Youth Brigade & Off With Their Heads
June 29th, 2009Youth Brigade will be supporting the upcoming release of the BYO Records 25th Anniversary Boxed set with shows on the East Coast. Touring with them will be Minneapolis’ own, Off With Their Heads. The two bands share key interests that include a penchant for punk rock with more hooks than a fisherman’s tackle box and a love for each other’s bands! A third band will be joining them starting the September 17 date and will be announced in the coming weeks.
The full-length documentary Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records will screen in select cities in conjunction with these tour dates. More details on the release and movie screenings to come. This is only one leg in Youth Brigade’s planned touring which will extend into winter of ’09.
In the meantime, check out the recently launched website www.letthemknowthemovie.com for more on what’s coming up.
For more info on Youth Brigade: www.byorecords.com
For more info on Off With Their Heads: www.myspace.com/offwiththeirheads
9/14/09 Detroit, MI @ Small’s Bar
9/15/09 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
9/16/09 Pittsburgh, PA @ Belvedere’s
9/17/09 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
9/18/09 Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
9/19/09 Brooklyn, NY @ Europa
9/20/09 Boston, MA @ Middle East
9/21/09 Pittsfield, MA @ Hall
We are The D. We are The D. We are The D. We are The D. … er wait they’re VW Trainwreck. They are also a three piece punk-n-roll band from Tempe, AZ. Don’t get me wrong by the D reference. I enjoy the D and VW Trainwreck offers some of that same appeal (albeit without the dead on comedy approach except maybe on #5 VW ThemeWreck ) Dramaturgy kicks out 16 heavy tracks. Some of these tracks are over 4 minutes. Unless you are making a Rock Opera, this is unacceptable. All tracks over four minutes will only be listened to for 2:15 (I get to pick which parts) … ah yes, that is much better. If you wanna know what the band is all about, here is a bit from the one sheet, “The album revolves heavily around”. Sure that is way out of context, but I think it sums up Dramaturgy nicely. It is mostly heavy. It revolves around. On a more real note this disc is decent but runs a little too far into the rock vein for my personal preference. I would like to check out a live show though as it does appear that they know how to rock.
I know that I’m pretty lax on getting reviews up promptly a lot of the time, but from the copyright date to my door took two years, so I guess I’m not so bad… but on to the review. Queens New York natives, Dead On A Friday certainly have tenacity. Founded in 2002 they went through three drummers, several hazardous apartments, a nervous breakdown and countless hours of therapy (according to their bio) Finally after five long years, the band finally put it to wax so to speak. Hope It Was Worth It is 13 tracks of melodic punk. They have a very Bad Religion feel to me, but with the kind of cold gray edge you’d expect from East Coast winters. The music is tight, good quick pace, no epic length (over 3 minute) BS tracks. For sake of brevity, go find these guys and like them. Like them as much as your little heart can muster. Hope It Was Worth It does in fact seem every bit worth it.
Do you like NOFX? They like you. Wanna know how I know? It’s because they keep putting out totally sweet punk rock cds. This new one, Coaster, even has music included. You know this because it says so right on the cover. Pretty sweet, huh? Aside from the sweet retro bar theme The disc also includes 12 tracks of wisdom and boozedom. Tales of middle class America gone by and the joys and laments of being a drug abusing alcoholic. Oh and lesbian Canadians. What more could you really want? Comedic discourse aside, if you haven’t cared for the last couple of releases (shame on you, but I understand) give ol’ NOFX another try. Coaster might just bring you back into the fold.
Excuse The Blood is a Bay area 3-piece outfit with a pretty eclectic mix of sounds. Without trying to pigeon hole them, they sound like a mix of Slapshot-esque hardcore and a reggae/ska/punk blend ala Op Ivy or perhaps Rudiments. Despite the obvious influence the music feels fresh. The tempo keeps a good pace through the five tracks. That the disc is only a demo perhaps is the biggest shortcoming. Since I don’t have more of a sampling I’m going with a 3/5 instead of possibly higher. I’d like to hear more from Excuse The Blood. Until such time that a new release comes out, you can check the band out at their website 