Shakey Bones - The Soup EP

Shakey Bones were something of a house band at Berkeley's 924 Gilman St for a while. It seemed like they were playing every other week or so, if not actually on the bill then playing outside or in the store.
The Soup EP is theyre third and final release before going they're seperate ways, but its by far some of the best music they put out. The sound ranges from upbeat folk-punk to bluesy-jug band suprisingly naturally. I remember seeing them one time and have someone shout out "you guys arent punk...my dad likes you!".
What else can i say about Shakey Bones? I know that theyre first ever show was in a dorm room at Crown college at UC Santa Cruz. I also know that when i was working for the school painting walls one summer i came across a dorm at Crown with the shakey bones Camel (above!) and the Flying Feet logo tagged on the underside of a bed...the same room? quite possibly! its a mystery!

But seriosuly, these guys were great, a lot of fun, punk and folky and sloppy in the best possible ways.

Top Songs:

In The Morning

The Drunkard and the Bottlecap

Borningtown

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nynod23yyee

http://www.myspace.com/shakeitorbreakit

2nd St. Rag Stompers - Camping on Low or No Dollars (REUPLOADED!)

This was one of the many bands that i saw busking on pacific ave in Santa Cruz, but unlike most of them, this band was actually good! These guys arent afraid to show their roots, in fact they let theyre roots come up through the cracks in the sidewalk and bring civilization to its deserving knees. They play, as you might expect, rag time mixed with that punk element all the kids seem to be into these days. They do theyre fair share of covers (even a cover of Baby on Board for all you Simpsons fans), but they do them really really well, so dont let that stop you from listening!
Maybe the coolest thing about when I saw them was when, in the middle of a song, one of those Santa Cruz winds came along and blew a five dollar bill out of theyre case, and they just let it keep blowing; didnt stop playing or miss a beat even as they watched it blow away. Maybe its not a big deal but it impressed me.

Top Songs:
Railroad Bill
Trains and Cops
Lay Me Down

http://www.mediafire.com/?jzka0zyk2wk

http://www.myspace.com/ssragstompers

Abi Yoyos - This World Is Not My Home

NEW FORMAT! Long Post! More Personal! Deal With It!

The Abi Yoyos were a part of the bay area punk scene roughly from 2002 through 2007. in other words they were there exactly when i was a teenager, going through the motions at Berkeley High and realizing that the local punk scene hadnt died in 1992 (contrary to what everyone was telling me...).
I probably saw them a half a dozen times and dismissed them before i realized how much i actually liked them. The first time that they really stuck with me was when i saw them play theyre CD release party at 924 Gilman. I was going through a particularly rough couple of days then, I hadnt slept in 48 hours, i was worried about life and graduating and dieing; and i was on a handful of medications i probably shouldnt have been on; but i managed to pull myself together enough to bike down to Gilman and check it out.
I didnt even stay for the show, i left almost as soon as i got there, but not before picking up THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME, the Abi Yoyos 4 song EP. I got home and put it on the record player. I played both sides and then put it on again. "huh" i thought, "this isnt that bad".
...
The Abi Yoyos definitely have roots in classic east bay bands like Crimpshrine, but they make theyre own sound out of it - its more hectic and strained; which really gets the sense of urgency across. Its angry but they actually have something to say (and they have fun doing it). At times it sounds like a circus, but maybe that only makes sense to me. i think you'll enjoy it though, even if you dont think youre about to die.

Now they play in a band called Yankee Kamikaze, but that deserves its own post.

Top Songs:
Xenophobia
Bohemian Grove
Fuck the UN

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yh0mfrzzy2z

http://www.myspace.com/abiyoyos

Onion Flavored Rings - Used To It

Well it looks like the Onion Flavored Rings are coming to town! woo hoo! Lo-fi popy punk from San Francisco! Paul used to be in Crimpshrine and Iggy is the infamous Iggy Scam of the SCAM zine; meaning theyve got more punk points than even ME! Expect songs about science, relationships, and the like.

They'll be at FBK house on October 7th with RVIVR and Snuggle.

Top Songs:
Live the Chaos, Pt II
Remarkable
The Shame of Quantum Physics
Used To It

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?tgo4niykviz

http://www.myspace.com/onionflavoredrings

soon!

update coming soon! life is hectic! hold tight!

Pasties / Hail Seizures - Punk As Folk

alright lets get back to basics here. if you dont have this album then what can i say? your ears are in for a treat, thats what! The Pasties play some great popy folk-punk that makes you want to dance; The Hail Seizures (R.I.P.) play anarcho folk-punk that makes you angy and happy at the same time. For any fans of the Hail Seizures: the songs on this album are mostly early versions of what shows up on their full length Fucked Up Zoo. The sound is a little softer but dont let that discourage you!

Top Songs:
Pasties-
Second Hand
Fists in the Air

Hail Seizures-
Winter
Stranger in the House

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mmuymyjenmj

http://www.myspace.com/thepasties

http://www.myspace.com/hailseizures

La Dispute - Here, Hear I & II

I'm not to sure what to call La Dispute. I suppose ive heard them described as Post-Hardcore or possibly screamo. the point is that these EPs are great even if you dont like any of that - because it sounds nothing like it. Here Hear is a collection of stories read over music. Youll like this albbum if you like James Rabbit. Even if not, just give it a try and you might be suprised - I was.

Top Songs:

Eight

one:

http://www.mediafire.com/?tzfh45nmtzk

two:

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mjlmtjiwzyd

http://www.myspace.com/ladispute

The Curse is Cast! - Broom & Feather

Yet more from the Santa Cruz Gypsy Punk scene. Though now defunct, The Curse is Cast! is well worth checking out if youre into Abandon Ship! or Blackbird RAUM. Incidentally, this band has members from Abandon Ship and Blackbird RAUM. Go figure.

Top Songs:
Still Sick (early version of song from RAUM's Swidden)
Seeking The Sacred
Cliff

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?4emijed4mtm

http://www.myspace.com/thecurseiscast

The Taxpayers - A Rhythm In The Cages

Man, there guys have a lot of sounds going on here. Overall The Taxpayers play some great singalong punk, but there are traces of early Black Flag in some songs, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb / Defiance, Ohio in others, and theyre own take of the three all mixed togeather into a sweaty beverage. See em if youre ever in Portland.

Top Songs:
Stealing Apples From The Man
Bike Cops
Militaristic Kitchen
Medicines (on myspace)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?djhezzz5nmu

http://www.myspace.com/thetaxpayers

Abandon Ship! - Live on Sounds From the Street!

Big ups go to D-Wrex for the hookup here! I know of no more than ten people who have a copy of this, so you should feel extra special for having it too! This is Abandon Ship! playing on the late great Sounds From the Street on KZSC. This was recorded just before theyre tour in 2008. Abandon Ship! has to be my favorite of the gypsy-punk bands, its like Blackbird RAUM, but more fun (is that possible? yes.).

Top Songs:
D-Wrex's voice that will totally sex you up

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?imy1mkzldtm

http://www.myspace.com/abandonshipyo

http://www.supportjessejames.wordpress.com

Tacocat - Shame Spiral

Holy jesus! Tacocat is amazing! is this pop? rock? punk? who knows, all i know for sure is that it will blow your mind. Best Seattle band ive discovered so far. They say is that its "a serious band playing serious music", ill let you be the judge of that. to me it sounds like it has roots in pop-punk, rock, and riot grrrl. i believe that they have a split with Ghost Mice out soon as well.

Top Songs:
Leotard
Peeps
Bike Party
Volcano (on theyre myspace)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?5nacdznd32m

http://www.myspace.com/tacocattacocattacocat

Ursula - Dancing On The Ruins

Hey who here like gypsy-punk? no one? Well heres some to change your mind. Ursula is (was?) a band from British Columbia i believe, or Canada, honestly i dont really know the difference, but suffice to say theyre from the cold wintery north. i saw them at the beinning of last summer at Zaus with Pale Robin (blackbird RAUM side project), which made for an excellent show. What do they sing about? Well, its gypsy-punk so...trains, ghosts, the end of civilization and (duh) cannibalism.

Top Songs:
Ghost Song
Runaway
When The Yuppies Grass Grows Tall

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mlmnynmyzim

http://www.myspace.com/ursulaofthesea

Defiance, Ohio - Share What Ya Got!

this was the album that got me into folk-punk. its more folk and more punk than Defiance, Ohio's other albums, its raw and every song has this great urgency in it that i just cant get enough of. The songs are about frsuteration, both with the world at large and with the acitivist/punk community thats trying to change it. This is just one of those albums that will stay with me for my whole life, so why not take a listen?

Top Songs:
Response To Griot
Bikes and Bridges
Old Dead Tree
I Don't Want Solidarity If It Means Holding Hands With You

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ydjtgtnmdmw

http://www.defianceohio.terrorware.com/

Ghost Mice - Europe

This is a "concept album" by folk-punk duo Ghost Mice. They traveled to europe, and wrote a song about each place they visitied. This has been my favorite Ghost Mice album recently, sure they have some better songs on oher albums, but I can listen to this one and not get sick of it. Ghost Mice is Chris (co-founder of Plan-It-X Records) playing guitar and Hannah playing violin. The first time I saw them was at 924 Gilman St in Berkeley, the crusty punks were scoffing, calling it "camp-fire-sing-a-long punk" (seriously!) but the hippie-punk in me loved it. thanks for the upbringing, Berkeley!

Top Songs:
English Channel
Holland
Germany
Celtic Sea

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?emgb3oim2zj

http://www.myspace.com/ghostmice

"they got their bread and circus, and i guess so do we, but they get theirs for free i think that we're getting ripped off, we must destroy all empires at any cost"

news flash! old friends are found.

http://www.mitchclem.com/nothingnice/357/

http://www.mitchclem.com/nothingnice/378/


in other news, aaron cometbus continues to captivate me with zines ive read 10 times already about a town i dont even live in anymore.

Andrew Jackson Jihad - Can't Maintain

This here is the second full length album to come from Pheonix, Arizona's own Andrew Jackson Jihad. While not quite as stong as their last release on Asian Man Records, it definitely still leaves an impression. The first time I saw these guys was at the Asian Man Records 11 year anniversary show at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco (with the Lawrence Arms). AJJ stole the show (and my heart), so the next day I convinced all my friends to come out to see the whole show again in the corner of the parking lot at Oakland Collisum. As it turned out we missed our BART train and missed AJJ. It figures.

Top Songs:
Sense, Sensibility
Self Esteem
We Didn't Come Here to Rock


http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mtjzm2i2omm

http://www.myspace.com/andrewjacksonjihad

Paul Baribeau - 2009 Demo

Thats one sexy tree. Paul Baribeau, an intrigual part of the folk-punk scene, plays some of the most honest music youll hear. He sings about his family and friends, about relationships and heartbreak, but its not cheesy in the slightest, and thats fucking hard to pull off.

Top Songs:
How Could That Be True?
If I Knew
The Mall



http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zz4yjtyeky2

http://www.myspace.com/paulbaribeau



..........................

aaaand a super mega special update for Lior!, we have Songs For Moms - The Worse it Gets the Better

I can't say enough good things about Songs For Moms, so I wont.

Top Songs:
My Darling Faye
The Rain Song
1906


http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?hijvymnqwfz

http://www.myspace.com/songsformoms

RVIVR - Life Moves

Pronounced "reviver" these guys used to be in Shorebirds and Latterman. I dont know those bands, but RVIVR is great. Local to Olympia, they play some of the best DIY pop-punk ive heard in a long time. It's not pop-punk in the three-chord way, its melodic but still rough and unfiltered. Think of This is My Fist! mixed with the Olympia folk-punk scene.

Top Songs:
Plenty Of Time
Can't Stand It


http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gfdetmbvymi

http://www.rumbletowne.com/

Little Ghostthings - Little Ghostthings

I believe that the first and only time that I saw Little Ghostthings was in the woods behind the UC Santa Cruz campus with Ghost Mice...but it was damn good! For all you fans of Abandon Ship! this is what some of em were up to before there was a ship that needed abandoning.


Top Songs:
The Girl With the Photo Emulsion Hair
What I Want
Alps

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wcj5ymzohrz

http://www.myspace.com/littleghostthings




.....


SUPRISE! Double post today!!!



Heres some rare stuff from ROSA, a now defunct plan-it-x folk-punk band from Texas (there are some good things in the southwest afterall!) This is theyre 7 inch and a couple live tracks. Expect songs about friends, bringing down Clear Channel and punk rock.

Now they go by the name Punkin Pie, and make some some mean pop-punk.

Top Songs:
Charlies Song
Umm Like Yer Smile is so Totally Ruling Me Right Now


http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gzizmgzymv1

http://www.myspace.com/rosapunks

Nana Grizol - Nana Grizol

Nana Grizol is the name of the solo project-turned full band of Defiance, Ohio's Theo Zumm. This is the first album, which is more of a demo, just Theo with an acoustic guitar. The full line up includes Laura Carter and Robbie Cucchiaro, previosuly of Neutral Milk Hotel (some new indie band youve never heard of).
It's like Defiance, Ohio toned down a little bit, but its still great.

top songs:
Circles Round the Moon
Voices Echo Down the Hall
Many Places 2 Call Home
Fregans Tourning Underground

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?oluqzzkizy2

http://www.myspace.com/nanagrizol

Songs For Moms - i used to believe in the west

By far one of my favorite bands. Not only do they have one of the best (or worst?) names for a band, they're from Oakland! East Bay represent! Self described as punk rock with folk sensibilities, these gals really know what their doing. honest lyrics, captivating melodies; but its still raw and and powerful.
this is their newest album, on SF's Thrillhouse records.

Top Songs:
kill coyotes
with shotguns
for shaky hearts
in the west

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?qxkgumzmt3m

myspace.com/songsformoms