In 14 years so many things can change. One thing hasn’t changed and that’s Downway’s kick-ass sound! In 2017 they reformed to tour and produce their new album, “Last Chance For More Regrets”. The new album features 12 tracks. CPRA was lucky to score a pre-release copy.
This album is stocked with kickass pop, skate and the occasional metal lick. Personally I really would love a vinyl release. I’m finding it very hard to really nail down a favorite song as all are excellent. Downway may have taken some time off, but they came back harder and stronger than ever. Pick this one up on 5/1/19 here, https://thousandislandsrecords.bandcamp.com/
Track list: (Per Bandcamp)
Intro
Black Taxes
Part of the Show
Letters
Same Sky
Mary
Wild Ones
Rebel Ballad
Saying Your Name
Stars & Satellites
PUNK OG
Last Night’s Makeup
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Favorite Tracks: To Asuka, We’re A Team, We stick together, My Roommates, The Demons, and Five
Sounds Like: Briggs, Sniper 66, Dirty Work, Street Dogs, Transplants, Zipperz and NOISE
Italy’s Breakmatt Fastgyver surprised the absolute hell straight out of me. We get 10-15 album review requests a week. Sadly we cannot review all albums submitted as we all work full time jobs in addition to family obligations. So after staring the first track on, “The Light Inside Is Broken But I Still Deliver”. I thought I know I’ve heard these guys before. However, I quickly came to realize that indeed they are brand new to me. Their sound however is not so much brand new, but an amazing combination of classic, pop, and a bit of skate. The straight guttural style is what really drew me in. Let’s break these tracks down. “To Asuka” is the first track. I’m not sure if this is a love song or about trying to help a friend with depression. Lyrically this song is simply beautiful. The drums and melodic hardcore style keep me hitting the repeat button.
“I need appreciation, I need the whole world to know that I exist.
I want to shout out loud, please look at me!
Don’t tell me it’s pathetic, don’t ever tell I shouldn’t feel like this.
This is what I am, this is how I feel”.
“The Gardens, At Night” is the second song on the track list. The one has a really sweet bass/guitar intro. The lead singer’s vocals remind me a bit of Al Barr. “We’re A Team, We Stick Together” is the next song. This song deals with the pain one feels from either growing up or moving on with life. It has a nostalgia for the simpler times. Did you grow up and forget your dreams?
“But then years go by, we all take our separate ways.
And then we drift apart in time.
Today our scripts read reassuring lines.
Can we really say we’re doing just fine?
Did we grow scared to reveal ourselves?
Is it a consequence of life?”
“We’re A Team, We Stick Together” comes in fast and strong with pure emotion. The drums are killer. That feeling that I’ve heard this song before comes creeping back. I absolutely love it! The hooks are right on point when joining the melody. This is yet another beautifully written song. This is my personal favorite song on the EP.
Next up is “My Roommates, The Demons”. The bass line on this song is so damn good. It’s haunting, and continues when the drums and guitar join in later. Why is band not traveling the world? So good! “Five” is sadly the last song on the record. This song is the perfect ending to a perfect EP. Personally I would probably avoid the pit myself on this one. It would be insane. This one sounds a lot like something NOISE would write. It’s time to wrap this one up. CPRA has found yet another undiscovered band that should be touring the world and filling ear holes with joy. Part of me on the other hand is sad. Will I ever get to see Breakmatt Fastgyver live? “The Light Inside Is Broken But I Still Deliver” is a masterpiece EP that you should pick up ASAP! It’s currently Name Your Own Price on bandcamp! Be sure to throw down at least $5.00!
Track List Per Bandcamp
1. To Asuka 02:46
2. The Gardens, At Night 02:39
3. We’re A Team, We Stick Together 03:02
4. My Roommates, The Demons 03:24
5. Five 02:39
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Favorite Tracks: Get Me Out Of Here, Searchlights, and The Constant Here is You.
Sounds Like: Murderburgers, Elway, City Mouse, Mr T Experience, and Teenage Bottlerocket.
Alright punks it’s time to step into Ska Bones wayback time machine. Let’s go back to the early 1980’s when records were all the rage. Punk was gaining serious momentum in the UK and US. My parents were considered young at the time being in their early 20’s. They were always buying the latest pop albums. Most of it was some Billie Joel or Springsteen crap.
The album that sticks out the most for me was, The Clash, “London Calling”. From the first time the needle dropped to the day our record player died. I’ve often thought about my first punk experience. Thankfully for people like me vinyl has resurged with more and more people buying record players. You may have to fight a hipster to get one now. Haha.
I crave that pure original sound before the digitizing and mastering comes in. There are some albums that must be listened to on vinyl. Some of my favorites are Black Flag – “My War”, The Damned – “Machine Gun Etiquette”, Sham 69 – “”Sunday Morning Nightmare”, and Stiff Little Fingers – “Inflammable Material”.
This leads me to introduce Dundee, Scottish punks, UNIFORMS. The melodic hardcore band formed in 2011 and after various line up changes is still cranking out tunes. So let’s check out their latest EP release on Make That A Take Records and TNS Records, “Reasons To Breathe”. Be forewarned you want this one on vinyl!
The first track, ‘Get Me Out Of Here’ kicks off the record. I find myself instantly hooked in by lyrics that seem to flawlessly flow with the music.
“Maybe we need to learn to listen
Maybe we’ll develop empathy
Don’t tell me who I am, what offends me
I promise you everything’s better than it used to be.
Well, well, well…”
“My Wise Friend” has some amazing drums, and hooks in just the right places. The lyrics are catchy yet meaningful. This reminds of some of my dark days where I question the meaning of life. Not that it’s a depression sort, but more or less self-reflective.
“We all make mistakes,
sometimes hearts will break.
We will always share the moon.
She sees everything.
New stories will begin.
You will learn to love again,
as you’ll learn for yourself.”
“Searchlights”, is next up on the record. Here’s another song where the lyrics are fucking beautiful! The drums and riffs accompany the vocals to make this a very memorable song.
“Remember when we were kids?
We’d put those records on,
lie there on your bed,
hold hands and sing along
with glow in the dark stars above our heads.
I still remember every single word you said.”
“The Constant Here is You?” closes out the record. Be sure to pick up this version either digitally or on vinyl so you can get this song! I love the guitar strike at the intro. This one has very street punk sound to it. In comparison one might say Rancid meets the Murderburgers. The lyrics and anthem like sound could easily end up on Dying Scene Radio.
Overall I absolutely love and recommend this EP. The lyrics, and music seem to tell a story and I love what I hear. This record should be listened to via vinyl. The band has this very familiar sound, yet remains entirely new. The only con of the EP, would be the fact it’s an EP. So make sure you pick up some previous releases to the music doesn’t have to stop there.
Our Favorite Track(s): My Mistake, Shredder, Scream, Turn And Run, 7 Lonely Days Sounds Like: The Dead Milkmen, Violent Femmes, The Scutches, Backseat Vinyl
It’s not often these days an album tells a story like a novel. Usually an album or ep tends to be a mashup of the best songs available at the time. I don’t blame any band of course for trying to get some music out quick. An album with a backstory for me tends to send a more memorable impression. They also leave the opportunity for some awesome comic art like MF Ruckus! New York punk’s, Aimless Again are doing just that with 2020 Future Punks.
I reached out to the band for some background information. Here’s what Seany Juevo’s had to say, “Aimless Again has been a band since 2007 releasing albums such as “Bill!” “The North Shore Demo” but this newest album marks the highest point in the bands history with their new album “2020 Future Punks” an 11 track journey thru the human experience, threw the whindy ups and downs of life. We feel this new album is very important for the next generations of punk rock lovers. This album has a diy spirit, recorded in Staten Island at the haunted Kreisher Mansion by Brian Crowe and track 10 recorded on Long Island by Frank Bones. The Albums message is to face the future head on based on principles and values that the greats layed out for us. Facing your anxiety and becoming the best individual you can living in the wasteland that is America in the 21st century”
The song, “Tracer” has some great progressions. I really enjoyed the mix from hardcore to melodic. “Rejuvenate” comes back with another fuzz on surf sound, with a great drum build up. “Celebration” has some inspiring harmonies which collaborate into a good solid sound. Onto the last song on the album which is, “7 Lonely Days”. This song really reminded of something My Chemical Romance or The Used would do. It has somewhat of an emo sound it. I loved the acoustic intro, which builds into a kick ass chorus later in the song.
Ok this album was recorded in a haunted mansion? Damn that’s pretty sweet! I have to wonder if the intro to the album was just some background noise from the studio? Should we call the ghostbusters? Alright let’s get down to reviewing this album. This album comes off the heels of their previous releases, North Shore Demo, and Bill.
The album opens up with “Shredder”. Simply put this song is about destroying the past, learning and moving on. I really like the drums on this one. It’s hopeful, in a time that seems unforgiving.
The song, “Scream”, really reminds me of the Dead Milkmen. The riffs shred along with a catchy pop punk sound. The way the songs builds towards the end is perfect. “Uptight, I hear you screaming all night”. It’s almost like writer is saying, “Hey everything’s fucked up, but I can beat this”.
Next onto, the song, “My Mistake”. I feel like this song really shows off the talent, Aimless Again has to offer. The lyrics take us on a journey through the writer’s mind. “So what, who cares, fuck my life, cut my hair”. I see a bunch of skate punks saying, “You know what fuck it. I don’t care, what exactly society expects me to be”.
Alone. It makes me wonder if you’re in the Upside Down from Stranger Things would Aimless Again be playing?
The song, “Tracer” has some great progressions. I really enjoyed the mix from hardcore to melodic. “Rejuvenate” comes back with another fuzz on surf sound, with a great drum build up. “Celebration” has some inspiring harmonies which collaborate into a good solid sound. Onto the last song on the album which is, “7 Lonely Days”. This song really reminded of something My Chemical Romance or The Used would do. It has somewhat of an emo sound it. I loved the acoustic intro, which builds into a kick ass chorus later in the song.
The song, “Tracer” has some great progressions. I really enjoyed the mix from hardcore to melodic. “Rejuvenate” comes back with another fuzz on surf sound, with a great drum build up. “Celebration” has some inspiring harmonies which collaborate into a good solid sound. Onto the last song on the album which is, “7 Lonely Days”. This song really reminded of something My Chemical Romance or The Used would do. It has somewhat of an emo sound it. I loved the acoustic intro, which builds into a kick ass chorus later in the song.
Currently Available at the following locations: Copies are available at Barts Cds, and Albums On The Hill in Boulder, reverb link, https://www.reverbnation.com/drinkdrankpunk
Format: Digital, Disc, bandcamp release expected in June 2018
Label: DIY
Location: Rollins, Colorado
Current Lineup: (Facebook)
Ig Eels-guitar/vocals
Lisa Mccarley-bass/backing vocals
Mike Barnes and/or Rolf Gunnar Hauge-drummers
Our Favorite Track(s): OI, Lemme See That Bass, Drink drank punk , Rat Boy, Pentatonic Gin & Tonic
Sounds Like: The Stooges, New York Dolls, Anti Flag, The Creeps
Colorado’s Drink Drank Punk aka DDP recently rocked the Toad’s Punko De Mayo fest. This was actually my first time hitting a DDP show. I was blown away and was lucky to catch guitarist/vox, Ig Eels after their set. We discussed how Ig used to be a part of Radio KNED, a pirate radio station that once blasted out of Nederland, Colorado. KNED sadly was issued as with most pirate stations, a cease and desist letter. They did not hold a FCC licence and could no longer operate. This leads me to wonder.
Since the FCC continues shutting down pirate radio stations does this allow big media to thrive? Was Mark Hunter right when he said, “Do you ever get the feeling that everything in America is completely fucked up?”. Every day we see the corporate world taking on more and more power than they deserve. Hell England has even contracted with a private police force to patrol wealthy neighborhoods. How long before DPD, renames itself, “Denver Corp Police”?
Alright so maybe I moved off topic a bit with a political rant. I’m here to talk Drink Drank Punk! We scored a limited commercial release of DDP’s album, “The Nederland Lament”. The album has some great old and new school punk sounds, such as OI, and Pentatonic Gin & Tonic. There may be a special cover in there as well! But let’s talk about what makes this album stand out among the rest. The album includes some KNED commercials that harken to Christian Slater’s Hard Harry. I am hopeful KNED or other similar like stations will return.
So let’s get a quick backstory from DDP’s Ig Eels. Per Ig, “Drink drank punk started in March 2013 in Nederland, Co. Our first 2 shows were house parties for radio kned, a pirate radio station. We broadcast these shows on air and began regular recording of station drops for kned. Our original lineup was: ig eels-guitars, vox. Lisa Mccarley, bass guitar. Josey Wales, drums. The band name drink drank punk comes from an anti flag song. Before radio kned, i did a punk rock show on kbfr in boulder, and that song always caught my eye on the station playlist, it seemed like a great band name for the kind of music i play and write.
The initial idea was to play blusier, standard rock songs for the start of a 3 hour bar show, which evolved to hard core punk rock by the start of the 3rd set. In August of 2013 we got a show at 3 Kings Tavern for the NIPP reunion party. From that point on DDP has been primarily a one set denver punk rock band, having played around 100 shows. We play original songs, and always a few covers. Usually by black flag, circle jerks, agent orange, stooges, or ramones.
In the fall of 2016 original drummer-and former Leftover Salmon drummer- Josey Wales rode off into the sunset after a long Colorado rock n roll career, moving to Mexico to continue his Outlaw thing. Since then drums for DDP have been alternated between Mike Barnes and Gunnar Hauge, both of whom kick ass on the kit. DDP bassist Lisa McCarley has organized the Rock, Metal, Punk, and Ska festival (RMNPS) every year since its inception in 2015 at the Stage Stop in Rollinsville, CO. We are happy to bring punk to the mountains again this year on 7/21 at the Pioneer Inn in Nederland and on 9/15 for RMNPS”.
The 3 blew me away at Cinco De Punko. Ig’s vocals, matched with Lisa’s bass. Barnes was a animal on drums. This album will offer that same feeling! You can peak a free listen over on their reverb page, https://www.reverbnation.com/drinkdrankpunk . Be sure to check them out on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/drinkdrankpunks/. Don’t forget to check bandcamp in the coming weeks for The Nederland Lament!
Their first full length release, ‘Like a Ghost, is due out April 27th 2018 on digital and vinyl via Get Party Records and Too Hype Music
Ever looked for bands with dragged vocals similar to Neck Deep’s Ben Barlow? Maybe the catchy guitar riffs of Blink – 182. If you want to hear a playful combination of these two legendary and iconic sounds, then you’ve come to the right place. Reuther should be the newest band on your horizon, because they are coming in hot with new music on their album, “Like A Ghost”.
Dealing with topics like heartbreak and the dullness of routine that life can supply us with, this album serves the best details of punk music mixed with pop undertones that makes a listening experience refreshing and exciting. My current favorite on the album, “Highways” is a perfect sample of what the album has to offer.
With upbeat drums and angsty yet well orchestrated and perfectly placed harmonies, “Highways” metaphorically talks about trying to move forward in life but feelings stuck through the idea of a car and a highway.
Reuther has a literary take on life in general and shows this in their thought out lyrics that are simplistic, yet add to a bigger picture and message. Their album tells a whole story, with small lessons you learn along the way in every individual song. Spoiling this story is not my job, as it is yours to discover the story yourself. Reuther will give you what you need, all you have to do is listen.
Be sure to get the album here on 4/27/2018, https://reuther.bandcamp.com/track/like-a-ghost
