The Keefs - "Dim City Nights"

 

Delaware's finest punk rock and roll band is back with its first new music in eight years! The Keefs were one of the handful of bands that inspired me to start writing about music again back in 2011. After hearing the 444 EP, I was blown away by the band's gritty yet melodic brand of old school punk rock. 2014's Better Late Than Never LP remains an overlooked gem of modern-day American punk rock. Sadly its release coincided with the band calling it a day, and I feared that The Keefs would be forever relegated to "should have been huge!" status. So it was to my utter delight that I recently discovered that The Keefs have a brand-new digital single out called "Dim City Nights." I love that this two-track release shows two different sides of the same band. You've got the rock on the A-side and the pop on the B-side -- and both tunes are equally good. The title track is a straight-up rock and roll ripper with a massive shout-along chorus and righteous lead guitar work from the legendary Randy America (channeling Wayne Kramer in full glory). Bass god Vince mentions that The Keefs have finally found their "real" sound after all these years, and you can hear that direction on this track. This is a grade-A banger! If the Dead Boys, Backyard Babies, and early D Generation are your cup of tea, "Dim City Nights" ought to get your heart racing. On the virtual B-side, "The Fall" is more on the melodic side but still punchy as hell. I love how Dave's vocal is gutsy and packed full of emotion. For some reason, this track brings to mind Grant Hart fronted Husker Du even though it still sounds totally like The Keefs. This is essential listening for anyone who likes pop-influenced punk with balls. "Dim City Nights" is a truly triumphant comeback, and I hear there's more on the way. The world gets another chance to appreciate The Keefs. Don't mess it up, folks!

-L.R.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/dim-city-nights-single/1636061345
https://open.spotify.com/album/35LWHrOKdZROFEjiCcGr91
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMELN3WytzUuu7VIdFcvR2Q
https://www.facebook.com/TheKeefs/
https://thekeefs.bandcamp.com/

Geoff Palmer - "Emergency"

For his third full-length release, Geoff Palmer has made the surprising and fascinating choice to cover Dee Dee King's 1989 album Standing In The Spotlight in its entirety. Of all the albums in the Ramones universe, Dee Dee Ramone's rap album is probably the most polarizing. To this day, opinions vary on whether Standing In The Spotlight is an epic fail or an overlooked gem. Geoff Palmer would take the latter position, and his version of the album (out September 18 on Stardumb Records) comes from a place of deep love. "Emergency," the first single from the album, is sure to change the minds of more than a few Dee Dee King skeptics. This track is pure gold! Palmer's signature style is present in the vocals and arrangement, but the spirit of the original version is by no means lost. If you didn't know this was a Dee Dee King song, you might think this was a just great new Geoff Palmer tune! As I listen back to the original, I can totally hear how it may have influenced multiple generations of pop-punk bands. Granted, "Emergency" is one of the best tracks on Standing In The Spotlight. I am intrigued to hear what Palmer does with the rest of these songs. But if "Emergency" is any indication, we should expect very, very good things from the full album. Click here for all of your pre-ordering options!

-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/standing-in-the-spotlight
https://open.spotify.com/album/1ThWOjhZqI7jCXxkitFgbi
https://www.instagram.com/geoff_palmer/
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/

Bob Burger - The Domino Effect

You may know Bob Burger as a founding member of power pop band The Weeklings -- who have been one of JEM Records' flagship bands since the legendary label made its triumphant return several years ago. You may also know Bob Burger as a longtime fixture of the Jersey Shore rock scene and an accomplished solo artist. Out now on JEM, The Domino Effect is Burger's fifth solo album and largely a departure from the music of The Weeklings. Yet I doubt any fan of The Weeklings will be disappointed. Much like his label mate Nick Piunti, Burger belongs to the master class of pop-rock songwriters. With The Domino Effect, he focuses on a style of music that I'm always happy to encounter: straight-forward classic rock steeped in the tradition of the three-to-four minute pop song. 

As a member of a very prolific band, Burger had to put his solo career aside for a while. But as more free time became available during the pandemic, he was able to complete The Domino Effect. The album, which features support from New York/New Jersey scene veterans Jimmy Leahey (guitar), Jerry Gaskill (drums), Lisa Sherman (background vocals), Arne Wendt (keyboards), John Merjave (guitars), and Plink Giglio (keyboards), is loosely based on the concept of how our lives can be changed forever by one event or decision. The concept is nicely framed by the opening and closing tracks. "The Suicide King," which marries a waltz to jangly pop, is an ode to acting in life without fear of consequence. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is left ambiguous, which is half the fun of the song. Closing track "Rock & Roll Band," one of the album's most "power pop" sounding numbers, is far more conclusive. Here Burger celebrates his choice to pursue a musician's life. The lifetime of hard work and struggle is worth it for all the good it brings. So many of you reading this now will relate, no doubt. How different would your life be if you'd never picked up a guitar? In between these two songs is a wonderful and varied selection of splendidly-crafted pop songs. "Impression" sounds like it should be playing on the radio in an eternal 1982. "Even If You Don't" hits that Eagles/Jackson Browne 1970s light rock sweet spot. Burger throws a bone to his power pop loving fan base with the clever and relatable "Pain in the Ass." "The One Eyed Jack" unintentionally recalls an iconic Tom Petty riff but is otherwise 100% original. Call it MOR, adult alternative, soft rock, or whatever you like: "Merely Beautiful" is a melodic gem seeking the substance beyond a surface attraction.

Bob Burger is the very definition of class. He's a masterful songwriter who remains in fine form decades into his career. In The Domino Effect, he has managed to create a pop-rock record that sounds timeless but not retro. Certain influences (Beatles, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello) are fundamental to his craft, yet this album just sounds like Bob Burger. We've come to expect albums of this style and quality from JEM Records, and The Domino Effect definitely fits the bill. By the way, JEM has something very special in the works to commemorate its 50th anniversary. I'll be back in a couple weeks to tell you more!

-L.R.

https://bobburger.com/
https://jemrecordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bobburgermusic/
https://www.facebook.com/Jem-Records-607560186079388
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-domino-effect/1619173229
https://www.instagram.com/bobburgermusic/

The Melmacs - "Stage Fright"

Oh yes! The Melmacs continue to delight with the extended lead-up to their forthcoming album Good Advice! The Leipzig/Dresden-based foursome came up with the wonderful idea of releasing five singles/videos from Good Advice over the course of this summer. "Stage Fright," the third of these singles, released yesterday. This song is yet another fist-pumping blast of power pop punk rock goodness that no human with a soul should be able to resist. In typical Melmacs style, "Stage Fright" is a super-fun song with a very serious message. It examines the way we sometimes allow fear to hold us back from doing the things we want in life. I love a song like this that I can totally relate to on a personal level even as the music makes me wanna dance around the house and sing along at the top of my lungs! Pre-orders for Good Advice (a co-release between Wanda Records, Barkraufarfita Records, and Tape Or Die) are open now on The Melmacs' Bandcamp. I can assure you that the singles are no fluke. This is going to be one of the best albums of the year and one of the best power pop/punk releases in quite some time. If you like punk music that's fun and catchy but also full of heart and substance, The Melmacs ought to be your new favorite band. Luckily, the summer of The Melmacs is far from over: two more singles are coming, and the second of the two will coincide with the official release date of the LP, September 30th. Best summer ever!

-L.R.

https://themelmacs.bandcamp.com/album/good-advice-album-preorder
https://www.facebook.com/TheMelmacs
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ9-oy2zwoSPGQhPLLQMuXQ
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ9-oy2zwoSPGQhPLLQMuXQ
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ViLkNwwX2YEr4HE6D67Jm

The Hi-End - "Scene Queen"

Rum Bar Records is on fire! Hot on the heels of yesterday's surprise early release of Kevin Stevenson's sing-along anthem "Saturday Morning Coming Down," Malibu Lou has turned loose another essential shot of rock. "Scene Queen" is the brand-new digital single from Boston's high octane rock and roll machine The Hi-End. This is the band's first new track in over eight months, and boy is it a doozy! "Scene Queen" is a good old-fashioned shake-the-walls rocker featuring killer riffs, a simple catchy chorus, and another knockout vocal from Mr. Johnny Carlevale. The Hi-End are no strangers to this "AC/DC with a punk influence" type sound, but here they've nailed it like never before. It sure didn't hurt to have Mike Mariconda on hand to master the track! If you like riff-tastic rock and roll, this is about as perfect as it gets. Those guitars sound amazing! "Scene Queen" is being released in conjunction with The Hi-End's only show of the summer. Locals can catch the band tomorrow night at The Square Root with The Dents and Carissa Johnson. More information is available from the show's event page on Facebook!

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/track/scene-queen
https://thehi-end.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theHiendband/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords

Doe St - "The Old Guard"

From Mick Fletcher's lips to my ears! Well-aware of my fondness for Aussie punk bands, Mick was quick to recommend Doe St. As we say in the States, that was a solid pick! Rye-based Doe St has released a new single called "The Old Guard" on Legless Records. The title track is an impassioned attack on the politicians that have left Australia in turmoil. It's a crackling protest song that couples its rage with hope for a better future. The Saints influence is very upfront -- so much so that the band chose to cover "Lost and Found" on the B-side to honor one of its primary inspirations and pay respect to the recently deceased Chris Bailey. "Lost and Found" is practically a sacred text in punk music, so covering it is quite the tall task. But I'll give Doe St credit for an inspired and loving rendition of a classic. Chris Bailey would have been proud! In addition to this new single, Doe St also has a seven-song EP out which is very different from this single but still quite excellent. This is a promising band indeed. Good call, Mick!

-L.R.

https://doest.bandcamp.com/album/the-old-guard-lost-and-found
https://www.instagram.com/doestband/

Kevin Stevenson - "Saturday Morning Coming Down"

The longer I keep joking that Rum Bar Records will eventually work with every great artist from the Boston garage/punk scene, the less it seems like a joke and the more it seems like an inevitability! The latest feather in Malibu Lou's cap is the addition of Kevin Stevenson to the Rum Bar family. Longtime leader of Lowell-based greats The Shods, Stevenson will be releasing his first-ever solo album, Reality Alley, on Rum Bar this fall. Stevenson, one of the finest songwriters of his generation and one of the world's greatest ambassadors of the "Boston sound," has not released new music in quite some time. The worldwide rock and roll community is blessed to have him back in the game! Reality Alley was recorded with producer George Priniotakis while Stevenson was living in the Exarchia neighborhood of Athens, Greece. It was completed at Wonka Sound in Lowell. In advance of the forthcoming CD release, Rum Bar has issued the digital single "Saturday Morning Coming Down." Malibu Lou emailed me this track this morning, and since then I've been playing it over and over and over. In classic Kevin Stevenson style, "Saturday Morning Coming Down" is a gritty anthemic rocker with amazing lyrics and melodies to die for. And I love the way the horns add so much to this track. My god, this is like a lost song off London Calling! The full album is already available digitally from Stevenson's Bandcamp (spoiler alert: it's amazing!). The CD will be out in September and feature all-new cover art by Glenn Robinson. "Saturday Morning Coming Down" is a name-your-price download from Rum Bar's Bandcamp and a mandatory add to your summer playlist. Go grab it! 

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/track/saturday-morning-coming-down-2
https://kevinsteviestevenson.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords