Filed under: Music | Tags: Auckland, bad religion, Epitaph Records, Fat wreck chords, Live, Music, New Zealand, NOFX, Pour Habit, punk, Review, Town Hall
New Zealand doesn’t get too many bands visit from overseas, let alone two heavy-weights at one single show. So when news broke earlier this year that Bad Religion and Nofx would play the Auckland Town Hall together, the punk scene was stoked.
Name any modern punk band and either Bad Religion or Nofx influenced their sound or gave them their break. Both bands born in the earlier 1980s, they have led the way for countless other bands, and are still going strong as Nofx surpasses 25 years and 30 years beckon for Bad Religion.
One of the hordes of bands who owe a lot to these pioneers is Pour Habit, a recent Fat Wreck Chords signing, who opened the Town Hall show. Hailing from Compton, CA, Pour Habit is really unlike most punk bands we see on our shores. Soundwise, the vocalist, an acrobatic African American, reminds me of early Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), and the band is heavy, with souring Strung Out-esque guitar solos and thunderous drumming.
Considering punk is usually about equality, acceptance and (sometimes) inclusiveness, it is a shame the scene isn’t more diverse. Hopefully Pour Habit will break more stereotypes and entice more non-whiteys away from rap and RnB and towards punk.
On to the main show, and the self-proclaimed “Sultans of Slander” took to the stage. Well known as a band who talk a lot between songs Nofx did not stray from convention, with more talk than Muammar al-Gaddafi at the United Nations before they’d even played a note, with Fat Mike quipping the instruments were “props”. Apart from a few exceptions the band played a very different setlist than previous visits, which would have pleased those who had seen them before, but likely disappointed new-comers to the band. Nonetheless the band played with enthusiasm and got nothing less from the packed crowd, with mayhem on the floor and the balconies.
With all the banter and a few rubbish songs performed, Nofx could have thrown in The Decline or a few other crowd pleasers, but with Nofx, fans should understand to expect no more than 70 or so percent.
Bad Religion took up their positions on the stage and got right into Los Angeles is Burning. They sounded flat and unenthusiastic. The single was followed by much debate and a hasty sound check. The crowd got restless but the work was worth it, as the sound was greatly improved as was the attitude of the band. Bad Religion came to please and so wanted the best sound possible. Many songs were made heavier, with the guitars producing the heaviest-sounding palm-muting imaginable, which gave the songs extra fury. Drummer Brooks Wackerman was a marvel, beyond describable. Surprisingly Bad Religion only played one track of their latest album New Maps of Hell (2007), instead playing several from Recipe for Hate, the Grey Race and many from the early 1980s.
Next year should see a new album from the world’s greatest band, and if we’re lucky, having found a shores for the first time in only 2007, Bad Religion will be back. If they do, don’t miss it for the world, as they are one hell of a fine live band.
Filed under: Music | Tags: Let the Dominoes Fall, Music, punk, Rancid, Review
Barring an exception release over the remaining months of 2009, Rancid’s Let the Dominoes Fall is the album of the year. After a six year hiatus, Rancid have come back with a new drummer and an album worthy of their fine back catalogue.
Rancid do something few bands their age have. Each album, apart from perhaps their first two, differs greatly from their others. This means the band do not sound tired and are able to take inspiration from different genres without losing their core sound or fans. Let the Dominoes Fall has the rough rock n roll feel of their early sound, the radio friendly song writing and style of Out Come the Wolves, the reggae and ska infusion of Life Won’t Wait, the energy, grit and passion of Rancid 2000 and the soul and hip hop attitude of Indestructible.
Tim and Lars give Matt Freeman another chance on vocals in several songs and his voice never sounded so good, or rather appropriate, especially on LA River. The band’s ode to New Orleans is fantastic, but this really is an album of many highlights and few, if any, fillers. Typical to form the album has 19 tracks, so there is a lot of listening to be done.
If you haven’t already bought this album, make sure to purchase the special edition with acoustic bonus track. Sceptical of how well Rancid songs could make the switch to unplugged, I was surprised about how listenable the 12 track bonus CD is. Great for road trips through the countryside!
Definitely worth the wait.
Filed under: Music | Tags: Coaster, Fat wreck chords, Music, NOFX, punk, Review
The first NOFX album I bought was Pump up the Valium. I couldn’t stand it. I was just getting into punk, having moved on from the Blink 182s and Green Days, but NOFX was not for me. Where’s the intro, verse, chorus, verse, etc. formula? After a few listens I gave up on NOFX.
NOFX was an acquired taste for me that I eventually became addicted to. I picked up their back catalogue and eagerly awaited new releases. Their latest, Coaster, has left me wondering whether they are past it though.
It’s not that musically it isn’t good. El Hefe and Melvin’s trademark licks and palm muted riffs are there in abundance. Fat Mike can play the bass like few in the business and Smelly is still a killer drummer.
It’s just a bit same old, same old.
Fat Mike is still singing about drinking and hating on religion. Sometimes it works; I am an Alcoholic and Blasphemy (the Victimless Crime), sometimes it doesn’t; First Call and Best God in Show. These songs aren’t bad; they’re just not that good. Mediocore – if you will.
The highlight is My Orphan Year. Unfortunately all too little really stands out as exceptional.
Coaster is the first NOFX album since Valium I have put in stereo, listened to for half a dozen times and then left in its case on the rack for several months.
I have on several occasions rewritten this review. It appears the album is slowly growing on me…
Filed under: Music | Tags: anti flag, Music, People or the Gun, punk, Review
As a fan of this band for many years I may be something of an exception in their older fanbase. When The People of the Gun was released, while many older fans heralded the Pittsburgh four-piece’s return to a minor label and to their earlier sound, I was mourning a lost opportunity for the band.
Don’t get me wrong – I love their older stuff. But after the fairly experimental Bright Lights of America, which was a bit hit and miss (many songs were perhaps too long), I was excited to see where the band would go. Instead of pushing the punk envelope, Anti-Flag opted to revert back to their sound of old, which fails for me, because their bratty and sometimes naive protest songs just don’t seem to apply to a band that should have matured. If I want to hear something off Underground Network, Die for the Government, or Mobilize, I’ll put on those albums.
The People and the Gun is a quality record, although there are a few low lights and even fewer highlights. Some of the album is painful, such as the lyrically pathetic The Economy is Suffering – Let it Die, but there are glimpses of brilliance. The Gre(A)t Depression is refreshing on the album for its creativity, while still possessing the Anti-Flag singalong typical of their back catalogue, and When all the Lights go out could fit in on any of their previous albums such is it the quintessential Anti-Flag song.
Filed under: Music | Tags: Audience of One, Concert, Hero of War, Live, Powerstatio, Prayer of the Refugee, punk, Re-Education (through labor), Review, Rise Against, Stainglass and Marble, State of the Union, Swing Life Away
Previously of the Chicago hardcore underground scene, Rise Against is no longer under the radar. Their latest album, Appeal to Reason, made it all the way to number three on the Billboard 200 in the States, and their latest single Audience of one is played on even the most commercial pop radio station. Punk elite may slate the band as sell outs, but when seen live it is evident that the passion and grit evident in their first album, The Unravelling, remains.
Having seen RA a couple of times before, I knew what to expect before their Powerstation show in Auckland. However, the crowd at the latest show was very different to their previous shows, with many dressed as though they were going clubbing as opposed to a punk show, indictive of how much this band had connected to a different audience of recent years, or even just months. Accordingly, their new songs were greated with cheers from the fashionably attired, whereas the earlier tracks were met with some bewilderment. From their first album, Stainglass and Marble bought the diehard old fans charging forward to scream the song in unison, whereas Re-education, Audience of One and others from Appeal to Reason got the younger fans singing along.
While some bands fail to take their songs from the studio to the stage, RA has no such problem. Vocalist Tim McIlrath’s voice never fails, replicating even the persistant, yet audio, scream of State of the Union as capably as on the original recording. After a lengthy set, the band left the stage, before returning with acoustic guitars to perform the awesome Hero of War, and the crowd favourite Swing Life Away. The volume picks up for three more encore songs, ending on the passionate Prayer of the Refugee, before the band depart and the house lights herald the end of an entertaining Tuesday night.
Sales of the band’s first four albums must have increased after that show, after the punkrock virgins got their first taste of what real live music sounds and looks like.
Filed under: Music | Tags: Che fu, Concert, Coroglen Tavern, Coromandel, Elemeno P, Kiwi, Music, New Zealand, Review, Supergroove, Whitianga
Initially I thought $55 to see two Kiwi bands at the Coroglen Tavern was really steep. Following Elemeno P’s set I was still feeling a little ripped off. An hour later I knew I had got my money’s worth.
When I was 10 I listened to whatever my dad listened to. Whilst I was listening to Cat Stevens and Meatloaf, the rest of the kids in my standard 4 class were listening to Supergroove. Eventually I caught up, hearing their hit songs on the radio, but by then they had broken up.
Recently reformed, Supergroove play their famous songs like it was the early nineties. Che Fu has an incredible voice which is accompanied well live by the large enthusiastic and talented band. The energy which flowed throughout their diverse set was topped of by a band member climbing onto the rafters during scorpio girl. It was bedlam.
Elemeno P were good, but I found them lacking. Sometimes I think this band doesn’t really know what genre they should be playing and they do none well. Apart from the well known radio songs, and including some of them, I found them a bit boring, until they lifted the tempo. Many of their slower songs do not come across well live and they didn’t have the energy I expected. When followed up by Supergroove this was really exposed.
With a mix of old and new, hits and solo Che Fu, the crowd were treated to everything Supergroove had to offer. The crowd was as diverse as the songs played, from those who had probably seen them the first time round to those who had only discovered them this millenium.
It might be Crowded House or the Exponents who you hear at the cricket or every waterfront bar in the country, but Supergroove is the quintessential Kiwi band. Missing them is a greater cost than any ticket price.
Filed under: Music, Politics | Tags: anti flag, Australia, Election, New Zealand, Politics, punk, Rise Against, Tour
Pittsburgh’s Anti-Flag were to offer New Zealanders an avenue to let off some energy and some political rage on December 3, but according to their website they will be postponing their Australian and New Zealand tour “until further notice” due to “circumstances beyond our control”, whatever that means. Looking at the upcoming overseas schedule they won’t be returning until at least the middle of next year. Holders of tickets are advised to return to place of purchase and get a refund.
I was looking forward to this show like nothing else. Not just because the two previous times I have seen them were for pathetically short slots at festivals, and not just because even during these short shows they totally kicked arse, but because I was looking forward to running around in a sweaty mosh pit full of like minded individuals singing political slogans at the top of my lungs. How better to get over being sold out by your countrymen and women? Man I love this band!
Oh well, I suppose I’ll be waiting for Rise Against on March 31 then.
Filed under: Music | Tags: punk, New Zealand, Fat wreck chords, Me first and the gimme gimmes, Auckland, Lagwagon, Joey Cape, Hardcore, Brick v Face, Full Nelsen, King's Arms
Ringing in the ears and a sore throat are indicative of one of two things. Either you have been screaming for your brother to turn down his stereo pumping techno, or you have been singing along to one of your favourite bands at the top of your voice. Tonight I have done the latter, as I have just got home from watching California punk band Lagwagon rock Auckland’s King’s Arms.
A diverse crowd turned up tonight with one singular intention: to see one of Fat Wreck Chord’s seminal acts, a band whose Auckland performance a few years back was, according to many, one of the best punk shows ever on our fine but distant shores. So when I heard Lagwagon were playing Auckland, I had to see them for myself. (more…)
Filed under: Music, New Zealand Election 08, Philosophy, Politics | Tags: Asset sales, Deregulation, Election 2008, Environmental Degradation, Human Rights, Labour, National, New Zealand, Politics, Positive thinking, Protest, punk, Roger Douglas, Students
It never feels good when you lose. Every four years New Zealand grieves after yet another All Black World Cup early exit. However this hurts more. Because it actually matters! The only person who risks losing their job after an All Black loss is the coach, whereas more must be a little uncertain now. The environment is going to get shafted, as will workers rights and equality for minorities. But what can you do? The country has spoken, even if no one can really justify their vote for National. “Change” seemed to be all that people wanted, regardless what that might actually mean. Churchill was clearly right when he said the best argument against democracy is talking to the average voter for five minutes, but then he also said it is the best system we’ve got. Times like this it doesn’t feel like the case though. Gone is one of our most competent and experienced Prime Ministers, exchanged for a money trader with no prior interest in politics. Act has grown, taking with them New Zealand’s most hated politician ever into government. It’s going to be hard but I want to look at the silver lining. (more…)
Filed under: Music, Philosophy | Tags: Acoustic, Appeal to Reason, Billboard 200, Hero of War, Music, punk, Rise Against, Song
I believe music is a means of communication. A song should have a message, it should tell a story. The listener should feel something; anger, happiness, sorrow, humour, anything. A great song should make you think, either about the artist who wrote it, or what they were rtying to convey. The best songs should really get to you emotionally and/or intellectually, it should change your opinions, challenge your beliefs, or bring a tear to your eye.
Earlier this week I purchased the new album from Rise Against Appeal to Reason. I reviewed it for this blog and TWN. Track 10 is the greatest song ever written. Not only is ‘Hero of War’ beautifully sung and performed, it has the most powerful lyrics ever. Tim McIlrath’s voice is so genuine, you really believe he is the soldier in the song. If Rise Against wanted to top the charts, this track should be the next single released on this already successful album (open #3 on billboard 200) so the whole world can hear it. It really is that good in my mind. This is what music is really about, not faux-lesbians, gansta-rivalries or obnoxious mindless bass thumps. Amberleigh Jack, this is the song I will play my children.
Filed under: Music | Tags: Appeal to Reason, Australia, New Zealand, punk, Re-Education (through labor), Rise Against, Siren Song to Counter Culture, Sufferer and the witness
The anticipation of listening to one of your favourite band’s latest albums for the first time is a thrill I expect I share with most music lovers. Rise Against’s Appeal to Reason will do well to impress, following 2006’s exceptional Sufferer and the Witness. From the get-go, The Sufferer and the Witness caught the listener’s attention, with epic anthems demanding you sing along at the top of your lungs. In fact, this rings true of all their previous releases. On first listen of Appeal to Reason, however, there doesn’t seem to be that same attraction. The songs overall are very good; Rise Against is arguably one of the most consistently good punk bands around, rarely putting a foot wrong. However, Rise Against is truly great when they mix it up, and some of the tracks on Appeal to Reason are a bit formulaic and on first listen, there are only a few surprises.
After giving the album another listen, I start to feel I may have been a bit harsh on Appeal to Reason. The band has grown since Sufferer and the Witness and whilst the signature sound is clearly dominant, the band has matured in its song writing. There are still the sing-alongs that make this band so great live, but greater detail has gone into the song structure and to the guitar riffs, pulling in the listener with catchy hooks. (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: Andy Strachan, Auckland, Big Day Out, Chris Cheney, Melbourne, Music, punk, Scott Owen, The Living End
Mt Smart stadium, that’s where! If the first announcements are anything to go by, this should a sweet Big Day Out! Yeah, Neil Young should be cool, Prodigy are kind of cool live and the Artic Monkeys should be fun, but there is one reason why you should be at next years festival.
The Living End!
E-boogie/Second Solution
Filed under: Music, Philosophy, Politics | Tags: America, anti flag, bad religion, Election 2008, Mad Caddies, New Zealand, No use for a name, NOFX, Politics, Propagandhi, punk, Rise Against, Strike Anywhere, Strung out, Suicide Machines, Vote
As elections loom in New Zealand and the United States, some songs become particularly relevant. Before I cast my vote on November 8th, my MP3 player will probably be playing Bad Religion’s “I want to conquer the world”, or “You are the government”. I fear the following day it might be “Fuck Armageddon, this is hell”! I think American’s would be best listening to Nofx’s “The idiots are taking over”, with a line that could almost refer to Sarah Palin. Hopefully they will be playing a more optimistic song the following day!
Alright, here are my top ten (modern) punk songs to vote to: (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: punk, anti flag, New Zealand, Australia, Fat wreck chords, Me first and the gimme gimmes, Lagwagon, Joey Cape, May 16
Sure I’m a little slow on this, I have been slack, but I’m keen to draw people’s attention to what should be a killer show. Hot the heals of the announcement Pittsburgh punkers Anti-Flag are heading to our shores later in the year, Fat Wreck’s Lagwagon are touring in November. I haven’t seen these guys, so I am really looking forward to this one. From what I’ve heard they are awesome live and totally went off when they were here a few years back. I wasn’t that keen on them then, for some reason, so I’m something of a late convert to these guys. Anyway i saw the Gimmes in January and Joey has a lot of fun on stage, so I assume they should be a blast to see as well. They are touring in support of their latest EP “I think my brother used to listen to Lagwagon”, which I have to get my hands on and possibly review (or Amberleigh). Hell I only have “Hoss” and the “live in a dive” album, but I’m pretty stoked for this one. Should make for a pretty sweet summer, especially if we get some good genre acts turn up for the BDO ‘09. (more…)
Filed under: Music, religion | Tags: Acoustic, American Lesion, bad religion, Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin, Music, New Maps of Hell, punk, Review
The cynics among us sees re-releases of albums as little more than poorly disguised attempts to squeeze every last cent from adoring fans. Bad Religion’s deluxe edition of 2007’s New Maps of Hell, is more than just a slipcase, an artwork booklet, a bonus DVD and a couple of “classic” posters.
The original 16-track album was, arguably, the punk album of 2007, despite concerns from some fans they had sold out, after the first single “Honest Goodbye” showed a slower, softer side to the band. Such fears were allayed, however, as the album mixed the passion and pace of their eighties’ releases and the precision and song quality of their later albums. The classic Bad Religion sound rings throughout, from the vocal backing “oozin’ aahs”, the fast power-chords, the melodic leads, to the thunderous trademark drumming.
So is it worth fans buying the deluxe edition if they already own the original album? (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: anti flag, Auckland, Australia, Big Day Out, Bright Lights of America, Charity, Die for the Government, Gigs, New Zealand, Politics, punk, Rip it Up, Taste of Chaos
Anyone who checked this band out at this year’s Big Day Out or Taste of Chaos a few years back will be excited about the news that Anti-Flag is returning to New Zealand and Australia in December. Considering both those shows the band played as many tracks as possible in the short-length sets the band were allotted, they should be exceptional at their own headlining shows. I understand the gigs are likely to be charity shows, where the band asks fans to bring something to donate to the chosen local charity. I reckon this is awesome, because it is one thing to see a band sing about caring and politics and shit, but this is an active way to make a difference, involve fans and help the community the band is touring in. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, Music, Philosophy | Tags: Blink 182, Bob Geldoff, Joe Strummer, Journalism, Journey, Music, Music Journalism, Pink Floyd, Violent Femmes
It’s a little disconcerting to want to describe the days surrounding a funeral as some of the ‘best nights’ in a very long time. But that’s exactly what this week has been. It’s been a time of catching up with old crowds – some I haven’t seen in years, some I didn’t care to – and reminiscing about the old days.
One moment of the past few days has stuck in my mind and so I figured it’s the perfect time to finally make that first post I was invited to months ago (yes, I’m a slack bastard).
The other night while a few of us were chilling on a couch, over a few beers and stories, others were in another room, a bedroom converted into a studio, creating a track in memory of the one who had passed.
And it got me thinking, and it got us talking, about the insane amount of power that something as simple as music can have. (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: anti flag, bad religion, Crass, Dead Kennedys, Frenzal Rhomb, Mad Caddies, Me first and the gimme gimmes, Minor Threat, Music, NOFX, pennywise, Politics, Propangandhi, punk, Punk is dead, Ramones, Rancid, religion, Rise Against, Sex Pistols, Strike Anywhere, Strung out, The Clash, The Living End, Transplants, UK Subs
What the punk?
“Yes that’s right, punk is dead
It’s just another cheap product for the consumers head
Bubblegum rock on plastic transistors
Schoolboy sedition backed by big time promoters
CBS promote the Clash
Ain’t for revolution, it’s just for cash
Punk became a fashion just like hippy used to be
Ain’t got a thing to do with your or me” Punk is Dead – Crass
“Punk died in the 1980s. I wish they’d stop trying to resurrect it. I’ve debated this over and over. Punk is dead, kids. Get over it.” Urban dictionary
“Punk rock isn’t any more alive and thriving today than psychedelic rock or new wave. As far as the broader culture is concerned, it’s been dead for awhile and it ain’t coming back.” J.P. Gorman
Is punk dead? Having now fractured into so many sub-genres, it can be easy to see why people would look back 20-30 years if asked what music is punk. Additionally, considering the only punk music that gets any real exposure is pop punk, with lyrics typically about romance or bratty teenagers, or emo, which I will refrain from attacking, it is understandable that many people would believe the punk ethos to have either died, or to have dispersed elsewhere. However my friends, punk is not dead. It has, however, evolved and thankfully matured from its chaotic and often unintelligent infancy. (more…)
Filed under: Music, Philosophy, Quotes, religion | Tags: atheism, Atheist, bad religion, Belief, Bible, Brett Gurewitz, Christian, Christianity, Dark Ages, Evangelical, Evolution, Evolutionary Biology, Faith, Greg Graffin, Inquisition, Lyrics, Materialist, Music, Pascal's wager, Philosophy, religion
Every week I like to post quotes I have come across that I find thought provoking or sum up my opinion on something succinctly, and with wit. Instead, for a change, I’m going to occasionally select half a dozen songs that reflect my views on some particular issue. I’m going to start with my favourite band, on a topic of interest to me.
Here is Bad Religion on faith, God and atheism.
Bad Religion, as the name might suggest, are fairly critical of religion in their songs. That is perhaps an understatement! But instead of the mindless anti-religious abuse some bands have popularised, Bad Religion’s objections are considered and reasoned. This may have something to do with the bands front man Greg Graffin having a doctorate in evolutionary biology, but even before he obtained his degree the band has made intelligent philosophical statements in their music. Song writing duties are split between vocalist Graffin and guitarist Brett Gurewitz, and both musicians are equally capable of writing thought provoking intelligent lyrics.
So perhaps in the way the religious people reaffirm their beliefs through song, Bad Religion has written the perfect hymns for non-believers. However, Greg says in the song “No direction”, “no Bad Religion song can make your life complete”. They can make you stop and think though.
I’ve decided to be quite selective and only choose half a dozen Bad Religion songs, although there are of course many more to choose from. I’ve chosen no more than one from any one album, and added my interpretation of what I feel the song conveys. Enjoy. (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: Australia, Blackhawks over Los Angeles, Fat wreck chords, Feel good record of the year, Gig, Live, New Zealand, No use for a name, Nufan, punk, Strung out
In light of the announcement that Californian punk heavyweights No use for a name and Strung out are making their way to New Zealand and Australia in June, I reviewed the bands’ latest releases, Strung out’s “Blackhawks over Los Angeles” and No use for a name’s “The feel good record of the year”. This is a show that punk fans should not miss, as both these bands are amazing live. (more…)
