Episode #54
1. Bust It
Bust It are a five-piece hardcore punk band from Connecticut. The band formed in 2008 and has since released a couple demos and one EP, Hell is Other People. Their latest EP was released in 2011 through Get Young Records. It has six songs clocking in just under 10 minutes of aggressive straight-up hardcore punk. The keep it simple and fast with a continuous flow of guitar feedback and lo-fi distortion. The vocals are harsh, in that nice way, backed by an occasional gang of vocalists. A couple members currently have another project going on called, Drug Shock, a more punk sounding band that's just as aggressive (check them out HERE). Bust It's song on this episode is titled, Yesterday's News, off of, Hell is Other People.
2. Canvas
Canvas are a four-piece rock band from New Haven Connecticut. They have one LP titled, Ashes, released on the Get Young Records label. It has eight songs of rock and pop, laced with sweet hooks, and good portion of effect-driven instrumentals (check out the song Two Color Fade, Lucky and Good Secret on the Get Young Records Bandcamp HERE). The LP is a bit of a roller-coaster of mid to slow tempo songs, but holds strong melodies and nice guitar work. Included on Ashes is also a cover of the Bruce Springsteen song, Atlantic City. Canvas' song on this episode is titled, Dead Man, the opening track to Ashes.
3. Robot Eyes
Robot Eyes were a five-piece punk-pop band from Corvallis, Oregon. The band formed in 2004 and played their first show in June 2005 and ended with a final show in January 2007. During their 2 year span of playing their melodic punk-pop and rock, Robot Eyes released a five-song self-titled EP and one full-length album, Arret (2006), which was released through Escapist Records. They played countless shows and did several West Coast tours. Members have gone on to play in other projects including A Second Strike (check out a tune from that project on Episode 45). Robot Eyes' song on this episode is titled, I Don't Dress the Part, off of, Arret.
4. The Pettyfords
The Pettyfords are a four-piece punk-pop band from the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The band first started as a three-piece in 1996 and later in 1998, a second guitarist joined the lineup. Before taking a break in 2001, the band had all ready released a 7” record, Mmm...Pettyfords (Wet Noodle Records), one split with the Screwballs (From Neenah to Waipahu), a Monday Night Live album, and one full-length album, Aloha Means Goodbye (Woah Oh Records). They've been featured on several different compilations as well. After a long break of playing, the Pettyfords released a new EP, Domesticated, in early 2011 (read about it on the Top 25 of 2011 Episode, listen to that episode HERE). Although they've grown up, their punk-pop hooks are still intact. The Pettyfords' song on this episode is titled, Ms. Pacman, off of, Aloha Means Goodbye.
5. Ridgemont
Ridgemont are a punk-pop band from Allston, Massachusetts. Still a fairly new band, although members have been playing long before in previous projects, Ridgemont have more than several releases out all ready. These include an EP (Documented Failures), a demo (released in 2010), an LP (Colder Days), and their most recent, a split with Cleveland, Ohio based, Two Hand Fools (check out their Facebook HERE). These releases and others are streaming on their Bandcamp HERE (check out a couple of their tunes on Episode 40 and the Top 25 of 2011 Episode) . Their current split, released on Mindless Records, features two songs (Shaky Knees and Columbia George Vs. New England Winters) of some sweet punk-pop and rock. There's a lot of leads from the guitars and lots of room for instrumental breaks (especially in the middle of Shaky Knees) in these songs. A brief solo also appears in ending phrase of Columbia George. The gruff vocals are still a plus as are the group sing-along's in some of the verses. Side B of the record features Two Hand Fools, a four-piece indie rock outfit from Cleveland. Their two songs (I Felt Love and Hot Tongues) on this record are just as catchy and very instrumental based with a dual vocal approach. The drums hold down some tight beats and mixed tempos. And the guitars are wonderfully technical and melodic are as the bass and vocals. Nice, fresh, and experimental tunes from this band. A nice group to side with on a split (check out more of their songs and other releases on their Bandcamp HERE). The song on this episode is titled, Columbia George Vs. New England Winters, by Ridgemont off of their split with Two Hand Fools.