You can now listen to it onSOUNDCLOUDby clickingHEREor streaming it below, or you can listen on iTUNES and ACAST.
Thanks to everyone - especially Kate - who was so patient on this one. As you may well know, we decided to do an AMA portion on this podcast, where we answered your questions on Buckfast, crisps, David Beckham hairstyles and the Argentinian debt crisis of 2001. We also had more on-topic chats about our respective entrances to the Southampton punk rock scene and how we met backstage at a Frank Iero show and at one of Kate's legendary house shows, so don't worry, it's not just an hour and 20 minutes of us talking a bunch of tangential bollocks.
ALSO ON BITCHIN' BREW #007:Kate and I talk about her upcoming festival,SO PUNK FEST 3, which is happening across Southampton on February 3-5, and boasts a badass lineup full of UK punk and emo bands which she handpicked along with those dudes at FAILURE BY DESIGN RECORDS.
Friday night at SPF3 is being headlined byMUSKETS, Saturday night's bill is topped by APOLOGIES, I HAVE NONE, and then things will be capped off on Sunday with a solo performance from Dan ofDUCKING PUNCHES. It's going to be all the great vibes, so make sure that you grab your weekend/individual tickets now over on theATW BIGCARTEL PAGE.
You'd be a bit of a knob to ignore that lineup... Danny
IF YOU'RE READING THIS, CONGRATULATIONS: YOU SURVIVED BLUE MONDAY.
Of course, if you're like me and you don't believe in that pseudo-scientific horseshit, then bonus points to you, but for a lot of people out there, Blue Monday marks a point of no return: you can no longer use that age-old, post-Christmas/New Year 'sorry, I'm just settling back into my routine' excuse for not doing work as efficiently (or at all), your new year's resolutions were fucked from the very start, and efforts to avoid throwing away the toffee pennies that lonesomely occupy the Quality Street tin in the corner of your living room because you 'might want to eat them at some point' are growing more and more futile. This mid-January funk isn't necessarily as unrealistic as the belief that the third Monday of the month is inherently shit, but at least we still have a year like 2016 to look back on and go 'well, what a solid 12 months of wall-to-wall bangers that was'. We had an abundance of tracks in 2016 that make you feel invincible when you blast them on repeat - as if you could take down a speeding juggernaut with your little finger - as well as tracks that just make you want to smash a beer can open with your own face, chug the foamy remnants, and stagedive onto your mates' heads. It is this window of sonic glory that I've prised back open with Vol. V of THE RR PLAYLIST.
Within the space of just 20 tracks, there's reminders of the undeniable knockout return of WEEZER, the Rancid-meets-No Doubt badassery of THE INTERRUPTERS, the raucous, punk 'n' roll punches delivered from the likes of THE DIRTY NIL and WACO, and the shameless saccharine catchiness of WATERPARKS and TANCRED. If that's not enough, there's offerings from Britain's burgeoning DIY punk scene courtesy of THE NEW TUSK, DOE and MUNCIE GIRLS, the carefree, summery bliss of PINEGROVE and JOYCE MANOR, and some top-drawer whoa-oh sing-a-longs from JEFF ROSENSTOCK and EAT ME. All that, and loads more, is now available to stream below via the Randon's Reviews Spotify page. Don't forget to subscribe for playlists of past, present and future (if 2017 lives up to its predecessor)...
After a year off, I'm pumped for the return of Southsea Fest in Portsmouth tomorrow. My debut encounter was in 2014, and I'd never experienceanything of its kind. Whether you liked pop or metal or blues or punk or jazz or dance, there was (for lack of a less wanky phrase) something for everyone crammed into Albert Road.
With more venues than ever, and a notable appreciation for the underground punk and alternative scenes on a local and national scale I'm set for a very, very busy and very, very awesome day. Here are <just a few> of the bands and artists I'm stoked for...
BLACK FOXXES - THE LOFT AT THE KINGS @ 10.00PM
Black Foxxes have seriously upped their game with their debut album, I'm Not Well. The hooks are ballsier, the choruses are of stratospheric proportions, and there is a writhing tone of catharsis that gives it that extra push of organic power. If it transforms live, Black Foxxes will become a band with ridiculous - if not scary - potential.
LONELY THE BRAVE - WEDGEWOOD ROOMS @ 7.15PM
Lonely The Brave's live show these days is rarely short of mesmeric. Not in its production or its pizazz, but in its authenticity and its musicianship. While David Jakes remains one of the best vocalists that Britain has to boast, the focus has finally become more of an even spread between Jakes' introverted presence and his sensational bandmates. It's about fucking time.
DOE - THE HONEST POLITICIAN @ 8.30PM
The socially conscious crop of DIY indie-punks have had a lot to shout about this year, and rightfully so in Doe's case. They're a bit grittier and occasionally more off-kilter than some of their peers, but their debut album, Some Things Last Longer Than You, has more than its fair share of simple and outrageously catchy moments.
ITOLDYOUIWOULDEATYOU - THE ATRIUM @ 5.00PM
The wistful lyricism, the noodling math-rock melodies, those little pepperings of brass in the verses... I know what you're thinking. But what itoldyouiwouldeatyou have to show for themselves which is a brilliant rarity of advancing so effortlessly from those mathy intricacies into massive choruses and endearing emo sing-a-longs.
JOHN - EDGE OF THE WEDGE @ 6.00PM
You really think that Slaves make the most noise possible for a two-piece? You're so not ready for JOHN. If you start to feel that teatime lull after walking from venue to venue, then this duo will wake you up in the most appropriate of fashions: by ripping off your ears and jamming them down your throat (in a good way, obvs).
Oh look, it's another singer-songwriter with two mics, a guitar and a loop pedal... WRONG. James Tattington (AKA Fugitive Orchestra) is as charismatic a proposition as you can get, bringing quirky yet esteemed undertones of blues and jazz. Plus, he said on Twitter that if I came and watched one of his sets, he would pull out his cover of Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul's 'Breathe'. Trust me, it's nothing short of brilliant.
NOYO MATHIS - THE HONEST POLITICIAN @ 12.45PM
Earlier this month I had my first encounter with Noyo Mathis at a punk all-dayer at The Joiners in Southampton. I'm still struggling after two weeks to articulate how encapsulated I was by a band with so many technical nooks and crannies in the sound, but who still leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
SAINT AGNES - THE BIRDCAGE AT THE FESTING @ 6.25PM
Here's one for you lovers of classic rock, as I am shamelessly so. If you dug that hip-shaking, seductive, whiskey-drenched, slightly psychedelic sound of the last couple of Rival Sons (as I have shamelessly have), mixed with the theatrical mystique of Purson, then Saint Agnes are right up your sunset boulevard.
KAMIKAZE GIRLS - THE HONEST POLITICIAN @ 3.45PM
Thank fuck there are some great people out there doing something to spread awareness about mental health through music - whether it's blogging and podcasting about it like the dudes at Don't Fret Club (more on them another time), or writing heart-wrenching lyrics and backing them with poignant, get-your-feels out alt-rock; something which Kamikaze Girls do exceptionally well.
MINQUE - WINE VAULTS @ 9.15PM
Being a pop apologist feels like a far less guilty admission from a rock journalist's standpoint over the last few years. That's thanks to artists like Minque, who swirl soothing, soulful vocals into ethereal and funky electronica. That's a very verbose way of describing what Minque does, but she's basically just got a fucking good voice.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
TELLISON(Edge Of The Wedge @ 10.00PM)
TIGERCUB (Edge Of The Wedge @ 9.00PM)
PERSONAL BEST(The Honest Politician @ 7.30PM)
SHIT PRESENT(The Honest Politician @ 6.45PM)
EAGULLS(Pyramids @ 6.45PM)
BLACK HONEY(Wedgewood Rooms @ 6.15PM)
HAPPY ACCIDENTS (Edge Of The Wedge @ 5.00PM)
AVIV & THE EUNUCH HORN(The Fat Fox @ 5.00PM)
HANNAH LOU CLARK(The Loft At The Kings @ 5.00PM)
FIZZY BLOOD (Pyramids @ 3.30PM)
NIGHT OWLS(Edge Of The Wedge @ 3.00PM)
If you see me at Southsea Fest, come say hi/buy me a beer. The struggle continues.
HERE WE ARE YET AGAIN MY FRIENDS, with another episode ofBITCHIN' BREWthat I'vebeen dying to unleash upon the world for some time now. And what a Bitchin' Brew it is. Episode #005 of the award-winning* podcast features none other thanCONNOR P LAWS, co-founder and self-professed 'top lad' of UK independent labelFAILURE BY DESIGN RECORDS.
It was a delight to sit down with Connor a little while back to chat about the founding and history of Failure By Design over a cup of Twinings gingerbread green tea (thanks to Kate Coulson at Above The Waves Promotions for hooking me up). As you'll learn as you listen to this episode, Connor has a very keen intellect when it comes to running a label, developing a brand and finding its place within the industry.
It would be almost derogatory to call Failure By Design a 'punk' label, because even in their infancy, they've worked with a smorgasbord of brilliantly diverse artists; from ACID TONGUEandGUN SHY toBOSTON MANOR andWEATHERSTATE, it's nigh impossible to pin FBD down when it comes to genre.
There'll be much more from me about Failure By Design's back catalogue with a brand new feature starting on this very blog later this week. Introducing... A NUMBNUTS' GUIDE TO [INSERT ELLIPSIS FOLLOWED BY SUBJECT'S NAME HERE]- I'll be looking at some of the key moments in FBD's history as well as breaking down their roster of artists past and present, compiling a playlist of the Top 10 FBD tracks.
In the meantime, you can enjoy Bitchin' Brew #005 oniTUNESand (due to popular demand)ACAST, or by streaming below viaSOUNDCLOUD...
Click on FBD's mask-wearing mascot (affectionately known as Frank) below to go to the label's website, where you can find everything you need from music to merch.
As ever, cheers for listening. If you like what you hear, subscribe and tell all your friends. Your contributions to this podcast, no matter how small, are vital and I love you all for it.
*Bitchin' Brew has never actually won any awards, but if you leave a nice comment on iTunes, it might not be out of the question. Maybe.
OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, Mother Nature (AKA the most basic of bitches) has decided to curl up on her sofa with a big tub of half-price Ben & Jerry's (Cookie Dough, obvs) and not know what to do with her fucking life. It's been sunny. It's been overcast. It's been raining. It's pretty much been humid the whole time, and I just want my summer. This shitty mixed bag of weather is getting ridiculous. I figured that if Mother Nature is going to be a dick like that, I'll just try and enjoy my summer through other means, and what better way to do that than to make an RR PLAYLIST featuring some of the biggest, grungiest, scuzziest summer bangers on offer across punk, indie, and alt-rock right now. There's appearances on Volume IV of The RR Playlist from the likes of WEEZER and TURNOVER, plus some old blog favourites like MILK TEETH, RAIN and MUSKETS, but allow me to take you through some of the bands not previously touched upon on the blog, amongst whom you might just find your new favourite band for the (not so) summer holidays. BLACK FOXXES have made serious strides with their debut album I'm Not Well (which lands this Friday), finally unlocking their potential to throw out massive, distorted and often cathartic rock 'n' roll. If you're like me and you dig the raw production that I've been smitten for since the day I first heard MC5's Kick Out The James, then WACO will gladly scratch that itch for you. If the joyous background cheers in the bridge on 'Se17' don't want to make you air-punch seven shades of shit out of the sky, then you might as well just call it quits and spend the rest of your miserable existence with Dire Straits' greatest hits. If you're big into what Drenge were doing on their first album, then NIGHT OWLS are another duo whose distortion-drenched sounds will plough into your ears like a mischievous juggernaut. For those of you that like the hardcore crossover appeal of Turnstile, but would rather swap the Metallica nuances for something a bit cooler and college rock-y, then you'll go head over heels for ANGEL DU$T. I read a review recently which compared them to both Bad Brains and The Lemonheads, and that's about as dead on the money as you can get.
Thanks to spending the first half of the year in full-time education with no income, my festival attendance in 2016 has been below par. When my mum returned from Truck Festival and said that she enjoyed HAPPY ACCIDENTS, I had to do a double take. Check them out if you like the idea of spritely indie-pop with a sharp lyrical twang in the vein of Jamie T. As for MARTHA, I don't much more can be said about them apart from the fact that they are the best band to do a similar sort of thing in the DIY punk scene, and they've made one of the standout records of the year with Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart. Fans and members of the Brighton punk contingent, on top of Muskets we've also got MURDERHOUSE and FRUITCAKE to fling your way (not in an aggressive way). While Murderhouse emulate the somewhat adorable self-deprecating charm of early Modern Baseball in their ramshackle bedroom-demo punk, Fruitcake are a little bit more frantic with loads of influence from early-early-EARLY blink-182 and a wicked sense of fresh-faced urgency. Over on the other side of the pond, we have two bands who have the scene eating out of their palms with the enticement of potential in their upcoming records. BEACH SLANG put out one of the most fun-sounding albums of the last few years in 2015, and from the sound of things, they're roaring along the same track of writing songs that are perfect for singing your heart out to after a few too many beers and ill-timed stagedives. JOYCE MANOR are one of the best bands around right now when it comes to writing short, sharp and frustratingly catchy power-pop songs with great humour in their lyrics and casual ingenuity in their melodies. If the rest of their new record, Cody, is as good as the first track from it, then they are firmly in the running for Album Of The Year. As we wind down into the last couple of tracks which are perfect for your summer evenings, GRIEVING ease themselves into their debut EP, Demonstrations, with melancholic vibes of 90s emo. 'My Friend, The Ghost' is the most beautifully lackadaisical track they have to offer, before delving in to a spikier pit of alternative rock.
HONOURABLE MENTION goes to EAT ME, whose sounds are not yet on Spotify and therefore cannot be 'officially' included in The RR Playlist. They take that Rivers Cuomo philosophy of writing really simple songs and making them even more effective with undeniably cool guitar licks. Check out 'Melon Enema' below on YouTube because its way too good to ignore for not being on Spotify, and the video is fucking gold:
As ever, if there's a track that you think deserves a place on this playlist, feel free to hmu on Twitter, or on the RRFacebook page. Episode #004 of BITCHIN' BREW featuring CONNOR P LAWS, co-founder of FAILURE BY DESIGN RECORDS is coming soon. Before then, I'll be giving you a rundown of FBD's finest moments in the first instalment of a new label-based feature on RRcalled THE NUMBNUTS' GUIDE TO... *INSERT LABEL NAME HERE*
Stay tuned for that, and loads of other cool shit too. Danny
THE DOPEST PODCAST GANG YOU'LL EVER HEAR. CLOCKWISE FROM FRONT: ME, BECKY BLOMFIELD (VOCALS/BASS), BILLY HUTTON (VOCALS/GUITAR), CHRIS WEBB (GUITAR), OLI HOLBROOK (DRUMS), AND NICK SUCHAK (ANABASIS MEDIA/PHOTOGRAPHER EXTRAORDINAIRE)
FINALLY.After having to take a (thankfully brief) hiatus to focus on finishing my journalism diploma, I'm stoked beyond words to be returning to Randon's Reviews, and to my podcast, BITCHIN' BREW. The 5 months I spent on my journalism diploma were undoubtedly fulfilling, and through learning so much about journalism in a broader sense I have already bagged myself a full time reporting job (which I start tomorrow), but I can't lie when I say that it was intense, mentally testing and, at times, just downright excruciating. The worst part of it was the fact that I recorded episodes #004 and #005 of Bitchin Brew all the way back in May and I couldn't find the time between revision sessions and shorthand practice (READ: I still hate shorthand) to get them out into the world. But enough 'woe is me' chat for now, let's get stuck back in... Bitchin' Brew Episode #005 is with MILK TEETH, who are undoubtedly one of the UK's best bands of the last few years, and a group of people I love and respect dearly. Like with me, 2016 has been a year of transformation and progression for the band: from refining their sound to embrace poppier roots (while still sounding noisy and punk as fuck) on their phenomenal debut album, Vile Child, to the integration of new guitarist/vocalist Billy Hutton after founding member Josh Bannister's exit from the band. Bitchin' Brew #005 also features special guestNICK SUCHAK, Milk Teeth's touring photographer and the (gorgeous) face behindANABASIS MEDIA. Just look at how many chocolate chips are in his Maryland cookie...
As a 'Yankophile' who longs to explore a lot of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Trump, I also encouraged loads of talk about Milk Teeth's first US tour earlier this year with Sorority Noise, Turnover and Citizen. From there you can expect chat about blind dogs, chugging 2-litre bottles of wine for breakfast, hanging out with Mark Hoppus, bumping into 2 Chainz at SXSW, crippling addictions to Chipotle and grape soda, and the lost hardcore mashup EP...
BITCHIN' BREW EPISODE #004 IS NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM AND DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES OR LISTEN VIA SOUNDCLOUD BELOW:
Thank Jeebus you won't be waiting so long for Bitchin' Brew #006, which features CONNOR P LAWS, co-founder of FAILURE BY DESIGN RECORDS, one of my favourite UK labels out there at the moment. Big up.
I know I said I'd be gone for a little while, but posts like this take 5 minutes and I feel like I need this to stop myself from jamming a biro into my temple while revising for my Public Affairs exam. If you like Randon's Reviews (or even just tolerate it), you should really LIKE THE RR FACEBOOK PAGE, because I often post stuff on there that doesn't air on here... until now, of course. Every Sunday I reveal myRECORDS OF THE WEEK, and seeing as I did a playlist for the ROTWs spanning January to March, I've gone and done the same for April to July so you can get a taste of all the rad shit that has soundtrack this transitional period of time for Randon's Reviews, and my life in general.
It's even more of a clusterfuck than the last one, but in that regard there's a bit of something for everyone in there, and it's really just testament to the incredible half-year it's been for new music. Just incredible. Any records/podcasts/stuff not represented in the Spotify playlist for whatever reason are marked with an *, and there'll be alternative links to hear them - I especially recommend the GOING OFF TRACKpodcast if you like the conversational tangents I go off on with my guests on BITCHIN' BREW. Meanwhile,MUNCIE GIRLS have also done a really fucking awesome cover of Iron Maiden's 'THE WICKER MAN' too (I'm sure that if you ask them really nicely, they'll play it at a show sometime - don't quote me on that). Without further ado, here's a week-by-week breakdown of April to July's Records Of The Week:
WEEK 10 (03/04/16): WARHORNS - WARHORNS (EP); BOB MOULD - PATCH THE SKY; SEAWAY - COLOUR BLIND; RORY INDIANA - RULING CLASS CROOKS
WEEK 11 (10/04/16): WEEZER - WEEZER (THE WHITE ALBUM); BLACK PEAKS - STATUES; FAITH NO MORE - SOL INVICTUS; THE NEW TUSK - SLOOM
WEEK 12 (17/04/16): DEFTONES - GORE; MOOSE BLOOD - I'LL KEEP YOU IN MIND, FROM TIME TO TIME; SYSTEM OF A DOWN - TOXICITY; GOING OFF TRACK PODCAST *
WEEK 13 (24/04/16): CAN'T SWIM - CAN'T SWIM (EP); THE WINTER PASSING - A DIFFERENT SPACE OF MIND; NECK DEEP - LIFE'S NOT OUT TO GET YOU; PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION - PURPLE RAIN *
WEEK 15 (08/05/16) * : ROB ZOMBIE - THE ELECTRIC WARLOCK ACID WITCH SATANIC ORGY CELEBRATION DISPENSER; THE SMASHING PUMPKINS - MELLON COLLIE & THE INFINITE SADNESS; GUILT - EVERBLUE / LOW SCENE (SINGLE); ASH - 1977 * APPARENTLY I MISSED A WEEK BECAUSE I'M A DICK LIKE THAT
WEEK 17 (22/05/16): MODERN BASEBALL - HOLY GHOST; LONELY THE BRAVE - THINGS WILL MATTER; THE MENZINGERS - RENTED WORLD; ANGEL DU$T - A.D.
WEEKS 18 + 19 (29/05/16 + 05/06/16): THRICE - TO BE EVERYWHERE IS TO BE NOWHERE;ARCHITECTS - ALL OUR GODS HAVE ABANDONED US; SHE CRAZY - SURFING U.A.E. (SINGLE); PUP - THE DREAM IS OVER; EVERY TIME I DIE - THE BIG DIRTY; RIVAL SONS - HOLLOW BONES; SEAFOAL - LUCID LIVING (EP); RAIN - SOLIS (SINGLE); NEW FOUND GLORY - CATALYST
I'll always remember the night Brighton garage-punks SHE CRAZY crashed headfirst into my life. Opening for the absolute dudes in Tied To The Mast at Sticky Mike's Frog Bar (an awesome Brighton spot which you should all go and see a show at) in 2013, they played like they owned the place, dragging a limbo pole out into the audience and changing the sole lyric of their song 'YEAH!' rather appropriately to 'LIMBO!'. Suffice to say, when they do that twice in the same set, it's very hard to get both the song and the scenes out of your head. Their new single 'SURFING U.A.E.' (which you can stream exclusively on Randon's Reviews by scrolling down) takes their raucous rock 'n' roll style and gives it infectious-as-fuck substance. Just don't let the title fool you into thinking that this is just a satirical cover of The Beach Boys' summertime class 'Surfin' U.S.A.' - this is far from a homage to Brian Wilson... "'Surfing U.A.E.' is all about the kind of wild, booze-fuelled madness that often goes down on holiday with your mates: shots, heartbreak and sex (wax)!" jokes singer/guitarist Dan Grace. "We are about -10% influenced by The Beach Boys - ['Surfin' U.S.A.'] happened 50 years ago, we're just pointing out how times have changed."
From the massive radio-rock (but far from radio friendly) chorus which exemplifies yet another cracking production job from Neil Kennedy at The Ranch Production House in Southampton, this sounds far more polished than anything from She Crazy's self-titled debut EP from last year (which you can download for free on their Bandcamp). However, the unrelenting punk rock finale they cascade into seeks to remind everyone why they're one of the most buzzed-about bands on their circuit. "We've experimented a lot with our recordings," explains Dan. "Working in different studios with different producers, and trying to find a sound that best reflects what we hear in our own heads and is closest to how we sound live." "'Surfing U.A.E.' is the first track that we mixed ourselves. We revisited the mix a few times, which probably explains why it's more polished than our previous efforts." "I don't think we've reached a point yet where we're all 100% satisfied, [but] then that's all part of the fun - Aiming for something you can't reach!" There's no doubt that 'Surfing U.A.E.' (plus its b-side, 'Do Or Die') will tide you over (arf arf) while She Crazy are working on their second EP. If that's still not enough for you, you can catch their mental live display when they open for Blackhole and Brawlers at The Hope & Ruin in Brighton on Tuesday 7th June, and at a FREE show at The George Tavern in London on Thursday 16th June. For more details on upcoming shows, go to the band's Facebook page or follow them on Twitter: @damn_shecrazy
From the day I first dreamt up the idea of BITCHIN' BREW, I knew that there was one man who could help me hone the craft of podcasting like no other. His name is ROSS DRUMMOND, and I was lucky enough to have him as my guest on Episode #003 of Bitchin' Brew, which is available to stream and download forFREEnow on iTunes and Soundcloud!
For those of you who don't know Ross, he is a man of many talents: he plays guitar and sings in an awesome new alt-rock band calledCHEAP MEAT, he co-hosts the1990s PROBLEMSpodcast (as well as his new podcast,AIN'T TALKING 'BOUT VAN HALEN: THE VAN HALEN PODCAST), and most importantly, he can hold a damn good conversation about Mexican food.
Suffice to say, Ross and I go off on several tangents in this episode, delving into topics such as stand-up comedy and how podcasts can save the generation of short attention span-holders, how not to use a flask, and badly chopped lettuce at certain fast food establishments (as part of this episode's lengthy culinary section).
It goes without saying, but recording this episode of Bitchin' Brew was incredibly fun - I'm definitely settling down into this strange medium, because this was just the start of a hectic week where I recorded not one, but TWO more episodes. Episode #004 will be with the guys and gal in MILK TEETH, a band who need no introduction as one of the hottest UK punk bands right now. That will go live on 17TH JUNE, before Episode #005 with FAILURE BY DESIGN RECORDS co-founder CONNOR P LAWS arrive a couple of weeks after that (Date TBA).
BITCHIN' BREW EPISODE #003 IS NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM AND DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES OR LISTEN VIA SOUNDCLOUD BELOW:
Exam season is among us. Can you hear the collective cry of anxiety, panic and desperation? It sounds a little something like 'FUCK!' I've always been more of a person who can thrive in their own time (usually during all-nighters in the library) through coursework, so I counted my lucky stars that my degree was completely exam-free. That's not to rub it in - by that point I'd been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and ruined it during one of those unnecessarily snotty crying sessions. Now I'm back at college for my journalism diploma, I'm back in the exam rooms and I'm once again trying to shift my anxieties. It's tough, I get it. I'm not here to 'do a Jacob Sartorius' (the little twatface), I'm just here to remind you that there's no music that can get you more psyched before entering that deathly quiet exam hall than pop-punk. Songs about love, songs about the summer, songs about your friends, songs about your hometown, songs about getting out of your hometown with your friends, in the summer no less... The tiniest melody or shortest lyric just does something to you that makes you want to jump around like every early-00s pop-punk band you watched on Kerrang! (Remember: it's hop-hop-tuck jump-hop, repeat...) I was inspired to make an exam season edition of THE RR PLAYLISTafter a friend told me that the pop-punk playlist I had made for myself on Spotify (appropriately titled Pre-Exam Posi Vibes) helped him out too before we sat the same exam. Below are 10 pop-punk songs to invigorate your very best feels, be it in a cathartic process or an all-out burst of positivity. After a blast of this, you'll be ready to go 'OH YEAH? WELL FUCK YOU TOO, EXAMS.'
I'm not going to say anything more on the featured tracks as I have previously done with The RR Playlists, because let's face it, you've got better things to do than hear me wazzing off about how good New Found Glory are. There's plenty of opportunities for that on the other side of exam season. Instead, here are 3 lyrics from the playlist to give you a quick burst of the happy feels...
"ONE STEP AT A TIME, ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER, I'M GONNA GET THROUGH THIS, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER"
- Alan Day & Dan O'Connor Four Year Strong - 'One Step At A Time'
"THIS FEELING WILL ONLY GET BETTER, I'LL JUST HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER"
- Eddy Brewerton, Moose Blood - 'Honey'
AAAAND my personal favourite:
"IN THIS VAST NETWORK OF SHARKS AND MINNOWS, WHERE THE MINNOWS OUTNUMBER THE SHARKS A MILLION TO ONE, WHY IS IT THAT WE HAVE YET TO CONVERGE? TO TAKE ON THE UPPER HAND? WHY HAVE WE BEEN SO SCARED? WELL NOT TODAY, NOT ANYMORE, THIS IS US GROWING UP, STILL YOUNG BUT NO LONGER OPPRESSIONABLE, WE HAVE COME TO PILLAGE, WE HAVE COME TO BURN, WE HAVE COME TO INCITE THE RIOT, WE HAVE COME TO TAKE IT OVER!"
- Jordan Brown & Matt Wilson, Set Your Goals - 'Mutiny!'
(If you don't feel like you could fuck the sky after hearing that, then you need help)
Think of the summer. Think of festivals. Think of warm cans of cider. Think of the fact that I managed to graduate from university, and look at me, I'm a wreck.
And if that doesn't help, here's Bill Murray with the final words...
Honestly folks, the response to BITCHIN' BREWsince I launched it last month has actually rendered me speechless. Thank you to anyone and everyone who took the time to check it out, and an even bigger thank you to those who blasted it out to the friends across t'internet. Without your support from the off, I don't think I'd be here right now giving you this soppy-ass spiel, and when I'm recording podcasts poolside from my mansion in Saint-Tropez, I won't forget you.
I was very lucky to be able to record Bitchin' Brew Episode #002 almost immediately after recording the pilot episode with Lande Hekt from Muncie Girls. They were sharing the bill at The Boileroom in Guildford that night with one of my other favourite new bands on the UK punk scene: Brighton's very own MUSKETS.
Before the gig, I sat down in The Boileroom's lush little beer garden for a brew with DAN 'KENNY' McKENNA (guitarist/vocalist) and DAN 'SMITH' SMITH (bassist), and we chatted about everything from their involvement in the DIY punk scene to Star Wars.
BITCHIN' BREW EPISODE #002 IS NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM AND DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES OR SCROLL BELOW TO STREAM & SUBSCRIBE VIA SOUNDCLOUD:
As you may have noticed if you've liked the Randon's Reviews Facebook page, Bitchin' Brew Episode #003 is already in the bag, and I had a great time recording it with... well, you'll just have to tune in to the podcast to find out more about that.
Once again, thanks for checking out Bitchin' Brew - if that's the response after the pilot, I can't wait to see how this project develops once I've got a few episodes under my belt...
