The Shirks - Cry Cry Cry 7"

Another one that I got from Alex over at Grave Mistake Records.  I strongly encourage to go over to that place, he's got a shit load of a wide variety of music and the prices would make even the most miserly happy.  He sent me about 6 records, the first two I listened to, I loved and posted, but the second two did nothing for me.  I don't want to review something I don't dig.  I figure a group of guys gets together, practices regularly, probably plays shows, releases music and in general supports and celebrates the creative process.  I'm not going to fuck with that, the fact that I don't dig them could just be me and who am I to say they suck.  I do make exceptions of course and once in a while in a turrets tantrum will blurt out "THIS SUCKS", but that's usually reserved for music that is a part of the machine, not the DIY platform.  I've been in bands practicing in some shit hole, sweating away, trying to scrape cash together to release stuff and hoping that whoever is promoting a show might ask you to play...I respect that and am not going to take that away from anyone (and really what's my opinion worth).  (So with that my opinion) Anyway, long story short, The Shirks, most definitely DO NOT suck.  A relatively unassuming cover hides a rager of a band.  Having this record sent to me was like a gift from the music Gods and I would stack it up against anything I have in my collection representing 40+ years of music.  I asked Alex if he had any backround on em...

"i think they started maybe 5 or so years ago, cry cry cry is their 4th 7", they also have singles on BIG NECK, WINDIAN, and a self released one I believe. We are doing a 12" for them this fall! Frontman Al was in Rip-off Records band THE PROBLEMATICS and other members have logged time in various DC area bands over the years."

This band, I gotta say, rips shit apart.  The songs are catchy, like pop punk, but there's nothing pop about these guys.  This has that early punk feel with a hardcore garage edge.  I notice people saying this a lot in other reviews but this band may have an old vibe, but this stuff is fresh and is definitely brand spanking new.  They take an old sound, add their take on the subject and turn it up to "11".  The singer reminds me of someone New York-y, don't ask me who, but he shreds through the songs like nobody's business.  Snotty, but he doesn't take all day doing it, there's no time for that.  The rhythm section too feels like they're going a hundred miles an hour but you can hear every sweet chord change.  The record almost goes by too quick and leaves you ready for more.  SOLID!!!  You can read a really accurate review/description and pick this bad boy up from Grave Mistake records, HERE. In the meantime here's a taste... Cry Cry Cry

LIVE!!! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0G4qvJDh2c&w=420&h=315]

Death On The Radio - Death Rock 45 7"

Got this long anticipated piece of wax in the mail the other day (the lady who delivers the mail is a cousin, but I'm sure she gets sick and tired of me harassing her about packages).  I mentioned these guys/gal a while back in September of 2011 and I was already worshiping at their altar, prior to any proper release. I may be accused of bias, because as I mentioned back then, the bass player is an old junior high school buddy of mine, Lee Powers. But there is absolutely no bias, this band is rock fucking solid and they don't fuck around. I asked Lee to do a little write up... "Death on the Radio formed about a year ago back then we had a different guitar player and drummer they wanted to do something else so we parted ways ... Mary and I are the only members left from that incarnation we picked up Roger Delong for a Halloween show with the white trash debutantes and the fagz oc and we kept him cause he's got a great style that's all his own. After that show we picked up Danny Dorman on guitar( original bass player for Circle One , Wasted Youth and the Livingstons , still plays with aggression sometimes ) and thus the new Death on the Radio was formed. Our first show together was with the Mau Maus on New Years eve at the redwood bar in Downtown La, we had to play after them which was tough and great all at the same time. There is some video up on YouTube from that show and we did an interview with punk globe magazine that night and also an interview with 3 quick questions with Ian Missman." My buddy Mike beat me to the punch on reviewing this record over at his always awesome Strange Reaction. He's spot on with his review. The band seems to be pretty hot in LA right now from what I can tell (1500 miles away) and they no doubt deserve it, because these two tunes are like an ice coffee when it's 115 degrees outside. If you don't have a turntable (sadly most people don't, these are the days we live in) this record would be a reason to go out and fucking get one...seriously. To say that this band has a good singer is a profound understatement. Mary (Lee's wife) can do the hardcore hollering or the soulful singing. My first thought was of comparing her to Wendy O. who was an out of this world singer, but that would just conjure up images of boobies and whipped cream...that's not what Mary's about and I don't think you'd see Lee in a tutu (Ritchie Stotts). Maybe if you did some gene manipulation and you crossed Wendy O. with Pat Benatar with Joan Jet...yeah that sounds good.  With a singer like that who can really belt out the tunes, you have to have a band that can rock out on their own and they certainly do (I wanna sing for this band). Not sure where to put them, kind of a hard rockin, metal-y, post punk kind of thing. The simple fact is that the tunes keep you engaged from beginning to end with great verses and choruses that hook you right in. There's quite a few vids on youtube to select from including an early one with that first lineup Lee was talking about, along with a lady banging on the the timbales (kinda dug that). At this time the only way you can pick up this bad boy is by getting in touch with the band on their Facebook. For now, I tried something new and just ripped you shortened samples of the tunes to listen to, cuz I want this to sell the fuck out... Life On The Line Pleasure and Pain

...turns out they have live vids of both these tunes...

"Life On The Line"

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVmvKnfDYdA&w=560&h=315]

"Pleasure and Pain"

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPlKyiIYnxU&w=560&h=315]

400th Post

Holy shit (from Trainspotting, must see flick if you haven't already)...400 posts.  Been at my job for 8 years, sober 7 years, married 6 years and working on this place for almost 5 years...who would have thought.  It's been a great ride, sharing my love of music. Thanx to all my homies who have stopped by and made me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile (no thanx to all the faceless folks who have stopped by and taken without taking a second to at least say hello). I am in the process of editting all the posts and removing most of everything that is not out of print, which will take a while, but I don't want this place to be a haven of the mp3 collector...a guy should listen to the tunes and then go out and support the artist.  Actually, not sure how much longer I'll be doing this, the comments have been reduced to nil, which leads me to believe this place sucks...but for now we shall rock on...

My man Jefe on vox!!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvWkzq3EhlM&w=560&h=315]