Shame In Dem Game!

The what happens when the world's best ska-punk band collaborates with one of hardcore's best vocalists? Awesomeness. Here is a live performance of HR's "Shame in Dem Game" by Sublime and HR off Everything Under the Sun, Sublime's box set.



For those of you who don't know, HR is the lead vocalist of D.C. Rasta punks, Bad Brains. Bad Brains practically invented hardcore way back when and are still considered one of, if not the, best hardcore punk band of all time. Everybody knows Sublime from "Santeria" and "What I Got", but this box set shows a whole different side of them. They cover Minor Threat and the Descendents on the box set as well as many other bands too. I would definitely check it out.

Toots and the Maytals!

Every once in a while, I need a day to just slow down and relax. On those days, I just sit back and listen to the easy pleasing music of Toots and the Maytals - '60s and '70s ska. They were incredibly important in the reggae and ska movements in Jamaica and all over the world. Here is "Pressure Drop" off the soundtrack for The Harder They Come starring Jimmy Cliff.

Operation Ivy!

The second best ska-punk band ever (Sublime's #1 without a doubt), Operation Ivy perfectly blended 80's hardcore with 2 tone ska. Here is "Unity" off their only full-length album, Energy. 

Take A Stance!

Easily the best song on Bad Religion's new album, "The Resist Stance" is punk rock at it's best. It's fast, witty, politically charged and anthemic. I picked up the new album yesterday around 9:30 and pretty much listened to it non-stop since. I can't wait to see them with Jake Katz next month. Guess what, everybody, Dead to Me unveiled their fall tour dates and they play the same night as BR. Both bands mean a lot to me and I still have not recovered from that initial wtf, Dead to Me? moment when I read the date. And it's with the Flatliners too! Oh well. BR will be great anyway and Off With Their Heads and the Aggrolites are opening (but the Bouncing Souls skipped this date, which is closest to New Brunswick [again, wtf?])



RIP Greg Giraldo, roasts will never be the same without you.

The Flatliners!

The new Flatliners 7" comes out today, so here is their song "Monumental" from their brand new Monumental 7". This is an awesome band from Canada (just like Propagandhi) and are barely old enough to buy a beer. This song sounds pretty Gaslight Anthem-ish, but they have about a bazillion different sounds. Check 'em out.



Alright, NCIS is almost on so I gotta go. See ya'll later.

We're Just a Minor Threat!

Minor Threat is one of the most iconic hardcore bands ever. They started the straight edge scene, followed in Bad Brains' footsteps as premier D.C. punks, and their lead vocalist has the coolest name ever (Ian). Here is "Minor Threat" from their complete discography.



Sorry, I wrote this Sunday and scheduled it to post yesterday, but I screwed up and accidentally scheduled it for Thursday - oh well.

See ya'll later.

What's Left of the Flag!

Everyone knows "Drunken Lullabies" and "Shipping up to Boston". But did you know that there's more Irish-punk than just those two songs? Here's my favorite Flogging Molly song, "What's Left of the Flag" off of Drunken Lullabies.

"Walk away, me boys! Walk away, me boys! By morning we'll be free. Wipe that golden tear from your mother, dear. And raise what's left of the flag for me!"

These lyrics make me feel like a fuckin' warrior and get me all charged up. And that kick during the "1, 2, 3!" is perfectly fitting for that spot. Every time I wear one of my four Flogging Molly t-shirts (they were on sale $5 each) somebody asks me, "What is a Flogging Molly?" and somebody says, "That is an awesome band." If you ever get a chance to see them live, do it. The pits open up and everyone goes nuts.