Well well well, it’s Friday again! And that means we have been trawling through some great new music from across the punk spectrum. And we do all this so that we could pull together our top picks for your listening pleasure. There’s a bit of something for everyone this week so have a listen!
Knuckleheadz- ‘Get Out‘
When Tommy Knucklehead tells you to get out of his way…you comply! Knuckleheadz are the punk rock brotherhood from California and their sound is not for the faint of heart. Repping that hardcore/thrash sound popularised in the 80s scene, Knuckleheadz are a wholly cathartic experience but it’s not all fury and roughhousing. The band are a culture in and of themselves, being at the centre of a punk rock community that encourages self discipline, solidarity, personal development and accountability. Also doubling up as a sort of fight club, it’s difficult to tell where the gym-going starts and the band begins but as someone that has witnessed their intensity live- there’s a lot more to unpick with this lot. But if you want, just start by listening to their new track ‘Get Out‘, available for streaming HERE.
Gaffa Tape Sandy- ‘Body In the Water‘
Heading to the UK now for Brighton trio Gaffa Tape Sandy and their new track which talks of trauma bonding set to some deceptively upbeat sounds including some ‘da da das’ and a sing-along chorus. You almost forget the lyrics are referencing finding a dead body floating in the water. The track is the final single to be taken from their new album ‘Hold My hand, God Damn It‘ which was released earlier this year via Alcopop! Records. At just over 2 minutes, ‘Body in the Water‘ is a bouncing, full throttle romp that can’t help but make you smile, lyrical topic be damned. Find your listening and streaming options HERE.
Miranda and the Beat- ‘Can’t Take It‘
A bit of retro rock n roll for you with New Orleans based Miranda and the Beat- the soundtrack to your swampland soirees. The band have announced a new album- ‘Can’t Take It‘- and the title track is a great sampler of what’s to come when the LP is released on 25th October. We’ve already been treated to previous single ‘Earthquake Water‘, each track released showcasing that something very special is coming our way when the full album hits. The video for ‘Can’t Take It‘ was directed by Miranda’s childhood friend, Sara Mardon and was shot at Pilates Punx studio in Los Angeles on New Year’s Day, Miranda fighting through a hangover from the previous nights revelry! If you’re looking for an eclectic collection of songs that celebrates the best in good ol’ rock n roll, R&B and of course punk, then pre order ‘Can’t Take It‘ HERE.
Trap Girl- ‘Death Dress‘
Trap Girl are a force to be reckoned with thanks to their unapologetic blend of punk and hardcore influences. Formed ten years ago in Los Angeles by beehive-d and high-heeled frontwoman Drew Arriola-Sands and drummer Jorge Reveles, after a few lineup changes the band is sitting as strongly as ever with Jocelyn Aguilera on bass and Daniel Guzman on guitar. That cool retro 60s sound meets quintessential gritty LA garage punk and combines raucously across tracks that speak of personal agency, defiance, authenticity and resilience. Described as ‘glamour and grit’, the band’s new single ‘Death Dress‘ is the second single taken from their upcoming album ‘The Savage Goddess‘ which we’ve already had a sneak peek of via first single ‘Baddest Bitch‘ (are you sensing a theme? Baddass-ery is the motif, and a very fitting one it is too). You can check out the single and pre order the album HERE.
Crows- ‘Is It Better?‘
Back to Blighty with punk four piece Crows and the final single to be taken from their upcoming album ‘Reason Enough‘ which is out September 27th. ‘Is It Better?‘ encapsulate the difficult year singer James Cox has whilst writing the album. He explains further, “It’s a homage to the friends and my family who helped guide me get through it. It’s also a reflection on having gone through something and not coming out unscathed – dealing with the damage I picked up along the way, and accepting my new reality.” Crows are a band that take the reactions to current events- frustration, isolation, malaise and dare we say, hope- and channel them into their own brand of introspective indie rock with a whole lotta depth. Pre order the album HERE.
Hopefully you’ve managed to find something you love on this list and if not, there’s always next week! See you then punk pickers!