Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 07, 2026

Tiger Bomb - 15 Super Hits


You have to love an album with the name 15 Super Hits. Right off, you know to expect nothing more and nothing less than fun and timeless rock 'n' roll. There will be no robot voices or seven-minute songs about dragons. You know that when you put that record on, you'll soon be dancing and singing along and generally having a great time. Tiger Bomb, a band co-fronted by Chris Horne from garage rock legends The Brood and Lynda Mandolyn from Fabulous Disaster, has been at it for nearly a decade now. I am more than a little chagrined that I've never previously reviewed this band that was practically tailor-mode for this blog. But the great thing about being a fan of music is that it's never too late to get hip (pun intended) to all kinds of good stuff. With a lineup rounded out by Amanda Ayotte (Legendary Unknowns) on bass and Jessica Smith (The Resistance) on drums, the Portland, Maine–based Tiger Bomb plays upbeat & infectious garage rock influenced by girl groups, punk rock, power pop, and classic pop and rock 'n' roll. Yeah, I know: that sounds like something I would be into! Out on the legendary Get Hip Recordings, the aptly named 15 Super Hits features 15 original songs that could easily pass for covers of forgotten '60s classics.  

The singing and songwriting partnership between Horne and Mandolyn is one of the things that really makes Tiger Bomb special. The former's songs are mostly high-energy garage rock shakers, while the latter's lean more towards power pop. But Horne's songs still have killer hooks, and Mandolyn's songs still pack plenty of punch. And all these songs go together splendidly. It never feels like you're listening to two different bands. Both of these women could carry (and have carried) a band as the lead songwriter, but they sure are dynamite together. I can't think of one song I would want to subtract from the track list, and even a healthy collection of 15 songs leaves me wanting more. 

Given the individuals involved, it's hardly a surprise that Tiger Bomb is such a fantastic band. But this group is more than just the sum of its parts. These four women get rock 'n' roll, and as a unit, they are an absolute ball of fire. They are masters of their craft, yet they play with the energy and enthusiasm of teenagers in the garage. Many of you are reading this and thinking, "What took you so long, dude?" The rest of you will be wondering how quickly you can acquire Tiger Bomb's full discography. Happy shopping!

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Saturday, June 13, 2026

Piss Poor - Under Attack


I love the band name Piss Poor since that was one of my dad's favorite adjectives when I was a child in the '70s and '80s. And based on the name, you can probably surmise that this Connecticut-based band (another Jeffrey Thunders jawn!) doesn't fall into the easy listening category. Out on cassette tape on Big Neck Records, Piss Poor's new EP is as old school as it gets. Think OG hardcore a la early Black Flag and Void with a touch of Germs reckless danger and Samoans get-bent attitude. The band tears through 6 tracks in 7-and-a-half minutes in a bruising style that very much lives up to a title like Under Attack. You know what to expect: guitars that go through your bones, stabbing bass lines, and a singer who really knows how to holler. This is relentless, real deal stuff from a band that's poised to make some serious noise. Fucking excellent, pure and simple!

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Saturday, May 16, 2026

Sourpunch - Shake Them Bones


Back with its first new release in a few years, Sourpunch lets it rip on the excellent new EP Shake Them Bones. This Rhode Island–based foursome fronted by Jenn Lombari (also of the excellent melodic punk duo Stubborn Hearts, which also includes drummer Doug Metivier) plays awesome high energy punk/pop/rock 'n roll music that will get your heart pounding and your toes tapping. "Lipstick and Black" and "Gin Buzz" are in rockin' pop-punk territory, while "Rebound n Down" is full of '50s OG rock 'n' roll spirit. The theme song "Sourpunch Stomp" is a party-starter with a touch of Devil Dogs swagger. "Dead Friends" is fast and frenzied and poignant is hell. "Going up the Country" is a rocked-up cover of the Canned Heat classic. With Jenn Lombari, you're always going to get passion and feeling in the vocals. So even though this is a fun record to put on and shake them bones to, there's an emotional depth and soul to a lot of these songs that is sometimes missing in punk rock 'n' roll world. If you like no-nonsense rock 'n' roll that kicks a whole lot of ass but can also make you laugh and cry, this EP is for you!

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Friday, April 03, 2026

Brad Marino - Agent of Chaos


Well look what we have here: the long-awaited fifth studio album from the man himself, Mr. Brad Marino! Out today on Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Recordings, and Beluga Records, Agent of Chaos will disappoint absolutely no one. If you're looking for a Brad Marino album that sounds like a Brad Marino album, this will hit the mark and then some. There's really nobody better at doing this sort of driving rock 'n' roll with a punk influence and pop hooks. Marino, backed by Gene Champagne, Bobby Davis, Zack Sprague, Ron Mullens, Dave Strong, James Cap Nunn, and Caity Marino, has delivered an album that may very well be his best yet. As always, his choruses are catchy, his guitar licks are tasty, and his lyrics are sneaky clever. Agent of Chaos comes through with a little something for everyone. From the classic '60s pop of "Dissin' and Dismissin'" to the straight Ramones energy of "Sick of You" to the country vibes of "Devil May Care" to the timeless rock 'n' roll of "I Don't Want You Anymore" to the Jesus and Mary Chain inspired dark-pop of "Murder and Violence" to the straight-forward power pop of "Voodoo" to the butt-kicking fury of "Calling Your Bluff" to the pure pop majesty of "Lost Without You" and "Make This Last," Marino hits all the sweet spots. The man sure can write a song, and he can always be counted on to sing and perform it with gusto. 

Given that it has been nearly two-and-half years since Grin and Bear It came out, fans have certainly been waiting a while for a new Brad Marino LP. And Agent of Chaos has turned out to be every bit worth the wait. It's hard to find a sub-par or even less-than-stellar track in the bunch. A Brad Marino LP is always a lock to be way up there on my end-of-the-year top albums list. Even in a year that's as insanely stacked as this one promises to be, Agent of Chaos will certainly end up near the top of the heap when I publish my final rankings. As consistent as Marino has been as a recording artist, it would be easy to overlook what a great run he's been on over the last several years. But that kind of dependability ought to be appreciated and enjoyed. Flavors of the month come and go, but tried-and-true, high-quality rock 'n' roll never goes out of style. Agent of Chaos is a monster of a record, and I can name three premier record labels that are literally vouching for that!

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Wednesday, April 01, 2026

The Peppermint Kicks - "Shaking Underground"


When I first heard that The Peppermint Kicks were releasing a new single on April Fool's Day, I got a little suspicious. Anything having to do with April 1st always has me on high alert. Who in the heck releases new music on a Wednesday? Was this going to be an elaborate prank? Would April 1st come and there'd be no single but maybe a triple album with all lyrics in Russian? Would it be branded as Peppermint Kicks but actually be some sort of Metal Machine Music type project? Would the new single just be a video recording announcing that the band is retiring from music to prepare for a mission to Mars? Well here we are, and it all seems legit. 

Out on the one-and-only Rum Bar Records, "Shaking Underground" not only sounds like The Peppermint Kicks, but it might also be the biggest smash hit that Dan Kopko and Sal Baglio have ever crafted together in their secret headquarters. Of course it's a power poppin' garage rock 'n' roll stomper, but this is no ordinary radio hit for an alternate universe. This, my friends, is a full-blown ANTHEM and a rousing call to action. It's an unflinching commentary on technology addiction and content oversaturation — and the hapless masses who find themselves manipulated, enslaved, and zombie-fied by all those sinister little devices. The irony that this song is largely being transmitted through devices is probably not lost on the band, but sometimes you've got to wage war with the weapons you've got. "Shaking Underground" is not all gloom and doom. It's a wake-up call, and it proposes a way out of this nightmare. No more fooling around! Joined by dynamo drummer Chuck Ferreira, Kopko and Baglio are in top form on this track. Sometimes it takes an irresistible tune to ensure that the message hits hard, and no doubt "Shaking Underground" will have you shaking and grooving with all you've got. What a freaking tune! Sometimes when all else fails, rock 'n' roll is the answer. There is another way. Let's give 'em hell to pay! 

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Saturday, January 10, 2026

Brad Marino - "Murder and Violence"


I've been writing about Brad Marino's solo music for eight years now. You'd think that after that long, I wouldn't be so consistently amazed by the songs he puts into the universe. Yet my reaction to his new single "Murder and Violence" is the same reaction I had to "C'Mon C'Mon C'Mon" way back when: Holy cow, that's freaking great! I wanted to go running out into the street and start raving about what an awesome tune this is! When you expect a lot from a recording artist yet always feel like you got even more than you were hoping for, that tells you that you're dealing with an extraordinary talent. 

What I love about "Murder and Violence" is that it tweaks Marino's signature pop rock 'n' roll style just a little by adding a touch of The Jesus and Mary Chain influence. It also has a slower tempo than Marino tunes typically do. Perhaps most notably, the lyrics cut really deep. I've always thought that Marino was really underrated as a lyricist, but this is one of the few times I've heard him venture into true social commentary. The title alone tells you that he's writing about serious stuff. More specifically, he's talking about how compliantly we witness violence and all sorts of other horrible things on our screens and how easily we're swayed by the politicians and media personalities who spin these tragedies for their own benefit. In the wake of this weeks' events, the message is chillingly relevant. As Marino points out, no amount of wishing or praying will "make things all right."  

"Murder and Violence" is the second single from Marino's forthcoming LP, Agent of Chaos. Gene Champagne, Bobby Davis, Ron Mullens, Caity Marino, and Dave Strong back him on this track and do amazing work. Man, 2026 sure looks like it's gonna be another amazing year for music!

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Thursday, December 25, 2025

Muck and the Mires - "Tripping Out On Love"


Look who's back! The mighty Muck and the Mires have been one of America's finest garage rock 'n' roll bands for over a quarter century. And they've managed all this longevity without needing to mess with their winning musical recipe. Out on the French label Rogue Records, the new single "Tripping Out On Love" is vintage Muck in every respect. The title track is a high energy garage stomper that will have all the kinds dancing until they drop. On the flip, "Let's Kiss and Make Up Tonight" is perfect pop straight out of the British Invasion. Muck and the Mires make records that could have existed 60 years ago but still sound fresh today. They are nothing short of a national treasure, and they are in classic form on this latest slab of vinyl. Distribution is now available in the States courtesy of Rum Bar Records!

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Friday, November 07, 2025

N.E. Vains - Running Down Pylons


Since we're getting to that time of the year where I have to start working on my end-of-the-year best-of lists, first drafts are already underway. I took a leap of faith and saved a spot in my top LPs list for N.E. Vains, trusting that they wouldn't throw me a curveball and make this new record sound like Sugar Ray. I can breathe a sigh of relief: the band's debut long player Running Down Pylons (out on Big Neck Records) is a certified banger and precisely what you would expect from a meeting of the minds involving TJ Cabot, Jeffrey Thunders, and friends. 

The last time I checked, these guys were called The Vains. But because they are decent and reasonable humans, they added the "N.E." to avoid confusion with The Vains from Cincinnati. There may be some mystery as to what the "N.E." stands for. "New England" and "North Eastern" seem like obvious answers, but I haven't ruled out "Nominally Egregious," "Naturally Effervescent," "Notable Errors," "New Earmuffs," "Naval Excellence," and "Not Evil" as additional possibilities. New Haven meeting Moncton sounds like an American Hockey League match-up from 40 years ago, but in the case of N.E. Vains, it's a creative partnership between two of the coolest dudes in punk rock which began a few years ago on the Facebook Budget Rock group (possibly the only music group on Facebook not overridden with obnoxiously pretentious gatekeeping a-holes). Shandy Lawson (lead guitar), Bill Bates (bass) and Elvis Belushi (drums) were enlisted to round out the lineup, and the rest is history. Tragically, Bates passed in 2023. Scott Fitch, a notable New Haven musician and engineer, has ably filled in on the band's subsequent recording sessions. 

Running Down Pylons is, as expected, a fun punk rock record that you should not be legally allowed to play under a volume that would likely annoy anyone within earshot. We can loosely call this "garage punk," but to me, it's just great punk. I'm hearing lots of '70s punk and early '80s hardcore influences, but the overall sound is really unique. This is not just another band trying to be Teengenerate. Whatever quarantine-fueled madness inspired these songs was something akin to genius. 10 of 11 songs clock in at under two minutes, and every single track totally cranks. The thing about a TJ Cabot–fronted record is that you're not just getting run-of-the-mill punk rock lyrics. Instead you can expect lots of amusing, wild, and presumably true stories from the life and mind of this Atlantic Canadian luminary. Favorite tracks for me include the pissed-off opener "Kicked off the VPN," the ferocious title track, the blistering "Pinched Nerve," and the mid-tempo stomper "Six for Thirty Six." But honestly, the whole album kicks ass. 

So here's where I get to the predictable part of my review and say that there aren't enough records like this anymore. But I say it because it's true. This is killer punk rock, plain and simple. If you don't like this, there's something wrong with you. I would say that I would gladly listen to TJ Cabot sing the phone book, but he might be the one person to actually take me up on that. Running Down Pylons is limited to 300 copies, so move fast if you want to be able to say you owned it when pandemic nostalgia is all the rage in five years.

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Friday, October 31, 2025

The Prozacs - No Way Out


Still going strong after a quarter century, The Prozacs return today with the four-song EP No Way Out, their first new music in more than two years. While Jay, through countless iterations of this band, has played a vital role in keeping the pop-punk flame burning throughout this century, No Way Out takes a slightly different direction. These songs find Jay (along with Jimmy Craig, Greg Russian, and Matthew Gorr) tearing into some straight-up fast-and-furious kick-ass punk rock. If you like old school '80s/'90s West Coast melodic punk and skate-punk, these tunes ought to hit you just the way you like it. The liner notes promise "energy, sarcasm and angst," and that is definitely truth in advertising. Jay would probably be the first person to tell you that he's twice the lyricist he was 20 years ago, and that really comes through here. He has some serious things to say about life and the world, and the energy he and the whole band put into these tunes is something you are sure to feel the instant you push play. My thought when first hearing this EP was that there just isn't enough music like this anymore. The sound is melodic without necessarily being "pop," and I can't listen to these songs without imagining a bunch of folks going nuts in the pit. Punk music always excites me the most when I can feel a band putting all its heart, soul, and guts into every note, and that's the sort of urgency I'm getting here. The Prozacs aren't getting older — they're getting better.

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Sunday, October 12, 2025

Brad Marino - "Voodoo"


It's no secret that Brad Marino is one of my favorite musical artists. I recently reviewed him for the 25th time, and it's not out of the question that I'll review him 25 more times (at least!). He's back with a new vinyl single out on the German label LIGHTHOUSE Punkrock. "Voodoo" is the first song from Marino's next album Agent of Chaos, which will be out next spring. Joining Marino on this track are the secret weapon Bobby Davis on bass, the great Gene Champagne on drums, and the legend Ron Mullens on keyboards. Now that's one heck of a band! This is one of the most straight-forward power pop songs that Marino has ever written, and of course it's a hit! Marino is always so good about writing about doomed romantic relationships, and on this track he employs some seasonally appropriate horror metaphors to emphasize the extent of the doom. This is a rockin' and super-catchy tune with wonderfully clever lyrics. Without ever straying too far from his signature musical style, Marino manages to never disappoint. That is certainly the case with "Voodoo." One listen to this song is all it takes to know that the album is gonna be hot! The B-side, exclusive to this single, is a cover of one of the best Jesus and Mary Chain songs, "Between Planets." It's in many ways faithful to the original, but for sure it has been Marino-fied. Come on, man: it's a new Brad Marino single! You know you need it!

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Sunday, June 08, 2025

Brad Marino - "Reason or Rhyme"


Welcome to the Faster and Louder 25-timers club, Brad Marino! That's right: this is my 25th posted review of a Brad Marino solo release. That puts him in some pretty exclusive company. Now he enjoys the same rights, privileges, and secret discounts as Vista Blue and Kurt Baker. New single "Reason or Rhyme" is a straight-up rocker featuring a star-studded lineup of Marino, Dave Strong, Bobby Davis, and Zack Sprague. Call it garage rock. Call it power pop with an emphasis on the power. Call it good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. Call it whatever you like — either way, it's classic Brad Marino and a surefire smash. You looking for a killer riff? Check! A memorable hook? Check! A rippin' guitar solo? Check! When you need a hit, the New England Mafia always comes through. 
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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Dave Strong - "Fight Back"

On his latest single, the ever-reliable Dave Strong is giving us some good, old-fashioned punk rock. "Fight Back" is a fast, blistering tune and a veritable rallying cry. Hitting that melodic side of early '80s hardcore punk, this song gives off more than a little early Descendents energy. And I'm not complaining. Clocking in at just one minute and 56 seconds, the song doesn't mess around. It gets in and gets out with fury and ferocity. It's the kind of song you blast in your car at maximum volume when you're fed up with the world or just need a jolt of energy to get through the day. Another solid outing from New England's most underrated rocker!

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Friday, March 07, 2025

Brad Marino - On The Brink: Rarities, Remixes and Unreleased


Alright alright! Rum Bar Records release #200 is the fifth (or sixth, if you count Subterranean Jungle) album by Mr. Brad Marino. The label's debut release was Seven Nights To Rock by The Connection, which came out 13 years ago. So Brad Marino has been there with Malibu Lou from the start, and the two have decided to celebrate in style. On The Brink is an odds and sods compilation of some standout singles that have never appeared on a Brad Marino LP along with some unreleased tracks and alternate versions of old favorites. What I like about this release is that since it was designed to be a vinyl LP, they couldn't just throw every single non-album Marino track on there. Editorial decisions had to be made. Marino hand-picked all these tracks, which together give us an ass-kicker of a new album to enjoy while we await new material from one of the greatest artists of the present-day rock 'n' roll universe. 

Some of these tracks rate among Marino's very best — like 2022's digital-only Kinks homage "Girl, I Want You," "On the Brink" and "Should've Known" from 2018's Four Track Attack 7", and "Over My Head" from Marino's collaboration single with Natalie Sweet. These are essential songs in Marino's catalog, and it's great that they now appear on a proper LP (most of them remixed for this release). I'm also a huge fan of some of the cover tunes. Marino's versions of "What's My Scene?" (Hoodoo Gurus) and "Peggy Sue Got Married" (Buddy Holly) are absolutely killer. "Dame Darcy," Marino's take on a song by his old band Rydells, was originally released as a virtual B-side for the digital version of Marino's classic "Ramones and Stones" single. Fans will welcome its inclusion here, as it's one of the finest Ramonescore tracks of recent memory. The Michael Chaney–penned "True Love" was previously only available as a bonus track on the digital release of Marino's album Looking For Trouble. It has been given a proper polishing for this release, and it's one of my favorite cuts on the album. 

Unlike some compilation albums that have to resort to heavy filler, On The Brink can stand toe-to-toe with any of Marino's studio albums. This is a dandy selection of songs, and delivers a nice mix of Marino's '60s pop & garage side and his Ramones-loving side. It highlights a guy who's a triple threat: a really good singer, a superb songwriter, and a red-hot guitar player. He's certainly one of my favorite artists, and I've spent several hours enjoying this release in the car. Another reason why this album matters is that vinyl still matters. Even in this age of streaming and downloading, there's still something special about taking an LP out of its jacket and putting it on the turntable. I mean technically you can collect MP3s, but can you truly collect them? For those of you whose tangible format of choice is the compact disc, the CD version tosses in the Ramones and Stones 7" in its entirety. Any way you slice it, this is a super-cool release and an absolute treat for fans. Let's drink to another 200 releases from Rum Bar Records (at least)!

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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Borderlines - Repair Kit


Maine pop-punk veterans Borderlines follow up their truly excellent long player Keep Pretending with an absolutely aces EP called Repair Kit. Released yesterday (yes, Valentine's Day!) on Mom's Basement Records, this four-songer represents pop-punk music at its finest. While it's amusing that I can look at a group of guys who are way younger than I am and describe them as an "older" pop-punk band, I think you all get the point. Borderlines smash the stereotype that pop-punk is a kid's genre. You can come at this style from a more grown-up perspective and still be as pop and punk as ever. Across these four songs, the hooks are undeniably catchy and positively infectious. But lyrically, there's a lot more sophistication and ambiguity than what is probably typical in pop-punk. I raved about "Okay, Socrates" last month, and the three other songs on the EP are just as good. These are thoughtful, well-crafted, and well-produced songs from a really terrific band. The fine folks at Mom's Basement Records always seem to have their finger on the pulse of the best stuff going in pop-punk, and apparently I was asleep at the wheel when they put out Keep Pretending a couple years ago! But hey, here's to me being a life-long learner and finally arriving to the party! The 7" release for Repair Kit (on pink marble, translucent yellow, and coke bottle vinyl) is extremely limited, so get those orders in while you can!

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Friday, January 31, 2025

Borderlines - "Okay, Socrates"


One of my biggest misses in recent years was sleeping on Keep Pretending, a great album released by Borderlines back in 2023. It's an A+ pop-punk record, and 24-year-old me would be chewing out present-day me out for being so late to the party. Luckily I get another crack at Borderlines. On February 14th, this long-running Portland, Maine–based foursome will be releasing a new EP called Repair Kit on Mom's Basement Records. In advance of the EP, the band has a new single/music video out called "Okay, Socrates." That's a brilliant title for a terrific song. I'd say Borderlines are spiritually aligned with label mates The Young Hasselhoffs and Hoaxxers. They lean to the pop side of the pop-punk style with smooth vocals and thoughtful, reflective lyrics. So yes, this is what you'd call pop-punk for grown-ups, and I absolutely love it! "Okay, Socrates" is a song about what it's like to be so stuck in a routine that you're literally trapped. I'm always a sucker for the juxtaposition of dark lyrics and upbeat melodies, and on top of that I'd be lying if I said I didn't relate to the song at least a little. If you like pop-punk, I highly recommend you check out this single and the full EP when it comes out!

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Sunday, December 22, 2024

Brad Marino - "Not Fooling Me"

Check it out: we've got ourselves a new Brad Marino tune for Christmas! And it's a hot one! In advance of the new compilation album On The Brink: Rarities, Remixed & Unreleased (due out early next year on Rum Bar Records), Marino has leaked the song "Not Fooling Me." The track features Marino backed by a stellar supporting cast of Craig Sala, Dave Strong, and Bobby Davis. I dig this song because it's got that classic '60s pop sound. It reminds me of being a young punk rocker back in the '90s and refusing to listen to any radio station except the oldies station. If you like timeless melodies, stellar hooks, and really great rock 'n' roll guitar, this song is for you. Rum Bar is gonna be bringing the heat in 2025!

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Monday, November 18, 2024

Kurt Baker - "Inner Demons"


Back swiftly with a follow-up to his previous single, "Delusional," Kurt Baker again throws it back to his pop-punk roots on the new release "Inner Demons." Originally conceived as a possible song for the Australian power pop band The Stanleys, "Inner Demons" was first written during the dark times of the pandemic. The song, originally called "Keep Wishing," was eventually re-worked with bandmates Wyatt Funderburk and Geoff Palmer. If you're a fan of Palmer's, you will be happy to hear his influence all over "Inner Demons." Like "Delusional," "Inner Demons" is a very introspective song. But it's basically the other side of the coin. While "Delusional" is about confronting the possibility that you're fooling yourself when you think everything is going great, "Inner Demons" is about letting go of negative thoughts and embracing the positive — in essence, sending your inner demons "back to Hell." I'm really loving this direction Baker has been taking lately — where his lyrics have been thoughtful and self-reflective but the music draws from the pure energy and perfect simplicity of '90s/2000s punk rock. Looking at the matching artwork for "Delusional" and "Inner Demons," I can't help wondering if these two digital singles are destined to be combined into one vinyl single in the near future. Or maybe they're the first two installments in a trilogy! All I know is that Kurt Baker is on a roll, and I can't wait to hear what he does next!

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Friday, July 05, 2024

Dave Strong - "I Wanna Know"

Dave Strong is back with another excellent single. "I Wanna Know" essentially combines everything I like about his songwriting into one killer tune. It sounds like power pop by way of '50s rock 'n' roll and the Beach Boys with a pinch of the Ramones. I dig the beat; I dig the hook; and I dig the guitars. If this track doesn't get your toes tapping, I don't know what will. If you're into the New England Mafia or just great hooky rock 'n' roll in general, this tune ought to be up your alley. "I Wanna Know" will be on Dave's forthcoming 7" release, "I Hate Joe King's Roommate," which features an A-side that sounds like the best song Joe King never wrote. Order the vinyl here!

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Sunday, June 02, 2024

Pavid Vermin - Brutality Is My Only Friend


It's not often I use the word "genius" to describe a rock 'n' roll record, but what Glenn Robinson has done with his latest Pavid Vermin album is absolutely, positively a work of genius. A few years back, he was goofing around with a death metal song title generator. Then he got the idea to actually write songs based on these titles — but to make them sound like '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll! This might have been a jokey project if he had just written one song or gone through the motions with the songwriting. Instead, he worked for a few years to really perfect the material  — making sure the songs were legit good and up to his usual standards. Pavid Vermin for several years has been one of the most dependable "bands" in the pop-punk world. With this new album Brutality Is My Only Friend, we get the familiar spirit of Pavid Vermin. But this is not really a pop-punk record. It's an oldies-influenced pop rock 'n' roll record that is about as musically upbeat as it gets — creating quite a contrast to the absolutely brutal lyrics. Of course I was laughing the moment I heard the line "We'll all be dead in a couple of days" delivered as if it were the happiest phrase ever uttered. But the joke never wears thin since these songs are just so catchy and well-crafted. Essentially, Pavid Vermin has given us songs about murder, torture, dismemberment, and cannibalism that we can dance to. "Excremental Feast on the Decomposing Remnants of Humanity" is an infectious garage/beat party-starter. "Sacrificed by Cannibals at the Bottom of the Stairs to the Church of Blood" sounds like Elvis Costello and the Attractions if they'd gone really dark. "Baptized in Searing Acid in the Cesspool of the Necrotic Slaughterhouse" has a swinging '60s feel. "Tormented Corpse Exsanguination" could almost have been on the American Graffiti soundtrack! 

I suppose some people will check out this album and be like, "Man, that's messed up." But isn't that the whole point? Dark humor has always been a sweet spot for me, and the level of commitment to dark humor on this record is beyond impressive. These are genuinely some of the best songs in the Pavid Vermin catalog. The novel aspects of Brutality Is My Only Friend will grab your attention, but the quality of the execution will keep you coming back. The digital album is available now. A limited vinyl release is available from Memorable But Not Honorable Records. A CD release is coming June 14th on Rum Bar Records — which will be kicking off its summer of pop-punk by also releasing new albums from J Prozac and The Cretins on the very same day! Pre-orders are open, so step up to the bar!

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Friday, November 03, 2023

Brad Marino - Grin & Bear It


It's no news flash that a new Brad Marino album is something I would be excited about. Marino has authored two albums that ranked #3 on my year-end lists, and today he releases another one that's gonna be way up there. Out on Sioux Records on vinyl and Rum Bar Records on CD, Grin & Bear It is another stone cold gem of three-chord pop rock 'n' roll. Within three seconds of "Back Again" kicking off, you just know you're listening Brad Marino. Once again, Marino manages to deliver killer tunes that have the style and spirit of early-to-mid '60s rock 'n' roll without coming off consciously "retro." The earworm title track dispenses essential life advice and red-hot guitar work. If aliens came to our planet and asked you what Brad Marino sounds like, you'd play them "Up and Up." The Kurt Baker–penned "Hung Up" is pure '60s pop — sounding like the second hit The Wonders could have had. "Looking Then" channels poppy Ramones and tells a relatable story about a faded beauty. "I'm Broke," a Marino/Baker co-write, is a mega-catchy rocker that brings back memories of The New Trocaderos. Marino puts so much of his own style into the Rolling Stones' unreleased track "She's Doing Her Thing" that you might mistake it for one of his originals (I know I sure did!). Marino also has at the Bobby Fuller Four classic "Another Sad and Lonely Night" and totally smashes it. 

Marino enlisted a slew of talented friends to help make Grin & Bear It. Geoff Palmer, Kris Rodgers, Craig Sala, Zach Sprague, Bobby Davis, and the aforementioned Baker all play on the record. Joe King sings backing vocals on "Another Sad and Lonely Night." All that formidable musical talent is in service of 11 absolutely fantastic songs. Brad Marino as a singer, songwriter, and guitar player represents everything that's great about rock 'n' roll. For this release, he has written some smash hits and mixed in a few covers that fit the album perfectly. If rockin' pop tunes are your thing, Brad Marino is your man. The Sioux LP is on white 180-gram vinyl and limited to 300 hand-numbered copies, so you'll want to jump on that while supplies last. Compact discs are available from your home of the hits, the mighty Rum Bar Records!

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