The Lovebites - Tear Up Tear Down

From Nuremberg, Germany, The Lovebites are Barbara Paul, Bettina Friedmann, Caroline Hausen and Daniela Eichhorn. They have just released Tear Up Tear Down, their debut full-length album, on the iconic label Monster Zero. As you would expect from a Monster Zero release, this is really excellent pop-punk. Kevin sure does have an ear for the good stuff! What I appreciate about this band is that it crafts a classic pop-punk sound without necessarily sounding like a million other bands you've already heard. The guitars punch hard, the songs are tuneful and catchy, and those four-part harmonies are super-tight. But there are some somewhat non-typical influences (e.g. indie pop and old school punk/new wave) in the mix that separate The Lovebites from a lot of bands who are just recycling the '90s (not that there's anything wrong with that — ha!). There's a dark undercurrent to some of these songs that I find very appealing, and I love how the band channels the frustrations of everyday life into these energetic songs that are made for you to sing along with. How many people are going to hear "No Time" and immediately adopt it as their new personal anthem? I could ask the same of "To Do List." Pop-punk as a style can be hard to master because a lot of bands might come up a little short on the pop or the punk end. But The Lovebites balance those contrasting sides perfectly, and Tear Up Tear Down is one of the albums that everyone ought to be cranking loudly this summer. 

-L.R.

https://thelovebitesnbg.bandcamp.com/album/tear-up-tear-down
https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/tear-up-tear-down
https://www.instagram.com/thelovebitesnbg/
https://open.spotify.com/album/3UZf360RvPAcSpLP0vFZB2

The Hallingtons - No Plan

On their new album, Oslo-based trio The Hallingtons deliver something that's very underrated in this world: high-quality pop-punk straight out of the textbook. I always love a band that can take me back to the classic pop-punk sounds of the '90s without coming off like pale imitators. No Plan, out on Monster Zero, reminds me why I fell in love with this sort of music in the first place. These guys aren't asking to be awarded any points for originality, but they get high marks for execution and enthusiasm. This is how you do it: three chords, catchy melodies, and lyrics that cover everything from love to hate to science fiction to social commentary. And within the general realm of pop-punk sounds, they cover a lot of ground. Songs like "Valerie" and "Dance to the Radio" lean to the bubblegum/super-poppy side of pop-punk, which is always a sweet spot for me. "Love Song for You (My Baby Blue)" splits the difference between pop-punk and power pop. "Highjacked" could almost be The Riverdales. "Little Love Lock" and "Wanna Be An Intellectual" bring to mind the Ramones circa Rocket To Russia/Road to Ruin. Songs about King Kong and The Mothman are certainly on brand for these guys, and "Planet B" is your pop-punk anthem for the climate crisis. 

I often talk about those bands that aren't going to turn you to the dark side if pop-punk isn't your thing but will check off all the boxes if pop-punk is your thing. The Hallingtons are one such band. They make pop-punk for people who love pop-punk, and they do it well. No Plan is a fun record and a reminder that sometimes this kind of music is most enjoyable when it knows what it's supposed to be and just delivers the goods. "Valerie" alone justifies the purchase of this album! 

-L.R.

https://thehallingtons.bandcamp.com/album/no-plan
https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/no-plan
https://monsterzerorecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hallingtons/
https://www.instagram.com/thehallingtons/

Neon Bone - Eager To Please

Pop-punk as a musical genre is having a year, and it only gets better with a new album from Neon Bone. Eager To Please, the band's eighth(?) album, is out on Monster Zero, and its catchiness ought to be a grave concern to public help officials. Gumbo and his mates continue to represent everything I love about pop-punk. Eager To Please is chock full of simple three-chord songs influenced by classic pop and rock 'n' roll and delivered with a satisfying punk rock punch. This is a band that understands the timelessness of both melody and love songs, and there has never been much of a need to radically change its approach to music. You know what you're getting with a Neon Bone record, and it's hard to think of any band that does this sort of thing better. These guys manage to emphasize the pop without skimping on the punk, and they also manage to be pop-punk classicists without ripping off any particular band. More so now than ever, you can really hear the band embracing pop-punk's roots in doo wop, early rock 'n' roll, and '60s bubblegum. But some more modern influences turn up as well. Am I the only one who hears a little Nirvana in "But When You're Alone"? "Told You So?" is more than a little Weezer-ish. "Cold City Embrace" is very Depeche Mode/New Order, and I am here for it! Ultimately, you can't accuse Neon Bone of making the exact same album over and over. But they are perfectly comfortable in their lane, and Eager To Please is another five star pop-punk album.

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/eager-to-please
https://neonbone.bandcamp.com/album/eager-to-please
https://open.spotify.com/album/4mnLnQrQGm2IeSgBxe1AHr
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/neon-bone-eager-to-please-lp
https://www.facebook.com/neonbone/
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock

Jagger Holly - Rivoltella

A pop-punk double album may seem a little excessive. But in the hands of Jagger Holly, it's excessively awesome. Out now on Monster Zero, OUTLOUD!, Memorable But Not Honorable, and Hey Pizza! Records, Rivoltella is the best pop-punk full-length to be released since, uh well, the last Jagger Holly album! The Austrian trio has really outdone itself on its third proper album. A double album within the pop-punk world is not entirely unprecedented (The Suitesixteen pulled it off quite spectacularly), but it's quite rare. What pleases me about Rivoltella is that it doesn't try to be anything more than a great pop-punk record (or, to be more accurate, two great pop-punk records). Jay Dee sticks to what he does best: writing perfect pop songs with gigantic hooks and heartfelt lyrics. And for this release, he fully splits singing and songwriting duties with the equally talented Matt DeeCrack. Rivoltella isn't some indulgent rock opera or failed descent into experimentation. It's simply a super-sized work of masterful pop-punk. Remarkably for a 29-track release, it maintains a high level of quality all the way to the end. And it manages to run for nearly an hour without wearing out its welcome. In no way would I have recommended trimming this down to a single LP. There would be too many essential songs to cut, and honestly this album works perfectly at this length. 

As you would expect from a pop-punk album this epic, Rivoltella touches upon just about every sub-style within the genre. Some songs are super poppy. Others are fast and snotty. Some are heavily Ramones-inspired. A few lean towards power pop. A few have a foot in rock and roll. The band nails all of it. This is an album steeped in the classic tradition of '90s pop-punk, yet it shows how this sound can remain current and vital well into the 21st Century. There are some obvious hits like "Summer Sun," "Good To You," "Baby, It's You," "Keep Dreaming," and a terrific cover of Exploding White Mice's "Out of My Head." Yet the deep cuts prove to be just as rewarding. How many bands wish they could write one song as good as "Can't Stop"? "True To You" has got to be the best track 29 on any album ever! 

What do you do if you're stuck at home in the middle of a pandemic lockdown? If you're the guys in Jagger Holly, you write songs. And if you write enough good songs, why stop at a single album? The harder part for Jagger Holly was more likely getting all these tracks recorded — which required visits to many studios in multiple countries and tremendous perseverance in the face of illnesses, canceled travel plans, and numerous other disruptions. After all that, it doesn't seem like giving Rivoltella an hour of your time is an unreasonable ask. Sometimes more is more!

-L.R.

https://outloudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rivoltella
https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/rivoltella
https://www.mbnhrecords.com/product/jagger-holly-rivoltella
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/jagger-holly-rivoltella-double-lp
https://www.facebook.com/jaggerhollyrocks
https://open.spotify.com/album/34aIfnEU3DsuRVq0ED7qNc
https://www.facebook.com/OUTLOUDrecords/
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock

Black Russians - Feel The Christmas

Well I promised you no more Christmas posts in 2021, but I didn't say anything about 2022! The mighty and mysterious Black Russians have released a Christmas-themed EP just in time for Russian Christmas next week. The idea behind this digital release on Monster Zero was to give fans a taste of new album Communist Dudes, which will almost certainly be delayed due to the current vinyl-pressing logjam. "Winter" is the first single from the new album, and it's an absolute ripper! It's interesting to me that a lot of the great "Christmas" songs are really just songs glorifying winter, yet everyone stops playing them after Christmas...when winter is just getting started! Well Black Russians have stepped up to the fill the void, and "Winter" could very well be your personal anthem to survive the next two months. Elsewhere, the band celebrates the time-honored holiday themes of murder, terror, and the brutality of the KGB. If you had certain expectations for what a Black Russians Christmas record would be, you will most definitely not be disappointed! I can't decide if "It's Always Christmas At My House" (featuring guest lead vocals by Jason V) is the ultimate anti Christmas song or actually the ultimate Christmas song!

When it comes to pop-punk these days, I seem to have reached the point where I either love it or hate it depending upon the band. Black Russians are one of the bands I love. They manage to create a sound that's somehow both harder and catchier than what's typical for pop-punk. And then the wonderfully dark humor of their lyrics takes things to a whole other level. I've never cared much for party anthems, but Communist Party anthems are another thing entirely. Feel the Christmas is the party record you and your friends need while you're carousing under the stars in sub-freezing weather!

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/feel-the-christmas
https://blackrussians.bandcamp.com/album/feel-the-christmas
https://www.facebook.com/blackrussiansussr/
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock

Animols - Due

I always love a good theme band, and Animols are one of the most delightful theme bands I've come across. The concept behind Genoa-based Animols is that they play Ramones-inspired punk rock songs that are all about -- you guessed it -- animals! Due, the band's second EP, is a split release between Monster Zero and El Topo Records. It features songs about cheetahs, turkeys, mermaids, penguins, and bears -- all sung in Italian. Even if you don't speak a word of Italian, these are still super fun tunes to sing along with. This release is part of a special project called Super Involved launched by Kevin from Monster Zero in the wake of Austria's fourth COVID lockdown. The idea behind Super Involved was for Kevin to support newer and unknown bands in any way he could. One part of Monster Zero Super Involved was to make a promotional push for a few releases that came out earlier in the year and may have gotten lost in the shuffle of the craziness of 2021. Well, it sure worked in my case! Super Involved turned me on to Snotty Cheekbones' excellent album Avanti, and now I'm enjoying this latest release from Animols. Due is sure to delight animal-loving punk rockers of all ages and nationalities! 

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/due
https://animols.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/Animols-529964907090024/

Snotty Cheekbones - Avanti

Snotty Cheekbones, who were major players in the powerhouse European pop-punk scene of the early 2000s, are back with their first new music in 15 years. Avanti, the Swiss band's fifth long player, has been released on 10" vinyl by the illustrious Monster Zero. I've grown very picky about pop-punk in recent years, but I have to say that Avanti really hits the sweet spot for me. It successfully blends '90s pop-punk influences with '70s punk rock influences. It's well-produced but doesn't sound overly slick. Lyrically, it's intelligent and full of substance. Most importantly, the songs are well-crafted and catchy as hell. With pop-punk music, the point is never to reinvent the wheel. But Snotty Cheekbones have managed to deliver a record that doesn't sound like something I've heard 10,000 times before. Avanti is a fresh take on a classic style and a great reminder of why I'm so drawn to the European variant of pop-punk. Vinyl is limited but still very much available!

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/avanti
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/snotty-cheekbones-avanti-10-lp
https://snottycheekbones.ch/
https://www.facebook.com/snottycheekbones/

Neon Bone - Make It Last

When it comes to classic pop-punk in 2020, Neon Bone is as good as it gets. Out on Monster Zero, Make It Last is the fourth album from this Münster, Germany based artist/band. It sounds very much like the previous three, and that's a very good thing! When you've got a winning formula, there's just need no to mess with it. In the case of Neon Bone, that winning formula mixes equal parts '90s Lookout! Records, later '50s/early '60s rock and roll & doo-wop, and the first four Ramones albums. Make It Last, like so much of the pop-punk music I love today, would be great pop even if it weren't punk. But it's plenty punk, and the bit on the press release about this being a band that "will get the kids and the 30+ crowd to start the pogo and spill beers" could not be more dead-on. Make It Last strikes a perfect balance between '90s pop-punk revivalism ("You're Eating My Brain", "I'm Coming Home", "Tripping"), oldies/rock and roll influenced numbers ("Baby, Don't You Cry", a cover of the old Ricky Nelson hit "It's Up To You"), and those sappy love songs that I can never get enough of ("Girl You Should Know", "I Got A Friend", "Don't Say No More"). If you're expecting anything new from Neon Bone, well this sure isn't it. But if you're seeking more of those buzzsaw guitars, silky-smooth harmonies, and songs about girls, it's satisfaction guaranteed. Get your vinyl here!

 

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/make-it-last

https://neonbone.bandcamp.com/album/make-it-last

https://www.facebook.com/neonbone/

https://monsterzerorecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/

NECK - You Don't Think It's Evil

Today NECK. On deck: Booji Boys and The Sorels. I've often thought that my coverage of Canadian bands could turn into a blog of its very own! But that would be kind of wacky for a guy from Pennsylvania to be blogging exclusively about bands from Canada. Speaking of wacky, we have this new album from the almighty NECK. There's not much that needs to be said of these guys other than that they're true legends and ought to have a hockey team or at least a tasty pilsner named after them. You Don't Think It's Evil is the follow-up to their 2015 classic Hate To Read, and it adheres strictly to all the central tenets of NECK-dom. These gentleman continue to carry on like they're HEAD's goofier Canadian cousins, and they take care to limit each track to a minute-and-a-half or less. On this set, NECK weighs in on topics such as online dating, the fear of dying in a sinkhole, the scourge of self-righteous joggers, murder for hire, the effects of excessive beer drinking, and joining the skyforce "just because". It's as if they peered into my soul and wrote an album that would speak to my life experience. This is brilliant stuff, but of course you knew that already if you're a fan. Ramonescore at its absolute finest!



-L.R.

https://necktunes.bandcamp.com/album/you-dont-think-its-evil 
https://www.facebook.com/NECK-124343011070330/ 
https://www.ibuyrecords.it/prod/neck-you-dont-think-its-evil/ 

The Yoohoos - Up Goes The Rocket

The Yoohoos truly had me at "Hello!". I've always maintained that when pop-punk is done right, it's pretty much the best music ever. And The Yoohoos do pop-punk right! Up Goes The Rocket (Monster Zero Records) is the most exuberant, fun-filled collection of songs I've heard from any band in quite some time. It's actually this German trio's very first LP - although they've been a band for almost 14 years. There's only one word that properly describes this album, and that word is FUN! Would you expect anything else from three people named Eggnog, Vanilla, and Koko B.? The Yoohoos are definitely kindred spirits to Groovie Ghoulies, but with a more bubblegum sound and a more specific fascination with spaceships and aliens. What I enjoy about these three is that they're not afraid to go way over to the pop side of the fence. This is some of the poppiest pop-punk you'll ever hear, and I am loving it! The vibe is a great mix of goofy, sweet, and just plain adorable. Seriously: how can you not love a band that sings about cuddling all of the kittens in the world?! That's a mission I can truly endorse! The Yoohoos can rock the party like nobody's business ("Hello!", "Little Alien"), but they can also do pure tender pop that will just about break your heart ("Love Disposal Service", "Rainy Cloud"). There's just something super appealing about a band that can move seamlessly from the surprisingly touching sci-fi of "Rusty Robot" to the 41-second blitzkrieg of happiness that is "Spread The Magic". And after thinking for years that New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" would be an awesome song for a pop-punk band to cover, I am delighted to report that The Yoohoos have proven me right!

I have to admit that I had a "Where has this band been all of my life?" moment when I first heard Up Goes The Rocket. But I know darn well where The Yoohoos have been since 2005: in Nuremberg, making great pop-punk records! So the better question is where have I been all this band's life? This album just puts a massive smile on my face, and I'm so glad that Kevin from Monster Zero took the time to tell me about it. Yoohoos 'r GO!



-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/up-goes-the-rocket 
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/yoohoos-the-up-goes-the-rocket-lp 
https://theyoohoos.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/yoohoosarego 
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock 

Jagger Holly - The Last Of The International Playboys

Having come up in the zine world as a pop-punk kid in those ancient times of the '90s, I am pleased as punch to hear this genre of music still thriving today. There's tremendous Ramones-inspired/three-chord talent out there right now, and we are very fortunate to have labels like Monster Zero and Mom's Basement Records that devote themselves to filling the world with great pop-punk. It's no surprise, then, that those two labels have a hand in what I consider to be the best pop-punk album of the last several years. The Last Of The International Playboys is the second album from Jagger Holly, a band featuring Jay Dee from Johnie 3 and Spastic Hearts along with members of DeeCracks and On My Arms. Essentially what we have here is a pop-punk supergroup - one born in Ohio and now based in Austria. I was a big fan of Spastic Hearts, and I like Jagger Holly even better. The sound is pure pop-punk that fully embraces the pop side of the equation (oh, those harmonies!). The Last Of The International Playboys brings to mind genre standard-bearers such as MTX and Darlington, but not in a copyist sense. This is just great pop-punk in the "let's have a good time!" mold. Literally and figuratively, it's the perfect mix of American pop-punk and European pop-punk. Jay, I mean Jagger, writes lyrics that make me laugh out loud but also show genuine tenderness in the love song department. Topic-wise, these 12 tracks cover all of the essential issues in life: partying, longing for lost love, pursuing new love, hanging out at the beach, heartbreak, romance, and crushing on porn stars. Usually with a pop-punk record, I go through all of the tracks and try to identify which songs are the "hits". I can't do that with this album since literally EVERY song is a hit!

The Last Of The International Playboys won't turn any non-fans of pop-punk to the dark side. But if you are a fan of pop-punk, I 100% guarantee that you will love this album and play it to death. From the lyrics to the melodies to the vocals to the musicianship, you simply won't hear this style of music done better. And if you could quantify fun, this would be a ten out of ten. Blue vinyl is available from Monster Zero, and red vinyl is available from Mom's Basement. Outloud! Records is releasing the album on CD. This is the summer album of 2018 - arriving just in time for winter!

 
-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-of-the-international-playboys-2 
https://outloudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-of-the-international-playboys 
https://www.facebook.com/jaggerhollyrocks/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/ 
https://www.facebook.com/OUTLOUDrecords/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/ 

Real Sickies - Get Well Soon

Wasn't I just talking about how many killer LPs have come out in just the last few weeks? You all are gonna go broke buying all of this stuff! Add one more to the list. Real Sickies are the best thing to come out of Edmonton since Wayne Gretzky's mullet. They knocked my socks off a few years back with their demo tape, and just last year they finally released an excellent debut single called "Cool Club". Get Well Soon is the band's debut album, and it's brought to you by a host of labels including This Is Pop, Dirtyflair, Monster Zero, and It's Alive Records. With names like those associated with this release, you know it's gotta be good! Real Sickies openly worship at the altar of the Ramones and Teenage Head, and there's not a damn thing wrong with that in my book. If you're looking for new ground to be broken, Get Well Soon is not the album for you. But if you're like me and can never get enough great punk/powerpop/rock n' roll, this record is not to be missed! From the opening strains of the title track all the way to the end, this release is just total fun. Past hits "Go Away" and "Cool Club" reappear here along with great new songs like "C'mon Baby" and the raucous shaker "Everywhere You Go". This is a cool mix of songs covering everything from old school pop punk ("Very Large Failure", "I Don't Wanna Be Here") to high energy rock n' roll ("Time Out") to dramatic balladry ("Runaway With You"). And a cover of The Barracudas' "Summer Fun" leaves no doubt as to what Real Sickies were going for on this debut long player. Get in the car, crank this album loud, and enjoy your summer!



-L.R.

https://realsickies.bandcamp.com/album/get-well-soon 
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/real-sickies-get-well-soon-lp 
https://dirtyflairrecordcompany.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/therealsickies/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/ 
https://www.facebook.com/thisispop780/ 
https://www.facebook.com/itsaliverecords/ 

Neon Bone - That Dog Won't Hunt

Today I've got one for the pop-punk faithful! That Dog Won't Hunt is the third album from German recording artist Neon Bone. Monster Zero and Mom's Basement Records have collaborated on this release, which ought to give you a good idea of what to expect. And what I mean by that is that you should expect it to be awesome! For those of you who long for the days when Lookout! Records was king, this one will be very much to your liking. For those of you who don't, I suppose you don't need to read beyond this point! The one-sheet had me sold when it compared this record to "drinking big German beers at the high school prom". If there's anything in the world I love as much as catchy pop songs, it's German beers! These 12 songs indeed go down as easy as a cold pint of Ayinger Celebrator. Totally hits the spot! 

If you're gonna do pop-punk, you might as well be all-in. So I appreciate that Neon Bone isn't afraid to go ultra-poppy. And with late '50s/early '60s rock n' roll influences mixed in there as well, you can expect one catchy sing-along tune after another. This is textbook stuff, right down to the melodic leads, heart-on-sleeve vocals, super-smooth harmonies, lovelorn lyrics, and sweet melodies churned through buzzsaw guitars. What more could you need as a fan of pop-punk?! I have to admit that there's always an added charm when this type of music is sung with a European accent. And, man, those melodies! I've been whistling them everywhere I go!

As someone who has a great appreciation for simple pop songs, I must say that Neon Bone is remarkably good at writing 'em. And that's a very underrated skill set. While That Dog Won't Hunt is without doubt spiritually derived from that '90s heyday of pop-punk, I like that it digs back several decades further to the ultimate roots of three-chord pop. If you doubt that pop-punk as we know it could ever have existed without Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers, Neon Bone is gonna be your kind of music. Prost!



-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/that-dog-wont-hunt 
https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/neon-bone-that-dog-wont-hunt 
https://neonbone.bandcamp.com/ 
http://www.storenvy.com/stores/731631-moms-basement-records 
https://www.facebook.com/neonbone/ 
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/neon-bone-that-dog-wont-hunt-lp-pre-order 
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/ 

Lucy and the Rats - self titled

When three labels the caliber of Monster Zero, Stardumb, and Surfin' Ki Records collaborate on the release of a vinyl record, you know it's gonna be something pretty great! Lucy and the Rats are a power pop band Lucy from The Spazzys formed with members of the English punk group Michael Jackson after she relocated to London a few years back. In 2016/2017, the band released a pair of singles on Surfin' Ki and Monster Zero. Now a proper album has arrived, and it's one of my favorite releases of the year so far!

If you enjoy The Spazzys but aren't yet familiar with Lucy and the Rats, you might be a little surprised by what you hear. While there's no questioning this foursome's punk pedigree, with this band the focus is on pure power pop. Melody and harmonies are in the forefront as the band draws from the classic sounds of the '60s. There's still plenty of punch in the guitars and drums, but the less-rushed tempos really allow these songs to take their time unfolding. Lucy's singing voice is warm and easy on the ears, which works so well with the pretty melodies the band favors. Lucy's willingness to show her softer side is really what gives these songs their charm. Some people are just naturally good at singing love songs, and I would definitely put her in that category. Of the ten tracks here, three are songs fans will recognize from the singles. But there's no drop-off with the new material, and it's not hard to imagine a song like "Make You Mine" or "Hold On Me" being an A-side in its own right.

This full-length debut from Lucy and the Rats is pretty much the ultimate power pop record. It's got that hard crunch on the outside with a soft, sweet center. You can land on any track of your choosing and encounter a melody you'll be whistling for days. This is just a top-class effort all the way! The songs are exquisitely crafted, the band rocks, and Lucy is as likable of a vocalist as you could ever hope to hear. This album is pop as fuck, and I love it! Follow the links below to peruse your many options for colored vinyl! Digital release coming next month on Dirty Water Records.



-L.R.

https://lucyandtherats.bandcamp.com/album/lucy-and-the-rats
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/lucy-and-the-rats-s-t-lp-1 
http://surfinkirecords.bigcartel.com/product/presale-lucy-and-the-rats-s-t-lp 
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/lucy-and-the-rats-lucy-and-the-rats-lp 
https://lucyandtherats.bandcamp.com/ 
https://dirtywaterrecords.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Lucy-and-the-Rats-817424101645809/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/ 
https://www.facebook.com/surfinkirecords/ 
https://www.facebook.com/stardumbrecords/ 
https://www.facebook.com/dirtywaterrecords/ 

The Hangups - self titled EP

When it comes to pop-punk in the last couple of decades, Europe has been where it's at. Kevin Aper has had a lot to do with that, and today he runs the Austrian-based label Monster Zero Records. Monster Zero has released 65 records from mostly European bands - including some I've previously featured (e.g. Bat Bites, Barbecuties). I'm not fully sure how to explain why pop-punk continues to thrive in Europe. But I'd say it has something to do with Europeans being open to the idea that sometimes all music needs to be is fun. With a Monster Zero release, you know you're going to get tried-and-true pop-punk. That's certainly the case with the label's latest release from Malmö, Sweden's The Hangups. These guys are all-in on the Ramones, Lookout! Records, and the idea that "poppunk is the law". The band's self-titled EP is pop-punk by the book, and it's eight minutes, 25 seconds of head-bobbing good times. These tunes are catchy as can be, and they've got plenty of balls as well. The influences are obvious, but so what? If "Addicted" doesn't put you in a supremely wonderful mood, then you clearly hate pop-punk and should back away from this review before your day is entirely ruined. All I know is that if I had heard this record when I was 25, I would have immediately gotten a Hangups tattoo and booked a plane ticket to Sweden. This is pop-punk done faithfully and done really well. If you can appreciate that, The Hangups are definitely your band!



-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/s-t 
https://monsterzerorecords.com/products/hangups-the-s-t-7 
https://thehangups1.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/ 

New Barbecuties album!

Long underrated fixtures of the European pop-punk scene, The Barbecuties may have finally delivered their "breakthrough" album after 15 years in the game. Go Down With Style is out now on Monster Zero Records. It's the German foursome's fifth album - and first in six years. And let me tell you, it's great! Without any hesitation, I would say this release vaults The Barbecuties into the top tier of pop-punk bands. I slid this disc into my car player two weeks ago, and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since. If you're a card carrying pop-punk geek like me, you are likely to have a very similar experience with Go Down With Style.

I always admire a band that knows not to mess with a winning formula. On Go Down With Style, The Barbecuties continue to worship at the church of The Queers and Ramones. Like numerous other European bands, they have a special gift for reveling in these influences without sounding generic or forgettable. Go Down With Style is nothing more and nothing less than a textbook pop-punk record. And such a thing is a pleasure to behold when it's done this well. If you like pop-punk that's heavy on vocal harmonies, then The Barbecuties are definitely your kind of band. The group's fondness for harmonizing really adds to the variety of this record, with nods to doo-wop ("A Lonely Boy's Dream") and '60s surf ("Summer Vacation", "Coconut Girl") really hitting the mark. Lyrically, The Barbecuties manage to be both girl-obsessed and completely hilarious - a rare combination indeed. "Breaking Me (And Up With You)" is a love story like you've never heard before - the perfect metaphor for the terrible things men and women do to each other in the name of love. And while no American band could ever pull off a lyric like "She's from Cologne/Which doesn't mean that she's a real hot lesbian", it's all charm coming from the mouths of The Barbecuties.

Go Down With Style is a veritable buffet line of pop-punk goodness, offering everything from bubblegum pop to good old Ramonescore to the near street punk of "Kickstart My Heart". It's pure sing-along fun arriving just in time for the summer. Looking back at the praise I heaped upon The Barbecuties after the release of their album Promnight Heartbreak in 2007, I have to say that nothing has really changed with this band. Even after a six-year hiatus, it's the same old Barbecuties. Except now they're on the world's #1 pop-punk label, and that can only be a good thing. I eagerly await the day I get to drink lagers with these fine gentlemen!



-L.R.  

https://www.facebook.com/TheBarbecuties
https://thebarbecuties.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock

The Bat Bites make an album!

Sometimes when I review a pop-punk band, I'll do so with a general audience in mind. I'll do my best to convince people to listen to a certain band even if they don't like pop-punk. I'll contend that even if you hate pop-punk, this particular band isn't anything like all those other bands you so thoroughly despise. But you know what? I'm not going to do that today! If you hate pop-punk, The Bat Bites are not going to turn you to to the dark side. They'll probably annoy the hell out of you. But if you love pop-punk, you're gonna go crazy for this foursome out of Rotterdam!

The Bat Bites first released an EP back in 2009. They've finally come out with a full-length album - a self-titled effort on Monster Zero Records. With two Apers members in their lineup, these guys/gal definitely have roots in that European pop-punk scene that's been going strong since the late '90s (I've always loved the enthusiasm that the Euro crowd seems to have for Ramones-inspired music!). One of the main strengths of The Bat Bites is that the band features male and female lead singers in Merel and Mikey. Sometimes the two sing individually, and sometimes they sing together. The effect is something along the lines of having Screeching Weasel, The Unlovables, and Teen Idols all combined into one band. The moment I heard opening track "Tomorrow", I was immediately taken with Merel's warm, likeable vocals. And Apers guitarist Mikey, stepping into a front role here, is very much the prototypical pop-punk singer. Each vocalist brings something different to the table, and that definitely prevents the album from becoming too "samey" (a common shortcoming of pop-punk records). And given the prominent role of backing vocals and harmonies on this record, the exceptional quality of the production is a huge asset. The album was recorded by Simon Speechless (The Windowsill, Accelerators, The Maydays) and mastered by the always dependable Justin Perkins. In my younger days, I probably would have referred to this record as "overproduced". Clearly I've become smarter in my old age. This thing sounds like a million bucks!

Of course that amazing production would be worthless if the songs weren't great as well. The Bat Bites, with three songwriters contributing material, have delivered as strong of a collection of pop-punk songs as I've heard in the last couple of years. Call them lightweight if you want, but these songs are just so catchy and fun to listen to - with melodies and guitar hooks that I cannot get enough of. I've always believed that great pop-punk should appeal to that part of all of us that's forever 16 and caught in the throes of infatuation. And by that definition, The Bat Bites are great pop-punk! Most of their songs have an upbeat, happy-go-lucky energy to them. And even the ones that don't still manage to convey a hope that tomorrow can be a better day. Listening to a song like "One Day", I can't help imagining it playing over the closing credits of a feelgood teen movie. "I Wanna Be The One With You" is the kind of song that I could listen to on repeat for an hour straight. And for some icing on the cake, the great Kurt Baker makes a guest appearance on the doo wop inspired duet "Heartbreaker"!

What The Bat Bites have done is make a nearly flawless genre record. They're not trying to do anything new or original, but they've executed a tried-and-true formula to perfection. And in embracing both the "old" and "new" schools of pop-punk, they blur a distinction that probably didn't need to exist in the first place. One of the best reasons to listen to any kind of music is because it brings joy to your daily existence. And that's why The Bat Bites will be mainstays on my iPod for a long time to come.



-L.R.

http://thebatbites.bandcamp.com/album/the-bat-bites
https://www.facebook.com/thebatbites