Everyone seems to love this time of the year. I despise the traditional holiday songs because at work, they play all day long. They rotate the same ones every time. It's enough to make you smash your head against a wall. Seriously. Well, thankfully, there are some pretty decent punk rock holiday songs that can help you through the holiday stress.
Auld Lang Syne-Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies (live)
Feliz Navidad-Voodoo Glow Skulls
Snake Oil Tanker-Alkaline Trio (acoustic)
The Grinch-Blue Meanies
Child on Christmas Day-Decibully
Happy holidays!
(these from 82) "Merry Christmas (I don't want to fight tonight) - The Ramones
"Blue Christmas" - Squirtgun
"Christmas (Baby please come home)" - New Bomb Turks
"White Christmas" - The Impossibles
"Grandma got runover by a reindeer" - Less Than Jake
and the greatest holiday song:
"Fairytale of New York" - The Pogues or No Use for a Name.
I was asked a few months ago how I discovered all the music I currently listen to. For those of us who despise top-40 rock radio, it's not that easy. Here are the main ways underground music-afficionadoes discover new artists:
1. Word of Mouth
Often, when we have friends or older siblings who enjoy the same music, they'll turn us onto a new band. I didn't grow up with an older sibling, so I discovered music that my friends were listening to. In my early teens, it was borrowing a Metallica or Sepultura cassette, taping it, then buying it as soon as I could afford it. In my late teens, it was my friend and ex-hockey teammate Pete who told me about Voodoo Glow Skulls and Unwritten Law when we first began discussing music. He was so correct about both, that I still listen to both bands to this day. My roommate in Minnesota used to have several thousand CDs and I could almost always find something new and interesting in his shelves.
2. Live experience
So often, we are blown away by an opening band at a show. We'd be there to see one group, but the opening band will be just as good or better and best yet, we may never had ever heard of them. AFI opened for the Offspring during their 1997 tour and that was the first time I ever heard of that then-hardcore band. One of my favourite underrated bands is Los Infernos. I happened upon them only because all the opening bands for the Invaders at the Globe in Milwaukee cancelled. Los Infernos were scheduled to play a 21-over show later that night and agreed to play the early set. I was probably the only person in the club that liked them, as the weren't a ska band like the Invaders.
3. Incest (the musical kind)
When a favourite band breaks up, members of that band scatter to form their own bands or join another band. It's easy to say "I liked Slapstick, I should try the band their singer formed after their breakup (Broadways) or maybe the band their bass player, guitar player and drummer formed? (Tuesday)" What about Joey Cape, the singer from Lagwagon, who keeps playing in different side projects like Bad Astronaut and his own solo deal? Since Lagwagon has so many fans, he's already got an eager fanbase when he wants to do something different.
4. Compilations
One of the best way for a label to advertise unknown bands is by issuing cheap compilations. I have countless comps I've purchased for $5 or less. When I began listening to punk, I basically bought something by every band on the "Survival of the Fattest" comp put out by Fat Wreck Chords.
5. Reputation of label
When I was young and had much disposable income, I would often order by mail every new CD from certain record labels because of their reputation for releasing good music. Asian Man Records and Fueled by Ramen used to have excellent bands and both labels got a lot of my money before their quality began to suck.
6. Used CD bins
Sometimes word-of-mouth comes from places other than trusted friends or relatives. The name of certain bands will stick in your head as something you might like based on a CD review so you file it away until that magic moment you find it in a used CD bin at Cheapo, Rasputin, Atomic or Amoeba. If it's cheap enough, why not take it home? You can always resell if you don't like it.
The next group of people are some of the greatest front men in the music business. Some of these singers play guitar, but for the purpose of this post, they are being judged on their stage presence and vocal ability.
Howlin Pelle Almqvist-The Hives
This guy is by far, one of the greatest front men around. He feeds off the crowd's energy and never gets tired. His scissor kicks and mic-swings always gets the crowd moving. After every song, he demands more claps and yells from the crowd to continue the show.
Milo Aukerman-The Descendents
A staple in punk rock band, Milo always rises above. His spastic stage presence and amazing vocals brought originality to the band.
Joey Ramone-The Ramones
One of the greatest punk rock singers ever. He was lanky, dirty and snarled often. He is by far, the most iconic singers in the world.
Joe Strummer-The Clash, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
Along with Joey Ramone, Strummer is an amazing iconic singer. His one-of-a-kind vocals, great stage presence and strong passion puts him in rock n roll hall of fame.
Jessie Michaels-Operation Ivy, Common Rider
He fronted the legendary Operation Ivy, and could sing incredibly fast. He used his passion about politics and government issues to compose some of the greatest songs ever wrote.
And now, the best of the best on the skins. It took me a while to try to narrow down my list.
Being a drummer, I'm a big fan of a lot of drummers. But here are some of the most influential and overall, awesome drummers.
Derek Grant/ Glenn Porter (Alkaline Trio)
I put both of these drummers in (since they both play/played in Alk3) Glenn Porter was Alkaline Trio's first drummer. He played sloppy, fast and was the perfect fit for their early albums and
e.p.'s. His stuff is still pretty difficult to play at times. Especially "97". It's all over the place, which worked well for them.
Derek Grant, (their current drummer) is equally amazing. His work on Good Mourning is fantastic. "Fatally Yours" Donner Party (All Night)" showcase his quick-hitting skills and fast fills. He's a major influence on my drumming as well as Glenn Porter.
Dave Raun (Lagwagon)
Now typically, I don't care for drummers who can wail on the double bass, but his band Lagwagon are awesome. His quick foot work and fills are a force to be reckon with. "Alien 8", "Choke" and "Stokin the Neighbors" are great songs to hear how this guy can rip.
Niel Hennessy (the Lawrence Arms/The Falcon/The Smoking Popes)
He is an amazing drummer who can play just about everything. His work on the Lawrence Arms album The Greatest Story Ever Told is awesome. The fills are technical, and he is a major influence on my current style. He recently took the reigns on drums for The Smoking Popes and plays with the same intensity.
Vinnie Fiorello (Less Than Jake)
Last but not least, one of my favourite drummers rounds up my list. He doubles up on duties in the band writing lyrics and pounding the drums. Over the last 5+ years he has been ridiculed for not being that exciting of a drummer, for Less Than Jake, you don't need ridiculous beats and fills. He rips ska beats as well as fast punk. That's all that matters.
82 here: My choice is Bill Stevenson from All/Descendents:
The guy is in his mid-40s and can still play amazingly strange time signatures...
...and straight ahead pop-punk back in the day
And how could Mikey forget Josh Freese?
Skip to 2:14 of that vid if you don't want to hear the Vandals.
Bassists. Often forgotten in the band, especially live. But if you're really talented, you'll stand out every time you hit stage. 82 Already listed the greatest bassist of all time, but along with Matt Freeman (of Rancid) are two some of my favourite bassists Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio and Roger of Less Than Jake.
Dan is not only a technical bassist, but sings and writes very very well. His bass playing in his early days were untouchable. Such master-pieces are "Goodbye Forever" and "Cringe". Although Alkaline Trio gets a lot of heat for some commercial success, his work on Agony and Irony go above and beyond.
Roger Manganelli of Less Than Jake tends to steal the show every time they hit stage. He plays so fast, it's almost impossible to rap your head around his skills. "Plastic Cup Politics" is a prime example of his attack on the bass. But at the same time, he can slow it down and play all over the fret board.
