The Coathangers - Make It Right

Take it back baby
Yeah you want to survive
Your messin' up baby
Now it's makin' you mad
Stayin' out late
Do whatever you like
I really didn't bet you don't go out tonight
Oh, you couldn't take the pressure
To get out of your head
Beat it back baby
Put the kids to bed

In trying to think of what we should play on the Fourth of July, Kerri and I talked through a number of scenarios that involved either the massively popular (Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, etc.) or recognizably American (Bruce Springsteen, etc.) Well, I've got the keyboard and I'm going in a different, yet no less American, direction with a killer, all-female garage band out of ATL: The Coathangers. Ready to get dirty and "Make It Right" this fourth? Listen on.

(Haha, while searching for the lyrics to "Make It Right" the first thing that showed up on the search-ahead was "make America great again". I think my search is much better, and more accurate for how I'm feeling about this holiday.)

Upcoming Shows

Parquet Courts - Berlin Got Blurry

Loud mouth living got you some attention
And second chances given without doubt
'Guess you've got a history but it's not worth a mention tonight

Parquet Courts are awesomely unique. Their style is kind of a mix between punk and roadhouse rock, like if Johnny Cash were to have got his start fronting The Jam. They've been putting out some really solid releases, at a fairly rapid pace, and their latest Human Performance is terrific.

Upcoming Shows

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Mia and Mia

Sick to death of my dependence,
Fighting food to find transcendence.
Fighting to survive.
More dead, but more alive.
Cigarettes and speed to live,
And sleeping pills to feel forgiven.
All that you contrive, 
And all that you're deprived.

I mentioned Ted Leo yesterday, and it got me thinking about him, so let's do something of his shall we? Having no idea where to start, as I'm a fan of just about everything he does, we'll go with "Me and Mia", a song that illustrates the best of what he brings to music; thoughtful and clever songwriting paired with a hard hitting yet upbeat pop rock sensibility that is unmatched in my opinion. There's a lot I more could say, but I'll let the music speak for itself. Give it a listen.

If you like this, you can pretty much pick up anything he's done and go from there, but I'd also highly suggest catching him live if you can. His shows are always entertaining and he's one of the best live acts around.

Upcoming Shows

Descendents - Victim of Me

I don't have to run from me
Just turn away
And be satisfied
And I'm not going to fight with me
Just turn away
And stop, wandering, aimlessly

New Descendents? What!?!? I'm in. "Victim of Me" didn't catch me on first listen, and I still think it's lacking... maybe some, haha, immaturity? Irreverence? It did feel cooler on second listen and it's still clearly Descendents, one of my favorite punk bands ever. AND, I think it's been about 10 years since we heard anything new from them, so that's totally All.

Upcoming Shows

Cayetana - Age of Consent (New Order)

I saw you this morning, I thought that you might like to know
I received your message in full a few days ago
I understood every word that it said
And now that I've actually heard it, you're going to regret

In keeping with the nostalgia, but with an eye towards things a bit more new school, I present one of my favorite recent covers: "Age of Consent" by Philly band Cayetana. I'm a huge New Order fan, and their older stuff will always hold a special place in my heart. This one is a bit of a unique take, but also really solid and carries the essence of what made New Order so awesome. Yeah, and Peter Hook's awesome baseline too. :)

I've also really been digging Cayetana and they're way up on my list of bands I'd like to see live. Their usual stuff is a bit different from this cover, but if you're into catchy, well-done punk rock, you should give them a listen. Their first full length, Nervous Like Me, is terrific. 

Upcoming Shows