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Julien Virgos (Nightwatchers / Woodwork, Toulouse) So Egor asked me about my top 5 punk albums of 2020. Tricky, as usual, but I like that kind of shit. Let's try to pick some releases that might have gone under your radar… Personality Cult – New Arrows Label: Dirtnap Records Location: North Carolina, USA Ok, this one goes first because it's the punk release I've listened the most this year, by far. There's something of Pete Shelley and the Buzzcocks, some kind of tension. All along. I loved the first album on Drunken Sailor, this one is at least as good if not better. Best release on Dirtnap Records in a while. Favorite song : Circles Taulard – Dans la plaine Label: Broderie Records Location: Grenoble, France Second album for this great band from Grenoble. If you've never heard of them, they play some sort of synthpunk, but in a very pop way. Poetry. I guess you lose its charm if you don't speak french, but it's for sure one of the highlights of 2020. I've played it non stop during the first lockdown while finishing my thesis. Favorite song : Dans la plaine Stiff Richards – State Of Mind Label: Legless Records / Drunken Sailor Location: Melbourne, Australia A killer release I was about to miss, not sure why I slept on this. I don't know if « garage rock » still makes sense to describe a band, but in this case I guess it fits. It rocks and it's wild, like in the seventies. If you liked Royal Headache, be my guest. Favorite song : Kids out on the grass Oki Moki – Working Class Pop Label: Paulinni Records / Flexi Discos / Andalucía Über Alles / XcementerioX Location: San Sebastian, Spain I've always had a crush for the spanish bands, for some personal reasons. Never mind. I was stocked to play with Arrotzak last year in Zarautz because they're so damn good and super nice. Well I haven't been disappointed by this other project runned by Aritz. More poppy and lo-fi, it reminds me the early Wavves recordings in a way, which probably explains why I'm into it (I guess it's obvious on « Someday »). Favorite song : Efímero Litige – En Eaux Troubles Label: Destructure Records Location: Lyon, France Second album from my friends from Lyon. « Fuite en avant » was super good, but I like this one even more. Best french punk release this year. Simple writing, nothing fancy, but they sound like no other band around. So you better check them out. Favorite song : Regardez-Moi Boy it's hard not to mention some other records, so I'll cheat a bit. I won't talk about Chubby & The Gang because everyone will (but still). More spanish stuff : did you check Caníbal by Accidente ? Sangre by Futuro Terror ? Go ahead. Last mention to our swedish pals. Tomma Intet released one of my favorite records this year, D.A.B.D.A. Rotten Mind's Rat City Dog Boy is pretty neat as well, as usual for the Uppsala's renegades. That's it. Hope you'll enjoy as much as I did ! Stay safe kiddos.
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Volo. Bucharest, Romania. Drummer in Cold Brats, used to play with Bastos and Void Forger. Active in the Bucharest punk scene, since 2012. Been releasing records and doing DIY shows as Summercide Recs. Doing art stuff as Gravedweller sincer forever. Osees – Protean Threat Label: Castle Face Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Seminal garage punk turned kraut rock, psychedelic, you name it band, Oh Sees (now spelled Osees), are back with a new record, following last year’s lengthy Face Stabber. I don’t even know if this should be on a punk list, but it’s such a rollercoaster of genres, so well blended together, that it might as well just be punk. I still hate myself for missing their show last year in Vienna, sorry Mihai, but I made it a life’s mission to see one of their shows when things presumably go back to “normal”. Favourite song: If I Had My Way Kobra - Confusione Label: Iron Lung Records Location: Milano, Italy There’s no secret that right now Italy is the hot spot for the best punk coming out of Europe, and Kobra from Milano, make no exception. I wasn’t a big fan of their first EP, but their debut LP, Confusione, just swept me from under my feet. Raw, chaotic, yet very well calculated songs, complimented by a freaking saxophone, that just turns these songs into a rare gem in the current punk scene, think of Crass Records, meets The Flying Luttenbachers! Really hope they tour, would be a shame not to. Favourite song: Confusione BIB – Delux Label: Pop Wig Records Location: Omaha, NE, USA This band has been teasing everyone with EP’s for such a long time, that I thought I’d never see the day they would put out a full length, but here we are, nothing can surprise me in 2020 anymore. Since I first heard the teaser track The Fool back in late 2019, I have been eagerly awaiting this album, and oh boy, it did not disappoint. If you liked what they released so far, this album is more of the same, but sometimes more of the same is not a bad thing. I don’t know if they ever toured Europe, but my body is ready. Favourite track: The Fool Satanic Togas – X-Ray Vision Label: Goodbye Boozy Records Location: Sydney, Australia I have never had so much fun with a record like I did with this one. Snotty, funny, in your face garage punk with a love for everything Devo. This one popped in my Instagram feed on a hot summer day, and I was instantly intrigued, so I shot Gregorio from Goodbye Boozy a dm asking him what is that, because I want it. A few months later it landed in my mail box and since then, the needle never left the wax. If you’re not dancing, you love Jesus and it shows. Favourite track: No Luck Sweeping Promises – Hunger For A Way Out Label: Feel It Records Location: Boston, MA, USA I was late to the hype on this one, it came out in August, but I think I finally decided to give it a shot all the way in October. And on that day I only listened to this record, all day, it’s that good, probably the next day I did the same. Catchy hooks, a bit melancholic, sometimes it’s kinda 80s, sometimes it’s kinda 90s, overall an unexpected release from what it seems to be the band’s first release. I don’t know that much about the band, don’t know if they will play live, but I sure hope so. Favourite track: Cross Me Out Bonus: Fav EP ♡ Powerplant – A Spine / Evidence Label: Static Shock Records / Dreamland Syndicate Location: London, UK Devocore is the new thing, and kids totally love it, so do I! Favourite song: Evidence
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Tytti Roto from Plastic Tones, Tamara Luonto etc, or Ty Roxy from the world endless data. Outside of everything. Helsinki, Finland. Reflecting 2020 SIR LISELOT - MANIDUROS (Digital) Label: ? Location: Helsinki, Finland I’ve been under the spell of Sir Liselot since the first releases came out two years ago. Suffice to say, Sir Liselot is a pop genius. Maniduros is a result of delirious creativity and fearless experimentation with sound and genre. It is a work of art full of endless surprises. Nevertheless, for me the song that sets out the most is Neuvonantaja, a ballad that has been a very powerful part of Sir Liselot’s live set. It brings me to tears. STRAW MAN ARMY - AGE OF EXILE (LP) Label: D4MT Labs Inc Neurosonic Research Location: ? The past years I’ve developed a kind of apathy or indifference towards (new) music, experienced as a sense of depthlessness in even good sounding music; the waning of affect, to cite Fredric Jameson. However, I’m not suggesting that music is not as good as it used to be, no way. I’ve just grown old and nothing affects me the way it used to. Still, every now and then something just strikes you the first time you hear it. I think this happened when Age of Exile was playing in our living room. First I was nervous to inquire WHAT IS IT THIS MUSIC because I thought it was some anarcho/post-punk classic I should have recognised. The album sounds timeless consisting of exceptional themes and compositions. MARKETING - CALL TO ACTION (Digital, LP out on 8th Jan 2021) Label: Self-Released Location: Helsinki, Finland Anti-capitalist hardcore punk sounds like yesterday’s news, but the concept of Marketing is more exquisite. Business jargon lyrics combined to the sound of blasting war. The vocalist Helena has a truly sick voice, I love it. Top tracks for me are Pride of Spirit, The Pitch & C.T.A. KISS DISEASE - S/T (7” EP) Label: Lempi & Sylvi Discs Location: Helsinki, Finland A very promising first release from a local high-energy punk rock sensation. Diseased and filthy sounding music. If you ever get the chance – go see them live! Or book them.
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Ratos Alexandre aka DFA. Future punk from Moscow. 32+. Voice of Rat’s Eyes. Former president of Russian Punx Federation. To a certain extent, 2020 has contributed to all spheres of life of the bio-mechanism called humanity. The world's punk scene didn’t become an exception and the ever-boiling cauldron of tours, concerts and releases this year has noticeably cooled down. Well… it will be easier to choose the 5 best releases of the year, in my opinion, from those bands who still dared to publish them in this difficult time. Satélite - Otra era Label: ? Location: Madrid, Spain Spanish punk scene is insanely close to me. It gives out masterpieces over and over again in various directions of punk rock. Satélite is no exception. At one time, I literally could not stop listening to their demos, which atmospherically and in the way of genre moves are made in the best traditions of the legendary Parálisis Permanente. Their last release came out in 2016 and I honestly thought the band had broken up. Therefore, LP 2020 was a doubly pleasant surprise, after listening to which I was convinced that they are still cool and I really hope to visit their show someday, because I know from the firsthand how unforgettable they are in Spain. BIB - Delux Label: Pop Wig Records Location: Omaha, NE, USA Firmachi (I don't know how to even translate it))) from modern punk hardcore, released an excellent LP. Bib deservedly is one of the most recognizable hardcore bands of the last couple of years, not without reason they are supported by the most powerful Pop Wig Records. For me, the main feature of Bib's music is the perfect symbiosis of hardcore, dirty raw punk and melodic inserts in the spirit of Hüsker Dü. It is a complex mix, but the dudes have completely managed to successfully combine many genres and produce a long-awaited new sound when seemingly sophisticated modern punk has heard everything. Flower City - Demo'20 Label: Self-Released Location: Austin, TX, USA Unfortunately, I can hardly say anything about this band, because I accidentally stumbled upon them while browsing youtube). But the record really hooked me up and has definitely made it into my year’s playlist. Great and powerful punk82 with evil vocals, thanks to which the falling banner of Green Beret and Co. rises above the world again. Hope these guys will have a great future. Anatomy & Blu Anxxiety - Split EP Label: Synthicide Location: New York, NY, USA To begin with, the image of Blu Anxxiety is probably the best thing that has happened to punk rock in recent years. I think if they lived in the RFP (Russian Punx Federation), they would certainly have been recorded to the hall of fame of the classic Russian punk hardcore) thanks to their videos in the first place! This split, in my opinion, has become a powerful reference to alternative music of the late 90s, a kind of underground The Prodigy vs Orgy. Very cool) everything I love: good old "мазафака", good looking punks and an ironic approach to this work in one bottle. Stupid ❤️ Sweeping Promises - Hunger For A Way Out Label: Feel It Records Location: Boston, MA, USA We started with post-punk and will finish with it. Again, I have nothing to brag about in knowing the history of the band, since I also accidentally found these guys, but this time in the vastness of Spotify. What can I say ... again, very soulful and atmospheric, already in a slightly different, more mainstream post-punk spirit, but this record is worth it. Definitely deserves to be in my top and I believe in your sound boxes. Outro: Thank you all, it was Ratos Alexandre, I hope my top will brighten up your quarantine holidays) Don't get sick and stay punks! Хой
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We're Erik & Jaka of the dutch label Rope or Guillotine. Erik plays in OUST and Jaka is part of GOLD and Leechfeast. We used to play together in Crevasse ERIK BIB - DELUX Label: Pop Wig Records Location: Omaha, NE, USA I seriously love this band! It sounds so fresh but not to weird... also all their songs are total gems and it feels genuinely punk. It's nice to be overwhelmed by a decent punk record again! ROTTEN MIND - Rat City Dog Boy Label: Lövely Location: Uppsala, Sweden I was supposed to book this band just before the pandemic hit the world. Im a real sucker for the swedish punk sound and this record and especially the song Beat of Street is such a fucking earworm... really nice punkrecord. SLOW WORRIES - Careful Climb Label: Adagio830 / Subroutine Records / Breaking Records Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands This band from Amsterdam that is often called to indie for punk and to punk for indie is the first release of my other label that i started in 2020. I fell in love with Slow Worries a long time ago and they have a very special place in my hear for personal reasons. Their new record is absolutely amazing, their songs became more catchier and noisier and louder over the years on top of all that they are the nicest and sweetest people i've met in a long time. Very nice record. JAKA SPECIAL INTEREST - The Passion Of Label: Thrilling Living Records Location: New Orleans, LA, USA I accidentally checked this release after seeing HIDE posting something about it. Fell in love with it right away! Street pulse beat was on the whole summer, what a song! Still need to get this on vinyl, really hope to see them live in the future, I'm really interested to see how that works. I just expect them to be really intense. BIB - DELUX Label: Pop Wig Records Location: Omaha, NE, USA Erik brought this to my attention, not too long ago and wow, was I blown away! Just like he said, it's great to be overwhelmed by a punk record again. There have been quite a lot of amazing punk releases the past years, but this really is one of my favourites.
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Thommy. Hamburg, Germany. BROT Fanzine, DETOX // INTOX Radio. I play in way too many bands: Loser Youth, Brutale Gruppe 5000, Bad Affair, Antinational Bass Crew, Briefbombe. JODIE FASTER – Blame Yourself Label: Don't Trust The Hype, Crapoulet records / Dirty Guys Rock / Emergence / Acouphènes! Records / Drinkin' Beer In Bandana Records / Inhumano / KLVR Records / Loner Cult Records / Rouge Et Noir Records / TNS Records Location: Lille, France There is no particular order in my top 5 list, except for this album: It’s #1! This record already came out in January, which is a bad strategy if you want to end up on “best of the year” lists, I'm glad I remembered! JODIE FASTER hail from Lille, France and play very fast hardcore punk with a hectic, clean, DEAN DIRG-like guitar sound and on point political lyrics. If you like punk at all, you’ll love this. SCHAISZE – Irgendwas mit Bundestag // Du bist nicht du wenn du nüchtern bist Label: ? Location: Neumünster, Germany Double EP with 11 aggressive Deutschpunk smashers performed by angry youngsters from Neumünster, which happens to be the shittiest city in all of north-west Germany. The lyrics on this release are super radical, super drunk and druggy and at the same time super P.C. as well. I love it! POWER FACE – Promo Tape 2020 Label: Interceptor Editions Location: Stockholm, Sweden Fast hardcore punk from Sweden with rough vocals and an overall great sound. They’ve also smuggled some mean old school heavy metal riffs into the mix. Great new discovery of 2020 for me! KORROSION / SCHEISSE – Split LP Label: Zehnagel Records Location: Greifswald, Germany Do not confuse Greifswald’s deutschpunksters SCHEISSE with SCHAISZE from Neumünster, they’re two separate scheisse-themed bands that I just happen to like. I especially enjoyed KORROSION’s fresh take on 90s melodycore skate sound on this split. Good tunes for a scheissy year. CLASSICS OF LOVE – World Of Burning Hate EP Label: Self-Released Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Fantastic comeback EP of this American punk band fronted by Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy fame. Unlike earlier Jesse Michaels releases this EP has no ska in it and it’s a lot more 80s hardcore-ish than earlier Classics Of Love material while at the same time still bringing in those sweet pop sensibilities. Bonus mention: THE CHATS – High Risk Behaviour Label: Bargain Bin Records Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia Yeah, this young Aussie band is not so underground anymore. Yeah, the lyrics are pretty stupid. Yeah, I discovered them through the YouTube algorhythm just like everybody else. BUT THE RIFFS ARE SO CATCHY!!!!!!!!!! |
AuthorPunk collective based in Hamburg and Berlin. Archives
January 2021
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