The Manges- Florida EP

2015 hasn't been void of The Manges. Which is a good thing because I'd be a very blue Resident Riff Randell if it were otherwise. I was all smiles to see the "Acid Beaters" split come to it's full potential and finally get pressed to vinyl, then everything in my little universe beamed with joy to see them join forces with Cj Ramone to make a gem of a 7"... but the story of all they could accomplish this year isn't over yet. In order for the pulse of punk rock to remain strong, the truest of hearts need to be present and lucky for us, Manuel, Mass, Andrea, and Mayo get that. To say my anticipation has been growing since they wrapped recording in the Summer would be a pretty giant understatement. Ever since getting a preview of the songs in Andrea's living room because I'm a major brat(it's true!), then seeing some of them get played live in October, it pushed that through the atmosphere and I've had them in my head ever since. Take notice because a beautiful day has arrived, punk rockers. Our heroes from Las Pezia are back with a brand new release called "Florida EP"!

It's always wise to stay the course with a good thing, and that's why the guys returned to Brescia,Italy during August to record once again at T.U.P. Studio. I make no secret of my admiration for Brown Barcella who in a modern world, keeps things at a fundamental level of beauty. Staying in tradition for The Manges to evolve in respect to their sound each time they record, changes were made and he effortlessly moved with them. Once that part was handled, the songs went over to The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO and WOW. Andrew Berlin(mixing) and Jason Livermore(mastering) turned the already lovely product into a finished masterpiece. I have been falling all over myself since the first time I heard this EP for how dynamic yet completely refined it sounds. Best sound quality for the year that I've heard, hands down. The cover is an effort that comes from within the band and was designed by Andrea. A very America in  the 80's picture of Ronald Reagan joined by Mickey Mouse and some lovely people is spot on aligned to the title and Manges style too. Mass did the layout! Today marks the digital release of the songs which can be purchased on iTunes or bandcamp where they are streaming in full. You can also find them on Spotify so do yourself a favor and go press play on the method of your choice if you've not done so yet! For those of you like myself who worship at the church of vinyl and can only be held over with MP3s for so long, do not fret!! The LP that comes with a CD as well can be ordered through my favorite American source for quality releases, Eccentric Pop Records and if you are overseas, the fine people of Striped Music have you covered!! This first pressing is a super limited run of 500 copies on blue wax. 300 are for  America, and 200 are for Europe so don't sleep on it and be stuck waiting for the second! Eccentric Pop has also printed a VERY SMALL run of 40 posters featuring an alternate cover. These high quality, gorgeous prints will be given out at random and only people who pre-order(closing on January 10th) have a chance to get them. Everything will start rolling with shipping by mid January.

When you hear Mass boom out a "1-2-3-4!", it's on, and something wonderful is about to take place. All levels are louder compared to "All Is Well". This is especially noted with the distortion but even still, the band is still offering something fresh in their delivery. Shifting gears like they always do, but still holding true to their identity and this is essential to our beloved genre's survival! Case and point. The average listener will stunt their experience of what the Ramones truly did as a whole to just the limits of their early material, but in that mistake there's a magnitude of brilliance from each move they made up until the end that's being missed. The Manges are one of the very few longstanding punk rock bands who actually give honor to this philosophy that things should always grow by means of their evolution and I think it is beautiful. "Guinea Pig" is one minute and thirty two seconds of playful fun. It shows you what this band is all about with very little in the lyrics like a song from 70's but carries such a fullness from each part of the machine that is them. I love the little break towards the end that kicks Manuel's skill as such a badass drummer out to the front and then the ending is very Durango 95. That puts little hearts in my eyes but there's no time to dwell because the gem called "Cartoon Democracy"is next. Holy shit I was freaking out over how masterfully the studios brought Andrea's voice through the first time I heard this one. A true vocalist loses no steam as the years go by and he is proof of that. This song is one that belongs to anyone lyrically with the stresses of day to day life and the simplicity of what we all really want in the end. There's a fantastic video they made for it too which very much is a love letter to fans everywhere(click here to see it)! My number one pick for the EP comes on to close this side. "Body Bags 2" is one in a million against every single song I've ever heard for a variety of reasons starting with the lyrics that are a poetic display of honesty. I love the line about Chuck Cunningham syndrome. I think we all wish for that at one point or another in our lives. Then there's the arrangement that is just pristine to me from the way Andrea's vocals carry the melody all the way through, the bridge, the keyboards, and then the solo that perfectly shines. Absolute gem! Side B comes on tough in sound and "H.E.A.D" has to be one of the coolest expressions of devotion for a band that I've ever heard. There's so many great references of tribute in the verses with a good sense of humor about trying to reach them for a t-shirt and the seemingly endless wait for a response. "Number One Hit" is very lighthearted, super tongue in cheek. Simply a well arranged, catchy song about selling out and the ladies of the Crimson Vipers join in at the end for some gang vocals. The last track of the six, "Space Chimp Apollo" is a very close second for being my favorite! Sci-fi themes are always welcome. The story in this song bases around the bizarre firsthand experience of a chimp sent to space who travels out so far in time that he gains infinite powers and knowledge makes it such a strong closer. 

Only six songs from a band I love so much seems like it could be such a tease but I can say with total confidence that I think The Manges accomplished something very special here. With only six songs, they were able to make the same mark as any band who recorded a full length this year did and more as far as I'm concerned. Depending on your geographical location, click on the links I added to Eccentric Pop or Striped's names above and place your order before it's out of stock which I have the feeling will happen pretty quickly. 2015 has passed and as I look to 2016, I still believe in hope for punk rock's survival because of people The Manges. I always will as long as they're around.

The Manges are...

Mass- Bass

Manuel- Drums

Andrea- Vocals/Guitar

Mayo- Guitar 

with synth by Alessio Lonati and backing vocals on "Number One Hit" by Crimson Vipers Roller Derby Bergamo

All songs written by The Manges(A. Caredda S.I.A.E. 2015)

Tracks 

Side A

1. "Guinea Pig"

2. "Cartoon Democracy"

3. "Body Bags 2"

Side B

4. "H.E.A.D."

5. "Number One Hit"

6. "Space Chimp Apollo"

The Ponches- HUM

I love it when I'm totally caught off gaurd with a band. It doesn't happen very often! While I've turned my attention to and appreciated The Ponches for now a few years since first hearing The Long Goodbye, I really had zero idea what I was in for when I walked into Cox 18 to watch a show in Milan last October. I was excited to see them but so unaware at the same time of how powerful they really are. As they started to play, their wall of sound first hit me from behind as I was talking to a friend. I could do nothing else but turn around and let the magnetic draw of what they were doing pull me in. Off to the side of the stage, I fell head over heels in love with this quartet based out of Ferriera, Italy that night and it was so cool to see the songs I'd been listening to for all this time then some from their latest record too be played live! They've been together for ten years, always taking the next step every time they walk out of the studio and "HUM" is a little piece of punk rock brilliance I want to make sure you know about today.

The songs were recorded and mixed during early Spring at New Mood Recording Studio by Frederic Mazzei who also took on the role of producer. The end result between The Ponches and Frederic sonically is beautiful. But it's no secret that he is always reliable for quality work! I gotta say the first thing to draw my interest before any songs were revealed is the cover art for "HUM". I actually brought it up with Lorenzo in Milan and I thought it was very cool to discover that the artist used was one that doesn't typically go with this genre of music. Costin Chioreanu, who is based out of  Bucharest, Romania has an extensively long background as creator of imagery for mainly metal bands but his vision adapted quite well for this cover. Essentially focusing in around the concept of UVB-76 radio waves, the seemingly endless line of hypnotized figures against a somewhat bleak, but beautifully shaded sky along with the tower make it one of my absolute favorites for this year. Official release happened on August 31st, 2015 and it was a joint effort between One Chord Wonder and Monster Zero. It is available on either CD or LP(download included), and digital only can be found on the OCW bandcamp page where all 12 amazing songs are streaming in full.  

Absorbed is the perfect word for the state I fall into every time I hear the all too unique sound of The Ponches. That fondness is a result of their being everything I know and don't at the same time. While they stay in patterns my heart is faithful to such as their consistency to keep songs below or rarely above the two minute mark like a good punk rock song should be, the sound then branches out to it's own presence. While holding a steady melodic character, there's this super heavy fullness with a darker undertone that takes the punk rock they play to another level and it's breathtaking to me. Especially on a pair of headphones where this record has seemed to be appearing lately whenever I'm out in the world running errands and would rather hear something worthwhile opposed to the general public! All of these points are heard right from the first 20 seconds of Side A. "Through The End" is very classic, fast paced, and direct in it's presentation but the lyrics give it another layer with their introspection. All parts fit together like a machine and Alessandro's voice is powerful, holding a vulnerable beauty like always. I think that's all I really needed to hear to be sold on this record but lucky for us, there's 11 more tracks. Another aspect of this band that I'm very into is that they have two equally as brilliant vocals that play well off of each other and you'll hear Lorenzo take the lead in "Got Sushi?!". Aside from being a talented drummer, he's got such a soulful quality to the way he sings. "Billy Milligan" follows and a great job is done encompassing the complexity of his multiple personalities in the lyrics, with some great leads played by Alberto, and it's all done in under a minute and a half! It's impressive how much they can fit in such a short space. One of my very favorites for the record, "The Russian Way" shows up at the end of this side and I'm smitten with it for a number of reasons from the bass line Tony plays that drives the mid-tempo pace to the lovely guitar parts and vocal harmonies too. Perfect arrangement! Side B starts like a punch and then leads into much more. "He Came From The Cold" is another absolute gem and then the first song that had me wanting this record immediately can be found as well. "UVB-76" was the song they previewed before release to introduce "HUM" and I loved it so much that I listened to it a dozen times right away. Almost like a love song for insanity, the lyrics are so cool, the vocals are goosebump inducing, and it really stands out as the most poppy track in this collection of songs. The closer, "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" is another of my favorites for it's well done bridge and it ties into the Billy Milligan story too.  

"HUM" is such an amazing little gem in this year's releases. It's a picture of a band that's been together for a decade and I hope they stay around for another because music only benefits from the presence of one as defined as The Ponches are. I'm so happy to own this record and if you've not picked it up yet, make sure to go place an order with One Chord Wonder or Monster Zero! Follow The Ponches on facebook for all upcoming transmissions. Surely whatever they do next will be worthy of your attention.

The Ponches are...

Alessandro as Zack- Vocals and Guitar

Lorenzo as Larry- Vocals and Drums

Alberto as Bolzo- Guitar

Antonio as Tony- Bass

All songs by The Ponches

Tracks

Side A 

1. "Through The End"

2. "Got Sushi?!"

3. "Billy Milligan"

4. "(See You) In A While"

5. "Shame, Same Shame"

6. "The Russian Way"

Side B

7. "Gettin' Jiggy With It"

8. "He Came From The Cold"

9. "Get It Barry!"

10. "Amazingly Useless"

11. "UVB-76"

12. "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere"

Rufus Recordings- Ramone Army Split

"Simplicity. This is the place I believe the greatest beauty can be spawned from and it is evident in looking to a date in history that was the start of it all. On March 30th, 1974 at Performance Studios in New York, four guys with nothing to lose unknowingly began to pave the way to something incredible. As layers of the bloated mess that was music's current state were burned down by their defiance, hope for Rock 'n' Roll was revealed in the ashes. With each move they made, Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny, and Tommy  made it apparent that they weren't just playing music. They were changing the world, one person at a time. One small club at a time. One country at a time. This is not just music but an institution, where those of us who are not willing to accept the mediocrity of excess find ourselves, and nothing is ever the same again. We are punk rockers, and The Ramones are the ones who turned the light on. In this way of life we see that anything is possible and more than forty years later, the message hasn't become any less sacred. If anything, it has become more urgent, as the music industry slowly turns into a gelatinous blob of auto-tuned and uninspired crap, but all hope is not lost! I see a passion that still burns so bright when I look to The Mugwumps in Austria, to the Rivelles in the USA,  to Tough and the Riccobellis in Italy, and then in Japan with the Nerdy Jugheads and the Woodcocks. All over the globe it exists and from bands to fans, each of us are the voice for this beautiful lineage. Together we make sure it is heard and keep the hope alive. We are the Ramone Army."

I've gotten to take part in lots of cool things but back in August, my friend Paco Rufus approached me with a request that I was completely honored by. I had known for quite some time that his label would be releasing a six way split with bands from every end of the international punk rock spectrum, and he asked me to take the privilege of writing the liner notes. It took me all of a nanosecond to happily reply with a "yes!", and the words above are what I wrote for a kick ass record called "Ramone Army".

Because there's multiple bands on here, I won't get into the individual recording processes other than saying Alex Roman did the final mastering but even with that omitted, wow! Look at that cover!! One thing I really love about this record label is the amount of attention they give to presentation. They most certainly go above and beyond to ensure what you see will be just as cool as what you hear and I was shrieking with Riff Randell-like glee when I first saw it. Dee Dee Ramone's head imposed onto the body of the Creature From The Black Lagoon, holding the severed head of Bono is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time haha! The rest of the layout is also very well done on the back cover with a picture of each band and no short cuts were made with the insert either. On one side you'll find my nerdy face in cartoon form which is made up for with a great picture of the four boys from Forrest Hills,NY and they make an additional appearance on the other side as cartoon zombies! It's a great illustration. Official release for this masterfully pieced together split happened on July 29th from Rufus Recordings and yes it does come with a download code if you purchase it through the label's bandcamp page where all the songs are streaming too! Go check them out.

With six bands, there's a lot of ground to cover but I'll touch on each one! Japan has a scene I admire greatly and having a band like the Woodcocks kick off Side A is a perfect example of why I feel this way. Comprised of members from Pelotan, the Hum Hums, and End Of Summer, Woodcocks offer very well composed pop punk songs with a heavy dose of harmony in the vocals that is wonderful. "Tell Me" is my favorite of theirs! No momentum is lost moving past that strong open because next up you'll hear my most favorite Austrian punk rockers, The Mugwumps showing up to steal your heart with very little effort. I always feel like I know their songs as well as my own pulse after one listen because they're that magnetic and I just adore the simple yet catchy as hell "Not Alone". "Psycho Pop" picks up a faster pace and rules too. Closing this side, we see the first appearance from a country that is mandatory to make an appearance if there is Ramone worship going on and you know I am talking about Italy. The Riccobellis start out with a sweet approach in my favorite of their two, "I Need You Anyway" and the Italian invasion is just getting started because Tough is waiting for you on the other side! Opening Side B, these are the remaining two songs from their last recording session with Stefanino and that makes me very happy. "Queen Of The Last Hole" veers off the well beaten path Tough usually takes, still powerful but varied in style and I think that makes it a cool choice for a release like this. Their cover of The Automatics' "Tokyo" is a great classic to go with and was also executed with lots of passion. Japan shows up again after them, this time in the form of The Nerdy Jugheads and they're just as vibrant as the Woodcocks! Fronted by Yoshi, they have an approach that is influenced by Warning Device era Teenage Bottlerocket and that is my favorite kind of TBR, but then lots of their own personality is added in. "I Don't Wanna Go Back To The Nuthouse" sticks to my brain like glue and I'm ok with that. Closing this six band presentation of true-hearted rock 'n' roll is the Rivelles! Formerly of Appleton,WI and now located in Spain, I've been a fan of these guys and gal for awhile. Their very true to the foundation style punk rock is always beautifully done and there's two great songs backing up that description. The Grease inspired "Sandy" is lots of fun and has a great solo but the buzzsaw "Revenge Mission" has all the punch of a first Ramones record track, and that makes it my favorite.

There has been lots of great individual releases this year but it's always nice to see these splits happen as an opportunity for those that might not be so well versed in all of these bands to get turned onto something new. Paco and Marta did a lovely job making this record happen so make sure to pick up a copy of your own from them soon, then check out their other inventory as well because they're running a ridiculously good promotion right now on the Rufus Recordings website! The Ramone Army is alive and well all over the world. That's a beautiful thing.

Side A

Woodcocks are...

Ryosuke- Guitar and Vocals

Tomorrow- Bass and Chorus

Hiroshi- Drums and Chorus

1. "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"

2. "Tell Me"

The Mugwumps are...

Chris- Guitar and Vocals

Hank- Bass

Andy- Drums

3. "Not Alone"

4. "Psycho Pop"

Riccobellis are...

Roby Riccobelli- Bass and Vocals

Dave Riccobelli- Drums

Simone Riccobelli- Guitar and Vocals

5. "I Need You Anyway"

6. "I'll Be Waiting For You"

Side B

Tough is...

Chris Polecat- Bass and Vocals

Robi Tuono- Guitar

Biso- Drums

7. "Tokyo"

8. "Queen Of The Last Hole"

The Nerdy Judheads are...

Yoshi Sucks- Guitar and Vocals

Yoshihito Memma- Guitar and Backing Vocals 

Ryo Saito- Bass and Backing Vocals

Kazu Bulgogi- Drums and Backing Vocals 

9. "I Don't Wanna Go Back To The Nuthouse"

10. "Chupacabra"

Rivelles are...

Matthew- Vocals and Bass

Kevin- Guitar and Vocals

Nickole- Drums

11. "Revenge Mission"

12. "Sandy"

Ratbones- Ratwars

As someone who likes to go past the surface of what's well known for the different international scenes that I'm into and is lucky enough to have quite a few friends in Italy, I first heard of Ratbones a couple years ago from my long time friend Andrea Imbalzano. That is a common thing for us, to constantly trade off new bands we think are cool and I was quick to appreciate their Ramones heavy influence that carried a lot of punchiness. The band went through some big shifts in personnel after their self titled album was released, parting ways with their lead singer and bassist but the story wasn't over! With the remaining elements of Ludo and Paolo, Andrea was added in to take on the role as bass player and this newly regrouped Genova/Milan lineup moved forward. They've been steadily playing shows but for someone on the outside like me, the time to hear what they've got has arrived in the form of a very cool 7" called "Ratwars".

The songs were recorded during September of 2014 at Evolution Studios in Ravenna, IT by Alex Bounty, then from there the songs were sent across the ocean to Johnny "Machine" Wilson to be mixed and mastered at FTLP Studios in Denver,CO. Between the brilliant talents of both Alex and Johnny, the finished product sounds very bold and fantastic! The cover art and layout were handled by my favorite graphic artist and always perfect man for the job, Riccardo Bucchioni. He's always got a great sense for tailoring imagery in a very precise way to every band he works with and for Ratbones, he did just that. I love the war rat! He looks mutated, super punk rock, and like something you'd probably want to avoid in a dark alley. Or any alley really. The colors are also very beautiful too. I can't ever say enough good things about his covers! On the back, there is a photo of the band shot by Marylita. Official release happened on October 2nd, 2015 and this is the first one out on I Buy Records with distribution by Monster Zero Records. It was pressed to black vinyl, comes with a download code, and digital only can be purchased on their bandcamp page where the songs are streaming in full. 

Since Ludo has always been the main force of creativity as far a songwriting is concerned for Ratbones, I wasn't too worried for the quality of the music to change but I was curious to see how this new shift with him moving to being lead vocalist would go. It didn't take me more than a few seconds to get right into this change with the first track on Side A called "Lost In East Berlin". Ludo sounds great, coming through with Andrea and Paolo with a much more polished presentation music wise. This is my favorite song on the record for it's We Want The Airwaves type feel. I actually listened to it a few times in a row the first time I ran through the songs because the arrangement is gorgeous from that steady palm muting that runs throughout, to the solo, to the keyboards Alex added in. I adore it! The pace picks up with the more aggressive "Operation Rebirth" that follows after. In a minute and a half it gets the job done not needing any overstatement, then it's time to flip to the next side. "Enemy In Me" also stays within that quick burst of tougher energy and has some nice changes. I love the way it leads into the chorus that makes it the standout for singing along. The last track is Andrea's first contribution as a songwriter and it takes a different turn with it's more romantic approach but it blends well. Definitely some early Screeching Weasel vibrations going on in there and I have no debate for that!

This is one of my most favorite 7"s of the year because in a time where it seems like many newer bands try to separate themselves from the importance from punk rock's great foundation in an effort to establish identity, we need ones that will carry on the tradition. That's exactly what Ratbones does, and very well at that so make sure to get a copy of this 7" for your collection! Stay tuned to their facebook page for all upcoming news and if you find yourself in the Seregno area on Saturday, well I am very jealous of your chance to see them play a show with the Manges and none other than the MIGHTY CJ Ramone himself! Punk rock isn't dead. You just gotta keep looking for it and these guys are proof of it.

Ratbones is...

Andre Ratbone- Bass, Backing Vocals

Ludo Ratbone- Vocals, Guitar

Paolo Ratbone- Drums

With keyboards on "Lost In East Berlin" and "Striped T-Shirt Girl" by Alex Bounty; and additional backing vocals by Johnny "Machine" Wilson

Side A

1. "Lost In East Berlin"(Ludo)

2. "Operation Rebirth"(Ludo/Sex Dario)

Side B

3. "Enemy In Me"(Ludo)

4. "Striped T-Shirt Girl"(Andre)

The Veterans- Qu4rtet

I was lost in thought the other day about visual art in contrast to music and how they connect. Both are obviously mediums that belong to the same family but the initial point of sensory for the two starts in different locations. With this separation of entry, the beauty is that they both end up in the same place, which is your heart. So the song becomes a painting, paintings become music and at the most complex, it really isn't because the end result is love. I laughed at myself for having this sort of magic Dee Dee kind of idea and then I thought about the two songs I was listening to in that moment. I've always loved The Veterans because they're like a work of art in motion. Two strong elements are always there to define their unmistakable presence which are Italian punk rock greats, Andrea Manges and Alex Bounty, but there's always a change in the way their sound is delivered each time they record. Never taking away from the quality of their songs, these shifts in presentation are what hold my interest so I was most definitely excited when I found out that they'd be releasing a new single. It's called "Qu4rtet" and that's what I'll be professing my admiration for today.

The songs were recorded during early 2015 by Alex Bounty in phases with the drums being captured at New Mood Studio, then the remaining parts at Evolution Studios, and Andrea's garage. When that process was finished, Alex pieced it all together with his great experience and the end result of sound is seamless. Upholding their reputation with great imagery, the cover for the 7" is lovely, featuring a photo shot in Playa Palancar, Mexico by Linda Pineapples and then the back has a great photo of this latest Veterans incarnation by Stefano "Tave" Righi. But it doesn't end there! As an added bonus, there is a gorgeous poster insert with an illustration designed by the incredible Riccardo Bucchioni who also did the layout for the entire design of this 7" accompanied by the lyrics to "Rocket Summer". I won't ruin the surprise too much but it's got everything you could think of in relation to the lyrics from a monkey, to hula girls, to rocket ships and I love it! I'll definitely be framing mine. Official release happened on November 11th by Striped Music and It's Alive Records, and yes! There is of course a download code included with the record that was pressed to black vinyl. Digital only is available through bandcamp where the songs are streaming in full so go press play now if you've not given them a listen yet!

Like their first release, I was head over heels for the last two singles that got revealed together, and was curious to see what they'd do from a standpoint of personnel on "Qu4rtet". The change this time was for things to stay a little more constant with the four members of Andrea, Alex, then Ally returning from the last session, and the new addition of Lorenzo on drums which I thought was perfect because he's such a creative force in his own band and an incredible talent too! Side A holds the original offering of "Rocket Summer". Like I said in my last piece for the show report in Italy, I absolutely find Andrea to be one of greatest poets punk rock has ever had and this song is a perfect example of why I feel that way. Taking a simple element of trust in a relationship, he mixes in sci-fi metaphor and it makes for such a beautiful gem lyrically. Sonically, it's also breathtaking with a very intricate arrangement that is spot on cohesive with their influences(Punk Rock, Surf Rock, Alternative). Very Beach Boys in it's pop sensibility and leaning even a little more towards alternative too this time with the way Alex layered in the guitars, reminiscent of 90's Weezer. That's something I can always become smitten with. This little more than three and a half minutes of perfection really is one of the most brilliant songs Andrea has ever written and makes it enough reason to buy the 7" multiple times but there's a B Side waiting to be discovered! Staying in tradition with choosing cool cover songs, they chose this time to do the very cool Go-Go's "The Whole World Lost Its Head" and it's perfectly done. I love the way Andrea can take anyone's song and imprint his persona into it well enough that it becomes his own which he did without fail this time and Ally stepped in to contribute the backing vocals. She did a great job!

This was a wonderful return for a band that's so much more than a side project for me and I think they will always be able to make something worth adding to your collection. Make sure to pick this gem up from either Striped or It's Alive and go press like on The Veterans facebook page if you haven't done so!  

The Veterans are....

Andrea Manges- Lead Vocals

Alex Bounty- Guitars

Ally from Teenage Bubblegums- Bass

Lorenzo from The Ponches- Drums

Tracks

Side A

Rocket Summer(Andrea Manges)

Side B

The Whole World Lost Its Head(Go-Go's)

Italy, KJ Jansen, and me

Two and a half years... I hadn't seen one face from Italy in that amount of time which was way too long!! Needless to say, on October 21st, I was full of anticipation to get back out to a location that feels more like home to me than lots of other places. After weeks and weeks of sunny skies, rain clouds were the first thing to greet me as I walked out the front door of my place that morning and I knew this would be no easy journey to my destination. After a 45 minute delay on the first flight caused my wait for a connection in DIA to grow from less than one to five hours and seeing enough tie dye t-shirts to make any self respecting punk rocker barf, I boarded a direct flight to Frankfurt. Praise Dee Dee for teaching me how to get my way inside of an airport minus the calling anyone motherfuckers part. Only he could do that!! From there I was just a short hop away from Milan and FINALLY, I made it. To the land of good coffee, pizza, beautiful architecture, many of my dearest friends, music I hold very dear, and handsome punk rockers. Italia Ti Amo.

   What I did on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of October. Time well spent! 

After finding my gracious host Chris Polecat at Malpensa, there wasn't much time to do anything else other than take a shower, get dolled, and head to Salsomaggiore. Specifically to the Devils Den because none other than KJ Jansen was playing an acoustic set there. This architect of 90's pop punk is so special to me and while I adore Chixdiggit, getting the opportunity to see him perform in a more stripped down way was something I was really looking forward to. Another part of going to this show that made me happy was finally getting to meet JC Atom, a friend and fellow writer for his own webzine Massoneria Ramonica which I love for the sense of honesty and humor he can always project each time he creates a new piece. After hanging out, meeting a few new faces, and of course getting reacquainted with good wine, KJ started to play, making an atmosphere only he can create. In all honesty... l can grow a little weary with pop punk heroes when they perform this way but KJ managed to become my favorite one in about two minutes. No fun you'd expect from one of his electric performances was missing and he was completely engaging as always, including everyone in the moment right from the start. That's what I love about this man. You're never in observation of his craft because he makes you a part of it.  I OF COURSE was in the bathroom when he played "I Remember You" which was one of the two songs I wanted to hear most but it was no huge loss because the whole set he played was filled with lots to smile for. There was a great cover of Cheap Trick's "Surrender"at the end, and our completely winsome pop punk superhero was finished for the night!!

    KJ and Tough at Sound Bonico.

KJ was perfect and I was so excited to know that after catching up on a little desperately needed sleep, I'd be seeing him again the next night in Piacenza. With his strong devotion to doing everything precisely on the day of a show he's playing, Chris and I were the first ones to arrive at Sound Bonico besides the staff and I got reacquainted with more good wine as he got the back line set up. Are you sensing a theme for this girl Dee Dee yet? Not long after, familiar faces began to arrive and then KJ joined by Diego. While KJ and Tough were announced on the bill, there was a pretty big secret in the works. Not only would they be playing their own sets but at the end of Tough's, KJ would come plug in with the guys to surprise everyone with an electric set of six Chixdiggit songs! Chris, Biso, and Robi as his backing band could only be a good thing. KJ went on to do his set, opening the night and was nothing short of fantastic once again as he effortlessly filled the room with his infectious charisma. Lots more smiles going and singing along. This was my favorite of the two sets I got to see him play and I recorded him doing "Brunette Summer" which you can see here! Next up it was time for Tough. I make no mystery when it comes to my love for this now part Piacenza, part Milan trio and this time I was just as excited as I was the last time I saw them in Rome. In true Ramones fashion, they wasted no time delivering what they do best, ripping through so many songs in a short amount of time including a nice range of selections from their discography. It was great to finally see the new ones from their Hurricane 7" in person and of course as always, yes I cried when they played "Hey Baby Monster". It happens!! In addition to all this, it was the first time I got to see them play live with Robi since he joined as guitarist and there was no surprise in how impressed I was with him. I've been crazy for that guy ever since the first time I heard Mega and he proved himself to be a total asset for Tough too. As things were closing for their set, KJ inconspicuously crept on stage and it was time for the debut of a little band we call Toughdiggit. These guys only had one sound check as far as rehearsal time was concerned, but the chemistry between everyone was super cohesive and I got my wish to see "Melissa Louise" be played! The set was short but so much fun and since I had the feeling lots of people who couldn't be there would want to see it, I recorded four songs(click here or here to see them)!! 

    Toughdiggit at soundcheck and in action!

Now we arrived on Saturday... Which was the one day that made me choose to be back in Italy during this specific time. As a total Summer Sissy/Autumn type person, I had decided that's when I would go season wise but my wizard of rock 'n' roll science/chosen brother Andrea Manges started to suggest this particular weekend. There was great purpose to this suggestion as I soon discovered this would be the first opportunity in my life that I'd be getting to see the band that initially brought my attention to Italian punk rock. In Italy no less and yes I'm talking about the Manges!! My mind was made up from that point and this show was appealing for obvious reasons but also the Ponches would be playing and the show would be taking place at a long running squat in the heart of Milan. So the stars are aligned in a very magical way to do something I've always hoped for, and fuck yes I'm going. After arriving to my former writing partner of I Buy Records and forever brother Andrea Imbalzano's flat with Chris, we made our way along with him and his beautiful girlfriend Ale whom I am crazy for to the show. All I can say is, Holy Shit!!! I was aware Milan could be a clusterfuck of people during the day but my social anxiety began to be dizzying in those crowds that seemed even more dense at night. It was totally worth it to be a brave little girl Dee Dee though because after clearing the gauntlet of earthlings on those crowded streets, we were at our destination, Cox 18. I loved everything about the feeling of this place from the somewhat hidden door as we entered, to the layout of the patio, and of course the inside because my brothers the Manges were waiting there. After a big hug from my tallest brother Mass, I said hello to one of my most favorite painters in the world, Manuel, and finally got to place a voice with the talented Mayo's face. After Andrea appeared I can't describe the way I felt in any other way than to say I was at home. Home is never a location and always a feeling to me!! Chris and I decided to take a walk down the street while things were getting set up with the very cool Raffaele Meles for a drink and then I started to see them appear from every direction... There's really no way you're gonna go to a big show like that in Milan without knowing the presence of SNAFU and this was also something that made me happy! I found my favorite agent of their special forces for some terribly missed hugs and then it was back to the squat for some rock 'n' roll.

    The Ponches and The Manges at Cox 18!

I have admired the Ponches for quite some time now but really had no clue what I was in for as I watched them go into motion. In a word they are powerful. In more they are one of the best live bands I've ever seen and I was so happy just to exist in the moment while they were on. "Hum" is one hell of a record too but I will save that for another time, because as they were starting to tear down, I was moving quickly to stake my claim on a spot in the front. It's kinda crazy to love a band for as many years as I have the Manges and after so many missed opportunities, submitting to the fact that I may never see them live, then it all changes in one instance of good fortune. This moment is one that I place above anything monetary because it was my dream coming true. They played so many songs I am infatuated for from "Barrage Of Hate" to "All Is Well", then even a couple of the new ones that will be revealed on their upcoming "Florida EP", but that wasn't all cause they chose some great covers too!! I stood there with little hearts in my eyes for "Judy Go Home", the Ramones songs they always give great honor to, and in the end it was "Say Goodbye To Your Generation". It all was over way too fast for my liking but all things that matter are this way: You treasure them while they're happening, and you take the memory with you. I'll have that picture in my head forever. If you look at it you'll see one of the greatest poets punk rock has ever had, an entirely commanding bass player that no one can compare to, an enigmatic guitarist that just draws you in, and then a drummer who leads from the back of the stage with more integrity than 1000 punk rockers put together. The Ramones may have saved my life but I will always be ready to tell you in a heartbeat that it's bands like the Manges that keep my pulse strong.

What a night and previous two days to be grateful for.

In closing I'd like to send a special thank you to all the bands, venues, everyone who went out of their way to connect with me, and last but not least Chis Polecat who is the reason I even got to go in the first place.

Then there's one last thank you. It's the biggest one and for my father who suddenly took ill as I was leaving for this trip. Sadly he passed away a few days after I got back home... Papa never fully understood what I do with Ramona Confidential but would always proudly tell anyone he spoke with, "My daughter Sara is a writer!!". This was our bond in life, for him to always motivate me to do what I loved and while I did disappear to take care of him as his health declined, I commit to return back to this, as my way to honor him. No matter what happens, my friends, remember this time we have to exist is so short. So do not use it for anything less than what you believe in. That is a life worth living.

4 Way Wedding Split- Moms Basement Records

For anyone who knows me even on a very basic level, it will probably come as no surprise to know that my choice for any close friend is one who can talk music infinitely. While it's a great quality, this also means that I won't be perceived as a jellybean brain when I am happily describing the nuances that make me head over heels for a Ramones demo or am flipping my shit over getting outbided on a LP I really wanted(I do both of those in abundance haha). The right kind of pal understands those things and this leads to one of my very favorites, a guy I know named John. He fits that role of being completely dedicated to music with total precision and that is why I'm so excited he decided to start a record label!! Moms Basement Records is the newest entity in the American label scene that is definitely worth taking notice of and it's first release is focusing around a very special occasion. A wedding!! John tied the knot with his lovely gal Angie back in June and to celebrate this day accordingly, a four way split 7" has been put together with some great bands. That's what I'll be covering today!

Because there's four separate bands on this release, I'm not going to dive into each recording process but instead focus on what happened after all songs were submitted! I can definitely say that everyone sounds great though and all production info for each of the songs is listed in the liner notes if you're a nerd for that sort of thing. I am! Coming from the talented vision of Nicky Rivets, the cover was designed to be lighthearted in humor and is very cohesive with the wedding theme. A pair of gravestones are placed in the front of a graveyard bearing the names of the bride and groom, with extended skeleton hands holding onto each other. They're joined by ones for the bands in the background and I think it turned out great! I especially like the moon and then the jewel toned dark red color that was chosen for the sky. It almost looks like something from Tim Burton's imagination and I think that is very cool! As I mentioned above, this is the very first release for Moms Basement Records and they sure did not skip out on making it special. As of Friday, August 21st, there were a total of 500 7"s pressed into five different variants which are black, white, clear, red, and a splatter of all four colors! 25 of each were put into limited boxsets which are already sold out! One of them had a ticket inside granting the lucky purchaser free test presses for life from any future label releases so good luck to whoever bought them! So as of now you can buy the splatter and CD-Rs from Moms Basement or the Machine Shop; then the black from The Putz, the white from the Young Rochelles, the red from Eaten Back To Life, and the clear from Horror Section. For the European punk rockers who dread international shipping charges, sit tight! A small quantity was sent to Striped and they should have them soon. Now that we have all that out of the way, YES you can just get digital only from the label's bandcamp page where the split is streaming in full so go check it out here!

Now let's give that 7" a spin! Side A opens up with the horror pop punk favorites of mine who are none other than Horror Section. My "dreamy Dr. Frank-esque" description for Teflon Dave's vocals is once again 100 percent accurate as his pop perfect voice just melts anything in a more straight across love song called "Forever Close" but it doesn't lose any of the brilliance you know from his other songs. It's a lovely start and next up you'll hear their companion band from the "Split In Two" LP, Eaten Back To Life. "I Wanna Be With You" is a great little gem that takes quite a different approach from their usual vocals with Tommy singing the lead this time! Anyone who's a fan of this band knows he can most certainly sing from the backups he does and I really like the job he did as a lead. His voice gives a different flavor to the lyrics that are still most certainly EBTL and the guitars are wonderfully melodic as always. The B Side takes a turn into more traditional American pop punk and first up is the Young Rochelles doing a cover of The Queers "Psycho Over You". Now while this is a cover and a very well done one might I add, I am totally excited about it because I think this is hands down THE BEST I've heard the YR sound vocally on any recording. Without any modern vocal enhancements, Ricky sounds fabulous and completely three dimensional in his singing. I've never met their new guitar player Randy before, but I like this guy! His backups add in another layer to their presence that gives it a much greater fullness. Best lineup and sound for those guys yet! Last but not least on this split is a band that fills my little Riff Randell eyes with one million hearts every time. Yes, I am absolutely talking about The Putz. They are simply one of the most immense signs of hope for American pop punk in the present and "She's The Best" keeps that reputation with me in less than twenty seconds. Billy's wittiness as a lyricist in their songs is the first ingredient that makes them so catchy, then the signature backing vocals no other band these days is doing quite the same make it a total beauty. Great solo in that one too!!

I think this was a completely victorious first effort from Moms Basement Records so make sure to add the 7" to your collection before it disappears and then keep watch for what's next! Also stay tuned to all four of the band's facebook pages which I've linked below as well because lots is happening. Starting with Horror Section, they've got plans to release a brand new 7" through Eccentric Pop Records soon and a show with Dan Vapid And The Cheats on the 29th in  St. Louis if you're in the area! Eaten Back To Life will be working with both Moms Basement and Eccentric Pop for a first time vinyl release of their 2012 album "Killer" so you can bet that will be something that turns out awesome! I wasn't able to get any updates from the Young Rochelles but they're always working on something and I have double the news for The Putz to make up for it! First, they will be going on tour with a very cool band from Saitama, Japan called the Hum Hums for a few dates in the Midwest next month. They will also be working with Moms Basement for a first time vinyl release of their debut album "Hole in One" and then to close things up for Putz headquarters, They are still in search of a full time replacement for the position of guitarist with the ability to deliver killer harmonies who can tour! If you are located in the Indiana area and would like to try out, don't be shy and send them a message! Anyone who gets to work with Billy and Dougie is getting a pretty sweet deal.

Seeing a release like this gives me a lot of hope for our little scene so make sure to support it, punk rockers!

The Bands...

Horror Section

Teflon Dave- Vocals, Guitar

Tommy Boyer- Lead Guitar

Nick Habit- Bass

Gabe Usery- Drums, Backing Vocals

Eaten Back To Life

Tommy Boyer- Vocals, Guitar 

Nick Habit- Guitar 

Eric Perry- Bass

Jake Pfaff- Drums

Young Rochelles

Ricky Rochelle- Lead Vocals And Drums

Rookie Rochelle- Bass

Randy Rochelle- Guitar And Backing Vocals

The Putz

Billy Putz- Bass And Lead Vocals

Tyler Wrong- Guitar And Backing Vocals

Dougie Tangent- Drums And Backing Vocals 

Tracks

Side A

1. Horror Section- "Forever Close"

2. EatenBack To Life- "I Wanna Be With You"

Side B

3. Young Rochelles- "Psycho Over You"(Queers)

4. Putz- "She's The Best"

The Mugwumps- "Can't Be The One"

The single aspect that made last year such an exciting one for punk rock was watching the return of bands that seemed to be long gone!! That alone had me on could nine and for the first time in years, I felt a greater hope for our little universe that can sometimes seem to be disintegrating. It can get a little depressing to look back on years that were so much more vibrant compared to now BUT, if there is even one glimmer of hope, I will be right here to hold it up high and make sure it is heard! The Mugwumps of course held a big role in my utter happiness for 2014 and while it was beautiful to see them return, it was phenomenal to know that they wouldn't be going anywhere, anytime soon. In conversations with Chris Mug right around the release of "Mutation In The Family", he had let me know that another batch of songs were ready to go for a second new record, so I waited. Like Riff Randell with little hearts in my eyes I waited for any news from my most favorite Austrian boys... At the start of the year they announced that the new songs were being mixed but as we all know how the overwhelmed pressing plants creep along at a snail's pace these days, the wait was not over just yet! With a little patience and ten Hail Dee Dee's said per night, I am so happy to say that the moment has arrived for "Can't Be The One" to be revealed, and I am beyond honored to be the first person to review it.

The songs were recorded during November of 2014 at the The Weirdo Garage in Innsbruck, AT by Matthias Magerle and Matthias Mayr. After that process was finished, the tracks were sent over to a favorite of mine in the recording industry who is none other than Bruno Barcella at T.U.P. Studio in Brescia, IT to be mixed at his fortress of analog brilliance, then Justin Perkins took things over from there to do the mastering he always does such a lovely job with at the Mystery Room in Milwaukee, WI. I must say these two made a fine pair in finishing the process because the sound is fantastic! The artwork/layout that was put together by Mario O. Eberharter includes photos of the band taken by Max Raggl who did a great job capturing their fun personality and then some drawings by Chris Mug. I always love his little creatures so much! This time he made a mummy that also makes an appearance on a poster that comes with the record too! Monster Zero Records once again shows their fabulous taste in music by making "Can't Be The One" available on your choice of CD or LP. The vinyl comes in black or a limited yellow and as always, yes, it will include a download code! You can buy digital only and stream the album in full over at The Mugwumps bandcamp page that also has their full discography available for streaming or purchase. The fine people of Striped Music will also be carrying both formats of the album in their distro soon and to mark the occasion, have made a very cool exclusive t-shirt designed by Manuel Manges that ties into one the songs! Make sure to check that out. I really love it.   

Chris, Hank, and Andy gave us a first look at "Can't Be The One" by making a video(click here to see it!) for the first track called "Peek-A-Boo/The Hate Monger" which had me shrieking with delight right away due to it's very Head style approach(think "Love Theme Of Head/The Tribulations Of Chinaman)! The first part is over in 35 seconds, then with a millisecond pause they launch straight back into a lightening fast speed for the second part. The lyrics are campy and fun describing an evil clone attempting to take over the world, showing in no time at all exactly why I love this band so much. While it's true that lots of people can pick up instruments and go for the minimal approach, it takes true talent to turn it to genius and THAT, my friends, is exactly what The Mugwumps do! Never disappointing with a variety of tempos, things slow down in the next track, "Tokyo Tapes", holding an extremely beautiful melody made it an instant favorite of mine. These twelve songs keep moving with so much energy and different themes too! "Iron Moon" veers off into a more sci-fi type direction, telling the story of runaway nazis hiding on the other side of the moon, "King Mastadon" is very playful and really illustrates what it could be like to discover one, then "Fin Fang Foom!" adds in a comic book monster set to a slower tempo. Let's recap all this. So far we have: an evil clone, nazis from space, a mastadon, a monster, and yes, I am smiling from ear to ear because someone remembered punk rock can be fun! I'm so glad these guys aren't afraid to show it and while a lot of the content on this record is as exciting as Kung Fury, I was also of course a total sucker for the love songs Chris does such an incredible job composing. "Can't Be The One", a great kind of scared of love song is perfectly full of 1950's charm but my most favorite is "The Way I Do". This is the one that had a girl getting teary eyed like a dummy(me haha) because it's that beautiful. The lyrics are so poetic to a point where you can really see the story through his perspective and the emotion in his voice is just goosebump inducing. It could have been a Dee Dee Ramone song and I truly think it's one of the best he has ever written. But the surprises keep coming! When details started being announced for this record, I had saw that an all time favorite punk rocker of mine would be doing some guest vocals but I didn't ask on which song before I heard it! I didn't ask because I know the voice of Andrea Manges as well as my own heartbeat and there he was, singing the last part in "Chinatown". The song is really cool with a strong element of danger and I think it was perfect to include Andrea in it because he is always able to give off that badass vibe with such great ease! So yeah, that one is another favorite and I guess I'll just go ahead and say that's my feeling for all twelve songs going into the closer, "Teardrop/C.B.T.O." a hybrid of two different songs that works so well starting with heartbreak but ending in an ode to being a misfit in life. Which is something I can more than relate to!

It's amazing to think about everything The Mugwumps have accomplished since their start in 2002. They've never had a moment that I haven't felt anything but admiration for and with that being said, I honestly feel "Can't Be The One" is their best work to date. Make sure to get on ordering this record from MZ or Striped because once it's gone, you'll be bummed to not own one of the best punk rock records made in the last ten years. They're playing this evening in Bergamo, Italy for the Monster Zero Summer Mash so make sure to go catch their set if you're nearby and if you're not able to make it, there's still a couple more exciting things coming from them! Very soon, they'll be making an appearance on a six way split from Rufus Recordings and then something else with One Chord Wonder Records which I won't say too much about since it's not been announced yet, but you will definitely be into it! Promise. Go like their facebook page if you haven't yet to stay tuned for what's next as always and in closing I'd like to say: Thank you Mugwumps for giving me such a big reason to smile with this amazing record. Punk rock has a chance when people like you are around.

The Mugwumps are...

Chris Mug- Guitar and Vocals 

Hank Hollywood- Bass 

Andy Hectic- Drums 

With guest vocals by Andrea Manges on "Chinatown" and additional backups by Matthias Mayr.

All songs written by Chris Mug.

Tracks

Side A

1. Peek-A-Boo/The Hate Monger

2. Tokyo Tapes

3. Iron Moon

4. Can't Be The One

5. The Way I Do

6. Dyna-Mite

Side B

7. King Mastadon

8. Fin Fang Foom!

9. Cast A Spell On Me

10. Chinatown

11. If You Wanna

12. Teardrop/C.B.T.O.

Radioactivity- Silent Kill

Very few songwriters posses the confidence in me that goes to the extent of where I would blindly follow their next step with full support before even hearing it, because I'm that sure of what they do. If you take a look at this very small list in my mind, you can count on seeing Jeff Burke's name right there. The special breed of rock 'n' roll he creates is something I became quite devoted to as a fan of the Marked Men and when I saw his path evolving into a new band called Radioactivity year before last, it was a no-brainer to become instantly smitten with their debut self-titled record. That first set of thirteen songs brought to life by Jeff, Mark Ryan(another songwriter I completely adore!), and Gregory Rutherford still makes an at least weekly appearance in my rotation. After the addition of Daniel Fried on second guitar who also has a long running history with the guys in other bands(Mind Spiders, Bad Sports, High Tension Wires), the Dallas/Ft Worth, TX  based trio became an even more powerful quartet releasing a great 7", but I was beyond thrilled to see news that a second full length LP was on the way. It was a bit of a tease, but the kind you want to hear a few tracks that were leaked starting last April but the whole record has been revealed my anticipation has been 100% satisfied."Silent Kill" is here!

The recording process for these songs began shortly after their first record was released and wrapped in the Fall of last year at Cool Devices Studio in the Dallas/Ft Worth area of Texas. For the same reasons I love a studio like T.U.P. in Italy, I love Cool Devices as well which is owned and operated by Jeff and Mark due to their analog approach in sound. The work they do is impeccable, truly capturing what any band does that spends any time there and this recording came out beautiful. Mastering was handled by Matthew Barnhart at Chicago Mastering Service and with the audio portion complete, the cover art designing duties were taken on by Patrick Lillard. Featuring imagery shot by Brian Maryansky, this time the cover took on a more dark feeling in appearance that aligns well with the album title. Official release happened on June 29th from Dirtnap Records and I have to say right here how much I appreciate this label's level of professionalism. Their releases always arrive in absolutely pristine condition and in record time! The copy I ordered was in my hands within three days of placing an order on release day, and it's like this every time I order from Dirtnap. People deserve the praise when they're kicking ass at what they do so I will most definitely recommend your business going to this label and their record store Green Noise Records which always has a great selection to browse from! Going back to this amazing release, it is available on a black vinyl LP or CD. There was also a very limited clear vinyl variant that I was lucky enough to get and it is now sold out! Digital only is available through bandcamp where all songs are streaming in full so go press play if you've not heard them yet. I'll wait for you! 

In thinking about exactly what it is that I love about Radioactivity... well, it's a lot of things! The songs they play hold an excellent mixture of influences, ranging anywhere from the boldness of 60's garage rock, to true punk rock(I'm talking what took place in the mid to late 70's), and then in that fundamental spirit, they branch off into a place that is only them. When you hear Radioactivity, you know exactly who you're hearing from the first few seconds of sound and once they're engaged with their instruments, there's this incredible wall of sound that is always present. It's engaging and impactful but never comes across as a pompous display of skill! It's always very deliberate and sincere. All of these elements were present in their debut record but moving into "Silent Kill", it is even more defined and expanding into a much heavier realm. Side One opens up with "Battered" which is a full on rock 'n' roll assault, moving quickly to create a backdrop for Jeff's powerfully beautiful voice. I was crazy for this song right away but something I thought was very cool is just when it starts to fade, those last few notes lead into the next track, "Stripped Away" which is an entirely different little universe, but the transition is seamless. "Way Out" is one of my first favorites to show up, with a darker tone and some very well done backing vocals by Jeff's brother, Mark that add in another layer of depth to the song. The title track follows right after with a great hook and my second favorite, "No Connection" closes this side and is a good representation of this band's growth. A lovely ballad driven by a steady bassline, slower in pace but just as impactful and with some great lyrics that are very open to a listener's interpretation. Side Two transitions right back into the more upbeat energy Radioactivity has mastered with "I Know" but there's some surprises to be found! "Where I Come From" is a great example of that. Just an absolute gem with a haunting atmosphere, chill inducing vocals, and it is another one I really love. "Silent" is also fantastic with a wonderfully shot video you can see here if you've not checked it out yet but my most favorite song on the whole record is the last. An almost dizzying rhythm leads into "Pretty Girl" and everything about it is addicting. It's an ending that shows these guys are a force to be reckoned with and works like some kind of subliminal mind trick on me because all I want is just to play the record a few more times when it ends all too soon! 

I think it's not so easy for most bands to make a powerful debut and then followup with an effort that is just as mighty, but shifting into a different energy that solidifies presence. Like The Ramones did with Leave Home, that's what Radioactivity has done with "Silent Kill" and that, my friends, is a beautiful thing. Make sure to pick this record up from Dirtnap or from the band as they are planning on some tour dates and to stay tuned for exactly where those will be happening, keep watch over at their facebook page. I'm hoping they'll be coming my way!

Radioactivity is...

Jeff Burke- Guitar, Vocals

Mark Ryan- Bass

Gregory Rutherford- Drums

Daniel Fried- Guitar

With backing vocals by Mark Burke

All songs written by Jeff Burke

Tracks 

Side One

1. Battered

2. Stripped Away

3. Not Here

4. Way Out 

5. Silent Kill

6. No Connection

Side Two

7. I Know

8. No Alarm

9. Where I Come From

10. Silent 

11. With You 

12. Pretty Girl