Niek

New album: Katujen Äänet || Kaiken Jälkeen

By / / Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

I can’t recall having heard of Katujen Äänet before, but the band has been part of the punk scene of Finland for over ten years now. In that period they released their debut album Sulle, Joka Yksin Aina Oot and several 7″ singles. They just released their sophomore album Kaiken Jälkeen. I am glad I stumbled on it because it is one killer record.

Listening to Katujen Äänet is like a throwback to late ’70s punkrock and powerpop, with just a dash from ’80s new wave for good measure. The songs on Kaiken Jälkeen essentially are pop songs put through a punk blender, and the results are tasty and contagious. Listen to songs like Matkalla Taas, Mitä jäljelle Jää and Nuori, Viaton Ja Sekaisin Kaikesta for example. Hits! The crisp production and the fact that the songs are sung in Finnish only adds to the coolness and sense of authenticity of Katujen Äänet.

Another release that is not on Bandcamp or Soundcloud, so you have to with the video and Spotify links below. Stream Kaiken Jälkeen now, buy the CD, or wait a little longer for the vinyl (thanx again, Adele).



Add to wantlist: Discogs || Stupido Records

New Album: Poison Boys || Don’t You Turn On Me

By / / Garage Rock, Power Pop, Punk / 1 Comment

Their name and demeanor already give away what to expect with Poison Boys. Leather jackets? Check. Tight pants? Check. Loud and fast rock’n’roll? Check. Johnny Thundersesque sleazy guitar licks? Check. Late ’70s punk attitude? Check.

Chicago four-piece Poison Boys tick off a lot of the right boxes on their sleazefest second album Don’t You Turn On Me. And let me tell you, I am finding it terribly hard to play this record at a socially acceptable volume. The first (title) track on the record is the first highlight on Don’t You Turn On Me. Songs like Day By Day, Little Speedway Girl, Can’t Get You Off My Mind, and Nothing But Darkness also stand out for me. No lack of adrenaline rushes and dopamine releases with Poison Boys.

If you like this one, make sure to also check Killer Hearts most recent record, or vice versa. Bands like this provide a welcome escape from reality to the glampunkscene of the late ’70s.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New single: The Smashing Times || Dreams on Union B/W A Changing Letter

By / / Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

The last time we spoke to The Smashing Times, they told us how the lockdowns had driven them mad. Despite the madness, I really enjoyed their collection of stuck-at-home recordings. The band now returns with a new two-song single (released on 7″ (!)) that follows the old adagam ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ In the case of The Smashing Times that means lo-fi underground pop nuggets for fans of The Pastels, Television Personalities and The Times.

A-side Dreams On Union may be my favorite song by the band yet. Keep doing what you do The Smashing Times!


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: The Needs || Special Needs

By / / Indie Rock, Power Pop, Punk / 1 Comment

True story: In a special plot to make it near impossible for music bloggers to find any information on their already impossible to google band name, The Needs decided to title their new record Special Needs. Thanx guys.

Fortunately, their bandcamp page has some intel*. The Needs were started by two influential musicians from Norway: country star Bendik Brænne, and Maciek Ofstad of melodic metal outfit Kvelertak. The needs sound neither country nor metal. Rather, the band plays modern powerpop not unlike Fountains of Wayne in their most upbeat and uptempo version. The music of The Needs sounds polished, but they do not overdo it. Rather, the band strikes just the right balance between radio friendly powerpop, and faster and louder songs where the band will please fans of old school pop punk.

The latter category made me fall for Special Needs, with songs like Funny How, If I Could Only and Still Spinning as primary examples. But admittedly, the more radio friendly stuff is excellent as well. The Needs may not know how to name their band and records, but they’ve got hooks and strong melodies in abundance.



* Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find the new record on Bandcamp or Soundcloud.
Add to wantlist: Discogs

New album: Mark Murphy And The Meds || On The Brink

By / / Punk / 1 Comment

Earlier this year, we featured Mark Murphy’s (The No Marks, Crocodile God and Hey Maxine) newest outlet for his crazy productivity. It didn’t took Murphy long to record and release his first full-length as Mark Murphy And The Meds. The ten songs on On The Brink should appeal to fans of ’90s pop punk and punkrock – they kinda sound like a mix of Chixdiggit!, Consumed and Impo & The Tents. Check out my two current favorite tracks below.

The album, with pretty cool artwork by Tom Lowell, is released by a multitude of labels including All In Vinyl, Bloated Kat and Brassneck Records, Horn & Hoof Records, and Kezy P Recs. When so many label join forces to release a record, you know it’s a good one. Availability shouldn’t be an issue at all for adding this to your collection.

Want to know more about the record?  Check out HH Podcast’s talk with Mark Murphy.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || All In Vinyl

New album: Aborted Tortoise || A Album

By / / Punk / Leave a Comment

Of all band names that evoke a nasty image, Aborted Tortoise ranks pretty high. Fortunately, when you google image Aborted Tortoise you primarily get images of the band, who for some reason are shoeless in most images. Perhaps that’s an Aussie thing or perhaps we need to buy more of their music so they can afford some footgear.

The band’s most recent case for giving them your money is the generically titled A Album. It’s the band’s second full length, with some EPs released between the two LPs. I have to say, Aborted Tortoise (Perth) make a convincing case with the record. Their songs are speedy and angular garagepunk bursts that are raucous and loud. There are some outsider tracks on A album which bring some welcome variation: DLC is Aborted Tortoise’s take on a surf instrumental, whereas F.O.I.L. almost sounds like ’80s American hardcore. Back Patters is my favorite song though.

Aborted Tortoise sounds kind of weird, but in a good way. Here’s our money guys, go buy some shoes!



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: The Feeders || Kerchoo

By / / Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

Here is a new release that brings me an equal amount of excitement and melancholy. Kerchoo is the debut full-length of The Feeders, featuring Chicago scene veterans Sam Vicari, Eli Caterer (Smoking Popes) and John Perrin (NRBQ). The sense of melancholy hit me immediately. It’s hard not to think of the late Kim Shattuck while listening to Kerchoo. But that sense of melancholy quickly makes room for excitement, because Kerchoo is so much more than a throwback to the Muffs. The altpop of the Feeders is catchy and punchy, a bit like Superchunk channeling Teenage Fanclub, or Superchunk playing good Weezer songs.

Shoutout to music writers who’ve already submitted their AOTY lists. You are missing out on this one. Quite the year for Eccentric Pop, who brought us the new Dan Vapid And The Cheats this week, and earlier this year that awesome Evening Shadows record.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Eccentric Pop

New album: The Last Mile || Respect The Frequency

By / / Punk / Leave a Comment

The Last Mile are a must listen if you like your pop punk and punkrock grounded in ’90s, but also appreciate how the orgcore scene put their own spin to that sound in the ’00s. On Respect The Frequency, The Last Mile operate somewhere in the middle of those two scenes. Admittedly, the record didn’t fully click with me on the first spin, but there was one song that made me return. That song? SCCS, a killer punkrock anthem with cool use of a saxaphone. From there on, this record quickly won me over. The Last Mile provide strong and powerful choruses, awesome vocals and above average songwriting. They make me wish I was cool and brave enough to skateboard.

The Last Mile consists of veterans of the Canadian punk scene: Chris Snelgrove (Prevenge, Whiskey Trench, Offside), Stephanie Cole (Answers), and Josh Carothers (Chilton, Ifarm, Funbox). Their combined experience helps to explain why Respect The Frequency is such an accomplished record and why the band sounds much, much bigger than a three-piece – though admittedly, some of the songs feature guest musicians.

Respect The Frequency is out now on Rad Girlfriend.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Rad Girlfriend Records

New album: Dan Vapid And The Cheats || Escape Velocity

By / / Power Pop, Punk / 2 Comments

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dan Vapid probably needs no introduction, having played in pop punk hall of famers Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales, The Methadones, The Mopes, and The Queers. His latest release is his fourth with The Cheats. It’s called Escape Velocity and is a mighty fine collection of mid-paced catchy pop punk tunes. Dan Vapid and The Cheats sound silky smooth on the record, effortlessly churning out hooks and ear worm melodies. A song like Burning Questions is an immediate addition to the pop punk canon.

Espace Velocity had a tough delivery, with the band deciding to stop recording due to the pandemic, only to resume 18 months later safely vaccinated. The band then had to face another setback: vinyl plants that can’t keep up with demand. That’s why for now you can only stream the record online, or buy it on cd. The vinyl release will arrive sometime between spring and summer in 2022.

You’ve got to feel for the band, but Escape Velocity is the kind of rewarding record you willingly add to your wantlist, patiently waiting for its arrival in your collection.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Eccentric Pop

New album: Crabber || Who Let The Ducks Out?

By / / Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

Jigsaw Records is absolutely spot on by describing their latest release as a dead ringer for Washington DC’s Dot Dash with a touch of Comet Gain. Like Dot Dash, the music of Crabber (Hamburg, Germany) is influenced by a lot of the good elements of ’80s music. Call it janglepunk or reverb- and guitar heavy powerpop, Crabber sounds punchy and melodic. Timeless tunes destined to be overlooked of course, because this kind of music is unlikely to be regarded as hip or fashionable. Let’s hear it for bands that don’t care and write music like this regardless of current trends.
Oh, and don’t be fooled by the title, Crabber are no jokesters. This seriously is good music.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

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