The Riffs - "You Doin' Alright"

Well after 20 years, we finally have new music from The Riffs, and somehow this band did not miss a beat! The Riffs, from Portland, Oregon, released three full-length albums and five 7" records from 1999 through 2006. With their '77 punk meets gritty street punk meets tough rock 'n' roll sound, they were a cornerstone band of two of the best punk rock labels of that period: Pelado Records and TKO Records. And now they're back on another iconic label, the mighty No Front Teeth Records. The new 7", "You Doin' Alright," is classic Riffs through and through. Why bother turning back the clock to 2003 when you can take it all the way back to 1977 or earlier? The sound here is anthemic, powerful, and timeless. Even if they hadn't covered "Join the Professionals," The Professionals would have been one of the most obvious references along side the Sex Pistols, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, the New York Dolls, Cock Sparrer, and The Boys. What an inspired return! The songs kick ass, and the production is massive (befitting that Jonesy-inspired wall of guitars). You could argue that this rivals the best of The Riffs' original releases, and it's a must-purchase for anyone who geeks out over '77-style punk rock the way I do. Grab your vinyl before it's gone!

-L.R.

https://theriffs.bandcamp.com/album/you-doin-alright
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PrRRUutSml68aPymMnhlr
https://www.instagram.com/theriffs_official/
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Riffs-100043360194500/
https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

Girl Drink Drunks - Meal Deal

Back with their first new music since August of 2023, Portland, Oregon's mighty Girl Drink Drunks absolutely rip it up on the five-song EP Meal Deal. This band, comprised of PDX punk mainstays Joel Jett, Adam Kattau, Capt. Johnny Sensitive, Rodrigo Diaz, and Matt "Wet" Waters, continues to play blistering, totally pissed-off punk rock that meets at the intersection of budget trash and early hardcore. But somehow, even after the consistently fantastic output this band has produced in recent years, Girl Drink Drunks have managed to totally blow me away with this latest release, which takes things to the proverbial next level. These tunes have grabbed me by the neck and kicked my ass into the next county. This, my friends, is punk fucking rock in all its fierce and furious glory! 

I love hearing a band sing about how much it sucks to live in these dark times, and few vocalists are better equipped to scream out all those frustrations on an 11-out-of-ten intensity scale than Mr. Joel Jett. And if you like scorching guitars and forcefully bashed drums, you are in for a treat! If "Better Than a Human" had been the whole record, this would have already been an essential purchase. But there's zero letup from there. The title track is an anthem for these times — an urgent reminder that a lot of people out there are struggling just to put food on the table. "Hang Time" might very well be the best song Girl Drink Drunks have ever put on tape. "Woke Up Screaming" is another raging ode to the bleak zeitgeist of Planet Earth circa now. And tying it all together is a smashing rendition of Screaming Sneakers' classic "Violent Days." That choice of a cover was not random. Girl Drink Drunks have made a record that speaks to the present condition. If you subscribe to the "Shit is fucked, but at least that means the punk rock will be really awesome" doctrine, well here's the kind of record you've been waiting for! Dave Berkham recorded this EP at Village Squire Studios, and it sounds exactly like an impassioned punk record ought to. Crank these tunes at the loudest possible volume, sing along at the top of your lungs, and fire yourself up for the fight. Let's be better than a human!

-L.R.

https://girldrinkdrunks.bandcamp.com/album/meal-deal
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3m7q7O5dFjHZwFE5sU9FkC
https://www.instagram.com/girldrinkdrunks/
https://www.facebook.com/girldrinkdrunks/

Perfect Buzz - Happy Trails

From Portland, Oregon — one of the greatest music scenes in the universe — we are now introduced to the aptly named Perfect Buzz. Perfect Buzz are Petey, Luke, and Wes. Petey was in Pure Country Gold and the Suicide Notes, so the pedigree is undeniable. With Perfect Buzz, he has crafted a unique sound that fits nicely into the Pacific Midwest garage rock lane but also incorporates elements of first wave punk, power pop, post-punk, and the louder side of '90s alt-rock. Happy Trails, the trio's new EP, ought to appeal to readers of this publication without necessarily sounding like other bands I review. These tunes definitely put the rock in indie rock with heavy guitars, slamming drums, and aggressive but melodic vocals. Whatever's in the air in the Pacific Northwest is deeply embedded in this band's musical DNA. "Mess Around" and "You're Wrong" open this record with a formidable 1-2 punch of sonic thunder. "Here Come the Cowgirls" is excellent tuneful garage rock. The post-punk influence is more apparent on "Gonna Make You Sweat," but the song still rocks hard enough to peel the paint off the walls. In a good way, my reaction to hearing any of these songs would be, "Did this come out in 1993?" This is super-cool stuff that's well worth a listen. A physical release on 10-inch vinyl is coming early in the new year!

-L.R.

https://perfectbuzz.bandcamp.com/album/happy-trails
https://open.spotify.com/album/4WzOtcuwTH3BFYE5VPxAA9
https://www.instagram.com/perfectbuzzzz/

Guerrilla Teens - Monkey's Paw

What can I say about Guerrilla Teens that I haven't already said before? Simply put, this is one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands out there — featuring members of some of the punk world's most illustrious acts of the past three decades. Far from a mere continuation of The Humpers or Lovesores, Guerrilla Teens have their own thing going on — and it's exciting! Featuring the talents of Scott "Deluxe" Drake on vocals, Jeff Fieldhouse on guitar, Saul Koll on guitar, Tim Connolly on drums, Anna Andersen on bass, and Dave Sobel on keyboards, Guerrilla Teens are not looking back at past glories. They're too busy crafting the next generation of classic punk rock 'n' roll songs to rest on any laurels. Their last album Under the Dagger was one of 2023's overlooked gems, but the follow-up Monkey's Paw beats it by miles. The album is out now in digital form, and a vinyl release from the ever-dependable Sioux Records is coming soon. 

You know what to expect from Monkey's Paw: ten tracks of electrifying Drake/Fieldhouse–penned rock 'n' roll haymakers featuring a firestorm of guitars, an unstoppable rhythmic backbone, and typically furious vocals from the ageless force of nature that is Scott Drake. This, in fact, might be the best album Drake has put his name on since the '90s. These are Guerrilla Teens' best songs to date, and the production and playing are perfect for this kind of music. Last year's excellent single "I Cyclops" kicks off the album emphatically. If you like straight-up '70s punk, "Mary's Got the Bomb" and "Johnny on the Mainline" will get your heart racing. If you're more in the mood for some restrained menace, "Sleepwalker" and "Tonight" (which sounds like the best Dead Boys song in decades) ought to hit the spot. "My Hometown" is pure rock 'n' roll and an absolute corker. Elsewhere, "Pride of the Savanna" and the smashing title track kick up the sort of wall-shaking unholy racket that all "garage" bands should aspire to. This is going to be one of the top albums of the year, and you will certainly want to follow Guerrilla Teens and Sioux Records on the socials for updates on when the vinyl is available. If anyone has any doubts about what real rock 'n' roll is, Monkey's Paw will make it all perfectly clear. 

-L.R.

https://guerrillateens.bandcamp.com/album/monkeys-paw
https://www.instagram.com/guerrillateens/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057052313560
https://www.instagram.com/sioux_vinyl/
https://www.facebook.com/SiouxVinyl

Unfinished Business: Guerrilla Teens - "I Cyclops"/"Pride of the Savanna"

As I was closing out the year and looking for review drafts that for some reason never got published, this Guerrilla Teens piece from October caught my eye. How in the world did I forget to finish this thing? Back with their first new release since 2023's fantastic long player Under the Dagger, Guerrilla Teens totally rip it up with a pair of tracks that fit the mood of the spooky season. But in a way, it's nice to listen to this single again with fresh ears. Even with the horror theme, this is by no means a strictly seasonal release. 12 months a year, these tunes will melt your face off. Guerrilla Teens remain one of the finest rock 'n' roll bands going, and "I Cyclops" is as good as anything they've done. Out on Heavy Medication Records, this is an absolute monster of a single (no pun intended). On the A-side, the band gets into the head of a perceived monster. What's it like to be feared and misjudged by a world that won't even try to understand you? Scott "Deluxe" Drake turns in a powerful vocal performance on this track — a fierce and ferocious shot of old school punk rock 'n' roll. On the B-side, "Pride of the Savanna" stays on the horror theme and manages to evoke wild '60s garage rock without coming off overtly retro. The guitar work and rhythm playing are inspired, and Drake delivers his vocals with a chilling conviction. I believe there are still vinyl copies left, so be sure to grab one if real rock 'n' roll is your cup of tea! 

-L.R.

https://heavymedicationrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-cyclops-pride-of-the-savanna
https://guerrillateens.bandcamp.com/album/i-cyclops-b-w-pride-of-the-savanna
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057052313560
https://www.instagram.com/guerrillateens/

Unfinished Business: Mean Jeans - Blasted

Now this is taking the "unfinished business" concept to absurd lengths. Mean Jeans' latest album Blasted is now nearly a year old, and I can't possibly explain why I didn't go to the trouble to review it 11 months ago. Let's just say that sometimes things slip past me. I would like to thank Mark for the nudge. If 2024 was the year that reignited my love for pop-punk, then I need to include Blasted as part of that. For a band that has been in existence for nearly two decades without ever significantly altering its musical style, Mean Jeans have managed a highly impressive staying power. Blasted is the perfect name for an album that rips through 15 tracks in just over a half hour. It manages to be simple in its approach yet inspired in execution — with tight playing, super-catchy songs, and lyrics that are deceptively mature and self-reflective. I remember reviewing On Mars back in 2012, but honestly, Blasted is miles better. There are so many other bands out there doing music somewhat similar to this that are a total bore. Yet somehow Mean Jeans have the secret sauce. If you're into pop-punk or Ramonescore, Blasted is an absolute must-buy. But you knew that already, didn't you?

-L.R.

https://meanjeans.bandcamp.com/album/blasted
https://open.spotify.com/album/2W7Xa2zh9NQFeBxA4hQG7a
https://www.instagram.com/themeanjeans
https://www.facebook.com/themeanjeans

Rad Max - Party McFly

Rad Max is a band I really love and find to be somewhat misunderstood. Any Gen Xer like me will have a tremendous appreciation for the band's love of 1980s culture and aesthetic. But the mistake some people might make with this band is to dismiss it as some sort of one trick pony novelty act. All novelty acts lose their appeal sooner rather than later. Rad Max, on the other hand, just keeps getting better. Surely this band wants to write songs you can dance to, and those songs are more likely than not to make reference to '80s popular culture. But if you think Rad Max are just about nostalgia, you're not fully getting them. Their new album Party McFly isn't just a record you listen to once and chuckle at. It's a really excellent new wave pop-rock record which arrives at a time when most really excellent new wave pop-rock records are decades old. The band's songwriting is legit good, and there's just as much contemporary social commentary and reflection in these songs as there is '80s homage. 

Of course Party McFly is a fun album first and foremost. It will get you and your friends dancing at parties just as it will get you dancing while you're home alone. But there's a serious undercurrent to these songs that I really appreciate. "Extraterrestrial Radio" rails against corporate control of commercial radio — something that has made the world a far suckier place. "Dystopian World Tour" could not be any more on-point in its depiction of modern society. "We Used to Never Say Die" is inspired by The Goonies yet also reflects on how a once-hopeful generation has been beaten down by reality. "Shutter Shades" changes the style of sunglasses but reaffirms a central message of the movie They Live: that we need to see through the villains hiding in plain sight. "Outrunning the Nothing" somehow explores existential angst while referencing a character from Domino's Pizza ads in the '80s. The album opens by introducing a metaphor that just about anyone will be able to relate to: we're still battling demons from high school. There's a lot of substance hidden within this throwback party record, and that is the real genius of Rad Max. Music can be fun and serious at the same time — just as music can be nostalgic and forward-looking at the same time. Party McFly is essential listening for anyone who aspires to be rad.

-L.R.

https://radmaxrocks.bandcamp.com/album/party-mcfly
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Or6eaDgfx1JYeZzCtHq2O
https://www.instagram.com/radmaxrocks/
https://www.facebook.com/radmaxrocks/
http://radmax.rocks/

The Plane Crash - Nostalgia For The Gutter

The Plane Crash, hailing from Portland, Oregon, is the type of band I used to write about frequently back in the day. This is a no bullshit, down and dirty, blood & guts punk rock 'n' roll band that worships at the altar of Johnny Thunders, Chuck Berry, and The Stooges. This group wears its influences on its sleeve and sticks to the business of playing three-chord rock 'n' roll with force and feeling. Mark Death (The Hot Lz's, The Halfways) is on vocals and lead guitar. He's joined by Harry Gadd on bass guitar and backing vocals, Rich Peterson on lead guitar, and Erik Haines on drums and lead vocals. The band's LP Nostalgia For The Gutter makes me nostalgic for all those 1990s American punk rock 'n' roll bands that pumped new life into the OG punk rock of Detroit, New York, and Ohio. Lean and mean at just nine tracks in 23 minutes, this album is chock full of raw energy, ripping guitar solos, and fuck-off attitude. There was a time in my life when I would come across a record like this three or four times a month. Now I'm lucky if that's three or four times in a year! So it's great to hear The Plane Crash pull off this style so well. Any band with Mark Death in it is going to be awesome, and he has found himself some kindred spirits with serious chops. Nostalgia For The Gutter is full of killer tunes and well worth exploring if real deal punk rock 'n' roll gets your heart racing.

-L.R.

https://theplanecrash.bandcamp.com/album/nostalgia-for-the-gutter
https://open.spotify.com/album/1tU5orD0KKO0QQQpzHVtkH
https://www.facebook.com/theplanecrash

Girl Drink Drunks - After 9pm

It's hard to believe that it was already six years ago when I first wrote about Portland, Oregon's Girl Drink Drunks. In my book, Joel Jett (The Flip-Tops, The Minds, Jetpack) is an all-time great in the garage punk universe. When I discovered he had a new band going with members of The Hot LZs and Piss Test, I was super stoked. And when I heard Girl Drink Drunks, I totally flipped (no pun intended). I consider the band's 2017 debut long player one of the most underrated punk albums of the previous decade. It is my hope that new album After 9pm will be properly rated and hailed as one of 2023's most essential punk rock releases. This album (which marks the triumphant return of Jett's record label Sonic Jett after a decade plus pause) is an absolute monster. Obviously this band has a huge garage punk pedigree, but the record sounds too good to be classified as budget trash. The band rips through 13 tracks of aggressive but catchy punk rock with a rock n' roll influence and a hardcore intensity. Jett, as always, belts out his vocals with fury and force. The rhythm section is tight & powerful, and the lead guitar is pure fire. Simply put, this is a killer punk rock record. Lyrically, it's very in tune with the tenor of the crazy times we live in. While the band name comes from one of the greatest comedy sketches of all-time, you can be assured that these songs are no joke. With the majority of the tracks coming in under two minutes and the longest running just two minutes, twenty seconds, After 9pm is like a series of punishing blows that will leave you battered and still begging for more. The vinyl release is a 12" record spinning at 45 RPM. Grab a copy now along with a download of the first album if you don't have one already!

-L.R.

https://girldrinkdrunks.bandcamp.com/album/after-9pm
Sonic Jett Records on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/girldrinkdrunks

Rad Max - "So Convenient"

The latest single from Portland's Rad Max is another new wave smash. "So Convenient" is the foursome's first release in a year, following up last summer's anthem "Extraterrestrial Radio." On the surface, "So Convenient" is a celebration of the cultural phenomenon that is the American convenience store. Where else on Earth can you purchase beef jerky, enormous sugary beverages, lottery tickets, and freshly grilled hot dogs in one stop whilst witnessing the finest in local color at any hour of the day? But in verse two, the song takes exactly the futuristic/modern dystopian turn you'd expect from Rad Max. With its mix of humor and spot-on social commentary, this song totally hits a sweet spot for me. Bouncing back and fourth between post-punk and pure pop music, "So Convenient" has got an '80s feel for sure — and of course I'm talking about the 2080s. The little bit about the brain freeze really made me laugh because I recently suffered from such an affliction (and yes, it was brought on by overzealous slurpee consumption). One of my major life goals is to someday hear this song at a convenience store. For now, you can download the track for the very low price of free and save your spare change for that single roll of TP.

-L.R.

https://radmaxrocks.bandcamp.com/track/so-convenient
http://radmax.rocks/
https://www.instagram.com/radmaxrocks/
https://www.facebook.com/radmaxrocks/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1yOXuv1sgg4a0ioun3AZg
https://open.spotify.com/album/4WjJK8AwxnHA8o4Sf60GYT

Guerrilla Teens - Under The Dagger

Here it is, my friends: the long-awaited debut album from Portland, Oregon's mighty Guerrilla Teens. Comprised of Scott "Deluxe" Drake on vocals, Jeff Fieldhouse on guitar, Saul Koll on guitar, Tim Connolly on drums, and Anna Andersen on bass, this is one of the most impressive band lineups you'll ever come across in the world of rock and roll. Just as Lovesores were never The Humpers, Guerrilla Teens are not Lovesores. This is a new band for a new time. But if you've followed the career of Scott "Deluxe" Drake over the decades, you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Guerrilla Teens. This band first surfaced during lockdown times and released several demos on Bandcamp which have long since disappeared. Last year saw the band's first official release, a superb 7" called "Halfway To Maybe." And now the long player Under The Dagger has been unveiled, with CDs available soon and a vinyl release from Sioux Records also in the works. 

The album's ten tracks were co-written by Drake and Fieldhouse — one of the most legendary songwriting duos in the history of punk music. While the sound of this record is definitely more polished and refined than anything ever released by The Humpers, it still lives in that sweet spot where '70s punk meets sweaty, raucous rock and roll. Drake still hollers with a conviction and venom that most punk screamers half his age could only hope to muster up. You hear that voice on record, and you know exactly who it is. And my god, Fieldhouse and Koll form a guitar tandem that just can't be beat in the punk rock universe. In comparison to previous Drake–fronted albums, Under the Dagger is probably the most mature but by no means tamer. Pure blistering speed has given way to a controlled, slow-burning fury that will consume anything in its path. I remember a few of these tracks as demos. And sure enough, they're way better as finished products. You can tell the band worked hard to perfect this material and produce a recording they could be proud of. There are certain songs (e.g. "Concrete Face" and "Black Weather") that will surely have longtime Drake fans screaming for joy. Other tracks hint at a more melodic sensibility without sacrificing any of the grit or ferocity. I won't quite say that "Tell Me What To Do" is "pop," but it's undoubtedly tuneful. "Tell It to the Wind" reminds me quite a bit of The Saints, and I'm sure not complaining. The title track, to me, can hang with just about any song that Drake and Fieldhouse have ever co-written. 

Having done the best they could with socially-distanced recording methods in pandemic times, clearly Guerrilla Teens were raring for the smoke to clear so they could hit the stage again and properly record some music that would capture their essence. Under The Dagger definitely captures their essence, and it's a master class effort of real deal punk rock and roll. If these ten songs don't get your heart racing, you may need to consult a medical professional. 

-L.R.

https://guerrillateens.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-dagger
https://www.facebook.com/Guerrilla-Teens-103324881410665/
https://www.instagram.com/guerrillateens/
https://siouxguitars.com/records/

Tommy Ray! - "Every Way I'm Moving"

Tommy Ray!, whose music I last reviewed in May of last year, has a recent single out on the digital platforms that is well worth the attention of anyone who enjoys power pop. I have been an admirer of Ray's talents since the earliest days of this blog — which shockingly now date back to 11 years ago. As great of a band as The Cry! was, I'm finding the Tommy Ray! solo stuff to be at a whole other level. Ray has always had a flair for a memorable melody and a perfect hook. But lyrically, he's really hitting his stride with songs that absolutely nail what it's like to be a young adult struggling to figure out life. It was Paul Westerberg who famously wrote about missing "the whole first rung" on the ladder of success. Tommy Ray! seems to be living that life, and I continue to be blown away by his brutal honesty and keen self-awareness. He's never afraid to cut himself open in a song. The new single "Every Way I'm Moving" is typical of a Tommy Ray! song in the respect that it's a bitter pill to swallow lyrically yet so musically intoxicating with its sweet melodies and gorgeous guitars. If you've ever felt like you were going nowhere while everything was falling apart around you, you'll be feeling lyrics like these:

I can't stand the pain/

If you turn and walk away/

I got one food in the grave/

And the other's in the way/

Of every thing I'm doing/

And every way I'm moving 

Wow, that's powerful stuff. Elsewhere Ray ponders that "it's easy to laugh at a day's gone past when hindsight's in your face" before asking the musical question "What would you do if it was you stuck here in my place?" And that's spot-on. No matter how times many people assure you that things will ultimately get better, that's little solace when the short term is so hard to bear. While far from a "feelgood" song, "Every Way I'm Moving" is perfect pop in just about every respect. Every time I get to the end of the song, I want to play it again. Sometimes we don't need music to make us feel good. Sometimes we need it to make us feel less alone in the world. While "Every Way I'm Moving" is a song very personal to Tommy Ray!, it's sure to strike a chord with a whole lot of people.

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5aySiUvnJwHVbcfbLGYpa3
https://music.apple.com/lc/album/everyway-im-moving-single/1634018140
https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0B64JNDJF/tommy-ray
https://www.facebook.com/thecrypdx
https://www.instagram.com/tommyraypdx/

Guerrilla Teens - "Halfway To Maybe"

Guerrilla Teens first came to our attention back in the year that cannot be mentioned, releasing numerous socially-distanced recorded demos throughout the year. This was an exciting moment for the rock and roll world as this new band featured some prominent ex Humpers/Lovesores and a couple more Portland punk rock luminaries. Those digital releases were made available with the caveat that they would soon disappear. And disappear they did. Now Guerrilla Teens have delivered their proper debut release, a ripper of a single called "Halfway To Maybe." The demos were promising, but this is what we were all expecting from Guerrilla Teens. Out come those guitars in full fury. In comes Scott "Deluxe" Drake bellowing, "Can't make up my mind to save my life/Indecision's such a pointless crime/Remember how they said 'If not now, when?'/Well tell me what to do, and I'll lose again." Then that chorus hits, and you're shouting along, fist thrust forcefully in the air. Yeah, kids, this is rock and roll! You know the magic happens when Scott Drake and Jeff Fieldhouse make tunes together, and "Halfway To Maybe" is the perfect re-launching point for their songwriting partnership. On the B-side, "The Other End of the Leash" is a raging shot of American-style '77 punk rock and roll. It's a thumping, gritty number that builds to a chorus that smashes you in the teeth. Drake is in prime form here — fully channeling the wrath of a chained animal. And it's a thrill to hear the righteous guitar racket that Fieldhouse and Saul Koll can kick up as a tandem. Ably driving this rock and roll machine is the formidable rhythm section of "Anna Bananas" Anderson and "Teenage Tim" Connolly. What a lineup. What a band! 

"Halfway To Maybe" is coming out soon as a 7" record, but you can grab the digital version now from Bandcamp for $3. If all you punk rock and roll fanatics aren't already going ape over Guerrilla Teens, you will be soon!

-L.R.

https://guerrillateens.bandcamp.com/album/halfway-to-maybe
https://www.facebook.com/Guerrilla-Teens-103324881410665/
https://www.instagram.com/guerrillateens/

Rad Max - "Extraterrestrial Radio"

Rad Max is a band that always puts a smile on my face. No matter how depressing this world gets, it's impossible to not feel good when a Rad Max song is playing. The Portland-based new wave foursome is a ray of sunshine in today's music scene, and new single "Extraterrestrial Radio" is a perfect example of that. While there are numerous '80s pop culture references in the cover art and lyrics, this is probably Rad Max's most "contemporary" song yet. It's a heartfelt tribute to independent radio stations and the DJs who support all of those underground bands we love so dearly. It's also an astute commentary on the soulless nature of modern-day corporate radio. Check out these lyrics:

I don't heart your radio/
You've got your algo in my rhythm/
Give me music by aliens/
So I can rock out with 'em

Did they hit the nail on the head, or what? I love the metaphor of this whole big beautiful underground music scene of ours being a community of aliens. And in typical Rad Max style, "Extraterrestrial Radio" radiates a special kind of energy that will have you dancing and singing along in no time flat. The song is available now from all the streaming sites. And if you listen to a lot of independent and underground radio, you'll surely hear it in regular rotation. Indeed, give me music by aliens!

-L.R.

https://radmaxrocks.bandcamp.com/track/extraterrestrial-radio
http://radmax.rocks/
https://www.facebook.com/radmaxrocks/
https://www.instagram.com/radmaxrocks/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1yOXuv1sgg4a0ioun3AZg
https://open.spotify.com/album/0vKTtZOFdIwu0wQTWLK41B

Dials - self titled

I've got a good one for you today! From Portland, Oregon, Dials are Laura, Alex, Mary, Rose, and Shauna. They've just dropped a two-song digital single on Bandcamp that absolutely blows me away. These tracks are off a 7" coming out soon on Black Water Records. The sound is punk rock with post-punk influences. Both songs, "Slow Walk" and "Chance Man", are A-side worthy numbers. I'm notoriously lukewarm about "post-punk" as a genre, but Dials are a band that get it right. These songs offer up an ideal mix of energy and creativity. I'm reminded a little of Midnite Snaxxx, one of my favorite present-day punk bands. If you like punk rock music that manages to sound original and contemporary, this is a band you need to check out! I'm sure we will be hearing much more from Dials in 2022. For now, enjoy this brilliant debut!

-L.R.

https://dialsbandpdx.bandcamp.com/album/dials

Tommy Ray! - Handful of Hits

Handful of Hits is the second solo album from Tommy Ray!, front man for power pop greats The Cry! It's hard for me to believe that it's been nearly a decade since I first wrote about The Cry! Man, time flies! After going several years without hearing any new music from Tommy Ray!, we have been blessed to receive two albums from him in two years. Handful of Hits continues in a manner similar to last year's fantastic solo debut First Hits Free. The lyrics are personal, brutally honest, and in some cases quite dark. Yet with this being a Tommy Ray! album, you know you're getting upbeat melodies and irresistible hooks. 

Compared to First Hits Free, Handful of Hits is an even stronger selection of songs. Ray continues to turn out tunes reflective of his experiences as a young adult trying to find his way in the world. "One Step Forward" is about trying to grow up but not being able to fully pull it off. "Loser's Anthem" and "School Daze" explore similar themes of being young and aimless. "No No No" and "Feel the Pain" are classic Tommy Ray! "bummer love songs". Hearing these songs for the first time gave me chills because they reminded me so much of my own 20s when life was so full of letdowns and uncertainties. The realism and honesty of Ray's songwriting just blow me away. Elsewhere, Ray shows his sweeter side on "If You Need Anything" and engages in classic storytelling on "I Didn't Do It". Musically, he continues to draw from inspirations ranging from '50s/'60s rock and roll to '70s glam and punk to modern-day power pop. Songs like "Runnin'", "If You Need Anything", and "Beer Wine and Whiskey" would not sound out of place on a Cry! album. "In Love Again", "One Step Forward", and "Feel the Pain" are bona fide pop hits in that signature Tommy Ray! style. And then there's "On My Wall" -- which is modern, moody, and totally unlike any song Ray has released before. 

Handful of Hits, like First Hits Free, is very simply produced. And that's a good thing. Without any bells and whistles in the production department, the quality of the songwriting really comes to the forefront. Tommy Ray! again shows himself to be one of the finest young songwriters in the world of power pop and rock and roll in general. There are few things in life more satisfying than a perfectly executed three-minute pop song. Handful of Hits is chock full of that very thing -- living up to its title for sure. Vinyl coming next month on GadM and Beluga Records!

-L.R.

https://thecry.bandcamp.com/album/tommy-ray-handful-of-hits
https://gadm.bandcamp.com/album/tommy-ray-handful-of-hits
https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/tommy-ray-hand-ful-of-hits
https://www.facebook.com/thecrypdx

Rad Max - Straight to Video

Portland, Oregon's Rad Max recently contacted me about their new single "Driller Killer" -  a song inspired by the film Slumber Party Massacre II. I immediately dug it and quickly ascertained that it comes from a full album of songs devoted to '80s pop culture obsession. Of course I should have known that already since the band emailed me about the album six whole months ago! Woops! That was very bogus of me. While Rad Max may be 80s-fetishists, that's 100% okay by me because I'm one too! The band's debut album Straight to Video transports you to a world full of VHS tapes, shopping malls, video arcades, and cool movies with cheesy training montages. Musically, Rad Max plays a punky brand of new wave pop rock that you can dance to. Even if they weren't '80s-inspired, these would be cool songs. They've got real hooks and a great goofy energy to them. On lead vocals, Rad Rachel is likable and spunky in a way that transcends the band's schtick. The most fun part, of course, are the humorous lyrics and wonderfully ridiculous song ideas. The aforementioned "Driller Killer" recounts all the bad decisions that teens continually made in '80s slasher movies. "Flix From '86" salutes nearly every cool movie released in 1986. "Is That Freedom Rock?" hilariously lampoons the most notorious TV commercial ever made for a compilation album. "The Computer Controls the Tower" is a nod to the countless evil computers of pop culture's past. There are multiple Tom Hanks movies referenced on this album, and luckily one of them is the cinematic masterpiece The 'Burbs. 

Does much of my fondness for Straight to Video have something to do with nostalgia? Of course. But even if you never experienced '80s culture first hand, you'd have a hard time denying that this record is tremendous fun. Rad Max have done a fine job of honing in on aspects of the '80s that were completely awesome, absolutely ridiculous, and in many cases both. The whole reason that '80s fetishism endures is that the '80s really were that cool. And it's not likely that Rad Max will run out of movies, TV shows, and fashion trends from the '80s to write songs about. When it's safe to congregate in bars and clubs again, Straight to Video ought to be a fixture of every '80s night ever! 

-L.R.

https://radmaxrocks.bandcamp.com/album/straight-to-video
http://radmax.rocks/
https://www.facebook.com/radmaxrocks/
https://www.instagram.com/radmaxrocks/

Guerrilla Teens - All The Hits

So we barely had time to cry in our collective beers over the breakup of the mighty Lovesores before Scott "Deluxe" Drake and Saul Koll resurfaced in the exciting new rock and roll force Guerrilla Teens. It was as if the music gods would not allow us to endure a pandemic without a ray of hope. Also on board were ex Humpers guitarist (and O.G. Lovesore) Jeff Fieldhouse, Epoxies/Sex Crime/Suicide Notes drummer Tim Connolly, and bassist Anna Anderson (Suicide Notes). Now that is a bona fide Portland, Oregon punk rock super group! Guerrilla Teens hit the ground running by recording ten killer demo tracks, which were released as five separate digital singles that came and went in the blink of an eye. If you snoozed, you lost. But now you get another crack at all these tunes....if you hurry! 

Launched as a fundraiser for The Oregon Wildfire Relief Fund, All The Hits compiles all of Guerrilla Teens' COVID demos into one blockbuster digital album. This collection is not likely to be available permanently, so I advise jumping on it now! Just as it would have been an oversimplification to call Lovesores a reboot of The Humpers, it's not fully accurate to consider Guerrilla Teens a continuation of Lovesores. But it's no stretch to say that all three of the aforementioned bands are cut from the same cloth. No doubt about it, Scott "Deluxe" Drake is one of the greatest lead singers that rock and roll music has ever produced. After 35 years+ in the game, he sounds as fierce, focused, and fiery as ever. And now he's backed by an epic guitar tandem and a red-hot rhythm section. As you would expect, Guerrilla Teens don't veer too far from that sleazy '70s punk by way of the Stones and Chuck Berry lane ("Tell Me What To Do" and "Black Weather" could easily be mistaken for lost Humpers tracks). But with this particular band, I'm also sensing an affinity for old school garage rock and Stiv Bators inspired dark pop. There are plenty of songs here that will rock the snot out of you but also a few that suggest that Drake and friends have some tricks up their sleeve. And keep in mind that these are all demos recorded in isolation. If it's ever safe for Guerrilla Teens to mingle with the outside world, you all won't know what hit you. 

Be sure to grab All The Hits while you still can. Your purchase will be donated to The Oregon Wildfire Relief Fund. And while you're at it, check out the new single "Barbie's Reality House" that just dropped yesterday. Rock and roll will save us all!

-L.R.

https://guerrillateens.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-hits
https://www.facebook.com/Guerrilla-Teens-103324881410665/

Guerrilla Teens - Dillinger Red

Alright, kids: ya better get cracking on this one! Six days from now, the first two demo tracks ever released by Portland, Oregon punk rock and roll supergroup Guerrilla Teens will be disappearing from the Internet. They will literally self-destruct in the blink of an eye. And lemme tell you, these tracks are HOT! It won't take you long to identify that this mysterious band is fronted by the mighty Scott "Deluxe" Drake (ex Humpers, Lovesores). He's joined by a couple of old partners in crime along with some star players from Portland's formidable punk rock scene. If the breakup of Lovesores had you shedding a tear (trust me, I feel you!), the arrival of Guerrilla Teens will quickly fill that hole in your heart. Oh man, "Dillinger Red" is pure fire! From the ripping twin guitars to the slamming drums and bass to Drake's powerhouse vocal, this song has got everything you could ever desire from punk rock and roll music. It's paired here with "Super Aces (Bonus Poker)", a primal slow burn that's super sleazy in the best possible way. I could say more, but there's no time to monkey around! Cough up a dollar and get these songs downloaded today. Two brand-new demos will be taking their place on Bandcamp next Friday, and I'm sure they won't be around long either. You have been warned!

-L.R.

https://guerrillateens.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/Guerrilla-Teens-103324881410665

Lovesores - Bats From Planet Skull

Well I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that the Lovesores broke up. The good news is that they've left us a parting gift in the form of one final recording that you can download for free. Bats From Planet Skull debuted on Bandcamp last week - only the second Lovesores full-length album and now sadly the last. But I'm not much for boo-hooing any band's demise. Not every rock and roll band is meant to last forever, and I'd rather have a group that's great for a few years than one that endures for decades in a state of decline or (even worse) mediocrity. I'm not saying that the Lovesores would have declined, but I will say they've bowed out at the very top of their game.

The final Lovesores tally over the past eight years was three singles, a couple of big ten-inches, and two long players - and all of it absolutely great! While there was always enough of a similarity between the Lovesores and Humpers to entice fans of the latter, it never seemed like Scott "Deluxe" Drake's new band was overshadowed by his old one. Drake refused to rest on his laurels, and he managed to assemble what was almost certainly the most formidable punk rock and roll band of the past decade. The lineup was consistent since 2014, with Alex Fast (bass), Boz Bennes (drums), Adam Kattau (guitar), and Saul Koll (guitar) matching every bit of Drake's vocal firepower. You'd have to look far and wide (and probably into the distant past) to find a stronger rhythm section and a more electrifying guitar tandem. More importantly, as a unit these guys forged a brand of rock and roll that was ferocious, exciting, and brought forth from a place deep in the soul. Bats From Planet Skull was recorded live in the basement last year, and it doesn't stray far (or at all) from the band's previous method of operation. This is the Lovesores doing what the Lovesores did best: raucous rock and roll marrying the defiant spirit and irresistible rhythms of the genre's roots to the guts and aggression of original era punk rock.

Kicking off with the blistering fury of "Some For Tomorrow (Some For Tonight)", this record is top-loaded with scorching guitars, an unstoppable beat, and typically red-hot howling on the part of living legend Drake. Even in this time of mandatory isolation, I can only picture these songs being performed in a packed dive bar as bodies fly and liquor flows. The band tears into tracks like "Hot Pants!" and "Psychic Dick" with a force and feeling that can only be summoned if you were born to rock and roll. "Belle in the Belfry" relaxes the pace a tad, then proceeds to hook you with a chorus that you cannot physically resist singing along with. "Bishop Of Worms", which pairs a punching garage rock riff with a classically sneering Drake vocal, is one of the most compelling Lovesores tracks of recent memory. "Creature (At The Top Of The Hill)", featuring music written by Bernadette from Gee Strings, is a stone cold punk ripper that concludes this album and the Lovesores' career in truly roaring fashion. I'm left wanting more, which is exactly the way it ought to be.

Why release an album after your band is broken up? Because you know in your heart that it's the best thing you've ever done! Bats From Planet Skull, just as much as anything the Lovesores released, captures the essence of this tremendous punk rock and roll band. Drake belts out these songs with as much conviction and intensity as ever, and backing him is a band that sounds fully determined to rock you into next week. Far from slowing down, the Lovesores were at full steam to the very end. Let us hope that this album turns out to be a million seller, requiring the assembly of multiple impostor Lovesores bands to meet the worldwide demand for touring, television appearances, and photo ops with world leaders.



-L.R.

https://lovesores.bandcamp.com/album/bats-from-planet-skull
https://www.facebook.com/TheLovesores