Dadaist" (Oh my god: best song title ever!). They've since posted that one on the digital platforms as well. Let me just say that when you begin a song with the lyrics "I'm living like a hologram/I dined on Alice Cooper's brain", you can't possibly go wrong!  If you're a fan of Lou Reed, Johnny Thunders, The Only Ones etc., head on over to Bandcamp or SoundCloud and get a whiff of what The New Brutarians have been cooking!



-L.R.

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/track/new-muse
https://soundcloud.com/adam-turkel-836476637
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians/  
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/

Ladies and gentlemen, the New Brutarians!

Now here's a post I'm excited about! Yeah, I know: I'm pretty much always excited. But today I'm especially jazzed since I haven't had the occasion to write about world-renowned glam-punk pop artist Adam Turkel in almost 20 years. Well ole' Adam T has got new tunes cooking with his duo the New Brutarians. The former Beatings lead dude is on guitar/piano/vocals while fashion model Christina Wright plays drums and bass. This band has been at it for a few years now, but it's about to release its first 7" record on English Disco Records (who recently released Frankie Delmane's most excellent Street Penetration). This St. Petersburg, Florida based duo does the the lo-fi glam/proto-punk thing with a clear nods to many of the biggest influences on Adam's music and art. I'm talking Lou Reed/the Velvet Underground, Johnny Thunders, Nikki Sudden, the Only Ones, and of course one Steven John Bator (among others). The New Brutarians are a breath of fresh air for a couple of reasons. First of all, you don't hear a whole lot of bands these days that sound anything like this. Just as importantly, Adam and Christina have absorbed all of these influences and added much of their own style and point of view. They've created a wonderful update on a classic sound. In advance of the 7", the band has previewed two of its three tracks online. "Little Hit Of You" is an upbeat toe-tapper evocative of poppy New York Dolls. It's the most straight-forward punk track Adam has done since The Beatings. And if you dug The Beatings, you are 100% likely to dig this as well. Equally impressive is the band's rendition of the Leonard Cohen standard "I'm Your Man". It takes guts to take on a song as seemingly untouchable as this one. And given that Leonard Cohen is a massive influence on the New Brutarians, you might have expected a somewhat faithful version of "I'm Your Man". Instead the band gives the song a different arrangement and a totally new feel. It's a brilliant take on an iconic tune - fusing the band's love for noisy proto-punk with genuine affection for the source material.

The New Brutarians will be rounding out their debut single with another great track: the Velvets-inspired "(Rock Me) I'm A Dadaist". Be sure to follow the band on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the new record and a couple more that are in the works. And locals will not want to miss the band's first show in Tampa this coming Saturday night, February 29th at the Red Star Rock Bar in Ybor City. It's going to be amazing bill as the New Brutarians join Kevin K and the fabulous Gino and the Goons! Adam will also be showing his art and spinning tunes all night. More info here!



-L.R.

https://thenewbrutarians.bandcamp.com/ 
https://soundcloud.com/adam-turkel-836476637 
https://www.facebook.com/thenewbrutarians/ 
https://www.instagram.com/thenewbrutarians/ 
https://www.facebook.com/English-Disco-Records-111600386938652/

Gino and the Goons - Off The Rails

And now the other shoe has dropped! It was just a month ago when I promised that the fourth album from Gino and the Goons would quickly be followed by a fifth. And here it is on Big Neck Records - an absolutely legendary label for real deal punk rock and roll! The Gino/Big Neck alliance was truly a match made in heaven, and Off The Rails does not disappoint. I already made my case for why anyone who loves rock and roll needs Gino and the Goons in their life. I'm going to direct this particular review to those who are already fans. My message is simple: you need this goddamn record! Off The Rails is similar in spirit to the recently released Do The Get Around. This is the Goons at their loudest and loosest - the group powering through ten smoking tracks of wild '50s rock and roll meets blistering Stooges sleaze meets sloppy '70s punk meets '90s garage punk trash extraordinaire. But the band's secret weapon for this release was the one-and-only Jim Diamond, who was enlisted to mix and master these songs. I didn't think it was possible to make Gino and the Goons sound any wilder and crazier, but this production has done just that! The album title says it all. Gino and the boys absolutely tear it up, and from the first note it's sonic wildfire. This is the perfect combination of music that makes you wanna dance and music that makes you wanna raise hell. And isn't that just about everything that rock and roll should ever aspire to be?! Capturing the essence of live rock and roll on record is easier said than done, but I swear that if you close your eyes you'll actually think you're at a show. You can practically smell the sweat and cheap beer. "On My Way" and "She Can Take It" have already been previewed online, and honestly the whole album is of the same caliber. "Got No Friends" is THE rock and roll anthem of 2019 - a song that's sure to have people everywhere gleefully shouting along to the line "I'm annnnnnnnti-social!". If you already finalized your top ten albums of the year list without accounting for the imminent arrival of Off The Rails, you might as well tear the whole thing up. Gino Gambino for president!



-L.R.

https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/gino-and-the-goons-off-the-rails 
https://www.facebook.com/GINO-and-the-GOONS-269493892726/ 
http://www.bigneckrecords.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/bigneckrecords/ 

Gino and the Goons - Do The Get Around

Any "greatest rock and roll band on earth" conversation that excludes Florida's Gino and the Goons is hereby declared illegitimate! And fortunately we now find ourselves in the season of Gino and the Goons - the music gods' reward to us for persevering through trying times. It began in September with Black Gladiator/Slovenly's full-fledged release of the band's phenomenal third album Rip It Up (the world demanded more than 300 copies of that thing!). It continues today with the arrival of the band's fourth album Do The Get Around. It culminates next month with the release of the band's fifth album Off the Rails (on the venerable Big Neck Records!). So unless you were one of the lucky few that got your hands on Rip It Up last year, you're looking at getting three new Gino and the Goons albums in one three-month period. As they say: Christmas has come early!

Rip It Up was perhaps the most acclaimed record of 2018 within budget rock/garage punk circles. The Black Gladiator reissue ensures that this blistering slab is now available to all who desire it. And with digital mastering handled by Tim Warren, you are guaranteed to have your ears melted upon contact. Head on over to the Slovenly Recordings Bandcamp to get in on the action! Out today on the always terrific Drunken Sailor Records, Do The Get Around is far from a rehash of its predecessor. If Rip It Up was the best '90s garage punk record released this decade, Do The Get Around is its rowdier, sleazier, and far more boozed-up companion. It's definitely an album fit for a drunken sailor! Gino and the gang dig even deeper into the blues, country, and primitive rock and roll on this 10-track smasher. The songwriting is so authentically old school that I had a few of these tracks pegged as possible covers. But besides the 1959 Dale McBride rockabilly side "Prissy Missy", these are all Gino and the Goons originals. "Pills In My Pocket" brings to mind The Replacements when they were young, wild, and rarely sober. "Take It Off" is quintessential budget trash and not exactly politically correct (hint: it's not about reducing the federal deficit). "I'm Your Man" is punked-up rhythm & blues slop that could just about bring Johnny Thunders back from the dead. The raucous "SAMF" is most definitely NSFW.

What can be said about Gino and the Goons other than that this band has just got it? You look to some bands for the bad-ass attitude, others for the killer tunes, others for the musical chops, and others for the unassailable set of influences. But Gino and the Goons are the rare band that can check off all of those boxes. They get that rock and roll ought to be raw, unruly, and played excessively loud. Put on Do The Get Around, and whatever space you're currently occupying will be transformed into your own personal dive bar. With you possibly having to choose between three Gino and the Goons albums for purchase, you may be seeking my guidance on how to prioritize. I will gladly oblige. Sell a kidney, donate some sperm, and settle for the cheaper toilet paper. You gotta have all three records! Order your Do The Get Around vinyl here!



-L.R.

https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/do-the-get-around-lp 
http://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk/categories/drunken-sailor-records 
https://ginoandthegoons.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/GINO-and-the-GOONS-269493892726/ 
https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords/ 

The Antidon'ts - We Reap What You Sow

I had rave reviews for The Antidon'ts a couple years back, but I must say the Florida punk trio has really outdone itself with its new album We Reap What You Sow. Musically, this release is largely vintage Antidon'ts - raging like the best of '80s hardcore/skatepunk with a touch of surf. But lyrically, it's absolutely intense and a perfect summation of present-day youthful despair. Different bands have been inspired by our current state of affairs in many different ways, and in the case of The Antidon'ts that means going very, very dark. And while the bleak outlook of this album is a tough pill to swallow, you have to admire the band for really telling it like it is. The band for the most part avoids the obvious political statements (although "Keep That Shit Out Of Our Scene" is a scathing indictment of bigotry) and instead probes into our deeper malaise. These are songs about our inability to avoid the noise and manipulations of the media, about how both sides of the political spectrum are misinformed and overly reliant on the opinions of others, about the way people have become willing participants in their own oppression. While hardly the first band to comment on the falsity of the American dream, The Antidon'ts have done so here in a way that rings particularly true in 2018. And as dark as the album gets, the message is not so much "We're doomed!" as it is "We're doomed if we don't wake the fuck up!". When the songwriting turns personal on the powerful "Confessions Of A Nihilistic Alcoholic", there's similar light peering at the end of the tunnel. It's a dark tale, but one that ends with hope and positivity.

As impressed as I was by The Antidon'ts previously, I'm pretty blown away by how far they've come in just a couple of years. They clearly put a lot of thought and effort into writing these songs, and that shows in both the music and the lyrics. We Reap What You Sow finds the band more stylistically diverse than ever, and the conviction driving these songs is undeniable. This album is a perfect reminder that when it comes to using music to articulate meaningful ideas and inspire free thought, punk rock is as vital of a force as ever.



-L.R.

https://theantidonts.bandcamp.com/album/we-reap-what-you-sow 
https://www.facebook.com/theantidonts 

Gino and the Goons - "She Was Crushed"

So wait: Gino and the Goons already put out one of the recent classic albums of budget rock just this year, and they still had enough bullets in the chamber to release the hands-down best EP of 2018?! That's exactly what I'm saying! "She Was Crushed" was released earlier this month on Black Gladiator/Slovenly Recordings. Pound for pound, it just might be Gino and the Goons' strongest release to date. I hate to be that guy who touts every band's newest stuff as its best. But come on: can you honestly tell me you listened to these four tracks and weren't left completely stunned and overjoyed? This, my friends, is the rock n' roll you never stopped believing in! If these songs don't move you to dance, shout in delight, get feisty with your significant other, and perhaps break some minor laws, you are surely beyond helping. No existing band has a better grasp on how to create punk rock n' roll music that ticks every imaginable box. Raw? Absolutely. Raucous? Of course! Catchy? The CDC wants to shut this band down! Give the title track one play, and it'll be lodged in your brain all weekend (we clearly need more bands to employ the honking sax!). T Bone Jones lets out a scream on "Got Messed Up" that ought to be sent straight to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. I swear to God that Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone came back from the dead to play on "Wrong Side of A Cigarette"!

If you blinked, you probably missed Gino and the Goons' LP Rip It Up earlier this year. As far as I know, it never had a digital release and the vinyl copies were gone in a jiffy (Can you hear it on YouTube? I would say you can!). In that spirit, I would move fast on "She Was Crushed" while supplies last. You will not be disappointed...unless of course you hate rock n' roll. Did I mention this was the best EP of the year?!

  
-L.R.

https://slovenly.bandcamp.com/album/gino-and-the-goons-she-was-crushed-ep 
https://www.facebook.com/GINO-and-the-GOONS-269493892726/ 
https://www.facebook.com/BlackGladiatorKills/ 

New EP from The Antidon'ts!

When it comes to hardcore punk, I'm all about the old school stuff. And so the latest EP from The Antidon'ts is totally up my alley. This trio from Port Charlotte, Florida rips it up like the early '80s never ended - tearing through fast, snotty tunes that will have you pumped to grab your skateboard or jump in a circle pit. Bringing to mind the likes of the Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys, early Black Flag, and Milo Goes To College era Descendents, Ate My Pizza! delivers eight furious shots of hardcore surf punk adrenaline. Tracks like "Optimistic Loser" and "Banned In PC" bring the '82-style hardcore just the way I like it. "I Bet He Pushes Mongo" and "(You're) Goin' in the Grinder" find The Antidon'ts living up to their billing as the "heaviest surf punk trio in Florida". And for something different, "A Little Mad Sometimes" brilliantly lays an instrumental track over dialogue from the movie Psycho.

For their third release, The Antidon'ts have come through with a totally killer EP. And in the spirit of the classic bands they emulate, these guys understand that even the most raging punk music ought to be great fun above all else. When it's done well (as is the case here), this kind of music is truly timeless. Play these songs loud and piss some people off!



-L.R.

https://theantidonts.bandcamp.com/album/ate-my-pizza-ep
https://www.facebook.com/theantidonts

Vicious Dreams: the debut EP!

When was the last time I reviewed a band from Florida? It has been a while! I'm thinking my first post on Vicious Dreams will definitely not be my last. With a lineup that includes current and ex-members of Caffiends and The Tuff Looks, this Orlando foursome is just eight months removed from its very first show. In an incredibly short time, the band has produced a debut 7" EP that is out now on three different labels: Swamp Cabbage, Hovercraft, and the mighty No Front Teeth Records. The record is called Somethin' Vicious, and it arrives in conjunction with an 18-date tour of the East Coast and Midwest kicking off this coming Friday night. What I like about Vicious Dreams is that this is a band I can recommend to anyone who likes punk rock. I could see the group playing shows with power pop and hardcore bands alike and fitting in with both. Somethin' Vicious is full of hard-hitting melodic punk featuring the vocal stylings of Amanda Little. The A-side tunes are a little on the snappier side ("Outta Luck" reminds me quite a bit of Tilt), while the B-side tracks slow the pace considerably and find the band getting more inventive with its songwriting. I can hear a number of different influences at play, and it all comes together with a ton of energy and good catchy tunes. All in all, this is a highly promising debut. If you like what you hear, check out the band's upcoming tour dates and consider catching a live show. You can order the 7" now from Swamp Cabbage Records in the States and No Front Teeth in the U.K.!



-L.R.

https://swampcabbagerecords.bandcamp.com/album/scr-049-vicious-dreams-somethin-vicious-7
https://viciousdreams.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ViciousDreams77/

Gino And The Goons shake it!

I can't let 2014 come to an end without spotlighting one of the best rock n' roll records you could ever hope to hear. Gino And The Goons hail from St. Petersburg, Florida but sound more like New York City circa 1977. And I don't mean Blondie or Talking Heads. I'm talking Ramones, Heartbreakers, Testors - but with a lo-fi/budget rock recording aesthetic that I freaking love! Forget garage rock - these guys record in the living room! Really! Shake It! is a 12" record out on Slovenly Recordings. And it just plain rips! At eight tracks, it could be considered either a long EP or a short album. But ultimately, it doesn't matter what you call it as long as you drop that needle and crank this bad boy loud! This trio blasts out three-chord rock n' roll that's trashy, fun, and catchy as hell. And this record will quickly have you up & dancing and looking for a lady to romance. If you miss bands like the Devil Dogs and Spaceshits or wish that more punk groups worshiped at the altar of Chuck Berry, this is a band for you. Shake It!, along with that new Lovesores 10", proves that real rock n' roll is alive and thriving! 



-L.R.

http://slovenly.bandcamp.com/album/gino-and-the-goons-shake-it-lp 
http://www.reverbnation.com/ginoandthegoons