Quit Hoggin' the Covers!

Set times and the order of performers was unclear to me, so I was unsure how early to show up at the North Star Bar on Tuesday night. The show was sold out long in advance, so I knew no matter when I got there, it was bound to be packed. But it was a nice night out, so I headed out with enough time to ensure sure that I would not miss Teenage Bottlerocket, even if they played first. I had written off Reno, NV's Cobra Skulls as nonsense and had little to no intent on watching their set, but was glad that had I showed up early and they started playing several minutes later. The first fifteen minutes were great, real rockabilly type punk, with the stampeding drums and galloping bass lines. I was shocked at how much the country tinged tunes appealed to me. Following the barn burners, they slowed the pace down for a few minutes with some (comparatively) mellow, ska/reggae influenced tunes. They seemed to be unable to recover after that, and just kind of lost their groove which made their last few songs forgettable. I don't know that I could listen to a whole album by these guys, but they were entertaining live and I wouldn't be disappointed to see them open up another show in the future.

PS--What ever they pay their drummer, they should double it. Hands down, best percussionist of the night.

Up next were my inspiration for attending, Laramie, Wyoming's Teenage Bottlerocket. I hadn't seen Bottlerocket since they were on tour for 2005's Total and were supporting the Eyeliners. Unfortunately for them, not much has changed since then despite crafting two more rock solid full lengths. I was surprised that the crowd was not more into them given that their popularity would seem to have risen over the last few years. Fat Mike has certainly done right by these guys; NOFX has taken them on tour at least once or twice and Fat Wreck Chords promoted the shit out of They Came from the Shadows when it was released. However, Teenage Bottlerocket seems destined to be a perpetual opener. Sigh, always a bridesmaid... They played fast as hell, packing approximately a million songs into a half hour set, blazing through all their major "hits"--"Skate or Die," "In the Basement," "Blood Bath at Burger King," "Bigger than Kiss." (And a Bad Religion cover, in keeping with the night's theme) None the less, there were a lot of on lookers, at least compared with Cobra Skulls, so hopefully a few were converted by their stellar performance.

Since it was a "school night," my buddy and I left it up 'til last minute whether we would stay for headliners Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies. I didn't need to be completely useless the next to to see what is essentially punk karaoke of songs that you might normally be embarrassed to admit you like. But we were feeling energetic following Teenage Bottlerocket, so we figured, why not? But what is there really to say about seeing a cover band? It was fun and silly and better than most Tuesday nights. The songs were double timed (for the most part), with lots of retarded stage banter in between. Highlights included "Me and Julio Down by the School Yard," "Country Roads," "Blowing in the Wind," "Somewhere over the Rainbow," and "Rocket Man." I personally was disappointed that not one of the Barry Manilow covers made the list, but oh well. Since I didn't even know when I showed up if I would stay at all, I figure I have no room to complain. (Except about the guy behind me who kept shouting for Lagwagon songs. Really? Lagwagon? Not NOFX or Swingin' Udders? Lagwagon. OK, dude.) All in all, a fun night, particularly since the Gimmie Gimmies don't tour all that often.

PPS--I spotted Michael McDerrmont, drummer of the world famous Bouncing Souls punk rock band, which was extra cool. Jersey!

Up the Punx! (Social Security Checks)

Here is your limited time opportunity to get your hands on the new Face of Face single, "Should Anything go Wrong." The release of this single is probably just to calm down super fans (like myself) who have visiting their website daily in hopes of the long promised, fall release date of Laugh Now, Laugh Later, their first full length since 2002. Laugh Now, presumably being released on frontman Trevor Keith's Antagonist Records, has been pushed back to early 2011 (nicely coinciding with Face to Face's 20 year anniversary). If this lead single is a sign of things to come, we may see something a little different from the southern Cali crew. "Should Anything go Wrong" is much darker than your typical Face to Face fare, taking some of the more aggressive sounds off How to Ruin Everything and mixing them with the melancholy pessimism of Ignorance is Bliss. When lead vocalist Trevor Keith is singing, it sounds, lyrically and melodically, pretty par for the course, but musically, this almost sounds like it could almost be a Bronx song. As always, there is that intricate, Descendents inspired bass line, but gone are the echo laden, open, high toned guitars. Replacing that is a super fast, deeper, more driven guitar sound. It sounds like Keith has taken on the backing vocals as well, a change from previous albums. Of course, this is only one song and may in no way resemble the rest of the album cuts, but so far as singles go, this one's pretty solid. Perhaps Face to Face is adding a little stronger edge on this reunion effort, and that wouldn't necessarily be bad. Side note: Keith was on LA Ink to get tattooed with this phrase by Corey Miller, who also did the album art for Laugh Now, Laugh Later. Miller is also apparently responsible for the album title. Interesting. When the album is out, check back here for a full review.

If you have two minutes (literally) and nothing better to do, the world famous Queers punk rock music group has two tracks from their upcoming full length streaming on their myspace page. Seriously, for a band that have approximately 23,654 albums (most of which have the same 30 songs on them), both of their new tracks are under a minute long. "I Knew GG when he was a Wimp" is certainly the stronger and more creative of the two. Joe Queer once again name drops the Rat, the long defunct, but mucho beloved Boston punk club, and gives us his account of "how it really was." "Fucked in the Head" is just a dirty, throw away tune, nothing particularly memorable. Oh well. Back to the Basement, due out in a couple of weeks on Asian Man Records, could be a pretty short, snotty album if these tracks are any indication. Again, a full review to follow its release.

Also, Ben Weasel contributed an interesting piece to Carson Daly's show about panic attacks and agoraphobia. Also appearing on Carson Daly, Off!, Keith Morris' (of Black Flag and Circle Jerks) new band that sounds suspiciously like Black Flag in a good way. Off! have a boxed set of their 7"s coming out in November on Vice Records complete with cover art by Raymond Pettibon, who did much of the most iconic Black Flag imagery. Preorder from Interpunk, and you get a free button and patch. Get your hands on this; it's pretty vital. Not a bad week for old punkers. (and apparently Carson Daly too!)

Face to Face
The Queers
Asian Man Records
Ben Weasel on Carson Daly
Off!
Interpunk

Pitbulls and the Women who Love Them

In the on deck circle, our good friends at Pinups for Pitbulls. They have a serious event happening in the not too far future that anyone and everyone should attend. Saturday, October 23rd, they are holding one of their Pitbull Awareness Day seminars. In addition, this event will be the release party to celebrate the annual retro-model/bully-breed monthly calendar. This is going to be kind of big deal around here.

Originally slated as an all day event at a gentleman's club in south Philly, this has been moved to Shampoo Nightclub (North 8th Street and Willow, near the Electric Factory), and has been divided into two events. The first is an all ages event from 1PM to 4PM and will feature speakers, pinup girls, art, adoptable animals and of course, PfP's world famous bully-breed calendar. The night time part of this shin dig is 21+ and features some of the area's best known burlesque dancers/models and is being hosted by Shorty and Hercules of Animal Planet's Pit Boss. The ladies of PfP go way back with Shorty and his rescue (they were featured on the premier episode) and between the drinks, food and ladies, this party for a cause promises to be a good time for all who attend.

Besides rehoming bully-breed dogs in need, one of the most important issues that Pinups for Pitbulls pursues is campaigning against breed specific legislation. BSL are laws and ordinances, usually at the town/city level, that make illegal or restrict ownership of certain types of dogs. The problem with blanket legislation is that it punishes docile, well behaved, trained and friendly animals based solely on their breed. Furthermore, there is little evidence that this is even effective in preventing attacks, since small dogs are just as likely to bite. (Though, admittedly, a Chihuahua is less likely to do major damage. Hence why there are statistics and reports of Pitbull attacks, but not so much on hostile 12 pound breeds. Just because it doesn't make the five o'clock news doesn't mean that some of those pocket pet pooches aren't capable of inflicting pain.) Furthermore, BSL just furthers the myth that Pits, Rotties, Dobermans, etc. are naturally more dangerous dog, when there is absolutely no evidence to back this up.

Please, if your place of residence is considering this type of action, educate yourself about the reality of the situation, and encourage your local government to punish the crime, not the breed. (Or even dogs that simply look "vicious." Often times German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, etc. are swept into the "Pitbull" category, along with mutts of all descriptions.) Pinups for Pitbulls can provide you with copious amounts of information on the topic, both at their awareness seminar on the 23rd and through their website.

Pinups for Pitbulls
ASPCA info on Breed Specific Legislation