Sounds Like: The Lillingtons, AFI, Murderdolls, Hangtime, and Balzsac
Ontario based, Hotel Murder launched their brand new single, “Hotel Murder” on 10/31/2019. We may be a little late on this, but in the spirit of the Nightmare Before Christmas. We all need more horror punk in our lives. This track isn’t your average new school emo punk. This is old school horror punk in your face, Heavy bass, fast riffs, and punch out drums lead a chorus of nightmarish ghouls.
The fact that is song is based off of serial killer H.H Holmes should be enough to check this out! You can read up on H.H. here, but don’t say I didn’t warn you! Personally I think H.H. was actually Jack The Ripper. I know some historians would beg to differ. See the debate here, https://www.biography.com/news/american-ripper-hh-holmes-jack-the-ripper. This track is just a sample of some kick ass music coming from Hotel Murder!
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Holy Shit its almost 2020 already? Where the hell have I been? Oh that’s right here writing album reviews till the cows come home. Well over 2019, CPRA has accomplished a shit ton. We wrote over 70 news, reviews and concert related items, started our own TV show, and started CPRA Skates! Don’t forget also our team up with AKA Just Miggy and The Kids Are Alright All Ages At Goosetown! On that note don’t miss the next Kids Show with the Potato Pirates on December 15, 2019, 2pm! Check out my Top 5 List of the year below!
Favorite Tracks: Dead To Me, No Clue, 25 Days, Dark Times and The Wayside
Sounds Like: Sunset Silhouette, Descendants, New Narrative, Face To Face, 10 Ft Pole and Pulley
Here at CPRA we celebrate, encourage, and support small record labels! We tend to stray away from band’s signed with major labels. We may occasionally let a Fat Wreck band through, but they are legend afterall. We’ve featured such labels as A Diamond Heart Production, Bypolar Records, CPYRT CNTRL RCRDS, El Topo Records, Freetime Boyz Inc, Monster Zero, Mutant League Records, and (No longer operating sadly) No Affiliation Records. Today I’m proud to announce a new label to CPRA, UK based, Cat’s Claw Records!
Today is a special day in which we check out their debut split EP release, Red Light Rebels Vs Bottlekids. The pre-order for this kick ass split closed on 10/25/2019. I’m hoping if we overload the website, https://catsclawrecords.bigcartel.com/ the pre-order will reopen. Why should we overload the website? This awesome split comes in a blood red cassette tape edition with digital download at time of purchase! FYI – THE PURCHASE LINK IS STILL LIVE!!!
Pic by @samblackmore
Red Light Rebels Tracks 1-4
As with any new music we check out. I tend to be a bit of a skeptic when listening to new music. So when the first Red Light Rebels track came on, “Dead To Me”. I immediately turned it up! This track is skatepunk at its finest. The track contains extremely an addicting chorus, fast drums, and air guitar worthy chords. This track has serious potential and needs a music video ASAP! When you’re friends ask why you like punk rock let them listen to this one!
The follow up track is “Poison Eye”. The perfectly well placed, “Whoas”, will make Glen Danzing jealous. The strong hooks well have you grabbing your board and headphones. “No Clue” is up next and continues this blast of skatepunk! Why are they not doing a massive tour right now?
“There’s something wrong with you, That you gotta know right now, There’s something wrong with you, You got no fu%king clue”
“Let Go” is the last track on the split from, Red Light Rebels. Similar to early Face To Face this track is a bit slower than the previous tracks. This is one talented band. Seriously keep an eye on them!
Bottlekids Tracks 5-8
The first track is “25 Days”. The drums will draw you in fast. I really dig the lead singer’s voice. So far this split mix is a new personal favorite of mine! The follow up track is, “Smokes, Let’s Go”. This is a perfect, “Break up Punk” track. So many questions you ask yourself when going through an ending. Although the track is kind of sad you can feel a sense of hope.
“Dark Times”, is the next song. I really dig the intro into the track. This song is lyrically perfect with some amazing music to accompany. ALL of us can identify with this track! The final track on this epic split is. “The Wayside”. Here’s yet another track with HUGE potential. The bass and guitar turn our emotionally packed notes, while the drums provide a backdrop of anarchy. I love this track!
Overall this little 8 track split, “Red Light Rebels Vs Bottlekids” is a fast paced joyride, filled with the best pop and skatepunk England has to offer. If this is Cat’s Claw debut label release I simply cannot wait to see what the future has in store for this little giant. Be sure to pick it up NOW, https://catsclawrecords.bigcartel.com/product/red-light-rebels-vs-bottlekids.
Red Light Rebels Bandcamp
BottleKids Bandcamp
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Favorite Tracks: Beer Bullet, Mental Health, Histrionics, To Wound and Wander, Destitute
Sounds Like: All Time Low, Audio Karate, Filthy Hearts, Face To Face, Dial Drive, and The Mezingers
Our Souls is set to
release their second release, “I’ve Made A Terrible Mistake” on November 1,
2019. Their first debut EP ‘I Might Drink Myself to Death’ dropped back on
November 16, 2018. The EP was well received with reviews from some of my
favorite zines such as Keep Track of The Time, Colins Punk Rock World, Ear
Nutrition, and The Punk Site. If you haven’t checked them out be sure to do
so!
So let’s dive straight
into, “I’ve Made A Terrible Mistake”. The EP launches with, “To Wound and Wander, Destitute”. The melody on
this track is killer. The guitar and bass playfully create the background as a
second guitar drifts away for a little solo. The song speaks of
relationship breakup and the inability to find the light. I love this
song!
“But if the banality of lie,
Dosen’t kill me,
Then the c#nt inside my mind,
Will just slowly,
Take my fu%cking soul,
Until I want to discuss fucking throw pillows”
The next song is, “12312341”. So just when I started thinking, Our Souls may be on the pop punk side, out of nowhere comes some insane hardcore skate punk. The pit on this track will be dangerous. All of those over 30 should stay out, ha ha ha! Next is by far my favorite song on the EP, “Histrionics”. The track swings back towards the melodic side.
Here at CPRA we use
the phrase, “Breakup Punk”
often. When a relationship begins to die so many things go through you head.
What am I doing wrong? What are they doing wrong? It’s their fault, my fault,
etc. If you need a song that will help you leave a toxic situation. Throw this
on!
“Because when all is said and left unfinished,
No idea if I’d be running away or starting again,
And when all is said and undone,
Would it be giving up or letting go?”
“Mental Health” follows and this is a tough track. The lyrics are deep and you can hear the emotions as they are belt out. The drums are the star on this as they lead the track through a confusing and broken time. I’ve lost too many friends and family to suicide. Don’t be afraid to ever reach out to one of us here at CPRA. Or please consider calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, at 1-800-273-8255. The truth this song inflicts will make you tear up.
The final track is “Beer Bullet”. So many people can identify with this track. How many “Beer Bullets” do we fire on ourselves attempting to self-medicate ourselves into happiness? It’s short, but all of my favorite songs are less than two minutes long. The chorus is catchy, yet impacting.
Overall,
Our Souls, “I’ve Made A Terrible Mistake, is a fantastic EP. The swings
from melodic over to harcore are full of emotions that every one of us struggle
with on a daily basis. I personally cannot wait for a vinyl release asap! So
pick up the digital release first here on 11/1/2019, https://weareoursouls.bandcamp.com/releases.
Let’s face it Mondays blow! Sometimes you need a little pick me up, beer, coffee, weed, or maybe some new kick ass music. Toronto punks Hangtime released, “Invasion” back on 3/1/2019. We may be a little late to the party on this one, but that’s because this EP was made to serve as the perfect pick me up.
This EP may seem small at a whopping 6 tracks, but it’s full on nonstop pop punk goodies. The album kick off with “A Thousand Years Ago”. This song hits home for me. How many hearts have you broken and regretted for years to come? The lyrics are really the star on this track, while the band provides the anthem like charisma.
Next up is “One Nine Nine Five”, this song kicks absolute ass! The perfected hooks on this track are brilliant. I keep feeling I’ve heard this song before, but can’t pin it down. It may be they are just so damn good, it gives a good familiar feeling. My favorite track is up next, “See You Soon”. The drums are killer, the chords bleed perfection. The lyrics are catchy, yet none generic.
“Can I Take You Out”, is up next and continues a wonderful Ramones like sound. This record so far portrays an innocence really only found in pop punk. This is a love song and I feel the teenage boy in me giggle a little. “She”, comes roaring in next and no this isn’t a Greenday cover. Yet another track for all of us on a simple relatable level. When you have found the one, you just know it. The drums and power chords are sweet!
The last track up is “Lucky”. This track a an energetic fast romp reminiscent of the Penske File. I suppose I should wrap this up. Hangtime’s, “Invasion” is a great EP for anyone who is craving that pure pop punk sound. Pick it up here, https://hangtimeband.bandcamp.com/album/invasion.
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Favorite Tracks: Dizzy, Oklahoma Girl, Psycho, Man! and Trump, Tories and Other Relics from Middle Earth
Sounds Like: The Damned, FEAR, Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, The Vibrators, and The Clash
I was born during the rise of punk legends like The Clash, Damned, and the Sex Pistols. My Dad is a huge Clash fan and instilled in me a love for 70’s and 80’s punk. Although he likes their disco crap, so that’s where we split ways musically. I kid of course, love ya da! So while checking my email I ran across a band from Lanarkshire, Scotland called the Red Lite District.
As of publication date of this article they are currently with DCC Records. So let’s take a listen. The first track and introduction to the band is, “Dizzy”. The song totally reminds me of FEAR. It could be that the lead singer’s voice sounds a little like Lee Ving. It’s the fast hooks, quick change ups, and simple, but kick ass lyrics that really drag the listener in.
The next track is, “Oklahoma Girl”. If you have never seen,Peepshow I highly recommend it. It’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime. The show is hilarious and features a female on the show that fits this track to a T. She’s an American gal and quite mental. Everything about this track kicks ass!
“She’s just a dirty f@#ken Oklahoma girl,
She’s just a dirty Oklahoma,
She’s such a beautiful sadomasochist”
The third track up is, “Psycho, Man!”. This track has some addicting lyrics. The simple drum beats seem to lead this track, before the bass and guitar join into the fray. The song reminds me a bit of Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers or even the New York Dolls. I feel this track perfectly fits the state of the world, where every day it drives people madder and madder.
The next track is gets dark with, “Trump, Tories and Other Relics from Middle Earth”. Holy crap is this track amazing. This song has a sweet garage rock like sound. It’s a bit on the heavier side, which lends towards its message to question authority and those in power. Head to pit when this comes on!
The last track on the EP is, “Lanarkshire Uber Alles”. It pays homage obviously to the Dead Kennedys song, “California Uber Alles”. The chants of “OI, OI, OI,” heard through the chorus provide that extra burst of energy to make this an incredible song. It calls for change and doing whatever is needed to make that change come true.
In conclusion, “Bang Gang, by Red Lite District” has proven to me. That the legendary punk sound will never die, but continues to evolve, be a catalyst for political change, and stay relevant in the age of overproduced sampled audio. Tracks like “Dizzy”, “Psycho Man”, “Trump, Tories and Other Relics from Middle Earth” and “Lanarkshire Uber Alles” tell the age old story “Punk Isn’t Dead”.
Sounds Like: New Narrative, Voice of Addiction, No Use For A Name, and Face To Face
You need some new skatepunk in your life! In fact we all need new skatepunk in our lives. Birmingham, UK based, Laughing In The Face Of dropped a brand new video for “Running With Coffee”. Check it out below and stay tuned for more news as we get it!
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