Happy Eritrean Independence Day, Wednesday weirdos, and thanks for tuning in to today's installment of WWA; a weekly ode to punk rock playlists, not-super-original puns, and rehashed and marginally comical GIFs. Today's musical feast includes some incredible tunes from bands like The Hold Steady, Guttermouth, Avail, KRS-One, Kill Your Idols, Mission of Burma and so much more. Kick back, turn on the playlist, read along if you must and enjoy the ride.
Annnnd 'allo what's this?! The
web player link for all you web surfin' bozos.
To kick things off this week we're off to the races with madman Mark Adkins and his merry crew of sewer possums. Fittingly, Racetrack is the first song off Guttermouth's debut record,
Full Length LP, originally released in 1991 through Dr. Strange Records, and then re-released in '96 as
The Album Formerly Known as Full Length LP. One of the things I love most about Guttermouth is their consistency of sound...that snotty, irreverent, fast-and-catchy as fuck skate punk imbued in every release they've had (maybe with the exception of
Covered with Ants..)
That's When I Reach for My Revolver is a melancholy tune written by an emotive 80s post-punk band. Mission of Burma was congealed in the oil slick-stained snow of Boston in 1979, and was initially a short-lived project, disbanding in 1983 due to guitarist Roger Miller developing tinnitus (not super rock n roll, but respect). This was the opening track of their debut release during this period, a 1981 EP entitled
Signals, Calls and Marches. Fortunately for all of us, Mission of Burma got back together in 2002, and have released four new studio albums since.
I am really excited about this next band, Ruby Bones. Heart of Darkness was their teaser single, and the first release off their debut full-length,
Ruby Bones, which just dropped last week. The first couple minimalist chug-along verses, featuring only rhythm section, contrast perfectly with the jangly distorted riffs and sing-along melodies that defines the rest of the song. Get more from these New Jersey indie rockers, including the full album,
HERE.
OK let's take it back to that snotty SoCal pop punk sound, this time delivered to our ear holes by those jackasses in Diesel Boy. I feel transported back to the 5th grade boy's bathroom, exchanging dirty puns with my prepubescent cohort....the song is called Titty Twister and is off Diesel Boys' first full-length, 1996's
Cock Rock. This actually was the first record to be released through Honest Don's Records, which was a subsidiary of Fat Wreck designed to handle material that didn't fit with the rest of the label's repertoire.
Crown on the Ground is a pure pop explosion from Brooklyn bubble noise duo, Sleigh Bells. Composed of vocalist Alexis Krauss and instrumentalist Derek Miller, formerly a guitarist for Miami hardcore act Poison the Well, Sleigh Bells quickly gained a cult following with their unique blend of fuzzy guitar effects and glazey pop structures and melodies. Crown on the Ground was one of many ear-catching tunes off their 2010 debut album
Treats.
Scandinavian punk rock holds a very special place at the table here at Wednesdays With Andrew, and Norwegian glitz punk band Turbonegro is passing the fucking bread. Originally named (I am not making this up) Nazipenis, this decidedly anti-PC band of vikings has been singing, dancing and partying since their inception in 1989. Denim Demon is off their 1996 studio album titled (also not fucking making this up)
Ass Cobra, the album art of which parodies Beach Boys'
Pet Sounds. Big up! alert: legend Jello Biafra said
Ass Cobra was one of the best punk rock albums of the 90s.
The Hold Steady is of one of the naughts' quintessential indie rock bands. Led by storyteller Craig Finn and lead guitarist Tad Kaubler, who were both previously in the band Lifter Puller, The Hold Steady mixes americana rock sensibilities with 80s synth-pop, always weaving their compositions artistically through thoughtful arrangements and interesting plot backdrops. Your Little Hoodrat Friend was off their sophomore studio effort,
Separation Sunday.
Up next is Visions, courtesy of the rocking ladies of The Beverleys. Reminiscent of contemporary acts like Charly Bliss and Diet Cig, these Torontoniennes (like, toronto in canada) tend to show a bit more teeth and pure 90s grunge soul than some of their peers. Visions is off their 2015
Brutal LP. Go listen to the album now, and also be their
friend!
I can't think of an artist that embodies 'the pen is mightier than the sword' philosophy more forcefully than Bronx warrior poet KRS-One. One of the most outspoken and politically-driven rappers I have ever listened to (though granted, I don't listen to a lot of hip hop..), KRS-One packs a fucking punch in all of his lyrical attacks. Outta Here is off his first solo album,
Return of the Boom Bap, which also features some of his better-known works like Sound of da Police and I Can't Wake Up.
Shit, look at the time! You need to get back to work, so let's close out this playlist with a classic from pogo-fueled street punks Swingin' Utters. No Place In The Sun is a satisfyingly melodic, sing-along anthem off their breakout album,
The Streets of San Francisco, which was produced by Rancid's Lars Frederiksen. This record earned the Utters nationwide recognition for their brand of catchy, traditionally-rooted punk rock sounds.
OK Wednesday wankers, that is a wrap for the week. We squeezed in a lot of good tunes in just under 35 minutes, so let's give ourselves a little pat on the back. I think it may be time to go check out those new Twin Peaks episodes...I hear they're quite gratifyingly tip-top. As always, send me requests, send me love, send me your HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATH FREE. Oh, and skittles. send skittles.
peace
