The Drowns – ‘Blacked Out’ (Pirates Press Records)

The Drowns – ‘Blacked Out’ (Pirates Press Records)

Seattle rockers The Drowns are gearing up to unleash their latest salvo of blue-collar punk rock ’n roll: Blacked Out. Returning to the studio for this LP with longtime producer Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Gaslight Anthem), Opening your new record with a track entitled ‘Banger’ and loosely modelling it around The Glitter Band it better bloody well be a ‘Banger’. It certainly sets the tone for what’s to come with a collection of songs that fuse their varied influences really well.

From the boogie-woogie shuffle roots of original 50s rock ’n roll, to the strutting swagger of 70s glam & “bovver rock,” to the gritty anthemic street punk its a pretty decent gene pool to dip those toes in. Single ‘Ketamine & Cola’ is up next and the sunshine Rock n Roll glam stomp rushes through the speakers. It’s catchy, Bright and one to sing along to for sure. The melodies and backing vocals are screaming out lifting the first few tracks as ‘Dynamite’ is like Mud never went away even if it is a brave move having a cover so early in the record but hell why not throw you a curve ball.

With working-class street punk lyrics aplenty it touches on plenty of genres and unifies the lot of em. Chest-beating working-class rock n roll is right where this record is at. The title track is upbeat and made for playing live. really good song. Lucky for the punters they love touring so the chances of seeing these songs in their natural habitat is decent.

I particularly enjoyed ‘Yob On The Rampage’ its where you imagine it to be going by the progression of this record so far. It’s like Slade Griffin on some harder rock but with a good hook and a party in mind. It’s not rocket science and they’re not reinventing the wheel just rolling with it and having a blast and that transfers into a well-rounded rock solid record.

‘1979 Trans Am’ is the embodiment of their approach to making this record and they’ve nailed a good time in three minutes. If I’m being honest this record gets stronger and stronger with the second half of songs are warmed up and cruising and the sound of a band enjoying where they’re at and killing it.

To finish off the record they do kick back and roll out the ole barroom joanna for one last late night sing-a-long on ‘Born To Die In NYC’ and keeping it simple with no breakout or big guitar solo it’s a fine mellow moment to put a full stop on a strong record. Don’t take my word for it. Hit it up and get the beers in, you can thank me later.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Jim Lindberg (of Pennywise) – Solo Project – “The Palm of Your Hand” Video

Jim Lindberg (of Pennywise) – Solo Project – “The Palm of Your Hand” Video

Most known for his role as songwriter and lead singer of punk rock band Pennywise, Jim Lindberg has been making inspiring, thought-provoking music since the 1990’s. Musically, he is influenced by an array of genres from punk and folk music to old school country and americana. Lyrically, Jim takes inspiration anywhere from transcendental philosophers to real life events; seeking always to tell a story or find the answers to life’s big questions. Today, Lindberg shares the first glimpse of his solo project with the track “The Palm of Your Hand” produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, Flogging Molly). The track features David Hidalgo Jr. (Social Distortion) on drums, Joe Gittleman (The Mighty, Mighty BossTones, Avoid One Thing) on bass, and Marc Orrell (The Dropkick Murphy’s, The Walker Roaders) on guitar. Check it out here and the new lyric video HERE:

 

Lindberg began writing “The Palm of Your Hand” over fifteen years ago, coming up with the chorus at the time but the song remained predominately unfinished until 2020 when he entered the studio to work on his forthcoming solo record. “I wanted to create two fictional characters who are struggling with shame, guilt and self-delusion to match the chorus lyric and so that’s how ‘Left-Handed Sal’ and ‘Walleyed Sally’ were created,” notes Lindberg. “It’s a song about two people who for one reason or another can’t seem to get out of their own way and end up inflicting all kinds of damage on the people around them. The only way they’ll get out from under all their problems is to ‘Let that ego drop’ and let their feelings show. The answer is right there in front of them, in ‘the palm of your hand’”

 

 

BUSTER SHUFFLE use lockdown to record charity 7” single

BUSTER SHUFFLE use lockdown to record charity 7” single
Get Unsung Heroes Here

In fact quite a lot of their friends….. including members of Die Toten Hosen, Donots, Flogging Molly, Hepcat, Mad Caddies, The Toy Dolls, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Talco, The Infadels and the UK queen of Ska Rhoda Dakar.

Buster Shuffle are releasing a double AA side 7 Inch single titled ‘Unsung Heroes’ which consists of two songs inspired by two real heroes that the band wanted to write about whilst on lock down.

Inspired by the unprecedented times we find ourselves in and the people who are putting themselves at risk daily for the greater good- from doctors and nurses to delivery drivers, lead singer Jet Baker said ‘Whilst on lock down at home, I kept thinking there must be something we can do. Both my sisters work for the NHS on the front line so I needed to do something other than just sit at home and do nothing’.

All profits from vinyl/MP3 sales will be going to the World Health Organisation.

“If we sell 300 then great, if we sell 1000 then even better as its more money for The World Health Organisation” says Jet. “It’s really down to the Ska Punk community on how much money we will raise. It’s a good community so I’m hoping for a positive response”.

The thought provoking and powerful songs are about two brave people who, in their time, faced extreme danger and huge challenges to make changes in the world for others:

Ruby Bridges – At six years old she became the first African American student to integrate into an elementary school in the South USA. Ruby and her mother were escorted by four federal marshals to the school every day that year. She walked past crowds screaming vicious slurs at her. Undeterred, she didn’t miss a single day of school despite all the abuse and physical threats she received.

And

Iqbal Masih was sold into slavery by his parents at 4 years old to the owner of a carpet factory. After many years of forced labour he eventually escaped He then decided to help over 3,000 Pakistani children that were in ‘bonded labour’ to escape to freedom and made speeches about child slavery throughout the world. He was regularly threatened for speaking out but continued to give speeches regardless of the danger to himself. After receiving many awards for heroism Iqbal was murdered at just 12 years old.

This is a truly unique and inspiring single, recorded in total isolation with figureheads of the ska punk music scene spanning the globe making their contribution, all whilst on lock down in their homes and with all sales profits going to charity.

Connect with BUSTER SHUFFLE:

www.Facebook.com/bustershuffleofficial 
www.Instagram/ bustershuffleofficial