UK Punks, Ferocious Dog released their new video for “The Hope” to coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10/10/2021. WARNING: This video will hit you in the heart and may not be suitable for some viewers. CPRA hasn’t reviewed a new Ferocious Dog record since “The Red Album” and we are extremely excited to review, “The Hope” coming to you on 10/15/2021.
CPRA encourages anyone feeling depressed, desperate, to reach out to your local Suicide Prevention Organization like, Punk Rock Saves Lives, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As someone once said to me. “There’s nothing more punk rock than staying alive”. Be sure to pre-save, Ferocious Dog’s, “The Hope”, here, https://ffm.to/thehope. Our review will be out this Friday!
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Recorded by Danny Tuggle and Mixed by Russell Artega. Mastered by Vincent Coté. Artwork and layout by Sterio Design.
Record Label – Thousand Islands Records
Favorite Tracks: Running Out Of Time, Demons, Cool Kids Club, Frolic In The Darkness, Please Don’t Crash and Change The Frequency
Sounds Like: Lagwagon, NOFX, The Shell Corporation, These Roving Years, The Pollution, Descendents, No Use For A Name, Suicidal Tendencies, and Authority Zero
Apparently Facebook is down and the entire world has gone mad. It’s likely you won’t even see this review until it comes back. I guess I’m out of the Cool Kids Club until Facebook comes back online. So no matter how it is that you arrived at this post. Let’s talk about San Francisco based punks, United Defiance and their new record via Thousand Islands Records, “Change The Frequency”. We loved their last record from 2018, “Safe At Home”
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I remember when the world locked down for Covid. I remember asking the question, “Where are we going as a civilization? Can we focus more now on saving the environment? Can we focus on human rights? Can we spend more time with our loved ones and not with the clock? The answer is best summed by the first track on the record, “Running Out Of Time”. This skate punk like track has some killer guitar riffs, and a very catchy chorus. We as a people are running out of time. Is it too late to change course?
The next track, “Daemons’ deals with battling addiction. We all face our addictions on a daily basis. It may be alcohol, food, porn, whatever it’s a personal battle and you versus your demons. The intro to this track is an extreme hook for the listener. It crosses that fine line between metal and punk rock. “Cool Kids Club” is up next and holy crap is this an awesome track!
I, like many other people, was singled out at a young age for being different. I remember in elementary school there was a “Cool kids Club”. They were all friends, in sports, or neighborhood friends. Since my family lived in a different part of town. I was bussed in from about 7 miles out. So I was labeled as being, “From a different hood”, “Probably a homo”, “Why did he color his hair? Is he really a girl?”, “Why does he listen to trash music?”
“Welcome to the cool kids club
did you read the sign
you have to be this punk rock to ride this fucking ride
hey there where you going kid and what’s your worthy cause
the new punk rock thing to do is point out all your flaws”
I really wanted to be in that club. Not because I liked those kids, but I thought it would stop the bullying. It was until I hit high school that found myself. I stopped caring what others thought and cared more about my own PMA. Punk rock saved my life. Now this track deals with the “Gatekeeping Of Punk Rock”. Yeah it sucks that there are even bullies in the punk scene. “You don’t have enough studs”, “You have too many studs”, “You like (insert band here)”. It’s time to move away from this crap!
Clinton’s vocals shine on this track. The listener can hear the deep emotional connection he shares with this song. I’m telling you now. Don’t be surprised when “Cool Kids Club” lands on the next big punk rock playlist. “Frolic In The Darkness” is up next. It’s an energetic borderline hardcore rager! The little ska punk riff is badass! I’ll add this to my, “All My Favorite Songs Are Less Than 2 Minutes Playlist”.
“Please Don’t Crash” follows up and sounds heavily influenced by Suicidal Tendencies. This is a deep track where the writer is questioning so many past decisions as we all do sometimes. The drums and vocals are the stars of this track. “Empty Advice” is next on the track list. It feels like it has more of a poppy 90’s punk sound. It’s a nice and needed tempo change. It’s also about trying to remain positive no matter what! Don’t forget the Punk Rock Saves Lives motto,
“P-ositivity
U-nity
N-urture
K-indness”.
“Taps” comes in with a raging fire! It’s fast, deep bass lines, and kills it. “Show The World’, is up next. How many times have you rolled out of bed and rolled your eyes? I know I have done it many times, without realizing I was negatively hindering my life and my entire day to come. So “It’s time to rise up and show the world what you’ve got”! So let’s move onto another banger, “Sing With Me’.
Oh and the video above is absolutely hilarious! This song brings out that euphoric feeling you get when attending a live show. That feeling you feel when you and the crowd sing along with the band. For me it’s one of the best feelings in the world. “All aboard all aboard this broken sinking ship, this ship that’s heading straight to hell, there’ll always be a fee, but together we are free so grab a drink and sing along with me”.
Drum and bass take over the next track on, “Change The Frequency”. The guitar hooks and change ups breathe a new life into this song. You’ll be jamming along with this one in no time! “Spy Vs Spy” is what happens when a relationship crashes and burns. Sides are drawn, friends are lost, and an all out war may be on the horizon. This song is killer. The pit will be nuts on this track!
“My Resignation”, is amazing. It talks about those who left us in the dark and those who stayed there for us. It gave me a sense of personal empowerment and hope. The last track on the record is a kickass cover of Twisted Sister’s, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and features Jason DeVore from Authority Zero! This is more of a fun tongue in cheek version, but I think I like it better than the original.
In closing let me say one more thing. United Defiance’s, “Change The Frequency” is by far not only their best album, but by far one of the best punk rock releases of 2021. You can pick it up here via Thousand Islands Records, https://thousandislandsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/change-the-frequency.
Long Island, NY folk punks, Clover’s Curfew released a new video yesterday for “Salt & Sugar”. This track is not only catchy, but hits you hard right in the heart!
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Rosie Rebel: Lead Vocals, Gang Vocals Jeff Crews: Lead Guitar, Gang Vocals Matt Van Ernest: Bass Guitar Phil Wartell: Drums, Rhythm Guitar, Bass (Track 10), Gang Vocals
w/ special guests: Coolie Ranx (Pilfers): Gang Vocals (Tracks 1 and 2), Lead Vocals (Track 2) Becky Lynn Blanca (Penny Matches): Gang Vocals (Tracks 1-10), Harmonies (Tracks 2, 4 and 9) Jay Prozac (The Prozacs): Gang Vocals (Tracks 1-8) Jenny Whiskey (Hub City Stompers): Gang Vocals (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6-10), Harmonies (Tracks 1, 9, and 10) Rob George (Hub City Stompers): Gang Vocals (Tracks 1, 6, 9 and 10)
Album artwork, layout and design by Paul Kepple of Headcase Design
Mixed & Mastered by Jesse Cannon Produced & Arranged by Phil Wartell Recorded remotely at home in quarantine during Covid-19 with the exception of drums and bass, recorded at Cannon Found Soundation in Brooklyn, New York
Favorite Tracks: Queen Of Swords, All I Need, 1:11, Defend Your Temple, When We Were Young, This One’s For You, The Riveter, On My Way,
Sounds Like: The Damed, Lucy And The Rats, The Linda Lindas, The Spazzys, Crimson Riot, Babes In Toyland, and Amyl and the Sniffers
Photo: Mark Doyle
Has a killer release ever quietly snuck past you? Now I’m going to admit something which may cause my punk cred to fall. I never heard a Stiff Little Fingers track until 2010. Keep in mind I was born in the late 1970’s so how could this be? Maybe I didn’t have enough kick ass punk zines to keep me up to date? So now it’s time for me to share a brand new kick ass release ‘Queen Of Swords’ by Brooklyn’s Typhoid Rosie!
So let’s dive right in and check out ‘Queen Of Swords’. The first track shares the name of the album. Thinking about leaving the unhealthy toxic relationship? Well put on this track. You are the Queen Of Swords. This song has some quick hooks and a powerful message about self love. You deserve something better in your life! The Riot Grrrl message continues with “All I Need”. This track has Coolie Ranx from the Pilfers! The riffs, drums, and gang vocals are awesome. It feels a bit surfpunk infused, yet feels so punk rock.
Photo: Mark Doyle
“1.11” is heavy on bass and has some killer drums. The lyrics are great and will have you singing along. Although I am not sure you an or I could ever match Rosie’s amazing vocals. Per the band’s press release on this track. “I’ve gone through a change where I no longer need other people to fill that void like I once did, because I found my own source of divine love inside of me. This song helps me remember how rare and unique I am and that its time to get back on the saddle of fulfilling my purpose and mission while my heart still beats.
“The next song is “Two of Cups”. Hmmm I’m starting to notice a trend. This album has so many tracks named after Tarot cards. “Two Of Cups” goes harder and much darker. The distortion in the guitar will transport any listener down a vast rabbit hole as Rosie puts you into a gentle musically induced coma. My favorite track on the record is next with, “Defend Your Temple”. As a boy I was told, “Defend your temple by working out, eating healthy, blah, blah, blah”.
What I wasn’t told was that a woman is not property, a woman has to fight harder to get everything she needs, and that society will try to control almost every aspect of a woman’s life. I feel that every parent should make it a point to teach their children these important points. Or maybe you can play, “Defend Your Temple” and help explain the lyrical content. This track has some incredible fuzz, killer drums and bass. This track alone just might put this on our top album release list of 2021.
Photo Mark Doyle
“When We Were Young” is up next. I love this track! It’s a bit slower, but still has some power on bass and adds a little variety to this already stellar album. We all have at least a few rad moments from our childhood we will never forget. “This One’s For You” follows and continues the album’s theme of self empowerment. The gang vocals really make this track shine with contributions from Becky Lynn Blanca (Penny Matches) Jay Prozac (The Prozacs).
“The Chariot” is about not taking crap from anyone and moving forward no matter what. Rosie’s vocals hit some insanely high notes! Next up is my second favorite track, “The Riveter”. This is a pro-union, pro-woman song inspired by The Rosies from WWII and Rosie Rebel’s own experience working with the Local 52. Per the band’s press release, “In my day job, I do props and set dressing for Local 52 on movies and television shows. I am very grateful to work with Local 52. I love my job, and it’s nice to know that as a woman, I earn the same wage as the man doing the same job as me.’
Well we have reached the final track, “On My Way”. It has a great message about moving on and leaving all that toxic crap behind. The whole song is fantastic. I love the dramatic tempo changes. It’s a perfect ending to already stellar album.
In Conclusion, Typhoid Rosie’s, “Queen Of Swords” is a Riot Grrrl indie whirlwind. It mixes genres of punk, surf punk and rock and roll with ease while staying true to it’s message of feminism, self empowerment, and combines all of these in an unforgettable experience. You can listen now on your favorite streaming service or pick up the vinyl here, https://typhoidrosie.bandcamp.com/album/queen-of-swords.
San Francisco Bay area punks, United Defiance dropped a new single today from their highly anticipated new album, “Change The Frequency” due out October 1, 2021 via Thousand Islands Records. This writer cannot wait to get my hands on some new United Defiance! Be sure to preorder the new record here, https://uniteddefianceband.com/
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Smokin’ Sam Babin is back once again in CPRA newsroom with a new video for “The Return Of Karl Marx”. If you recall Sam is a one man punk rock band and performs all aspects of his tracks. If you look close at the 56 second mark. You can see Sam wearing a CPRA shirt! You can read more up on Sam here, https://coloradopunkrockarmy.com/tag/smokin-sam-babin/.
Sounds Like: Jerkswitch, Propagandhi, Sorry Sweetheart, Op Ivy, Classics Of Love, Madaline, Crimson Riot, and Younger Than Neil
London’s Death Trails are making some waves with some single releases. One can only hope for a new album soon. Due to Covid-19 the band like many bands around the world had to hold off on a new record. So spin their singles over and over. I love “Ska Dad” and “Animals”. “Animals” has a sweet Riot GRRRL sound reminiscent of The Distillers and Bikini Kill. Their singles are located here, https://deathtrails.bandcamp.com/
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Music and Lyrics written by Crimson Riot ft. Ken Osborne (Banjo, Mandolin)John Lacy (Bazooki)Todd Herfurth (Concertina)Jamie Case (Whistles)Filmed at McMullan’s Irish Pub Las Vegas
Favorite Tracks: St. James Gate
Sounds Like: The Rumjacks, Tossers, Flogging Molly, The Go Set, Keltic Cowboys, Dropkick Murphy’s
In 2020, WE all thought this pandemic would be over by now. That we all would’ve easily returned to normal life by 2021. Truth be told nothing much has really normalized. Some states are allowing live music shows while some remain in lockdown. Last year my St. Patrick’s Day was ruined by Covid-19 and a snowstorm tried to ruin it in 2021. (Lucky for me St. Patrick’s Day is a few days and the weather appears to be getting better)
Image Links to Denver Post
If you know me (Skabones) St. Patrick’s Day is my Christmas Day. It’s family tradition that I plan on passing down to my future little Skabrats. Crimson Riot (Las Vegas) a band that normally releases excellent punk tracks, released a gigantic surprise track, ‘St. James Gate’. The track refers to the historically important St. James Gate in Dublin, Ireland.
At first I thought this has to be a cover of a traditional Irish folk song, but I couldn’t locate it anywhere on the magic Google machine. It does sound a bit like, ‘A Man You Don’t Meet Everyday‘, but I think is more of Mandela Effect than anything. This is a true and beautiful original track. This single will be on their next album release, “It Took An Apocalypse “. I’m really looking forward to it!
Sounds Like: Op Ivy, Abolitionist, Classics Of Love, Suicide Machines, Mustard Plug, and Street Light Manifesto
Jerkswitch recently released a brand new track for “Poking The Blind”. I am beyond excited to see them return to the music scene. If you love these guys as much as we do. Check out our interview with them below.
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