Michael Crafter / Family Man / Injakmati - 3 Way Split CD

This split CD is in support of the South East Asia tour.

Michael Crafter is a two piece from Dee Why, Australia that play a messy mix of PV and grind. They have their tongue planted firmly in their cheeks with joke filled songs. They loose points on this release however for being the only band to not include lyrics.

Family Man are from Berlin, Germany. They play hardcore punk rock drenched in rock n roll and a touch of metal. They are fast paced and kind of remind me of Sick of It All crossed with Glasses (I don’t know many German bands).

Injakmati are from Indonesia. They are probably my least favourite of the three bands when compared. They play grind with a mix of death metal.

After checking out these bands you should check out Revulsion Records. They put on this tour and have some decent releases.

Website:

Michael Crafter - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Crafter/246694757546

                        http://michaelcrafter.bandcamp.com/

Family Man - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Family-Man/130623903662036

                        http://www.family-man.org/

                        http://familyman.bandcamp.com/

Injakmati - https://www.facebook.com/injakmati

The Fake Boys – This Is Where Our Songs Live

I picked this up from Arrest Records at Blood, Sweat and Beers 5.

The Fake Boys play 90’s styled melodic punk rock with a slightly aggressive edge. I found myself playing this CD quite abit. I hope that Arrest end up bringing them out to Australia.

FFO: Saves The Day, Samiam and The Creeps

Website: http://thefakeboys.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thefakeboys

http://www.thefakeblogs.blogspot.com/

http://www.thefakeboys.bigcartel.com/

The Good Life – Help Wanted Nights

The Good Life was the solo project of Cursive’s Tim Kasher, but eventually morphed into its own group. This is their fourth album. It basically sounds like a more mellowed out Cursive. I like Cursive. I like this.

The packaging of this is great (6 panel digipak with a booklet glued in the middle) and also comes enhanced with a Saddle Creek Label Sampler (which I haven’t downloaded).

If you’re going through a break up you’re probably going to need this.

FFO: Cursive and Bright Eyes

Fat Guy Wears Mystic Wolf Shirt – Two Day Tour EP

I picked this up from the band when I saw them play at Jerry’s (for those that care the last Jerry house show is on the 12^th of November).

This recording consists of 8 tracks of techy grind, 5 of which are live tracks with hilarious banter between the songs. The CD is packaged in a folded sheet of paper with paragraphs of phycology gibber gabber on it.

I recommend that you see these guys live or pick up their new album ‘Counter/Transference’.

FFO: Totally Unicorn, Rather Be Dead and Agents Of Abhorrence

Website: http://www.facebook.com/fgwmws

http://fgwmws.tumblr.com/

http://fgwmws.bandcamp.com/

Ghosts – Demo (8/15)

Fast, snotty and pissed off hardcore punk from Sydney out for a good time. If you get a chance to see these guys live it can work out in two ways. It will be a party and everyone will have a blast OR it will be the most awkward thing you have ever experienced in your life. I think that this was all the material that these guys had at the time they released this. There is a ton of covers on here as well, including ‘Can I Borrow A Feeling’ by Kirk Van Houten.

The singer/drummer and I used to play in a band together as well. These guys are good dudes.

This recording is really raw and they have a ‘proper’ demo/EP out now which I will post about when I get around to it (I have a huge backlog to write about).

FFO: Ceremony

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ghosts/190904054263996

http://ghostshardcore.bandcamp.com/

Cursive – The Difference Between Houses and Homes (Lost Songs and Loose Ends 19995-2001)

This CD is a compilation of out of print 7”s and 2 unreleased tracks from the period between 1995 and 2001.

There some pretty interesting and varied songs on here. Some of these songs show a rawer and punkier side to Cursive.

The accompanying booklet is a story written by front man Tim Kasher and illustrated by Yuriko Yoshino.

FFO: Braid, Small Brown Bike

Website: http://www.cursivearmy.com/

Hatred Division – Promo 2011 (cassette)

My mate Dave recently came back from South East Asia while touring with his band with a bunch of tapes for distro. He recommended this for me to try out.

This is described on the cassette spine as angry raw grindcore. I cant think of a better description. This is lofi as fuck!

The packing is simple. Yellow cardboard and generic tape.

There is nothing on the tape that indicates anything about the band, giving them a mysterious vibe. On further research (looking up their Facebook) I found that they are from Malaysia.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hatred-Division/237638436266624?

Dead End Days – The Longest Day Of My Life

I have really fallen in love with this album.

Dead End Days is an acoustic/electric band with a punk rock vibe. This is a ‘concept album’ (I’m not sure what the concept is though) written entirely by Mike Petruccelli.

The songs on this are incredibly catchy and get stuck in your head (they have been in mine for weeks). I have given this countless listens and highly recommend this. I also enjoyed the joke phone messages left by friends that play between songs.

You can find it for free download at Death To False Hope Records.

FFO: Sundowner and Bomb The Music Industry!

Website: http://www.facebook.com/DeadEndDays

http://deadenddays.bandcamp.com/

Couè Method – To Mock A Vapid World

I was introduced to this band when I saw them open for Against Me! and Crime In Stereo. I was pretty impressed and bought their self titled 7” (black). Those 3 songs on that 7” appear on this CD album.

These melodic punk rock songs are written really well. Instrumentally this is great, but it’s the vocals that really stand out for me. Stephen Milligan (ex- Mid Youth Crisis/One Inch Punch) has a really unique voice.

FFO: One Inch Punch, Mid Youth Crisis, A Death In The Family and Samiam

Battletruk – Born To Kill

Thrashy and pissed off hardcore punk from Western Australia. Recommend this.

These guys have broken up now.

FFO: Extortion

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Battletruk/146631475363477?

Glory Bound – This To Will Fade

Melodic punk rock with some folk thrown in for good measure.

You can grab a free download of this from Death To False Hope Records.

FFO: Against Me!, The Menzingers and The Lawrence Arms

Website: http://glorybound.bandcamp.com/

Billy Brown – EP

Billy Brown is the punk rock acoustic project of a guy who has been kicking around in punk/hardcore bands that I have never herd of.

You can download this from Death To False Hope Records.

FFO: Lawrence Arms, Like…Alaska and Banner Pilot.  

Website: http://www.facebook.com/billybrownmusic

The Appleseed Cast – Sagarmatha

This is the seventh full length by The Appleseed Cast, who play emo/post-rock at its best.

Intricate and beautiful with plenty of atmospheric swells and epic builds.

FFO: Mogwai

Website: http://www.facebook.com/TheAppleseedCast

Brutality Will Prevail – Forgotten Soul LP (white w/ pink splatter /107)

Moshable hardcore with a melodic edge. I picked this LP up from the same guy who I bought the split from Hang The Bastard from.

This is an earlier release from the band and has a lot more focus on mosh and heaviness.

I was pretty disappointed by the layout and packaging of this LP. The artwork is cool and basic but there is no track listing or insert. However the picture of the record on the Holy Roar Records website has a picture of what appears to be the insert so maybe mine just got ‘lost’. This jacket has seen better days as well and is pretty ripped around the edges.

This style of hardcore seems to be pretty popular these days. This band is one of the more interesting bands.

 Website: http://brutalitywillprevail.bandcamp.com/

            http://www.facebook.com/brutalitywillprevail

Belmont – Belmont

Poppy punk rock. You can find this 3 song EP for free download at Death ToFalse Hope Records. I gave this a few listens but kinda grew a little bored. I have no clue about where this band are from (I’m guessing America) and how long they have been at it for but I hope that they are fairly new as they have a good starting base with this EP.

The artwork on this is horrible, even for a downloaded EP.

FFO: Alkaline Trio, Blink 182

Abraxis – Abraxis LP (clear /50)

This is the 2^nd pressing of the Abraxis LP on clear vinyl. The packaging on this is great! The cardboard jacket is screen printed, the pressing number is stamped on and the artwork is good.

I’ve posted about the demo that came as a download when I brought this LP a while back. The music is haunting and evil holy terror. It’s hard to believe that this is a one man band/project.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ABRAXIS-HOLY-TERROR/119219044782450?sk=info

FFO: Integrity, Ringworm and Mindsnare

The Apers – You Are Only As Strong As The Table You Dance On LP (black /???)

I picked this LP up while checking out the new location of Red Eye Records in the city. It was only $10 and on Asian Man Records so I thought I’d give it a chance.

These guys are a three piece from Rotterdam and play a Ramones style of punk rock. It’s pretty good and it got a few listens out of me. It definitely won my girlfriend over/

The artwork and layout of this LP is pretty horrible.

I just realised that I didn’t take a picture of this, buts it’s late and to be honest I can’t be bothered to get the camera out. So no shitty photo of this one.

FFO: The Ramones, The Queers and Screeching Weasel

Website: http://www.facebook.com/thepunkrockdontstop

Albatros - Qui bricole construit

Gruff as fuck punk rock with horns. You can download this 3 song EP at Death To FalseHope Records. I really don’t know anything about this band and Albatros isn’t the most ideal band name to google.

The artwork on this would look great as a 7”.

FFO: Planes Mistaken For Stars

Website: http://albatrosqc.bandcamp.com/

Daybreak – Daybreak

90’s influenced melodic punk rock from Melbourne. I picked this up from the Arrest Records distro while at Blood, Sweat and Beers.

I really enjoyed these songs.  

FFO: Sommerset, The Gifthorse and Hot Water Music

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daybreak/125777134116892

The City Streets – The Jazz Age

Springsteen inspired rock n roll with a punk edge with a little alt-country/folk thrown in for good measure and soaked in whiskey and sadness.

This can easily be compared to The Gaslight Anthem. You can download this from Death ToFalse Hope Records.

I’m not a fan of their name though. Sounds like the name of a band that formed in high school and played in the battle of the bands.

FFO: The Gaslight Anthem, The Riot Before and The Hold Steady.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/Thecitystreets

Brixton Robbers – Rocks and Cranes

Drunken and pissed ska punk that you should drink too many beers and smoke to many cigarettes to. This is pretty good. I’ve listened to it over a few times.

You can download this from Death To False Hope Records.

FFO: Suicide Machines, The Flatliners and Leftover Crack

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BRIXTON-ROBBERS/255893252295

Balance and Composure – Separation

This is Balance and Composure’s debut album and many people are hailing it as one of the best of 2011. However, personally this album didn’t have the same impact upon me like the split with Tigers Jaw did. Their side on that 12” absolutely floored me.

It took me a few listens of this record to really get into it. They have honed their emotionally driven indie rock down and fine tuned parts rather than having the raw emotion come through.

That being said, I still think that this is a brilliant album. After finally ‘getting’ this record I find it really hard to actually pick many faults, except one which stands out to me. The lengthening of vowels the way Americans seem to do shits me and it is all over the place here.

After listening to this record expect to be emotionally drained. This is depressing and exciting at the same time.

Website: http://balanceandcomposure.com/

Gorillaz – Gorillaz

This CD has been through a lot. In early high school I was obsessed with this album and listened to it constantly. At home, on my walkman, everywhere and anywhere.

I still really like this album though I haven’t really kept up-to-date with what Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have been doing with this project. I find the whole idea of an imaginary band really interesting.

Website: http://gorillaz.com/

Various Artists - Topshelf Records 2011 Label Sampler

68 songs packed into this free sampler. That’s a lot of music and a lot of awesome bands!

Download it here: http://topshelfrecords.com/2011/

I’m not going to write a track list for this because there is simply too many bands to type up. So follow the link and find out for yourself.

Gorilla Biscuits - Gorilla Biscuits 7” (black /???)

This is a classic late 80’s hardcore release. Energetic and positive youth crew.

This had a huge impact on me, as well as countless others. If you don’t have this record you need to get it!

The CD version of this EP has 5 extra tracks on it.

The artwork on this is great as well.

Various Artists – Arrest Records Mixtape Vol 1. (cassette)

This tape features a selection of songs from every release on Arrest Records, a QLD based label.

I picked this up after I struck up a conversation with the guy that runs Arrest at Blood, Sweat and Beers. There is some really descent hardcore and punk rock on here so check the label and these bands out!

Tracklisting:

1. The Bonus Army – Negative Outlooks
2. The Bonus Army – Defeated
3. Doggfight US – Sinking Ships and Raising Hell
4. Doggfight US – Chivo Expiatorio
5. The Fake Boys – My Best Face
6. The Fake Boys – Raymond and James
7. Had It – Prestige Worldwide
8. Had It – Curse
9. Hammer Bros – Animal
10. Hammer Bros – All I Have Is Lowell
11. Ignorance – Fortress Of Scum
12. Ignorance – I Bleed Slime
13. Late Night Wars – I’m Only Going To Tell You Twice
14. Late Night Wars – Members Only Kareoke
15. The Nasty – Piss On The World
16. The Nasty – Decapitated Deer In Headlights
17. Persist – No Truth
18. Persist – Voices
19. Think Again – I Don’t Care
20. Think Again – The End Is Nigh
21. Vanity – Hitting Home
22. Vanity – Hath No Fury
23. Villain – Party Foul
24. Villain – Comply
25. Watchfire – The Resurrection of Truth
26. Watchfire – Undertow
27. Word For Word – Breaking All The Rules
28. Word For Word – Courage Over Fear
29. Yellow Stitches – Broken Bottles (acoustic)
30. Yellow Stitches – Take of a Fat Fucking Retard (acoustic)

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arrest-Records-Australia/283524811273

http://arrestrecordsaustralia.bigcartel.com/  

Goons Of Doom – The Story Of Dead Barbie And Ghost

Goons of Doom’s debut album picks up where their EP ‘Bikey Zomby’ left off so get ready to party and hit the beach.

They are still as fun as ever.  

Goons Of Doom – Bikey Zomby

Goons Of Doom formed as part of Ozzie Wright’s surf film ‘Wasted Youth’. As a kid I was into surfing and my cousin Luke had a copy of this movie on VHS.

This is the band’s first release (other than the VHS). The best way to describe this is rock n roll influenced by surfing culture and partying hard.

The music is energetic, messy and very fun.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/GOONS-OF-DOOM/128027168741

Various Artists - Fat Music Vol. IV: Life In The Fat Lane

I bought this comp years ago and I’m going to be honest. I only bought this comp because it has an Avail song that I didn’t have at the time. Through listening to this I got into a whole bunch of Fat Wreck bands like Strung Out, Mad Caddies and Tilt.

Long live the comp

Tracklisting:

1. Lagwagon – May 16
2. Mad Caddies – Road Rash
3. No Use For A Name – Coming Too Close
4. Sick Of It All – Pass The Buck
5. Consumed – Twat Called Mourice
6. Swingin’ Utters – Promise To Distinction
7. Good Riddance – Heresy, Hypocracy and Revenge
8. Frenzal Rhomb – Do You Wanna Fight Me
9. Strung Out - The Exumation Of Virginia Madison
10. Avail – Taken
11. The Ataris – San Dimas High School Football Rules
12. Tilt – Old School Pig
13. Goober Patrol - Part Time SF Ecologist
14. NOFX – The Plan
15. Snuff – Keep The Beat
16. Screeching Weasel – Dummy Up
17. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – My Favourite Things
18. Wizo – Quadret Im Kreis

Good Luck – Into Lake Griffy

Combining male and female vocals, almost indie pop and a cutesy punk edge is the best way I can describe this bands sound.

This record is bound to put you into a good mood.

Once while I was in Perth browsing in 78 Records I saw this LP. I didn’t know the band all that well then and had a whole bunch of stuff I was going to buy in my hands as well. I decided not to buy it. I deeply regret that decision. I have the CD version of this album however, but everyone knows that vinyl is better than CDs.

FFO (continued from my last post): Paul Baribeau, One Reason

Good Luck – Demonstration 2011

4 tracks of stripped back and intricate poppy punk rock.

The last song on this is a Prince cover of ‘When You Were Mine’. Good Luck pull it off so well. 

You can download this from their bandcamp (see below link) for a 'name your price'. 

FFO: Bridge and Tunnel and Defiance, Ohio

Website: http://wearegoodluck.bandcamp.com/