good luck - demonstration 2010 :: record review

good luck follow up their full length debut with four song e.p. the dueling male/female vocals have a strong effect on me. the drums and bass are really heavy, and the guitar shines bright. the bloomington, indiana trio sing tales of love and heartbreak while keeping all of the melody and cutting out any cheesy connotations pop punk has rendered in the past. this is as close to perfect as pop punk comes. it's scary how good they pull it off. demonstration 2010 is a bit of tease though coming in at a little over thirteen minutes it leaves you wanting a new full length immediately. you can download the e.p. here. rating: 4/4

React Records Showcase @ Gilman 4/10/10

some of the kids at this show were really fucking rude. bands affiliated with react records preach in between almost every song. they talk about being vegan, being straight edge, and keeping the scene alive. numerous times, while these preachings were taking place, kids would scream, "shut the fuck up and play some music," which i can understand, but i also think that if all you came to hear was the music then why didn't you just listen to their albums in your room. why did you come to the show at all? but with that said there was also a lot of really cool people there as well. it was nice to see hardcore kids and punk kids dancing together. it was nice to know there were eight bands that played and not one fight broke out. i'm glad gilman exists. i'm glad hardcore exists. and i'm glad seven seconds is still playing thirty years after they started.

not sorry played first. they were okay. didn't really stand out.

praise played second. the lead singer was definitely the happiest frontman i saw all day.

nails played third. they were a three piece hardcore band. the only band that day without a "front man." the had a lead singer, but he played guitar as well. it was a nice change of pace.

keep it clear are from vancouver, canada. the lead singer was funny and made a lot of jokes. i liked them.

common cause are from norway. it was nice to see how welcoming the kids made this band feel.

on was the first band that actually stood out. they were really solid hardcore. i really liked them.

mindset was awesome. their leadsinger was really intimidating. he looked like an ex marine. this band was completely captivating. i really enjoyed their set.

7 seconds hasn't played 924 gliman st. in twenty-three years, but kevin said, "it's nice to be back." i think a lot of punks were disappointed that there wasn't a circle pit. but this wasn't a punk show it was a hardcore show so be respectful: stage dive and have fun. after the first few songs everyone seemed to do exactly that. it was fun. they played a great set. all the hits. they ended with rock together. i hope they play for another thirty years.

i rode the bus back with this kid max from germany. he is in this really cool band called the booze brothers. you should check them out. they're really good.

the splinters - kick :: record review

the splinters "kick" came out a month ago on double negative records. different songs on the album take turns getting stuck in my head on a daily basis. call it '60 girl revival, riot grrrl, or just plain garage rock . . . it doesn't matter because at the end of the day this album jams. twelve tracks coming in at just over twenty-five minutes makes for a quick but enjoyable listen. it'll have you singing along after the first spin. this is arguably the best record to come out of the east bay so far this year. highly recommended.

signals - "what dreams" video

the mae shi put out one of my favorite records of 2008.

when they split up i was really bumbed.

so when signals started i didn't really know what to think.

i still haven't seen them play live yet but i really like their new

video for "what dreams"

No Bunny's 9th Annual Easter Egg Bash 4.4.10

no bunny celebrated their 9th annual easter egg bash at the new parish in oakland.

sir lord von raven played first. musically they were pretty good, and i can understand why people might like them, but they didn't move at all on stage. they were pretty boring.

the splinters played second. they had a different drummer this time. they were solid, i like them more every time i see them. i think my favorite song by them is currently 'mysterious'.

the rantouls played next. they have this really poppy bubblegum sound, and i really liked them. i just wish they didn't have to dress up to "sell their image." that kind of shit bugs me.

the mayyors followed them. according to one of the splinters they don't have a myspace and only play like once or twice a year. in my notes i have "probably the coolest most rockin' band ever." to expand on that, their lead singer was one of the most engaging frontmen i've ever seen. they're guitarist was metal as fuck and had the dumbest but most badass metal stance while he played guitar and the bass player kept rolling around on the ground. it was awesome they should have headlined. they stole the show. i wish they played longer, but they took too much time setting up. this band is a highly recommended live experience.

the band that i really went for was the bananas. the lead singer was hammared, and i'm not sure what was funnier to watch: him or the look of confusion on the bouncers face for the entirety of their set. they were great though: everything i love about pop punk. i wish they played more often. plus i have a crush on their bass player. a great set from a great band.

no bunny headlined their birthday party/anniversary celebrating nine years of playing music. the first time i saw them i was probably the drunkest i've ever been, and don't really remember their set besides the fact that i loved them. the second time i saw them they played acoustic at gilman and really disappointed me. last night i saw them sober, and for the first time i feel like i can give an honest assessment of them as a live band. with that: they are everything rock and roll should be. they are a little mysterious, they are engaging, they are rockstars. i'm a huge fan, and would love to see them again and again. they put on a kickass show . . . i can't wait for next year.

gkfoes vjgoaf, moses campbell @ the carpentry 4.3.10

i saw gkfoes vjgoaf again at the carpentry. he is really good at what he does, i really like his songs, but his set was pretty similar to the last time i saw him.

moses campbell was good, but they didn't have a p.a. to play through; they were just playing through amps, so it didn't sound too good, but i still enjoyed myself. i really like their band, and i'm excited to see them again.

i played accordion for your yellow dress, it was fun. we didn't practice at all, and we played with a different drummer today named jake, and our friend andrew played guitar, and didn't know a few of the songs, but it worked out fine. it was a lot of fun.

the happy hollows:: big bad wolf video

the happy hollows 'big bad wolf' video

directed by Ryan Reichenfeld

after watching the video i'm not really sure why this song did not make it onto their debut full length 'spells' but regardless the video rocks.