Record Reviews

Damnation AD - In This Life or the Next - Victory Records
I guess as far as chuga-chuga hardcore goes, you don't really need to look much further than Damnation AD. They defined the sound and are an important part of the evelution of the metalcore genre. Taking cues and influence from bands like Corrosion of Conformity and Integrity, they were instrumental in the development of the swoopy haired, screamy fashion metalcore that's sweeping the nation.
All that being said, this stuff is definitely not my thing and I won't even pretend to like this... at all. If you're into dudes in girl jeans and swoopy hair, you should probably give this band a listen... and cut your hair while you're at it. This feels like a lazy review, but this band is pretty much the musical spark that started that whole scene, so I'm not sure what else I can say. If this is your type of thing, you'll probably really like it.

Deadfall - Mass Destruction - Six Week Records
This is straight up old school bay area hardcore with a very heavy lean towards that region's thrash counterparts. Deadfall is one of the better bands from that scene and absolutely deserve you attention. Fast, agro, thrash punk similar to the Capitalist Casualties or Crucial Unit.
This record is a collection of the "Keep Telling Yourself It's OK" EP and "From Comrades" EP and their self titled 7". Also on this record, their tracks from the "Disturbing the Peace" comp. put out by Six Weeks Recordings, the "Barbaric Thrash #6 Bay Area Thrash Devestation" comp and the Internationally Pissed comp put out by Punks Before Profits.

J Church - The Horror of Life - No Idea Records
Let's see, this is release number 6000 for J Church? I love this band so much and the ridiculous collectability of their records makes it even more fun to be a fan. Recently, Lance Hahn (the only consistent member of J Church) has been struggling with some horrible health problems and as a result has had to stop touring, the next time I see this band, I'll be going to see them in Austin Tx.
On "the Horror of Life," Lance and company (back to being a three piece, made up of Ben Snakepit of Blood Bath and Beyond and Party Garbage and Chris Pfeffer of Storm the Tower and Signal Lost) pretty much pick up where they left off on "Society is a Carnivorous Flower," except slightly less dense and slightly more straight forward.
This record sounds a lot more like the J Church I grew up loving, except maybe a bit more well thought out. In my opinion, this could very well be the best J Church album to date and I highly recommend it. Why are you still reading this? Go buy this album.

Underground Communique Radio 5/25/07

1. One Reason - No Surrender - All Rivers Run South, All Roads Lead Home - Plan It X
2. AVAIL - Simple Song - 4AM Friday - Jade Tree
3. J Church - Eric Dolphy - The Horror of Life - No Idea
4. The Bananas - A Slippery Subject - A Slippery Subject - Plan It X
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5. Bill Tucker - Gameshow Fear/My ID is Me - Consistent Themes #2 - Reformer Records
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6. O Pioneers!!! - Drunk Dials From Birmingham Alabama - Trans Alabama/Texas Melee - House of Love
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Bill Tucker Live!
7. Tommy Rot - Not One of Mine - Thing That Ate Floyd - Lookout!
8. Holy Mountain - Means You Have to Die - Entrails - No Idea
9. Screeching Weasel - Guest List - My Brain Hurts - Asian Man
10. J Page - Left of the Dial - We'll Inherit the Earth... - 1234 Go!
11. Fifteen - Definition - Swain's First Bike Ride - Lookout!
12. Latterman - If Batman Was Real He Would Kick the Crap Out of My Friends - We're Still Alive - Deep Elm
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13. Ambition Mission - Cutie Pie - S/T - Government Music
14. Seaweed - Card Trick - Four - Sub Pop
15. Unwed Sailor - Gila - The White Ox - Burnt Toast
16. Gunship Yumotto - Waffle Song - Demo
17. Off With Their Heads - Die Today - Hospitals - Recess Records
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18. Braid - Please Drive Faster - Movie Music Vol. 1 - Polyvinyl
19. LaQuiete - Greyskull - Tenpeun - The Perpetual Motion Machine
20. Bhopal Stiffs - Road to Bhopal - 1985-1989 - Harmless
21. Descendents - Kabuki Girl - Milo Goes to College - Fat
22. Clorox Girl - Pop Codeine - This Dimension - Smart Guy
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22. Queers - Teenage Glue Sniffer - Beat Off - Asian Man
23. The Ergs - Your Cheated Heart - Upstairs/Downstairs - Dirtnap
24. Sludgeworth - Someday - Losers of the Year - Lookout
25. Rushmores - I Know I'm History - Gigadagigadagigida - Punkhead
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26. Bad Religion - I Give You Nothing - Suffer - Epitaph
27. Sonic Youth - Catholic Block - Sister - DGC
28. Joy Divison - Isolation - Still - Factory
29. Charles Bronson - Average Run of the Mill Straight Edge Song - Discography
30. Los Crudos - Crudos Soy - Discographia - Beat Generation
31. Regress - Faith Based Hypocrite - Look Who's Pulling the Strings - Lengua Armada
32. Bad Brains - Banned in DC - S/T - ROIR
33. Iggy and the Stooges - Gimme Danger - Raw Power - Columbia
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34. This Bike is a Pipebomb - RODAD - Dance Party With This Bike is a Pipebomb - Plan It X
35. Pink Razors - Spring Fever - Waiting to Wash Up - Robotic Empire
36. Stuck Ups - Teenage Zombie Knockouts - Human Doll - Sympathy for the Record Industry
37. Circle Jerks - Beverly Hills - Group Sex - Porterhouse
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38. American Steel - Rogues March - Rogues March - Lookout!
39. Less Than Jake - My Own Flag - Pezcore - Asian Man
40. World/Inferno Friendship Society - Fiend in Vein - Red Eyed Soul - Chunksaah
41. DOA - Disco Sucks - Punk Rock Singles - Sudden Death
42. Copyrights - Planet Earth-Nineteen Ninety Four - Make Sound - Red Scare
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43. Exploding Hearts - Making Teenage Faces - Shattered - Dirtnap
44. Sainte Catherines - Ring of Fire=4 Points - Dancing for Decades - Fat
45. Flag of Democracy - Teenage Goodhead - Schneller! - Bitzcore
46. Social Distortion - Mass Hysteria - Someone's Gonna Get Their Head to Believe in Something - BYO Records
47. Minor Threat - Seeing Red - Discography - Dischord
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48. Banner Pilot - Bender - Pass the Poison - Asbestos Records
49. Lawrence Arms - Chicago is Burning - Ghost Stories - Asian Man
50. Screeching Weasel - Punk Rock Explained - Four on the Floor Comp. - Panic Button
END

More Reviews!

Look at that, I'm posting more reviews! I'm chipping away at the backlog as well as taking care of a couple new records that came in.

Copyrights - Make Sound - Red Scare Records
The Copyrights, hail from Carbondale Il., a small college town in Southern Illinois. It's also home to the Lost Cross, one of the oldest punk houses in the country. Some people go to Southern Illinois University there and never leave, some people go to school there and never come back. Others grow up there and become townies. Then there's the Copyrights. They carry the C-Dale flag with pride, much like Chicago punks who get Chicago flag tattoos and put patches on their messenger bags. Although the Copyrights live nowhere near Chicago, their music is a very "Chicago" flavored pop punk. When I listen to their records, I think of a golden time in punk's history, where "Dookie" hadn't come out yet and everyone was completely stoked about everything. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying here, they're not a nostalgia band, their sound is very fresh, current and relevant.
Their influences are very clearly Screeching Weasel and the Vindictives and I'm pretty sure Sludgeworth and Winepress are somewhere in their record collections as well. Once you get passed the innitial "Weasel-mania," you realize that the Copyrights are very much so their own band.
Previous to the release of "Make Sound," the Copyrights released "Mutiny Pop," which wasn't nearly as inspiring as "Make Sound," or their first full length, "We Didn't Come Here to Die," which I've considered one of the best pop-punk records to come out in the last ten years. "Make Sound" ranks right up there with their first album and feels like a much more proper follow up than "Mutiny Pop." Every song on this record is gold and will most definitely be a sing-a-long on road trips this summer.
The lead off track, "Kids of the Blackhole," is a midwestern punk anthem, as much about their home town of Carbondale as it is about growing up in the midwest in general. It expresses every sentiment I've ever had about living here and dealing with the stigma of being a midwesterner. Every song that follows is a gem, but the stand out track is "Planet Earth - Nineteen Ninety-Four." A song as much about living through the pop punk explosion that followed "Dookie," as it is a message to live right now and not wrap yourself up in nostalgia, which is something I've been saying and thinking about the last few years.
It's a great sign seeing an explosion of pop-punk bands around the country with strong convictions. Every region has it's super stars. This is My Fist out of California's Bay Area, Canadian Rifle, the Methadones and the Copyrights here in the midwest, the Ergs out in New Jersey; it's an exciting time to part of this scene. I highly encourage you to go out and buy this record. It'll be worth every penny. While you're at it, pick up the "Button Smasher" 7" and rest of their catalog.
The Copyrights

Totalitar - Vi Ar Eliten - Prank
Totalitar is one of the longest running hardcore bands to come out of Sweden and "Vi Ar Eliten" is (I believe) their nineteenth release since their formation in 1985. I was first exposed to Totalitar in the way many people were and that was through their split 7" with Portland Oregon's Tragedy. After listening to that split for a couple weeks straight, I was depressed and pretty convinced that we were living in "end times." This variety of crust is pretty dark and brooding, while still being fast as hell. But we're not talking about that record, we're talking about the most recent Totalitar release. This is, in theory, their final album, which was written and recorded back in 2003, finally to be released state side via Prank.
This release is the equivalent of what I'd assume a wrecking ball impacting a brick wall sounds like... except there's no safety catch on this album. Every track on this record is a desperate blitz of raw d-beat hardcore, starting with the title track, "Vi Ar Eliten," (which translates to "We are the Elite"), to the final cut, "In I Ruset" ("In the Drunkeness"). I really wouldn't expect any less from a band that has been pummeling people for over twenty years. The Swedish are really good at two things when it comes to music, dressing well and playing fast. I've never seen Totalitar, but they cover the fast part of the equation really really well.
Prank Records

Signal Lost - Prosthetic Screams - Prank Records
Everytime I listen to Storm the Tower, I think "why is this band a side project?!" My friend and cohort, John expressed this sentiment about this band as clearly as I have. The members of this band are also in, aside from Storm the Tower, Balance of Terror, J Church, Deathreat and Severed Head of State, but Signal Lost sounds nothing like the sum of it's parts. The cut sheet that came with this record compared them to Wipers and the Avengers, which I guess I can sort of see. What I hear is more of a Peace Punk/TSOL hybrid. Honestly, upon my first listen, I didn't like this at all. I felt like the vocals were a little too dramatic, but to be fair, it was a very passive listen. After putting this on a couple more times and listening a little closer, the songs come together a bit better and the vocals actually sound stronger and more confident and less dramatic. My first impression was that they were an embodiment of everything that I don't like about Chicago's Holy Roman Empire, without reclaiming the things I do like about that band. Now, what I hear is a very strong, well assembled unified frontal punk rock attack. Now, Ashley's voice reminds me more of Mariam from Condenada or Annie from This is My Fist as opposed to my innitial impression. This record is a pretty solid, dark punk rock record, worth checking out. I will say though, even though this is really good, Storm the Tower shouldn't be a side project.
Signal Lost
Prank Records

DOA - Punk Rock Singles 1978-1999 - Sudden Death
Back in 1978, there was a Canadian hardcore band called the Skulls and from it's ruins that year, formed one of the greatest bands to come out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. DOA, fronted by the ever famous and out right rad Joey Shithead took Canada and rest of the world by storm with a brutal punk rock attack which wasn't quite as fast as DC's Minor Threat or Bad Brains, but equally venomous and political. Having probably more in common with the Dead Kennedys and Naked Raygun, DOA took a more creative approach to hardcore.
The first time I heard them was in 1989. They were on a mix tape put together by a friend. The song was "World War 3" and what I noticed the most was the rock solid drumming. I remember asking if it was a drum machine. My friend laughed, because that record came out in 1979 and drum machines were far too expensive and didn't sound nearly as "drum like" as they do nowadays.
This record is pretty much what the title says. All of the 7" singles they put out between 1978 and 1999, which is good, because it saves me some time recording those old 7"s to my computer. Aside from convenience, this is a really good primer and introduction to one of the most important hardcore bands in the genre's history. If you have a little brother with goofy hair and girl pants, who thinks From Autumn to Ashes in hardcore, smack him upside the head and make him listen to this record. If he doesn't shave his head and buy a pair of combat boots, there's no hope for him. If you're an old fan and have all of this stuff, the only reason to pick it up is to save some time burning the singles to CD.
Sudden Death Records

Underground Communique Set List 5/18/07

1. Copyrights - Kids of the Blackhole - Make Sound - Red Scare
2. American Steel - Loaded Gun - Rogues March - Lookout!
3. J Church - Vampire Girl Prefers Me Alive - The Horror of Life - No Idea
4. DOA - Nazi Training Camp - Disco Sucks 7"
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5. Teenage Bottlerocket - So Cool - Total - Red Scare
6. Hubble Bubble - New Promotion - S/T - Radio Heatbeat
7. Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love - Singles Going Steady - IRS
8. Wire - German Sheppards - Silk Skin Paws - Mute
9. Signal Lost - Blurry Vision - Prosthetic Screams - Prank
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10. Totalitar - Vi Ar Eliten - Vi Ar Eliten - Prank
11. A Poor Excuse - Make the Best of It - Crashed Out, Wasted, Useless, Hated - ADD
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12. This Bike is a Pipebomb - RODAD - Dance Party With This Bike is a Pipebomb - Plan It X
13. Fifteen - Intentions - Swain's First Bike Ride - Lookout!
14. Double Negative - Red Shift/Looking at the Rats - The Wonderful and Frightening World of... - No Way Records
15. Saxon - Rock the Nations - Rock the Nations - EMI
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16. Sunday Morning Einsteins - I Don't Wanna Party/Kop - Kangnave - Prank
17. Half Japanese - Charmed Life - Human Music Comp. - Homestead Records
18. Choking Victim - Infested - Squatta's Paradise EP
19. Born Against - Foot Bound and Hobbled - Battle Hymnes for the Race War - Prank
20. Regress - Your Vote Counts (for Nothing) - Look Who's Pulling the Strings - Boot Camp
21. Limp Wrist - Does Your Daddy Know - Discography - Lingua Armada
22. Minor Threat - I Don't Wanna Hear It - Discography - Dischord
*Break
23. Descendents - Coffee Mug - Everything Sucks - Fat
24. FOD - Geisha - Schneller - Bitzcore
25. Bad Religion - We're Only Gonna Die of Our Arrogance - 80-85 - Epitaph
26. Black SS - I Want Out - Foreign Object - Reaper Records
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27. Assfactor 4 - Bonkee Number 3 - Nothing's Quiet on the Eastern Front - Resevoir
28. SSD - Boiling Point - Power - Taang!
29. 86 Mentality - Scum Bag - Going Nowhere Fast - Grave Mistake
30. Tragedy - Confessions of a Suicide Advocate - S/T
31. The Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom - Just Can't Stop - Fame Records
32. Adolescents - Amoeba - S/T - Frontier
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33. Pedestrians- Flag...- s/t 7"- Southkore
34. Vicious- Mass Hysteria- Igen- Feral Ward
35. Observers-lead pill- lead pill 7"- deranged
36. Social Circkle- cut loose- static eyes 7"- no way
37. Defect Defect- Little Ways- yeah...- clarence thomas
38. Observers- Where I Stay- where i stay 7"- deranged
break!
39. storm the tower- feeding the filth eater- j-church- no idea
40. discharge- nightmare continues- hardcore hits- cleopatra
41. Severed Head of State- the end times approach- s/t 7"- ebullition
42. Huasipungo- Union- canciones para ub causa perdida- sanjuancito
43. Econochrist- withdrawl- skewed- ebullition
44. Blown To Bits- war machine- fuck american xenophobia- despotic
45. American Cheeseburger- idle hands- s/t 7"- tsunami
46. kung Fu Rick- so much more- motivation to abuse- up jumps the devil
47. Charles Bronson- your average run of the mill sxe song- discography-
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48. Misfits- i turned into a martian- collection 1- plan 9
49. 7 seconds- walk together...- walk together- byo
50. koro- mommy wants to know- speed kills- sorry state
51. antischism- failsafe- still life- prank
52. siege- sad but true- disco- 625
53. deadfall- counting- keep telling yourself- tankcrimes
54. Life's Halt- Through a child's eyes- WHN split- young blood
55. faith- don't tell me- faith/void/faith- dischord
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56. Coliseum - Skyline Fuckers/White Religion - Split w/Young Widows - Relapse
57. Bleeding Kansas - Dig Your Own Grave - S/T - Plastic Airplanes

58. Pedestrians- Downfall- publicsafety- mrr

Two for Today!

Maybe I'm making up for lost time, or maybe I just have more to say today than usual, but I wanted to write up something about some younger local bands that don't really get any attention.
I usually feel bad about not booking more younger bands, because so often they have a lot more energy than the older kids, but it's difficult to do this when the bulk of the shows you put on are for touring bands who rely on local support. Here's a few bands that are younger that I've seen or heard recently who are doing some pretty decent punk and/or hardcore.

The Freaks - Hailing from suburban Wilmette, Evanston and Glenview, and their combined age equals that of Jeff Pizatti, the Freaks are young and gritty without being at all contrived. Bosting influences such as GG Allin, the Germs, Flipper and the TV show McGyver, I think you know what you're in for.
This band played a Food Not Bombs benefit that we hosted at the the Gallery and all that we were able to hear upstairs was this booming, throbbing base and a little bit of distortion, which we thought was a guitar. Quickly, we went to tell them to turn up the guitar and turn down the bass, but what found was a drummer and a bass player, no guitarist and a vocalist who shirtless and rolling around on the dirty basement floor, with a crushed up soda can stuck in his hair. It was one of the most primitive and abrassive things I've seen in a long time and it pretty much ruled. Chris Peditto kept telling them to play slower, because they were already playing about about mid tempo, yet kids were still slam dancing, which was awesome. Once these kids are old enough to drive, I hope they tour a lot and do really well.

Shock Frot - This is another band that I found out about through the Food Not Bombs benefit. Super lofi hardcore circa 1982, played by kids who weren't even born in '82. Black Flag, Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, Gang Green... all band names that jump out at you when you hear them. Coming from Naperville, you have to wonder what these kids are angry about, but have you ever been to Naperville? I have and if I grew up there, I'd be pissed off too. Keep an eye out for them. They'll be playing in the city at least one more time this summer, I'm sure.

In Pursuit - Another band from 'burbia who is making a lot of noise. When I hear them, I think of Gang Green, Government Issue or China White, but there's also some hints of early Suicidal Tendencies and JFA floating around in the mix. 80's skate punk is making a big come back and I'm GIDDY over it. I can't think of one bad thing to say about this band at all. Solid dudes, playing solid hardcore, for the all ages crowd. They've got a ton of stuff coming up, so keep an eye out.

Record Reviews

I haven't done a review in a really long time, so I figured that since I have a crap load of new music, I should knock out a few reviews.

Negative Reation - Under the Ancient Penalty - This Dark Reign
I feel like I should know this band, but surprisingly, I don't. They released their first 7" in 1993 and they're still a band that's actively releasing records, so somehow they slipped through the cracks. It seems like I should have been into this band in high school, since aside from the ample amounts of pop punk and blisteringly fast hardcore that I was into, I was a fan of sludgey doom driven rock.
This band's roots are equally in hardcore and the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal," which of course makes this band well worth listening too. I really want to say that there's more to this band than it's slow grinding "slothcore" guitars, but there really isn't. THAT'S A GOOD THING THOUGH. If you tried to put an artsy spin on this style of punk, you'd end up ruining it, or worse, attracting kitch-hungry hipsters looking for an ironic shot in the arm.
This band of of burly harry men come from New York City, despite their sound being much more familiar and terstrial of much more climately arctic or rainy terrains. If I were to guess where these guys hail from, I'd probably guess Chicago, Minnesota, Portland or Seattle, but looks can deceive. If you liked the Chicago band, Wickerman or the legendary Seattle power house, the Melvins (early works of) this band is up your alley. Also, if Blue Cheer, Clutch, Black Sabbath, Neurosis, or TAR, are your bag, you'll probably really dig this band. I'm hoping they do their next record with Steve Albini. His massive drum sound would lend itself nicely to their already dense sound.
Negative Reaction

Exploding Hearts - Shattered - Dirtnap
I know I'm several several months late on this one, but I'm playing catch up. I'm backed up pretty heavy right now, so since this is one of the best records to come out last year, I'm going to take care of this one right now.
We all know about the tragic demise of the Exploding Hearts, so I'm not going to get into that. What I will say is that if you loved their full length, Guitar Romantic, you'll probably love this as well. Personally, as a complete work, Guitar Romantic was a better record, but the songs on this record stand up better on their own than the tracks on the full length. The reason for this is because the songs on Shattered are from 7"s and comps, but feature some of the absolute best song writting this band ever did. From the lead off title track, straight up through one of the best power pop songs ever written, (Making) Teenage Faces, you have hit after hit. It upsets me so much that this band was silenced at such an amazing point in their lives.
I was listening to this album a couple nights ago while reading a copy of Cometbus and at one point during (Making) Teenage Faces, I punched my bedroom wall, because it was such a brilliant song. The hooks are so simple, but executed in such a way that you realize that the Hearts knew that despite being able to make the song much more complex, it would have ruined it. That my friends is song writting. Knowing the old web design rule of "keep it simple, stupid." There's no need for complexity or virtuosity here. Leave that shit for people like Steve Vai.
While listening to Shattered, I can't help but feel like these kids were listening to a great deal of Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello and various other Stiff Records bands when they were writting these songs. They were able to take that classic sound and still convey originality and emotion that bands that otherwise fall into a more "copy cat" category can't quite get across to the listener. Basically what I'm trying to say is, these kids took what they know and love and did it because they know it and love it. If this band doesn't become your favorite band right away, there's clearly something wrong with you.
Dirtnap Records
Exploding Hearts

The Ergs! - Upstairs/Downstairs - Dirtnap
Hailing from New Jersey, the Ergs! are putting a new spin on the classic North American pop punk sound. The lazy man's review would say something about Screeching Weasel and the Ramones, but people who know better would pick up the heavy Replacements and Husker Du influence, as well as Dinosaur Jr and Sebadoh. This is a band made up of music nerds writting catchy pop songs, dealing with things other record nerds can relate to and for that I, being a record nerd am grateful.
On this album, they turn down the "class of '95" style punk and focus more on song writting and smarter hooks, without sacrificing the youthful awesomeness and playful energy that we all have come to love. The most noticable aspect of this record is the lengthy final track, which ends with an extended jam filled with soaring guitar solos and feedback and flanger filled noise. This track is great for hanging out at home and reading, but not so much for long drives from Chicago to Minneapolis to see Naked Raygun and the Dillinger Four. This record is well worth owning as it's equally fun and engaging.
Dirtnap Records
The Ergs!

Exciting Chicago Punk Bands that Get Me Excited

I've been abscent from the blog again. I guess if I did a podcast or had more to complain about/rave about, I'd probably spend more time updating this. That being said, I would like to do a podcast, but lately I haven't had the time. If you want to hear awesome punk rock, you should listen to my radio show on 88.7 FM, WLUW, here in Chicago. If you're not in Chicago, you can always listen online at wluw.org.
Here's a few bands that I'm pretty excited about that come from Chicago:

Intifada - These northside punk kids are young and pretty much taking over the city. They bring a familiar noise that's similar to a lot of classic Chicago punk bands, mixed with a lot current bands. The thing that strikes me the most about them is that they have a very strong sense of history and connection to the local scene, which sadly a lot of younger bands lack. Be sure to read their myspace profile. Despite the tongue in cheak nature of the band, they're wise beyond their years.

The Catburglars - Citing the Dictators, the Dead Boys, the Kinks and Black Flag as influences, it's clear that these kids are amazing. You need more convincing? They have a songs about having a crush on Silvia Plath and wanting to be John Goodman. What other convincing could you possibly need?? Hands down my favorite Chicago band right now.

Vacation Bible School - This band has been around forever and never really broke through. Do you have a taste for good ol' fashioned Chicago pop punk? Here it is. They have a sound that's familiar, but fresh enough to remain interesting. They're in the same class as bands like Shot Baker, the Vindictives, Screeching Weasel, Mexican Cheerleader, Apocalypse Hoboken, earlier Mushuganas, etc etc etc. You know where I'm going with this.

Chronic Seizure - The first time I saw this band was opening for the Effigies at DePaul University and I wasn't impressed at all, but I think it had more to do with the fact that it was at DePaul than the quality of the band. After their appearance on Reality Radio, I was convinced that they were one of the best punk bands in town. Featuring ex and current members of some heavy hitters, such as Ambition Mission, the Rat Bastards, Urethra Franklin, Fourteen or Fight and the Mushuganas, it's pretty obvious what you're getting into with this band.

the Busy Signals - Hearing this band, stuff like "street punk," power pop," and "trad. punk" come to mind, but it's all wrong. There's a lot more going on with this band than that. Featuring Kevin from the Krunchies on guitar and Jeremy from Georgia's the Carbonas (ex member), and Frank from the Tyrades as well Anna on vocals and Eric (it's unclear as to what bands they were in previously.) They're a sum of all their parts. If I was forced to compare them to anyone, I'd probably say they're along the lines of the Carbonas, the Ramones, the Exploding Hearts, the Toy Dolls, the Vibrators, Hubble Bubble, the Nice Boys.... you get the idea. Just give them a listen. They're fun and they release 45 RPM singles with the big hole in the middle, so you can stick 'em in your juke box.

There's countless others that I love, but these are the ones who are doing really fun and exciting stuff right now. As soon as some of my other fav's put out new records, I'm sure I'll have a new list up. Check back soon!

Underground Communique Playlist 5/4/07

1. Avail - Deepwood - Over the James - Jade Tree
2. Dillinger Four - Who Didn't Kill Bambi - Versus God - Hopeless
3. Love and Squalor - Awake - New Blood, New Songs - S/R
4. FYP - Beat You With a Plunger - Toilet Kids Bread - Recess Records
*Break
5. Leatherface - Hoodlum - Dog Disco - BYO
6. Pink Razors - Spring Fevers - Waiting to Wash Up - Robotic Empire
7. Latterman - If Batman Wre Real, He'd Kick the Crap Out of My Friends - ... We're Still Alive - Deep Elm
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8. Sludgeworth - She's Not Disposable - Losers of the Year - Lookout!
9. Ergs - Bike Shoppe - Upstairs/Downstairs - Dirtnap
10. Queers - Surf Goddess - Move Back Home - Lookout!
11. Green Day - One for the Razorbacks - Kerplunk! - Lookout!
12. the Who - Boris the Spider - A Quick One - MCA
*Break
13. Discount - Broken to Blue - Crash Diagnostic - New American Dream
14. Voice in the Wire - Steel Town Fight Song - Signals in Transmission - Eyeball
15. Nirvana - Love Buzz - Bleach - Sub Pop
16. Poison Idea - It's an Action - Pick Your King
17. JFA - Great Equalizer - Valley of the Yakes
18. F.O.D. - So You Wanna Be a Rock N Roll Song - Schneller! -
*Break
19. Dezerter - Szara Rzeczywistosc - Underground Out of Poland - QQRYQ
20. A Poor Excuse - Make the Best of it - Crashed Out, Wasted, Useless, Hated - ADD Records
21. Discount - Accident Waiting to Happen - Love, Billy - Fueled By Ramen
22. Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs' Tears - Talking With the Taxman About Poetry - Elektra
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23. AoF- Every Man For Himself- Give Thanks- bitzcore
24. Grey Matter- Caffeine Blues- Food for thought- Dischord
25. quicksand- dine alone- s/t 45- polydor
26. Iconoclast- Grout Float/ I like you less....- Groundlessness...- ebullition
27. Kereosene 454- easier- Two for Flinching- art monk
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28. Youth Brigade- Sink with Kalinforina- Sink w/- BYO
29. August Spies- Punk Car- Food Chain...- Rodent Popsicle
30. CBDS- PCMZ- s/t 7"- THD
31. This Is My Fist- story of reconversion- I don't mean to alarm you...
32. Space Inavders- song formerly known as satan- 2/3 bitch- underdog
33. Retainers- Teenage Regrets- Teenage...- Fash Idiot
34. retainers- lose it- lose it- p-trash
35. pink lincolns- i got you- sumo fumes- stiff pole
36. J-Church- Ivy League College- ivy league...- Broken
break
37. LARM- Animals.../ Start- Anything...- Shortfuse
38. warkrime- no more/glass parking lot- give hate a chance- no way
39. Strung Up- DMS/bent outta shape- no BS 1
40. FPO- deserter- i object split- punks before profits
41. Storm the Tower- Feeding the Filth Eater- church split- broken
42. army of jesus- by the deed- prosperity...- BSD
43. Minutemen- bob dylan- what makes...- sst
44. Nomeansno-give me the push- people's choice- antacid
break
45. Fall of efrafa- fall of efrafa- owsla- symphony of death
44. Vicious- masshysteri- igen-
45. dystopia- self defeating prophesy- the aftermath- life is abuse
46. ad astra per aspera- consolation bribe- and introduction to- big brown shark
47. brain handle- cold pavement- s/t 7"- s/r?
48. lost sounds- ship of monsters- memphis is dead- big neck
49. cap cas- prayer meeting- planned community- six weeks

50. Reactionary 3 - st - rose's mohawk - hotsauce records
51. Melt banana - Spider Snipe - bambi's dilemma - azap records