Tag: skatepunk

Corporate Citizen Release New Album, “A Brief Moment Of Sanity” Out Now Via El Topo Records

Posted on by SkaBones in El Topo Records, skatepunk, Small Label

Release Date: 4/26/2019

Format: Cassette + Digital Album (Cassettes limited to first 25 only)                                

Label: El Topo Records

Location: San Diego, California

Current Lineup: (Per Facebook)

Dan Achin (Drums), Hal Hannon (Bass), Bob Meder (Vocals), Steve O’Brien (Guitar) and Louis Ramsey (Guitar).

Favorite Tracks: 95 Sound, Next Big Thing, Bold-Face Lies, and Got No Time,

Sounds Like: H20, Madball, New Narrative, Modern Goon, Gorilla Biscuits, CIV, The Lurchers, and 10ft Pole

The skate punk reviews seem to keep rolling in here at CPRA, and we are digging it. In the last few weeks we’ve reviewed, Riverside Odds, and The Barren Marys (Given more on the street punk side). I’d like to take a minute to disagree with whomever wrote the Wikipedia for Skate punk. Per the author skate punk was popularized in the mainstream by The Offspring’s 1994 album, “Smash”.

Personally I’ve never equated The Offspring with skate punk at all. That is really just my opinion of course. Skate punk for me started before the Offspring with bands like Suicidal Tendencies, and Agent Orange. Of course there are many arguments to be had here. Corporate Citizens new album, “A Brief Moment Of Sanity” continues the amazing tradition of California skate punk.

Let’s take a deeper look into the album. A ripper kicks off the album with, “Batten Down The Hatches”. This one is strong on an old school heavy bass line. The track gets your head nodding and has a sweet catchy chorus to sing along with. Next up is a favorite of mine, “95 Sound”. We all look back in time and think we had it better than.

“Wasting all of our todays just looking back at then.
And twenty years from now we will look back at when?
I won’t be held hostage by the distant past,
seconds ticking down so fast.
I will strive to live past the year 1995.”

We all have those awesome memories. Where were you the first time you heard “Institutionalized”? I agree with the band 1995 kicked ass, but don’t live in 1995. Punk isn’t dead and isn’t going anywhere. So hop that pogo right into the nearest pit. I absolutely love this fucking song! I am hoping we get a video for it. It is guaranteed to get stuck in your head.

The next track is, “Next Big Thing”. Here at CPRA I have to use the latest smartphones to make sure I can access our social media stuff. That’s mainly because we want to constantly be available to our bands and our fans. Before CPRA I didn’t care if I owned the latest anything. Wanting the latest of anything really just makes you a slave to mass consumerism. You can’t take that $75,000 car to the grave with you.

“I never wanted it, I never needed it
I’m not looking for the next big thing
Just fine where i’m at
And you can judge me, make me feel small
But your opinion means nothing at all
I just don’t care”

This song is another personal favorite. It’s relate-able and makes you angry to think how much money is wasted. From the intro and straight into the chorus this song kicks so much ass. I’m seeing circle pits in my mind as Meder’s vocals power through the wicked guitar riffs and drum work.

“Bold-Faced Lies” is next up and keeps up the non-stop energetic power force. This is yet another killer song. The bass and guitar hooks really build a genuine Cro Mags like expulsion. “Trust Fails”, follows a bit of a slower pace and feels more on the melodic side. This one for all of those failed relationships that should’ve been put out immediately. We’ve all been there and it sucks!

“Fatal Trap” comes rolling in with an increase in anger and speed. So far I love the simplicity in all of these songs. They speak to all of us in some way or another. This song is another for the pit. I love the drums as they are fast and heavy. “Got No Time”, is yet another one of my favorite songs on the record.

“How did we get in this predicament
We wonder where the good times went
Everyday is a battle but no one wins
We’ll repeat this cause it never ends
Can’t seem to find middle ground
This carousel of hate goes round and round”

Yet another fantastic song for the pit. Are you starting to see a pattern here? This track fucking rules. Have you ever just stopped arguing and walked away? Do any of us have the time or the energy to spend arguing constantly with someone? This one has been stuck on repeat for 2 days! I love the guitar riffs.

“Just Walk Away”, come sliding in next. This track is heavy on the anger. It’s reminiscent of Gorilla Biscuits or H2O. I don’t really like to play the “Sounds Like Game”, but sometimes it’s hard to convey a similar sound without dropping a band name. “The Good One” closes out this phenomenal album. This track is as Admin A once said is pure, “Break Up Punk”. It relates to everyone with it catchy vocals, yet powerful bass and guitar.

I need to wrap up this review. Corporate Citizens album “A Brief Moment Of Sanity” is an incredible giant surprise to this reviewer. The band chants and harmonizes through this album with a fluidity only prone to hardcore punk.

Be sure to pick it up here, https://corporatecitizensd.bandcamp.com/

Help CPRA stay up and running! Hit that donate button below!

Track List: (Per Bandcamp)

1. Batten Down The Hatches 03:20

2. 95 Sound 02:23

3. Next Big Thing 03:41

4. Bold-Faced Lies 02:41

5. Trust Fails 02:30

6. Fatal Trap 03:18

7. Got No Time 03:08

8. Just Walk Away 03:17

9. The Good One 03:07

Links:

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Marty, The Russians Are Coming! The Black Russians Drop New Album – “Death By Communism” Via Outloud! Records on 3/11/19

Posted on by SkaBones in Outloud! Records, pop punk

Release Date: 03/11/2019

Format: Digital

Label: Outloud! Records

Location: Leningrad Beach

Current Lineup: (Per Facebook)

  • Black Russian 1
  • Black Russian 2
  • Black Russian 3
  • Black Russian 4

Favorite Tracks: Red Dawn, Leningrad Beach, My Mommie Is A Commie, UBV76, and Russian Bear

Sounds Like: Ramones, Lillingtons, Sunset Silhouette, and No Use For A Name

The Russians are coming Marty! The Black Russians that is with their latest release, “Death By Communism”. This Soviet Era Pop Punk band is heavily influenced by the Ramones. Truth be told I am in love with this record. From the wicked 80s style guitar solos, kick ass drums, to the thumping bass lines. The vocals are very similar to the Queers, yet there’s still a nod to Johnny Ramone in there.

My personal favorite track is Leningrad Beach. It may be an ode to The Ramones – “Rockaway Beach”, but the Black Russians present this song in a pure skate punk format. This is perfect melodic hardcore at its best. I want to grab my board and hit the streets just listening to this song.


“My Mommie is a commie and she’s running from the CIA”

Black Russians – “My Mommie Is A Commie”

My second favorite track is, “Mommie Is A Commie”. Talk about a song that is super catchy. The guitar hooks are wicked. I am sure hoping this gets a vinyl release at this point even in the review! To be perfectly honest all of these tracks are killer! Time for me stop ranting. Black Russians new, “Death By Communism” should immediately join your download collection. Don’t be surprised later when CPRA says, “We Told Ya So”.

Be sure to pick up the album here, https://outloudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/death-by-communism

Help CPRA stay up and running! Hit that donate button below!

Tracks:

  • Red Dawn
  • Rostov Ripper
  • Leningrad Beach
  • Saviour Of Your Blood
  • 5 Year Plan
  • Night Witches
  • Mommie Is A Commie
  • A Blaze In The Soviet Sky
  • Kremlins
  • UVB76
  • Russian Bear
  • Soviet War Machine
  • Satan U.S.S.R.

Links:

Skate-Punk & Debauchery – Trick Punch Releases Long Awaited Album “The Latest”

Posted on by SkaBones in CPRA Music News, Denver Music Scene, Denver punk, diy, Uncategorized

Release Date: 4/24/2019

Format: Digital out now on all streamer, physical can be picked up from band members.

Production: Recorded at Crash Pad Studios

Location: Denver, Colorado

Current Lineup: (Per Facebook) –

  • Billee
  • Pinez
  • Kyle
  • Eric
  • (Mingo 2013-2016)

Favorite Tracks: Brandi, The Latest, No Pegs, Snakes, One Track, Gfy, and Luci

Sounds Like: Strung Out, Good Riddance, The New Narrative, and Modern Goon

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So you’re sitting at school or work. Watching that stupid clock slowly countdown till you can hit your favorite show on Saturday. Life seems to come to a full and complete stop. Your boss is on your ass to make deadlines. Then out of nowhere one of your favorite bands drop an album a few days early. It’s like getting hit by a bolt of lightning. Almost as if you drank 20 Monsters and can now run, really, really fast.


Thus, my dilemma. I’m sitting here at work, making the man richer by the minute. I’d much rather somewhere, anywhere else. Out of nowhere Denver’s Trick Punch announces their new album. “The Latest” has dropped. Keep in mind their scheduled release is 4/27/2019 at Streets of Denver for the release party. So to serve my need for instant gratification I hit the download as soon as I saw the release.

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If Trick Punch are new to you be sure to check out their last release, “Third Bridge”. Now if you have listened to “Third Bridge”, you’re gonna love, “The Latest”. The album kicks off with “Brandy”. They couldn’t have picked a better song to start with. Super deep bass lines, guttural like vocals, and even a little melodic hardcore thrown in. This my friends defines CPRA’s definition of “Break Up Punk”.
“Don’t Look Down” is next up. This track continues the amazing fast and hardcore pace. The lyrics are heartfelt and sung with great passion comparable to Jason Cruz of Strung Out. It may seem like this song may be in reference to suicide. For this writer it’s about going head first into something with all your energy, heart and soul with zero fucks given.

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“The Latest”, comes in with a couple of sweet guitar strikes. The tributes to the movie “Office Space” are hilarious. This one is for all of us feeling like we are wasting our time. Those of us sitting like robots in the assembly line. “No Pegs”, comes up next with a master flow. This is my personal favorite song on the album.
I reached out to Billie Riot for more information. “No pegs is all about the hundreds of crazy nights spent at Denver skate park and all the shady or crazy stuff that went down. There is one gap called “no pegs” that anyone who skates knows. It’s also an anti bmxer song just for some fun shit talking, because they always sit right at the landing of the gap.

So when I would land my trick I would power slide into them like a bowling ball until, they got the fuck out of the way. The hot dog cart lady would sell single cigs if you were in the know and I suspected she sold more than just that.” I’m not going to ruin this kick ass song with my personal thoughts, because it deserves more than that! This song needs a great video for it, wink!
“Snakes”, follows “No Pegs”. That heavy skate punk sound returns. The track is just fun as hell and it’s about fireworks! It’s catchy as hell! “Secret Of The Pros” is up next and is probably my second favorite song. Listen to Trick Punch on this one and learn the secrets of the pros! This track has some wicked drums and some very impressive guitar riffs.

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The legendary bassist from Bottom Bracket behind a Snake pinata.

“Gyf”, is pure and furious. I suggest you add this to your “Break Shit” playlist. Throw this one on it right now! This one will have all those crazy drunk guys running straight for the pit. “One Track” is up next and likely the slowest track on the album. It has a darker, more emotional side. This one is heavy on bass and guitar shreds. It’s heartbreaking, yet relate-able on many levels.

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“Bowser”, this track is just some plain fuckery from the band. Get your pogo shit on with this tune. “Luci” closes out this fucking rad record. Another prime example of excellent “Break Up Punk”. I love the thumping western sound. I should probably stop fan boying all over this album.

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Trick Punch’s, “The Latest” is likely getting my vote for best local LP release. The amount of skate punk, old school rock, and even a hint of rockabilly will leave you coming back for another listen. This is the perfect album to introduce to those young skate punks in your life. Be sure to hit their release party show Saturday night at Streets of Denver with Bottom Bracket/Chemical X/Dryer Fire!

Help CPRA stay up and running! Hit that donate button below!

Track list: (Per Apple Music)

  1. Brandy
  2. Don’t Look Down
  3. The Latest
  4. No Pegs
  5. Snakes
  6. Secret of the Pros
  7. GFY
  8. One Track
  9. Bowser
  10. Luci

Links:

After a 14 Year Hiatus, Downway Returns With “Last Chance For More Regrets”

Posted on by SkaBones in International punk rock, Small Label, Thousand Islands Records

Release Date: 5/1/19 via Thousand Islands Records

Format: Digital out 5/1/19, CD and Vinyl goes out around 5/1/2019 only 300 on vinyl will be released!

Label: Thousand Islands Records

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Current Lineup: (Per Facebook) –

Dave Pederson, Ryan Eagleson, Dave Holmes,

Favorite Tracks: Black Taxes, Letters, The Show, Wild Ones, Punk OG and Rebel Ballad

Sounds Like: Came And Took It, Sunset Silhouette, and Boxing Day.

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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)

  1. Intro
  2. Black Taxes
  3. Part of the Show
  4. Letters
  5. Same Sky
  6. Mary
  7. Wild Ones
  8. Rebel Ballad
  9. Saying Your Name
  10. Stars & Satellites
  11. PUNK OG
  12. Last Night’s Makeup

Help CPRA stay up and running! Hit that donate button below!

Links:

 

CPRA Music News: Mixed Kid Fridays Release New Single, “ASPHYXIANA”

Posted on by SkaBones in pop punk, Punk Rock, Uncategorized

Release Date: Feb 14th, 2019

Format: Digital

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Current Lineup: Per Facebook

  • Calvin Klein
  • Dominic Zinn
  • Isaac
  • Gil Lopez

Favorite Tracks: ASPHYXIANA

Sounds Like: NOFX, 10 Ft Pole, Rancid, Fourbanger, Nerdlinger, Vandals, The Follow Ups, Off The Mark, The Briggs

LA Punks Mixed Kid Fridays are expecting to drop their new album, “Taking Names” in May 2019! The new album will drop on Valentine’s Day 2019.

https://youtu.be/HvH3N-jKCVg

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MixedKidFridays/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixedkidfridays/

Website: https://www.mixedkidfridays.com/home

Upper Downer – S/T EP

Posted on by SkaBones in CPRA New Music Alert, pop punk, Punk Rock, skapunk, skatepunk

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Release Date: 11/05/2018

Format: Digital

Label: DIY

Location: Los Angeles

Current Lineup: (Per Facebook)

  • Chris – Guitar/Vox
  • Bert – Bass/Vox
  • Paul – Drums/Vox

Favorite Tracks: Disarm The Police, Dog Food, Somebody Died, and Glue

Sounds Like: NOFX, Choking Victim, DRI, Fun Abuse, Bitter Grounds, Strung Out, and Beat The Smart Kids

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LA Punks Upper Downer has returned with a brand new EP. If you haven’t checked out our review of their last EP, “Dysregulated” do it now! If there’s one thing I love about this band it’s that each and every song sounds different from the last. So let’s check out the new one!

The EP starts out with, ‘Disarm The Police’. This is one angry track. That everyone can identify with. Sadly I can provide too many examples of why we should disarm the police. The latest example comes out of Laramie, Wyoming where a cop killed a local skater, Robbie Ramirez.

Per the news reports it appears the investigation was pending due to the upcoming “election”. The cop who shot Robbie has been involved with shootings before. Due to Robbie’s condition he suffered extreme distrust of the police. Here at CPRA we hope the justice is served for Robbie Ramirez and his family. Sadly the police will call this yet another, “Justified shooting”.

The next track up is ‘Somebody Died’. This one comes in with a familiar Rancid like ska riff, before the progression builds into a explosion of drums, guitar and vocals. The pit on this one is gonna be nasty as hell. ‘Alone’, is a neck breaking turbo smash like song. This one reminds me of DRI and Black Flag. You will soon be breaking shit to this song.

Next up is my favorite on the record, ‘Dog Food’. I can see this one easily hitting the major airwaves like Punk Tacos, or KROQ in LA. It combines everything I love about ska and pop punk. The lyrics are catchy and you’ll be singing along in no time. ‘Piss Jug’ is the next song. This one is about struggling with addiction and speaks to all of us on some level. The bass, guitar and drums are amazing on this one.

‘Glue’ is sadly the last track. This one sounds like classic, NOFX. The anthem like sound makes for a perfect ending for the record. Ok let’s wrap this review up. Upper Downer have composed an EP that can relate to any punk on the street. It will have you blasting your speakers right out of the fucking car. It also feels a bit heavier when compared to the likes of NOFX or Rancid. I’m throwing this EP into my personal mix for CPRA’s EP of the Year Award for 2018. You can pick it up here now, https://upperdowner.bandcamp.com/releases.

Tracks: (Per Bandcamp)

Links:

 

Bring On The Storm – Altruism

Posted on by SkaBones in Rad Sauce Media, skatepunk, Small Label, Speed Punk, Thousand Islands Records

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Release date: 11/4/2018

Format:  Physical Distro

Label: Thousand Islands Records

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Current Lineup: (Per Facebook)

  • Chris Kreuger- Vocals/ Guitar
  • Brandyn Smith- Guitar
  • Josh Wallace- Bass
  • Clay Fandrick- Drums

Favorite Tracks: Deadbeat

Sounds Like: Propagandhi, Strung Out, Distillers, and Pennywise

 

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Small Label October is going strong as we close out this month of reviews dedicated to small record labels. The “smalls” as I like to call them are going against the iron giants in the music industry. Some of my favorite bands, like Came And Took It, Last Reel Hero, and Nerdlinger are either DIY or on small labels. Let’s face it we are tired of hearing the same shit over and over again on the radio. Some days I feel like Hard Harry from Pump Up The Volume.

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Here at CPRA we listen to a shit ton of music that will likely never hit the major radio waves. Yet I hear some old school punks complain that, “Punk Is Dead”. It’s not dead, you just stopped trying to look for it. We are the Hard Harries of Pump Up The Volume. Webzines may not be posted on telephone poles, but they are still out there. Punk Review sites are alive and well. All you really have to do is click!

This leads me to introduce Calgary hockey/skatepunks, Bring On The Storm. Their brand new record, “Altruism” will drop on 11/24/2018. Before I do my thing let’s check out this cool quote from the band regarding origin. “The sweat soaked locker room of a recreational hockey arena might seem like an unlikely birthplace for a punk rock band but for Calgary’s Bring on the Storm that’s exactly where it all started.” So there you have it! The band formed in a hockey rink!

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The album starts out with ‘Deadbeat’. This is by far my favorite on the record. It has some catchy lyrics, anthem like in the chorus, and some kick ass drums. Next up is, ‘One Billion Dicks’, no not just a few dicks, one billion. This one is really good. It’s almost industrial with a Ministry like intro, yet still retains extreme skate punk quality. This is going to make for one nasty mosh pit.

‘Spineless Gutless Bitch’, is up next on the track list. It’s almost a love song, and the antagonist in this is not a girl. It’s the writer against himself. This one is deep, and somewhat heartbreaking. It still kick serious ass on bass and guitar. ‘Shithole’, is up next and truthfully the sound was kind of unexpected for me. This is a complete and welcoming 360 from, ‘Spineless Gutless Bitch’. This one returns with anthem whoas, and furious vocals.

 

‘Proud Of My Drool’,  intros in with some heart pounding kick and great little guitar hook. I am not sure why, but for some reason this song reminds me of watching old skateboarding videos. It may be due to some of the almost “metal” like riffs.

 

 

‘Life Sucks’, speeds the progression backup to a break neck speed. This one is definitely for all of you speed punks out there. The drums and guitar are going insane on this one. ‘F.F.L.’ is up next on the record. This one slows it back down to more of a pop punk sound. This one is a bit sad, yet so very relatable. The lyrics are beautiful. ‘Alive’ brings in some acoustic, it’s well written and a great ending to the album. 

This album review for me was somewhat hard. It’s a fantastic album, but I’m having issues nailing down a genre. I hear hardcore, metal, pop punk, skate punk, and even some industrial. This makes it definitely worth checking out!

Tracks:

  1. Deadbeat
  2.  One Billion Dicks
  3. Spineless Gutless Bitch
  4. Shithole
  5. Proud Of My Drool
  6. Life Sucks
  7. F.F.L.
  8. Alive

Links: