We've got Cozy!

It was a summer in the early 1970’s in what would otherwise seem like a typical night in a Minneapolis suburb. Four teenagers were practicing with their band when they suddenly and suspiciously went missing. This up and coming band these boys were in, who were greatly influenced by groups like The Bay City Rollers and The Ohio Express were regarded by many as being “teen idols in the making” and “the next big thing.” In the year 2012, these boys mysteriously returned unharmed and un-aged. Wherever they were time did not exist. They have returned to this dimension now in its “information age” with a request for us all: disconnect, decompress, strap on your roller skates and fall in love!

This Interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on November 24th, 2014

Interview by J Castro

Shock Treatment: Let us first start out by you guys introducing yourselves and telling us what exactly you do to keep the Cozy machine rolling on.

BONKERS: My friends call me Bonkers, so I guess you can too! Much like my namesake in the Cozy "Denim Magic" cartoon series, I sing and dance for our lovely fans.

BAZ: Me name's Baz, isn't it? I play an Electra Cozy Deluxe model electric guitar, available at select Woolworth's locations.

GORDIE: People call me Gordie Leatherby and I play the electric baritone string machine.

SWIZ: Hey everyone! My name is Archie but me mum calls me Swiz. I bludgeon the drums behind these denim dreamboats.

Shock Treatment: Can you tell me how you all met and decided to play music together, basically tell us the Cozy origin story?

BONKERS: Our manager doesn't like us to talk much about our past to the press, but since Audio Ammunition is aimed at a more mature audience than the readership of the periodicals we are usually interviewed by -- such as Tiger Beat and Flip -- I figure we can give you the real story. Baz, Gordie, and myself played together for a number of years with various groups that never really went anywhere. Eventually we congealed into a psychedelic rock band called Silas Cozy. We cut a record for Pye titled Sidepiper at the Gates of Dawn, but it didn't get within spitting distance of the charts. Suffice to say, it was subsequently deleted, with only a handful of copies making it into shops. At the time we were crestfallen, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Our soon-to-be manager, Edwin Bickerton, stumbled upon a copy of the Silas Cozy LP one day, looked at the cover, and decided we had star potential. He tracked us all down at our day jobs -- I was starring in a musical rendition of Richard III at the Stoke on Trent Free Theater at the time -- and we all convened at a gentleman's club where Edwin laid out his blueprint for chart domination over many bottles of Piper-Heidsieck champagne. As it turns out, Edwin's vision couldn't have been more prescient. The combination of his inimitable managerial prowess, the songwriting acumen of the Stately/Poundsworth team, and our own increased dedication to our craft has been the recipe for the success we’ve enjoyed over the past few years. Swiz recently joined the group and we're sounding better than ever!

BAZ: Old Edwin found me at me belt job at the tire burning plant in Dongcaster. I had to make sure the tires didn't go out and stoke them with lead paint chips and asbestos to keep the smoke thick. He said, "Son, I've heard you play guitar, would you like to Razzle a Dazzle?"And I said, "Razzle a Dazzle? I'll Razzle a Duck!!"

SWIZ: I met Baz one day in Liverpool as he was floated down the river Mersey in a boat that closely resembled a washtub. It may have actually been a washtub. Either way, it looked like he was unconscious so I swam to him and drug him to the shore to find out what’s the matter and give him CPR. Once I started to bang on his chest he opened his eyes and asked me to be the drummer in Cozy. He seemed fine, so I said yes.

Shock Treatment: You guys just got back from your second Japanese tour, any fun and exciting stories you’d like to share with us, what are the fans like there as compared to American audiences?

BONKERS: While we love all our amazing supporters across the globe, there is something truly special about the Japanese chapter of the Cozy fan club. Our guide was an old business associate of Edwin's named A-Bone. Bone-san showed us some amazing sights -- who can forget the cafe he took us to where young ladies dressed as French maids gave us deep body massages using severed octopus tentacles in lieu of their hands? However, the most memorable stop on our itinerary had to be the guided tour of Japan's oldest co-ed onsen, or hot spring bath. In honor of Cozy the locals had drained all of the water out of the pools and replaced it with mega-liters of Cola Shock! We lost sight of Baz after discovering the pool he was soaking in had been mysteriously drained dry, but luckily we found him again a couple hours later carrying on something of a Socratic discourse with an undergarment vending machine.

BAZ: We went on the airplane for what seemed like an hour! It took forever it did. Then we were in the famous city of Japan on the southernmost tip of England! I found myself lost for many hours and then I ate something that looked like bacon.

GORDIE: Japan, the land of love, sharing and caring. I needn't extol it any further, except to say that when the beams of the rising sun in the east dabble your pale Dongcaster cheeks and the sacred babbling brooks of the frog spirit tickle your toes, you will feel it too.

SWIZ: Another great memory was being joined onstage at Shelter Hall by very special guest guitarist Fink from Japanese chart-toppers the Raydios. Fink was a true pro, and I must admit he looked mighty dashing in a denim vest.

Shock Treatment: You guys have a heavy 1970’s glam/bubblegum/Bay City Rollers style and influence. This was an approach to music that had a more innocent fun to it, are you guys kinda sorta trying to bring that back?

BONKERS: It's long been my opinion that good times spring eternal. As long as there are teenagers on this planet, there's going to be a steady demand for rock n' roll, sex appeal, and denim.

BAZ: You're right, I haven't had much time to listen to all the groups we've influenced with touring and all, but Edwin did bring me a Bay City Rollers record, which I had the chance to listen to and was well pleased! I'd like to thank those Bay City Roller boys for being such huge fans and encourage them to keep up the good work! Who knows? With a little practice they could be a supporting act on a Cozy tour someday!!

Shock Treatment: Your main influences obviously lie heavily in the past, are there any current bands that inspire you?

BONKERS: As you can imagine, our hectic touring schedule gives us ample opportunity to scout up and coming young bands. Two groups that particularly impressed me of late are Ramma Lamma, from the American provincial town of Milwaukee, and Gorilla, from Tokyo. Speaking of the Land of the Rising Sun, at one of the festivals we headlined over there two years ago, we played with a band called Teengenerate who appeared to go over almost as well as us with the natives. I must admit, they were quite excellent. I was also duly impressed by Firestarter, who opened one of our gigs this past summer.

BAZ: I had a singing duck which I really liked, but it ran out of batteries. Then Rita said the battery store was out of batteries so we couldn't have it anymore. Young Parisian also rule.

Shock Treatment: I know you guys don’t sing about war, famine, and oppression (which is a VERY good thing) so tell me, where does the inspiration for Cozy songs usually come from?

BAZ: Ducks in the sea, monkeys in the tree, vodka in me. Havin’ a good time!

BONKERS: In all honesty, our songwriting team of Mickey Stately and Alvin Poundsworth would be able to answer this question better than any of us can, since they are responsible for many of our most well known songs. I might get in a row with Edwin for airing our dirty laundry in front of the press, but to tell the truth this is a situation we’ve been frustrated with over the years. We’re all adept composers in our own right -- but as Edwin always tells us “you don’t look a golden goose in the egg hole.” However, we were allowed to write two songs on our album “Button By Button” -- “Denim Dream” and “Sidepiping” -- and the response to them by the fans has been quite encouraging. As far as the inspiration behind those two songs goes, they were both inspired by true events in our lives. “Denim Dream” is about how we are living our dream as chart topping superstars thanks to our fans’ support, and “Sidepiping” recounts memories of our high school days. We have another song we wrote together called “Denim Child” in the can for an upcoming 45, but we are currently debating with Edwin about whether or not we will use it or a Stately/Poundsworth composition on the a-side. We wholeheartedly believe “Child” has all the makings of a smash hit and are strongly advocating it be the single.

Shock Treatment: So with that being said, I’ve heard people say that “art should always push social boundaries, question authority, and make people think.” What is your take on that?

BONKERS: I disagree with that statement, or any other absolutist maxim that purports to define what rules art “should” follow. The only strictures binding a true artist are a rigorous dedication to perfecting his craft and the willingness to follow his muse wherever it may lead. That being said, I must admit I’m a little confused as to why you are asking a pop group about painting and sculpture.

GORDIE: It depends on what you mean by “pushing boundaries and questioning authority.” If you mean breaking the law and nicking a pair of 517’s from Jean Junction, then we’re against it. On the other hand, if you’re talking about staying out past curfew to come see Cozy when we perform at your local auditorium, then we wholeheartedly approve.

Shock Treatment: Your music is very up-beat and puts a smile on my face no matter what kind of mood I’m in. Is it sometimes hard to play a show if you’re in a bad or sad mood, has there ever been a time when you don’t feel like going out and being cheery?

BONKERS: First of all, thank you very much for saying that. It means a lot to know our music has the power to put smiles on our fans’ faces when they are feeling down. We have the best fans in the world and we’re so blessed to be able to perform for them. To be honest, we feed off the energy of the crowd. It would be impossible not to be excited when we’re shown such love from so many beautiful and special people night in and night out!

BAZ: BAZ HATES PANTS!!!!

Shock Treatment: What is the one record in your collections that you think a lot of Cozy fans might be surprised you own?

GORDIE: Grame Grace’s "Hail Me."

BONKERS: I have a personal assistant who travels with us on tour and often picks up the latest records for me at local shops. Sometimes he chooses some really far out albums that can be a bit too heavy for me, but occasionally I really dig them. One obscure record he picked up for me recently is “Loaded” from a group called The Velvet Underground. It came out a few years back and didn't really make the charts or anything, but there are some really catchy songs on it.

BAZ: After my mid morning nap, and often after my early afternoon snooze, I'll have Rita put on the record that goes: “Win wam zoozle zam bamma lamma loo, bim bam wamma lam what about you? Wozzle dozzle loop de loo looping up and down, womble cromble every time beep nap noun.” You may not have heard it because I may have recorded it myself. One can never be sure...

SWIZ: A few years ago I picked up a record by a band called MC5. I really love their hard hitting drum lines! I just wish the singer had a little more of an English melodic sense and made use of harmonies the way bands back home do.

Shock Treatment: What will the rest of 2014 bring for us, the Cozy fans?

BONKERS: Well, we’ve finally wrapped up the first leg of our world tour in support of our new album “Button By Button,” which came out this past summer on HoZac Records and has already gone gold. So far the response to the album has been universally positive, which has us feeling duly humbled, but not entirely unlike a bunch of proud papas. From our early days as Silas Cozy to the release of “Button By Button,” it was a long, hard, road to get to the top of the international pop mountain. Now that we’re here, we’re going to keep working hard to entertain our fans and hopefully secure our place as one of the greatest bands in rock history. As I mentioned earlier, we have another single in the can, which should see the light of day sometime early next year. Other than that, our plan for the rest of the year is to take a break from our relentless touring schedule in order to work on material for our follow up album, tentatively set to be a two-album set entitled “Double Denim.” Hopefully we can convince Edwin to let us write more of the songs on this one.

BAZ: Please check out our new line of Cozy brake pads as well as Baz Bozworthy's Baz Brand Butt Butter for all your butt moisturizing needs!!!

BONKERS: Before we go, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the fans for letting us into their lives. Each time you play a Cozy record or come to one of our concerts it’s like giving all of us a giant hug. Believe me when I say there’s nothing we love more than hugging you back.

Rough Kids Interview

Ever hear some tired old morons making fools of themselves droning on that punk rock isn’t the same as it was back in the old days? Well those boring geezers are right, in a lot of ways it’s better now! Folks that start punk bands nowadays have the benefit of chipping away at bits of different scenes from decades of recorded history. Take Los Angeles’ Rough Kids, they add their own unique zest to an already volatile mixture of punk rock and it makes for a distinct explosive mechanism with a blast force capable of permanently etching the shadows of the people in their audience on to the surrounding walls. Punk rock may not ever save the world but it can help tear it down so we can build a new one on its ashes and Rough Kids makes the perfect demolition device.

This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on November 24th, 2014

Interview by J Castro

Shock Treatment: Please tell me who’s in the band and what you all do to keep Rough Kids the toughest gang on the block:

LUIS: drums
PAUL: bass
TSUBASA - lead guitar/vocals
ETHAN - vocals/rhythm guitar

3 out of four of us unabashedly change diapers and take naps. That's pretty tough, right?

Shock Treatment: Can you tell me how you all met and decided to play music together?

ETHAN: I met Tsubasa about 10 years ago when I was playing in a band in San Francisco and he had a band in LA. When I moved back down to LA in 2007, I wanted to put a new band together and Tsubasa and his drummer weren't doing much at the time, so we started Rough Kids. It has pretty much been a rotating rhythm section since then. We've gone through 4 bassists and 2 drummers to find Paul and Luis who have become crucial members of this band.

LUIS: I met Tsubasa at the Echoplex about 3 or 4 years ago. I forgot who I was there to see, maybe The Gories. We were introduced by an ex-girlfriend of mine. Long story short, he asked me to be in the band late last year. I had just gotten back from a tour with Sonny Vincent. I immediately said yes and I met Ethan and Paul at our first practice.

Shock Treatment: When writing songs, do you have any band or songwriter in mind or do you guys just let the chips fall where they may and write what comes to mind?

ETHAN: On the last record, I think you can tell that a lot of the songs were written at different times while listening to different things. It's a bit of a compilation of us figuring out what exactly we wanted to do, single track minded and lacking any cohesive through line. We're recording the next LP right now and it was definitely written with "album" in mind. For me, there are some specific bands/songwriters that are more influential on me than others, but anytime I've sat down and tried to "write a song like (insert name here)" it never works. I find it's best to just let the chips fall and sometimes, later, I might realize where this verse or that chorus came from. Even a song like "Into the '00s" was written not realizing I'd blatantly bitten the riff from "Civilization's Dying," allowing me to write a completely different vocal melody which resulted in a song that is (hopefully) still interesting and different enough for listeners to detach from the Zero Boys.

TSUBASA: I never try to write songs like some bands...When I write songs, I always make sure the song doesn't sound too similar to whatever songs I've heard before...Of course all my songs have an essence of all my favorite bands or songwriters but I try not to rip off anything.

Shock Treatment: What sorts of things typically inspire your song lyrics?

ETHAN: The lyrics usually don't get properly written until it's time to record. Choruses and themes work themselves out at practices and then I panic before we go into the studio and fill in all the blanks. The songs can really be about anything. They’ve ranged from songs about friends’ relationships with their girlfriends, historical serial killers, apathy, movies, etc. I've never put much stock in song lyrics. My goal is to write things without any sort of message, as I don't think music is the place for a soapbox, while still attempting to sound more intelligent than simple nursery rhymes. I hate when a band writes one verse and a chorus and repeats it over and over. I'm way behind on the lyrics for the new record and am considering having a buddy of mine help write some stuff.

Shock Treatment: Do you remember how or who first introduced you to punk rock?

ETHAN: Aside from Green Day, Rancid and Bad Religion popping up on MTV in ’94-‘95, I'd have to give credit to my junior high friends Wade and Steve, who gave me tapes of things like Operation Ivy, Social Distortion, The Dickies, etc, it’s just been a dive deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole since then.

TSUBASA: I grew up in the southern part of Japan and there wasn’t a real punk scene in my hometown but there was this awesome band called "Nervousbreakdown." I was lucky enough to meet them and catch their gigs in my teenage years. They introduced me to great stuff such as The Dictators, The Real Kids, DMZ, Nervous Eaters, The Devil Dogs, Teengenerate, the list goes on.

PAUL: I got into punk from growing up watching skate videos. Started listening to the basics like Dead Kennedys and Ramones and then when I was 13 my older sister was dating a dude who was into straight edge hardcore, so I started going to shows with him. That was when I really found and fell in love with the world of DIY punk and hardcore.

LUIS: It was the last day of the end of my freshman year. I smoked herb for the first time. Went over to my homie’s pad and he played me Nirvana. That was it and that was when I decided to be a drummer.

Shock Treatment: In your experience, what are some of the best things and worst things about being in a band in a huge city like Los Angeles?

ETHAN: We’ve been asked this question in just about every interview and it’s gets more difficult to answer each time. The blessing and the curse of LA is that it is so large and there are so many people. What’s unfortunate is how few places there are to play. It’s mostly 21+ bars, or venues that last a couple months and fizzle out due to lack of permits or whatever.

TSUBASA: One of the biggest obstacles for a band like ours is that LA is a clique-y town and we've never fit in with the garage/pop churned out by the Burger bands or the art/noise punk scene, which seem to be the biggest draws these days. With so many shows going on every night, unless your show is the hippest place to be, attendance can be pretty bleak. I’m also worried it’s getting to a point where a lot of people aren’t really going out to the shows to hear the live music, but rather just to be where the best party is. I’ve literally seen more people dancing to the music between bands at shows than during the bands.

LUIS: It is pretty clique-ish around here but I find a lot more bands trying to unify each other. I mean, we have a lot of bands that suck, but we have a handful of really good ones. As for the people that try to find the best party and not the best lineup, there aren't enough of them for me to give a rat’s ass about. They're young and dumb. Welcome to America.

Shock Treatment: Bruce Dickenson recently said that people in punk bands can’t play their instruments and would all rather be in a metal band surrounded by porn stars. What do you think?

ETHAN: Does Bruce Dickenson think singing is playing an instrument? I think he and Brian Johnson should get together and have tea whilst chatting about how lucky they are they inherited careers from more talented singers.

TSUBASA: Who gives a shit about what that pussy said?

LUIS: I'd rather be in a reggae band surrounded by weed. Bruce is lame. There are punks who like some of Maiden’s stuff. Or at least when Paul Di’Anno was in it. Bruce should just do what he's always wanted to do: Opera.

Shock Treatment: In a deleted scene from the movie Pulp Fiction, Mrs. Mia Wallace told Vincent Vega, “That no one can like The Beatles or Elvis equally. You can like them both, but no one likes them the same.” I feel there are few other bands/musicians like that. Tell me which you guys prefer and add comment if you’d like:

Shock Treatment: 1. Elvis vs Chuck Berry:

ETHAN: Chuck overall, but Elvis had the best one-off with "Suspicious Minds."
TSUBASA: Chuck Berry all the way! Great songwriter, invented the most important guitar style that has been inherited by all my favorite musicians.

PAUL: Elvis

LUIS: Chuck. He's pretty much God in my eyes.

Shock Treatment: 2. The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones:

ETHAN: Rolling Stones

TSUBASA: The Rolling Stones!! This is like asking "Power Pop or Punk Rock?"

PAUL: Beatles

LUIS: The Stones.

Shock Treatment: 3. The Clash vs. The Sex Pistols:

ETHAN: Sex Pistols. Best album ever written end to end.

TSUBASA: I love The Clash but yeah, nothing can beat "Never Mind The Bollocks"

PAUL: The Clash

LUIS: Sex Pistols

Shock Treatment: 4. The Cramps vs. (classic) Misfits:

ETHAN: Misfits. Rockabilly isn't punk.

TSUBASA: Misfits

PAUL: Misfits

LUIS: Misfits

Shock Treatment: 5. The Stitches vs. U.S. Bombs:

ETHAN: Carbonas! No offense, but neither of those bands is going to be remembered 20 years from now, just as ours isn't.

TSUBASA: I like Carbonas better than those bands too, but I never liked U.S Bombs so The Stitches all the way!

PAUL: Completely agree with Ethan.

LUIS: The Stitches.

Shock Treatment: Where can people go to hear or buy Rough Kids music?

ETHAN: The album is streaming on the Sorry State Records Bandcamp or on Spotify, for sale from Sorry State Records or from us at shows.

Oh No! Not More Record Reviews?!

Gino and the Goons – Shake It! LP (Black Gladiator/Slovenly Recordings/Total Punk)
These Floridians know how to get up and get down with the best of ‘em! As soon as you push play, the barn doors fly open and the wild animals come running out like the place is on fire! From the first song, that sets the bar pretty high, there is just no let up. Sleazed up, messed up, but done up right rock n’ roll like DMZ, and Real Kids. I know those are some pretty big names to drop, but Gino and the Goons hold their own right next to them with their heads held high. They chip away at their influences but never copy. You can just tell these are all kindred rock n’ roll spirits looking for a good time. ~ J Castro

Sick Thoughts – Fat Kid with a 10 Inch 10” LP (Slovenly Recordings)
The Baltimore battering ram is on the loose again and this time it’s added a few inches for more destructive power! This is some pretty trashy, lo-fi, barely controlled blow torch blasts of punk rock that still manages to keep itself on the road with some loose and catchy rock n’ roll strut. It’s wild, unpredictable and the deeper you go into this record the more you realize you like each song more than the last. Loud music made by troubled young men that is sure to invite thoughts of paranoia, violence and sexual deviancy in anyone that’s smart enough to listen. All of your wildest adolescent dreams are about to come true! ~ J Castro

The Monsieurs – S/T LP (Black Gladiator/Slovenly Recordings)
Starting off kind of slow with the dark and lurking “Kari Ann,” the record quickly becomes a celebration of blues kissed rock n’ roll fury I was hoping it would be with the song “The Rat.” With vocals that sound like they were captured in a snowstorm with the recording device 50 feet away, guitars firing away so relentlessly the notes are indistinguishable and drums hit so loud your puny inner ears can barely process the volume. With former Tunnel of Love mastermind Andy Macbain at the helm; you kind of kind of know what you’re in for. The Monsieurs however have more Gories strut and style though. I want me some more! ~ J Castro

Ausmuteants – Fed Through a Tube 7” (Total Punk)
Melbourne, Australia’s answer to the X-Men, well maybe the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is more like it. This record has sealed in itself two audio concussion charges that are sure to jerk your neck out of place as soon as you drop the needle on it. The A side and title track is a straight on full frontal Angry Samoans style punk attack. The B Side is a song called “Arguments” and it employs some keys in the background giving it a more Screamers/The Units vibe. Just like the record label name boasts this is Total Punk: nothing more, nothing less! ~ J Castro

Buck Biloxi and the Fucks – Culture Demanufacturer LP (Total Punk)
First of all I want to say that this is one of my favorite album covers of the year! Just like the album title says, BBF are here to do just that. They’re here to question your elitist morals and tear down your materialistic lifestyle with a stripped down minimalistic approach to the whole punk rock thing. Buck Biloxi and the Fucks don’t want to follow you down that path to a utopian society because they know it’s not real. Disgust, apathy and doubt will always be a part of human nature and they know it. Someone once said that the opposite of love is not hate but indifference; I say the opposite of love is Buck Biloxi and the Fucks! ~ J Castro

Cuello – Modo Eterno Cassette (Shake! Records)
From the town of Valencia, Spain comes Cuello. They describe themselves as a mixture of Husker Du, Sonic Youth and Weezer. I can certainly see that but there is a more melodic hard hitting element in there as well. I can hear some 90’s style punk in there like Rhythm Collision, Snuff and Face to Face. Good, loud music with plenty of guitar riffs and melody to make it easy on the old ear canal. Sometimes trying to pigeonhole bands through comparisons does them a huge disservice. What I try to do is give you a mere glimpse of the same feelings I get then I hear these bands as well. Cuello are all of the above bands and more. Well, except for maybe the Sonic Youth part, I am still a bit confused on that one! ~ J Castro

Napalmpom – The Unconditional Love of Napalmpop Cassette (Shake! Records)
This record is so fun and massive I am surprised any kind of plastic record format can contain it for very long. If you lived in the mid 1970’s suburbs when all there was to really worry about on a Saturday night was where the beer and girls were, then this album would be your 1st choice to play loud as you pull out of your driveway and head out of your to pick up your buddies for the evening. Napalmpom take tiny piranha bites of The Who, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, AC/DC and mix them in a cauldron bubbling over with exhilaration and irreverence. I know this is a tall order of comparisons, but Napalmpom don’t impersonate, they use all of the above elements to concoct their own unique mixture of explosive 70’s style R-O-C-K! ~ J Castro

Hansmole – Whitest Whiteness Cassette (Shake! Records)
A bit of a different kind of release among all the trashed out rock n’ roll chaos we’ve been getting here at the Audio Ammunition remote castle stronghold. Enter Victoria, British Colombia’s Hansmole slowly gliding 6 inches above the ground like an apparition in the foggy darkness. The music is a mixture of dim, swirling, atmospherics like Dead Can Dance mixed with The Velvet Underground. Some of the songs vary from an electronic droning background to more earthy textures woven throughout. Either way the album feels brilliantly pieced together and has a definite disposition of twilight ambiance that haunts your consciousness for quite sometime after listening. ~ J Castro

The Vicious Cycles MC – Bad News Travels Fast Cassette (Shake! Records)
These Vancouver bruisers play tough, hard hitting melodic punk rock similar to Boston’s Dropkick Murphy’s and Street Dogs. Imagine being lost somewhere cold and it’s getting late, really late. The only light on you see is in a small run down pub on the corner. You go in to ask for directions, (because you’re not THAT alpha) and there’s a band playing to a bunch of drunken, barrel chested blokes in plaid shirts and combat boots. All arm in arm singing along to every word of the song loudly and off key. This is what I see when I close my eyes while listening to this album. Well made punk rock that straddles the fences between Oi!/Street Punk and good ol’ fashioned leather clad rock n’ roll. ~ J Castro

The Lad Mags – S/T Cassette (Shake! Records)
Killer 1960’s style dark and moody mod/soul from these girls (and guy!) band slinking around the darkened corners of Edmonton, Alberta. Think early Dusty Springfield or Shangri-La’s mixed with Brian Jonestown Massacre with a pinch of Siouxsie and The Banshees macabre and mystique. This here is a bonafied compilation of all the 3 EP’s the band has released this year plus a couple of bonus tunes! Perfect place to start if you like this sort of thing, and if you don’t you had better reevaluate some of the key decisions you’ve made in your life and figure out what went wrong and when! ~ J Castro

Catholic Girls – Sheila Joined a Cult Cassette (Shake! Records)
The title of the record may give off the impression that this is going to be some kind of silly band that’s not taking itself too seriously, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Calgary, Alberta’s Catholic Girls discharge a thrilling blend of guitars riding a tsunami of keyboards that produce pulsating blasts of shadowy sound encircled by chaos, darkness and urgency that has slivers of new wave, post punk, and lo-fi madness lodged throughout. I get a similar feel when I hear bands like Lost Sounds or The Faint. This is Catholic Girls debut release, can’t wait to see how much further into the abyss this band goes on their next records. ~ J Castro

Zen Mystery Fogg – S/T Cassette (Shake! Records)
Let it be known that Vancouver, British Colombia is not to be left behind on the Neo-Psychedelic party train. The good city has purchased a ticket and secured their seats on the movement that is sure to leave a permanent mark on underground music for years to come. The fine folks at Shake! Records bring us evidence of this with this band spinning mid tempo, slightly twee, blurred garage rock n’ roll. Production is echo-y and slightly hollowed out just the way you like it, it’s the perfect combination for making this tape echo in the halls of your head throughout a summer afternoon. ~ J Castro

The Repossessors – 20 Angry Months Cassette (Shake! Records)
Vancouver’s Repossessors immediately and with both hands shove three songs in your clean innocent face that are full of mean, dark and ominous rock n’ roll with loud thick guitars hanging on some undeniably catchy hooks. Three songs is all you’ll need before you wake up covered in sweat, yours? Who knows! Who cares! You’ll be dehydrated, head pounding, and ready to turn the tape over and do it all over again! Minimalistic production with a similar savage approach to punk rock like the Dead Boys meets Rip Off Records makes for one monumentally great tape! ~ J Castro

The Connection – A Christmas Gift for LP (Collector’s Club Records)
This record compiles the Christmas singles the band has been putting out for the last couple of years plus adds a few new ones. This album isn’t one of those that craps in Santa’s toy bag either, oh no! It stays true to the spirit of the season with songs like “I Feel Fine (It’s Christmas Time)” and “Rock n’ Roll Christmas.” The band take a similar approach to Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” mixed with The Connection’s usual brand of mod rock n’ roll similar to early Who and Small Faces. The album winds down with a cover of the Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight).” Yes boys and girls this year is shaping up to be the best Christmas ever! ~ J Castro

Jennie Vee – Die Alone EP (Self Released)
The amount of terrific self released records out there never ceases to amaze me. Here is one prime example, Brooklyn NY’s Jennie Vee. She answers the question: what would it sound like if Debbie Harry got in the middle of those perpetually feuding Reid brothers in the Jesus and Mary Chain and the three of them formed a band? The answer is a dream pop/shoegaze extravaganza. Die Alone slowly ripples with reverb drenched guitars that shimmer against Jennie’s warm vocals that abduct you and leave you in a twilight state of consciousness atop a skyscraper at night. As you get up and gaze at the urban landscape below, you think of all the beauty, sadness and danger that lie beneath you, all of this and more envelopes the songs on this wonderful new EP. ~ J Castro

Tacocat – NVM LP (Hardly Art)
A lot of the press I’ve read mentions candy and fast food to try and describe Tacocat’s sound and all around persona as a band. This sort of thing kind of paints a picture that adolescent silliness is what this band is all about, well it is partially I suppose but that’s a good thing. Tacocat is a lot more than that though. This what I visualize when I hear NVM: Imagine Suzi Quatro, Belinda Carlisle, Kathleen Hanna, and Ronnie Spector arm in arm skipping around the State Fair. They all decide to go on the Ferris wheel and while they’re all up there at the very tip top they all simultaneously receive an epiphany and decide to verbally share it: “Hey, let’s all form a band!” They all shout while throwing their hands up in the air. Their result would be very similar to Tacocat’s NVM. ~ J Castro

S - Cool Choices LP (Hardly Art)
S aka Jenn Ghetto was a founding member of the late band Carissa’s Weird that started in Tucson, AZ and ended in Seattle, WA. Carissa’s Weird never really took off and the band called it a day in 2003. Some of the residual members trotted off and formed a little group called Band of Horses, perhaps you’ve heard of them. Either way the point is Jenn Ghetto has cut her teeth in the music world. This time around, she enlisted the help of pal Chris Walla (of Death Cab for Cutie fame) to serve as engineer and producer on this, her 4th solo outing. Cool Choices’ introspective folk kissed collection of songs displays an array of sensitivity and delicate harmonies that are carefully and cleverly mended together into something passionate and cohesive. ~ J Castro

Protomartyr – Under Color of Official Right LP (Hardly Art)
This is a pretty unusual record coming out of The Motor City. Right out of the gate, hearing the Glen Danzig meets David Byrne by way of Ian Curtis vocals conjured up the dark hollowness of some post-punk bands. The rest of the band however doesn’t follow down that path. The guitars are far more bombast and the rhythm section is much louder than any of those “rainy day in the city for the closet intellectual” type bands. Although I wouldn’t call Protomartyr a straight up Post Punk band, however I do think it would take a fan of bands like Husker Du, Mission of Burma or even The Minutemen to really appreciate what these guys are doing. ~ J Castro

La Sera – Hour of the Dawn LP (Hardly Art)
This is Kickball Katy of Vivian Girls side project. It doesn’t stray too far from The Viv’s latest material (2011’s Share the Joy), minus a lot of the fuzz. Being middle aged and having a fairly large record collection, I realized after hearing this that I own La Sera’s last record that came out a couple of years ago called Sees the Light, I also remembered how much I liked it. A bit toned down are the lush Camera Obscura/Belle and Sebastian lush and melodic songs that Share the Joy revolved around. The songs on Hour of Dawn have a more natural, stripped down production that gives off an urgent feel to the album. Still the La Sera you’ve grown to love, only leaning a bit more towards the Vivian-esque side. ~ J Castro

Gem Club – In Roses LP (Hardly Art)
Gem Club produce music that makes you feel like you’re floating around untethered in space. It’s beautiful, fragile, and vast like nature itself. The Massachusetts trio continues to paint exquisite landscapes of sonic beauty on In Roses their 2nd LP following 2011’s Breakers and a self released EP in 2010 called Acid and Everything. In the 5 years of their existence, vocalist/pianist Christopher Barnes, cellist Kristen Drymala, and vocalist Ivea Berberian have hardly strayed from their unique formula of Dream Pop. If artists such as Perfume Genius and Antony and the Johnsons capture your interest then prepare your soul for the next level because it has arrived in In Roses. ~ J Castro

Golden Pelicans – S/T LP (Total Punk)
These four Floridians make you violently flail all four limbs as soon as you hear the first 10 seconds of the opening track “Two Feathers.” This is ultra tight, veins bursting from your neck, blue collar, “you can’t fire me ‘cause I quit’” rock n’ roll that reminds me of something that would have come out of Australia in the late 1970’s like X or Radio Birdman mixed with New York’s Testors. Yes it’s wild, yes it’s sweaty, and if you spend enough time with this record it will probably take a swing at you. Consider my ass kicked! ~ J Castro

Lumpy and The Dumpsters – Bat EP (Total Punk)
This St. Louis band, despite the name is actually a breath of fresh air and apparently I’m not the only one that thinks so; their records are said to sell out in just a few days from their record labels! Lumpy and his drunken band of malcontents don’t care about GMO’s or capitalism running unchecked. Why can’t one just be pissed off now days? I don’t know why I’m pissed sometimes, I just am and Lumpy and the Dumpsters provide the perfect soundtrack for those moments. They remind me of bands like Quincy Punx or Submachine from back in the mid 1990’s: loud, drunk, sloppy and ornery. Who needs anger management when you got music like this to help dispel all your daily frustrations! ~ J Castro

Ausmuteants – Order of Operation LP (Goner)
As the name suggests, these lads hail from Australia, well I suppose you could guess Austria but you’d be wrong. Ausmuteants have never sounded more refined and focused than on this record. This band does the post apocalypse synth-punk cha-cha that seems to be gaining in popularity these days but unlike some of their peers they don’t have that frenzied and chaotic sound like Stalins of Sound or Miscalulations. This album has the band leaning more towards early Killing Joke. The dark fog of synthesizers now carry the band willingly into the darkness instead of grabbing them by the foot as they violently kick and scream as they get dragged back into the shadowy realm from which they came. ~ J Castro

The Blind Shake - Breakfast of Failures (Goner)
A few words came immediately to mind when I started listening to this long running Minneapolis trio’s new LP: massive, ominous, destructive and glorious. I imagine a similar cycle of emotions would run through your head if you saw a squadron of B-29 Superfortress Bombers roar overhead and then suddenly began laying waste to your hometown. Blind Shake’s music isn’t disjointed beats or unintelligible noise though. There is a hard driving rhythm section present, a singer that growls and belts out the ripping vocals when called for, but all of this rides on bulky and melodic guitar riffs that seem to steer this enormous beast into something deceptively unified. ~ J Castro

Nots – We Are Nots LP (Goner)
A fiery frenzy of punk rock is unleashed as Nots bestow upon the world their debut LP. Their scrappy sounds of disenchantment combined with fierce female prowess sounds like it could have been on a Kill Rock Stars comp 20 years ago right in between Jack Acid and Bratmobile. But these girls aren’t from anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, they’re from the great city of Memphis, Tennessee. With the kind of records Goner had been putting out lately, this record fits right in there. 11 short sharp stabs of punk rock, like little prison shivs stuck in and broken off in the kidney! ~ J Castro

Various Artists – Shake! Sampler II Cassette (Shake! Records)
If anyone out there is still unfamiliar with this label, rectify that situation immediately. Victoria, British Colombia’s Shake! Records have been putting out quality new and reissues of cassettes and vinyl now since 2010. The thing that really impresses me about this label is how diverse their releases are yet still appeal to the rock n’ roll heart: from snotty ‘77 punk, gloriously sloppy trash rock, indie rock atmospherics, and 60’s Girls in the Garage style bands. A lot of these bands we’re already given full reviews. Some newly discovered gems for me though were Monster Treasure, Lab Coast and the almighty Jolt covering Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs” (available only on the download version). This tape is a perfect jumping off point into the wonderfully eclectic world of Shake! Records! ~ J Castro

The Electric Dates – Eels Hips Cassette (Shake! Records)
Five songs, some original and some covers including The Sonics “Strychnine” and the Wailers classic “Out of Our Tree.” All this and more brought to you by these nutty Canadians that include members of Mascara Nites, Durban Poison and Electric Empress. The production of these garage rock stompers sounds as if the band was playing on a small boat in the middle of the ocean on a particularly windy day and the device that was recording them fell off the boat is was floating around near the ocean floor in a sharks belly. Good, solid rocking party starters here but be aware, if you’re ear isn’t a tuned to such lo-fi lunacy, you may not fully absorb all the benefits this tape has to offer. In that case all I can do is pity you. ~ J Castro

These reviews originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on November 24th 2014

Crusaders Of Love Are Here!

Crusaders of Love aren’t just an excellent band that take tips from past rock n’ roll royalty like Marc Bolan, Johnny Thunders and Alex Chilton, they’re a force that struggles to preserve a time in rock n’ roll history when music mattered, a time when people took pride in their record collection and actually knew a little about the band that was emblazoned on their T-shirt. I may be preaching to the already converted and it might sound like a terrible cliché in the world of underground rock n’ roll, but evidence seems to show that this ideology is dying in popular culture. Art has been reduced to “entertainment” and consumed like a fast food cheeseburger. Music like what the Crusaders of Love play deserves to be savored. Only then will your soul receive the sustenance it needs and deserves to carry on.

This Interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on November 7th, 2014

Interview by J Castro

Shock Treatment: Let’s start out with some introductions. Who are the Crusaders of Love and what do you all do in the band?

ALEX: I'm Alex, I sing and play rhythm guitar. Fabrice is my co-captain, he plays lead guitar and sing backups, then comes the rhythm section with Didine on bass and Max on drums.

Shock Treatment:  You guys are based in Lille, a beautiful city in northern France rich in history. In fact, I read that there are records that the area has been inhabited as early as 2000 BC! All that is well and good but what’s it like playing in a power pop rock n’ roll band there? Is there a good, supportive scene in Lille?

ALEX: It looks like you know more about Lille than I do ha ha. But yes it's a very old city though not much of a rocking place. I don't know any other band here that plays the same kind of rock n’ roll we do. Some people here like us, some don't, and some don't get it I think. Sloppy reverb drenched garage rock is the popular thing these days in France. So yes we feel a little alienated but, we play the music we like and won't compromise so it's all cool.

Shock Treatment:  You guys came out with a new 12” EP titled Sacred earlier this year. I want to ask you about the title. Are you referring to anything in particular as “sacred”?

ALEX: Sometime I feel like people and especially young kids don't really give a shit about genuine rock n’ roll anymore. It seems like we live in a world where nothing is sacred anymore, everything is artificial, disposable, from corporate music to movies... etc. You know, when they make a new Robocop movie, what's the point, the original was great. Why can't we just stick with it and come up with new ideas?

Shock Treatment:  You guys have toured a lot, all over Europe and even The States a couple of times (including a house show in my hometown of Phoenix, AZ) How are American and European audiences different?

ALEX: I feel like the American audience is more committed, from what we experienced. Maybe it's because we were a French band and were kind of “exotic” to them, I don't know. There's not really any difference except everyone is covered with tattoos in America. We loved it and we really want to come back, it's been four years already since the last time. I remember the Phoenix house show well, we all got very drunk and smoked weed with some people. Some guy interviewed me and Fab in his truck. That was a fun night, and I saw a scorpion.

Shock Treatment:  There is a folk story about the first time John Lennon met Bob Dylan. Lennon was a huge Bob Dylan fan and he asked him what he thought of the Beatles and Dylan said “It’s good but you guys aren’t really saying anything in your music” and of course John Lennon was devastated by this comment. Do you think music has to “say anything” to be significant or poignant?

ALEX: I don't like when music goes political and shit like that, it bores me because I always thought the music comes first. I think you can be touched by words sometimes because it makes you feel like you've been there or it takes you somewhere, kind of like when you read a book, it stimulates your imagination. But I don't really like when it gets too arty or poetry shit. I think The Beatles were more popular than Bob Dylan; he was jealous and just wanted to depreciate John Lennon.

Shock Treatment: I was reading an interview with Keith Richards and he said that anyone that buys digital music is getting “short changed”. Do you agree?

ALEX: I only bought digital twice. I didn't really feel like I got ripped off but I didn't like it either. It's cliché to say that but, yes I think the object is important. When I was a young kid just getting into music I would always look at the pictures in the booklet listening to Guns n’ Roses, the object was definitely important to me. So yes I agree with Keith!

Shock Treatment: When people walk away from a Crusaders of Love show, what do you hope they take away with them? What do you hope they are feeling?

ALEX: T-shirts and LPs... Ha, ha, ha! We want people to have a great time, we want them to be surprised and leave with our songs stuck in their heads at the end of the night.

Shock Treatment: If Crusaders of Love could tour with any band in the history of rock n’ roll, who would it be and why?

ALEX: Guns n’ Roses! Because they're the reason I pick up a guitar when I was 11 years old.

Shock Treatment: Where can people go to hear or buy your music?

ALEX: Bandcamp, I ship all orders myself so let me know if you want me to write you kind words in French. Amandine can spread perfume on your LP too. All good record stores should have our records, ask for it! Or come to shows! Otherwise I think you can get the digital stuff pretty much everywhere, iTunes, Amazon, Deezer... you can find our LPs pretty easily on lots of online stores too.

Shock Treatment: What lies ahead for Crusaders of Love for the rest of 2014?

ALEX: We are currently working on new material for our next full length. We may also start recording some of it. I'm not sure we'll be touring much for the rest of the year apart from shows here and there. But we're planning a big tour for 2015, possibly America!

An Interview With 1-800-BAND!

There was a time in the early 1980’s when I loved MTV and the videos they played, an era when it seemed rock music was still moving in new and exciting directions. The pop and new wave bands then had the ability to echo our own wide-eyed enthusiasm for the times and of the heartbreaking losses in love we went through and put it to terrific pop tunes. Well many listened but few learned, 1-800-BAND are some of the ones that took really good notes. They learned to channel a similar romanticism and inject it into fun and undeniably catchy songs similar to the Pretenders and The Cars. 1-800-BAND do what so many rock n’ roll bands wish they could accomplish: they make something old sound new again!

This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on November 7th, 2014

Interview by J Castro

Shock Treatment: Ok Al, let’s start off by telling me who’s all in the band and what you all do to earn your place?

AL: Al Huckabee on guitar and vocals, Polly Watson on keyboards, Robbie Kongress on bass and Aaron Carroll on Drums – all positions formed by the cooling of molten lava, no one earned a thing.

Shock Treatment: Now a bit about your musical careers, I know you were all in other musical endeavors prior (and maybe you’re in other bands now) so can you give us a brief rock n’ roll resume?

AL: Sure, 1-800-BAND is made up of former members of the Hong Kong, a great new-wave-y Brooklyn band, Crimson Sweet which was a scrappy art-damaged punk band which toured incessantly for about eight years and Another Saturday Night which was a raucous rock n’ roll outfit. Somehow out of the murky overlap of these progenitors emerged the clear pop stylings of 1-800-BAND.

Shock Treatment: The band is based in Brooklyn NY. Based on your experiences, what are the best and worst parts about being in a band in a HUGE city like New York?

AL: Best part – there are countless clubs, countless bands and endless opportunities.

Worst part – there are countless clubs, countless bands and endless opportunities.

Shock Treatment: You guys did a great video for the song “Diver Blue” off of your EP of the same name (Almost Ready Records). Have you seen the comment on Youtube by the guy that said you were “careless” about the senseless violence in it? What do you think of that comment? Do you think any band or public figure has any kind obligation to try and steer things away from that sort of thing?

AL: Thanks, I’m glad you like the video. It was collaboration between the band and the extremely talented David Cavallo. Dave not only made the Diver Blue video but also the video for Would You Believe It from our debut LP. He’s also the cinematographer for Jodoroski’s Dune, which is an amazing documentary I can highly recommend for anyone who enjoys movies, stories or life. I’ve not seen the comment you refer to but I suppose the idea is that violence in a work of fiction is somehow a causal link to violence in real life. I reject this idea. I think fiction, fantasy and art are the safest ways known to mankind to explore, understand and form opinions about very difficult real-life problems.
If the commenter is looking for ‘careless’ decisions that give rise to Americans shooting each other dead in the street s/he should check out District of Columbia v. Heller 554 U.S. 570 (2008) and other similar lower court decisions. You bring up a great question about the obligation of bands and public figures. I think if 1-800-BAND were writing school curricula or crafting public policy we would all be in a lot of trouble but we aren’t; we write pop songs and make rock videos. We’re artists, we make art.

Shock Treatment: What sorts of things typically inspire 1-800-BAND songs? Can you remember the most unusual person or place that inspired you to want to write about?

AL: We’re inspired by the same things that everyone else is: romance and having a great time! One thing I love about songwriting is how small, strange, disparate ideas can all coalesce and work together to form a song. In the song “Diver Blue,” Rob came up with that idea and the rhyming line “Change for a two, Diver Blue” as in change for a two-dollar bill. I love that because everyone knows what a two-dollar bill looks like but no one has one in their wallet right now. Two-dollar bills are cool but why? Our protagonist wants the girl but she’s with another guy so he has to break them up: change for a two. So the chorus is about this specific mundane piece of currency which by itself is perhaps nothing to sing about but in the context of the song its catchy, it rhymes and you can feel the heat of the underlying desire.
Or check out Polly’s lyrics in “Many Happy Returns”

“Sky and city receding
Curs whipped and bleeding
I’ll never tell you goodbye
I’ll never tell you goodbye
So watch the city burn
And many happy returns”

This is the complete opposite, this is not about a piece of paper in your wallet, this is like the end of the word! But if you can sing along with it and you can feel passion in it then it can rock.

Shock Treatment: You guys did a tour of the East Coast/Mid West earlier this year. How did you feel that went? If you could do it over again is there anything you would do different?

AL: The tour went really well, thanks for asking. Touring is always an adventure, it’s serendipitous and no matter what happens you know the day is going to end in a party so it’s pretty great. The shows were really well attended which helps a lot. The only things I would do differently is tour more.

Shock Treatment: What are some of the things people do at your shows that aggravate/distract you the most while you’re playing? (example: texting, or taking pictures, stuff like that)

AL: Ha, that’s a great question – yeah the taking pictures or video thing is pretty funny because it sort of postpones life right? Wouldn’t people rather enjoy hearing and seeing the show in real time instead of recording it for…for what? Do they go home and watch it? I have no idea.

Shock Treatment: If a year from now 1-800-BAND were celebrating the best year the band has ever had, what particular achievements would you be celebrating?

AL: There is a kind of diversification of roles that comes with increasing success; when you first start a band you do everything yourselves (xerox the flyers, silk screen the T-shirts, change the oil in the van) but as things progress and move forward you can hand off some of those projects to people who specialize in those fields, so your T-shirts look better and the band can concentrate more time and energy on musicianship and songwriting. That’s the achievement I’m hoping 1-800-BAND can celebrate soon.

Shock Treatment: If you could experience the feelings of hearing your favorite band for the first time, what band would it be and what about the experience changed you forever?

AL: For me I think that would be hearing the Los Angeles band X for the first time.
I’d never heard anything that was so passionate, nuanced, and hard driving at the same time. They really rock but the music works at a lot of levels, it’s hook-y like pop music but the songs are about desperation and just barely getting by it’s incredibly creative and expressive but very accessible at the same time and it also serves as a great document of the time and place it was created. It really blew my mind.

Shock Treatment: Where can one go to hear the band or to purchase some of your tunes?

AL: Your local record store or your favorite digital music source.

Shock Treatment: What lies ahead in the near future for 1-800-BAND?

AL: Mitch Easter is producing our next effort so we’re really excited to work hard to bring our best in terms of songwriting, and musicianship. With each of our records, we’re reaching wider and wider audiences and that’s a really good feeling – we just want to continue to make records that mean something to us and that people can connect with.

Whoa! More Record Reviews!

Bearmace – Cold Ones 7” (Zaxxon Records)
Yeeooww this is some blistering hardcore coming outta this Montreal foursome. I don’t regularly listen to this type of stuff, just because it reminds me of total macho tough guy posing. But Conor, the vocalist, sounds more like someone that’s fallen down a deep well late at night in the middle of a densely wooded area and just realized there is someone (or something) already down there with him. Another thing I dislike about hardcore is how political issues get shoved down your throat until you gag and throw the disc across the room. Not here though, apparently the bands motto is “believe in nothing”. This I can handle, getting preached to, no thanks! ~ J Castro

Sick Thoughts – S/T 7” (Zaxxon Records)
This Baltimore, MD band tear it up hard with some seriously savage rock n’ roll guitar hooks, punishing drum poundings and some goblin style, tonsil ripping vocals. This record immediately erects a tall wall of lo-fi noise that only lets ferocity through. Four songs full of teenage sex, hate and deception, four songs that could only come from someone young, pissed off, and with that “ready to take on the galaxy” type enthusiasm. Exciting, captivating, infuriated and guaranteed to piss off your parental units. ~ J Castro

Venom – Barmy Army 7” (Punkhouse)
For any of you that are unfamiliar with Punkhouse Records, let me have the pleasure of telling you a bit about them. This label is reissuing punk rock from South Wales from the late 70’s early 80’s and sparing no expense in doing so! Beautiful packaging is their signature on all their releases. It’s strictly a labor of love for these guys and you gotta admire that! This particular band belts out some catchy sing a long street punk similar to Sham 69 or Menace that teeters on Oi!/street punk/77 style. 250 copies on some sturdy red vinyl and a beautiful picture sleeve.
~ J Castro

The Urge/Dodos - Split 7” (Punkhouse)
More labors of love from our friends over in Swansea, South Wales commemorating their scene out there in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Handmade, silkscreened covers with a heavy gage protective plastic sleeve house this great record. Both bands played a great, ultra melodic poppy mod/punk rock that seems heavily Jam and Buzzcocks influenced. It’s actually the same band that changed their name from The Urge to the Dodos in late 1979. 300 copies are all that exists on this planet so get yours quick before all you have left is sorrow and regret. ~ J Castro

The Tunnelrunners – Plastic Land 7”(Punkhouse)
The Tunnelrunners played around the Swansea punk scene from 1978 to 1982. This band has more in common with The Lurkers and The Boys, playing loud abrasive pop songs with “heart on your sleeve” and ”you only live once” type of youthful attitude, another winner from the punk rock historians at Punkhouse Records. From what I read their favorite band was The Ramones and they used to cover “Do You Wanna Dance”, more in line with the Ramones version than The Beach Boys I’m sure. That should give you more of an idea of what The Tunnelrunners sound was like, really good stuff! ~ J Castro

B-Lines – S/T Cassette (Shake!)
Spastic and yet somehow catchy and melodic, coming at us from the great white north, it’s Vancouver’s own the B-Lines! This is their debut LP that came out back in 2011, now being reissued on cassette by Shake! Fun, loud, and highly pogo-able music that falls somewhere between F.Y.P. and The Briefs. The band lists Red Kross, Angry Samoans, and The Descendents as main influences. Yeah, I can easily see that too. Great record, meant to be played loud, and meant to irritate as many people in close proximity as possible. ~ J Castro

The Mants – S/T Singles Comp Cassette (Shake!)
Half man, half ant, and all action: it’s The Mants! And you puny humans can’t take the rock n’ roll power this horde holds. Highly influenced by 1960’s loud garage rock n’ roll like The Sonics and lots and lots of B-rate horror, the Mants are fun, mean, and maniacal. This here record is a singles collection by the long running Victoria B.C. band. High volume, high energy, and highly infectious music, all coming from three guys wearing giant ant masks! What more can any feeble earthling ask for! ~ J Castro

The Tunes – Love Uncool LP (Cheap Rewards Records)
Absolutely fantastic power pop (emphasis on the pop) from the late 1970’s/early 1980’s from this Topeka, Kansas band. This album collects the bands only EP along with some promo stuff the band released back in the day. Sound quality is top notch too thanks to the fine folks at Cheap Rewards. The Tunes delivered some brilliantly fun and snappy rock n’ roll that still holds up. It’s a shame they never got their due chance. Think The Nerves with a tad Rezillos keyboards and cartoon-y energy. ~ J Castro

Thee MVP’s – OH Sally EP (Slovenly Recordings)
Two 1960’s wild and wooly dance floor stompers that will get you moving and shaking all around the room. The B-side “Amok Time” which shares the name of the second season premier (September 16, 1967), episode 30 of Star Trek when Spock and Kirk are forced to battle to the death. Jim Carrey was also inspired by this episode during the filming of the 1996 movie Cable Guy where he and co-star Mathew Broderick battle at Medieval Times using Lirpas, a traditional Vulcan weapon. I say this because I recently watched that movie again and found it every bit as funny as I did back in 1996. I am confident that in 18 years I will still think this is as great a record as when I first heard it. ~ J Castro

The Anomalys – Deadline Blues (Slovenly Recordings)
A trio of tough and scruffy lads drunkenly and angrily stumbling their way around Amsterdam from space to space peddling killer songs of 1960’s inspired spy/surf guitar riffs, raspy grumbled vocals and a drummer that holds on for dear life trying to keep it all from blowing out all over the walls. This is the band’s fifth release to date following a 2010 LP and three previous EPs, and I vow, right here and now, to get my hands on the rest of this bands records. Wild, mean, arrogant, and hook filled rock n’ roll. Supposedly they’re known as “the wildest live band in Europe.” I can certainly believe that! ~ J Castro

Wolf Feet – S/T Cassette (Resurrection Records)
Never really know what you’re gonna get with Resurrection Records, which is just another reason why we love them here at the Audio Ammunition castle stronghold. Wolf Feet are kind of the same way. The opener is a song called “Dead Hand” and it’s a pretty dark melodic ditty with some new wave flavor. The album goes on to incorporate some punk-y garage, “Bowie Birthday” and psychedelic atmospherics “We Are.” Well, done album and highly entertaining. Even though Wolf Feet incorporate a number of styles they are all blended well and flow together seamlessly. ~ J Castro

Lunch – Johnny Pineapple 7” – (Resurrection Records)
Four catchy blasts of killer melodic punk from Prometheus Wolf and his merry gang crawling out of the Land of Port. The influences are hard to pin point exactly. It’s got elements of ‘77 Punk, new wave energy and Post Punk angst. The record also has a bit of an echo/hollowness to it, which gives it a dark psych element as well. With all, that BS said, this is a great record. It ends with a cover of Gun Club’s “Sex Beat.” Can’t think of a better way to cap of this stellar slab of wax than that! Go consume Lunch! ~ J Castro

TRMRS/Night Beats - Split 7” (Resurrection Records)
TRMRS deliver some sludgy yet rollicking psych rock n’ roll on their half of the disc with a song called “Goodtime Blues.” The song starts out slow and shadowy and slowly revs up to a full fledge barnburner. Now comes Seattle, WA’s Night Beats with a song called “Messiah”. This one starts out in the muck and just keeps getting dirtier. As the song progresses it just rolls around shaking and shivering in a fevered dream. Not many bands can pull this off but Night Beats have the chops and the charisma to do it. Both bands deliver their “A” game! ~ J Castro

Isaac Rother & The Phantoms – I’ve Got A Feeling 7” - (Resurrection Records)
I got a particular feeling when I saw this album cover and it was indeed reinforced! Mr. Rother delivers some fun and sweaty old fashioned rhythm and blues with heavy slathers of Stax and Motown spread on top. This record is to be played loud and in a room where there is plenty of dancing space. If not, Sir Isaac Rother & the Phantoms cannot be held responsible for any of your materialistic junk that will get pummeled if not removed from the premises. I can only imagine what a show this band must put on live. ~ J Castro

Outer Minds – Behind The Mirror LP - (Resurrection/FDH/Red Lounge)
Three guys and a couple of lady vixens give forth a smooth and charmingly campy 60’s style psych rock which glides smoothly to and fro around the room on a magic carpet of keyboards and tambourines. The album in general is pretty dark and laid back at the same time, which from what I read, is a turn of styles from the last album these Chicagoans put out. Their previous material I guess is a bit brighter. Not exactly my cup of tea but I respect the mystical power this album illuminates from its nucleus. ~ J Castro

Spokenest – Destroy, Gone, Listen, Lose EP - (Self-Release)
I liked this album from the first time I played it. It’s got a very tinny lo-fi production and the style of punk Spokenest play coupled with its production reminds me of something that what would have been on a Killed By Death comp. It’s raw, angry yet melodic enough to not sound like a bunch of crap hurled at you by a couple of kids that are pissed at their parents for not letting them stay out late. But then I started thinking about it more and I came to the conclusion that if they had better production it would sound like run of the mill crusty Conflict style anarcho punk with the guy/girl trade off vocals. Here’s to hoping Spokenest stay on the cheap!
~ J Castro

TV Freaks – Leeches 7” (Hosehead)
Holy smokes this is one heavy slab of wax! This is my first time hearing TV Freaks and rest assured it is not going to be my last. Right out of the gate the song “Leeches Master” almost severed my head clean off my narrow shoulders and all three tracks on this 7” are consistently great. They discharge furious, shot out of the sky and coming down hard in flames style of fuzz punk/post punk/hardcore. It’s so great when I can find remnants of bands like The Stooges and Swell Maps among the wreckage. OK, I’m going to stop writing this review now so I can go listen to more TV Freaks! ~ J Castro

Space Raft – S/T LP (Dusty Medical)
Whew what a relief it was when I put on this record and it wasn’t a straight up Sky Saxon influenced psych band that seems to be running amok these days. Space Raft instead have a quenching 1970’s sound with big hooks and melodies powerful enough to sweep you off your feet. This is the perfect album to put on a warm, cloudless Sunday afternoon when there’s nothing really to do but take a drive and collect your thoughts. They’ve been compared to Big Star and Mathew Sweet: I have no reason to argue. This is in fact a terrific album and I will have words with anyone saying anything to the contrary. Unless of course I listen to some Space Raft, it chills me out, and then I won’t give a crap what you think. ~ J Castro

Slow Learners – Grow On You CD EP (Debt Offensive)
I want to take a sample from the water source that supplies Vancouver BC and mainline it in hopes of getting a small taste of whatever if fueling the creative explosion up there. Slow Learners come out drunkenly swinging with some loud, ultra melodic rock n’ roll ruckus. I’m sure the band is tired of the Replacements comparisons, but it’s unavoidable I’m afraid. This record completely holds its own though. After all, there are worse bands to be compared to ~ J Castro

The Binz – How to Freak Out Responsibly About the Rise of the Robots LP (Not Your Buddy/Shake!)
This is the debut LP from these Vancouver residents and hard drinkers. With an album name like this you’d think they would be some total goof ball pop punk or spazzed out lo-fi trash bash. Not so however, the Binz have more in common, musically anyway, with hard rocking punk bands like Electric Frankenstein. I also detect a hint of Glenn Danzig in vocalist Gary Robertz. Just when you think you know what this band is all about they start throwing in Queens of The Stone Age style riffs in the songs and some post punk angularity in as well. Solid record: the energy is kept at a constant high and it never gets boring. ~ J Castro

Blank Pages – S/T LP (Dirt Cult)
Coming to us from Berlin are former members of Idle Hands and Modern Pets who are now calling themselves Blank Pages. This is some first-rate melodic punk rock that sounds like it could have come from Denton TX. It has a lot in common with current bands like Radioactivity and Bad Sports. The biggest difference though is the new Radioactivity LP seems to shine a bit more with positive vibes, this record produces more an atmosphere of darkness and desperation. Not all the tracks are like this though, there are some sunnier numbers. Check out the song “All in Due Time” for example. This is a high-quality record with good production on an excellent record label. ~ J Castro

Autonomy/No Sir I Won’t – Split 12” (Dirt Cult)
We start off with Carbondale IL’s Autonomy who mix mid tempo Fugazi inspired music with sudden bursts of fury and anarcho/crusty punk politics. On the flipside is Boston’s No Sir I Won’t. Both bands have a similar “Peace Punk” agenda but it’s No Sir I Won’t that brings the similar fury to Crass/Rudimentary Peni to the table, epically with songs like “Occupy” and “Support Authority.” You can kind of tell what you’re getting into with some of the song names and especially with the album cover. Not really my groove, but both bands are tightly wound up and don’t come off as amateurish. ~ J Castro

New Swears – Junk food Forever, Bedtime Whatever LP (Bachelor)
I love it when a record cover embodies the same mood as the band’s music. This record is full of sun light, fun catchy hooks and is pretty much a guaranteed party starter wherever it’s played. This Ottawa quartet keeps it wild, loose, and easy going on their 2nd full length. This is what The Beach Boys would have sounded like if they had smoked up earlier in their career and sustained themselves on a steady diet of Doritos, Donuts, and Beer. ~ J Castro

Jack’s Indigo – VI EP (Self Released)
This California trio sites bands like Green Day, NOFX, and Bad Religion as direct influences. It barely comes out in their music though. From what their bio says, all three members of the band contribute equally to the writing of the music. That actually becomes apparent as the record plays through. The album pretty much continues to mellow as it progresses until we get to the second to the last song simply titled “V,” which is pretty much a full on ballad. Good alternative music with some punk angst played by nice looking boys and girls. ~ J Castro

The Gaggers – Blame You LP (Wanda)
The Gaggers are heavily influenced by the late 1970’s era of punk rock and take that manic energy, snotty vocals, and ferociously catchy hooks that were so prevalent back then to a new and uncharted level on this, their second LP. I hear some Yankee influences like Zeros, Crime, and Heartbreakers a bit more it seems this time around. Don’t worry though; they still have that singer with one hand in the piss and the other in the vinegar waiting to smear it into your eyes. Those loud, sharp, distorted guitars and that rhythm section that doesn’t seem like they’re pounding on traditional drum heads or bass strings, but I could swear it’s the sound of taut human flesh! ~ J Castro




Giorgio Murderer - Primitive World EP (Goner)
Rob from Buck Biloxi and the Fucks put the guitars in the corner for a bit and brought out the keyboards and goes a bit Lost Sounds on us. This is some super trashy, lo-fi, demented synth-punk. Four short shotgun blasts of fun campy music like Hairspray meets Evil Dead 2 in the Thunder Dome. The whole vibe I get from this record is darkness, bleakness, no future type stuff. But like I said before, the way it’s presented and recorded makes it fun, not like you’re listening to Subhumans or anything, just super cool sci-fi sounds for your enjoyment! ~ J Castro

The New Trocaderos - Kick Your Ass EP (Collectors Club)
If any of you were lucky enough to hear this band’s 1st EP, you know what you’re in for: some of the best rock n’ roll songs produced by human hands in decades. The band consists of The Connection’s Brad and Geoff, the one and only Kurt Baker, and songwriting partner Mr. Mike Chaney. The opener “Real Gone Kitty” explodes with Jerry Lee Lewis piano fury. Then it smoothly glides into the Elvis Costello-ish “Dream Girl” and finally into the third and final number: “Brain Gone Dead” that sounds like it could have been a lost Ramones track from the Rocket to Russia LP. Exciting, exhilarating, exceptional: all understatements when describing this record and this band. ~ J Castro

The Cheap Cassettes – All Anxious, All the Time CD (Cassettes on Record)
The Cheap Cassettes consist of two former members of the late 1990’s underground heroes Dimestore Haloes and this disc doesn’t stray too far from that band’s latter material. Sleazed up, glammed out rock n’ roll music with irresistible hooks and a 1970’s swagger. Listening to this CD, I can hear influences from all decades of rock music in the songs. From the opening title track that has an almost Motown style opening riff to “Seconds of Pleasure” and “Girlfriend” which sound like it could have been a hit in the mid to late 80’s. Cheap Cassettes gently weave all of this into their own sound though, and that sound is terrific rock n’ roll music with a quality that transcends time and genres. ~ J Castro

Not The Ones – You Just Keep Me In a Box 7” (Wanda)
This Berlin threesome fling forth a terrific brand of lo-fi garage pop punk that falls somewhere between the Spoiled Brats and Tilt with Male/Female vocals. They’ve been around since 2010 but had to change their name a couple of times and burned up a couple of drummers from what I read. This is a good quality, fun release just how I like ‘em: short, fast, loud, with catchy choruses. Wanda Records out of Germany is another label that you can just blindly buy whatever they put out and be assured you are getting a quality product. This record just further adds to their amazing catalog! ~ J Castro

Dime Runner – Can’t Express 7” (Wanda)
Wanda does America! Southern California heroes (and current tour mates with Eddie and The Hotrods) serve up a two song of their brand of tough, fast yet melodic punk rock that seem to perfectly blend early European punk bands like The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers with Southern California legends like Adolescents and Circle Jerks. I know what you’re thinking: two songs?? That’s it?? Yeah, but both songs are winners, no throwaways here, and “Can’t Express” is probably my favorite Dime Runner song and I count myself as a fan of this band. ~ J Castro

Latex Squad – S/T 7” (Wanda)
Geez can Wanda Records put out a bad record? I am starting to think they can’t! This is yet another great poppy punk record by the band Latex Squad, also from the great nation of Germany. From what I can gather, they just formed earlier this year and put out this record not too long after of good lean goof ball punk rock that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The production on the record is pretty raw and minimalistic but in this case it adds to the charm. So projecting their releases based on their past performance, I eagerly anticipate a career spanning box set by the holidays! ~ J Castro

Ricky C Quartet – Recent Affairs LP (Wanda)
What impresses me the most about Ricky C Quartet is how they effortlessly evolved from an acid spewing ‘77 style punk band to a stripped down, pub rock style similar to the 101’ers and Dr Feelgood. Recent Affairs still does have some songs that will thoroughly relocate the roof of your house (see “Rock the Boat” or “Sometimes”) but RCQ have slowed down the pace here just a bit too. Any good and serious band has to evolve or they risk becoming tired and complacent but the trick is to evolve down a path that your fans can follow along as well. Not only did they choose the right path but they paved it with gold, making it impossible to resist. ~ J Castro

Impo and The Tents - Peek after a Poke LP (Alien Snatch)
Immediately after hearing the first few seconds of this record I knew I was going to love it. Late 1970’s style power pop punk like The Undertones or Buzzcocks mixed with a splash of The Dickies, just so that things don’t get too serious on us. The Tents have a number of 7”’s and another LP prior but I feel like they really found a unique sound or “niche” if you will, on this release. I realize I compared them to other bands, but although I can hear some of their influences coming through, these Swedes spin it their own way. That’s what makes it so exciting. Super enjoyable, super amazing record that commands repeat listens. ~ J Castro

Testors – Complete Recordings 1976 – 1979 CD & LP (Alien Snatch)
If anyone is still unfamiliar with this band, let me give you my take. Testors were around NYC in the mid to late 1970’s punk scene and fit right in with the rest of the bands that immediately come to mind when mentioning that era. Not as sleazy as Stiv and the Dead Boys, not the class clowns like The Dictators or as hopelessly romantic as Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but perhaps a great blend of all three. Sonny Vincent and Greg Sinigalliano produced some raw, passionate punk rock n’ roll that should be held up with praise as high as any of the above-mentioned bands. This release, like the title states, has it all. Studio recordings and live mayhem, most of the live stuff sounds pretty good too. Again, if you are unfamiliar with the Testors, there is no better place to start to get acquainted! ~ J Castro

Zentralheizung of Deaths – Would You Rather LP (Alien Snatch)
I had no idea what to expect based on the cover picture. But I had confidence in my lads in Alien Snatch not to let me down and they didn’t. This is some chaotic garage rock with one foot in a bucket of contemporary influences like International Noise Conspiracy or DC’s The Make Up and the other knee deep in Sonics and Billy Childish. Terrifically catchy guitar riffs, a rhythm section you can actually hear and a singer with enough swagger and charisma to steer this outta control flaming jet liner right into your soul and park it there. While it’s sitting there on fire, burning a hole in your soul, you’ll realize you don’t want it extinguished! ~ J Castro

These reviews originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on November 6th, 2014