New Music from The Estranged

estranged2014 has been a jam packed year, but some labels have seemingly been in hibernation, like my personal favorite, Dirtnap Records. They’re getting in the swing of the action though, with the announcement that they’ll be releasing a new record from The Estranged.  While it’s rumored that the band has widened their spectrum on post-punk influences, this tune rings a bit of Ted Leo, which if you know me, isn’t a bad thing by any means. It’s a self-titled record and it hits the stores on March 18th…enjoy a little preview below.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/01-Another-Stab.mp3]

 

New Punk Rock from Autistic Youth

autisticyouth-1281927164We started this week with a lot of softer tracks, so I feel like we should offer you the flip side of the coin with the newest tune from Autistic Youth.  The band have been fairly quiet lately, but they’re readying a new LP for Dirtnap Records titled Nonage.  The album wears their influences on its sleeve with a punishing combination of hardcore, not to mention a softer touch you’d find in old skate video games by employing gang vocals to encourage maximum crowd participation at shows.  You can pick up the album next week from the label; it should be in stores shortly after.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/01-Not-For-Me.mp3]

Download: Autistic Youth – Not For Me [MP3]

Radioactivity – s/t

1185631_205042416336958_2061587917_nRating: ★★★½☆

While the Marked Men might be on some sort of hiatus due to the busy schedules of everyone involved, Radioactivity at least gives us a glimpse at the glory of old, with half the band represented on the band’s eponymous debut.  The project is filled with leftover tracks from Jeff Burke’s project, The Novice, and he called in good pal Mark Ryan to flesh things out, leaving us with a blistering record of punk rock hits.

“Sickness” opens with that stuttering guitar line that’s pretty prominent in the work of all those involved with Radioactivity, though there’s a soloing guitar line that seems to knife its way through the track.  The vocals push the boundary of raspiness that you get from classic punk rock, though for all intents and purposes, the group’s still leans a little bit towards the pop side of things.  You’ll get that image perfectly on the following two tracks, “Other Life” and “World of Pleasure.”  The latter is definitely one of the record’s standout tracks, pounding furiously in your ears, despite having a catchy delivery of the lyrics throughout.

And you get what you expected on the first half of the record, with the blistering pace of the tunes allowing for the band to demonstrate their songwriting capabilities, while still honing their pop sensibility; this is one of the things I’ve loved about Marked Men and all associated bands. Tracks like “Alright” are perfect for driving, partying or even running; they fit in every corner of your life.  But, what has impressed me about Radioactivity is that there’s a glimpse of what’s to come with the band’s next LP (rumored to be on its way in 2014) near the latter half of the album.

For example, “Alone” has this huge ringing guitar line, with the bass slowly working its way into the fold.  It opens up the space quite a bit, adding just the slightest differentiation to the band’s signature sound.  If you listen carefully, you can hear the guitars working against each other, almost fighting to define the band’s sound.  There’s also the power ballad that lurks at the end of the record via “Trusted You.”  The drums seem to want to escape into a heavier realm, though their steadiness really provides a good backbone for the rest of the song, which remains sort of a heartfelt ode to a lost friend or lover.  It’s actually great on its own, but it’s made even better for the fact that its fittingly unique in the grand scheme of the LP.

I’m a huge fan of the group, even if the songs sometimes seem to blend together after repeated listens.  And that’s the thing with Radioactivity, you’re going to get repeated listens. The songs are too good to ignore, and too catchy to dismiss.  It’s clear that the duo of Ryan and Burke still have tons of tricks up their sleeves to keep me coming back to buying their records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/04-Locked-in-My-Head.mp3]

Download: Radioactivity – Locked in My Head [MP3]

Another Rocker from Radioactivity

radioactivity3x372Just last week I was tossing one of the great new songs from Radioactivity your way, and less than a few days later, the band have unleashed another kicking tune for your ears. I love the gritty sound of this tune, even though it still has this underlying pop sensibility to it; you wouldn’t expect anything less from two ex-Marked Men memebers would you? Not only does this capture the sound that I’ve been enthralled with (again) over the last few years, but we can get a big Texas shout out going here.  Their self-titled LP comes out next week via Dirtnap Records…and rumor has it that another one is right around the corner.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/04-Locked-in-My-Head.mp3]

Download: Radioactivity – Locked in My Head [MP3]

 

Brand New Punk Jam from Radioactivity (members of Marked Men)

radioactivity3x372Those of us in Texas have reason to be proud today.  Not only does this tune allow me to throw out a little bit of rock n’ roll your way, but it also marks the return of Jeff Burke from Japan. Jeff, who has renamed his work with The Novice, out of respect for his mates in Japan, has reunited with Mark Ryan, who you might know from The Marked Men (or Mind Spiders).  Together, they’ve formed Radioactivity, and this new tune’s a sweet introduction to the great things that are sure to come our way shortly. The band will be releasing their self-titled debut on Dirtnap Records at the end of  October.  Welcome home Jeff.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/WorldOfPleasure.mp3]

Download: Radioactivity – World of Pleasure [MP3]

Mind Spiders Rock It Out

Mind SpidersThe last two LPs from Mind Spiders have always received adulation and heavy rotation here at ATH, so it probably won’t change when the group releases their newest, Inhumanistic; it’s going to be released via Dirtnap Records on October 8th.  If you’ve caught the band in the last year, you’ve probably seen the track below; it’s a quick blasting song in the band’s traditional rock n’ roll fashion, pushing guitars quickly in anticipation of the group’s dynamite drumming.  And with an anthemic chorus of “make make make make” there’s no reason you won’t have a blast hopping about to this tune.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MakeMakeMakeMake.mp3]

Download: Mind Spiders – Make Make Make Make [MP3]

Another New Rocker from Bad Sports

Bad SportsI’m going to admit that I have a bit of an obsession with Bad Sports, and all the associated acts of the members (Video, OBNIIIs, etc).  Their new record Bras is, to me, a huge success.  They’ve slowed down a few of the tunes, leaving listeners with these great power pop ballads; there’s still a nice grinding edge, however.  The track below is just such an example; it’s catchy in the chorus; there’s a stomping drum element.  My two cents think this is going to be a sleeper hit for a lot of folks that are into the realm of garage-rock.  Bras comes out on Dirtnap Records at the end of August.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/08-Terrible-Place.mp3]

Download: Bad Sports – Terrible Place [MP3]

Bad Sports Return!

Bad SportsLet’s not beat around the bush here; I absolutely love Bad Sports…even when they’re backing Nobunny!  The Texas trio is back with a brand new jam today, and a new album coming our way soon.  The first single has the group spinning catchy garage punk like only they can, filling the vocals with the band’s natural bit of swagger.  Their new album is called Bras, and it will be released by Dirtnap Records at the end of next month. You can count on it being the perfect record to close out our summer jam session.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/badsports_-_LetMeIn.mp3]

Download: Bad Sports – Let Me In [MP3]

Power Pop Goodness from Missing Monuments

missingmonumentsWhile they may have dropped the “King Louie” aspect from their name, Missing Monuments is still very much the project of Louie Bankston; he’s got the pedigree of power-pop genius, but I can appreciate the name alteration.  The group has a self-titled album coming out in the fall via my favorite lil’ label, Dirtnap Records, and our first taste has a bit of a heavier punch than some of the previous works we’ve gotten from Louie and the boys.  The riffs begin just as usual, but as the song progresses there’s a bent that wears a bit more of a metal edge.  Should be an interesting listen regardless of changing names and altered sounds.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/missingmonuments_-_answerthecall.mp3]

Download: Missing Monuments – Answer the Call [MP3]

Sweet Pop from Sugar Stems

sugarstemsThis is the case where the name has to say it all.  You want sweet? Then you better get behind the Sugar Stems. On the group’s new record they combine all the classic elements of power-pop, though with a steady punk edge.  Top it off with some sweet female vocal harmonies and you’ve got precisely what you need to leave listeners with a breathless hit.  The band will release their new record, Can’t Wait, today via the always reliable Dirtnap Records, so you’ll be able to bob your head up and down all day if you just hit up your local record store.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/10-6-Feet-Under.mp3]

Download: Sugar Stems – 6 Feet Under [MP3]

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