Sunday, August 22, 2010

This Week in Music... kinda

Another double week news post?! Sweet.

Recap for the week of August 8th:
  • NOFX began streaming The Longest EP on their MySpace page. The album features out of print EPs, previously unreleased songs and rarities, and was released on August 17th.
  • Defunct band Planes Mistaken for Stars has confirmed that they will be playing not one but two shows this fall. That brings us one show closer to a potential reunion tour. Pretty please?
  • Protest the Hero announced that they will be entering the studio on August 30th to begin recording the follow-up to 2008's Fortress.
  • The first new song from Jimmy Eat World's new album, Invented, is streaming on the band's website. The album is set to be released on September 28th.
  • Punknews.org is streaming We Chase the Waves, the new effort from Sundowner. You can listen to it here.
  • A new single, titled "Shakedown," from psychobilly band Devil's Brigade has been released. The song can be heard on ampmagazine.com, while the self-titled debut album will be out on August 31st.
  • The Aquabats are planning to independently release a new album on November 9th and will be touring with Reel Big Fish after playing a few shows on the Yo Gabba Gabba! tour. If that sounds strange to you, let me clear things up: the band's lead singer, Christian Jacobs aka The MC Bat Commander, is the co-creator of the popular children's show. In fact, the band has appeared in multiple episodes.
  • Weezer unveiled the album artwork and track list for their new album, Hurley. Here's what the album cover looks like:



    I wish I were joking. The photo is of actor Jorge Garcia, who played Hugo "Hurley" Reyes on the television show Lost. Maybe you've heard of it. The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.
Recap for the week of August 15th:
  • Hardcore punk act Comeback Kid are streaming ten of the eleven songs from their upcoming album, Symptoms and Cures, on their MySpace page. The album is due on August 31st.
  • Coheed and Cambria announced via Facebook that they are holding a contest for local bands to win a chance to open for them on their upcoming tour dates in October. The contest will take place on the band's Facebook page, while details can be found here. Lead singer Claudio Sanchez was quoted saying, "...local scenes haven't flourished like they once did. Hopefully this helps bring awareness to some good up and coming music."
  • Dag Nasty will be re-releasing a version of their 1986 album Can I Say. The album is titled Dag with Shawn and will feature original vocalist Shawn Brown, who left the band in 1986. Nine of the ten songs from Can I Say, which had been re-recorded with new vocalist Dave Smalley after Brown left, will make it onto the album.
  • In addition to the album artwork and track list for Weezer's new album, Hurley, being revealed, the band has also released their first single, titled "Memories." The song is available for download via the Spinner website. There are also rumors going around about a possible Pinkerton tour, on which the band will play the 1996 album in its entirety. Even if it doesn't happen, keep an eye out for the re-issue of Pinkerton, which will be released this fall.
  • In an MTV segment called "re:Play," Tom Gabel of Against Me! attempts to teach viewers how to play "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," a single off the band's most recent release, White Crosses. The video can be seen here. Gabel also talks about Against Me!'s writing process, as well as their influences.
  • Minus the Bear announced a fall US tour. A full list of dates and locations can be found here.
  • New Jersey natives Screaming Females have a new video for their song, "I Don't Mind It." Contrary to the band's name, there is no actual screaming from any females.


  • Dave Hause, lead singer and guitarist of The Loved Ones, posted a song titled "Melanin" on his MySpace. The song is from his solo 7", which was released this spring.
  • A song from Tim Kasher's (Cursive, The Good Life) upcoming solo album has been released. The song is called "Cold Love" and can be downloaded from Spin. Remember to mark your calendars for the release of the album, The Game of Monogamy, out October 5th.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Nine Females Who Kick Ass

It's no secret that a number of female-fronted punk bands are seen as a huge joke. While it's true that some should have never bothered picking up an instrument, there are others who deserve recognition not only for their talent, but also for their attitudes and beliefs. I present to you, in no particular order, a list of women notable for their badassery.

1. Brody Dalle (The Distillers, Spinnerette)

Any girl who can style her hair in liberty spikes or a mohawk and still look amazing is a win in my book. Hailing from Australia, Dalle began her music career at the age of thirteen and relocated to the US after meeting Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Though Dalle is often compared to Courtney Love because of her rough singing voice, she made a name for herself playing guitar, singing, and writing nearly every song for The Distillers until they disbanded in 2006. In addition to fronting her own bands, Dalle has also made numerous guest appearances on songs by bands such as Leftover Crack, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Transplants. And her opinion on female artists? "They say women can't play guitar as well as men. I don't play my guitar with my fucking vagina, so what difference does it make?" Amen.



2. Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre)

If you don't know who Kathleen Hanna is, then you've probably been living under a rock for the last two decades. Not only was she the frontwoman for both Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, but she was also a major part of the Riot Grrl movement that started in the early 1990s. Hanna is an outspoken feminist activist (she attended her first rally at the age of nine!) and isn't shy about voicing her opinions on other political issues, whether it be in interviews or in lyrics. She's also volunteered at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and has taught an art class at NYU. Whether it be the fact that she stands up for what she believes in, or her high-energy performances at shows, there's a reason people love her. Now enjoy this video from 1992 of Bikini Kill performing "Jigsaw Youth," in which Hanna shows off some nerdy dance moves:



3. Jenny Hurricane (Midnight Creeps)

I've read one too many comments on the internet in which the author calls this woman a slut because of her raunchy performances and the outfits she chooses to wear on stage. It all boils down to the fact that she is open with her sexuality and isn't afraid to express that. I think the best description of Jenny Hurricane comes straight from of the Midnight Creeps MySpace biography: "Jenny Hurricane lives up to her name, shaking across the stage like the second coming of Iggy Pop." You won't understand until you see it for yourself, so below is a video of the Midnight Creeps performing at CBGB's. The best part comes at around 4:10, when she is asking audience members to describe something dirty they will do to win a piece of her skirt, which is made out of caution tape. One guy even manages to win two pieces by telling her he's going to kill George W. Bush. Classic.



4. Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather)

There are no words. All the proof you need of her excellence can be found in the video for "Treat Me Like Your Mother" by The Dead Weather. Great voice? Check. Subtle sexiness? Check. Shooting Jack White with a submachine gun while wearing heels? Triple check.



5. Ryann Donnelly (Schoolyard Heroes, Blood Cells)

In 2000, Schoolyard Heroes played a cover of The Misfits' "Last Caress" at a Christian Battle of the Bands, and the rest is history. Though she has been the singer for horror punk bands with lyrics about the undead, serial killers, and other topics along these lines, Donnelly does not throw femininity out the window. In fact, she wears dresses during most, if not all, live performances. Her vocals can get high-pitched and shrieky at times, but in a way that is not grating or otherwise unpleasant to the ear.




6. Juliette Lewis (Juliette and the Licks, The New Romantiques)

Chances are you know her as the actress from movies such as Whip It and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. The characters she plays in films are often raw and in-your-face, which isn't a far stretch from reality. Unlike most, Lewis makes the transition from movies to music smoothly; she's not just another actress trying to tap into her nonexistent well of hidden talents. Obviously this spitfire was made to be an entertainer.



7 & 8. Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin (Tegan and Sara)


These twins, who call Canada their home, began their foray into music at the age of fifteen, writing songs under the name PLUNK. Since then, they've released six albums as Tegan and Sara and have both worked on numerous collaborations for artists such as Against Me! and DJ Tiesto. Tegan even wrote a song for the audio book version of A Wolf At The Table at the request of the author, Augusten Burroughs. The duo write all of their own lyrics and music, but rarely ever write songs together. The media seems to dwell on their sexuality, as they are both lesbians. Most adorable Canadian twin lesbians ever.



9. Chibi (The Birthday Massacre)

Though she is the lead singer of a synthrock band (often incorrectly referred to as a goth band), and certainly looks the part, she happens to be one of the biggest sweethearts on the planet. Her airy vocals are usually a stark contrast to the music, but at times she employs a low whisper or scream to add an extra layer of creepiness. Chibi never forgets to show gratitude towards fans of the band, whether it's by interacting with them in person or by making hearts with her hands while performing. She often blogs about cats, knitting, and Star Wars -- a girl after my own heart. In addition to fronting a band, she makes jewelry for an Etsy store called Goodbye Forever, alongside her long-time friend, Laura, and her younger sister, Emily.




Saturday, August 7, 2010

This Week In Music: Recap (Week of August 1st)

  • This week's edition of the news recap starts off with worse news than last week's. Original Fear bassist, Derf Scratch, passed away on July 28th after prolonged illness. Scratch, born Frederick Milner III, played bass for Fear since the band's 1977 formation. Condolences go out to his friends and family from everyone here at Rock'n'roll Etiquette.
  • Weezer has announced the release date for their new album, Hurley. The album will be out on September 14th on Epitaph Records. This is the first time the band has released an album on an independent label in over a decade. A reissue of their 1996 album Pinkerton will follow shortly after.
  • Big D and the Kids Table has two new songs up on the iTunes store. The songs ("Lash Out" and "Not Our Fault") were originally part of a split with The Brunt of It, but are now available as one convenient download, titled Two Songs, One Download.
  • A new video from hardcore band Evergreen Terrace debuted earlier this week. The video, for the song "Enemy Sex," can be viewed below or by clicking this link.


  • Episode three of Shit Happens: The Webseries? has been posted on its home website. If you have yet to see the first two episodes then what the hell are you waiting for?
  • The two-disc special edition reissue of Queens of the Stone Age album Rated R was released on Tuesday. The second disc contains nine unreleased songs, as well as live performances of "Better Living Through Chemistry," "Feel Good Hit of the Summer," "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" and "Quick and to the Pointless."
  • Alternative Press is currently streaming a song from Sundowner's new effort, We Chase the Waves. The song is called, "As the Crow Flies," and can be heard here. The new album will be released on August 10th.
  • The Adolescents have leaked two more new songs from their upcoming album, The Fastest Kid Alive, bringing the total song count to five. "Learning to Swim" and "Inspiration" are both promising tracks.
  • A world tour has been announced by The Sword. The tour kicks off on October 1st in Los Angeles, California and continues well into 2011. The band will be playing a show in New York City at Webster Hall on October 16th, if anyone is interested. A full list of dates can be found on their MySpace, which is pretty much the only thing MySpace is good for anymore.
  • If your lifelong dream is to watch a band perform aboard a ship then your dream just might come true. Less Than Jake will be playing a show on The Temptress, a boat in NYC, on August 19th as part of the Rocks Off Concert Cruise Series. Visit punknews.org to enter to win two tickets to the event. If Less Than Jake doesn't tickle your fancy, there are a number of other bands and artists who will be performing on cruise ships from August until October. Some of the bands include Cro-Mags, mc chris, H2O, and The Bouncing Souls. For a complete list of performers and ticket information, visit the Rocks Off website.