Showing posts with label Pop-Punk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop-Punk. Show all posts

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Unicorn Dogs - Closer To Death


Two years ago, Unicorn Dogs released Age Typical Junk Behavior, one of the best pop-punk debut albums of whatever you want to call this nightmare of an era we're currently attempting to survive. It was a debut that was going to be almost impossible to top. I say almost because here we are on the 25th of July in the year 2026, and Closer To Death (brought into the world by those twin institutions of musical excellence, Jolly Ronnie Records and Mom's Basement Records) has indeed topped its mighty predecessor. If Age Typical Junk Behavior was the album that solidified modern-day pop-punk as the soundtrack to everyone's midlife crisis, Closer To Death takes things to the logical next level. It's an album about how much it sucks to get old — especially in a bizarro world where the robots are taking over and 2 + 2 can equal 5 depending on whom you vote for. If you're looking for a record that will make you optimistic about the world or offer lighthearted escapist entertainment, this is most certainly not it. But if you want to pump your fist in the air and shout along at the top of your lungs to impassioned, anthemic pop-punk songs that will feed the fire of righteous indignation raging inside you, this record is not to be missed. 

What makes great pop-punk great pop-punk? There are a lot of ways to answer that question, but there's something about simple, two-minute-ish songs with punchy guitars and earworm hooks that I never, ever tire of. I could live to be a thousand years old and hear records in a thousand different genres, and I'd still steadfastly maintain that the Ramones were every bit as important as Beethoven. Of course the caveat is that the style has to be done well, and that's the main thing Lucas and Jon bring to the table. They're not trying to be original or innovative. But they're just so freaking good at writing simple pop-punk songs. They play a tried-and-true style of music, but they make it current and fresh by writing about things that matter to them. If you could measure the passion and urgency that goes into music, these guys would be a ten out of ten every time. 

And so here we have Closer To Death, and as usual, the songs rip hard and really have something to say. If you're going to write songs about living out your miserable decline in a word where everything sucks, you better have a sense of humor about it. And that's the magic of Unicorn Dogs. They can be (and often are) quite serious a lot of the time, but they also know how to make an art form out of self-deprecating humor. A lyric like "More than half my life is over with/Not sure I made the most of it/I don't have a bucket list/Just a lot of things I wanna quit" makes me laugh so hard precisely because it speaks a truth I can relate to. These guys aren't playing the brand of pop-punk where middle-aged men pretend they're still teenagers. They're playing the brand of pop-punk where middle-aged men begin reckoning with the sneakily rapid of encroachment of Father Time. If you relate to that description, this record has got plenty for you to chew on. Here we have anthems for people who have managed to get older without getting wiser and who feel like time has made them worse versions of themselves. This band writes profoundly about failure, regret, and just being plain tired of being beaten down by life. That's really heavy stuff, but it's also honest and real. The social commentary side of Unicorn Dogs ("Hallucination Free," "One Disaster Away," "Replaceable") is perhaps an even more bitter pill to swallow, but again, it's not like these guys are wrong about anything. There's even a hint of optimism in "Fix Your Heart Or Die" ("We don't fight because we'll win/We fight because there are things worth fighting for/And we gotta try"). The song is a reminder of why protest music (and protest in general) are so vital in this moment. And at a time when simply being a kind, empathetic human is an act of rebellion, Unicorn Dogs are here to show us the way. 

In spite of its title, Closer To Death is by no means a bummer of a record. Lucas and Jon (joined by Jon's son Oliver, who kills it on drums) might write from the perspective of disillusioned, over-the-hill folk who feel like life has passed them by. But the truth is that as musicians and songwriters, they've never been better than they are right now. You don't get the backing of two of the best pop-punk record labels ever by accident. Closer To Death is the best record they've ever made. It's packed with smart, super-catchy punk songs that mix their candidly dark musings with an undeniably upbeat energy. If these lyrics were about dominating in pickleball, cooking the perfect lentil soup, and the thrill of stargazing, this would still be quality pop-punk. But it wouldn't quite hit the same, would it? If you take these songs too seriously, it's like spending 27 minutes with Debbie Downer. But I don't listen to these songs and hear complete resignation. Amidst all that frustration, disappointment, and self-effacing humor, I hear a fighting spirit that won't stop pushing. I still don't feel my age, but the cold, hard math of me being as close to 70 as I am far from 40 really fucks me up sometimes. A little more urgency in my life would not be a bad idea. We're all getting a little closer to death every day. But that leads to an obvious question: What are we gonna do about it?

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Saturday, July 11, 2026

Vista Blue - "50 Years"


There are few things I enjoy more in life than a happy love song. And if it's coming from one of my favorite bands, I'm going to be doubly delighted. On its new single "50 Years," Vista Blue has brought us the ultimate happy love song. The song celebrates the 50th wedding anniversary of the band's good friends Kent and Barbie Duffy. Kent co-wrote the lyrics with Mike, and then Mike and Mark recorded the song. Kent and Barbie gave their blessing for the song to be released for streaming, and now we all get to share in the celebration!  

First of all, congratulations to Kent and Barbie! 50 years of marriage is an amazing, beautiful thing, and I wish you many more anniversaries to come! Secondly, I'm really blown away by what a genuinely fantastic song this is. To be able to write a song like this that's heartfelt, beautiful, and sentimental without being cheesy is an amazing achievement. The song takes a matter-of-fact approach that is touching and relatable. I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up the first two to seven times I read the lyrics. The line "I closed my eyes and opened them/And now it's been 50 years" absolutely gives me goosebumps (I'm feeling the exact same way today about 17 years!). I love the way the song looks back at all the things that have happened in those 50 years — the places Kent and Barbie have lived, the children they've raised, the songs on the radio that have come and gone. And here they still are. The last verse incorporates a passion for music into their love story and reflects on memorable shows they've seen together. And of course, Mike and Mark perform the song joyfully and splendidly. 

There's so much darkness and despair in this world right now, so a song as sweet and uplifting as this was exactly what I needed. I don't think Mike ever gets enough credit for being an excellent singer (honestly, it was the first thing I noticed about Vista Blue back in the day), and here he takes on the tall task of having to give voice to the words that came from another person's heart. But that plays to his natural sincerity as a singer. What an inspired performance, and what a wonderful anniversary gift to give to dear friends! Much is made of Vista Blue being lyrically unconventional for a pop-punk band, but isn't that exactly what makes this band so endearing? Even when they're not doing love songs, the love is always coming through since every song means something to them. Here, they are doing a love song, and it couldn't be more perfect.

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Tuesday, July 07, 2026

Bashful - 'Til It Makes You Sick


This one was an A+ recommendation from Niek. From Richmond, Virginia, Bashful has unleashed an absolute banger of a new album in 'Til It Makes You Sick. I believe the technical way to describe this is "punk rock that kicks ass." You know what I'm talking about: mega-blasting guitars, relentlessly pounding drums, vocals with guts and heart, and hooks that never quit. Pop-punk can often be a hit-or-miss thing, but this is a band that gets it right. Whatever frequent complaints you might have about pop-punk (too wimpy, dumb lyrics, annoying vocals, no originality, etc.) will not apply here. This record is a total firecracker. These songs are as likely to make you want to start a pit in your living room as they are to get stuck in your head. I often have a sweet spot for pop-punk that seems to have been teleported in from the '90s, but Bashful sounds a little more contemporary. I love that you can feel the passion that Bashful put into these songs. This music is infectious and full of life. If I'm sitting on the couch and you ask me why I'm so sweaty, I'll say, "I was listening to Bashful." 

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Thursday, July 02, 2026

Sparkle Blood - ZIP ZAP


From Lethbridge, Alberta, Sparkle Blood is a terrific trio making punky, poppy, modern rock with thoughtful lyrics and hooks a plenty. On its new album ZIP ZAP, the band (Tyler Stewart on guitar/vocals, Bre Day on drums, and Bailey Kate on bass/vocals) dishes out 12 earworm tracks in just 27 minutes. As a songwriter, Stewart is a master of efficiency. Each song comes in, grabs your attention, and then quickly makes way for the next. A lot of these songs (like "Mad About It," "The World Is Run By Sexist Men," and "In Real Life") are political in nature and don't hold back anything. But overall, the vibe of this record is warm and upbeat ("Totally Ignorant" has to be the happiest-sounding angry song I've ever heard). Stewart has the gift of being someone you can't help but like the moment he opens his mouth to sing. He can write serious songs without getting pretentious about it, and themes of friendship and fun loom large throughout this record. "This album speaks to the importance of recognizing we all have to take an active role in shaping the society we want to live in," says Stewart. "But at the same time, we can't take every moment of every day too seriously." From start to finish, the quality of the songs is top-notch. And the energy level rarely takes a dip. Yeah, I know there are thousands of new tracks coming out every day. It's just so hard to keep up. But Sparkle Blood is very much worth your time. These three make music that will give you hope in humanity. You'll want to buy their record. You'll want to drink beers and watch hockey with them. If this is "happy punk," sign me up for more!

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Wednesday, July 01, 2026

Get The Net - Til House Lights


Sometimes I'll hear a band, and instantly, it's all the feels. New Jersey's Get The Net was a King Ralph recommendation, and I'm extremely thankful to have been made hip to the trio's full-band debut album. Starting out as Ryan Raichilson's solo project back in his college days, Get The Net has been reborn and revamped into a proper band — and a very promising one at that. 

Having come up in the world of '90s pop-punk, I can never get enough of a certain sound and style that Get The Net executes to perfection. That style is the less snotty, more melodic variant of pop-punk. You know what I'm talking about: punchy guitars, heartfelt lyrics, hummable melodies, and a singer who can actually sing. Music like this was practically the air that I breathed when I was a skinny pop-punk kid thirty-some years ago, and it still hits a sweet spot today. On Til House Lights, Get The Net powers through 12 tracks that take me back to pop-punk's heyday without necessarily sounding like any other bands in particular. When it comes to pop-punk, this is how it ought to be done. The songwriting and lyrics are top-notch, and the playing is tight and crisp. The production is just right — applying an appropriate amount of polish that allows those melodies to shine without dulling the power of the guitars and drums. This is a rock-solid, well-crafted album from start to finish and truly a breath of fresh air in the pop-punk universe. I will now pass Ralph's recommendation forward. If you like good pop-punk, this is a record you really ought to check out. The Garden State does it again!
 
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Friday, June 26, 2026

Taxi Girls - Static


On New Year's Eve of 2024, I wrote, "If we finally get a Taxi Girls full-length next year, it may very well be my album of the year for 2025!" Well, I was a year off in my estimation, but my prediction is surely looking spot-on. In what has been the best first six months of a year for new music in recent memory, Taxi Girls have my absolute favorite release of the half-year with their fantastic debut long player Static (out today on Stomp Records in North America and the great Wild Honey Records in Europe). 

Jamie Radu, Vera Bozickovic, Lynn Poulin, and Gabrielle Noël Bégin were smart to take their time and make their debut album something special. As good as the debut EP Coming Up Roses and follow-up single "Rainy" were, Static blows those releases away. It's that rarest of things: an album that carries the appeal and influence of late '70s/early '80s punk rock yet sounds genuinely current in the contemporary punk/garage/rock 'n' roll universe. Influences run the gamut from classic punk and new wave to power pop to '90s feminist punk and alternative rock to modern-day garage rock. Yet Taxi Girls aren't trying to be anyone but themselves. Jamie Radu, in fact, described the album to me as "us on a plate." And that's what I love about this record. The influences are all over the place, but these songs are uniquely and undeniably Taxi Girls. These four women are not just extraordinarily talented; they also have a chemistry and kinship with each other that is immediately palpable. You're getting different musical influences from everyone in the band, and it all coalesces into something that only these four individuals working together could have created. I've never heard a record that sounds quite like this. 

Whichever corner of the punk and punk-adjacent underground you gravitate to — whether that's old-style punk, power pop and pop-punk, garage rock, or the more rock 'n' roll side of punk — you are sure to find much to love about Static. It's full of superb songwriting with killer hooks. It rocks hard. It's got punk rock attitude all day long. The lyrics are meaningful and relatable. The production is incredible. And Vera and Jamie, as co-lead singers, have an amazing hot sauce & honey dynamic going on. Their styles are contrasting yet also beautifully complementary. Both individually and in harmony, they make a formidable tandem. I can't think of many bands with two lead singers/songwriters where I don't like one a little (or a lot) more than the other. But with these two, it's a dead heat. Add in a lead guitarist who totally shreds and one of the best drummers in punk rock, and you've got yourself a band that ought to be huge. 

Taxi Girls certainly chose well with the three singles it has released off the album. But I'm hard-pressed to find any song on here that wouldn't have been a fine choice for a single. The sequencing of this record is flawless. It comes roaring out of the gates with a great mix of powerhouse rockers ("Say It!" and "Red Flag Crush") and energetic, super-catchy punk tunes ("Try Harder" and "Auto-Hysterics") before taking a surprising turn with the sweet, sentimental power pop of "So Quaint" and the delightful, effortlessly cool new wave throwback "Midnight Mixtape." And from there, the ride remains a great time but never gets predictable. By the time I got through the four-song run which includes the furious punk scorcher "Kill Your Darlings," the poppy punk earworm "Secret Handshake," the punk rock 'n' roll fireball "It Makes Me Think," and the genius New Order/Go-Go's mashup "Highs//Lows," I started to wonder if this band has secretly been together for 15 years and is just compiling greatest hits! And one thing that is always a deal-clincher for me is when an album offers an extraordinary pair of bookends. I always love an album that starts off with a song that makes you want to listen to the whole record and closes with a song that makes you want to immediately play it again. "Say It!" opens the record with a proverbial bang, and album closer "Other Heart" is this simple, unassuming little ballad that just tears your heart out. It's beautiful, tender, and instantly memorable — a perfect punctuation mark on the best album I've heard in a long, long time. 

So is Static everything I thought it would be? Yes and then some! I have been known to sometimes overstate things a little bit (ha ha). But it's not hyperbole to suggest that this album puts Taxi Girls right in the thick of the "best band out there" conversation. For people my age, this is one of those records that reaffirms that it's a healthy thing to keep up with new bands and not assume that music stopped being good 30 years ago. If you have young daughters, granddaughters, nieces, etc., this is the kind of album that could very well inspire them to start their own bands and grow up to be total bad-asses like Jamie, Vera, Lynn, and Gabrielle. Honestly, I have a hard time imagining any regular reader of this blog not being into this record. It's just so freaking good! I have a different favorite song every day. You hear a record like this, and you believe in rock 'n' roll again. You'll want a tattoo —or at least a t-shirt! When I see the critical and fan acclaim Taxi Girls are receiving, it makes me happy because it shows that even in these times when algorithms are king, talent and hard work still matter in music. There are still some huge albums due out later this year, but it's going to take something truly out of this world to top Static.

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Saturday, June 20, 2026

Unicorn Dogs - "Bogus Journey"/"One Disaster Away"


As they near the release of their new album Closer To Death, Baltimore's Unicorn Dogs are back with another sneak preview single. And as the album title suggests, you ought not to expect light songs about frolicking in the park or basking in fairy tale happy endings. What we have here are a couple more dark songs for dark times — delivered with an energy and catchiness that make these bitter pills remarkably easy to swallow. Unicorn Dogs, simply put, are one of the greatest pop-punk bands going these days. I now cease to be surprised any time their next release is even better than their last. On this latest single, they're not trying to be overly dramatic or deliberately morose. They're just dishing out a heavy dose of real talk. "Bogus Journey" is an unflinching reflection on living in a modern world characterized by "a dearth of kindness" (an observation that's on the money, I'm sad to say). The song plays on the timeless "Life's a bitch, and then you die" theme and notes that no matter how bad things get, they can always get worse. Depending on your perspective, that truth will be either really depressing or oddly comforting. "No one gets out alive" is the song's refrain, and that's no lie. 

"One Disaster Away" is more specifically in the social commentary category. At a time when one party's political power is reliant on millions of normal people believing they are just one big break away from being rich, this song goes the other way and notes that we're all just one misfortune away from losing everything. The idea that we could ever be part of the elite class is pure delusion — as is the notion that we're "better" than people who are serving time or living on the street. So yeah, this is not exactly easy listening. You're probably not going to cue up these songs at your next house party (and if you are, I probably would want to party with you!). But when it comes to making meaningful music with all the conviction in the world behind it, Unicorn Dogs are hard to beat. They play pop-punk with guts and soul. They're inching even closer to Closer to Death, and I can't wait!

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Sunday, June 14, 2026

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. 

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Saturday Night Karaoke - "Escalation"/"Doomsday"


Back with its first new music in nearly two years, Bandung, Indonesia–based Saturday Night Karaoke has delivered a couple of songs for the times on the new single "Escalation"/"Doomsday." I was really impressed with Prabu Pramayougha's recent solo project Barpinson, and this new SNK single is in similar territory in terms of having something very meaningful to say. While this band is generally categorized as pop-punk, the speed and energy of these two songs practically border on thrash-punk. These tunes are fast and furious here, and that's befitting the urgency of the lyrics, which the band describes as "a snapshot of the bleak urban reality we're all dealing with right now." "Escalation" is about the way everything in your life keeps escalating and escalating, and it just keeps on going until you die. We never really escape the compounding anxiety, do we? The spastic punk rock of "Escalation" practically bottles that feeling. "Doomsday" is a little more in the traditional pop-punk lane but still kicks at a racing pace that will quickly leave you breathless. And if there ever were an anthem for Planet Earth 2026 and the role of music in our lives, I'd say these lyrics are spot-on:  

We're all fucking doomed in this shit life
Nuclear bombs and wars everywhere
Don't say we don't care
Here's to make it hurt less
Anytime you're overwhelmed
So let's just sing along

That kind of hits the nail on the head, doesn't it? These tracks were just recorded last month, so the social commentary here is very current and very relevant. I love the passion and conviction, and these songs do indeed lend themselves to singing along. If you still believe in the power of punk rock to make a difference, you need to be blasting this single and blasting it loudly.

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Sunday, June 07, 2026

Ricky Rochelle - "Sad Girl Energy"


Back with his third single of 2026, Ricky Rochelle is in full pop-punk form on "Sad Girl Energy," which features Billy Pfister playing guitar and bass as well as producing. These two have collaborated a couple times before, and again what's so striking is how massive the production sounds. This is not your ordinary simply-recorded mid-fi pop-punk. This is some arena-sized sonic thunder, and it really works with Ricky's heart-on-sleeve vocal style and big, booming hooks. The lyrics are fairly clear but also open to interpretation. Is the song about one particular sad girl or any sad girl? Ricky is feeling that energy, and he's looking to respond with encouragement but also acceptance. I kind of like that his recent run of singles has continued to keep us guessing. You never know quite where he's going to go with each new track, but his personal charm is the glue that holds it all together. "Sad Girl Energy" is well-timed for a summer release and ought to appeal to pop-punk fans of all stripes.

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Monday, June 01, 2026

Hoaxxers - Hard Luck


While most people would consider it an EP, Hard Luck by Austin-based pop-punk standouts Hoaxxers could easily qualify as an album. Out on Mom's Basement Records, it backs six new songs with the three tracks the band previously released as singles and comes on nifty 12" vinyl. Call it what you want, but I'm just going to call it first class pop-punk. 

It blows my mind when I note that my history of writing about Charlie, Kye, and Tron as a musical trio dates back more than 20 years to the first Joe Jitsu EP. Yes, that was before YouTube and smartphones existed. Only the most cutting edge of folks had ventured into this new thing called social media. Now it's 2026, and these guys are still doing their thing — and unlike me, they've only improved with age. Hard Luck delivers six (or nine) tracks of tight, melody-driven pop-punk that perfectly balances smooth vocals with punchy guitars. Hoaxxers are part of this whole wave of Xennial pop-punk bands (and most of them are on the Mom's Basement roster!) that have managed to transform the genre into proper music for grown-ups. The songs on this record are largely reflections on living life and navigating the complicated world we live in. The cited influences (Dan Vapid, Smoking Popes, Green Day, Big In Japan) certainly give you an idea where Hoaxxers are coming from. But after all these years, Charlie has carved himself his own niche as a vocalist and a songwriter. You pretty much know what to expect, but all these guys are older and wiser now. They haven't reinvented the formula; however, they've certainly refined and perfected it. 

Hard Luck is noteworthy because it includes a couple of very political songs. "Straight Down the Shitter" and "Make Your Bed" both explore similar themes about how to cope with day-to-day life when the world is burning, and they both opine on the folly of being apathetic or in denial that anything is wrong. "Sidetracked" is officially/unofficially the first "slow song" Hoaxxers have done, and it's quite a successful change of pace (literally). "Against the Odds" is the first Hoaxxers song to feature Tron on lead vocals, and it really fits his vocal tone and style. 

There are countless bands out there emulating the "snottier" side of '90s pop-punk, so it's nice to have bands like Hoaxxers working in very different territory. Produced by Matt Morris with some assistance from Steven Jolly, Deedle Lacour, and Zephyr Huffman and mixed and mastered by Davi Pacote, this is an incredible-sounding recording that really accentuates the quality of the songwriting, vocals, and musicianship. This is pop-punk of the highest quality, and little else needs to be said. For decades, I've pushed back on the notion that pop-punk as a musical genre has to live in a world of eternal adolescence. And bands like Hoaxxers are either proving me right or serving as exceptions to the rule. For me, listening to Hard Luck is like reconnecting with old friends and appreciating that they haven't turned into assholes. Get your copy on colored vinyl while supplies last!

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Monday, May 25, 2026

Gene Champagne - "Gimme Ammunition"/ "She's An Atom Bomb"


Back with his first new solo tracks in a couple years, Gene Champagne hits the mark with a new digital single (arriving in advance of a vinyl release) in his signature punky power pop style. This ace drummer (Brad Marino, Teenage Head, The Killjoys) is also a formidable singer and songwriter, and he's really speaking my language on this crackling summertime two-fer. "Gimme Ammunition" is snappy power pop that will have you tapping your toes and humming along in no time flat. When that hook hits, it hits big! In just a few ticks over two minutes, the song is over and done and leaving you wanting more. That, my friends, is pop songwriting 101. On the virtual flip side, "She's An Atom Bomb" is a little faster and punkier — yet every bit as sunny and catchy. This song is a total earworm, and the lyrics are hilarious! This is a perfect little punk-pop single for warm weather season, and it's sure to go over well with just about anyone who regularly visits this site. You can always count on Canada to come through!

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Friday, May 22, 2026

Dimmicks - Love, Raptors, and Robots


Back with a new single, Toulouse, France's Dimmicks continue to be one of the most exciting and delightful new bands in the pop-punk universe. Love, Raptors, and Robots delivers two more songs in the band's wheelhouse of science fiction and pop culture obsession. Musically, this is top-tier pop-punk all the way. It's full of tasty guitar leads, harmonies to die for, super-catchy melodies, and a pure spirit of fun that is truly infectious. Perhaps music sometimes ought to be serious and have something important to say. But sometimes you just want to crank up some tunes and feel good about life. Love, Raptors, and Robots will make you smile and fill your soul with joy. It ought to be a lock for your 2026 summer playlist!

-L.R.

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Saturday, May 16, 2026

J Prozac/Space Age Zeros - split


The old school pop-punk vibes are strong on the new split 7" featuring J Prozac and Space Age Zeros, and I am here for it! Out on Critical Mass Music, this split is hitting all the right notes with me largely because so many of my favorite pop-punk records over the years have been in this format. 

It's always a pleasure to review anything that J Prozac is involved with, and Space Age Zeros are one of the best of the newer pop-punk groups out there. Sometimes the J Prozac recordings are a little different from the stuff he puts out with The Prozacs. So the twist with "Digging Holes" is that it reminds me of classic Prozacs! This is textbook Lookout! Records–influenced pop-punk with the melodic lead guitar and whoa-oh harmonies in the forefront. But what perhaps makes this more of a J Prozac song is the more mature perspective in the lyrics. I like how Jay has shown that pop-punk for grown-ups can still sound like the pop-punk we all grew up on. "Chemical Reaction" was a nice surprise. It's a semi-acoustic number that still has the spirit of pop-punk. Musically, this is a little more MTX than Screeching Weasel, and Jay really excels in this space. I love the sentiment of the song. It's a positive, feelgood number all the way, and we need more of that kind of energy in the world.  

On the Space Age Zeros side, "Cheryl Scott" gives me all the feels. This is throwback pop-punk that's melody-forward and wears its heart on its sleeve. It's got a crisp, clean sound that takes me back to a time when my musical world revolved around the Parasites. "Seasons of You" has a different feel: rougher around the edges and more melodic punk than pop-punk — but still super-catchy and full of heart. 

And so there you have it. The key to a successful split is getting two bands that go well together and making sure they can bring quality material to the table. There are no throwaways here. This could easily have been two individual singles that both would have been worth buying. Putting them on one record is a deal and a steal!

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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 24, 2026

Hormones - Hot For Hormones LP

It's not often that I review an album more than once. However, the vinyl release of Hormones' 2025 debut album Hot For Hormones is an occasion that has surely called for some fresh ink. When it comes to me and Melbourne's mighty Hormones, it was love at first listen (the date was June 1st of last year). I can say without any intent of exaggeration that Hot For Hormones is one of the best Ramones-inspired albums I've heard this decade. And to have a label like Stardumb Records that I hold in the highest possible esteem be the one to put it into the world as a vinyl record is something really special for me. 

Although the basic musical formula is five decades old, this is truly an album for these times — as these songs tell Betty Hormone's personal story of what it's like to live as trans woman in a transphobic world. The thing that gets me about Hormones is that this band is all about putting more love into the universe. And in telling her story, Betty is telling everyone's story. Don't we all want to be loved and accepted for exactly who we are? Don't we all want to live our best lives with as much joy as possible? Don't we all despise the idea of having to pretend to be the person society wants us to be? While these songs are full of humor & charm and are incredibly fun to sing along with, there's a profound seriousness residing past the surface. Betty's approach to Ramones-ish punk rock wasn't to write dumb, simple songs —  it was to write smart, simple songs. She put her soul into these tunes. I've found it interesting yet understandable that Betty is an excellent singer but chose to have someone else sing lead in this band. Joseph Ling does such an amazing job as the vocal embodiment of Betty's lyrics. He's likeable and charismatic yet very down-to-Earth — the perfect person to sing these songs where the vibe runs the gamut from playful to sweet to sexy to sincere. He also has a little bit of a young Robin Gibb thing going vocally, which is 100% unique in the pop-punk genre. It takes complete trust to let another person sing the words that came from your heart, and here that trust has been fully rewarded. 

There's a really big distinction between a Ramones inspiration and a Ramones imitation. Hormones don't claim to be the world's most original band, but they aren't trying to be anyone but themselves: the hottest band in the world and fervent supporters of trans rights and trans wrongs. No track exceeds three minutes in length, yet each tells a complete story. In the leadup to this album release, Betty wrote at length on what some of these songs are about. "Out of the House, Out of the Closet" is about being outed against your will before you're truly ready but still moving forward on the path you know you're destined to walk. What might have started as a setback ended up thrusting Beth Seymour into the world  — her true self no longer locked away. "I Wanna Be Your Herfriend" is about that fear of what your partner is going to think or say when they see you presenting as your true self for the first time. Luckily for Betty, that situation turned out well. "Hayley Smith" is a loving thank-you note to a high school friend whose fashion sense inspired Betty to eventually become the person she is today. "Transgender Menace" responds to the widespread vilification and demonization of trans people with fearlessness and defiance. "Got My Head Straight (The Rest of Me Got Gay)" tells Betty's personal story of mental health struggles and how addressing those problems empowered her to accept her queerness. "You Don't Have a Son" is the album's most powerful track. Betty lays it all on the line here: the only two outcomes for a trans person are to transition or to eventually end up "six feet underground." I can't imagine being such a monstrous human that you'd rather see a loved one dead than transgender. God, this song tears my heart out. And I don't see how you can listen to a song like "When I Was A Boy (I Was Really A Girl)" and feel anything but love and empathy for the trans people in your life. 

There will be different categories of people who will purchase Hot for Hormones. Perhaps you've heard of Hormones but only buy music on vinyl. Perhaps this is your first exposure to the band. Perhaps you bought the digital album or CD last year but are super stoked to own this title on gorgeous pink, white, or turquoise vinyl released by one of the greatest indie labels that has ever existed. Any way you shake it, this LP coming out on Stardumb Records is an event worth fervently celebrating. For those of you outside the EU, this modern pop-punk masterpiece is also available from The Machine Shop in the U.S., Brassneck! Records in the UK, and Endless Detention Records in Australia! 

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Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Hayley and the Crushers - "Jewel Case"


Now this is what I'm talking about! Hayley and the Crushers have been one of my favorite bands for quite a few years now. Today, I have the pleasure of writing about them for the first time since September of 2024. It was really exciting finding out that a new Crushers single was on its way and slated for release today. I didn't have any advance knowledge of its existence. I didn't have to sit on this track for weeks wishing I could tell people about it. This was a true surprise treat! 

The brand-new single "Jewel Case" is well-known to longtime fans. The song was one of the first that the Crushers wrote. It has been the band's set-closing number for a decade, and now it has finally received a proper recording. It's a song about that too-wild side that everyone has (or once had) — and that moment where you realize you've crossed a line you never, ever want to cross again. It arrives in advance of a new album that I am super-pumped about. The video for the song is meant to capture the band's raw, set-closing intensity — when the night has reached its end and there's nothing left to do but go for it like there's no tomorrow. In this clip, you can see (and hear!) the band bringing it with full gusto. It really tickles me that even as they lean more into their power pop side, the Crushers are embracing punk rock more deeply than ever. This scorching tune early is serving old school California punk vibes —like X on an energy drink bender. Ya gotta love it! Whether you like to party hearty and party hardly, "Jewel Case" is a song that begs to be cranked loudly while you run around like a maniac and wreak all sorts of havoc wherever you might happen to be. Yeah dude! Hayley and the Crushers are back!

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Friday, April 03, 2026

Ricky Rochelle - "Beetles on High"


A lot of Ricky Rochelle's songs have been pretty intense lately, and I can totally roll with that. But I can also appreciate him lightening things up a little with his new single "Beetles on High." This track finds Ricky going back to a more straight-forward pop-punk style. On a surface level, the song pokes fun at The Beatles for taking an obscene amount of drugs in the later 1960s. But at a deeper level, the song expresses tremendous admiration for the remarkable music that The Fab Four created under the influence. "At a higher consciousness than they even understood," sings Ricky, "their worst songs were symphonic; even 'Blue Jay Way' was good." This song reminds me of this old bit Bill Hicks bit:

And if you don't believe drugs have done good things for us, do me a favor. Go home tonight. Take all your albums, all your tapes, and all your CDs and burn them. 'Cause you know what, the musicians that made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years were real fucking high on drugs. The Beatles were so fucking high they let Ringo sing a few tunes!

The fact that we're still talking and writing songs about the stoned Beatles 60 years later seems to reinforce the whole point of "Beetles on High." Yeah, those guys were really high, but their music was world-altering and next-level brilliant. There's always that one person with the hot take that The Beatles sucked after Help!, but that's just crazy talk. "Beetles on High" manages to be both hilarious and affectionate, and it's obvious it was written by someone who's a true music lover. It's streaming now at all the usual places!

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Saturday, March 28, 2026

Vista Blue - Batting Around


Baseball season is never officially underway until Vista Blue properly opens it with a baseball-themed release. But we didn't have long to wait this year, as Vista Blue released Batting Around the day after the real Opening Day (one game on Netflix doesn't count) — and on Mike's birthday to boot. Mike got an early present in the form of a Pete Crow-Armstrong contract extension with the Cubs, and now he and Mark have gifted us four new Vista Blue tracks that no ABS system will ever be able to deny. 

The title track starts things off with some snappy, toe-tapping punk rock that celebrates one of the most formidable achievements a baseball lineup could ever hope to attain (and no, Meta AI, "batting around" does not refer to casually hitting the ball in a relaxed or informal setting). "Good Reputation" takes things in a more pop direction. It's a song about the one guy who's on the roster because he's respected in the clubhouse and contributes to the team in ways that are never apparent on the stat sheet. "What's Your Favorite Lockout?" is one of my favorite types of VB songs — a 30-second speed-burner that makes The Queers sound like Emerson, Lake & Palmer. And I'm absolutely on board with '94 being the gold standard for MLB lockouts. "I Don't Wanna Be DFA'd" is in classic VB territory. Paired with "Good Reputation," this song finds Mike and Mark speaking up for the guys who aren't big stars with massive contracts. A lot of players have to fight for roster spots and hope the axe doesn't fall on them when it's time to designate someone for assignment. I'll be pouring one out for Garrett Stubbs, a Phillie with a good reputation who has sadly been DFA'd. 

From that first chord of "Batting Around," I knew I was in for another first rate Vista Blue release. I'm always open to interpreting this band's sports songs on a metaphorical level, so let's hope that this is a year where all of you clear the bases in your life and put some crooked numbers on the board.

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Sunday, March 15, 2026

Egghead. - Would Like A Few Words With You (2026 Remaster)


It's not very often that I review vinyl reissues of albums that came out 16 years ago. Then again, it's not very often that I get second chances to review really great albums that came out between 2008 and 2010 — when I was doing lord knows what and not writing about music. Egghead. was/is unquestionably one of the all-time most influential bands in the dork rock neighborhood of the pop-punk universe. John Ross Bowie, Mike Faloon, and Johnny Reno contributed so much to this particular sub-genre in their original '90s run that their place in history would have been cemented even if had they never again brought their superpowers together for the good of humankind. "Not Everything That Smells Good, Tastes Good" is some of the best life advice ever dispensed in song. "First Flight To The Moon" predicted space tourism decades in advance. Would The Ergs! have ever existed if "Cosmo & Vogue" hadn't existed first? "Books" was the model for every successful romantic relationship I've ever had. But the music gods eventually gifted us with an Egghead. reunion record titled Would Like A Few Words With You, which was recorded in 2009 and released on compact disc by Knock Knock Records in 2010. I don't know how to put this, but this album was kind of a big deal. And it's kind of a big deal that I'm reviewing Egghead. for the first time in nearly 27 years. For context, consider that I was not yet publishing online (or doing anything at all online) the last time I reviewed this band. 

How do cult classic pop-punk albums from a decade and a half ago wind up getting vinyl releases in the digital age? In many cases, it's because the fine folks at Mom's Basement Records, who are pop-punk historians on a level that not even I could dream to attain, take notice of an injustice that needs to be corrected. You would have thought by now that there would have been a spirited Twitter campaign, well-circulated neighborhood petition, or cable access telethon designed to compel the proper authorities to give Would Like A Few Words With You its long-deserved vinyl release. But now our long ordeal has ended. The album has been remastered and made available on multiple colors of vinyl to longtime fans, record collectors, and a whole new generation of music geeks and geeks who love music. If there was any concern about Egghead. making a record in 2009, it was that perhaps, these gentlemen, now well into their 30s, would at this point be too mature and sophisticated to make a proper Egghead. record (and technically their first studio album). But come on: You know it was absurd for me to even entertain such concerns! Egghead., the sons of the Dickies and first cousins of Boris the Sprinkler, were not about to soil their legacy by writing serious songs. 

What kind of band starts off a pop-punk album with a piano overture? Egghead. does! Over the course of 14 tracks, Would Like A Few Words With You finds Egghead. tearing into a brand of music it helped to perfect: goofy pop-punk with the smartest dumb lyrics you ever heard. If perhaps the band's songwriting was now influenced by such things as marriage and parenthood, these influences were still going to be manifested in a distinctly Egghead. style. Hence we get "My Daughter Can Fuck Up Your Daughter," now recognized on six continents as a certified classic. And "I'm Still Here," a genuinely sweet '60s-style pop song about enduring marital love, features this lyric for the ages: "Sometimes affections fade, I know/But every time I see you naked, it's like I found my favorite song on the radio." Elsewhere, songs ponder interesting topics such as digging mysterious objects out of the ground, excelling at the sport of luge, pondering the frustrations of falling in love with a stoic, and finding yourself stuck inside a Stuckey's with Leonard Graves Phillips. The album also features something that wasn't always a hallmark of Egghead.'s early output: straight-forward pop-punk love songs like "It's All True," "Slow News Day," and "What the Hell Is She Thinking?". This was, and still is, an album that cements Egghead.'s legacy as opposed to piggybacking off of it. 

I've always considered Egghead. a band that I personally underrated back in the day — most likely because I fancied myself as more of a punk than a geek. But eventually a man grows up and realizes he had it backwards. Rebooting a band a decade and a half after its initial run can sometimes be a recipe for disappointment, but Would Like A Few Words With You was nothing short of a triumph for Egghead. And if it hadn't been, Mom's Basement wouldn't be putting it out now. No fan of '90s pop-punk will want to sleep on this release.

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