Pale Lips - After Dark

Aww yeahh! After Dark release day has arrived! Shouldn't this be an international holiday? I fully expect to see people celebrating in the streets! You know After Dark has been playing on repeat all morning here at Faster and Louder HQ! This sophomore long player from Montreal foursome Pale Lips was without doubt my most highly anticipated album of this year. I know I said almost the exact same thing about the last Pale Lips album. But while I still love Wanna Be Bad, I'm here to tell you that After Dark blows it out of the water! It's definitely the best album I've heard in a couple of years. Out on Alien Snatch (Germany), Spaghetty Town (USA), Gods Candy (Canada), and Waterslide Records (Japan), After Dark doesn't veer far from the Chuck Berry by way of the Ramones blueprint of its predecessor. But while I probably could have identified two or three obvious "hits" on the last album, this one is basically nothing but hits. I have a new favorite track every day! Pale Lips have proven once again that rock n' roll still satisfies in a way that no other style of music possibly can. And you just won't hear music more joyful than this. Put this album on, and you've got yourself an instant party wherever you may be. If you're not dancing and singing along within the first minute, there may be no cure for whatever ails you. And don't bother asking me for tips on how to get these songs out of your head. No such means exist.

After Dark finds Pale Lips doing what may seem impossible: taking the hot sounds of 60 years ago and making them feel fresh and current in 2019. You can hear a song like "Some Sort Of Rock N' Roll" and easily identify the influences. Yet Pale Lips add something to the mix that is uniquely their own. It's not just the bad-ass guitarist and the super-likable singer and the cool, no-nonsense bass player and the unsung, rock-solid drummer. It's the way these four manage to insert their unique personalities into their music. I'm not saying your granddaddy won't like this record; it's just that your ten-year-old niece will like it too. And so will your next door neighbor, so do not hesitate to play it loud in the name of spreading the gospel. While throwaway lyrics are allowable or sometimes preferable in rock n' roll, that's not how Pale Lips operate. This band writes some of the smartest, funniest, and most quotable lyrics you'll ever come across. Lead single "You're A Doll", in addition to being more fun than the law should allow, is a profound statement on gender stereotypes. "Hiding From The Moon" is probably the best song ever written about the drawbacks of dating a werewolf. "All My Baby Brought Back Was The Blues" is the latest in a long line of Pale Lips songs that had me laughing out loud in multiple spots. "I'm A Witch" is a direct response to "The Witch" by The Sonics...a response worthy of a mic drop!

While for the most part sticking to Pale Lips' signature style of upbeat poppy punk rock n' roll, After Dark is not without its surprises (which I suppose I'm about to ruin). You'll hear a few musical instruments outside of just guitar/drums/bass. And a couple of the "riskier" song choices contribute to this being an even better album than Wanna Be Bad. "That Old Ghost Don't Lie" is beautiful and haunting and just a completely stunning pop song. "Cosmic Love", quite literally, takes Pale Lips' sound to outer space. You know that feeling you get when your favorite band releases a new record and it's so totally great that you wanna tell everyone you know about it? That's basically where I'm at right now! Witches, aliens, and ghosts: oh my! I probably won't go out in public and demand that people stop what they're doing so I can play them "I'm A Witch". But if I should witness other individuals doing exactly that, my year will be made.



-L.R.

https://palelips.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/palelips/
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/pale-lips-after-dark-lp 
https://www.godscandyrecords.com/product/pale-lips-after-dark-lp 
http://watersliderecords.net/?pid=138039795
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Gods-Candy-Records-166258483881865/ 
http://www.aliensnatch.de/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ALIEN.SNATCH.RECORDS/ 

Stiff Richards - Dig

Wait: is this another face-melting punk act from Australia?! You best believe it! Stiff Richards hail from the Australian South Coast and kick up a racket so forceful and ferocious that you'd swear these guys have been listening to Raw Power since birth. Dig is the group's second album, and it will be out on vinyl early next month. In the meantime, the digital version is available via Bandcamp if you're craving some first-class raucous noise. There's nothing fancy going on here: just raw, savage rock n' roll that kicks you straight in the teeth and comes back for more. These gentlemen have definitely absorbed the lessons of the Detroit and Aussie rock of yore, and they manage to invigorate that sonic tradition with an energy that's off the charts. You've got guitars firing at full fury, a punishing rhythm section, and a madman howler on lead vocals who probably literally spits fire. "Do It Right Now" may be as blatant of a Stooges homage as you'll ever hear, but it's also one of the best. Play it at max volume, and you will feel indestructible! And while Stiff Richards are especially satisfying in short, fire-hot doses ("Bad Disease", "Ostentatious"), they sound no less thumping in full-on heavy rock mode. "Dig", which delivers monster riffs and transcendent maniacal screaming from deep within Wolfy's loins, opens the album with a proverbial bang. "PEA", with its call to arms of "Power! Energy! Action!", might as well be Stiff Richards' theme song.

It's always a cliche to credit a band with capturing a "live" energy in the studio. But if Dig sounded any more live, you would be able to smell the sweat and spilled beer. These guys play every note like they're trying to blow the roof off of the joint. Something tells me they've succeeded on more than one occasion.



-L.R.

https://stiffrichards.bandcamp.com/album/dig 
https://www.facebook.com/stiffrichardsband/ 

Lisa Marr with the Tranzmitors - self-titled 7"

Dream project alert! If you had told me that Lisa Marr would team up with the mighty Tranzmitors to cut a record for a charitable cause - and that a Fastbacks cover would be involved - I would have said that that could not miss! And of course I would have been right! Out on Top Drawer Records, the 4-song 7" from Lisa Marr and The Tranzmitors features three covers and one brand-new song. All proceeds will be donated to Girls Rock Camp Vancouver - a non-profit society that builds self esteem in girls and non-binary children aged 8-17 through music creation and performance. Leading off is a wonderful cover of The Fastbacks' classic "In The Summer". This track is exactly what you would expect from the blending of the musical talents of Lisa Marr and The Tranzmitors with the songwriting genius of Kurt Bloch. This is pure sonic joy, my friends! The next two tracks are new versions of beloved cub songs. "Magic 8 Ball" from the Box of Hair album is nicely punched-up, and I like how Lisa and Jeff sing it as a duet. The adorable "Pretty Pictures" off of Betti-Cola gets re-worked as well. It was a terrific song to begin with, but its transformation here from twee to full-blown powerful pop suits this project perfectly. To finish, "Salvation" is probably the most enticing piece of this collaboration - the first (and hopefully not last!) original number from Lisa Marr with the Tranzmitors. It does not disappoint! It's upbeat and immediately hummable, with backing keyboards hitting all the right notes. If you find yourself in public view gleefully singing the lines "And I wanna go/Where the snowbirds are", do not be ashamed.

What's not to love about this debut from Lisa Marr with the Tranzmitors? Literally nothing! If you're a cub fan, you'll love it. If you're a Tranzmitors fan, you'll love it. If you're a Fastbacks fan, you'll love it. And if you are a fan of none of the above, how can we possibly be friends?! I like that the charitable nature of this release pertains to both physical copies and digital downloads. Buy this EP in any format, and you will be supporting a great cause. Order the vinyl record here! 



-L.R.

https://lisamarrwiththetranzmitors.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-summer-magic-8-ball-b-w-pretty-pictures-salvation 
https://tdrecs.com/products/lisa-marr-and-the-tranzmitors-7-pre-order 
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/lisamarrwiththetranzmitors 

The Ponches - Quit

The first new release from The Ponches since 2015's Hum is a rather bittersweet moment for pop-punk fans. After a 13-year career as a band that produced two full-length albums and several EPs, The Ponches called it quits last year. Appropriately titled Quit, the Italian foursome's new LP is its last-ever release. It's coming out on Moms Basement and One Chord Wonder Records on a very limited one-sided 12" record. Quit is at least a fine way to go out - displaying the powerful guitars and generally tough sound that made The Ponches stand out in the modern-day pop-punk world. Lillingtons and Riverdales remain solid reference points, but The Ponches could never be dismissed as just another pop-punk clone. There's a sophistication and refinement to the songwriting here befitting a fully-matured punk rock band. I'm even picking up major Descendents vibes on "216", which is a win in my book. Just about any other pop-punk band that wrote a song called "What A Shame (Jani Lane)" would try and make it into a joke. The fact that this band did not is admirable. If The Ponches had to bow out, they've sure done so on a high note.



-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-ponches-quit 
https://ocwrecords.bandcamp.com/album/quit-12-ocw-035 
https://www.storenvy.com/products/25480119-the-ponches-quit-lp-t-shirt-bundle-preorder 
https://theponches.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ThePonches/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ocw.records

An interview with Pale Lips!

As a general rule, I don't do interviews. But I've been known to make exceptions. And of course I'm making an exception for my favorite band! Pale Lips have a new album called After Dark coming out next week and will be embarking on an extensive tour of Europe next month. In anticipation of these exciting events, the band and I exchanged some questions and answers.

Pale Lips are:
Jamie - bass
Ilona - guitar
Lynn - drums
Jackie - vocals 

F & L: Hello! 2019 looks to be an exciting year for Pale Lips. Of course that starts with your new album. Tell us a little about this new record. Might it be a little different from the previous one?

Ilona: It is a lot different, in my opinion. There's more variety on this album, because more of the songs originate from Jamie and Jackie this time.

Jamie: We are so proud of this record. I think you can definitely hear a difference. There is more "variety" because we also kind of grew a lot as songwriters and became more comfortable sharing our ideas with each other. Yeah, what Ilona said! The studio process with Ryan (Battistuzzi) was really really fun and gentle. Lots of coffee and snacks and giggles. Jackie also played the keys on this album, which was super neat!!

Lynn: I think it sounds more complete since we did get some pre-production and worked with someone very special (Ryan) to help us complete the songs with a great intro and great ending.

F & L: What was the creative process like for writing the new album? Was there any pressure to top what you'd already done?

Ilona: More of the same. One of us will introduce an acoustic demo, and we build the tune together. A lot of "strokes of genius" happened while in the studio, too.

F & L: You must be excited about touring Europe in support of the new record. I know this blog has a lot of followers in Europe. If they turn up to see Pale Lips, what should they expect?

Ilona: A good time! We are 100% committed to funzo, on or off the continent of North America. Get ready!

Lynn: we are a fun bunch, we do our thing, we are who we are and enjoy sharing a good time, ''ROCK n' ROLL''

Jamie: Ugh, yeah! We love having fun. While we are playing but also before and after a show. Please come and say hi and don't be shy! We also made a lot of fun, one-of-a-kind hand-made merch for this tour!

F & L: The dreaded "background" question! How did Pale Lips first come together as a band? And looking back, did you imagine it would turn out the way it has?

Jamie: Ok. We get asked this question ALL the time, but we are always happy to share it. Lynn had the idea of a band full of girls for a while, I think. She saw Ilona playing in her band Dagger Eyes and approached her to play guitar. I think that Ilona hesitated at first but eventually agreed. I met Lynn one night at a party. Chance (who is now Jackie's husband!) was a mutual friend of both Lynn and I. In a very drunken taxi ride to an afterparty at Lynn's house, he yelled that Lynn and I should talk because I play bass and Lynn was looking to start a band. We had a lot of fun that night. Lynn, Ilona, and I met for breakfast shortly after that and all got along super well. We decided to start jamming at a place in Montreal appropriately nicknamed The Stinky Place. I think we jammed once and figured out that we badly needed a singer. Jackie was a mutual friend and we kinda figured that since she was a Karaoke Queen and all-around babe and badass, we should ask her. We did, and the rest is history!

Lynn: I didn't expect this band to do as well as we are and to accomplish a second album and to be taking off for a second time tour in Europe!

F & L: Your songs are always so much fun, but at a deeper level you have some of the funniest and most insightful lyrics I've heard. Is there any particular message or lyrical theme that you try and put out there? How would you like your music to be perceived?

Ilona: I like writing clever lyrics with double entendres and loads of winks and nods to the bands and musical styles that influence my tunes. I also like nonsense too. I hope people find our music unique and non-punishing.

Lynn: I think the 3 girls in the band do a great job with their lyrics. And coming from 3 of them, they are so different but it all works out. I hope to at least write a couple tunes in 2019.

Jamie: Aw! Thank you!! Most of the songs that I write are about boys. I try to be clever and simple and always think "What Would Dee Dee Do?".

F & L: Beyond the new album and tour in Europe, what else do Pale Lips have planned for 2019 and beyond?

Lynn: Get a 3rd album out ASAP, tour the U.S.A, and maybe another country.

Jamie: We have a few new very adorable new songs that we will probably record this year. Hopefully play some fun festivals and do a US tour.

After Dark releases January 31st on Alien Snatch, Spaghgetty Town, God's Candy, and Waterslide Records. Click here for further details on Pale Lips' upcoming European tour! 



-L.R.

https://palelips.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/palelips 

Wild Zeros - "She Knows"

It was just last year that I reviewed the "comeback" record from Bordeaux and La Rochelle France's Wild Zeros. This trio had been unheard from for several years before re-emerging to commemorate its ten-year anniversary. The Motormouth EP on Nerve Centre Records was a much welcomed return for fans of real deal garage punk and wild rock n' roll in general. And now we have more from Wild Zeros on another fine UK label. Out on the always-dependable Crocodile Records, "She Knows" is the hottest track I've heard from this band in years. It's actually a re-do of a song from the band's first EP, but it doesn't take long to understand why they wanted a second crack at this one. This totally blows away the previous version! It's more up-tempo this time, with a rawer, tougher, and way more rockin' sound. While not nearly as blown-out sounding as, say, Teengenerate, it definitely possesses the same spirit. I bet ya this would sound so killer coming out of your turntable (which is pretty much the point of this being a vinyl-only release)! On the flip, the band tempts fate by covering Pack's unfuckwithable classic "Nobody Can Tell Us". It was a ballsy move to take on a song that literally cannot be improved upon. But honestly, Wild Zeros come through with a faithful and very credible version of this song. They honor a band that is clearly an important influence. And if this causes just one person to go back and discover Pack, then mission accomplished. Another smasher from the Crocodile hit factory! 



-L.R.

https://www.discogs.com/Wild-Zeros-She-Knows/release/13048360 
https://www.facebook.com/CrocodileRecs/ 
https://wildzeros.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/wildwildzeros/ 

Vintage Crop - Company Man

There are certain songwriting topics that are so eternally tied to our shared human experience that they will never go out of style. At no point in human history, for example, will people not be able to relate to songs about heartbreak and lost love. If there's any other subject that rivals the love song for relevance to the human condition, it would have to be the plight of the dissatisfied worker. How many billions of people on this planet hate their jobs with a passion and dream of a time when they won't have to devote half their waking hours in service of someone else's profit?

Contemplating how many famous songs that are about broken hearts and how relatively few there are about miserable employment, I would say that's a gap that needs to be closed. Melbourne-based Vintage Crop is doing its part with its brand-new EP release Company Man. Out on Anti-Fade and Drunken Sailor Records, Company Man is practically a mini rock opera devoted to the trials and tribulations of life in a suit and tie. It manages to cram just about everything that's stifling and absurd and soul-destroying about the corporate environment into four sharp punk tunes that will have you wishing you had the cojones to rise up against The Man. Vintage Crop, yet another one of the remarkable punk groups to emerge from Aussie land in recent years, comes on here with a jagged, jumpy sound that falls somewhere between modern-day garage punk and early UK post-punk. The lyrics are sarcastic as hell and completely on-point, and they're sung with a conviction that could only have come from very unfortunate personal experience. I love how the title track builds to a feverish intensity and the ultimate sing-along moment. Play it at max volume on the drive home from work as you fantasize about the foul things you'll say to your superiors the day you finally walk out that door on your own terms. "Stock Options" is so savagely, wonderfully scathing that it just might be the anti-anthem for our times. The restlessness and anxiety surging through these songs could not be any more fitting. Whether you are miserable in your own job or just a general opponent of greed and unchecked corporate power, Company Man is sure to get you fired up in that way that only great punk music can. Don't do anything rash...or maybe you should! 



-L.R.

https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/company-man-7-ep 
https://vintagecrop.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/vintagecropband/ 
https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords