Yay, it’s Friday! Which means we can all stop what we’re doing and check out the best punk releases this week, yes? As ever, there’s loads of great stuff out and we’ve been ploughing through them to pick our faves and think we have a pretty good selection this week (if we do say so ourselves!) So turn up the volume and check out the below!
Stoke Signals- ‘Holy Fangs‘
LA punks Stoke Signals release the first single from their upcoming debut LP ‘Make Dying Fun‘ and it’s a fast paced, melodic sing-a-long of a track. I was actually a fan of frontman Giuliano Messina’s previous band (also called Holy Fangs, hence the name of this new song) and Stoke Signals showcase a group of musicians who are honing their craft, tightening up and not making any compromises when it comes to the raw power of their songs. The four piece only played their first shows as a band in January this year but they’re not wasting any time, throwing everything they have at a collection of 12 new songs, set for release in September. Pre order HERE.
Little Hag- ‘Suck Out the Pain‘
Change of direction for our next pick, which comes from Asbury Park ‘bitch rockers’ Little Hag and their bewitching new single ‘Suck Out the Pain‘. It’s a bittersweet track, one inspired by vocalist Avery Mandeville’s dream about a ex-partner displaying vampiric tendencies and the nostalgia for more carefree times in life. Mandeville sets the track up with her sweet vocal delivery, gentle and delicate before the song bursts into life with a harder edge. Every guitar riff communicates a deep longing, giving a real sense of building melancholy. ‘Suck Out the Pain‘ is taken from the band’s upcoming album ‘Now That’s What I Call Little Hag’, out August 23 via Bar/None Records. You can pre order HERE.
Bench Press- ‘Computer Hands‘
Naarm / Melbourne’s Bench Press have shared the video for ‘Computer Hands’, the third taster from their fast-approaching third LP ‘Personal Best‘, out Friday 30 August via Poison City Records. It’s a snappy, groovy track with off-kilter rhythms and a deadpan vocal delivered by Jack Stavrakis with an accompanying video that takes the message of the song to its extreme….what is the result of someone spending their life escaping into video games and bending the body to positions it’s unsuited? Well according to the video, it could be the merging of man and machine in pretty grotesque ways….Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to take a break from my laptop….
Bugman- ‘The Proto Push‘
Hailing from Newcastle in the UK, Bugman crafts some seriously catchy and intricate pop punk/indie bangers with heart and humour. His brand of impeccable pop hooks and rousing nuggets of melody are showcased across his new album ‘The Proto Push‘ which is out today via Dop Leap Records. Order your copy and have a listen HERE.
Baby Schillaci- ‘The Anti Suncream League‘
You remember that song ‘Everybody’s Free‘ by Baz Luhrmann which was basically lots of life advice that culminated in the message ‘wear sunscreen’? This is like the opposite of that*! In true Baby Schillaci form, not one second of this song is wasted, there’s no risk of any part of this song outstaying its welcome. From angular riffs and a galloping but steady pace, to blow out in-yer-face metal-esque climaxes, there’s a lot packed into 3 minutes here. The Welsh punks have a way of making every track sound completely distinct from the last, there’s no way you’ll get bored listening to this band!
*They do seem to have a bit of a thing against that Baz Luhrmann song though, this is not the first time they’ve taken issue with its platitudes! Check out the beginning of track ‘Dead Wrestlers‘!
There you go folks, another week another great collection of tracks to get stuck into. And importantly, if you hear something you like, check out the bands and buy their stuff and support their music!