In this episode, Keefy meets all of Grumpster! The East Bay Punk bands’ new self-titled album is out now from Pure Noise Records! The band chatted about the last few years of life, their new line-up, the songwriting and lyrics on the new album, touring with Jawbreaker, the magical power of a trombone feature in a song, and much more!
Tag Archives: emo
ALBUM REVIEW: The Story So Far – I Want To Disappear
As one of the highest acclaimed modern Pop Punk bands, The Story So Far has set a high bar for themselves to live up to with every new release. After almost six years since their last album Proper Dose proved their ability to go beyond standard Pop Punk, the band is continuing their legacy with their fifth album I Want To Disappear (Pure Noise Records). Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Early November – The Early November
New Jersey Alt-Rock stalwarts The Early November are back with the obligatory step in every artist’s career – the self-titled album (via Pure Noise Records). Now just a duo, frontman Ace Enders and drummer Jeff Kummer, The Early November seventh record is a distillation of their signature, emo-meets-pop-punk style of alternative rock with its crunchy guitars, polished hooks and introspective, angst-filled lyrics. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive
Five albums into their career, the fact Pallbearer was once a Doom Metal band has faded into the haze of the atmosphere that dominates Mind Burns Alive (Nuclear Blast Records). Of all the metal sub-genres, fans of doom metal are the most forgiving when it comes to a band outgrowing the confines of the genre. Perhaps this is just Brett Campbell’s beautiful singing voice distracting you from the lyrics, which are as equally as bleak as those on the previous album. There might be a marginally more optimistic tone to “Where the Light Fades.” These depressive expressions are a thread of continuity tethering this bands’ entire body of work. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Grumpster – Grumpster
Contrary to popular belief, Pop Punk and Emo are far from dead and buried. There are tons of true-school cool pocket scenes all over with great bands and fans supporting the hell out of them. One of best bands that have come from the underground recently to earn props is Grumpster from Oakland. Always a legendary place for Punk (thank you East Bay scene, 924 Gilman Street), but has had more than a few killer bands of late too. Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: Alkaline Trio – Drug Church – The Worriers Live at The Masonic
Don’t ever go to an Emo Punk show with a broken heart. This is not based on any empirical evidence, just advice from my own experience with this show. Maybe I went to my first long-term romantic post-break-up show 15 years ago, but it was Slapshot and Sam Black Church, so different vibes that night. But take my word for it, it’ll wreck you if you do. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Sons of Alpha Centauri – Pull
Once upon a time, there was a band called Far. Far would be one of the best bands to come out of the late nineties. Yet they were so honest and original that they fell through the cracks since they did not neatly fit into the popular genres at the time. They were too melodic and introspective for nu-metal kids and too pounding and cathartic for the emo kids. Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: Crosses – Crook One Live at The Fox Theater
I could not have picked a better night to go out to Oakland to see the headline tour from Crosses. I remember seeing their debut tour over a decade ago when I lived in Boston, at the Paradise Rock Club. That night, the venue was packed to the gills, and I distinctly remember being by the soundboard and seeing the separate rack settings and notes for Chino Moreno’s microphone and effects. It was a pretty cool glimpse inside the live sound of the guy who I have followed since the mid-nineties with Deftones. But much like Maynard James Keenan and Puscifer, it does seem like Crosses is his favorite child and passion. Along with his partner Shawn Lopez, formerly of the awesome and now defunct Sacramento band Far. They make for a sick team of creatives. Continue reading
Spanish Love Songs Add a Second Intimate Show Playing “Brave Faces Everyone” in Full
Spanish Love Songs, a band that has been at the forefront of the emotive punk scene and alternative scene has announced a second intimate show on 8th July, playing their album Brave Faces Everyone in its entirety. Coming off a raucous sellout at Electric Ballroom London, the band announced this special event and which sold out before the night’s end, and have now added another due to demand. The band will also perform at 2000Trees Festival. The band’s acclaimed album No Joy, on the list of Ghost Cult Albums of the Year 2023, is out now!Continue reading
Alkaline Trio Books a Headline Tour of The UK and Europe – New Album Incoming
Alkaline Trio has booked a headline tour of The UK and Europe to support their upcoming new album Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, out January 26 on Rise Records. This is in addition to previously announced dates for the USA. Ticket links and album pre-orders are live at the links below!Continue reading