Saturday, April 05, 2025

Ricky Rochelle - "I Miss Joey"


Ricky Rochelle's third single of the year finds him back in the pop-punk lane, and it's a song that really speaks to my heart (and probably yours as well). It's almost impossible to believe that Joey Ramone has now been gone for 24 years. For a lot of us who were fans, it still seems like just yesterday that we lost him. "I Miss Joey" is Ricky Rochelle's tribute to Joey Ramone. It's a simple, heartfelt song about how deeply missed the king of punk still is after all these years. The line "He never knew the legacy he'd leave" really hits me hard when I think about how profoundly influential the Ramones were on almost every band or artist I write about today. Ricky Rochelle has a way of writing and singing songs that is so genuine and heart-on-sleeve. Here he celebrates Joey Ramone not just as a musical influence but also as a person he deeply admired. You can feel the love in this song. What more could you ask for from a tribute?

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Lùlù - "Sur la Corde"


French power pop band Lùlù took the world by storm last year with its self-titled debut single. And now, in advance of its full-length debut, it has unveiled its second single, "Sur la Corde." Lùlù (featuring members of AVIONS, Irnini Mons, Pogy et les Kéfars, and Edgar Suit) is now making it clear that that its first single was no fluke. This band is the real deal! "Sur la Corde" is a song about the trials and tribulations of being in a band: the strained relationships, the mixed emotions, and the drama that can ensue when everyone runs out of patience. Surely many of you reading this right now can relate. Sometimes your bandmates can seem like your best friends and your worst enemies at the exact same time! Lùlù's debut LP will be out soon on Howlin' Banana Records (France), Dangerhouse (France) and Taken By Surprise (Germany). For now, enjoy the anthemic power pop of  "Sur la Corde"!

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Friday, April 04, 2025

Vista Blue - Clear Eyes, Full Hearts


"Every man will lose a battle at some point, it's true/
But if he doesn't lose himself, then he can make it through"

Vista Blue is certainly one of the most prolific bands in the indie/punk universe, but it very rarely releases full-length albums. So when we do get a long-playing release from Vista Blue, that counts as a special occasion. In the case of new album Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, that occasion is the band's tenth anniversary. Indeed it was ten years ago tomorrow that VB released Good Eye, its debut EP. Since then, the band has amassed a catalog that I would rate as impressive as any in the modern-day pop-punk world. Rodney Bingenheimer (the Grady Hunt of underground music) has championed the band on his radio show, and I'm not sure I'd even be doing this blog anymore if I weren't able to look forward to reviewing these guys 5.8 times per year. 

As you may have deduced from the title, Clear Eyes, Full Hearts is inspired by the acclaimed American television program Friday Night Lights (specifically the show's first season). The fact that Vista Blue wrote a full album about a TV show adapted from a movie adapted from one of the greatest non-fiction books ever written is very much on-brand. The band's last album, Stay Gold, was an homage to the novel (and movie) The Outsiders. Creating your own art about someone else's art is a very cool thing in my book. If someone asked me why I like Vista Blue so much, I'd probably say it's because they're pop culture geeks just like I am. If you're a fan of this band and have never seen Friday Night Lights, that should in no way discourage you from buying Clear Eyes, Full Hearts. Just be warned that it will make want to watch the show, so be prepared to make some time for a binge. 

What I love about Vista Blue is that you never know what you're going to get even though you always know what you're going to get. The band never strays too far from its signature style of pop-punk steeped in power pop and indie pop influences, but it always offsets its fastballs with plenty of curves and change-ups (I acknowledge that mixing my sports metaphors will get me two minutes in the penalty box). Over the course of a full-length album especially, it becomes clear what a wonderfully talented (and in my estimation, criminally underrated) songwriter Mike is. The band comes out swinging with "Can't Lose," which references the inspirational words of Coach Taylor but could just as easily be applied to our own lives. Songs like "She Doesn't Wanna Be Your Rally Girl," "Everybody Loves Football," and "Alamo Freeze" find Vista Blue running plays that have been proven to work time and time again. Elsewhere, the playbook opens up with the aggressive, minimalist punk of "Texas Forever" and "Grady Hunt's List," the quasi-instrumental rally anthem "Go, Panthers!", and the anthemic power pop of "State." And of course there's a VB-style arrangement of "Devil Town" to wrap it all up. 

While it thankfully lacks the lofty pretensions of a rock opera, Clear Eyes, Full Hearts definitely captures the spirit of the television series that inspired it. Whether you aspire to go to State or just need a little motivation to get through your day, this album has something to offer you. I can't listen to lyrics like "Some people wrote us off as easy to eliminate/But clear eyes and full hearts are things that they just can't evaluate" and not think that they also apply to Vista Blue on the occasion of its tenth anniversary. It would be goofy for me, in reference to a band I've reviewed 53 times, to say this album was better than I thought it would be. But it's certainly one of the best things Vista Blue has ever put out. I would highly recommend cranking it loudly in the car as you head out to grab some milkshakes or catch Crucifictorious's next gig. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose! 

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Guerrilla Teens - Monkey's Paw


What can I say about Guerrilla Teens that I haven't already said before? Simply put, this is one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands out there — featuring members of some of the punk world's most illustrious acts of the past three decades. Far from a mere continuation of The Humpers or Lovesores, Guerrilla Teens have their own thing going on — and it's exciting! Featuring the talents of Scott "Deluxe" Drake on vocals, Jeff Fieldhouse on guitar, Saul Koll on guitar, Tim Connolly on drums, Anna Andersen on bass, and Dave Sobel on keyboards, Guerrilla Teens are not looking back at past glories. They're too busy crafting the next generation of classic punk rock 'n' roll songs to rest on any laurels. Their last album Under the Dagger was one of 2023's overlooked gems, but the follow-up Monkey's Paw beats it by miles. The album is out now in digital form, and a vinyl release from the ever-dependable Sioux Records is coming soon. 

You know what to expect from Monkey's Paw: ten tracks of electrifying Drake/Fieldhouse–penned rock 'n' roll haymakers featuring a firestorm of guitars, an unstoppable rhythmic backbone, and typically furious vocals from the ageless force of nature that is Scott Drake. This, in fact, might be the best album Drake has put his name on since the '90s. These are Guerrilla Teens' best songs to date, and the production and playing are perfect for this kind of music. Last year's excellent single "I Cyclops" kicks off the album emphatically. If you like straight-up '70s punk, "Mary's Got the Bomb" and "Johnny on the Mainline" will get your heart racing. If you're more in the mood for some restrained menace, "Sleepwalker" and "Tonight" (which sounds like the best Dead Boys song in decades) ought to hit the spot. "My Hometown" is pure rock 'n' roll and an absolute corker. Elsewhere, "Pride of the Savanna" and the smashing title track kick up the sort of wall-shaking unholy racket that all "garage" bands should aspire to. This is going to be one of the top albums of the year, and you will certainly want to follow Guerrilla Teens and Sioux Records on the socials for updates on when the vinyl is available. If anyone has any doubts about what real rock 'n' roll is, Monkey's Paw will make it all perfectly clear. 

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Sunday, March 30, 2025

Whimsyland - Bounty Bay


I'm not sure there are adequate words in the English language to properly articulate the joy that Whimsyland's new EP has put into the universe. Suffice it to say that there's no better time than the present to fill this universe with joy. Chadd Derkins, the visionary behind Whimsyland, is a titan in the pop-punk world and all-around great dude. And with this band/project/whatever you wanna call it, he has created something absolutely unique and original that still has the fundamental appeal of pop-punk. The concept of Whimsyland is that it's an imaginary theme park. As a childless cat person, I don't often have the opportunity to go to theme parks. But I've always loved them and what they represent: wonderment, whimsy, escape from reality, the belief in magic, and the limitlessness of the human imagination. The idea that a songwriter could invent an entire theme park in thorough and fantastic detail fills me with awe. I would recommend Whimsyland's 2022 album not just to fans of pop-punk but to any little kid or any adult with a little kid's heart. But check it out: it seems the park has expanded! 

Bounty Bay is Whimsyland's newest section — a land of swashbuckling pirates, singing birds, and tropical treats. Man, where do I get my ticket? Once again, Derkins has assembled The Whimsyland Band (Andy Conway, Mikey Erg, Chris Grivet, Grath Madden, and Charles Vorkas) to bring his musical vision to life. And on lead vocals, you will find enough special guest stars to put an episode of The Love Boat to shame. Seeing names like Danny Bailey (Jabber), Rachel Feldmann (Lipstick Homicide), Jason Shevchuk (Kid Dynamite, No More Black), PJ Sloan (Ruth's Hat, if you don't know, one of the best bands ever!), and Julian Warmland (Avem) on the list of vocalists might have you thinking of Whimsyland as a fantasy team assembled by a 21st century pop-punk nerd with impeccable taste. And maybe that's exactly what it is! Close your eyes and let these five songs take you to Bounty Bay. Hop on to Blurpy the Bumpy Barge, and soon you'll find yourself encountering some rough n tumble buccaneers, tasting the delectable Pineapple Dream (with a splash of rum if you're over 21!), and experiencing the thrilling spectacle of the Feathered Follies Bird Show. Musically, this EP combines everything's that's great about pop-punk, kids' music, and tropical pop. The wild creativity involved in the conception of these songs is matched only by the exceptional musical and vocal performances that have been captured on these recordings. Listening to this EP may have you wishing Bounty Bay were a real place. Well if you believe, it is real. 

If you have already visited Whimsyland, you will certainly want to come back and check out Bounty Bay. First-time guests will want to start with the main park and the countless delights it holds in store. Bloated Kat Records, Stardumb Records, and Waterlslide Records have joined forces to release Bounty Bay on 7", so be sure to follow the links below to secure your copy. Better yet, secure multiple copies. It would be bad form to buy this for your kid and then end up stealing it from them.

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The States - Gimme Joy


Let's add another one to the growing stack of rave reviews of The States' debut release! At seven tracks, the appropriately-titled Gimme Joy is either a generously sized EP or a really short album. Whatever you call it, it's sure to leave you wanting more. This Melbourne-based foursome brings a wide array of influences to the table (glam rock, power pop, punk, '60s girl groups, even a little country), but basically what we have here is a good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll band playing timeless and splendidly infectious music. The States are Scarlett Maloney (tuffy) on lead vocals and guitar, Joe Imfeld (The Prize) on lead guitar, Paddy Leahy on bass, and Georgie Harkin on drums. They aren't trying to reinvent the wheel, and why would you want them to when they can turn out songs this good and play them with this much gusto? There's not a bad song in this bunch. In fact, you could land anywhere on this record and find yourself assured that rock 'n' roll is as alive and well as it has ever been. This is the kind of music you wish they still played on the radio! The States, who deliver the perfect mix of irresistible hooks and bad-ass attitude, will remind you of some of your old favorites (Suzi Quatro, Runaways, T.Rex, New York Dolls) without ever coming off like copyists. Gimme Joy is a great debut that creates sky-high expectations for a follow-up. Something tells me The States are not bound to disappoint.

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Saturday, March 29, 2025

Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin/The Amplifier Heads - "GlamOrama"/"We Just Don't Know"


Holy smokes: Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin and The Amplifier Heads have done a song exchange, and the resulting split single is out of this world! When two bands interpret each other's material, that is perhaps the best possible use of the split single format. I always love hearing two bands essentially pay tribute to one another, and I love hearing each band put its own signature on the chosen song. And in the case of this collaboration, I really enjoyed hearing this sort of exchange go down between two bands I like a lot. Rob Moss and Sal Baglio are both legends in this underground rock 'n' roll universe, and this project is an affirmation of their friendship and their admiration for one another's musical talents. 

First up, Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin tackle The Amplifier Heads' track "GlamOrama" from the 2021 album SaturnalienS. Backed by Tom McNally, Greg O'Toole, and Steve Naff, Moss really nails the other-worldly early '70s glam rock vibes of the song. If the original version made me imagine space aliens listening to David Bowie and New York Dolls in 1972, this version sounds like it could have actually been recorded by aliens. On The Amplifier Heads' side of this split, Bagio takes on Moss's instant classic "We Just Don't Know" and almost transforms it beyond recognition — reimagining it in easygoing singer/songwriter style and adding his unique vocal flair. What I like about this cover is that it celebrates the original rather than trying to upstage it. In this day and age when we too often think of cover songs as "filler," it's nice to be reminded that one songwriter interpreting another's material can itself be an art form if it's done well. If this is somehow your first time hearing either of these songs, I imagine you'll be inspired to check out the original versions. And if you're a fan of either or both bands, you're going to absolutely love this single. Great stuff from a couple of our scene's true class acts!  

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