Produced by the incomparable Speedo (John Reis) of Rocket From The Crypt fame, This is The Computers continues the blaring sonic assault established on You Can't Hide From... by The Computers. Speedo also happens to contribute baritone guitar parts and keyboards to many of the tracks on this album, which was recorded live to tape.
Musically, The Computers play high energy, balls to the wall rock and roll and care very little about what anyone may think, which the band acknowledges in the song "Yeah Yeah Yeah" with the lyrics, "We want to make something we care about and need to create something that matters to us. Be fucking rebels or fucking revolutionaries. We are going to rock any way we see fit." Songs like "Music Is Dead" and the previously mentioned "Yeah Yeah Yeah" touch upon the band's feelings and ethics on music with such unbridled passion that you can't help but to scream and shout along with vocalist Screaming Al Kershaw, while songs like "Rhythm Revue" will leave you breathless from dancing your ass off.
If you like raw, ferocious music with a classic rock and roll swagger, you might want to do yourself a favor and put on your dancing shoes because these four boys from Exeter know what they're doing.
Verdict: 5/5
Sounds like: Rocket From the Crypt and The Bronx had a lovechild that was raised on classic rock and roll
Freeze the Atlantic, which contains ex-members of Hundred Reasons and Reuben, recently dropped their debut EP, Colour by Numbers. As a fan of Reuben, I looked forward to some fairly impressive music. What I heard, however, was music and vocals that felt like something I would have listened to in high school.
Still, there are moments that make this a promising preview of things to come. The last half of "Waking Up" is very Reuben-esque, which can never be a bad thing, and flips the song around completely. Jon Pearce and Guy Davis are a strong rhythm section and stand out clearly in the mix, while vocalist Chris Knott, who at times gives off a Patrick Stump feel, really shines on "Broken Bones (acoustic)." The guitar work, however, isn't anything above average, which is a shame due to the fact that Andy Gilmour can do so much more for this band.
Overall, this is a decent debut and I look forward to hearing more from Freeze the Atlantic. Hopefully, it will live up to what fans of the members's previous bands know these guys are capable of.
Verdict: 3/5 Alibis Sounds like: High School Favorite Tracks: "Waking Up," "Broken Bones (acoustic)"
Streetlight Manifesto is a seven-piece third-wave ska band from New Jersey that deserves more credit and recognition than they receive. Largely a product of the genius of lead singer and guitarist, Tomas Kalnoky, the band's songs are exceptionally well-written. Kalnoky initially writes the songs using an acoustic guitar. The band later takes this blueprint and fine-tunes it, cleverly combining guitar riffs typical of ska acts with intricate horn breakdowns. In short, these guys are brilliant musicians. Any band that can incorporate a horn section rendition of Johannes Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 5" into one of their songs ("If and When We Rise Again") deserves all kinds of praise.
Just last year, the band released an album of cover songs, titled 99 Songs of Revolution. Covers of songs like "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service and "Just" by Radiohead showcase Streetlight's ability to rework songs into a masterpiece all their own. It's been over three years since the band released any original material, but Kalnoky recently revealed that they had been in the studio recording a new album. The album will be released this year, though a date has not been set. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement.
Let me just preface this article by telling you what I went through to review this album. I pre-ordered Pedals by Rival Schools on the 4th of March, four days before it was set to be released, and didn't receive it until the 25th of March. Not to mention it took three emails before I got any sort of response from the record label pertaining to my order, but I'll tell you what, I'd wait that long all over again.
After nearly a decade, Rival Schools finally released a follow up to 2001's United by Fate with Pedals. Instead of trying to rehash or imitate what they sounded like ten years ago, Rival Schools brings to the table an album that keeps the band's signature post hardcore/indie/alt rock sound but with enough tweaks to show that the members of this band have grown since their debut. In comparison to United by Fate, the approach Rival Schools takes on Pedals isn't as energetic, but it's alot more melodic and this works for them. Pedals sounds far more focused and confident than before, which is evidenced in songs like "Shot After Shot," in which the guitar riffs sound like something Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme would have written. Tracks like "Choose Your Own Adventure," which uses both synths and organs to create what I feel is one of the best tracks on the album, and "69 Guns," which sounds like what would happen if The Clash were a dance punk band, show the bands willingness to experiment with their sound.
Walter Schreifels's lyrics are well written and are more focused than they were on United by Fate. Schreifel's lyrics vary from first to third person, but always feel as if you're getting a peek into his personal life. You can see this in "Wring it Out" alone, with lyrics like, "You told me long ago to leave fate to itself, but I'm gonna need help/ The coast is clearly not on my side now, if it ever was" and "I have battles in my life to keep me distracted, or just a lame excuse for acting how I acted/ Pushing you away, it was too high a price to pay, I can see that now for miles and miles."
I, for one, hope that this isn't just some one-shot album Rival Schools did just to see if they still had it and they continue to release new material. We can only wait and see, but one thing's for sure, there's no way I can wait another 10 years for another album.
Verdict: 4/5 Small Doses Sounds like: A summer soundtrack Favorite tracks: "Wring it Out," "Choose Your Own Adventure," "Shot After Shot," "A Parts for B Actors"
Rise Against's 2008 album Appeal to Reason met with disappointment from fans and critics alike. The band was accused of straying from their hardcore punk roots to venture into the mainstream. With the obvious pop sensibilities, slower songs, and catchy hooks, they seemed to be losing touch. Now the band is back with the release of Endgame, which I was more than a little bit skeptical about. Instead of reverting back to the musical style heard on their pre-Appeal to Reason albums, the band polished that new sound, making it harder and more in-your-face. The result is an impressive, energetic album full of politically charged anthems that are surprisingly easy to relate to.
Rise Against's musical growth from album to album is blatantly apparent, and their most recent effort is no exception. Though the band has let go of the raw sound of old, their music is still essentially hardcore punk. Songs like "Midnight Hands," "Survivor Guilt," and "A Gentleman's Coup" feature guitar riffs and drums that stand out from the rest of the album and show what the band is truly capable of. The vocals on the album are exactly as expected -- gravelly singing with a few screams thrown in -- and the songs are rife with poignant lyrics. One thing I've always admired about Tim McIlrath's storytelling is his ability to place himself in the situation. Many of the lyrics are written from a first-person perspective, which is particularly powerful on "Make It Stop (September's Children)," a song that was written in response to the suicides of teens bullied for being gay. In it, McIlrath sings, "I'm done asking, I demand / From a nation under God / I feel its love like a cattle prod / I'm born free but still they hate me / I'm born me, no, I can't change." No matter what topic is covered in a given song, the message is always relevant.
Overall, Endgame is a solid album that serves as a reminder of what makes Rise Against special in a sea of fading hardcore punk acts. If you were disappointed by Appeal to Reason, this will certainly renew your love for the band.
Verdict: 4/5 Sounds like: One big call to arms Favorite tracks: "Midnight Hands," "Make It Stop (September's Children)," "Satellite"
I stumbled upon Folly around the time my interest in hardcore music was dwindling and Purevolume was still a popular and reliable source for finding new music. What I heard blew me away. Never has a band been able to combine hardcore with ska as seamlessly as these New Jersey natives, though many have tried. John Tummillo changes his vocal style at the drop of a hat, going from hardcore screams to the almost-singing typical of ska vocalists. Their stage presence is insane and fans take hardcore dancing to a whole new level at their shows, doing everything from backflips to cartwheels in the pit.
With two full-length albums, two EPs, and a series of tours that took them across the US with bands like The Human Abstract and The Dillinger Escape Plan, the band seemed to be gaining popularity. Unfortunately, a break-up was announced in February of 2008 and they played three farewell shows, all of which sold out.
Naturally, it came as a huge surprise when Folly announced three upcoming reunion shows:
March 26 @ Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ April 2 @ School of Rock East in South Hackensack, NJ April 9 @ Stanhope House in Stanhope, NJ
What does this mean for one of the best hardcore bands to ever come out of Jersey? We'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully more of this:
Recently, we at Rock 'n' Roll Etiquette mentioned Death From Above 1979 in relation to a remix by MSTRKRFT. Well, boys and girls, if you're as much of a fan as I am, you'll be happy to know that DFA1979 announced they will be reuniting to perform at Coachella this year (this blog has magic powers!). Hopefully, this won't be a one shot performance and they'll see that they were silly for going their separate ways almost 5 years ago. Here's hoping for a new album and subsequent tour.
If you're not sure if you should be amped, watch this:
Up until now, we've featured a lot of punk and hardcore music on this blog, so I thought, "Why not break up the monotony a little?" I'm a sucker for a good remix. They're a great way for an artist to express their take on a song without going so far as to cover it, but instead by rearranging or adding to the music. And just like covers, they can be hit or miss. Whether the remix adds bass-heavy trance or electronica beats to a mellow song or tones down a fast song, it has to flow well to be pleasing to the ear. Here are a few favorites that I've come across over the years.
1. "Electric Feel" by MGMT (remixed by Justice)
This song by MGMT is great on its own, but add the bold sounds of French duo Justice and it becomes even better. This is one of those rare cases where I like the remix more than the original song. Everything about it is just perfect, from the intro to the bass line. Justice even won a Grammy for this particular remix in 2009.
2. "mcchrisownz" by mc chris (Paper Planes remix)
Brilliant. The two songs go together so well that it just feels natural. The best part? mc chris has been known to perform this song live, which is a real treat.
3. "Love In This Club" by Usher (remixed by MSTRKRFT)
I know what you're probably thinking, but bear with me. MSTRKRFT, a group that was started by one-half of the now defunct Death From Above 1979, has produced some of the best remixes I've ever heard, plenty of them of songs by mainstream artists. I also highly recommend checking out their remix of "Got Love to Kill" by Juliette and the Licks.
4. "Every You Every Me" by Placebo (remixed by Sneaker Pimps)
Nothing can ever beat the original track. However, this remix adds a bit of a dark twist to a song that's already loaded with emotion.
5. "Alligator" by Tegan and Sara (remixed by Passion Pit)
If you've ever listened to Passion Pit then you know that their music is a unique blend of electronica, indie, and synthpop. Take their signature sound and add it to "Alligator," which is a simple but amazing song on its own, and this is what you get.
We originally set out to compile a list of the top ten albums of 2010. Perfect, right? Well, what we have here is the top eight, plus three honorable mentions. All in all, this year saw the release of some real gems in the music industry.
1. The Dissent of Man by Bad Religion
"If you listen to Bad Religion, you know what you're getting: quality punk music. The band seems to take a different approach musically with this album and it works. Dissent of Man is just as good as anything the band has released previously." - Joe
"Once again, Bad Religion altered their sound slightly, but this time they delivered an amazing punk record full of political undertones. It's no Against the Grain, but damn do these guys know how to make good music." - Jenn
2. Omni by Minus the Bear
"Minus the Bear crafted an amazingly well thought out album that just oozes sexiness. There's just no other way to describe it." - Joe
3. Surfing the Void by Klaxons
"People always talk about how great MGMT is, but they can't hold a candle to Klaxons and this album furthers that opinion. With catchy hooks, incredible music, and awesome vocals like this, I look forward to hearing whatever this band comes up with next." - Joe
"This album took me by surprise because I was just expecting more of the same from this band, but it was a pleasant departure from the sound of their previous album. While you can't expect to hear anything like "Atlantis to Interzone" on Surfing the Void, the music still has a sort of other-worldly, futuristic feel. The vocals on this album are especially amazing." - Jenn
4. Songs for Singles by Torche
"Following 2008's Meanderthal, Songs For Singles takes what Torche previously did and keeps it going. Simply put, Torche is amazing. 'Nuff said." - Joe
"I must say, I wasn't too fond of this band prior to listening to Songs for Singles. I couldn't get past the vocals even though the music was always amazing. This EP changed that. Listen to “Hideaway” and I promise you will not be disappointed." - Jenn
5. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem
"I love this album more and more with every listen. Not only is the music itself fantastic, but every single song has so much raw emotion behind it. This is the album of the year for me, hands down." - Jenn
6. Ironiclast by The Damned Things
"When hearing who played in The Damned Things my initial reaction was, "WTF!?!" After listening to their debut album, my reaction was much of the same, not because Ironiclast is bad but because it's so good considering how eclectic its members backgrounds are." - Joe
"Imagine my reaction upon reading that members of Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die, and Anthrax had formed a band together. Now imagine my reaction when I listened to this album and it was actually good. Great, even." - Jenn
7. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance
"After reading that the new album was going to be a return to their roots, I was really hyped for this album. Then NaNaNa came out and I was incredibly disappointed. I really wanted to not like this album because I hate when bands say that they're going back to their roots and don't deliver, but this album is just too solid of an album to not like." - Joe
"This is such a fun album. I can't get enough of the catchy lyrics, the music, and the entire concept behind it. I never thought I'd have MCR in heavy rotation again, but it happened." - Jenn
Honorable mentions: American Ghetto by Portugal. The Man Sea of Cowards by The Dead Weather Brothers by The Black Keys
It's been four years since (the abomination known as) The Black Parade and My Chemical Romance have hit fans with a new concept album that is worlds away from their 2006 release. As if the hype behind this album wasn't successful enough in persuading me to give it a listen, the story featured throughout sealed the deal. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys follows a group of individuals in a post-apocalyptic society of sorts, set nineteen years in the future, as they attempt to rescue a girl who has been captured by an evil corporation known as BL/ind, or Better Living Industries. Overall, the album is refreshing and fun, and effectively reminded me of the reasons I began listening to this band in the first place.
First of all, it takes a great deal of creativity to come up with a story like the one presented on this album and I'm thoroughly impressed with the delivery. The lyrics on the album, though sometimes nonsensical in nature ("Shut up and let me see your jazz hands/Remember when you were a madman?/Thought you was Batman/And hit the party with a gas can/Kiss me, you animal"), are interesting and, at times, strangely easy to relate to despite the subject matter. The music itself is more polished than on previous efforts, but not in a way that makes the band lose their spark. The synthesizer on songs like "Planetary (GO!)" and "The Only Hope for Me Is You" feels out of place at first, but after a few listens it seems to fit just fine. The low point on the album comes in the form of "Summertime," a love song with awkward placement, especially considering the song that follows is significantly harder and almost has a Jane's Addiction sort of feel to it. One of my favorite aspects of the album is the narration by Steve Montaño (also known as Steve, Righ?, guitarist of Mindless Self Indulgence) as the radio DJ Dr. Death Defying. The interludes act as updates on the Killjoys and really make the story come alive.
I must admit, this album surprised me and in a very good way. It's hard to believe this is the same band I became a fan of all those years ago with the release of I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. Definitely worth checking out.
Verdict: 4/5 Favorite tracks: DESTROYA, Vampire Money, Save Yourself, I'll Hold Them Back Bonus: The three-song EP, titled The Mad Gear and Missile Kid, that comes with the special edition of the album features songs that are reminiscent of the band's older sound
The Human Abstract are back and they've come to blow your mind out the back of your skull with proggy goodness. The first taste of their forthcoming third album Digital Veil, which features the return of original member AJ Minette and new vocalist Travis Richter (formerly of From First to Last), was released this past Tuesday. The new song, titled "Faust," seemingly shows a return to form for the band after their previous release of Midheaven. That, however, could just be my opinion. Check out the song and decide for yourself.
In honor of Bad Religion's 30th anniversary, SPIN Magazine and MySpace collaborated with various bands to put together a tribute album. As of October 19, the album has been available for download on the SPIN website... for free! The album features cover songs performed by a variety of artists, ranging from Guttermouth to Tegan and Sara to William Elliott Whitmore. With their politically charged lyrics and energetic delivery, there is no doubt that Bad Religion is one of the most well-known and influential punk bands still making music today. (Their most recent album, Dissent of Man, was released last month, by the way.) Could any of the covers on Germs of Perfection possibly do the band justice?
The answer, believe it or not, is yes. Each of the artists employs their own style to make the songs their own, which is what makes these covers so refreshing. Bands like New Politics ("Generator") and Riverboat Gamblers ("Heaven is Falling") don't stray too far from the original sound of the source material. However, others, like Switchfoot ("Sorrow") and Frank Turner ("My Poor Friend Me"), recorded acoustic covers that add new dimensions to familiar songs. The Weakerthans' version of "Sanity" might just be the strangest cover of them all, complete with bongos and an airy, folk sound.
In short, Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion is worth checking out. There's something for everyone on this album, whether you're a long-time Bad Religion fan, like myself, or a fan of some of the featured artists. Listen with an open mind and you might be surprised with the songs you end up enjoying.
Verdict: 3.5/5 Sounds like: What do you think? Favorite tracks: "Suffer" (performed by Tegan and Sara), "Against the Grain" (performed by Ted Leo), "Better Off Dead" (performed by Polar Bear Club)
Need a heavy music fix? A song, video, or band to kick your teeth in with heaviness? Well then, you've come to the right place.
With music as powerful as a punch to the groin and vocals akin to a snarling wolf just before it rips your throat out, Kvelertak are gearing up to take the metal scene by storm. That is, if people can get past the language barrier.
Kvelertak, who sing in their native language of Norwegian, get their unique sound by blending elements of hardcore punk, metal, and classic rock, resulting in something totally badass. Don't believe me? Then check out the video for "Mjød," where the band is so awesome that everyone in the room decides to fight to the death to prove who their number one fan is (not what really happens) or check out their song "Sultans of Satan," where the band decides to take a break from doing their own thing mid-song to pay homage to Jimi Hendrix by playing a bit of "Foxy Lady." Actually, check them both out.
An e-mail was received here at Rock'n'roll Etiquette about a month ago (oops!) from someone who found this blog via a Google search for "rock and roll writing." It turns out there is an online class by that name and we were asked to check it out by the aforementioned e-mailer. The class is offered by the Basement Writing Workshop, which features a series of creative writing courses, such as the Memoir Writing Class and the Comedy Writing Class. Why a rock and roll class, of all things? I think the description explains it well enough:
"Consider the rock and roll writing section of your local bookstore. How big is it? Where is it located in the store? How does it compare to other genres? It's strange how slim the pickings can be when you consider the amount of people who love rock music, buy records, go to concerts, and harbor hopes of one day being rock stars themselves. Our class will explore the current state of rock lit and discuss what we as writers can do about it. Come prepared to write about your rock and roll experiences-why your characters love the music they love, what happens backstage or on the tour bus, what it feels like to play in your band...or jam along with your iPod-and learn ways to make your prose the kind that could inspire a rock lit revolution."
The class is taught by Arthur Edwards, former bassist of The Refreshments (they did the theme song for King of the Hill), and runs from October 4th to December 12th, so there's still a bit of time left to sign up if anyone is interested. There is a fee, of course, just like with any class you'd be taking on a college campus. For anyone with $320 -- the discounted fee -- burning a hole in their pocket, this might be what you're looking for to kill some time or brush up on your writing skills.
If you don't have the money, there is also a writing contest you can enter to win a free class. The writing prompts for the contest are posted on Facebook and Twitter and aren't limited to just essays; you can write a poem, a story, or anything else you can think of. Submissions must be 2,500 words or less and the winner can choose from any of the writing classes offered. The deadline is November 1st, so get writing!
We've been absent on this blog for a little over a month. I apologize for that, but think of it as an internet vacation. Anyway, in order to make up for getting rid of the news posts (I really just don't have the time to keep up with them every week) I'm going to introduce a new feature called "Jersey Spotlight" that I hope you guys will enjoy. Every so often we will try to showcase great local bands from New Jersey in an attempt to get the word out on them. These bands need all the support they can get.
Without further ado, I present to you The Static Jacks, a five-piece indie band from Westfield. I use the term "indie" loosely, as that is what they are considered by the majority. Don't let that stop you from giving this band a listen. If their gritty, soulful music doesn't grab you, their catchy hooks certainly will. The vocals even remind me a bit of a young Glenn Danzig at times. They may not have complex guitar riffs or masterfully written lyrics, but what these guys do have is raw talent and a love for what they do.
Despite having been featured in various MTV shows, namely The Hills and Jersey Shore, it doesn't seem like this band is getting wide recognition. I recently had the pleasure of seeing them open for Biffy Clyro in New York and their set was fantastic. Before the show, a few fans waiting in line relayed a story about the previous night: The Static Jacks weren't able to play at the 21+ venue because some of the members are underage. They tried to find a place to crash for the night, but no one was generous enough to offer up their floor, so they slept in their van. The next day they tore up that stage in NYC and made me fall in love with their music.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We start "This Week In Music" off on a downer this week. First, Matt Good announced that From First to Last is going on indefinite hiatus, followed the next day by Craig Owens [formerly of Chiodos] announcing Matt Good joining his, as of yet, unnamed new project.
Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and The Falcon, annouced the completion of a new untitled solo album. Kelly has stated, although, that he has no idea who to bring the album to due to it not exactly sounding like a punk album. Here's to hoping he figures something out so we can get our grubby little paws on it.
Another song from the new Blaqk Audio album titled Bright Black Heaven has been streaming on Sirius radio. The song is called, "Bon Voyeurs" and, lucky for you Blaqk Audio fans, someone has ripped the song and posted it on youtube. Check it, here.
Bad Religion has posted the first song and artwork from their upcoming album, The Dissent of Man, and launched the pre-orders. You can check out "The Devil In Stitches" on their myspace. The band will also be touring the US with Bouncing Souls and Off With Their Heads. Not all the dates are there yet, so keep on checking if you don't see your city.
Keeping the classic punk band news going, The Adolescents released three songs from their upcoming album The Fastest Kid Alive which the band has been working on since 2007. You can check out the songs here: "Tokyo Au Go Go", "Jefferson Memorial Dance Revolution", and "Peace Don't Cost A Thing."
Saves The Day released an acoustic version of "Let It All Go", which you can listen to on the band's website, to be featured on the 4th volume of Bug Sessions. The band will also be opening for the Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything co-headlining tour, which is a shame because those bands should be opening for Saves The Day.
Mike Ness, lead singer and guitarist, of Social Distortion announced that their debut on Epitaph Records is to be titled Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Ness also went on to promise a release date in November.
Senses Fail announced that their upcoming album will be titled The Fire. Let's just hope this album is actually a fire and not just some smoldering ember like their last album was. The band will also be touring with Bayside on a tour that kicks off October 19th, which makes Jenn's lumping of the two bands in one bullet point last week kind of creepy.
Tegan and Sara have released a new video for "On Directing" from the album Sainthood. Dig those crazy Canadians.
Reverend Horton Heat have announced plans to record their August 12th show to release as a live DVD in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
The Birthday Massacre have finished up their new album titled Pins and Needles, which is set to be released on September 14th. The band will also be on a headlining tour in support of the new album, which is to start August 20th.
Planes Mistaken For Stars, who played their final show in January of 2008, will be playing both The Fest and a one-off reunion show in Chicago. Let's hope that the one-off bit was bullshit and they either do a full tour or get back together.
Produced by the incomparable Speedo (John Reis) of Rocket From The Crypt fame, This is The Computers continues the blaring sonic assault established on You Can't Hide From... by The Computers. Speedo also happens to contribute baritone guitar parts and keyboards to many of the tracks on this album, which was recorded live to tape.
