South Shore Royals

During quarantine, musicians were left with few options to rehearse, perform and record. They had to find ways to continue being creative, without exposure to the virus. About 30 days into lockdown, DIY recordings started popping up online. One release that has been on my regular rotation the past few months, is the demo from South Shore Royals. 

I reached out to bassist, Lewis Dimmick (Our Gang, True Colors, My Rifle), to get the lowdown on how these recordings came about. Lew, “So I play bass, my buddy Mike D plays guitar, and my buddy Billy sings. Mike, formerly of Kill Your Idols and Sheer Terror, recorded the guitar at his house and put it over a drum machine. I did bass and Billy did vocals on our phones with voice notes, and Mike slipped them into the track. Easy as that!”

South Shore Royals play tight Hardcore Punk. Mixing speed and mid-tempo songs with thoughtfully structured transitions and great vocal harmonies. You quickly detect the oi influences that complement their music in the best way. The flow of the demo had my feet tapping, as I forgot they were playing along to a drum machine. My favorite song is “Never Die”, but every song brings something different to the fold. 

South Shore Royals sound extremely promising, I look forward to hearing more music from the band. Their brand of music has a compelling sound that stands out in so many ways. Their demo was originally released with 4 songs, but the band has recently added 4 more! You can snap up their demo on Bandcamp.

Cro-Mags - In The Beginning

After two decades without a full-length release, having second-degree felony assault and weapons possession charges dropped (for allegedly stabbing and biting Cro-Mag members), and a legal battle for the rights of the band name, comes a pilgrimage unlike any other. Harley Flanagan brings us the return of the Cro-Mags with, “In The Beginning”. This release sees the return of ex-Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Rocky George (Revenge), and guitarist Gabby Abularach (Alpha Omega, Near Death Experience), with drummer Garry Sullivan joining the fold (Previously in Harley's War, Activator, Painmuseum, and Smokescreen).

“In The Beginning” delivers 13 tracks filled with everything a die-hard fan would hope for. Kicking it off with the 3 songs from the “Don't Give In” EP, bringing you raw and rowdy New York hardcore. Harley’s vocals still sound menacing, and his bass playing sounds as great as ever. This album sounds like the Cro-Mags of old, what many fans expected after “Best Wishes”. My personal favorites are “From the Grave", featuring Phil Campbell of Motörhead, and the instrumental “Between Wars”. “Between Wars” manages to bring down the dynamics in preparation for the send off with “No Turning Back” and “There Was a Time”.

This reincarnation of the band brings back the sound that is reminiscence of the bands prime, leaning more towards the crossover style that bought us “The Age of Quarrel”. “In The Beginning” is a new era that is playing out like a new beginning, and that is nothing but great news!

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Crazy Eddie - Eddie Goes to Night School

Hardcore comes in many different styles, but not too many bands play hardcore with that old school sound, and even fewer play it well. Then comes “Crazy Eddie” from New York City. The band formed in 2017 with former members of Abject, District 9, Downlow, and Fahrenheit 451. 

My first introduction to Crazy Eddie was from Freddy Alva’s “Urban Styles Mix Tape”, which was the soundtrack to the book, “Urban Styles: Graffiti In NYHC”. The band is on side B with the songs “Fucked up” and “Out of Luck”. The following year, the band made their debut with their 15-song release, “Eddie Drops Out of College”. Kicking that old school sound that left me yearning for more. 

On March 29^th, Crazy Eddie quenched my thirst, releasing their latest 5-song EP titled, “Eddie Goes to Night School”. Recorded at Six III Studio, owned by hardcore veteran Andy Guida, drummer for Altercation, Supertouch, My Rifle, While We Wait, to name a few. This EP picks up exactly where the band left off. Keeping the music short, simple and fun. It’s a standout effort that keeps your attention from the first song to the last. If I had to pick a favorite song it would be “The Ballad of Cheech & Chong”. It’s a fun song that brings me back to many Murphy’s Law shows!

Crazy Eddie takes me back to my CBGB days and reminds me of how I fell in love with hardcore. The band offers their music on Bandcamp as name your price, which includes free. That’s a price that’s makes it insane not to download!  

Crazy Eddie is: 

Chucky Brown – Vocals

Lenny Bednarz – Guitar

Kevin Smith – Bass

Jason Madrock - Drums

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Sharp Violet

I first heard of Sharp Violet a couple of years ago from bassist, Marie Tornetto. When I hit up the band on Bandcamp and noticed the tags: alternative, grunge, punk rock, riot grrrl, Long Island punk, that immediately got my attention. As a fan of Long Island punk, I was surprised that I’ve never heard of the band. Nonetheless, I listened to their music and placed them on my radar for new material.

Sharp Violet is a feminist punk band from Lindenhurst, New York. They have 5 singles on Bandcamp. Their first single, “New York”, was released in 2016, with members Liz Meehan (Vocals), Jessica Benenati (Guitar), and Jasmine Fuentes (Bass). The next 2 releases, “Black Widow” and “These Are The Rules Boys”, includes Tala DiBenedetto on Drums. Back in September, the band released “Domino Effect”, with members Marie Tornetto (Rhythm Guitar) and Allison Sondergard (Bass) joining the fold, while Jasmine Fuentes moved to Drums. 

“She’s So Strange” is the latest single from Sharp Violet, it dropped on March 1^st. Same line-up as in “Domino Effect”, but Marie and Allison switch instruments. On Bandcamp, the band describes the song as, “She's So Strange is about how everyone has a different perception of you. We think strange is beautiful”, followed by a Charles Addams quote “Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly".

“She’s So Strange” kicks off with a slow steady groove, hypnotic guitar riff, and soft seductive vocals. Once the band has your attention, a distorted guitar leads into a faster groove that would get any dance floor moving. Sharp Violet hits hard with great lyrics and music to back it up. “She's So Strange! In proportion to obscurity, draining my money and my sanity”. My best analogy for “She’s So Strange”, it’s a crossover between the Go-Gos and Sonic Youth. An interesting mix that Sharp Violet does very well.

Sharp Violet deliver their own brand of music. If you like music from X-Ray Spex, to The Lunachicks, to The Breeders, you will surely appreciate Sharp Violet. Their sound is laid back with good rhythms and vocals that get you singing along. Personally, I really like the Sharp Violet. I think they are one of the many quality bands coming out of the Long Island music scene right now.

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Too Many Voices - Catch Me If You Can

Too Many Voices is a band from Long Island, New York, founded in 2010. The band features former members of: The Last Crime, Two Man Advantage, Skinned Alive, The Judas Iscariot, 25 Ta Life, Half Man, just to name a few.

The band debut their self titled demo in 2011, and the “South of Sunrise” CD in 2015. In 2018, the band released “Catch Me If You Can” on various digital platforms. D.I.Y. labels “Division Street Sounds” and “Not Like You Records” teamed up to release “Catch Me If You Can” on vinyl. The vinyl release dropped on January 31^st, 2020.

If you're into classic melodic hardcore, then Too Many Voices is the band for you! “Catch Me If You Can” offers up some very well written hardcore punk tunes. Their music gets stuck in your head thru their catchy melodic hooks. From the opening track, “Can't Stop This Feeling”, to the last song, “Distance”, the album keeps the listener glued in. Each song has an edge and a groove that keeps your head bopping throughout the entire album. My favorite song is “Head and Heart”. This song injects a fast attack of the classic hardcore beat, and combines it with their fresh blend of guitar sounds and thoughtful lyrics. But every song brings it!

This 7 song LP is a great display of the musicianship of Too Many Voices. They are a band that does not come around often in the hardcore punk scene these days. If you’re a fan of Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Dag Nasty, 7 Seconds, Rites of Spring, then “Catch Me If You Can” is a must have! But don’t sleep on it, this album is limited to 227 copies. 110 on random color vinyl, 80 on black vinyl, and 27 test pressings.

Too Many Voices line-up for this LP is:
Eric Svirida – Vocals/Guitar

Ivan Gonzalez - Guitar

Jeff Kaplan - Bass

Jerry Carbone - Drums

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Noise Party 2019

Founder of Whatever68Radio.com and owner of PP Promo Records, Lisa PunkrPrincess, releases a series of compilations a few times a year. The compilations mostly feature global D.I.Y. bands that are on rotation at Whatever68Radio.com. The compilations are not genre specific, but most bands tend to lean towards the punk rock genre.

“Noise Party 2019” is the newest compilation in the series. It includes 44 songs from 44 bands. Highlights for me are Totally Gnarly, The Has Beens, Spike Polite & Sewage, The First Rule, Scott Volatile & Colin Lawrence, The Nerves, Arinova Rhythm Collective, Evil Elvis, and Bonecrusher. But the rest of the bands don’t disappoint either.

This compilation shows a snippet of the never-ending stream of quality bands that air on Whatever68Radio.com. The 44 bands have a wide range in music and manages to capture the D.I.Y. spirit. Overall, it's a great release. If anything, Noise Party 2019 proves there is enough quality music being produced all over the world. If you’re into global D.I.Y. bands, then this compilation is worth listening to. Lisa PunkrPrincess has done a wonderful job putting together a great compilation once again.

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Hot Shit Attitude: The Outburst Covers Record

The 1989 7” Vinyl, “Miles To Go” by Outburst, is considered to be one of the most influential releases in New York Hardcore. The EP is finally receiving a long overdue vinyl reissue from Blackout! Records, due out later this year. To commemorate the upcoming reissue, the label has released a covers compilation album titled “Hot Shit Attitude”, comprised of modern day bands covering Outburst songs.

The compilation features an extensive range of bands with some well known names including, Power Trip, Higher Power, Fury, and Krimewatch. The intensity of each song is felt right off the gate, starting with Power Trips version of “When Things Go Wrong”. It serves as a welcome mat as to what's to come. Followed by Higher Power with their ripping version of “Misunderstood”. Wild Side adds a personal touch of guitar solos to “Mission Impossible” and the “Outburst (Intro)”. My personal favorite is “Thin Ice” by Search. Back in the day, Thin Ice was the song that had me moshing it up on the dance floor. All the bands on this compilation inject new life into these classic Outburst songs. 

I’m sure as teenagers from Queens, the members of Outburst would never have imagined their music would inspire a new generation of bands from all ends of the world. "Hot Shit Attitude" is a testament to that.

You can stream and purchase “Hot Shit Attitude” now at every online outlet.

Hot Shit Attitude: The Outburst Covers Record Track List

1. When Things Go Wrong – Power Trip

2. Misunderstood – Higher Power

3. SGI – Wild Side

4. Mission Impossible – Wild Side

5. Miles to Go – Initiate

6. No Choice – Fury

7. Think for Yourself – Krimewatch

8. Outburst (Intro) – Wild Side

9. Thin Ice – Search

10. The Hard Way – Mizery

11. Learn to Care – Stand Off

12. Controlled – Big Boss

13. True – Outskirts

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The Fraoch Collective

Long Island’s own, The Fraoch Collective, is a three-piece band, featuring Heather Dawson (Vocals), Marc Löaf (Drums, Guitar, Backing Vocals), and Gregg Gavitt (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals). Each formerly of Long Island’s powerful bar band, ACME Dynamite. For their live performances, the line-up is backed up by Christine Smith on keyboards, and Will Brown on guitar.

The Fraoch Collective is a unique band in a class of their own. They feature elements of classic rock, 70s punk, and 80s British wave. Heather’s vocals mixes intensity and softness. At first listen, what comes to mind is Patti Smith meets Kate Bush with irony. There’s something beautifully haunting when she sings: “You’re absolutely fucking beautiful!” Probably not the kind of words your mother wants you to blast for your neighbors to hear, but it’s an excellent complement to the entrancing music. Each of their songs sets a different mood, brooding, biting, happy sad, it’s all there. The band is very experimental, they are not afraid to do things different. The Fraoch Collective is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the bands emerging in today's scene.

What makes The Fraoch Collective stand out is their musicianship and song crafting ability that allows them to fuse so many different styles of music. It only seems like a week ago since I featured songs from their album, “Oh, The Things We’ve Done” on my radio show. Which was one of the most inspiring independent records of 2019. But The Fraoch Collective aren't just hanging around, they're back with a new album titled “Eyes”, due to be released on February 29^th! If you like music from David Bowie, to Led Zeppelin, to Siouxsie Sioux, you will not be disappointed.

Catch them on February 29^th at the Kasteli Cafe in NYC for a rocking record release show!

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