A Little Messed Up by The Dollyrots (Blackheart Records)

It is clear that the year 2010 will be a memorable one for The Dollyrots. The band made a much lauded guest appearance on The Price Is Right, and hung out with host Drew Carey for the day. And then they traded the company of a game show host for that of definitive punk rock legends. Touring the entire country in support of Pete Shelley and the Buzzcocks, The Dollyrots were playing to many whom were hearing their rambunctious punk rock melodies for the very first time. And now their third album, A Little Messed Up, has been unleashed and it’s an absolute stunner!

A boatload of noted producers participated on the making of the album, including Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold), Chris Testa (Jimmy Eat World, Dixie Chicks), Matt Wallace (Faith No More, Replacements) and a whole lot more. And even in spite of all the hands in the mix, the sound and attitude remains exclusively Dollyrots – able to work with the very best and come up with something truly unique and all their own! The 13 tracks on A Little Messed Up are mighty punk rock anthems, many of which you’ll be singing long after the disc spins to its glorious conclusion.

Rock Control opens A Little Messed Up on a wildly infectious note, a great big song that should have their fans screaming along in pits all across the nation. Some Girls is a bright and sassy tune of arena-sized proportions that is  groovy Ramones-like fun. And then there’s California Beach Boy, where two Southland cultures clash with amusing, harmonic results.

Roller Coaster is an oddly effective ballad, showing a diverse side to the Dollyrots sound. My Heart Explodes and the grand title continue to show the Dollyrots gifted knack for writing the perfect punk rock song. And then there’s the ferocious Bigmouth, an attitude-ridden rocker in the grand tradition of the Blondie classic Rip Her To Shreds.

Coming After You should be the theme song of empowerment for all made to feel weird and gawky by their more “trendy” peers. “So done with playing nice, do you hear me, this ones for you,” sneers the song with a ferocious sense of conviction and perhaps revenge.

Let’s Be In Love is sweet and primal, with the Dollyrots vocalist Kelly Ogden letting out a fierce growl at the beginning of the song. Just Like Chocolate is cool and seductive while closing track On Nom Nom is a deliciously brilliant cut whose sweet choruses are good enough to eat!

The aforementioned Kelly Ogden (also on bass) possesses a good deal of charisma and presence, delivering the vocals with a fierce sense of irony and drive. She is definitely one of the most underrated front-women in the punk rock scene today. The trio is rounded out by the tremendous contributions of Luis Cabezas (guitar) and Chris Black (drums). Together, they will be forever known as the Dollyrots, and they will remain AWESOME for not only now, but the bittersweet rock and roll years to come!

A Little Messed Up is the second Dollyrots slab of tunes to be released by Blackheart Records – owned by none other than punk rock legend Joan Jett! Along with their previous albums Eat Your Heart Out and Because I’m Awesome, The Dollyrots has amassed a thrilling collection of timeless punk rock songs. If The Ramones and the Go-Go’s were to have a hot monster child from a super illicit encounter, it would turn out a lot like the Dollyrots. High energy, badass fun from a band destined to finally make their way to the top!!!

“Some girls will, some girls wanna, some girls might, some girls are gonna, but I don’t…” – just try to get that one out of your head! Cuz with songs this charming and mischievous, you won’t wanna…

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

The Dollyrots on Myspace

Live At The Greek Theater by Flogging Molly (SideOneDummy Records)

As anyone who has seen Flogging Molly knows, they are a fantastic live band. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing them on various occassions, at the Warped Tour and at the Wiltern Theater. Los Angeles’ Greek Theater is a fine location to see Flogging Molly, under the stars during the summer months. But you need room to dance and seated venues, even when the seats go up, aren’t conducive to the energy fans must release when at a Flogging Molly concert. Regardless, on CD you can make your own dance floor when listening to the Celtic-tinged punk of Flogging Molly. FM singer Dave King is the fair-skinned and red-haired master of ceremonies, self-deprecating and good-natured, fueled by Guinness and familial love, for the band and for the fans. FM would be better represented on DVD, all the better to get the full interaction, the band dressed to the nines, sweat and smiles pouring from the stage and the jig-dancing audience.

Focusing heavily on the crowd-pleasing rave-ups they excel at, starting out with The Likes of You Again, Swagger with its banjo/fiddle/dancing beat, and super-catchy Requiem for a Dying Song, Flogging Molly get the show going strong. The band slow down every now and again, These Exiled Years gets the audience yelling for their manager playing trumpet and Bridget Regan’s fiddle performance shines on Us of Lesser Gods.

Flogging Molly’s endless energy, playing chops, Regan’s fiddle and tin whistle, Bob Schmidt’s Celtic instruments and King’s humor and superb songwriting make them the premiere live band. So put on Live at the Greek Theater, grab a case of Guinness Stout and some friends for a few hours of unforgettable music and stories.

(Review by Bret Miller)

Flogging Molly on Myspace

Motown Classics by A Loss For Words (Paper & Plastick Records)

A Loss For Words is a pop-punk band from the Boston area who has released an impressive collection of original material on their own throughout the last few years.  The band has also toured across the country several times, gaining a loyal fan base along the way.  So what a pleasant surprise it is to find their debut album for Paper & Plastick Records to be a collection of Motown Classics.  Not since Writers Block by Evergreen Terrace has there been a covers album this incredibly exciting and inventive.  The songs are all classics you hear endlessly on the radio, with A Loss For Words weaving their own magic and sheer enthusiasm into the proceedings.  Longtime fans of these Bostonians should treasure this album.  There is little doubt that new converts will be gained when hearing this thoroughly entertaining disc of fun as well.

Motown Classics kicks into high gear with the Jackson 5 classic I Want You Back, featuring vocal guest appearances by Dan O’Connor and Alan Day of Four Year Strong   Next is up My Girl originally by The Tempations, and while this track may be covered to death by other bands, A Loss For Words’ joyous re-imagining is vibrant and infectious.  This track also features an additional guest performance by Jordan Brown of Set Your Goals.

Do You Love Me originally by The Contours is played at a fast and frenetic pace, and should really set those slam pits into overdrive when played in a live setting.  A wonderful blast of energy to be sure!

Another highlight is the acoustic version of The Isley’s Brothers’ This Old Heart Of Mine, sung with passion and conviction by Matty Arsenault, who is joined by a clever gain vocal at the end.  And while Reach Out (I’ll Be There) from The Four Tops is not an easy piece to play, A Loss For Words present an impressive, highly effective take on the song that really shines with a robust sense of urgency.

Other tracks featured on Motown Classics include I Just Called To Say I Love, All Night Long, You Can’t Hurry Love and more – a greatest hits package done up punk pop style and absolutely perfect for those summer parties as well as the long drives to the Warped Tour (or wherever the day or night takes you).

The A Loss For Words lineup consists of the aforementioned Matty Arsenault (vocals), Mike Adams (bass, vocals), Marc Dangora (guitar, vocals), Nevada Smith (guitar), and Jack McHugh (drums).  These guys have been pursuing the pop punk crown for a decade now – and the combination of their previous album The Kids Can’t Lose and the brand new Motown Classics show just how talented and determined this collective is.  The big winners in the end will be A Loss For Words – as well as the fans and friends they make along the way.  Crank this one up to an 11 and let the summer of 2010 truly begin!

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

A Loss For Words on Myspace

DEATH IS MY ONLY FRIEND by DEATH BY STEREO (Serjical Strike Records)

With the release of Death Is My Only Friend, Death By Stereo is mixing up punk and hardcore with a few surprise twists thrown in. On the kick-off track Opening Destruction, you’ll find raw belted vocals; Efrem Schulz, lead vocalist, shifts between styles throughout the instrumentation, but you can feel the tension.

The lyrics on the CD contain angst and political commentary. Efrem’s vocals are deeper on this CD. He tends to try different things with his voice. He even uses a megaphone, which makes him sound like a powerful dictator. In tracks Welcome to the Party and We Sing Today for a Better Tomorrow, it’s the sound that this band is known for; punk rock mixed with slight metalcore influences.

The song I Got Your Back features intense varied metal solos. These solos go from low crunching metalcore, to high, piercing full on metal. Slowing things down is the song Forever And A Day that flows with a moody goth feel.

For those who look for a bit of everything, Death Is My Only Friend is enjoyable. Interesting too is when Elfrem vocals go back and forth with a choir in the song Let Down And Alone – a great track for sure. The added higher screaming backups are nice among the CD too.

A mixed bag of tricks are up this band’s sleeve, keeping the listeners anticipating as to what’s coming up next from this Orange County band. The record is produced really well. With the orchestration combined with the special arrangements in the vocals, Death By Stereo are heading for a higher gain with this album.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)

LIVE IN CONCERT by REEL BIG FISH (Rock Ridge Music)

In an interview with Reel Big Fish I did before The Vans Warped Tour, I had mentioned to them about that the punk ska band New Found Glory having a cover record out. I had mentioned that Reel Big Fish should also put one out as well. We low and behold they did just do that!   It was called Fame Fortune And Fornication with covers done in the classic Reel Big Fish style.

With after putting out this CD now, out comes a live show tour DVD of the tour for The Fame Fortune And Fornication Tour. The DVD was recorded in the bands hometown of Anaheim, California.  Included with some of the bands best covers from The Fame Fortune And Fornication CD and songs from their past records. Some of the highlights of the 20 songs on here are Beer, She Has A Girlfriend Now, I Want Your Girlfriend, Another F U Song and of course the crowd singing along of the Ah Ha cover Take On Me.

This show was recorded on January 4^th 2009 in at a sold out show of 2500 people. This video shows you why Orange County California Reel Big Fish have been entertaining the punk and ska music scene for the past 15 years. I am sure after you see this concert live DVD you will have to find your own way of catching a live show with the band in your home state area venue.

At press time it was announced that Reel Big Fish will be on the entire 2010 Vans Warped Tour!  Go check them out!!!

(Review and band photo by Jonathan D. Wright)

Reel Big Fish on Myspace

Rock Ridge Music on Myspace

DEMO 2009 by GET IN THE VAN! (Self-released Demo)

While in high school, Get In The Van! released a self-titled EP that garnered them a good deal of attention. After graduation, the members all went their separate ways, scattering throughout the State of California due to college and other various missions in life. Fortunately the band remained together, and has just recorded an all-new five-song demo with producer Justin Powell (A Thorn For Every Heart, Nevea Tears, Never Heard Of It). Judging by what’s heard on this demo, there is a good chance Get In The Van! may find themselves signed to a label such as Fearless or Drive Thru Records in no time at all.

Fans of New Found Glory and Amber Pacific are sure to find a brand new favorite band to enjoy when encountering the upbeat melodic songs of Get In The Van! She Hates Everything Love Brings You is a extraordinary track – this is surely the song many will be singing along to within a live setting. We’re Definitely Not In Kansas Anymore is another standout cut, with it’s anthem like chorus and infectious melody. Until The End and Life & Love continue to blissfully rock the listener with their power and passion, demonstrating both skillful songwriting and resourceful musicianship.

The demo closes with a perfect cover of That Thing You Do by The Wonders – a tune that both you and your too-hip parents could thoroughly enjoy. Get In The Van! is definitely driving their way to the top, and there should be no steering these guys off course now! The talented lineup includes Ryan on vocals and guitar, Greg on bass, Joel on drums, and Mike on guitar and vocals. Info: www.myspace.com/gitv (Kenneth Morton)

THE PEOPLE OR THE GUN by ANTI-FLAG (Side One Dummy Records)

Bush might be gone out of office but the influence of anger and frustration still hits punk bands. Waves of anti government, fighting for the people and sticking up for the poor are still anthems of Anti-Flag, even with this CD. With such new songs as On Independence Day and The Old Guard, you feel disrespect and freedom from the regime of the old ways the Bush government was. The record is up to date though with the songs The Economy Is Suffering… Let It Die, We Are The One, and The Great Depression. Anti-Flag has been telling things like it is and this CD proves that. Go see them and support the punk movement with them on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour.  (Jonathan D. Wright)

THE SOUNDTRACK by SPARKS WILL FLY (District Kills Records)

Here is a band I met at the end of a long day at the Ventura Warped Tour. They were sitting near the parking lot and performing their songs acoustic to those leaving the event. Based out of Rhode Island, Sparks Will Fly plan on following the entire Warped Tour route, promoting their band to all. The songs were amazingly impressive, so I decided to check out their EP and see what they had to offer.

After a brief bit of Opening Credits, The Soundtrack kicks into high gear with the magnificent anthem-like We’re Not Chasing Ghosts – a song so catchy and alive that one will find the chorus instantly committed to memory. That’s What She Said is another example of pure pop perfection that is instantly likable. I’ll Go Down In History (Or Up In Flames) is another top track showing that these guys can truly rock it out with the very best of the melodic punk crew.

Fans of acts such as New Found Glory, early Starting Line, and especially Amber Pacific should really enjoy what Sparks Will Fly has to offer. The band is sure to ignite interest all across the country with songs as good as those contained on The Soundtrack. Be sure to snag a copy of the EP if you come across these talented young musicians at Warped this year. Recording lineup is Jordan Hillman on vocals, Spencer Hillman on guitar and vocals, Charlie Iwuc on guitar and vocals, Skye Soderberg on bass, and Alex Lee on drums.

Info: http://www.myspace.com/sparkswillflymusic!

(Review and Warped Tour photo by Kenneth Morton)