Teenage Frames - "Fighting Words"

Issue #15 in I-94 Recordings' Detroit covers series is from one of my favorite bands, and it does not disappoint! Teenage Frames, who recently released a superb album called Everything Has Led To This, are more than familiar with Detroit given their origins in Chicago. Back in the '90s, they played a lot of shows with Detroit's The Gutterpunx. At one point, they had the idea of covering "Factory Man," a signature song of The Gutterpunx and an overlooked classic of Detroit punk rock. While a demo was recorded, the Teenage Frames never got around to doing a proper recording of "Factory Man" — until now! And now, thanks to I-94 Recordings, you can own this track on record along with "Fighting Words," a standout song from Everything Has Led To This. The original version is pretty close to impossible to find unless you have a copy of The Gutterpunx 1996 demo tape lying around. There is some pretty amazing footage on YouTube of The Gutterpunx playing this song live back in the day. And now Teenage Frames have done a totally amazing version of the song. Frankie sings the hell out of this one! The whole point of this Detroit covers series is to celebrate all the great bands and artists that have come out of The Motor City over the decades. Sometimes that means tackling iconic songs. And in this case, it means bringing attention to a song more people ought to know about. Whether you're a Teenage Frames fan, a Detroit punk super-fan, or a regular customer of this legendary record label, this installment in the Detroit covers series is one you won't want to miss. As always, there are lots of color variants of vinyl to choose from, so get on it while supplies last!

-L.R.

https://i-94recordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/teenageframes
https://teenageframes.bandcamp.com/

Street Sweeper - Don't Wait

Back with its second 7" release and now stripped down to a trio, Melbourne's Street Sweeper still plays high energy rock 'n' roll of the highest quality. Last year's self-titled EP brought to mind pub rock with Thin Lizzy vibes. Don't Wait comes on with a rawer but also more power pop influenced sound by way of '70s punk rock. If you think that sounds like something I'd be into, you're right! All four of these tunes are aces, and the live-in-the-studio recording approach really serves this band well. Fans of straight-forward poppy punk rock 'n' roll will dig this record in a major way. Vinyl release is on Legless Records!

-L.R.

https://streetsweeperruleok.bandcamp.com/album/dont-wait
https://www.instagram.com/the_strength_of_street_sweeper/
https://www.facebook.com/LeglessRecords

Wyatt Funderburk - Fleeting and Finite

Wow. Fleeting and Finite, the long-awaited new EP from Wyatt Funderburk, has arrived from Jolly Ronnie Records, and it gives me shivers. While I've reviewed Funderburk's work numerous times as Kurt Baker's co-songwriter and band-mate, I have not had the pleasure of writing about one of his solo releases since November of 2013. Think about how much has changed in the world in those 11 years. Novel and Profane was a great album, but Funderburk has taken things to the proverbial next level. Fleeting and Finite, while comprised of only six tracks, has the feel of an epic guitar pop record. The label describes it as "A masterclass in the art of song writing and performance," and I could not have said it better myself. This, my friends, is beautiful, exquisitely-crafted pop music. Everything from the melodies to the lyrics to the vocals to the musicianship is near-perfect, and I love how this mini-album creates an intimate personal narrative. These songs weave together themes of love, time, and natural phenomena in such a deeply meaningful way. Records like this are why I love music — not only does Funderburk treat us to gorgeous melodies and stunning harmonies, but he also bares his soul for the world to witness. Todd Patton on drums is the only additional musician here. Everything else you hear on this record is Wyatt Funderburk. This guy has been one of the most underrated songwriters in the power pop world for a couple decades now, and Fleeting and Finite is his masterpiece. All these songs are great individually, but this EP really needs to be experienced as a whole. Ryan at Jolly Ronnie Records has done something amazing for the vinyl release. He's selling the 12-inch record (on gold vinyl!) for only $17 plus postage. That's a deal and a steal, so jump on this pre-order while supplies last!

-L.R.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML04TM6ziow&list=OLAK5uy_m85bk2PKl58I4xX7VX8EJXSzDvorxGkEY
https://open.spotify.com/album/4PD2WvdnzIXfRdVULgWg9Q
https://wyattfunderburk.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.instagram.com/funderburk/
https://jollyronnierecords.bigcartel.com/product/wyatt-funderburk-fleeting-and-finite-ep

Taxi Girls - Rainy

Now here's a record I've been waiting for all year: the second vinyl release from the mighty Taxi Girls! This band had my top-ranked EP of last year, and it's on track to have my top-ranked single of this year. That single is called "Rainy," and I can't talk about it without invoking the dreaded "double A-side" cliché. One song is a kick-ass rocker, and the other is an old school punk rock sing-along. They're equally great, so the determination of which one is the "hit" will come down to personal preference or your mood at the time. If you're looking at the cover art right now, you may have noticed that this Montreal-based trio is now a foursome. New member Gabrielle absolutely slays on lead guitar, and her playing definitely elevates Taxi Girls to another level. 

The title track brings to mind the punk rock side of '90s alternative rock, and it's a total monster. I love the big riffs, cool harmony vocals, red-hot leads, and overall rocking vibes. The lead vocals and lyrics are A+ as well. How many of us knew Jamie all those years without realizing she was a freaking rock star on the mic? If this song had come out in 1993, it would have been massive! "The Lion's Share" picks up the pace with more of an anthemic catchy punk rock style. It's a total toe-tapper, and again the lyrics rule so hard. I can't listen to this song without thrusting my fist in the air and shouting along. And how amazing do those guitars sound? Both of these songs are full of spirit and attitude, and they straight-up rock. The liner notes do a great job of explaining what these songs are about, so be sure to check them out. Let's just say that Taxi Girls understand that a song can be catchy and fun to listen to yet still full of substance. If I had to pick a favorite track here, I would go with "The Lion's Share," but that's like saying I like oxygen more than food. "Rainy" is available now from Dirt Cult Records in North America and Wild Honey Records in Europe.

-L.R.

https://taxigirls.bandcamp.com/album/rainy-2
https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rainy
https://open.spotify.com/album/1aFmHnxCxxWPQ8Vmqi5dg9
https://www.instagram.com/taxigirlsmontreal/
https://www.facebook.com/taxigirlsband/

Gene Champagne - Let's Jet (Bonus Edition)

One of the coolest things in the power pop ballpark I've heard all year is Gene Champagne's Let's Jet EP. Champagne, drummer for '90s alternative rock/power pop band The Killjoys and later the legendary Teenage Head, has also fronted The Un-Teens. Let's Jet features four tracks he recorded in pure solo style — producing himself and playing all the instruments. Rum Bar Records has gone out and made a deluxe package out of this thing by adding four Un-Teens tracks. If power pop with the emphasis on the power is your thing, you can't go wrong with Let's Jet. The title track is an arena-sized rocker with soaring hooks — something along the lines of Red Kross meets AC/DC. "Back in My Arms" is textbook old school punk-pop that's as catchy as can be. "Rock 'n' Roll Boy" is power pop by way of the Ramones and one of the true smash hits of the year. "Shake Some More" finishes off a near-perfect EP with an infectious shot of power pop rock 'n' roll goodness. If you're not yet familiar with Champagne's work with The Un-Teens, the four bonus tracks will essentially double your pleasure. 

As someone who fondly recalls those days in the '90s when some bands blurred the lines between power pop, alternative rock, and pop-punk, I have to say Let's Jet really hits a sweet spot for me. Champagne really has a feel for what a great power pop song ought to sound like, and he knows how to write a catchy tune. The ability to cross over from drumming to fronting a band to being a one-man band is not something everyone has, but Champagne has that gift — and, of course, a great ear for hook-laden three-chord rock 'n' roll. If you listen all the way through, you'll her "Rock 'n' Roll Boy" twice. I don't think anyone will be complaining.

-L.R

.
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lets-jet-bonus-edition
https://genechampagne1.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZGyhCBqmBih4wry7NCYfU
https://www.instagram.com/genechampagne_official/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.instagram.com/rumbarrecords/

brom bones - Give up the Ghost

Here on the western edge of southeastern Pennsylvania, brom bones are bona fide punk rock legends. I find it inspiring and exciting that they're still going strong after 35 years — releasing music that rivals or even surpasses their 1990s output. Give up the Ghost, their new album, is in many ways a vintage brom bones release. The influence of '80s melodic punk/post-hardcore/whatever you wanna call it on their songwriting and musical style is still palpable. Yet a few of these songs are not exactly what you'd expect from a brom bones album. That mixture of dependable and surprising is a winning formula, and Give up the Ghost is not an album I need to grade on a curve. It's not just a terrific album for a veteran punk band  — it's a terrific album, period. 

Thirty seconds into "Rooftop Guerilla," I found myself ready to jump in the pit. Likewise, on songs like "Pop Rocks" and "Up to You," I'm reminded of a time when punk rock could be melodic and anthemic without necessarily being segregated into the realm of "pop-punk." "EVP" is the anthem for every Gen Xer who swears that spirits live among us. Elsewhere, this album treats us to a creative instrumental ("Theme"), a power ballad ("Chicago'), a proper ballad ("Give Up the Ghost"), a great power pop song ("Orange Crush"), and even a humorous ode to Glenn Danzig. There's a little bit of comedy and a whole lot of seriousness in the mix, and it's all pulled off with definitive class. If this ends up being the last brom bones album, it could write the book on how to go out on a high note. Jason, Chris, Dustin, and Matt put a lot of work into this record, and they've ended up with something they are rightfully proud of. Imagine forming a punk band as a teenager and being able to say the band stayed true to its original spirit for decades — while still evolving and maturing in a totally natural way. Give up the Ghost is out now on limited Coke bottle green vinyl via Bandcamp!

-L.R.

https://brombones.bandcamp.com/album/give-up-the-ghost
https://www.facebook.com/brombonespa
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5AHka1bZalyF3bUwNCr9RM

The Lemon Drop Gang - "Leave The World Behind"

The Lemon Drop Gang has been quickly rising up my list of favorite bands on the Rum Bar label —  and favorite bands, period! This band has it all: a talented & charismatic lead singer, a unique sound, serious musical chops, and incredible songs. Steph and Johnny O'Halloran, along with Danny Walker and Matt Rendon, really have something special going with their new single, "Leave The World Behind." It follows a couple of fantastic singles released last year. In typical Lemon Drop Gang fashion, both songs on this single manage to be both dark and totally intoxicating at the same time. That's the sweet spot (or perhaps bittersweet spot) for much of what I find appealing in this world. The title track adds some surf rock tones to the band's desert-tinged '60s garage vibes. It captures the angst and hopelessness of modern times and streamlines it all into a minute-and-a-half of perfect garage pop with a punk rock attitude. Steph turns in a great vocal, and Rendon's drumming makes it feel believable that the band just stepped out of a time machine from 1966. Johnny's guitar work, as always, is nothing short of mesmerizing. Could any song in 2024 be more relatable than this one? On the B-side, "Let the World Stay!" is punkier and delightfully bleak, propelled by Steph's urgent & inspired lead vocal. Both of these songs get the job done without any messing around — satisfying completely yet still leaving you wanting more. It goes without saying that this is one of the top singles of the year. And how amazing is that art work?

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/leave-the-world-behind
https://www.facebook.com/lemondropgang/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.instagram.com/rumbarrecords/