(no subject)
Everyone is doing lists of best albums/bands of the decade, so it made me ponder the decade, which for me spanned part of high school, college, and graduate school.
Without a doubt, my favorite album of the decade is Reinventing Axl Rose by Against Me! Say what you want about the choices the band made shortly after that album, but this album really changed punk rock and defined it in so many ways throughout the decade. I would even argue it ushered in the folk-punk movement. Because the album's ideals were so pure and cut and dry, it also spawned a huge backlash against the band, especially when they inked a major label deal with Sire/Warner.
But I don't think anyone sounded as honest, angry, and passionate as Tom Gabel on that album. The band's debut full-length came out in 2001, and it was really my soundtrack throughout college, especially during the start of the Iraq War, which led to a lot of protesting for me. Despite how crushed I was when that war started, I met a lot of awesome people and traveled to a lot of cities because of the actions of the Bush regime. And as I did all that, that album was often pumping through my ear phones.
My band of the decade is without a doubt the Lawrence Arms. Until I heard these guys, I pretty much stopped listening to punk rock for a while. I was tired of the three-chord formula, but what impressed me about the Lawrence Arms was the band's ability to match Chris McCaughan's crisp, smooth vocals with Brendan Kelly's trademark rasp. The band also mixed politics, pop culture, and literary references well. They showed me that punk rock has evolved into far more than three chords, and so many of the Orgcore Punk bands have copied their style. This band should also be credited for my first tattoo-- their hourglass logo. I got that tattoo more to symbolize punk rock idealism/youth. When I heard them, I was reminded why I get into that scene in the first place.
Favorite shows of the decade:
Against Me!/The Lawrence Arms at the Unitarian Church in Philly (2003, I think)
This was shortly before Against Me! released their second full-length, As the Eternal Cowboy , and I think it's the last time the band ever played the U-Church. They moved onto bigger venues shortly after, including the Troc and then the Electric Factory. But I'll never forget the swarm of kids that came on stage with the band to sing "Baby, I'm An Anarchist" and a few other songs. I've seen Against Me! probably half a dozen times, but nothing was better than that show, and it also introduced me to the Larry Arms.
The Lawrence Arms in Philly (2006, forget the venue, some little dive bar)
This is pretty much the last year the Lawrence Arms toured heavily. They've played a few shows here and there this year, but they don't tour the East Coast much at all now. This was the last time I saw them, and it was great! Besides American Steel, the night consisted of bands that all have members of the Lawrence Arms, including The Falcon and Sundowner. And when the Larry Arms came on stage, they also played Broadways and Slapstick songs, bands that the guys were in years ago. I was right up front throughout the night and will never forget Brendan Kelly's drunken ramblings between sets and his sweaty high-fives.
Hot Water Music Reunion show at the Starlight Ballroom, Sayersville, NJ (2008)
This was the third of four reunion shows Hot Water Music played at the beginning of 2008. I'll never forget how 2,000 people exploded into sing-alongs, first-pumping, and crowd surfing as soon as Chuck Ragan's raw voice blasted through the amps and monitors. The sing-alongs continued throughout the whole night, and the band members were smiling throughout the set, clearly glad to be back on stage after a few years off, due to road weariness and various side projects.
Hot Water Music at the Masquerade, Atlanta (New Years Eve, 2009)
Last New Years, I drove all the way to Atlanta with some friends because Chuck Ragan guestlisted me for a HWM show after I interviewed him for Unbound Culture. The band came on about a minute before midnight and counted down with eager fans. When midnight struck, Chris Wollard sprayed all of us with champagne. The band really reached into its back catalogue, playing a lot of the post-hardcore anthems from their albums on No Idea Records. These songs weren't featured nearly as much during the early reunion shows. But they seemed to draw larger pits and greater sing-alongs. That show was a fantastic way to ring in 2009.
I terms of 2010, I'm looking forward to hearing Against Me!'s new album. I'll probably dislike it as much as New Wave, but I am curious to see what changes the band has made yet again. The album also could be decent, since Hot Water Music's drummer George Rebelo is now in Against Me!
I'm also hoping that the new Loved Ones album is released in 2010, and Hot Water Music will play a few more shows. Overall, though, most of my favorite bands released albums in 2009, so there's less to look forward to this coming year.
In terms of bands to watch in the new year, I predict Polar Bear Club and Title Fight will gain even more popularity, as well as the Menzingers, especially now that they've hooked up with Brendan Kelly and the guys at Red Scare Records.
It's also likely the Gaslight Anthem will gain even more success, as they move into more of a straight rock 'n roll direction for their new album, also slated to come out in 2010. They also toured their asses off in 2009, and it pays off.
Without a doubt, my favorite album of the decade is Reinventing Axl Rose by Against Me! Say what you want about the choices the band made shortly after that album, but this album really changed punk rock and defined it in so many ways throughout the decade. I would even argue it ushered in the folk-punk movement. Because the album's ideals were so pure and cut and dry, it also spawned a huge backlash against the band, especially when they inked a major label deal with Sire/Warner.
But I don't think anyone sounded as honest, angry, and passionate as Tom Gabel on that album. The band's debut full-length came out in 2001, and it was really my soundtrack throughout college, especially during the start of the Iraq War, which led to a lot of protesting for me. Despite how crushed I was when that war started, I met a lot of awesome people and traveled to a lot of cities because of the actions of the Bush regime. And as I did all that, that album was often pumping through my ear phones.
My band of the decade is without a doubt the Lawrence Arms. Until I heard these guys, I pretty much stopped listening to punk rock for a while. I was tired of the three-chord formula, but what impressed me about the Lawrence Arms was the band's ability to match Chris McCaughan's crisp, smooth vocals with Brendan Kelly's trademark rasp. The band also mixed politics, pop culture, and literary references well. They showed me that punk rock has evolved into far more than three chords, and so many of the Orgcore Punk bands have copied their style. This band should also be credited for my first tattoo-- their hourglass logo. I got that tattoo more to symbolize punk rock idealism/youth. When I heard them, I was reminded why I get into that scene in the first place.
Favorite shows of the decade:
Against Me!/The Lawrence Arms at the Unitarian Church in Philly (2003, I think)
This was shortly before Against Me! released their second full-length, As the Eternal Cowboy , and I think it's the last time the band ever played the U-Church. They moved onto bigger venues shortly after, including the Troc and then the Electric Factory. But I'll never forget the swarm of kids that came on stage with the band to sing "Baby, I'm An Anarchist" and a few other songs. I've seen Against Me! probably half a dozen times, but nothing was better than that show, and it also introduced me to the Larry Arms.
The Lawrence Arms in Philly (2006, forget the venue, some little dive bar)
This is pretty much the last year the Lawrence Arms toured heavily. They've played a few shows here and there this year, but they don't tour the East Coast much at all now. This was the last time I saw them, and it was great! Besides American Steel, the night consisted of bands that all have members of the Lawrence Arms, including The Falcon and Sundowner. And when the Larry Arms came on stage, they also played Broadways and Slapstick songs, bands that the guys were in years ago. I was right up front throughout the night and will never forget Brendan Kelly's drunken ramblings between sets and his sweaty high-fives.
Hot Water Music Reunion show at the Starlight Ballroom, Sayersville, NJ (2008)
This was the third of four reunion shows Hot Water Music played at the beginning of 2008. I'll never forget how 2,000 people exploded into sing-alongs, first-pumping, and crowd surfing as soon as Chuck Ragan's raw voice blasted through the amps and monitors. The sing-alongs continued throughout the whole night, and the band members were smiling throughout the set, clearly glad to be back on stage after a few years off, due to road weariness and various side projects.
Hot Water Music at the Masquerade, Atlanta (New Years Eve, 2009)
Last New Years, I drove all the way to Atlanta with some friends because Chuck Ragan guestlisted me for a HWM show after I interviewed him for Unbound Culture. The band came on about a minute before midnight and counted down with eager fans. When midnight struck, Chris Wollard sprayed all of us with champagne. The band really reached into its back catalogue, playing a lot of the post-hardcore anthems from their albums on No Idea Records. These songs weren't featured nearly as much during the early reunion shows. But they seemed to draw larger pits and greater sing-alongs. That show was a fantastic way to ring in 2009.
I terms of 2010, I'm looking forward to hearing Against Me!'s new album. I'll probably dislike it as much as New Wave, but I am curious to see what changes the band has made yet again. The album also could be decent, since Hot Water Music's drummer George Rebelo is now in Against Me!
I'm also hoping that the new Loved Ones album is released in 2010, and Hot Water Music will play a few more shows. Overall, though, most of my favorite bands released albums in 2009, so there's less to look forward to this coming year.
In terms of bands to watch in the new year, I predict Polar Bear Club and Title Fight will gain even more popularity, as well as the Menzingers, especially now that they've hooked up with Brendan Kelly and the guys at Red Scare Records.
It's also likely the Gaslight Anthem will gain even more success, as they move into more of a straight rock 'n roll direction for their new album, also slated to come out in 2010. They also toured their asses off in 2009, and it pays off.