When Toronto’s Pkew Pkew Pkew released their debut self titled album back in 2016, it was the perfect (almost to a cliche) pop-punk album with catchy sing-along songs about skating, ordering pizza, and partying. Yes it was completely mindless, but incredibly fun. After 3 years they’re finally back, releasing their sophomore album Optimal Lifestyles earlier […]
Antagonize – Demo
Like most older hardcore fans, I was pretty devastated when Bane decided to call it quits as they were easily one of my favorites and a mainstay in hardcore. So it’s a bit surprising that Bane vocalist Aaron Bedard’s latest project Antagonize has mostly been flying under the radar. Boston’s Antagonize released a 5 song […]
Direct Hit! – Crown Of Nothing
Wisconsin-based punks Direct Hit are back with their fourth full length Crown Of Nothing recently released on October 26th through Fat Wreck, and I have seriously been listening to this one AT LEAST once a day. You fans of Direct Hit know what to expect by now: catchy as all fuck pop-punk mixed with plenty […]
Sick Shit – Thick Spit
I recently caught New Jersey’s hardcore band Sick Shit play in a dingy bar basement in Trenton with PEARS, and I was completely blown away. So much so, that after catching their set I quickly grabbed their EP Thick Spit. Released in March this year and recorded in central Jersey (yes it exists you north […]
Swingin Utters – Peace And Love
For as long as they’ve been playing, California’s Swingin Utters are of the most criminally underrated bands around. Formed back in the late 80s, Swingin Utters have made a name for themselves over the past 30 years with their raucous rock and roll infused, no bullshit punk rock. I’ve been a pretty big fan ever […]
Off With Their Heads Live In Philly (7/26/18)
This past Thursday, I headed to Philly’s intimate batting cages Everybody Hits to catch one of my favorite punk bands around Off With Their Heads. It’s been almost 2 years since I’ve last seen them when they opened for The Bouncing Souls, and it’s been at least 5 years since I’ve seen them actually headline […]
Jeff Rosenstock Live In Asbury Park (7/24/18)
When your friends are buying starter homes with their accomplishments, driving 3.5 hours on a Tuesday for a show can seem childish and embarrassing. Yet this past Tuesday night I made the trek to Asbury Park’s House of Independents to catch Jeff Rosenstock play a sold out show. As expected, the 500 person venue was […]
The Interrupters – Fight The Good Fight
Well here’s something I haven’t said since 1998, but this year has been a surprisingly good year for ska. My latest ska obsession has been The Interrupters 3rd and latest studio album Fight The Good Fight. The female fronted Los Angeles four piece is comprised of Bivona brothers Kevin, Justin, and James featuring Aimee Interrupter […]
Bouncing Souls, Iron Reagan, Crazy & The Brains Live In Lancaster, PA (5/12/18)
On a stormy, tornado watch Saturday night, I headed out to Lancaster, PA’s Chameleon Club to catch my favorite NJ mooches The Bouncing Souls since they weren’t making a Philly stop. I haven’t been to Chameleon Club in a good 11 years since I last saw Streetlight Manifesto there back in 2007, and the long […]
Streetlight Manifesto Keasby Nights Show Live In Asbury Park (5/4/18)
There exists a few bands and albums that are considered sacred to us New Jersey punks who were teenagers around the time that Y2K was going to unleash the nukes and kill us all. The Bouncing Souls (obviously), Lifetime, and if you were one of the nerds who liked to flaunt the checkerboard pattern, Catch […]