The Nobodys - Manny

This is some quality scruffy punk rock from the masters of this style. I know that the Nobodys got a lot of shit back in the day for being oh so politically incorrect, but that's what I love about them! Punk rock just needs to be offensive sometimes! What can I say, I practically grew up with this band.

I just wish people still made honest punk music like this. All you need is the basic elements: inspiration, 3-4 catchy chords and a shitty production sound! I personally kind of prefer the Nobodys' later, more mid tempo stuff, but this will do just fine for a starting point.

All hail old school punk rock and it's don't care ethos!

Another Old School Pic: Strung Out, Rocking Out

Looking back at more than half my life, I realize how I grew up looking at hardcore and punk bands' photos. No matter what people say about punk being only about the music and the message, I know that aesthetics is also another important aspect of it. In the same way other kids grew up admiring athletes or models, the people I always looked up to were the musicians from my favorite bands. And it has always been great to see how the people whose music I loved so much looked pretty much just like me. It made me feel inspired, like I could be doing the same thing one day.

I just love it when a moment in punk is captured in a pic, and I will never stop checking out this awesome form of, well... art. I guess this simple Strung Out snap says it all, really. It's all about fun, friendship and wigging out!

A Loss For Words & ...Mainstream (?) Status

In a way, I've always liked the punk bands who make it and gain recognition. Even though people always talk crap about the bands who get popular, they seem to overlook the fact that these bands have worked really hard for what they now have. They forget that in this life (and surely not in the music world), nothing's free.

Think about it. What is it you'd like to do most in your life? Well, the kids in these bands want to be out there and play music, so why should we be against them for that? A happy life means being successful at what you love doing. There is nothing wrong with it and I don't think there is anyone who would say 'no' to success if it came their way.

I wrote the above having A Loss For Words in mind in particular. Now they must be a band everyone knows in the pop punk/ melodic hc scene. These guys have worked so hard as a band (and still do) to be where they are. A lot of people don't know that they released 4,000 cds of their The Kids Can't Lose album on their own because they couldn't get signed, or that they shot a video (which now has some 147,00 hits on youtube) with their own money. Respect to the hard working bands out there!

Such Gold Such Gold Such Gold Such Gold

I mean, really... Can these guys get any more perfect? Such Gold seem to be spearheading the whole melodic hardcore / pop punk movement that is getting increasingly popular by the day. Stabbings, festival cancellations, member replacements or whatever else cannot stop this band from getting their awesome music out there and getting their well deserved respect in today's punk. Can you hear the power and desperation in these fast, melancholic punk tunes?This is melodic NY hardcore / pop punk at its very BEST!

Where Emo Meets Straight Edge: Davey Havok (AFI)

LAST NIGHT I was watching a bunch of AFI videos, and was reminded what a unique combination of straightforward punk ethos and emo aesthetics their charismatic - yet weird looking - frontman, Davey Havok is. 

Undoubtedly, Davey has done lots for the hardcore punk scene through AFI's 3 first albums which were instrumental in forging that more melodic US hardcore sound (in a scene that was definitely more metal oriented). Moreover, they have contributed to and have influenced the whole skatepunk and popunk genres with their classic The Art of Drowning album (2000). Changing their musical direction and becoming more easy listening through the years is not such a huge surprise; after all, lots of bands do it as they grow up and mature musically. It is logical to want to evolve and attract bigger success through your music.

What is actually interesting to observe is that even though Davey and AFI have transformed into a fully fledged, corporate-value rock band, they have maintained their hardcore punk mentality and values since their inception in 1991. Davey himself has stuck with straight edge and veganism since the early days, and is not afraid to talk  against drug abuse and meat eating with every chance he gets.

Moreoever, Davey Havok has also largely influenced the modern punk scene in another way: he has carried the flag for the horror punk style that the Misfits created in the 80s (he even had an offer to become their singer in 2000). We could really say that with his ongoing output throughout the years, Davey has become the ambassador of horror punk and has really helped this genre develop further.

One could ask whether Davey uses punk to stay cool and get the punk kids on AFI's side, or if he actually uses his long lasting punk values to influence and corrode the shit-filled mainstream music industry. We think that the case is actually the latter, while I don't think Davey even cares as he keeps making awesome music spreading punk, horror, straight edge, romanticism, and moshing alike to the world.

Last but not least, if you just watch the following video, you'll get a picture of where exactly Davey & AFI stand: the perfect amalgam of hardcore, pop and goth!

Unwritten Law - 'Swan' Review (2011)

What a nice surprise it is when one of your favorite bands drop their new album out of the blue, without you having heard anything about it! It's like seeing a good old friend on the street--always nice, always got lots of things to say.

And for me Unwritten Law is such a band when it comes to clean cut punk rock. Scott Russo must be one of the best singers in punk right now (or hell, in all of punk's history), while UL always had great musicians adding their own extra elements, and not just "playing their instruments" as part of another punk rock band. Pat Kim; definitely an exceptional bassist. And on this album, Dylan Howard is doing a really great job on the drums.

So what is Swan all about and what should we expect from this old school yet always fresh punk rock outfit? Well, to be honest, some more of the all around goodness they've showed in the past: mainstream flirting, catchy punk rock (just like it used to be!), with lots of melancholic overtones and excellent musicianship. The lyrics are - like always with Unwritten Law - quite sad and grey, but show the strength of a person who goes all out and makes moves, a person who takes risks in life and is not afraid to lose.

Swan has its mainstream moments for sure, but it really is punk rock. Mainstream music lacks bands like Unwritten Law right now. I don't know if Swan means that this will be their swan song, their last album, but I surely hope that it's not. It's been six years since UL offered us anything and we'd hate to see them go now. Thanfully they're on 2011's Warped Tour so let's hope they're here to stay.

Hell yes! Time for punk rock and summer's always on the way!

No Good News - Self Titled EP

No Good News is an amazing band which plays pop punk with horns and you should go listen to them right now! The feeling reminds me of good old Less Than Jake somehow, but this is New York (?) pop with enough distortion and snotty bubblegum punk for it to be cool and not just plain pop.

The lyrics are all about broken relationships, indecision, bad choices etc (typical pop punk agenda!) Just awesome pop punk with a totally nostalgic feeling, perfect for those lonely spring (or any other time of the year, for that matter) nights when you come home feeling lost! Thumbs up for the perfect horns, the awesome guitar tone and the spot-on backing vox. This easily gets [9/10] with no second thought!

I'll keep my feet right on the ground / you mean nothing to me now

Check it all out here.

TRUTH OF MY YOUTH *Interview*

A while ago we did a review for Maine's awesome pop punk/hardcore band Truth of My Youth. Just really amazing modern sounds in the vein of Title Fight, Daggermouth, Wonder Years etc. After getting in touch with these guys we decided to do an interview and have a quick chat about this new band, their influences and their plans for the future. Look out for these guys... their could be your next favorite band!

TYS: So... Why "Truth Of My Youth"? Are you big New Found Glory fans? Tell us some things about how the band got together, how long you've been around etc.

PAT: We all love New Found Glory, They're Probably the biggest influence on us. We had trouble with our name and one of us looked on the back of the Catalyst record and loved the name. We have only been together since last september when my old band broke up and Sam and Ian's band had stopped playing. We have have had a couple line up changes since then. The line up now is me on vocals, Sam and Connor on Guitar, Ian on bass and Alex on Drums.

TYS: What are your main influences? It is interesting to hear about it, cause you already have a very personal sound on your 1st EP. If you had to strip things down, would you say you are a punk rock or a hardcore band?

SAM: Truth takes influences from a lot of places, there's a lot of pop punk in there but we all also took a lot from punk and hardcore bands. I'd say our main our main influences are bands like New Found Glory, Blink-182, Boxcar Racer, Lifetime and the Descendents. We all also love Title Fight. If it came down to the two I'd probably like to think we were a punk band.

TYS: Since you say Blink is a big influence, are you more into the early comedy stuff or the later "serious" side of the band?

IAN: Blink is Blink, everything from the early stuff to the last self titled album. Its all gold.

TYS: Can you tell us some things about TOMY's lyrics? Could you pick your favorite lyric from the whole EP and explain it to us plz?

PAT: Most of all the TOMY lyrics have a common theme of looking back on the mistakes you have done or gone through and wish how you chould change them or done things different. My favorite line is a tie between "For now my chin is up and I'm never losing hope" and "I hope my friends don't go through what i do, I hope they don't live like i do". One song is about how I dated thsi girl and she lead me on and it really took me a long time to get over it and i finally fell over it. Another is seeing my bestfriend going through financial problems, I have seen some as well but it killed me to see him go through it.

TYS: What are your aspirations in this band and as musicians? Do you wish to do it full time at some point, or are you the kind of people who see it as a hobby in order to keep it pure?

CONNOR: I think I would say our aspirations as a band comes from our love of pop punk and hardcore and our want to make some of our own. As for full time or part time I think we are all taking it as it comes to us and giving the time we need to to be successful. Our music will always be pure because it will be what we think is quality pop punk and that's what matters to us

TYS: What's living in Maine, Portland like? Is there a nice scene there? Are there things to do for punkrock and HC kids? What is good about Maine that the world should know of?

IAN: Living in Maine is all in all a good time.The cold winters get pretty old, but its really not a big deal. As far as stuff to do for kids like us there are some pretty fun shows set up around the area. Skateboarding is always happening as well. One thing about maine is that its the place where the Pop-Punk is happening.

TYS: What are some other things you love and some things you hate about Maine other than music?

PAT: I don"t really know if i hate much about maine but the cold does annoying at times but theirs always something to do year round. Sledding in the winter, hiking in the spring and fall and soo many water holes in the summer. I love living in Maine.

TYS: Would you say there is a lack of bands who play passionately and sincerely (like you) these days? If yes, why? How do you see the future of HC/punk? Do you think you'll still be into it when you're 30?

SAM: Not at all, I feel like that's what the genre is all about. I think that punk and hardcore will always be around, it'll go through changes but i think theres enough people who care about it enough to keep it going for a long time. And i sure hope so, i hope we all are but i don't really look that far ahead.

TYS: OK so now, you'll give the 1st thoughts that come to mind in relation to the following:

Heavy Metal: Slayer 666

Lifetime (the band): A band that everyone should love

Skateboarding: One of the most fun things you could do in your life 

Husker Du: Green Day did a killer cover 

Graffiti: 90s skateboard videos

Straight Edge: Pat

Blink 182: The best band I have ever and possibly will ever hear. The roots of our tree 

Favorite 80s hc/punk band: The Descendents

Favorite junk food: Pizza if that counts? Or gummy bears!

Best punk guitarist: Tim Armstrong/Frank Navetta

Horror films: Dead Alive,Leprechaun In The Hood,

Ramones vs. Sex Pistols: Ramones

Minor Threat vs. Black Flag: Fuckin Black Flag

Black Sabbath vs. Iron Maiden: Sabbath is heavy as balls but Maiden has zombies.... Gotta tie them

TYS: Do you ever drive outside Maine for gigs (or is Maine as big as Europe or something)?

SAM: Nah, so far only shows in state, were hoping to start playing out of state more as soon as we can.

TYS: In closing, plz describe TOMY with just 3 words to someone who's never heard of you before and eyes your CD at a show. Add anything else you want about the band, give your shout outs etc. Thank you very much!

CONNOR: Were a band that is all about having a good time playing the music we love for people who wanna listen. We have roots in different genres which can be appealing to many parties.

We'd like to give a shout out to our boys in Steiner Street, Backround, Let It Go, Broadside, and many others!

As for the three words, "Maine pop punk"

Check out:
http://truthofmyyouth.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/tomypoppunk

NERVOUS BREAKDOWN - New Single

Wow! I am always happy when I receive something from Indonesian punks Nervous Breakdown, cause they always keep it fresh and I really don't know what to expect other than it will be good. These fellas have a great musical background to choose from and they find it easy to surprise the unexpecting listener. Every EP and release is different, but at least it is good and it maintains the character of loose, raw punk. For some of the band's previous releases reviewed on TYS, check here.

This time Nervous Breakdown are celebrating 5 years of existence, so they chose to give us a single track of warm-hearted, tuneful, alternative pop punk. "This Band Could Be Your Life" is just a happy song which will make you think of summer even on your worst, most cloudy day. And this is something essential in a scene that is filled with negativity and hate. Every now and then it's nice to loosen up and chill and listen to something like this. The production sound is perfect and the whole outcome just overflows with the cool and mellow vibe that Indonesian culture has. Awesome, dude! This song just takes you to another world, time, whatever.

I am just waiting the next move from Nervous Breakdown. I am really curious to see what that will be.

Truth Of My Youth - 'Farside EP' Review

Today we are happy to present and review Farside by Truth Of My Youth, an exceptional new band with a very refreshing and crucial 'core to deliver in today's scene. The band has formed its own brand of melodic hardcore/pop punk which is so tuneful and inspiring that it truly stands out from the millions of poppy hardcore/easy-core fad bands out there. They have a sense of urgency in their sound that really makes you wanna go out and live life like it's your last day. Let's go!

TOMY is from Maine/US, and this is their 1st EP. They play 6 songs of upbeat hardcore with melancholic pop punk sensibilities in the vein of Lifetime, Dag Nasty, Good Riddance and - of course - early New Found Glory (the band's name is also a NFG album title). You won't find any songs with metalcore beatdowns here; just real punk rock music played fast and with a 'heart on the sleeve' hardcore-spirited approach. The production sound is also kind of different, as it is a bit rougher and not so polished compared to most of the stuff that's generally on display in the music world today.

I don't know so much about this band. But if I was at the party and this played, I would surely go and ask what it is. Listening to TOMY creates a strange blend of feelings... like hope with nostalgia and restlessness all mixed together. This band should really be big in a couple of years. They've got what it takes. If you're up for some real modern punk music, go and check 'em out! You can listen to the whole Farside EP at bandcamp: http://truthofmyyouth.bandcamp.com/