Icabod Kobain - Demo '94

Are you ready for a blast from the past? Cats Not Cops's Keith Kaaos just re-released his high school band's demo, and it's everything we could have hoped for from a '90s high school punk band whose music managed to time capsule itself into 2017.

Coming at you loud and fast, the album starts off shouting about things getting fucked up "Every Single Day"

"Fuck Off" is full of testosterone and agression.

"Beer Song" is an anthem for teen parties that's saying what's on everyone's mind, "We want more beer and alcohol!"

"I Don't Wanna Be" expresses the feeling most of us have growing up in angst, where we don't wanna be like our parents.

"I Want to Eat your Cunt" is as sexually agressive as you'd expect from a bunch of angsty teenagers.

"Single" is a reminder of the benefits of that single life, and all the partying that goes with it.

"Fuck Tomorrow" shouts about not caring about the future.

"Goodbye" is a goodbye to someone that apparently Keith doesn't care about anymore.

"Untitled Bonus Track" leaves us with a bunch of ambient noises to round out a classic high school punk album from the '90s. I would recommend this album to anyone who grew up in the '90s, as it's a very refreshing splash of nostaglia.

Now, Keith Kaaos is better known as Cats Not Cops, the uke punk from Johnson City, TN. It's cool to me to get a look at where Keith's musical journey began, and to see how it's changed over the years into the calmer, more mature sound that you get with Cats Not Cops.

You can check out Demo '94 on the Cats Not Cops Bandcamp, of course!

Also, see Cats Not Cops//Captain Chucke - UKElear Assault, or album review for Funkrust Brass Band - Dark City

Funkrust Brass Band - Dark City

A couple weeks ago, I talked about Junkyard Golem by Out of System Transfer. Danielle of OoST also hit me up with an album from another band she's in - Funkrust Brass Band. This disco punk brass band's debut album, Dark City, was released only a couple months ago, and you really need to check this musical fusion out!

Full of high energy, Dark City opens up with "Funkrust", which you'll probably find it nearly impossible to not dance to (dancing in your seat counts). The song asks, "Are you ready for the Funkrust Brass Band?" Well let me tell you, you better be ready because these folks are coming at you strong.

"Elevator" keeps it rollin. Trance-inspiring lyrics in this one help you let go of inhibitions and really let yourself get lost in the groove.

In "Zoology", the lyrics and rough style in the vocals really bring out some of the band's more punk roots.

The title track, "Dark City", has some serious attitude expressed in the instrumentals, alone. Plus some more trance-inspiring vocals shouting at you to tie the song together, and WOW!

"Swamp Samba" keeps the motion swinging, with some happiness-inspiring lyrics, "We can run on sunshine. We don't need no money at all." If that don't make you smile among all the endorphins you're probably already releasing from dancing along, I don't know what will.

"Catch Yr Death" is another you can really feel the attitude in the instrumentals. Some catchy lyrics, too.

The album ends with "Riptide", which more attitude-packed instrumentals, and an smooth lyrial flow.

I would highly recommend Funkrust Brass Band to pretty much anyone. This album is an incredible musical fusion masterpiece that makes me wanna run out and go see this band live!

Check out Dark City - available on Bandcamp!

Also, check out album reviews for Broken Glass Kids - Another Step Back, or Out of System Transfer - Junkyard Golem

Broken Glass Kids - Another Step Back

Canadian folk punk group, Broken Glass Kids, released their full-length debut album, Another Step Back, just this past June.

"Spit 'n Blood" opens with a bit of a haunting tone, which changes up into some light-hearted bluegrass in "Ordinary Magic," which reminds us there's "magic in the every day."

"Midsummer Heat" is a lot of things. Smooth and catchy come to mind.

"Burn the Map" will make you want to quit your job and hit the road until you don't know where your home is anymore.

Until "Going Home", that is, which will make you long for the place you've left behind. There's nothing like the feeling going home after a long time out on the road. This song just might call you back.

"Calculated Risks" is another smooth track, and has some sweet harmonica on it.

"Down With It" is super catchy, and has a nice mandolin solo. Working class song about how the system takes everyone "down with it".

The album closes with "Each Other's Heros", which is an incredibly inspiring song about how we can be each other's heros. This song is very real, down to Earth, and sure to make you smile.

Another Step Back is a solid debut for the punks from Toronto, and I highly recommend you check these folks out!

Also, see album review for Joe Billy - Let 'Em Fall, or featured album Cats Not Cops//Captain Chucke - UKElear Assault

Cats Not Cops//Captain Chucke - UKElear Assault

Ohio's Captain Chucke and Tennessee's Cats Not Cops teamed up for a split, UKElear Assault, and it just became available yesterday! The new split features three new originals and a cover, each!

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Cats Not Cops is the one-piece folk punk/uke punk band of Keith Kaaos, based out of Johnson City, TN.

Captain Chucke is a folk punk/uke punk based out of Athens, OH.

Check out the split on Bandcamp!

Joe Billy - Let 'Em Fall

New Jersey folk punk musician, Joe Billy, just put out Let 'Em Fall last month, and can be found on tour right now.

"Sorry, Mom" starts the album off with some fast and angry guitar, and some shouting about making the world a better place.

"Denounce Columbus" is about how Columbus commit atrocities against the Natives, like bringing plague, but we celebrate him and shouldn't.

"Age Is A Social Construct (built on faulty roots)" starts off by questioning why you've gotta wait until 21 to by beer, when 12 year olds are often more mature than 40 year olds.

"The Fly You Ignore" - as far as I can tell - is about people that ignore the homeless in the street.

"I Pray For Armageddon" is about how we're heading towards our apocalypse.

"Half Assed Apology" is a non-aplolgetic apology, and it's kinda catchy.

"The War On War" is a call for peace. Great lyrical work on this one, and the harmonica is nice.

"Self Hate Masculinity" is about how blaming natural instinct on being a man is lazy.

"Rainbow of Trash" is about how, "we're all just a rainbow of trash." 'nuff said.

"Smash Your Television" is about reasons to smash your tv, and alternatives you could be doing, instead of sitting in front of a mind control device.

Offering plenty of things to think about, Let 'Em Fall is definitely worth giving a listen!

Also, check out album reviews for Out of System Transfer - Junkyard Golem, or Joe Bartel - Are You Even Nice

Angry Planet - One Day He Could Save The World

Kentucky's Angry Planet released One Day He Could Save The World last October. An album full of potential radio hits, if this is any indication of their live shows, you need to see these guys.

Starting out stong, there's pure, raw energy in the vocals is the first thing I noticed in "[-----]"

"As Good As It Gets" has an uplifting, albeit cocky as hell, feel to it, as it proclaims, "I'm sorry I'm as good as it gets (but I am)".

"Someone, Somewhere" is a sweet alt-rock power ballad.

"For Jennifer" is a bit softer, with some piano to accompany a beautiful and sweet love song.

"The Storm" kicks the energy back up, with a catchy tune that feels like it came straight out of the '95-'05 era.

"A Memory" is a quieter song, more stripped down with just a guitar and some soft vocals.

"WhenWarComes" is another high-energy song. To be honest, I couldn't understand most of the lyrics on this one, but I still loved the instrumentals.

"All Our Lives (Underground)" is a headbanging song that takes me back to the early 2000s.

"Faith" has some more of those powerful vocals, with some lyrics of longing. Another great power ballad.

"The Love Song" brings back the piano for another softer tune, with more of those powerful vocals. A great combination that really expresses the emotions here.

"White" is upbeat and catchy, with a nice hook and lots of instrumentals.

"Time" is a bunch of ambient noises.

"Nothing To Write Home About" is another high-energy song, with a changing, but catchy, hook. It's a great end to a solid debut album that is sure to become a classic. I can't wait to see what's in store for this band, as any of these songs could easily be big radio hits. Angry Planet has a very strong sound, that makes me reminiscent of late 90s/early 2000s alternative rock classics.

Get One Day He Could Save The World on Angry World's Bandcamp!

Also, see album reviews for Out of System Transfer - Junkyard Golem, or New Neighbors

Out of System Transfer - Junkyard Golem

New York folk punk group, Out of System Transfer, released Junkyard Golem last November.

Kicking off with "Hank Stamper's Blues", you're gonna get sucked right in and grooving along with the blues-y trumpet, bluegrass-y vocals, and a solid guitar riff.

"The Horse (and his boi-sterous hatred of all forms of earthly authority)" showcases some great, imaginative songwriting about how much they could "care less if your monarch lives or dies."

"Fear Jelly" has some intense riffs and lyrics.

"Eliyahu" is told from the perspective of an indigenous person, discussing how "you're all still fucking awful."

"Well, Do They?" is fast-paced, showing more flashes of blues, bluegrass, and punk all blended together quite beautifully.

"Goddamn Your Bloodshot Eyes" is very blues-y, and is super catchy.

"June, 1969" has nostalgic lyrics that take you back in time to share an experience. I'm not sure which was better, the lyrics or trumpet.

"Storm Clouds (over Manhattan)" is full of energy, with ominous over tones, with another flawless blues/bluegrass/punk fusion.

"Disco Fries" is a song about not eating disco fries.

"Heads I Win" has some dank musical fusion going on, too. Really dig the sound they have going on.

"Slant Rhymes and Eye Rhymes" is a stream of catchy goodness.

"Rank Stranger" has some outlaw country feels, with jazzy/blues-y layers.

"Quinine" is a high-energy end to an incredible album.

What stands out the most to me on this album is the amazing sound they create with elements of jazz/blues/bluegrass/punk/etc., all rolled smoothly into one. This is an incredible album that you need to hear.

You can get it off Out of System Transfer's Bandcamp. 

Also, check out album reviews for Joe Bartel - Are You Even Nice or The HueMans - What's Going On?

New Neighbors

Cleveland, OH indie-rock band, New Neighbors, released their latest, self-titled album this past March, and it's pretty fucking good.

"Following Along" is both smooth and rocking, and has some deep thoughts.

"Planetary Motion" is straight up sick jams.

"Stay" is one of those super catchy, late 90s/early 2000s sounding song that starts right off the bat with a great hook.

"Breathing Room" is full of energy and is sure to get you moving, you know, in case you weren't already.

"From the Bottom" has a sick riff, with a sweet breakdown.

"Incantation (Interlude)" is a bit slower, with some smooth trumpet overlaid on some rocking drums, and a hypnotic guitar riff.

"Overseas" is another solid track, with an sweet solo.

"Together" has some killer drums, is one of the first things that stands out on this track. The vocals have the feel of a dream when they first come in. Kind of a longer-ish song (7 minutes), my favorite part of it is the middle.

"Something To Blame" has a great opening hook that leads into a great song. Kinda has a pop-punk feel to it, in my opinion, and that's not a bad thing.

"Together: Mvmt II" brings back the trumpet on another version of "Together" to pull the album to a close.

If this album is any indication of their live shows, you probably don't wanna Miss an opportunity to see these guys. New Neighbors is full of energy, sick jams, and some thought-provoking lyrics that you're sure to love. Get your copy on Bandcamp, today!

Also, see album review of SILVIS - Little Brothers or article 6 Things A Musician With Professional Aspirations Should Consider

Joe Bartel - Are You Even Nice

Are You Even Nice by folk punk musician Joe Bartel is a great album, opening with "Why Am I Like This", before going into a dark, but catchy song called, "What Does Your Truma Look Like".

"Vampyre" is an interesting song about being an introvert with social anxiety, I think. Or maybe it really is about being a vampire. I'm not entirely sure. But the song is pretty catchy.

"Early Summer, 2012" is beautiful and nostalgic, looking back at the past and how things changed.

"Good News" is about first word problems. The opening is kind of amusing, and the whole song is very well done.

"Don't Talk" is your friendly reminder to not talk to copsn. 'Nuff said.

"You Don't Desereve It" is about someone that must be a pretty horrible person. If you know someone like that, you might find yourself singing along.

"Sisters" is very mellow and apologetic. It might make you wanna call up your own sibilings.

"Song For A Car Thief" says all it needs to in the name. Fuck thieves. Actually, there's a deeper message here, too, so check the song out.

"Puppy Dog" is a happy ending to a good album. Who doesn't want a puppy dog to help make their lives better?

You can get your copy of Are You Even Nice on Joe's Bandcamp. I highly recommend you do!

Also, see album review of The Huemans - What's Going On, or demo review of Jaded Life

Jaded Life

Earlier, I did an interview with Ernie Fonseca, an incredible artist responsible for the cover art on my album, "Health Nuts Are Wingnuts Too".

Ernie also makes his own music, and you can check out his band's self-titled demo, "Jaded Life" on SoundCloud.

A humorous opening, accompanied by some nice, classical music, invites you to enjoy the band's misery and discomfort, before jumping into some growing vocals about how every cop deserves to die, with "Passive Aggressive".

Actually, "Jaded Life" is anything but passive aggressive. The rough guitar and growing vocals continue to shout at you.

Doom Song is my favorite off the demo, proclaiming, "I've always been jaded since I've walked this Earth."

The outro is much more demonic than the intro, laid over the same classical track.

Jaded Life is definitely interesting, and worth checking out!

Also see artist interview Ernie Fonseca: Era of Failure or album review The HueMans - What's Going On?