if you remember The Mega Games Two, you remember them fondly. I put up their début here ages ago. now – they are back! but the two have become the three, so gone is the name. instead of going “The Mega Games Three” or “The Mega Games Two Plus One”, they’ve settled on Mega Games. possibly to prevent future name crises? either way, they are back. now with drums! the reborn Mega Games’ début is ten minutes long, and consists of four truly great folk punk tracks. not as furious as some of the other folk punk up on this blog, but just as passionate. carefully composed messes of crashing cymbals, uplifting melodica, galloping guitar and soaring vocals. check out this awesome Southampton three-piece! you won’t be disappointed.
May 21st, 2010
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains – …Is Dead
eighteen songs that take forty-two minutes to listen through – this is probably the most valuable of all Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains collection, and it’s also the last post I’ll do on them. for those missing Chaos Infiltration Squad and Love Songs for the Apocalypse – this record is those records combined. with deliciously supreme recording quality (especially compared to the earlier posts), this is probably the ultimate record by this band. if you’re a casual fan or an emerging folk punk fan, this is the record to get. if you’re a omg zuper fan – you’ll obviously want to get all the records by them that I’ve blogged… but prepare to be paying this one the most attention though. partially due to the recording quality, partially due to it containing eighteen tracks and consequently being the biggest song collection. as for the style of music – it’s basically the same formula as on the other records. it’s energetic and catchy folk punk that somehow manages to be both nonchalant yet passionate; snarky and nihilist; ugly though brilliant. you’ll want this. get get get it! (I’ve been playing a fair deal of Skate 3 lately… – it’s a disappointment, if you were wondering.)
May 11th, 2010
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains – Live at Bandit H.Q.
as the album title evidence, this is a live take of Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains. it’s a split with Captain Chaos (Chris of Plan-It-X), but the songs appearing in this post are merely Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains’ side of the matter. that side consists of five songs that are c.a. sixteen and a half minutes long in total. all of the songs apart from one appears on one or more of the older posts, so this post is for you guys who can’t get enough of Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains. again, apologies for those of you who do not really care for this style of music. anyway, this live take has really good recording quality and is well worth checking out. the great thing about anything Pat the Bunny is involved with is how energetic the live shows are, with Pat and the audience screaming their lungs out as if a competition was going on. this is just really, really great, so check it out.
May 10th, 2010
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains – Sunday Easter Hangover
another shortie. three songs, fifteen minutes. one of which appeared on the previous post (“New Mexico”). you know the drill by now. it’s Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains. it’s folk punk. acoustic guitar, trumpet, harmonica and shouting about the revolution etc. I don’t want to belittle this shit, because it truly is awe-inspiring – but there’s only so much detail I can put into the description of the music itself. it’s folk punk. catchy and memorable protest songs. this release even has fairly good recording quality, so there will be no annoying compromising of these beautiful songs! which is pretty great, because you cannot possibly listen to these songs without getting inspired and agog. so put these nihilist punk songs on, and dream of the future with Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains. «you wish the world was clean but I’m in love with the way it’s dirty.»
May 7th, 2010
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains – Caught in the Act of Not Being Awesome
ok this is where the Johnny Hobo and The Freight Trains discography gets mildly confusing to me. I have no release year on this record, and there are highly conflicting rumours going around on forums. I must admit I’m a bit lost at the order and release dates by now (already), and even the legitimacy of the release. for all I know this is a fan-made collection of unreleased songs. but it sounds like it’s merely a live concert, but at the end of the songs there’s a studio take of parts of the song? it’s a bit weird. three of the songs are on Anarchy Means I Hate You, but this concert has no drum machine, no nothing. it’s just a man and his guitar… and what sounds like a stand up bass, but it’s sort of hard to tell, because it’s rather awkward-sounding in the mix. sometimes it sounds like it’s a drum? wtf? yeah. but thankfully the guitar and vocals both get across perfectly. so if you are interested in hearing Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains cursing the world live, then you should definitely get this release. the nihilist folk invasion continues, and will continue to continue over quite a few more posts. if you’re one of them who don’t like folk punk: sorry! if you like folk punk: you’re welcome!
May 5th, 2010
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains – All Power to the Wingnuts!
moving on with the Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains discography, here’s All Power to the Wingnuts! and with it comes fast and catchy chord progressions on an acoustic guitar, with passionate screamed vocals – all culminating in an anthem sound, perfected by the bittersweet sense of beauty found in the trumpet. containing three songs that are just over seven minutes, it’s a short affair. but(!) the quality of those three songs that are just over seven minutes, will undoubtedly leave you craving more. so stay tuned for the next update!
May 3rd, 2010
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains – Anarchy Means I Hate You
ever since I uploaded Wingnut Dishwashers Union, I’ve been getting a lot of requests to upload Johnny Hobo and the Freight Train’s discography. and while this has always been my intention, I just never got started. so here you go folks. here I am… getting started. I hope I have everything in the correct order, but I’m not 100% sure, and I can’t ask Pat because he’s in rehab (we’re rooting for you, bud), so don’t get mad if I fuck up the order. at least my heart is in the right place. at least I’m uploading *everything* by Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains for you! and I’m starting with this record, entitled Anarchy Means I Hate You. for those of you who haven’t ever heard of Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, they are one of the ultimate newer American folk bands. negative, nihilist and anarchist train hopping acoustic folk punk. keep in mind that this is a demo (I think), so the production value is somewhat lacking in places (the drums), but the ideas and the manner in which they are performed more than saves this record. these songs are genuinely worth listening to, for their spiteful and clever lyrics, the energetic performances and the simply catchy guitar hooks! get this, and start looking forward to the next post.
January 18th, 2010
New Year’s Revolution – Demo!!
this is a folk punk group from Conneticut that just recently signed to BirthQuake Records, for whom they are working on a split 7″ with Wood Spider and a split cassette with Sidewalk Dave. their line-up on this demo consists of an acoustic guitar, a ‘cello and vocals. the ‘cello adds an unusual amount of warmth and depth to the usual folk punk formula of angry though catchy acoustic guitar and passionate shouting. this band is cosy and warm like Greenland is Melting, yet upset and eager like Grapefruit or The Mega Games Two. so download this twenty minute folk explosion and give it the listen it thoroughly deserves.
October 20th, 2009
Wingnut Dishwashers Union – Never Trust A Man Who Plays Guitar!
Wingnut Dishwashers Union are a band that constantly changes members. it’s a union. it plays songs composed by “Pat the Bunny”. on this album it’s mostly just himself playing clearly upset folk punk on his guitar whilst shouting about life and all its peculiarities. there are a slight case of the drums and some horns and other instruments making the occasional guest appearance, though not shifting really focus from sound delivery that is the acoustic guitar, nor the eager anarchist shouting. the cleverly engineered line “a punk rock song won’t ever change the world, but I can tell you of a couple that changed me” pretty much sums this up. let this change you! download at once!
March 24th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad/French Quarter – Fresh Quarter/French Jihad
more heartfelt and truly genuine and honest to the core folk punk from Andrew Jackson Jihad. but this time it’s mixed up with the dark, creeping tones of French Quarter and their country tinged folk. and they’ve obviously influenced AJJ, because they are sounding more Americana and country than ever. perhaps especially on the beautiful “Skipping Stone”. the bands play four tracks each, and they are – while similar enough to make this split work – very different. they create vastly different atmospheres, emotions and moods. they are however equally impressing to listen to. so get in on this timeless classic! take especially notice of the Dead Prez cover by AJJ.
February 22nd, 2009
Paul Baribeau – Grand Ledge
Grand Ledge is like a motivational course. it teaches you the beauty of life, as well as its frailty. you only have one life, and you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to make the best of it. combine these wonderful messages of hope and warmth with a warm and attractive acoustic guitar, and you have a fantastic album that you surely don’t want to miss out on.
February 22nd, 2009
Paul Baribeau – Paul Baribeau
14 folk classics, including “Only Babies Cry”, made popular by the ever so charming The Ergs!. there’s a beautiful optimism and insight in Baribeau’s longing lyrics and voice. he sounds like a man who has lived(, loved and lost, perhaps). one can’t help but be charmed by the true joy these songs give. even with songs like “Never Get to Know”, quite possibly the saddest song ever written, he manges to push in some sparkling optimism. it’s wonderful. get it!
February 15th, 2009
The Mega Games Two – The Mega Games Two
anarcho-punk on an acoustic guitar and a melodica, with shouted vocals. does it even *get* better than this? high tempo and great lyrics that demands you to sing a long. they are quickly memorised. not because they are “simple”, as in stupid, but because they are awesome. like the music. get it.
February 12th, 2009
Grapefruit – Grapefruit
Grapefruit are a folk punk band that’s heavily influenced by Against Me!. but Grapefruit are a ten times more honest, clever and passionate band. so check out these three songs about downfall. two of which are originals, one is an Against Me! cover. all of which are awesome. it’s even in lossless quality! get it.
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Candy Cigarettes & Cap Guns
one of the finest folk punk releases there ever was. this spreads hate on white people, religion and various other stuff. with sing-a-long lyrics and attitude-punk music, this is a sure win. one of the most honest albums you will ever hear, I guarantee it. it’s legendary. get it.
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Issue Problems
Issue Problems has issue problems. and it’s awesome. Andrew Jackson Jihad makes majestic folk punk with genius lyrics and a consistency that is lacking in most other bands. they play with ferocious passion and intensity, and sing with all the heart in the world. download this and enjoy it.
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Holy Man, Holy War
four folk punk tracks about religion, expectations, cigarettes and killing ladies. it is tight. energetic music with intelligent lyrics.
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Home Recordings
Home Recordings are home recordings. without a doubt. charming folk punk that matters. find out why Andrew Jackson Jihad’s fans are among the most loyal fans in the world. download it!
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – KXLU Recordings (January ‘07)
this feels like a long jam session of folk punk greatness. maybe because it is? download it and find out what makes this so charming. these guys played with Flogging Molly, and blew them off the stage really. they are awesome live, and just as awesome on their albums. but to get the ultimate experience of this, I recommend you get your friends together and sing a long!
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Demo III
another folk punk album that rules. all the tracks are catchy and have lyrics that will make fine tattoos. AJJ are the shit. catchy anti-folk/punk/rock/Americana with serious messages. get this.
February 10th, 2009
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Demo II
Andrew Jackson Jihad are your new favourite folk punk band. punchy drums, fast acoustic guitars and iconic lyrics are what makes me so into this band. this demo album contains quite a few upbeat and catchy tracks about how much white people suck, and other interesting topics. anti-folk power!
February 8th, 2009
Daniel O’Sullivan – Daniel O’Sullivan
Dan O’Sullivan is a UK anarchist that plays ferocious punk rock on his acoustic guitar. well worth a listen. revolutionary songs, personal songs. he’s got a great repertoire. just check that Tom Frampton cover! and his own tracks are nothing less than great. Sarah Jones is definitely one of the best love songs that there ever was. also did I mention this album is in LOSSLESS quality? this means you need to get it ;)