VOl. 1 ISSUE 3
A FREE DIGIZINE FOR ALL THE GOOD PUNK BOYS AND GIRLS - PROVIDED TO YOU COURTESY OF PODUNK RADIO.COM
March 2013
INTERVIEWS JENNA TALIA GLITTERTRASH MARK OSWALD PRIONS THE FAIL
ALBUM REVIEWS Healthy Junkies Sick Note
FREE DOWNLOADS
World War XIV Off the Wagon
PINHEAD RECORDS & BRITNEY SPEARS PRESENT INTERNATIONAL PUNK ROCK SUPERSTARS VOL. 6
FistulaNorthern Aggression Hellbastard Sons of Bitches
Guest Reviews from The Musical Junkie Photo by Shel Greenberg www.facebook.com/MicheleJaneGreenberg
ASSAULT & BATTERY RECORDS SOCAL COMP VOL.1 SELFWAR PRESENTS FREEDOM PUNKER VOL. 1 FESTER FACEPLANT SCARS & GUITARS
HORROR MOVIE REVIEWS SUZANNE ISABEL RODRIGUEZ
Well it’s been another month gone by and another month filled with great punk rock. I’d like to welcome Rich ATrain to the Independent Punk team. Rich has done some outstanding work with interviews this month, as well as paving the way for a new comp release for PoDunk Records. - Keep reading The Independent Punk for more information on that project. I’d like to thank the MANY, MANY people that gave us a read last month, you fine folks are truly what males this worth the effort. As always if you dig what we’re doing, share us with a friend! Thanks to The Musical Junkie and to Suzanne Rodriguez for their contributions.
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Would you like to advertise FOR FREE in an upcoming issue of The Independent Punk Zine? Here’s how to contact us. Physical Mail: The Independent Punk Digizine 8348 Farm Road 905 Paris, Texas 75462 Zine E-Mail: zine@podunkradio.com Thanks to Shel Jane Greenberg, Ginger*Snapshot Photography for the photos of Glitter Trash www.facebook.com/MicheleJaneGreenberg and to Géka for the photos of !SSA www.gekaart.com
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each month one lucky sticker request will receive a PoDunk Radio Care Package filled with various shit bands have sent to us! Page 2
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Detroit, Michigan
TIP -Rich: So give us a little background about the band. Jenna Talia: Hello Rich and Podunk peeps, I’m Jenna Talia, the frontman for Glitter Trash. Glitter Trash, although straddling many genres, is probably best defined as a Detroit based punk/rock/glam band. The sound is unique, but a close cousin to the original Detroit rock sound created by Protopunk bands like The Stooges and MC5, since we don’t use any effects on vocals or guitars. Many that see our show, especially older audience members who witnessed the New York scene in the late 1970’s, immediately say we would have fit in perfectly into the CBGB’s scene. Our guitarist, Scoff, runs vintage 1970‘s Gibson guitars (Gold Top/SG/Flying V) and a Marshall 200W all tube half stack. Our bass player, Pap Smears, plays a Rickenbacker 4001 with vintage 1970’s 300W Sunn tube amp paired with Sunn 2X15’s and 8x10 stack. Drummer J-44 plays all Sonor drum kits. The underlying belief in live shows and our recordings is to show little difference between the two, with a live show being very close in sound to our recorded material. Both the MC5 and The Stooges had a reputation for wild, hard driving shows, and I noticed that element seemed to disappear in todays musical landscape, especially Detroit. I started the band after being bored and somewhat astonished watching too many lead singers doing the infamous footon-monitor pose as their big move or simply standing there and not moving at all during a show. As a frontman, I dance, interact with the crowd, jump into the audience and help generate the electricity, combined with the hurricane of sound created by my bandmates, that Page 4
defines Rock ‘N Roll. If we can help keep alive the energy that defined rock alive, have a ton of fun playing out and make the world a happier place for the night, well we did our job as Rock ‘N Roll kids, and thats our main mission on stage. TIP -Rich: How long have you been around and what are your future plans? Jenna Talia: The band played their first show on January 30th of 2010 at The Double OO Pub in Redford, Michigan. The venue was a bare bones punk place (no monitors, cheap PA system) and a great place to play our first show as an unknown band. We have been through a lot of members (I’m the sole remaining member from that first night), but we have added the right individuals and continue to improve as a band, both in stage, sound and writing. Although I started my music career on that January night in 2010, my current band members, J-44, Scoff and Pap are well seasoned musicians and have been playing for years, including international gigs. Like anybody onstage, of course we’d love to play in front of 20,000 screaming people, but our short term plans are to record a new album (we are running in and writing songs as I write this), tour the USA in spurts and with a little luck, get over to the UK in the fall for a week of kick ass touring. Being a working class band, it’s tough. Negotiating jobs, family and life and adding in the hard work required to remain a successful band, it puts a lot of pressure on everyone in the band. We remain an unsigned band, so touring is tough with no support, especially since nobody
The Independent Punk
wants to pay for recorded music or pay anything more than $5 to see live local music these days in the Midwest. I’m lucky to have passionate artists in this band with me, guys that really care about music and performance. We might never become a famous band, but I hope young musicians watch our show and it inspires them to keep the flames of rock burning hot and bright. TIP -Rich: What are 5 bands you really enjoy listening to? Jenna Talia: If you are a musician that only pays attention to your own genre, then you’re really missing the boat. Personally, I listen to everything except today’s shit infused pop, country, electronic or R&B bullshit...in other words I DO NOT listen to the radio anymore. I listen to everything from Jerry Lee Lewis, Hasil Adkins, Cheap Trick, anything classic punk, blues, 70’s rock... just too many great things to knock down to 5 bands. If you had to pin me against a wall for 5 bands that remain on my record player (yes, I’m a vinyl addict), I really get into Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers (get “Live at the Speakeasy”...great album), The Wanderers (Stiv Bators/Sham 69), Gang War (Wayne Kramer and Johnny Thunders), The Darkness and the Dead Boys. TIP -Rich: Tell us about the scene in Detroit.
Jenna Talia: We have been around three years, so we have played with a lot of bands. The high energy wild ones are the bands I love to play with most, the ones that challenge the audience and keep the crowds around and pumped on adrenaline. Some of my favorites are our brothers in Lorain Skum, a hardcore band out of Lorain, OH...you never know what’s gonna happen during their shows. Of all the places we play, today’s CBGB’s is the The Spitfire Punk Saloon in Cleveland, OH and is about as good as it gets for a wild time. We have never had a bad crowd there. The bands get all the canned beer they can drink, the audience knows their shit about music and they have a free punk rock jukebox that is unreal. The owner, Stosh, is today’s Hilly Kristal, he is picky about who plays his club and is a real fan of punk rock, so he gets some great line-ups in there. A few other places are Hattrix in Kenosha, WI, the Brass Rail in Fort Wayne, IN, and Liars Club in Chicago. In Detroit, PJ’s Lagerhouse, Simon’s After Dark, Bumpers and Northern Lights are our favorites, great owners that care about the music scene, love diversity in music and treat the musicians with respect.
We have been around three years, so we have played with a lot of bands. The high energy wild ones are the bands I love to play with most, the ones that challenge the audience and keep the crowds around and pumped on adrenaline.
Jenna Talia: I have absolutely nothing positive to say about the Detroit scene, so like my momma taught me, I won’t say anything at all. Let me simply say our bands glory moments are on the road since we are banned from a large number of Detroit venues and we get no respect here from the press or the scene. I can see why Jack White went to Nashville, Iggy and Alice Cooper left Detroit as soon as they could and most bands succeed and get recognition only if they get the hell out of here. A lot of touring and national acts are now skipping Detroit because of poor crowd turnout and lack of merchandise sales, too many getting burned. The economy is very bad here, so people are simply not going out, and when they do, they do not spend much money. Everyone is freaked out about DUI’s, so the binge drinking and drugs we saw in the 70‘s and 80‘s, wild audiences for the most part, are gone in the local scenes during the week. In thinking about it, the one thing positive I will say about Detroit, the musicians out there playing for nothing do what the hell they want, so there are some really diverse sounds coming out of the Motor City right now. When we tour, I honestly haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else, so I give a lot of credibility to bands here working for nothing and creating some really unique material.
TIP -Rich: Have you ever toured or plan to tour?
Jenna Talia: We have toured the Midwest and out West as far as Colorado and Wyoming, so we have some miles under our belts. We are starting to pick-up our outof-town dates now that our newer bandmates (J-44 and Pap Smears) are well rehearsed and we have some new material about to come out. In the works, but not officially announced, are an East Coast swing and a UK tour. The UK thing has been a priority, but the costs are the only thing keeping us back at the moment. Add in plane fair alone, and we are floating in the red. If we can’t make some money doing the tours, minimally breaking even, then it’s not feasible for our band to do it. We aren’t a bunch of rich kids running around in daddy’s RV with an unlimited gas card. At close to $4 a gallon for gas, most touring is a break even proposition at best, especially carrying all the equipment in large low mileage vehicles. I guess thats why we are seeing less out-of-town bands playing these days and that’s a real shame for all the music fans.
TIP -Rich: Who are some of your favorite bands to play with and what venues do you enjoy playing?
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TIP -Rich: Tell us a little about your live show and all that goes in to getting ready for one. Jenna Talia: We have a really kick ass, laid back and mild mannered band...until we get onstage. Like flicking a light switch, the juice turns on and something amazing happens. There is absolutely nothing preplanned about our show, each one is its own unique creature. Everything, including audience members, can become a part of the show. Props used can be a table, a bar stool, a bar rug...whatever I get my hands on to do a little self destruction. It’s all about Punk Rock Theater. To be honest, I remember nothing that happens onstage. I compare it personally to a religious out-of-body experience as Glitter Trash’s frontman. My bandmates might tell you they have developed eyes in the backs of their heads to watch out for me onstage. Occasionally there is some blood, some nudity, some laughter...however we feel like painting the picture that moment onstage. That’s the beauty of having a slightly insane frontman roaming the stage.
and I do building demolition. We rip out the guts of old buildings for rehab, so we breath in a lot of asbestos and get injured a lot, great fun. Scoff collects vinyl and sells obscure Detroit label Northern Soul 45’s on Ebay. My girlfriend, Michelle, and I just picked up a 2008 Harley Road King motorcycle, so we plan on spending a lot of time on it this summer along with hanging with my 3 kids singing, goofing around and flipping antiques and cool stuff at flea markets when we aren’t roaming the asphalt heading to gigs. J-44 and Pap Smears are in the business world to pay the bills. Pap is into vintage cars and has an early 60’s Ford van he has minted out and turned into a street monster. J-44 is a cool family man and has some junior drummers in training.
We have a really kick ass, laid back and mild mannered band...until we get onstage.
TIP -Rich: What are your songs about? Jenna Talia: A common theme is self destruction and hopelessness, I guess it wreaks from Detroit and its decline. Also tongue-in-cheek humor, suicide, serial killers, sex, women...you know, life in general. TIP -Rich: Who does the song writing? Is it just one person who does the song writing or is it a collaborative process? Jenna Talia: I write most of the lyrics and design the structure of the songs, the skeleton. The band sits down together, takes my skeleton and adds the muscle, guts and skin... the intro’s, leads, outro, drums and bass, so it is truly a group effort. I am an outsider musician, so I give a lot of credit to my bandmates for working with my weirdness and turning it into something beautiful to behold. Our newest song, Pretty Suicide, is like an orchestra piece, lots of odd changes, nooks and crannies with a 50’s flair, so it really challenges the band on all levels. I really dig it to see the audiences response when we do that particular song live. TIP -Rich: What do yall do when your not busy with the band?
TIP -Rich: Do any of you play in other bands or have any other creative outlets. Jenna Talia: At the moment, everyone is putting all their juice into Glitter Trash. This band is hell bent on succeeding. TIP -Rich: If you could play a show with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? Jenna Talia: Iggy Pop. He never gave up, even during his bad times, and continues his career into his mid-60’s. I don’t like every song that Iggy has put out, but he was a craftsman to some of the crown jewels of Rock ‘N Roll, especially with The Stooges “Raw Power” album. He is a Hall of Fame member, came from Michigan and knows how to put on a show. When you see him get lost in a crowd of people after inviting the entire audience onstage to sing and dance with him, I mean how much better is that? The man is legend and a direct influence to me. Close runners up are Stiv Bators (Dead Boys/Wanderers/Lords of the New Church), Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks and Michael Monroe band) and Justin Hawkins (The Darkness). All these men exude the pure energy of Rock ‘N Roll frontmen and are true showmen. Stiv is long gone, but I still have a dream of sharing stage with Iggy, Michael or Justin. TIP -Rich: Tell people how they can hear and get a hold of your music. Jenna Talia: My favorite way is to come to a show so we can all meet you. You can hear our music and check our show schedule at www.reverbnation.com/glittertrash .
Jenna Talia: All of us are working class musicians. Scoff Page 6
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You can send us messages on Facebook at www.facebook.com.glittertrashdetroit (it will come up as Jenna Talia since the dorks at Facebook made us change our name on there from Glitter Trash, saying we needed to use a real name. Isn’t that a laugh! We are also on Myspace as Glitter Trash, but I don’t think anybody goes on MySpace anymore and the last time we checked it was probably 2 years ago, so if you have any complaints for Glitter Trash, send your messages there. If you check CDBaby.com or any electronic music source like Amazon, you will find Glitter Trash songs available there. We have a ton of new merch, so if anybody wants a T-shirt or bandana to help support the bands touring, please send me a message on Facebook and I will arrange to get you what you want. Thanks for taking the time to interview Glitter Trash and we hope to meet you in the flesh on the road one day soon! - Jenna, Scoff, Pap and J-44! The Independent Punk
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The Independent Punk
World War IX - Off The Wagon - 2013 Megaplatinum Records World War IX pretty much keeps Brooklyn on it’s toes with their antics and punchy hardcore punk rock (they call it trash punk).- I gotta admit, I was ecstatic to get a box in the mail from them last week or so containing their two latest EPs and some comics penned by guitarist Justin Melkmann himself. (beautiful work man, just beautiful) WWIX is Filthy Phill - Vox, Justin Melkmann -Guitar, Brian ‘Chinatown’Jackson - Bass, & Jon Kleinman -Drums Off The Wagon was released on Megaplatinum Records earlier this year - Jan. 29th (2013 for those of you that haven’t noticed yet) .I’ll never get the chance to catch these kids live unless I can talk them into stopping by my place on their way to Dallas or Austin, but I’ve seen enough live video footage to know these guys have an incredible amount of energy and love involving the crowd at their shows.
the PoDunk Radio Punk Rock Comp Vol. 2 GRAB IT AT WWW.PODUNKRECORDS.BANDCAMP.COM
The EP starts off with an instant assault to the ears in a language that I can not speak nor understand and then this jack called The Kleve bust out some trumpet work that makes me want to raise the flag on my table and get some more sopaipillas. At just under a buck and a quarter Carrera Con El Diablo (Race with the Devil) gives you enough time to throw back a beer. The video for this track is pretty funny and makes it seem more like the title should be Carrera Hacia El Inodoro (Race to the Toilet). These guys clearly had a good time making the video and I admit that I was saddened that in the end no one had shit in the sombrero. WWIX has never been a band to get fancy Photo Copyright © 2013 géka www.gekaart.com with the effects pedals and I fucking love them for that. In my opinion if you can’t just turn up the gain all the way and play a quick few chords you should probably just get out of the punk scene and put a bullet in your eye. No, really, I’ll sit back and wait............. There are 5 tracks on this EP and one 36 second [voice-mail?] of a dude professing to bust out a barrage of burgers on an unsuspecting group of diners; here’s the catch - he did it all using his mind! Hey, I believe him; I’m pretty sure I killed a cricket with my mind late one night. - Shit Happens - Prove me wrong. Anyway, back to this EP; These five tracks are quick, fast paced, punchy and fuck and bound to keep the pit hopping and kids freaking the fuck out. It’s great for the trip to work or the return trip home - I can burn off a lot of road rage with an EP like this. I Fucking LOVE this EP and hope it comes out on a 7” soon. Many thanks to the guys in WWIX for sending these out - it has been a real pleasure reviewing. Track 5, Bath Salt Zombies is the theme song for the recently released movie by the same title - Bath Salt Zombies is a new horror film directed and co-written by Dustin Wayde Mills and produced and co-written by Clint Weiler of Aggronautix. The movie sensationalizes the recent bath salt epidemic and the attacks surrounding them. The first trailer and poster for this topical horror flick that is sure to make your skin crawl. View the Bath Salt Zombies Movie Trailer at MovieWeb Get More Information on World War IX at www.worldwarix.com Like Them on facebook ji* - Jacks Insanity The PoDunk Punk The Independent Punk
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The Enders - The Ruins of Ambition
Infested Records is a small independent punk rock record label and distribution located in North Central West Virginia
V/A - Music To Bleed To (1, 2, 3)
facebook.com/infestedrecords www.infestedrecords.com
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Healthy Junkies - Sick Note Self Released - 2012
HellBastard - Sons of Bitches - 12/20/12 - Patac Records The band that gave us the term Crust Punk, HellBastard are back and all over the musical map on their latest release Sons of Bitches. The five tracks on this album are a hodgepodge of hardcore punk, skate-style thrash, low down gritty grunge, and just enough melodic/prog guitar & (is that a fucking) keyboard work to make you wonder what in god’s green fuck is going on here.
The Healthy Junkies are a female fronted 4 piece act out of London. They have a pop/glam/alternative sound. Their LP Sick Note has earned them quite a bit well deserved of attention in the UK as well as here in the US. Guitar - Phil Honey Jones, Sing - Nina Courson (I think I’m in love), Bass Tjay Tarantino, Drums - Steve Nightmare, Drums on Copycat and Trash My Love - Adam Lewis They played their first gig together at an all day punk festival in Brighton in September 2010. Since then the band have played many gigs all over the U.K.including headlining the new band stage at Rebellion Punk Festival in August 2012.
Don’t get me wrong, I dig this album (to an extent) but some of the tracks tend to adventure off into another world here and there. This album is a long, long way away from their ‘86 demo Ripper Crust. Swinging wildly from trash metal to hardcore punk, to 80’s style glam guitar rock, to well, I just don’t fucking know...
Healthy Junkies will be supporting the legendary Walter Lure (Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers) at The Underworld, London in August 2013 and they started up 2013 with a great news as they signed to STP Records for the release of their second album “Forbidden to Forbid”.
Wolfsong/Arcadia begins with wolves howling in the night and quickly bursts into a primal drumbeat behind quick little guitar attacks the echoey vocals bringing midcareer Pantera’s Phil Anselmo to mind. This track is a dark piece with a really relaxed and easy pace up until the final 57 seconds where the band threw in a faster paced punch to lead into the next track.
Track one, Copycat, of Sick Note kicks off with a powerful guitar line and heavy bassline - the soft voiced French singer Nina Courson has a voice that does not need to be loud to be appreciated, it’s simply angelic.
Sons of Bitches hits hard right off the bat pounding drums fast guitars, this is a trash song with melodic fills, this track reminds me of Hell Bastards earlier work and is spot on a pretty decent tune.
You can hear influences from bands such as Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Hole, Killing Joke, Sex Pistols, Bauhaus, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Iggy and the Stooges, David Bowie, T-Rex, The Pixies, and Tanya Donelly fronted Belly practically bleed out these tracks. These kids know their way around their instruments and the resulting sound is easy on the ears and kind on the soul. Manifesto, to me, is easily the best track on this album, Nina’s vocals have a haunting Amy Mann quality to them on this song. The guitar solo here is soulful and understanding of loss and the pain and frustration that comes along with loss.
System Whore again gives us a brutal ear drum pounding and then the guitar rolls off into some eighties-ish speed metal licks. Tracking in at five minutes and forty-four minutes this one splits from a fast paced beast into a calm, creepily tranquil keyboard solo worthy of any horror flick.
Sick Note is a 13 track album that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if you you enjoy throwing the windows open and relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. The tracks are the perfect tempo to an easy afternoon with beer and friends
We Had Evidence (Re-Release) This new recording of the 1988 version off Heading for Internal Darkness brings us an airy keyboard intro with acoustic guitar overlay that leads into a crisp clean electric guitar lead. Think big bleached hair and tight spandex/leather pants in early glam metal era. About a minute and a half in we get to some beefier guitars, more dynamic drumming, and a megaphone mic effect vocal mix in.
While they are not a punk [per se] band I dig this album and look forward to hearing the next.
Throw The Petrol Bomb is hands down my favorite track on this album and oddly enough is NOTHING like what you’d expect to hear from Hell Bastard at all. It’s a nice crisp little early brit ska sound to it. Damn shame it had no horns though.
Hometown: London Record Label: STP Records / Banana Castle Records General Manager: Philip Allen Gender Plural (mixed)
Overall opinion of this record is that it’s OK. I’m not really sure where I stand on it. I understand that a band can’t keep rolling the same exact sound for 20+ years, but this album was more like an experiment in genres and styles to me as opposed to a polished solid release. One thing that I can say for sure about Sons of Bitches is that it really shows the range and ability of each musician in HellBastard.
Websites: http://www.reverbnation.com/healthyjunkies http://www.facebook.com/pages/Healthy-Junkies/128020360589230 Press Contact: bananacastleltd@yahoo.co.uk Booking Agent: bananacastleltd@yahoo.co.uk
HellBastard is: Malcolm Lewty – Guitars / Vocals, Tom McCombe - Guitars, Paul O’Shea - Bass, Josh Harris - Drums www.hellbastard.co.uk - www.twitter.com/tomhellbastard - www.reverbnation.com/ hellbastard - www.myspace.com/rippercrust ji* - Jacks Insanity The PoDunk Punk.
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GUEST REVIEWS Animal Train - “Commercial Suicide” Review - PoDunk Records - 2013 Animal Train is proof that girls could scream louder and harder than their male counterparts. They are a female fronted band from Austin, Texas and they packed so much lunacy in their 10 minute album “Commercial Suicide.” Singer CJ shouts out every word from the bottom pits of her lungs and shoves them through your ears. Rich is burning up every song with noisy guitar riffs. John’s bass lines are keeping the music in old school punk terms and Tron’s drum parts will shake every little bone in your body. The album opener “Thin Thread” pushes you into harsh currents of screaming vocals and rapid riffs. It’s like waking up in the middle of a moshpit. “Vital Core” begins with a bass ling follow by a grisly groove and suddenly jumps into an adrenaline fueled chorus. It repeats the same verse and chorus formula but it gets better as the song progress. The sound of the guitar riff introducing each verse will stick into your brain. “Melt Down” came from punk rock haven. From catchy anti-authority vocals to simple drum beats and riffs, it’s very easy to fall in love with this song. “Sith Vicious” is an accelerated pop song and can serve as the single of the album. It is a well written song. The vocals and the guitar complement each other and bring out excellent sound. This is the song you will have on repeat for a long time. The instrumentation is extremely memorable. The final track “Baby Step” finishes the album on a very vehement note. It loaded with rumbling drums and bass smothered with a sharp guitar. Once the album is over, you are left wanted more. This band has done much more in less than ten minutes than other bands. It’s made by punk rock purists and for punk rock purists or for anyone for loves short blatant songs.
COMING SOON
IN TIME FOR RECORD STORE DAY!
side a thin thread & vital core sibe b sith vicious
Limited pressing of 300 each will be hand numbered Visit www.animaltrainatx.com for more information Page 12
Twin Peax - Stand In The Sand (Track Review) Released 07 July 2012 Give a listen to this glossy track by Twin Peax called “Stand In The Sand.” It’s glam rock for the garage lovers. The track starts with a echoing laugh and a dreamy intro. Then party riff strums away with the vocals shouting away in a haze of reverb. When the track comes together, it visit places when Jay Reatard and Ty Segall has gone before. The way the vocals come out remind a lot of Girls Vs Boys. It’s very easy to get caught in the melody and sing along. The bassist dances away with fills warping around the guitar riffs and splashing drums. The keys in the background give turn the music into a psychedelic trip. This song will make you go mad but in a fun direction. I could picture listening to this song with the smell of the ocean surrounding me. Sadly, the dream state is only sporadic and ends just pass the two minute mark. Stream it on Bandcamp: http://twinpeakschicago.bandcamp.com/album/sunken
Forced Abortion, Violet Monkey Orgy Released February 2013 If you love obnoxious vocals that will occasionally rip through your ear drums. While the guitar, drums, and bass make it even wider. Forced Abortion will be your band. They are a comedic hardcore punk band that has a mess of short songs. The bass lines sound really slinky on some of that tracks as well as the music. It’s really playful and fun but in brutal lighting. They remind me of Mr. Bungle who is notorious for making crazy standards. The vocals are like a semi form of Mike Patton. He tries to explore different territories and scribble them up as if a maniac is painting. I didn’t quite enjoy this band at first but it grew on me eventually. Its hardcore punk music for the mentally unstable. Are we all that in some way? Tracks to check out: The South Should Have Won Name Your Own Price Download at Bandcamp: http://forcedabortion.bandcamp.com/album/violent-monkey-orgy
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By Caesar Bolero Let me start off by saying, everyone who has ever been in a band thinks they have the best road stories. Nine times out of ten when someone tells you a road story about their band, they conclude with, “well … I guess you just had to be
he mistook the bored look in my eye to mean that I didn’t believe he was related to said music mogul. The conversation then turned to trivia about this music biz player to prove the familiar relationship. That bored look in my eye must not have been dispating, because as a last ditch, Hail Mary effort to prove his kinship, my dude pulls out his ID to show me his last name. When I looked at the ID card it wasn’t his name that caught my attention, instead, it was the Michigan State Department of Corrections title and the recentness of his release date that really made me snap to attention. I politely mentioned that I had to tune a guitar and we could talk after the show.
While I was tuning the guitar, another guy walked up to me to talk about band business. Rather than managing the band, this guy wanted to join the band. While his matching white jeans and white tank top, would have fit nicely with our there.” bowling shirts, I wasn’t quite convinced this guy was Powerbombs material. Thinking this conversation can’t be as I’ll admit most of my stories are lame too, but I think I’ve one or two “I immediately became crazy as the last conversation, I asked the man in white what that are legitimately funny. self-conscious and instrument he played. To which he replied, “the harp.” I immediately became self-conscious and wondered if somehow Back in 2004, my band Jacknife Powerbombs, was getting ready wondered if somehow our band morphed into Coldplay on the drive up. The harpist to play a show in Ypsilanti, Michigan or Ypsy as the locals call it. If our band morphed into then said that he had his harp with him and was ready to play, you‘re not familiar with Ypsy, it is home to Eastern Michigan Univerif we needed him. Yes sir, I drove two and a half hours to play sity and when school is in session the clubs are loaded with kids Coldplay on the drive a show and just now realized I left my harp player at home, looking to get down. As a side note, in our usual fashion we made up.” thanks for coming to the rescue. He then reached into his the genius move of playing a college town over a holiday weekend pocket and pulled out what he called a harp. This happens (Thanksgiving at Eastern Michigan University, Easter at Ohio Univerto be the same instrument that the rest of the world calls a sity, shit I think we even played the University of Toronto on Boxing Day!) It was harmonica. At this point, I thought a drive by harmonica in one of the songs the first time we’d ever played in Ypsy, and if the truth be known, it was the first could be funny. I told this guy that he could come up and play on the last song. time we ever played more than an hour from home. We got to the club early, Not wanting to leave anything to chance, we worked out some hand signals. loaded our gear in and got ready for everyone’s least favorite part about playing When I tapped my right forearm, we was supposed to storm the stage, find a out … waiting to play. At some point while walking around the club or walking microphone and start blasting that harmonica. Right before the show started, around outside the club, we saw the flyer for our show. How should I describe I told the rest of the guys in in the band about the possible addition of a harthe flyer? It wasn’t the most original flyer I’d ever scene and the graphics didn’t monica to tonight’s set and they were all totally in to it. We rip through the set quite grab you by the ears and say “come to this show or suffer insurmountable and we’re playing the last song, “Set to Go.” There is a drum and bass break regret until you’re dying day.” The graphics featured all the bands’ names in down in the song and I thought it was the perfect time to signal for our secret some basic font with one color pictures of Simba from the Lion King. It wasn’t weapon. We get to the break down, I look at our dude, tap my right forearm and even the all grown up, ass kicker Simba. It was little baby, hakuna matata … nothing. What is going on, I’m looking right at this guy and I am clearly tapSimba. I shouldn’t complain, someone took the time to make a flyer and spread ping my right forearm. A few more taps and still no movement. By this time, the the word about the show. other guitarist that doesn’t play during the breakdown starts tapping his forearm and still nothing. Needless to say, our guy stood us up and never came up to Anyhow, onto the real stories of the show. I was sitting at the merch table play that damned harmonica. After the show, I asked the dude what was going when some random guy came up to me and said he wanted to manage our on. Didn’t he see almost the entire band tapping their forearms like mad? He band. This happens from time to time: someone who has never heard you play looked at me with a sad, despondent look and said, “I …, I…, I lost my harp.” I walks up to you and wants to manage you. Now I think the my band is great, guess that is why you don’t play college towns on holiday weekends. but shouldn’t you actually hear us before wanting to manage us. Unless, it’s Classy Freddie Blassie, I will usually just listen politely when people roll up with If you liked this story, listen to us on spotify, buy our music on itunes or check a management sales pitch. This guy starts to go on and on about how legit us out on facebook. If you like to manage bands that you’ve never heard behe is and how his cousin is totally wired into the music biz. He mentioned his fore, check out this English group called Coldplay, I heard they are looking for cousin’s name and I had never heard of him. Nevertheless, the guy continues to drone on about his cousin and his cousin‘s mad connections. At some point, representation.
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Japanese & American Horror Film Review Suzanne Isabel Rodriguez
https://www.facebook.com/AsianHorrorReview
“BATH SALT ZOMBIES”-2013
“INBRED”-U.K. When I first watched this movie I had no opinion of it. When that happens, - We all knew it was comI usually have to watch ing. And here it is. I make the movie a few more it a point not to watch “B” times. With that said. I MOVIES. But you gotta liked it. a lot. Obviously, do what you gotta do. The the title should be a hint movie follows a junkie to what you are going to watch. The story revolves around named Richie who de- 2 care workers who escort a group of troubled youths to cides to try out new salts the village of Mortlake, inhabited by “INBREDS’ to learn that turn him into a zombie. team work and try to change their ways. While trying to Each time he gets high he proceeds to rip people work as a team the group is confronted and threatened apart. the kill scenes actually are not that bad. by some locals. One of the care workers is injured in the Granted, they are ridiculously over the top. but process. When the group brings the injured care worker gorey nonetheless. Eventually, our junkie who is to the local pub. They are shocked when the pub owner now broke resorts to any means necessary to decapitates the injured man, the rest of the group is then get more. And when he does he kills and takes taken by force and locked in a room. It’s at this point that the salts, which at this point we find that the main enigmatic pub owner “Jim” decides to put on a show. ingredient is a militarized chemical deemed too As the trapped group tries to plot their escape, a local dangerous to use. This time Richie has the salts comes in and takes one of them by force. As the show in liquid form, drinks it and turns into a laugh- begins, the group hears the screams and pleas of help able looking zombie and goes on a killing spree. from their friend. They manage to break out and make As the police close in he has no problem dealing a run for it. Now there are some fantastic kill scenes I’m with them now that he has super-strength. I will not going into, I don’t like to spoil. When writing a review. say the fight scene in the end between Richie You’ll have to watch it. At one point the group manages and the cop determined to get him is entertain- to get back to their car and kill a few locals. As the viewer ing. And the ending is fairly decent. I don’t want you think “they can make it!” And maybe they do. Lol. to spoil so you’ll have to see it.If you are a fan Overall, this movie has some fantastic gore scenes. I of “B” movies that are completely over the top. love how they worked in that famous British humor into the film. I give “INBRED” a 7-10. And I’ll end with my faThen you will want to see this one. 4-10 vorite quote from the movie. “good shot Jim”. The Independent Punk
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SSA - Unleash Basement Recordings on ReverbNation March 2013 Mike Wontor (NJ Mike) is back and rarely has New Jersey rocked this hard! SSA just released some demo tracks on ReverbNation. SSA is Mike Wontor - Vocals, Ryan Thompson - Guitar (both former WWIX rejects) Steve Wanchow on drums, and Vic Laube on Bass. These demo tracks are raw and aggressive! Early 80’s hardcore with a dash of thrash thrown in for good measure. If these demo tracks are this good, the studio tracks should blow you the fuck away. SSA are currently hitting the studio to polish these out. No release date has been set, as of yet. Their first live show had the kids singing and dancing until the cops showed up, but they are booking new gigs now. Keep your eyes and ears peeled open for show date announcements and stay tuned to PoDunk Radio and NoSale Radio for EP drop dates! ji*- Jacks Insanity the PoDunk Punk http://about.me/jacksinsanity
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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN>>>
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Fistula - Northern Aggression - LP 0/22/12 Patac Records Fistula is (on this record): Corey Bing-Guitar, Bahb Branca-vocals, Nate Linehan-Drums, Sean Linehanbass YOU GET A GODDAMN JOB BEFORE SUNDOWN!!!
Again.
I hate to admit - the intro sampling to this album sounds like something that could have been recorded in my house. Feedback, glorious feedback; any album that leads in with as much feedback as Northern Aggression is already a winner in my book then to shift into a that deep southern doom riff - Fistula, you just stole my heart.
Hailing from the Cleveland, OH area; Fistula are currently an active heavy punk, sludge, hardcore band. Having experienced a number of lineup changes throughout the years. They are a filthy class-act in the sludge arena indeed, heralding former as well as ex- members and current members - affiliated with bands such as Morbid Wizard, Disease Concept, Ultralord, Sollubi, King Travolta, Rue, 16, Trenchant,Anal Cunt, Adolf Satan, Insult, Scumchrist, Accept Death and Sloth (US). Fistula have a long track record of putting out amazingly brutal releases and Northern Aggression does not disappoint one bit. Bahb Branca chokes out his vocal duties. As I listen to this, I get the notion this is what Al Jourgensen could sound like if he had a real pair of balls. Corey’s guitar riffs are heavy as a lunch ladies tits and filled with grit, a good dirty sound coming out of them and Sean’s bass lines seem to be driven by hell. I just don’t think Nate can beat those drums any harder than he is here on Northern Aggression. This album will have you packing your bong for the sludge and sloshing the water out when they pick up the pace. There is nothing about this album that I can not like except for the bong water all over the floor, but it looks like the dog is taking care of that and might get a nice long nap in for the afternoon. Sobriety is Overrated is a minute and half audible DT fit, I’ve been there and if put to music - this is what a hard withdrawal would sound like, the early low, sick feeling bleeding into the caged rage of a violent fit and just right there at the peak of the fit, the last drop of tainted sweat oozes from your pores and the song is over. Fang takes on a similar style with the deceptive intro lulling you back into a state of calm mellow before flipping you over onto your belly and dry humping like a homeless wino for the next 3 minutes. Black Sunday just gets under your skin from the get-go. Fistula really blended the angry punk sound with the doom riff feel on this one. Kids will bleed in the pits on this one for sure. Harmful Situation keeps the anxiety level high I’m now determined that Fistula actually want me to rip shit off my walls, kick holes in my doors, and throw handfuls of shit at my neighbors. Kanker Noise erupts into an all out frenzy. If I turn this up anymore the cops will show up, scary part is; I don’t fucking care if they do - let them come - I’ll throw this handful of shit at them! Thankfully Lightbulb Smoker steers my new found aggression back to a slightly safer arena. Well, fuck I honestly have no clue what the fuck to do with myself during this song - it is an epic masterpiece of ass rape to the emotional core. Somebody needs to get these kids back on their Bi-Polar Disorder pills before my head fucking explodes. This is by far the standout track off of this album. It makes me miss heroin. It makes me miss cocaine and yet reminds me that I still need to stay the fuck away. The Spider screeches into play and forces itself into the brain establishing a rapid rate of cellular decay and like the fly in the web, I stop struggling shortly after the initial bite and suddenly am OK with having my life sucked from me.
FREE COMP!!
Big Props to the boys in Fistula for this release, you kids are some serious fucking talent with some seriously fucked up music and I wouldn’t love you if you weren’t.
- Overall Impression GET THIS MOTHER FUCKING RECORD!!!
www.podunkrecords.bandcamp.com
jacks insanity the podunk punk Page 17
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An Interview with:
Austin, Texas
TIP - Rich: Ok first off tell us who you are and a little about your band. Mark Oswald: We're Prions from Austin, Texas. We're a D-beat hardcore punk rock band. TIP - Rich: For those who haven’t heard about you please describe your sound and the bands you are inspired by. Mark Oswald: We're inspired by many bands, and genres.. Anything from metal to punk to classical (Erik). However music isn't the only thing that inspires us, a lot of our writing is derived from daily situations like misery, death, war, lies, panic, betrayal, even serial killers. There's an array of bands we all like and take influence from, some bands are Wolfpack and Tragedy. TIP - Rich: Tell us about your songs and your song writing process.Mark Oswald: Our song writing process is quite fun.. Someone usually just comes with an idea or a small riff and we just build off that. There's always ideas brewing. We have two new songs we wrote last week. I'm pretty sure after these two we still have about 4 different half done riff ideas. We're constantly writing. TIP - Rich: What are your thoughts on the Austin punk scene? Are there any locals you enjoy playing with or venues you enjoy playing at? Mark Oswald: I like Austin's punk scene. Ram.. You can fill the rest.. Ok with pleasure! Austin punk scene is tight, close. You can go out to punk show and run into anyone from your favorite local bands just hanging out! There's a strong sense of unity in the scene in any given day you can find punks and skins, metal heads and hardcore kids hanging out enjoying good shows and good brew! There are so many bands to choose from!! Personally I'd like to play with World Burns To Death, they broke up a few years ago unfortunately. However we do cover one of their songs, "Frenzied Hacking Of Swords", look out for it on vinyl in the future!! TIP - Rich: What was your first punk rock show you ever saw? Mark Oswald: My first punk rock show was back in 2000. It was at The White Rabbit in San Antonio. I saw a band called Red Reverse and a band called Digger from PA. It was a great show. I remember my ears ringing for days after that. I just remember thinking "Damn, This is where i need to be." TIP - Rich: You said you use to play in a band called Exile. Tell us a bit about that band and how you came to where you are now with the current project. Mark Oswald: Yes. Exile was fun while it lasted. I joined the band back in 2011 the last 2 years the band existed. Toured the west and the east coast. Ram and I are the only members from that band that are in Prions. I can definitely say we learned from all the bad situations and good situations that Exile has encountered. Ram and I decided that we were going to continue playing music together while on our east coast tour last May. There was a few different band names that came about but didn't stick. Then Ram approached me with the name Prions. It was the only name that stuck. We decided we wanted to play harder and faster music. So, Prions it became! TIP - Rich: Please tell us about any upcoming gigs or future releases. Mark Oswald: We're playing two shows in April at The White Swan, one on the 12th with Deadly Reign from Austin and a California band called Fucktard. Can I say FUCKtard? Really excited about that show. Then on the 16th with La Armada from Chicago and other awesome Austin bands! Page 18
TIP - Rich: What is the bands drink of choice? Mark Oswald: You know all my band members make fun of me for my personal drink of choice. But, I really prefer Budlight over anything. Caleb is Four loco and vodka.. Ram doesn't drink ( quitter {Well I quit drinking beer that's about it though. Not saying another word. Next question please. Insert mischievous laugh here…... ) Erik likes Bud Ice. TIP - Rich: Have you ever had anything crazy happen to you while you were doing a show? Mark Oswald: ( Ram, I can't really think of anything..." You got anything? RAM: Well I remember Cincinnati, Ohio Police, undercover patrol, constable, and State Trooper pulling me over in the tour van. The police officer yelling at me with his gun drawn "Driver!! Hands out of the vehicle!!" Handcuffed and thrown in the back of a police car. Released because we weren't the African American males from Texas they were looking for… The fuck!? TIP - Rich: So how can people hear your sounds and get a hold of your music or merch? Mark Oswald: We're releasing our EP titled "The Infected" next month. No set date but it will be out no doubt before mid May! Then we're off to LA in the summer to record our LP. We're all excited about that. We are hoping to do a few shows while out there as well. We don't really have any online stores set up.. But we will have a big cartel soon with cds/shirts/stickers/button and all that jazz. So keep in touch and stay tuned for upcoming online stores and news!! We have songs online as well! http://www.purevolume.com/Prions https://www.facebook.com/PrionsATX
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Aldershot, UK
TIP - Rich: Ok let’s start out by finding out who you are and what you do in the band. Would you please introduce yourselves? The FaiL: Hey, We are The FaiL from Aldershot, England, UK. Home of the British Army, although it’s not as big as it sounds...or maybe the British Army isn’t that big. We are currently going through a line up change, but at the moment our audience has the pleasure of listening to: Jack on Guitar & Vocals, Rik on Bass & Vocals, Alex on Guitar and Max on Drums. TIP - Rich: What are some bands yall are inspired by? The FaiL: We are a strange bunch and have all been dragged up listening and loving different genres of music. Rik: GBH, Descendants, NOFX, 4FT Fingers, Sick of it All. Max: Lagwagon, NOFX, Meshuggah, Led Zepplein, The Who. Jack: I was bought up listening to a lot of American Punk Rock: Offspring, NOFX, Rancid, The Casualties. As for UK punk we used to go and see a lot of the old Moon Ska Records and Household name records Bands. The punk I’m into at the moment and draw inspiration from is Texas’ Krum Bums, No Cash, Oxymoron, Rise Against’s Fat stuff. I also like a bit of Japanese Punk & Rock, Trashy Electro and Jazz. Alex:Bad Religion, Lagwagon, Metallica. TIP - Rich: Tell us about your scene and the bands you enjoy playing with. The FaiL: When we were younger our town used to have a big punk following, gigs everywhere. We used to get bands like Voodoo Glow Skulls and Catch 22 coming from the States to play in our little town. Now it seems to have dried up a bit and we have to branch out a bit further to play and see bands, but being in the south of England aint to bad, with London an hour away. The FaiL: Best bands so far that we have played with are: Septic Psychos, We Come First, Monkish, Oiz II Men, GBH, Vice Squad and also the legendary Buzzcocks. TIP - Rich: Do you prefer bigger or smaller venues? The FaiL: We played a few gigs down on Southsea Pier, it was a big, old venue over the sea. Sadly, the venue has closed down now, but i think those gigs were pretty special to us as they were the early days when we were wide eyed and bushy tailed. We played with some great bands down there too: Vice Squad, The Exposed, GBH. I remember stumbling around with Rik trying to find Beki Bondage - turns out she’s pretty hence and would kick our arses. Shame the owners ran it into the ground. We once played our home town of Aldershot with our old band too. That was pretty mental, good setup and sound and a lot of people there to see us. TIP - Rich: What do you do to get ready for a show? What are the Page 20
people like at your shows and how do they react to your music? The FaiL: Before a show we like to get involved watching the other bands play, and talkin’ shite to the people there. We all tell ourselves not to get to drunk before we play...doesn’t always work!!! We like to see a bit of moving in the pit and try and provoke the audience as much as we can. We haven’t had people spitting at us yet, so I think we’re on the right tracks. TIP - Rich: Tell us about your song writing process. The FaiL: Jack: Our writing process has changed a lot since we first started. I think when Rik, Max and I started The FaiL, we wanted to write simple punk songs that were catchy with a bit of humour behind it, not really taking it too seriously. Now, we have about 3 or 4 songs on the go at a time, we still want to write catchy songs and have fun, but the songs we are writing now have a bit more thought put into them. We are always coming up with ideas and throwing new changes into old songs though too. Rik: Musically it’s good fun, have a few beers and lyrically we just try and write about things that have happened personally to us. TIP - Rich: What do you do when you’re not playing with each other? Do any of you do side projects? The FaiL: We are all heavily involved in music, Rik has helped organise Skate and Music festivals in the past. He also has a hip-hop thing going on under ReMorse, (a regular little MC Devlin - No-Cash - Mad Conductor). Jack also writes music for a trashy electro outfit called Papillon Papier and is learning the violin! Alex spins a lot of drum and bass on his decks and used to DJ he also plays bass and drums. TIP - Rich: 4/20 or booze what is your poison? The FaiL: Different members of the FaiL like to dabble with both, everything, all and anything that will get them through a weekend. we got a song called Ashtray Brain which is about Rik and his antics. We are not a straight edge band in any shape or form. TIP - Rich: UK punk Vs US punk what are your thoughts? The FaiL: UK punk is great, but it tends to be a bit slower though, we used to play gigs with the old UK Punk bands, and although it was a great experience and looks good on a CV, we would speak to people after we played, and they would say “you guys are good, but you play too fast! you should slow it down a bit...” To fast?! Slow it down?! Punks foundation was built on being different, and doing what the fuck you want. It was faster than Pop, Merseybeat and Blues from the 60’s and more in your face and aggressive than the Rock bands from the beginning of the 70’s. We are evolving with the times. My favourite bands are US punk bands because they play harder and faster. Of
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course they’re exceptions, but we draw a lot of our inspiration from American Punk. We are a big fan of punk from all over the world though, Europe (Germany) and Asia have some crackin’ Punk bands! Who gives a shit if you can’t understand it. TIP - Rich: Please tell the people where and how they can get a hold of your music. The FaiL: Our EP is available to be downloaded for FREE at bandcamp: thefailuk.bandcamp.com so go and check us out and enjoy some free music. We can also be found spamming the globe and posting ‘orrible pictures on facebook.com/thefailuk and twitter @thefailuk Cheers guys! The FaiL.
This year we will be raising awareness about the indigenous people of Hawaii and their struggle for independence and raising money for the Music Cares Foundation. On May 17-18-19 skaters will skateboard 66 miles from Richmond Ca. To San Jose Ca to raise money and awareness and also to have a great time. Skate Til You die is a skate-a-thon where skaters get people to make donation pledges based on how many miles he or she skates. For example if someone pledges .10 cents a mile and the skater skates the whole 66 miles then the person owes $6.66. Skaters can collect the money after the event or can get one time donations and bring donations at the start of the event. The skater that raises the most money will win the Grand Prize. Donations can be made starting today via
WWW.INSTANTASSHOLE.COM Heres are links to this years causes: Music Cares Foundation http://www.grammy.org/musicares Indigenous People of Hawaii http://www.freehawaii.org/
Here are the venues and bands. (Bands Subject to change)
May 17 Burnt Ramen Richmond 7pm all ages $5 Cheap Skate Black Market Prophets Gutwrench Komatose Spite Fuck May 18 Oakland Metro 7pm all ages $5 (Special surprise headliner) Follow blindly Fucktard Under 15 Seconds Bryaugh May 19 San Jose House 4pm all ages $5 Las Malas pulgas Protest authority Vulgar nuns SPU
Our sponsors include.
Powell Peralta Alternative Tentacles Spector Bass and Guitars Bones Wheels and Bearings Tankcrimes Records Skatopia Hartman Pedals 510 Skateshop Plus many other record labels, skate shops, bands, and businesses Thanks. Lets have another great year ! John the Baker Page 21
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