THE MAJESTIC

 

This one asks more questions than it answers, but once the solo in "All Rise" hits you won't even remember what you wanted to ask because you will be consumed with rock 'n roll. THE MAJESTIC hit so many nerves that I hesitate to communicate all of the vibes; garage punk, GLUE (OK), Jay Reatard, Tom Petty, skinhead ska, GEORGIA SATELLITES, Japanese pop punk, X-RAY SPEX.....hopefully you understand the challenge I'm confronted with here. Multiple vocals, keys and saxophone only when appropriate, wildly addictive soulful punk. THE MAJESTIC came out of nowhere and I'm all flustered - 101/10 would recommend. 

HOME

CINDERBLOCK

 

Remember ten years ago when CINDERBLOCK fukkn exploded in front of our eyes with one demo, one LP and one EP and then just vanished? It was exactly what we needed - hard edged high energy street punk ripped from the grooves of the Punk Lives - Let's Slam comps. It was DEFIANCE for the generation who never got to see Consensus Reality-era DEFIANCE, it was punx 'n skins, it was CRIMINAL DAMAGE and everything we hoped the CASUALTIES would be....and oh my stars was it good. Fortunately for you, young punk rocker, this shit hits just as hard as it did in the last decade. If "Disco Killers" doesn't get stuck in your head then you're either square or you're dead, and "Voiceless" still makes me lose my voice. 

CINDERBLOCK

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COUMADIN

 

(This) reality breeds desperation. Unspeakable stress collides with constant uncertainty, and it feels heavy beyond words (sometimes). It feels like a weight that envelops and suffocates you - limiting hope first. Air second. This is what COUMADIN sounds like. Like a slog. Disorienting. Slow-motion excrutiation. 

COLD EYES

ONE BAD PIG

 

The fifth full length from Austin's premier (?) christian punk band is shockingly good - even though much of the enjoyment comes from the eyerolls while reading the lyrics. "You're A Pagan" is a legit thrash/punk ripper and there are several tracks here that transcend ideology. Serious party punk with occasional Dr. Feelgood vibes and more funk/punk undertones than anyone should be comfortable with. I sit with these tracks and read the lyrics and....well, there's a lot of confusion here. The 5+ minute hair metal anthem "Cut Your Hair," the would-be should-be SXE thrasher "Sober Up" that turns into a skamedy (that's ska+comedy) track, "Never Forget The Cross" in its entirety....there's just a lot here. I have a lot of questions - I'm a curious person. 

I SCREAM SUNDAY

The only tag this thing gets is TEXAS. 

WEEKEND AT GRITTY'S

 

I don't know how many times I will tell you that a well crafted and curated mix tape is a wonderful thing....but here I am telling you again today that a well crafted and curated mix tape is a wonderful thing. Weekend At Gritty's is the seventh in the Pinhole Mixtape series (the first five volumes are already here - the sixth is....well, you're gonna have to wait for Halloween or something) and the brilliance in construction is perhaps best demonstrated when the curator rolls effortlessly from NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL to JEF THE BROTHERHOOD to a cut from Return Of The Living Dead. This mix is soundtrack heavy, which makes for an even better "casual" listen that allows you to relax and drift before yanking the leash with cuts from SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET, JESUS AND MARY CHAIN or THE SQUALLS. It's a gorgeous listen...highest recommendation.

WEEKEND AT GRITTY'S

SLYTTER

 

Wild freak and/or dirt punk amalgamation...like SONIC YOUTH conjuring STOOGES, CRUCIFUCKS, FLIPPER and '76 NYC punk at the same time and making you feel like you were an idiot (are...present tense...you are an idiot) for not understanding. It doesn't just make sense, SLYTTER feels perfectly relevant and/or present. Punk can be messy and confusing. Punk be like that sometimes.

TÆNKER PÅ DIG

DEATH RIDGE BOYS

 

Punk needs DEATH RIDGE BOYS more now than it did a decade ago when the band first reminded us that punk is protest music. "Leaders Don't Speak (For Me)" is the flagship for my ears even though every track is a stone cold classic - clenched fist power chord punk of the most inspirational order. "Out Of The City" into "Right Side Of History" will remind you that punk doesn't just offer.....punk demands. Listen. 

RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY

I believe in truth and justice - everybody has the right to be free
I believe in human rights and basic fucking decency

I believe that black lives matter - I believe in the women's march

I believe in the veterans who stood with the people at Standing Rock