| Backstage Pass |
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Monday, January 03, 2005 |
| Backstage Pass |
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Monday, January 03, 2005 |
This grade school rule doesn’t apply in this case. A couple of gaseous bombs are dropped on the hidden track on the Miles new CD, Return of the Shogun Assassin . Whoever released these incredible noises would not reveal himself. “It was really late when we were recording and well we were tired. It seemed like a good idea at the time. And we made a pact not to tell anyone. Why, who do you think it is?” Adam Spanier admitted.
Anyway, Return of the Shogun Assassin is the follow-up to the Miles’ previous disc, Adventures of the Invincible Kung-Fu Trio and the sequel packs no less punch. Well-written, bass-driven Christian rock is their strong suit, and Return demonstrates this. They charge out of the gate with “Why We’re Here,” an anthem to their Faith, complemented by the folksy nerd-rock of “The Not-So-Perfect Us”. The sweet “September Day” sits pleasantly in the middle, and the Nu-Metally “Can’t Recall Tomorrow” and the arena-rocking “Don’t You Wish” close the disc on a strong note. The Miles have a knack for writing good, solid rock songs with plenty of indie spirit and pop melody to drag a buffalo down. However, the guitar tracking left room for some rhythm overdubs, and the vocals seem kind of fuzzy or distant or something; not quite as clear as Adventure’s vocals. But despite these minor we-don’t-have-a-budget-to-record-a-Creed-Album problems, the Miles deliver no less than we’d expect from them.
To help solve the mystery of the farting felons, you can buy a Miles CD for five dollars by contacting John Benda or Adam Spanier in the dorms.
Top 5 bands: The Beatles, The Ramones, MxPx, Weezer, Blindside
Top 5 albums of 2003:
1: Further Seems Forever - How to Start a Fire
2: The Whitestripes - Elephant
3: Starflyer 59 - Old
4: Dashboard Confessional - A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar
5: Jet - Get Born
“About a Burning Fire” is the fourth and newest album from Swedish hardcore masterminds, Blindside. I’ve been a huge fan of Blindside since I heard their first album and saw them live back in 1998, and their second record, “A Thought Crushed My Mind” has turned into my favorite hardcore album of all time. But as I was fairly disappointed by their major label debut, 2002’s “Silence” I didn’t really know what to expect from their newest outing. Let’s just say I was pleasantly jaw-dropped.
“About a Burning Fire” combines all of my favorite elements of Blindside’s earlier records: Christian Lindskog’s amazing singing/screaming vocal combinations have never sounded
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better. Simon’s guitars are more melodic than they’ve ever been, but just as heavy. The time changes are smoother, the melodies are catchier, and the instrumentation is fuller than ever, but the band still maintains its ferocity. The album is extremely unfocused……but in a good way! Each song is totally different than the one before. Highlights include the album’s lead single, “All of Us”, the punk rockin’ “Swallow” and the hard hitting title track. The band really experimented this time out, bringing orchestrated strings and programmed drum beats into “Where the Sun Never Dies”, a jazzy horn section into “Roads”, and operatic/Nordic style female vocals on “Shekina”. The |
album’s coolest moment comes on “Hooray, it’s L.A.” which features a guest appearance on guitar by Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan).
The bottom line is if you’re a fan of hard music, but long for more originality, and melody, buy this album. If you’ve heard Blindside before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised, but if you’ve never heard them before, prepare to be completely amazed. Recommended for fans of POD, Thrice, The Used, and Further Seems Forever.
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This album, the side project of Death Cab For Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard, may easily be the coolest album of last year. The Postal Service consists of Gibbard’s melancholy vocal styling floating airily over Jimmy Tamborello’s mellowed out dance beats. Tamborello’s drum programming inspires the listener less to get up and dance, and more to just stretch out in the sun and relax. Songs like “the district sleeps alone tonight” and “we will become silhouettes” have a very laid-back groove that plays best through a good pair of headphones. “nothing better” and “clark gable” have a real mid 80’s new wave feel, something akin to a very depressed Devo. The album’s closing track “natural |
anthem” belongs on a club DJ’s mix right next to Fatboy Slim.
Overall, the record is far above average, and extremely original. I would recommend it to anybody looking for a good album to chill to, and any fans of bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Dashboard, and Atom and his Package.
Rock’n’Roll is an artform that is always changing. Back in the rock’n’roll’s heyday Elvis was King. Don’t get me wrong, Elvis rocked, but his music sounds way different from what is considered rock today. Everything from Weezer to Slipknot to Good Charlotte is considered to be in the rock genre. The same principal applies to punk. Punk is always changing. What started with the likes of the Ramones and the Buzzcocks has gone on to include New Found Glory and Yellowcard. I mean, come on, what happened? How do all these bands who sound so different fall under the same genre? I’m not sure either, but here are my picks for the top ten punk albums. May they help you on your outlook on punk rock!
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1. The Ramones: S/T: The Ramones were pure rock’n’roll. No solos, no filler; the Ramones cut the fat and kicked your… well, you know. Dreaming of the good ol’ days of rock’n’roll, the Ramones formed to bring back the kind of music they loved. Only this time, the Ramones played it loud, fast and hard. No Ramones, no punk. Period. |
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2. The Sex Pistols: Nevermind the Bullocks: The Ramones may have brought punk to the underground, but the Pistols brought it to the masses. In 1977 England was in complete fear of the anarchy and violence that was associated with the Sex Pistols. Along with John Lyndon’s intelligent lyrics and Steve’s unknowledgeable guitar riffs (that somehow rock harder than the riffs of those “real musicians” ie weezer) the Pistols brought attitude and politics to punk. And rock’n’roll in general. |
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3. The Clash: S/T: The Clash proved that punk could be more than three chords and a fast tempo. The Clash brought their reggae, jazz, and soul chops to the table without watering down their hard edged punk sound (at least not until London Calling, which is still a great record). |
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4. Rancid: … And Out Come the Wolves: Rancid is about as punk as they come these days. Combining the “1,2,3,4!” ethos of the Ramones, the attitude and political awareness of the Pistols and the musical outlook of the Clash, Rancid has proved punk’s staying power while bringing their own thing to the mix. Great album. |
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5. Minor Threat: Complete Discography: While the Ramones were loud and fast, Minor Threat somehow did it louder and faster. These DIY kings not only proved the punk community could do it themselves, they started two movements, straight edge and hardcore. All while tackling major issues like drugs, violence and racism on tracks like “Bottled Violence” and “Guilty of Being White”. Also check out Ian in Fugazi and Brian in Bad Religion and Dag Nasty. |
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6. Bad Religion: All Ages: Bad Religion was one of the premier punk bands in the 80s. And the 90s. And now in the 2000s… Can’t shake a stick at that, dumb dumb! |
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7. Black Flag: Damaged: I’m not a HUGE Black Flag fan, but you have to understand Black Flag’s cultural significance within the punk word. For awhile in the early 80’s there was a limited amount of punk bands in America, and Black Flag was one of those few. They helped carry the punk torch for all the punkers later to come. Plus, you know you’re pretty bad when your album slated for major label release gets canned because of it’s lyrical content. But still, because of Black Flag’s DIY efforts, Damaged became one of punk’s biggest albums. |
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8. The Suicide Machines: Destruction by Definition: This album won’t make it on most conventional top ten lists, but it makes mine for one simple reason. It Rocks! And I know someone out there will argue the whole “Suicide Machines are a ska band” argument, but the fact remains (ask them yourself) the Suicide Machines are a punk band and always have been and always will be. This album is filled with pure energy. Fast, fun and emotional only begins to explain this classic album. |
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9. Green Day: Dookie: I’m not much of a Green Day fan, but even I loved this album, no doubt. Their new stuff is pretty under par in my book, but this, their third album, is sonic perfection. Rebellion, teenage angst, and snotty lyrics made this album appeal to just about everyone. Plus, it ushered in a new generation of punks, along with a whole crop of posers. This album marked the rebirth and the death of punk as we know it. |
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10. Fleetwood Mac: Any Album: What? I know what you’re thinking… “What is Fleetwood Mac doing on this list?” Well, let me explain. If it wasn’t for the supreme suckiness of Mick Fleetwood and Co. (along with disco and the overall state of music in the 70’s) there would be no punk today. No punk, no hardcore, no emo, etc., etc. Thank you for sucking Fleetwood Mac! The world of music would be different without you! |
Also check out albums from these other noteworthy punk bands! Dead Kennedys, the Misfits, Anti-Flag, NOFX, Fear, the Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Pennywise, the Exploited and many, many more!
Coming up next! “Joshy’s top pop-punk albums that didn’t suck”. Seems impossible? Well it’s not! Let’s see if I can find ten! Have suggestions? Email them to me at rygutterpunk@yahoo.com.
by Joshy Rotten a.k.a. Josh Henderson
Blood trickles from his nose as the mosh pit turns wild. Escaping to the bathroom to clean up his face, Jordan Zlomke did not make it far before he passed out. His whitened face looked up at his friends, Daniel Hoyt and Jon Lareau, and Jordan questioned, “What happened? I don’t feel good. . . is the mosh over?”
Many brave fans of The Banned travel to follow the great hardcore music group. Some recently ended up in pain while others were just sleep-deprived from the long trip back from Red Oak, Iowa. The concert was a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, an organization that helps families that cannot afford their pre-mature babies’ healthcare.
This hardcore group, The Banned, is made up of five members: Jon Benda, Jason Eder, Adam Spanier, and brothers Joey and Josh Henderson. Lyrics and music are written by all five members. They have been together for about seven months and it all started with pizza. “Adam and I went out for pizza, after a movie one day, and a KFC worker came up to me and said we had on awesome t-shirts. The worker was Joey Henderson, screamer extraordinaire, and we got to talking and the next thing you know. . . we’re a band,” Jon Benda stated.
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