Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Ramoms - Problem Child / Gritty is a Punk / Boogie Not Snot


RAMOMS
"Problem Child" 
Pirates Press Records
Released: May 10, 2019

I love "novelty" records. I've always loved novelty records, ever since I started buying records in 1972 when my parents hooked me up with an allowance. In 1975 when I was nine, Dickie Goodman released Mr. Jaws. "Disco Duck" was released in 1976, I was ten, I loved that Rick Dees 45. One of the very first records I ever purchased was Chuck Berry's "My Ding A Ling" from 1972, I was six. I've also loved cover versions of songs. I also have known Jodi for a few decades and have gotten to know Ginger for her other band, the freaking amazing Droogettes. So there are a ton of key points as to why I love this record!
I also love the Philadelphia Flyers and love "hating" Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby. That the Ramoms recorded a song called "Gritty Is A Punk" with the chorus: "cry Sidney, cry, called offsides, oh yeah" is simply amazing. The track "Gritty is a Punk" is sung to the tune of the Ramones "Judy is a Punk". For those who don't know, Gritty is the Flyers mascot, who was introduced this past season (and was one of the few highlights to a bad season).


The Flyers Dave Schultz, known for being the "Hammer" also released a novelty record in 1975 that is proudly in my record collection.  



So yeah, of course I also love the Ramones. If it were not for that first Ramones album, released in 1976, the same year as "Disco Duck", my life certainly would have taken an alternate path. That first Ramones album is still one of my all-time favorites and one of the most influential albums, period.

Listen to the three Ramoms tracks digitally on Spotify:


"Boogie Not Snot" is a re-write of "Blitzkrieg Bop", with the chorus, "Hey Ho, Let's Blow". "Rockaway Beach" is pure and classic.

Three more classic songs from the Ramoms. This record is mandatory!

The 7" is limited to a pressing of 500 copies on blood red vinyl (resisted putting a photo of Crosby with a bloody nose and crying or something).

There is also a promotional flexi available with just the song "Gritty is a Punk". You NEED to obtain that as well.


With the beginning of hockey season just around the corner, how awesome would it be to set up the flexi as a giveaway at a Flyers game, say to the first 3,000 in attendance and then have the Ramoms play live on ice between the first and second period, or do an entire concert at the end of the game. Maybe Greg Boyle has a few connections as the Flyers play the Boils song "The Orange and the Black" at games the Flyers win! 


Ramoms also have a split 7" available with the Dad Brains. Write up here.



RAMOMS Upcoming Gigs:
Ramoms with Blanks 77, Chesty Malone and the Slice 'Em Ups and Sewage @ The Kingsland, NYC on August 10, 2019
RAMOMS play with Divided/Heaven @ Ortlieb's in Philly on September 25, 2019

Cheers,
Frank FOE






Thursday, August 1, 2019

Paul Meatsquat videos for Zonder/Wehrkamp

PAUL MEATSQUAT
ZONDER/WEHRKAMP

Paul Meatsquat, the legendary drummer of the Russian Meatsquats, is now making professional music videos and band photography. Paul teamed up with Zonder/Wehrkamp for "Do Anything" and "If It's Real". Check the ridiculously amazing videos below:






Paul is available for your band's video and publicity photography. Paul has been my friend for almost 40 years. His work ethic includes going the extra mile without question. 

Paul Meatsquat's contact information:
Zonder/Wehrkamp contact information:

Cheers,
Frank FOE





Jawbreaker "Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker"

DON'T BREAK DOWN
A FILM ABOUT JAWBREAKER

DON'T BREAK DOWN: A FILM ABOUT JAWBREAKER [Official Trailer] from September Club on Vimeo.


On August 6, 2019, the film will be available digitally on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon. Streaming will be available on Amazon Prime.

On August 6th, I will be watching this on Amazon Prime. 
Love Jawbreaker.


Cheers,
Frank FOE


Wednesday, July 31, 2019

The Dickies "I Dig Go-Go Girls"/"The Dreaded Pigasaurus"


THE DICKIES
"I Dig Go-Go Girls"/"The Dreaded Pigasaurus"
Slope Records
Released: May 24, 2019

"I Dig Go-Go Girls" was originally done by Cheap Trick. It did not appear on Cheap Trick's first LP from 1977, though it was recorded at that time. A 1998 re-release included "I Dig Go-Go Girls" as a bonus track. All of Cheap Trick's albums released in the 1970s are mandatory. 


Monkey from The Adicts makes a guest appearance on The Dickies version of "I Dig Go-Go Girls". If you don't already have the first two Adicts LPs, 1981's "Songs of Praise" and 1982's "Sound of Music", you need to snatch up those two classic punk gems.  


The Dickies first two albums, 1978's "The Incredible Shrinking Dickies" and 1979's "Dawn of the Dickies" are absolute punk classics and should be considered mandatory records on many levels, including the fact that A&M released them! I personally would add just about the entire Dickies discography to the "mandatory" checklist, but really, everyone should own at least the first two LPs.


I find it exciting that The Dickies have released this 7" and that they plan on releasing a new LP in 2019. The Dickies play NYC on October 31, 2019 and Philadelphia on Friday November 1, 2019. The intimate Kung Fu Necktie club in Philadelphia would be the smallest venue I have ever seen the Dickies play. I've seen them many times, including at City Gardens in Trenton NJ and in the Lehigh Valley PA (I think it was Lupo's). The Dickies never disappoint. They also have a knack for covers ("Banana Splits", "Paranoid", "Nights In White Satin", "Communication Breakdown", "Sounds of Silence"...) and this Cheap Trick track is killer.


Check the digital version of this hot pink 7" on Spotify:



Thankful Slope Records released this 7"!
So glad the Dickies still exist, record and play live.
Hope you go out and obtain tons of Cheap Trick, The Dickies and The Adicts if you don't already have them and make sure you add this 7" too. Looking forward to a new full LP!

Cheers,
Frank FOE 






Sunday, May 5, 2019

Harrington Saints "1000 Pounds of Oi!"

HARRINGTON SAINTS
"1,000 Pounds of Oi!"
Pirates Press Records
Released: May 10, 2019




I love the title. "1,000 Pounds of Oi!". 
If I was cloned as a five piece band it would be it would be about 1,150 pounds of FOE, so you know, these five gentlemen probably come in around 1,000 pounds and they certainly deliver the oi!


The title sets the tone for the album. Driving punk, that lyrically takes on some difficult (heavy) topics, yet when playing their loud oi!, you can tell they are intentionally having fun, hoping you'll join in, all the while delivering a hopeful and uplifting aura. Just check the video for the title track and see for yourself:



Band Members
Darrel Wojick - Vocals
Mike C. - Guitar
Jayson Shepard - Guitar
Mike "Deuce" Miller - Bass
Forrest Maestretti - Drums






Vocalist Darrel Wojick has a potent presence on the microphone. A distinctive voice and poignant delivery command immediate attention. The rest of the band is tight, constructing classic oi, hardcore, street punk that energizes and incites!


This is full length number three for the Bay Area of California band. If you know them, you will want "1,000 Pounds of Oi!". If you love energy instigating punk, yet haven't noticed Harrington Saints yet, this is a fine starting point! 



Pressing Information
   500 - 12” Black Vinyl 
   250 - 12” Blood Red Vinyl (PPR Version) 
   250 - 12” Highlighter Yellow Vinyl (Contra Version) 
1,000 - Digipak CDs w/ Poster Insert



Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Insanity Alert "666-Pack"

INSANITY ALERT
"666-Pack"
Seasons of the Mist
Released: January 25, 2019



Insanity Alert are an Austrian crossover thrash metal band.  The Dave Of Death (guitar, choreography), Don Melanzani (drums, percussion), Heavy Kevy (vocals, propaganda) and MC Brownnose (bass) rip through the 22 songs on "666-Pack" in 33 minutes. Of course a few of those songs are genius in just a few seconds. "8 Bit Brutality" is a hysterical 8 seconds long. "Stop... Slammertime" is 9 seconds long, and a classic.


Musically and sonically, Insanity Alert bring together massive influences such as Municipal Waste, SOD, Iron Reagan, DRI, AC and Gang Green. Beer and thrash. 


Check the video for "All Mosh/No Brain":




Lyrically I appreciate Insanity Alert's humor and the points they make. 

Obviously the title ("666-Pack") is great. "Chronic State of Hate", "A Skullcrushin' Good Time", "Why So Beerious?" and "Saturday Grind Fever" are precious, pit instigating tracks. "I Come / I F*ck Sh*t Up / I Leave" is an instant thrash high-water mark. 


Insanity Alert's "The Body of the Christ is the Parasite" lyric video is below and the point is... well... on point.



After seeing someone's face get totally smashed, with enough blood on the floor it looked like the aftermath of a hockey high stick bloodying the ice, I despise the windmill karate dancers even more than the first time I witnessed them at a Cannibal Corpse show so long ago... So I am all on board with "Windmilli Vanilli".

Windmilli Vanilli
Stupid posers at the show
Everybody hates them so
Karate moves do not belong
This is thrash, you double-dong!
Bring me the heads of Windmilli Vanilli
Bring me the heads of Windmilli Vanilli
Windmilli Vanilli, they must die
Why the f*ck they're even there?
For the music? They don't care!
Violent dancing is no fun
The pit belongs to everyone




See you in the pit... well, maybe more like near the pit... I am 52 after all....


Cheers,
FOE

Insanity Alert FB
Season of Mist FB
Season of Mist

The Reapers "Rip It Up"

THE REAPERS
"Rip It Up"
Rebellion Records/LSM Vinyl
Released: February 01, 2019


I must admit, this type of music makes me crazy (in a very positive way)!
Hypes me up, gives me energy like a B-12 shot! The Reapers take the old oi sounds of Last Resort, hype it up with a ton of rock n roll energy ala Rose Tattoo and blast through with a Templars and Maddog Surrender spirit. 


Check the tracklist, The Reapers are not messing around:

TRACKLIST:
Things Are Bad (Intro)
Ultra-Violence
Ugly Mug
Always The Underdog
Bankers
Never Change
The Righteous Ones
Wrong Side Of The River
Sirens Of Sorrow
Broken
Alcohol
On Our Own
F.T.W.
Saturday Night

Self described as "Working Class Street Punk from Utrecht/Rotterdam, The Netherlands", this entire album inspires an old school circle pit with singalong chorus' and good times. Take a listen to "Ultra Violence" for example. If it does not make you feel like jumping in the circle pit at some dive bar, I feel bad for you! Wishing The Reapers were a local band I could see on a monthly basis!


Adrenaline is known as the “fight-or-flight" hormone. The Reapers are the adrenaline soundtrack. Listen to "Sirens of Sorrow", with the lyric, "Sirens of sorrow, you better f*cking run or there will be no tomorrow" (don't have a lyric sheet so I might have heard that wrong). Fight or flight man! Whew!

The opening riff of "Sirens of Sorrow" is sooooo Rose Tattoo. Love it!

"Wrong Side of the River" even has a "1-2 F*ck You"! Classic. Little things that make me happy!


I am listening to this digitally. If you know me, I need to get this on vinyl. I feel ridiculous not dropping a needle on this. Love "Rip It Up". 


The intro track to this album is the first minute and a quarter from the video below. It is from the movie "Network" (1976) about "a television network that cynically exploits a deranged former anchor's ravings and revelations about the news media for its own profit". 

That first 1:17 minutes exemplifies the fuel of The Reapers. "I'm As Mad As Hell and I'm Not Gonna Take This Anymore!"