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J. Robbins Talks Godspeed… A Tribute to Pierre Kezdy
This Friday, a compilation titled Godspeed… A Tribute to Pierre Kezdy will be released, with 100% of profits donated directly to the family of the late Naked Raygun bassist. The album features Hot Water Music, Face to Face, J. Robbins, Swingin’ Utters, The Methadones, Josh Caterer of Smoking Popes, and others, all contributing their own renditions of Naked Raygun songs. Kezdy sadly passed away from cancer in October of 2020 and this tribute album consists of cover songs from artists who were influenced and inspired by Naked Raygun.
Continue Reading…
Dan Vapid and the Cheats – “Sour Pauline”
Less than a year after the release of their previous full-length, Dan Vapid and the Cheats have returned with a brand-new studio album, titled Welcome to Dystopia. It features 16 tracks in total and comes out September 23rd on Eccentric Pop Records. We’re pleased to be premiering the album’s first single below, called “Sour Pauline”. When asked about the inspiration for this song, Dan Vapid said “I was thinking about the toxic people that I’ve encountered over a lifetime when the song ‘Sweet Jane’ by the Velvet Underground was played on shuffle. I’ve probably heard that song a hundred times, but on this occasion the title ‘Sour Pauline’ popped into my head, along with a melody. From there, the remainder of the song quickly followed.”
When discussing the record’s overall theme, Vapid indicated that a common thread is present throughout the album, as it was written entirely in 2020. He said, “Welcome to Dystopia is an unfiltered response to everything I was (and still am) feeling about what faces us as a country and society. It’s mostly angry and dark. There’s not a lot of sunshine, rainbows and lollipops here…most people use social media to convey what they are thinking and feeling. For my own sanity, I try to stay away from social media as much as possible and prefer music to be my outlet.”
Check out the video for “Sour Pauline” below, which was made by Henry Weintraub from Memorable But Not Honorable, (a cassette label based in Eugene, Oregon). Vinyl and CD pre-orders for Welcome to Dystopia will be available starting September 16th from Eccentric Pop. Also, be sure to catch the Cheats when they play Cobra Lounge on November 19th with The Methadones, The Copyrights, and Mikey Erg. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.
The Methadones to Release “This Won’t Hurt…” for the First Time on Vinyl
This month, The Methadones are releasing their 2007 full-length This Won’t Hurt… for the first time ever on vinyl. The album was remastered earlier this year by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room and features a bonus track called “Take Me to Japan.” The record is up for pre-order now via Red Scare and will be available at the band’s upcoming shows. Catch The Methadones on Saturday, 6/11 when they play Reggie’s for T1 Fest with Josh Caterer Trio, Dan Vapid & The Cheats, Capgun Heroes, and Hayley and the Crushers. Also be sure to check out the remastered version of “Already Gone” below.
Additional Upcoming Shows
7.02.22 – Red Flag – St. Louis, MO
7.15.22 – Punk Rock Raduno – Bergamo, Italy
10.29.22 – THE FEST – Gainesville, FL
The Methadones Announce Chicago Show
We’re thrilled to announce that The Methadones will be playing their first hometown show in nearly five years this summer. Since initially disbanding in 2010, the band has only played twice, (an abbreviated set in 2011 and at Red Scare’s tenth anniversary show in 2015). After forming in 1993, they went on to release five studio albums, a split record with The Copyrights and finally a compilation album in 2010 that contained all the songs from their various singles, (as well as the final five songs they ever recorded). While often labeled as pop punk, The Methadones’ sound was truly a lot more multi-dimensional. Elements of classic Chicago punk and power pop were often present, along with an emphasis on vocal melodies, intricate guitar leads and introspective lyrics. In short, very few bands hold up this well over time. The band has yet to reveal any details as to their planned setlist, but rest assured that they’ll deliver a career-spanning set. The Methadones will play Chop Shop on Saturday, June 27th with support from Direct Hit!, Dan Vapid and The Cheats, and Capgun Heroes. The show starts at 7:00 PM, is 18+ and tickets go on sale this Friday.
Airstream Futures – “Dreams of Narrow Wings”
This spring, Airstream Futures will release their debut full-length on Paper + Plastick, called Spirale Infernale. The band combines elements of punk, indie rock and alternative, and features members of The Bomb, The Methadones and Bow & Spear. The album was produced by Rodrigo Palma, (Saves the Day) and Derek Grant, (Alkaline Trio), and recorded/mixed by the band’s guitarist, Jeff Dean. Airstream Futures’ lineup also includes singer Devon Carson, bassist Megan Edgin and drummer Mike Soucy. We’ve got an exclusive premiere of one of the record’s songs below, called “Dreams of Narrow Wings.” When asked to describe the song, Carson said “It started with Mike’s description of a dream where he had wings but they were too narrow to fly. It made us think about all the horrifying things going on in the world and the overwhelming desire to help in some way, but feeling completely overwhelmed and ineffectual. If we can’t even save ourselves in our own dreams, it’s no wonder that putting a hashtag in front of a problem has become our favorite form of activism.” Check out the song now and if possible, catch the band on their upcoming UK tour.
Textbook
Photo by Katie Hovland
In March of this year, Chicago’s Textbook collaborated with Paper + Plastick for the release of their album called On the B-Side. Containing 16 tracks in total, the record features songs from Textbook’s entire catalog and serves as a celebration of the band’s 15th anniversary. We recently spoke with singer/guitarist Dave Lysien and bassist Rick Uncapher to discuss the album in detail. We talked about how they teamed with Paper + Plastick, as well as the distinctive format that the record’s available on. We also conversed about the band’s experiences touring the UK, some of their favorite memories from the last 15 years, future plans and more. Be sure to check out a video for the song “Just One of Those Things” after the interview. Continue Reading…
V/A – 10 Years of Your Dumb Bullshit
Artwork by Miguel Angel Echemendia
Red Scare Industries – Release Date: 9/22/14
Ten years ago, former Fat Wreck Chords employee Tobias Jeg was living in San Francisco when The Falcon expressed that they were looking for a new label to release its debut EP, God Don’t Make No Trash or Up Your Ass with Broken Glass. Jeg put it out and Red Scare Industries was born. Ten Years of Your Dumb Bullshit showcases 17 new songs by bands that Red Scare has lifted up and out of the basements over the past decade. Starting the compilation is the catchy occult-themed track, “Pyramids” by The Lillingtons, the first new recording in eight years by Red Scare’s longest-running band. Following that, The Falcon pops in for 1:43 after six years with “We Are the Bald,” an upbeat yet self-deprecating song that’s difficult not to crack a smile at. Masked Intruder offers up “I Don’t Mind,” a song about being so malleable in a relationship that death is the only way the subject can get rid of the suitor. The Copyrights, who just released a full-length on Red Scare, offer up the shortest and one of the most melodic songs on the compilation, “Oedipus Dill,” clocking in at 1:25. Teenage Bottlerocket keeps it straightforward with “TV Set,” a simple song about being overwhelmed by and sick of television. Elgin, Illinois’ Brokedowns really stand out with “Ouija Jive,” which sounds like a B-side to the Species Bender recording session that should have made it on the album. The Reaganomics come back after four years with “Bite Your Tongue,” a pop punk track about self-righteous individuals who post on the internet trying to change the world, but only end up sounding ignorant. One of Red Scare’s first bands, Cobra Skulls, contributes an angst-laced song sung in Spanish called “No Puede Mas,” which translates to “I’ve Had Enough.” The Methadones played their last show in 2010, but chalk up a new tune called “Trip Wire,” reminiscent of The Ramones, but with the Methadones’ refreshing signature power pop style. The comp’s tone mellows out a bit with “The Wallflowers,” a melodic indie jam by The Sidekicks. Brendan Kelly makes a second appearance on vocals with “Gluesday Evening Blues” by his band Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds – quite a bit slower and folkier than The Falcon. Great new tracks by Elway, Nothington, Enemy You, Direct Hit! and Druglords of the Avenues round out this compilation nicely. The album ends on a soft, sobering note with an acoustic song called “Forever West” by one of the newest additions to the Red Scare family, Sam Russo. His poetic, somber tone gives a great balance to this heavily punk-driven compilation. Check out the Red Scare Records 10-year anniversary show this Saturday at the Metro at 3:45 PM, featuring The Falcon, The Lillingtons, The Methadones (reunion show), Masked Intruder, Enemy You, The Sidekicks, Teenage Bottlerocket, Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds, The Holy Mess, Direct Hit!, Elway, The Brokedowns and The Reaganomics.
– Jason Duarte
The Methadones – Not Economically Viable
This January Underground Communiqué Records will rerelease The Methadones’ classic 2004 album, Not Economically Viable. It was remixed by Matt Allison at Atlas Studios and basically rebuilt using various master tracks from the original recording sessions. The end result is a complete and highly favorable reproduction of one of the best pop punk records of the last decade. Also included is a previously unreleased song called “Let’s Call It a Night.” The LP will be available on three different colors; white, clear red and clear with smoke, and will feature updated album art as well. Check out the new version of “Sorry to Keep You Waiting” below.
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Underground-Communique-Records-Not-Economically-Viable-03-Sorry-to-Keep-You-Waiting.mp3|titles=Sorry to Keep You Waiting]
The Black Sheep Sessions @ Million Yen
Photos taken by Katie Hovland at Million Yen Studios.
The Methadones – Self-titled
Asian Man Records – Release Date: 11/16/10
After nearly ten years of making music together, The Methadones have decided to split up. This 16-track release is the band’s swan song and serves as a sincere “thank you” to all of their fans. It consists of five new tracks, their half of a split with The Copyrights and songs from two out-of-print seven-inches. The five new entries represent some of the most impressive tunes that The Methadones ever composed. They were recorded by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Studios and sound as sturdy as they do pristine. “Murmurs in the Dark” has an interesting lead and backing vocal interplay during its chorus and “Undecided” is a heartfelt pop punk ballad with especially honest lyrics. “Arial” is a beautiful song and plainly one of the Methadones’ best. “Imperfect World” and “What Do You Believe In” are notable songs from the split with The Copyrights, and “Exit 17” flawlessly concludes the record on a solemn acoustic note. This is undeniably the band’s finest full-length aside from their stellar 2004 effort, Not Economically Viable. Anyone in search of first-rate pop punk should look no further, for The Methadones provide a textbook example of how the genre is supposed to be done. They will surely be missed by many and not forgotten anytime soon.
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