Forged out of the early 80′s LA punk scene, the founders of BYO made a name for themselves by releasing albums documenting the budding scene. Unlike fellow LA upstarts such as Epitaph Records, BYO has “kept it real” over the past 20 years by largely documenting music that favors lasting significance over the whims of [...]

- According to Lambgoat.com, THE BANNER are working on a second full-length for Ferret Records. The band broke up briefly this past summer, but appear to be ready to soldier on.

- I got my hands on the new LOVEDRUG album earlier this week. I was sorta ‘meh’ about their debut for The Militia Group/Columbia, but their new one is a lot more cohesive and dramatic, despite it’s obvious radio-rock direction.

- Punknews.org has posted their annual slate of “Best of” lists. By the looks of these, I guess I really need to check out that BE YOUR OWN PET disc…

- New releases in 2007 from LIFETIME, BAD RELIGION, ONLY CRIME, STRUNG OUT, MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ANBERLIN, DARKEST HOUR, AGAINST ME, CIRCA SURVIVE, A WILHELM SCREAM, PAINT IT BLACK, THRICE… woohoo!

- Happy New Year!

From the inbox:

“We just finished recording our EP “Peace On Earth, War On Stage with Kurt at Godcity. We are excited for its release, all other info for it should be released soon. For now we have some tour dates to do with SHIPWRECK and SINKING SHIPS with BITTER END playing some of the shows. Also we will be playing both of GUNS UP last California shows at The Alpine and Chain Reaction with Shipwreck, Down to Nothing, Sinking Ships and others. It should be a blast so come out. See you all soon. Hope you all have a good new year. Let’s do some diving boy.”

link: myspace.com/blacklisted

- Hmm… isn’t having SHIPWRECK and SINKING SHIPS on the same bill sorta redundant? At least the odds of having THIS SHIP WILL SINK as an opener are slim. Maybe the COBRA STARSHIP will come by and bring everyone to shore…

Long Island’s CALL IT FIRE have their demo posted on their myspace page. The group features ex and current members of SOLDIERS, THE BACK UP PLAN, and in their words “every other band from Long Island.” It’s pretty sharp screamy hardcore, so give it a listen.

In stock over at Revhq.com is a brand new 7″ on Relapse Records featuring COLISEUM and YOUNG WIDOWS. Here are the details:

Coliseum / Young Widows “Split” 7″ $3.20

This split marks the first release for Coliseum on Relapse, teaming brothers and Louisville icons Ryan (Coliseum) and Evan (Young Widows) Patterson and was originally released as a tour-only CD that was available for a very limited time. Coliseum lend two tracks of Motorhead and Discharge influenced rock and roll punk while Young Widows explore a more dirty rock-influenced sound taking cues from bands like Jesus Lizard and Karp. Relapse Records.

link: Revhq.com

GREY GOOSE reminds me of a slower, less catchy HOT WATER MUSIC. Regardless, their album, ‘Til the Medicine Takes, is actually pretty good. I think that this is some great “chill out” music, but nothing to really get into. There’s a lack of energy, but they have something going with this calm drum-centered sound. If [...]

From Rok Lok Records:

Over a year and a half in the making, the deluxe CD reissues of ON THE MIGHT OF PRINCES first two albums The Making of a Conversation and Where You Are & Where You Want to Be from Rok Lok Records and Eugenics Record Label are finally here! These reissues feature a 24 page booklet with liner notes and photos and comes packed in a sleak o-card. Content wise each album has 3 bonus tracks and multimedia section with videos and link to exclusive web content that features more pics, videos and mp3s of demo and live stuff that we couldn’t fit onto the CDs. In other ON THE MIGHT OF PRINCES news the band recently announced that they’d be reuniting for a couple of shows in the New York area to celebrate the reissues. Stay tuned here for details.

link: Rok Lok Records Releases Page

- Bonus songs?!? Extra mp3s of demos and live tracks?!?! Swoooooon!