There’s some blasts from the past, some up-and-comers and a variety of punk genres covered in this week’s Picks of the Week!
Bouncing Souls- ‘United‘
An uplifting, foot stomping sing-a-long to get us started. New Jersey punk legends Bouncing Souls are back with a new anthemic track ‘United‘- their first new song in three years. It is certainly a strong return, combining the melodic, energised brand of punk the band have been known for since their inception in 1989 (!). It is the kind of heartfelt anthem that serves to remind us to stick together in solidarity during times of turmoil and that punk goes beyond the music and into the centre of a community of likeminded people. If you want to see the band live and be right there in the community pit then Bouncing Souls will be playing Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas later this month and then the Stoked For the Summer Festival in their home state of New Jersey in August.
Cash Bribe- ‘Demonics‘
In hardcore territory now is the facemelting ‘Demonics‘ by Brooklyn hardcore outfit Cash Bribe. ‘Demonics‘ is both the name of the EP the band will be releasing via Futureless in June, and the new track they’ve released as a taster. Power and precision is the name of the game here with a tight and heavy sound that creates a sonic poke in the eye. The EP is 6 tracks of some of the band’s hardest hitting material that takes a swipe at the increasingly suffocating grip that the billionaire class exerts over all our lives. Check out the title track which is available to stream HERE and you can pre order the full EP on this cool eco citrus vinyl HERE.
The Ataris- ‘Car Song‘
Another blast from the past now, late 90s/early 00s punk stars The Ataris are BACK with single ‘Car Song‘. It is the lead single from their long-awaited upcoming album, marking the band’s first full-length release since 2007. ‘Car Song‘ is a warm and heartfelt track dedicated to frontman Kristopher Roe’s late father who passed in 2014, a lifelong supporter of the Indiana band. It has that nostalgic pop punk sound that never loses its ability to give us all the feels and there’s an added poignancy to this release in the fact that some limited versions of the 7-inch will incorporate the late Mr Roe’s ashes in the vinyl itself. Frontman Kristopher said: “When I read about a service that would press a loved one’s ashes into vinyl, it instantly hit me. What better way to honor my dad than making him a permanent part of the music he always loved? It felt like the most meaningful tribute I could give him.” As well as that, a portion of the proceeds from the ‘Car Song‘ 7-inch release will go to Shatterproof, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending addiction. The funds raised through this release will benefit Shatterproof through 2025 and 2026, helping those affected by substance use disorders. It’s a new chapter for the band who started back in 1996 and fans will eagerly await more news of their new album release which as of yet is untitled but some teaser singles are sure to be forthcoming. Pre order the 7-inch ‘Car Song‘ HERE. Stream the track HERE.
Burp.- ‘Ricky Mortis‘
East cost punk crew Burp. have released an infectiously catchy and sumptuously grizzly track ‘Ricky Mortis‘. Discussing the new track, lead vocalist Leo Folan shares: “Ricky Mortis is a fast-paced punky emo track that we think combines the sounds of our first two records, creating something new while also still feeling like a classic “Burp” song.” There’s shades of midwest emo in there but the pace and the stripped back, no-nonsense appeal of the song is pure punk. And it comes in at just under 2 and a half minutes which is a very punk-esque timescale. The band released their debut self titled album in 2023 and follow up ‘Acid Reflux‘ in 2024 and their momentum is clearly not going to stop any time soon. You can stream the track HERE.
Powerplant- ‘Crashing Cars‘
A bit of a retro sound now, and one that will make you want to sway with your eyes closed (or is that just me?) and let the complex and rousing sound of this track swirl around you. It is certainly immersive and if you fancy something a bit different- synth driven rather than your usual guitar stuff- then this will be a welcome addition to your playlists. Powerplant’s band leader Theo Zhykharyev said of the single: “Car is life, brother. Sometimes you drive it, other times – the car drives you. And, statistically, we’ll all see the airbags go off sooner or later, as the consequence of choices made by us or onto us, consciously or not.” It’s a track that is deep in more ways than one. Is it punk? Who knows, but we like it! Theo has his own label Arcane Dynamics and you can purchase the 7-inch and other cool garms HERE.
The Red Bastards- ‘Cut the Dead Wood‘
If you like your punk with the classic ingredients of the rip-roaring, old school, no-messing-about bands of yore then Wales’ finest The Red Bastards are your men. Their new track ‘Cut the Dead Wood‘ is quintessential Red Bastards territory: breakneck drums, a chorus of ‘oi’s and a combative message (“Screw the posers and their agendas“) delivered in-yer-face for 2 minutes. This particular track can be found on the May edition of Dammit Records monthly unsigned punk compilation- a collection the label puts out on a monthly basis. The label are passionate about giving bands the opportunity to put their music out there and they are as DIY as you can get. A lot of work goes into what they do and you can support them by getting involved in their subscription service which gives you mixtapes and playlists galore- all from unsigned bands with unreleased tracks. Saves you digging around for new music that no one else has got to first. All their comps are available to purchase individually too so head HERE and have a look. And to hear more from the Red Bastards including this single, head HERE.
Dudesmell- ‘Don’t Push Me’
Last but not least, is the new track from UK’s Dudesmell. It is a visceral and heavy track full of righteous anger (my favourite kind) and these are the kinds of tracks we all need right now to offer some form of catharsis in these troubled times. “Don’t push me, I’ll push back” goes the chorus and I can’t imagine how completely epic this will be live and in a pit (where you will literally be pushing people and they will most likely…push you back). The band have been releasing singles thick and fast this year with ‘Hyenas in the Prideland‘ in February and ‘The Mirror‘ which was out in March and they’re still going and we’re only in May! Check them out where you stream including HERE.
There you go folks! Enough to keep you going this week.
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