Hmm…noticing that this band contains members of the band DISEMBODIED, I had a slight inclination that some brutal hardcore was ahead. However, very little can actually prepare oneself for the stylings of MARTYR AD as they take metalcore to whole new level with “The Human Condition in 12 Fractions,” though not going to far from [...]

Although I feel that I could write about what happened in that nightclub in Rhode Island at the GREAT WHITE concert for hours, I believe it's especially important just to jot down the following thoughts:

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1) I've been to well over 100 shows in the past eight years that were in similar size venues, fitting approximately 300 people. Not once do I ever recall myself looking around to see where the nearest exit doors were.

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2) I will now.

While going to shows in the MD/DC area for the past three plus years, one band that has constantly been playing around is MAJORITY RULE. Although it seems like they go through line-ups like mad, their sound has always been one of sheer chaos that’s tightly wrapped in a thin sheath of emotional melody. Unlike [...]

Pitchfork.com is reporting that a KID DYNAMITE rarities and unreleased material release will be out later this year on Jade Tree. Woooooo! Hopefully some live material will find its way on to that as well. If you don't already have the band's "S/T" and "Shorter, Faster, Louder," discs in your collection, you <b>completely</b> suck.

Ted Leo is good. A lot of people know this. Even the normally dullard folks at Spin have recognized this. So out of the goodness of my heart, here is an mp3 link to the song <a href="http://www.lookoutrecords.com/mp3/10766/TedLeoPharma-WhereHaveAl.mp3">"Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone."</a> You will thank me later.

If my review was solely based upon the qualities that exist in the production (Done by the amazing Donnell Cameron of Westbeach, and mastered by Ramon at Oceanview) of this record, then I’d be all over it. However, the fabulous “sound” on “Stand Your Ground” doesn’t hold my attention long enough for me to give [...]

I don't often use Pastepunk as a soapbox to be critical of the independent music label community, but every now and then, something comes across my way that sticks around in my head and strikes a nerve. Today's mail brought on such a feeling.

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Exhibit A is a release from Thick Records by a now defunct Chicago band named TRENCHMOUTH that existed primarily in the early to mid 90s. I had never heard them, and quite frankly, I doubt most people not from Chicago are too familar with them. The bio however, truly made me want to check them out, as it contained a brief history of the band and continued examples of the exhuberance the band felt to play live and tour the country when they had the chance. Included in the latter half of the bio was the line, "We got to tour Europe towards the end of our run. That was a dream ceom true for us. Doesn't matter what we sounded like, it was the enthusiasm and the energy of the people who came to see us that meant the most to us."

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Exhibit B is unfortunate. The label responsible for this bio, Uprising Records should be ashamed of themselves. The band, FALL OUT BOY, who have now signed to Fueled By Ramen Records are infact very talented, and my anger here is in no way pointed towards them. But back to the bio…I will quote this almost in its entirety:

<br><br><i>"A pristine pop punk platter to make the pretty girls swoon if ever there was one, Fall Out Boy's debut delivers. Complete with the invigorating punch of New Found Glory, the melodic sensitivities of Saves The Day, and the smart arrangements of Blink 182 combined. From here on out, when you think stylish, perfectly crafted emo-pop-punk, think Fall Out Boy."</i>

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I don't blame Uprising for name-dropping some of the heavyweight bands around at the moment in this bio, but if this is not one of the most blatant examples between a label putting out music that they genuinely feel <b>needs</b> to be heard, versus a label chasing a rising cash flow, banking on a predictable, played out sound, I don't know what is.

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I don't have a tidy way to tie up the point that's been made, but I can hypothetically ask myself and all of you, "how much of this is really about the music, anyway?" I hope your content with your answer – at least I know Thick Records is.

For years, various bands, mostly in local scenes have kicked around the term “pirate-core,” as just a silly label for their lack of skill in playing their instruments, and for being able to shout “Arrrrrgh!” However, the MAD CADDIES on their new release and third full-length, “Rock the Plank” take this term for the masses, [...]