archives cd archives I cd archives II cd archives III cd archives IV The Turbo A.C.s Automatic Gearhead Records $$$ Those guys are touring all the time. Seriously, all the time. But somehow they managed it to find a tiny space in their packed schedule and threw out a new record. They already worked with big names like Rogert Miret and this time Blag Dahlia (Dwarves) produced their record. The Turbo A.C.s sticked to their own specific sound on „Automatic". No big experiments, a lot of „oh oh" and „heeyo" refrains, fast punkrock songs and surf guitar parts. I personally think that this is one of their best records so far and so they could keep up the high standart they had set with their first few records. Track listing: mafioso — nightmare — automatic — collision course — perfect crime — apache — future — substance — way of the devil — denied — face of disaster — desperate. Nightmare and Automatic are definitely the hits on that record. But the other songs are great, too. So both thumbs up for the guys from New York City! -Sabine www.gearheadrecords.com click here to read sabine's interview with the turbo a.c.'s michael dolan Pennywise "Land of the Free" Epitaph Records $$$$$ Sick of those pop punk bands that your twelve year old sister listens to on repeat? A refreshing change comes by way of Pennywise and their cd "Land of The Free." This band that took the punk scene by storm during the scene revival in the mid nineties turn their attention to issues of world politics, including worldwide WTO protests and the United States Presidential elections to show just how anti establishment these boys can be. Pennywise is not afraid to question issues, and race, religion and nationality are no exception on "Land of the Free." The band has the added talent of putting a message out there and setting it to driving punk beats that makes the scene today so great. This is one of my favorite cds. Check it out. -Katie Kiedyk www.pennywisdom.com www.epitaph.com Amazombies "Bitches and Stitches" Go-Kart Records $$$$$ The best new street punk band from the West Coast has to be the Amazombies. Lead singer Kim has a voice fit for punk and delivers the songs with raspy, gutteral precision. One of the standout songs on this cd definitely has to be "That’s Right," a track that the only male member of the band, Josh, lends his vocals to. The result is an amazing girl-guy punk duet, a feat pretty rare in punk rock these days. Another song that I found exceptional was "Skirts and Scars," proving that these girls can also rock on their own. Watch out for the invasion of the Amazombies-I can gurantee they will be coming to a stereo near you any day now! -Katie Kiedyk www.theamazombies.com www.gokartrecords.com Broadzilla "Lady Luck" Diamond Star Records $$$$ Need someone on your side? I suggest "Lady Luck," the latest release from the grrl glam rock band Broadzilla. Take awesome screaming guitar riffs found on songs like "Ecstasy," and pair them with the powerful wrenching vocals of Rachel May, and its clear to see that these three women have as much talent as the do tattoos! The band writes lyrics with a blunt truthfulness. For example, the song "Y Did U Have 2B Psycho?" shows that its not always the girl chasing after the guy. Cocky male rock stars take THAT! "Lady Luck" is a rockin cd that is the epitomy of grrrl. Check it out! -Katie Kiedyk www.detroitmusic.com/~broadzil V/A Compilation "It’ll Come To You...The Songs of John Hiatt" Vanguard Records $$$$ Any true music fan will recognize the name John Hiatt. He had an impressive career that spans over 25 years and 19 albums. He is an enticing performer and an beloved songwriter. That is why it is not shocking that such exceptional acts like Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, WIllie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris would jump at the chance to cover one of his songs for the purpose of this cd. I don’t even have to tell you that is it enjoyable. The artists speak for themselves with an well-rounded mix of songs and styles. One of my favorite songs on the cd is "Take it Down," a ballad sung by Patty Griffin. She says of Hiatt, "I think he’s an expert at getting the real stuff in there-tears, laughter, confusion, joy, loneliness-all that and more in a style that makes you feel like you just had the most amazing time hanging out with one of your best friends." "It’ll Come To You..." allows you the rare opportunity to have 14 different ones. -Katie Kiedyk www.vanguardrecords.com The Fight "Home Is Where The Hate Is" Fat Wreck Chords $$$ Whats just as good as being a punk band from the U.S.? Being one from the U.K. Despite the fights of where it all began, both areas produce high quality punks. With a sound reminiscent of early 80’s punk bands such as X-Ray Specs and the Avengers, The Fight, a band from Dudly, UK is one of the most recent acts to catch the ear of punk rockers all over. Call them what you want, but whatever you do, dont call them a "girl band." K8, the female lead singer says that "girl singers are pretty much crap." Despite her attitude, she delivers some pretty gutsy girl lyrics. On their first EP, "Home Is Where The Hate Is," the band explores topics such as wannabees and revolution with catchy hooks and punky beats. Their sound is a combination of elements from 80’s punk and poppy punk hits from current artists such as Sum 41. This cd is one you can listen to again and again and always find something new to like. I look forward to hearing more from The Fight. -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com Liberation: Songs To Benefit PETA Compilation Fat Wreck Chords $$$$ Take 16 of today’s best punk rock artists and put them on a cd for a good cause and you get "Liberation: Songs To Benefit PETA." I was very excited when I received this cd. Being a vegetarian concerned with animal rights myself, it was quite a rush to see all of these great bands coming together for the prevention of animal cruelty. A few of the acts on the cd are: Hot Water Music, Goldfinger, Good Charlotte, The Eyeliners, Antiflag, Midtown, The Used and NOFX. Included on the CD are some videos both by artists and by PETA. Punk and PETA is quite the heavenly combination. The project itself, was Fat Mike’s idea. For those of you who don’t know who that is, he is the owner of Fat Wreck Chords. I can’t say enough about the music on the cd and the cause it supports. Go get it! -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com "Smash Up Derby: All The Thrills...From All The Records!" Compilation Gearhead Records $$ Looking for a fun compilation with a range of bands such as The Hives, The Donnas. Red Planet, New Bomb Turks and Hellacopters? Look no further. This compilation of retro-sounding indie rock, paired with retro artwork is the perfect combination to throw you right back to the 70’s. If you are looking for something different from the everyday pop and rock, this is the cd for you. Grab "Smash Up Derby," and a pair of bell bottoms and you will be set for hours. -Katie Kiedyk www.gearheadrecords.com Strung Out "Live in a Dive" Fat Wreck Chords $$$$ Being a Strung Out fan to begin with, I was psyched to receive the fourth edition in Fat Wreck’s "Live in a Dive" series. This cd includes a good mix of old favorites and the band’s newer songs. Included on the cd is a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s "Bark At The Moon," that has only been heard by concert goers up until now. This cd proves that Jason Cruz’s voice is just as melodiously good live as it sounds on the cds. I think this band is one of the most under rated punk rock bands out there today. Hopefully the newest edition of "Live in a Dive" will change all that. Check out "Monster," and "The Kids," they are two of the most fun songs on the cd. -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com Laura Veirs "Troubled By Fire" Bella Union $$$$ Ms. Veirs is a twenty-first century Seattle girl pushing a traditional-down-home-back-porch sound. Her third album, "Troubled By Fire," is nothing less then beautiful, mixing blues with folk to banjo-rock to everything on the in-between. With a gift for quietly intermingling her opinions into her lyrics, she leaves us with insightful songs like, ‘Cannon Fodder’ and ‘The Ballad of John Vogelin’. Her rich voice can fill a room as heard in ‘Bedroom Eyes,’ which plops you down into a blissful world of rocking chairs and mint ice tea. Veirs is the green sky before a storm, the perfect mix of splendor and melancholy, and an album to be revered by all. If your a folk connoisseur or just a fan of the alt-country Lucinda Williams, Ani Difranco scene then you should put this CD at the top of your ‘to buy’ list. -Suzie Sorenson www.lauraveirs.com www.bellaunion.com Lagwagon "Blaze" Fat Wreck Chords $$$ 5 years in the making, Lagwagon has finally released their 6th full length album. 5 years of practice leaves us with entertaining lyrics set to Lagwagon’s trademark blend of pop and punk. Gripping the listener from first to last song, each weaves a lyrical web of personal politics. "Falling Apart" boasting "I’ll never be Ozzy on stage when I’m 50," tackles the inherent fear of getting old. "Lullaby" takes a dig at modern media and society. Lagwagon, a group of punk rock veterans, have proved their place on the modern scene with "Blaze." Their hiatus is over-and thankfully so. -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com Mensen "Oslo City" Gearhead Records $$ Mensen is Norwegian punk rock by chicks that has been described as "dirtier, more honest, and well, nastier than The Donnas." On their new release, "Oslo City," the band delves into edgey rock riffs that are both raw and beautiful. The lyrics are emotional and girly but at the same time angry and vengeful. This combination makes for a sweet contradiction that produces music that is worth listening to. Check out Mensen and prepare to rock Oslo City style. -Katie Kiedyk www.gearheadrecords.com Good Riddance "Bound By Ties of Blood and Affection" Fat Wreck Chords $$$ Hard-driving punk rock. That is the best way to describe "Bound By Ties Of Blood And Affection," the latest release from Good Riddance. Lead singer, Russ Rankin writes political columns and essays that frequently appear in a variety of publications. Rankin’s political background really shows through in this album. The band embraces the counter-culture’s powerful message and refuses to change the way they play music just to sell a record. They penetrate the glitzy rock-star image and get back down to the issues that make music the mouthpiece for great discourse. The music is powerful, catchy, aggressive and socially-conscious. Warning: this is not for the weak of thought. -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com None More Black "File Under Black" Fat Wreck Chords $$$ None More Black formed in 2000, just after lead singer Jason Shevchuk quit a little band called Kid Dynamite. He did this to pursue his education in film but soon found out that he could not stay away from the music. The cd, described as containing "hardcore ferocity, rock and roll breakdowns, and hooks galore that are fused with vocals that are growly and gravelly,vyet deep rooted in melody," give a good overview of what the cd is like, but that is just scratching the surface. None More Black is a band who’s outstanding effort to be a distinguished band shines through their music like a raging fire that cannot be distiguished. The lyrics are delivered with true passion, proving that None More Black is not just a band with "that dude from Kid Dynamite." -Katie Kiedyk www.fatwreck.com