razorcake reviews the stowaways issue #14

razorcake reviewed the stowaways issue #14 

i've still got copies of it if you want one

The Stowaways is a slapdash xeroxed document that embodies the urgency and variety of Southern California’s DIY punk scene. For all its aesthetic blemishes (which somehow enhances the earnestness), Chris Gordon’s refreshingly self-assured voice and proudly anti-revisionist stream-of-consciousness format ensures that each issue is a home run. The show reviews might be fascinating only to California residents or those interested in the diary-like minutia of people watching, but there are many worthy humorous observations such as: “The lead singer looked like the dirtiest fucking sewer rat....He literally looked like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ character.” With every new issue, I am reminded of the DIY community’s open-mindedness by the growth of The Stowaways’ letter column. I am also reminded of Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” –Sean Arenas (Chris Gordon, 5802 Wendover Rd., Yorba Linda,CA92886, fuckthestowaways.blogspot.com)

Terminal Boredom reviews Riley Versus Jason In The Battle Of Gracious Living

Roman Candles "Riley Versus Jason In The Battle of Gracious Living" LP
I'll begin by saying thanks to Chris of Roman Candles for sending us all the tapes and singles over the years, despite the fact that I think his music is awful and have consistently said so. Despite the fact that the music he plays is some of the most unappealing stuff I've ever heard, Chris has somehow decided to continue to send records in, which I think he does just as a goof at this point. I mean, it's not like this "band" is getting any better or I'm going to start liking this crap all of a sudden. I'm not sure how he even got to Termbo in the first place, as I think he likes "Termbo music" probably about as much as I like his. Anyway, whatever the reason is that Termbo became a footnote in his band's story I'll never know, but I'm happpy for him, as this LP is on Plan-It-X Records, which I think was pretty much his dream label when he started sending me tapes years ago. You made it buddy. Congrats. The record still sucks. For your reference, Roman Candles are from Yorba Linda and play some of the most awful whining and confessional-zine style bullshit folk-punk. This record seems to be all acoustic, so at least he put away his fucking accordion. Just awful. Chris also does a zine called The Stowaways, wherein he whines about being a well-to-do college graduate from the suburbs and interviews bands I have never heard of - really, his zine is about as good as his music, but I'll hesitantly give him points for trying. Maybe not. (RK)
(Plan-It-X Records // www.plan-it-x.com)

Read it HERE

Razorcake reviews The Stowaways Issue #13

razorcake reviewed the stowaways issue 13

Stowaways, The #13
$2 Stamps or Trade, 8 1/2" X 11", photocopied, 34 pgs. 

Christopher, who does pretty much all (if not all) of The Stowaways is posi. That’s the opposite of a dig. He’s always going to shows, isn’t locked in a micro-scene, always has something interesting to say, and loves music that’s being created and played today. I figure he must drive hundreds of miles every couple of weeks just to feed his music addiction. That’s wholly admirable. His enthusiasm is infectious and the greater L.A. County area, if it knows it or not, owes him a small debt of gratitude for documenting live music with his live show reviews, interviews, and record reviews. The layout’s simple and bare. The photos are often dark and blown-out, but I don’t care. Why shit on someone whose heart and joy obviously shines through all those petty mechanical details? (Todd Taylor)

Maximum Rocknroll reviews The Stowaways Issue #14

Maximum Rocknroll issue #365 reviewed  The Stowaways issue #14.
I still have some copies available. If you're interested email me at
romancandlesmusic(at)gmail(dot)com

THE STOWAWAYS #14 / $1
8.5 x 11 - copied - 12 pgs
This is a single-contributor cut-n-paste fanzine out of Yorba Linda, CA that focuses mostly on reviews of pop-punk shows in southern California as well as a sprinkling of book, record, and zine reviews and friendly-style interviews. Sincere and coming from someone who is clearly invested in promoting and supporting local bands, this zine is a good window into a world of DIY often looked over by a lot of punks including myself. If you're like Chris and are into Plan-It-X-style jams, hunt this guy down and send him a dollar! (FF)

Razorcake reviews Riley Versus Jason in the Battle of Gracious Living

Razorcake reviewed Roman Candles' Riley Versus Jason in the Battle of Gracious Living

It's in the new issue available HERE. 

Sincerity is difficult to measure, but, when it is heard, it’s a statement more powerful than any back patch, denim jacket, or neon pink mohawk. Chris Gordon, aided only by his acoustic guitar, oozes earnestness on every track of his first full length—appropriately released by Plan-It-X. The album was wisely recorded in one sitting and the raw urgency of each song is driven by Gordon’s spastic and melodic voice that is often painfully sympathetic. It would be an oversimplification to call it folk punk—as he never dabbles in gruff Tom Gabel impersonations, and it’d be too easy to compare him to other Plan-It-X songwriters like Paul Baribeau or Chris Clavin—because Gordon possesses a wide range of vocal hooks. Furthermore, Gordon’s lyrics aren’t ambiguous or riddled with cryptic metaphors. Given that he resides in sunny and conservative Yorba Linda, CA, the songs are all rooted in a sense of place. He is critical of his hometown and of how he has spent his time in the Land of Gracious Living. Gordon sings about Yorba Linda being the birthplace of Richard Milhous Nixon, the home of a million damn Mormons, and a place of complacent, wealthy youth, yet it is also the location of an admirable group of friends and musicians. The album is as much a personal history as it is a testament to a cardinal principle: Even if your hometown is a hellhole, it doesn’t mean you have to become an asshole. Chris Gordon is living proof of punk perseverance overcoming ignorant adversity. The LP includes a zine that provides an extensive history of Roman Candles and lyric explanations. –Sean Arenas (Plan-It-X, planitxrecords@gmail.com, plan-it-x.com)

Listen to 'Riley Vs. Jason' in a razorcake podcast HERE

Buy the Record from Plan-it-X, No Idea, Interpunk, Lauren Records, Mountain Man Records, Digital, And Most Independent Records stores in Southern California 

Riley Versus Jason In The Battle Of Gracious Living

Roman Candles 'riley versus jason in the battle of gracious living'

now available from most southern california independent record stores. please support your local record stores

ORANGE COUNTY

Vinyl Solution
18822 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714) 963-1819 

TKO

18948 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 962-0500 

Burger Records

645 S State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831 (714) 336-0561 Bionic Records 6012 Ball Rd, Buena Park, CA 90620(714) 828-4225 Radiation Records

1501 N Raymond Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801 (714) 400-0019 Mass Media Records 614 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 564-9115 LA COUNTY Fingerprints 420 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 433-4996 Origami Vinyl 1816 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 413-3030 Lollipop Records 1176 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (949) 280-6580 Vacation Vinyl 3815 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 666-2111

Amoeba Hollywood
6400 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 245-6400

Headline Records
7706 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 655-2125

Permanent Records
1583 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 739-6141

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Lou's Record Store
434 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-1382

M Theory
915 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 220-0485

Taang Reords
3830 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 296-4015

Standards Record Store
216 E Broadway, Vista, CA 92084 (760) 650-5659

SAN BERNADINO COUNTY

Dr. Strange Records
7136 Amethyst Ave, Alta Loma, CA 91701 (909) 944-1778

It's also available 

ONLINE from

Plan-It-X Records (orange vinyl)

No Idea Records

Interpunk

Mountain Man Records (orange vinyl)

Lauren Records (orange vinyl)

Digital Copies 

HERE

Terminal Boredom reviews Roman Candles Gracious Living 7"

Terminal Boredom reviewed the most recent Roman Candles 7"
For copies of the 7" click HERE. 

My old pals from Yorba Linda, the Roman Candles, return with their second 7" and it's their best record so far. It's not a good record at all, but it's still their best. I shouldn't say it's not good, it's just something I have zero interest in. Think Plan-it-X styled folk punk with some pop-punk mixed in. Two horrible tastes that taste horrible together. The slightly sloppy and DIY recording adds a bit of charm and the squeaky guitar part on the B-Side is a nice touch, but this is nothing I want to hear. The autobiographical lyrics about being bummed you're not in high school anymore, the difficult life of a suburban punk and going to Berkeley remind me of those "personal" zines that seem to be popular on the West Coast (hippies) that should all be burned. Richard Nixon would hate this band, and I believe in Tricky Dick. Red vinyl.(RK)(Vallejo By Knife // romancandlesmusic.bigcartel.com)