SUICIDE MONDAYS - THE DICKIES (INCREDIBLE SHRINKING DICKIES)

The Dickies are kind of one of those annoying punk bands you just want to hate, but you can't. Their lyrics are ridiculous and everything they sing about is a joke. Yet, they have this catchy, melodic sound you just can't ignore. It's all good fun rock n' roll that doesn't take itself seriously. Then again, why should they? Originally formed in LA (of course!) back in 1977, they still are around today. As an interesting piece of trivia, The Dickies performed the title track for the horror movie "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" (which is one of the greatest campy horror movies ever in my opinion!). If you live in LA, I'm sure you've seen that movie a ton of times growing up in the 90's on channel 13's weekend movie matinée. You have the Dickies to thank for that awesome clown song... The Incredible Shrinking Dickies was released in 1979 and the guitarist/keyboardist/saxophonist, Chuck Wagon, killed himself in 1981 by shooting himself.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zbsql23dhuxpybl

RAYOS X - SOLEDAD LP PREVIEW AND WEST COAST TOUR 2011

So, this week we finally wrapped up recording the Soledad LP that is to be released later this summer on Mata La Musika. I just wanted to share some of the songs on the Lp here. Unfortunately, you can't download them, but you can hear them all you want! We were hoping to have it ready in time for our west coast tour, but unfortunately we took too long in the recording process. And speaking of tour, here's all the info I have so far:

March 18 - Portland, OR @ Black Water Records

March 19 - Seattle, WA @ The Black Lodge

March 20 - Portland, OR @ The Know

March 21 - Off

March 22 - San Francisco, CA @ The Knockout

March 23 - San Francisco, CA (Generator Show)

March 24 - Off

March 25 - San Jose, CA @ tba

March 26 - Oakland, CA @ tba

Looks like it's going to be a fun time! If you're in town, roll thru and have a beer with us! Here's those preview tracks I promised earlier (sorry for the watermark. It only does it once though! Hahaha!):

PONKERAS: AS MERCENARIAS (CADE AS ARMAS + DEMOS)

It's only fair to post what I've been bumping this entire week, As Mercenarias from Brazil. This all girl post-punk band has been in my head for weeks with their catchy tunes. As for their sound... I can't quite put my finger on it, becuase of their unique and fresh sound. Something about it is fresh yet familiar at the same time. Yet, the closest band I can compare them too is Action Pact, the English punk band from the early 80's. Anyways, theres not much else to say, so sit back, drink a beer, and enjoy the music!


http://www.mediafire.com/?ak4d5ber95lp3xa

SUICIDE MONDAYS - THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION (DARBY CRASH)

Darby Crash on the promotional poster for the film. A premonition of what was to come?

The Decline of Western Civilization was a turning point in my life. I first saw this film when I was a teenager, after a cousin of mine gave me the soundtrack on tape. I was blown away by all the performances on this film, especially Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and the Germs. As I'm sure any punk would know, Darby Crash Committed suicide on December 7, 1980 by intentionally having a heroin overdose along with his friend, Casey Cola (Cola survived). As he lay dying, he intended to write on the wall "here lie's Darby Crash", but was unable to complete it. I don't really know why he committed suicide, but the rumor is he decided to kill himself in order to become a sort of legend or a martyr for the punk scene. However, his death was overshadowed by the murder of John Lennon the very next day in New York. The Decline of Western Civilization was released in theatres on July 1, 1981... Just 7 months after Darby's death. Recently, The Germs reunited with actor Shane West on Vocals. They have been playing shows together since 2006. In my opinion, this line-up is a total sham. They really shouldn't continue playing without Darby. To make matters worse, The Germs (if you can even call them that anymore) are planning on releasing a box set titled "Lest We Forget: The Sounds of the Germs", which includes previously unreleased songs Darby wrote, BUT with Shane West on vocals! Terrible...

Anyways, here's the movie. I managed to find it on youtube. Only half of it is in sequence, but the important part (the music) is there. Enjoy!

LA'S MORAL DECAY

Last week I talked about how growing up in South Central, the majority of punk bands were street punk bands (ala "The Casualties"). It was the big thing growing up, and every show had a bunch of bands singing songs like "drinking 40oz's Oi!Oi!Oi!" or whatever. I would be lying if I said I wasn't into it. At age 14, it was the only punk I knew and it was all around me, no matter where I tried to turn to. The Moral Decay (who for some reason changed their name to "LA's Moral Decay") was undoubtedly the most popular one in the backyards of South Central LA. Whenever they were on the flyer, kids were sure to come. Hell, even to this day, if you put them on a flyer in LA the show is sure to get packed full of street punk kids with dyed hair and studded leather jackets. Although this band technically broke up a few years ago, some of the band members in this band are in other bands that you're more likely to recognize. The guitarist, Eddie, is now the drummer for Poliskitzo, while the vocalist, Jose, was the vocalist for Peligro Social and is now doing full time in Ruleta Rusa. I'm not the biggest fan of this band, but for historical purposes (and if you want to know what the biggest thing in South Central was when I was growing up)you should give it a listen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tiz5e35gka1yixe

This was their reunion show last year. It's not the best quality video, but at least it shows how die-hard their fans are:

SUICIDE MONDAYS - CHRISTIAN DEATH (ONLY THEATRE OF PAIN)

What a coincidence that this Suicide Monday lands on Valentines Day! It's actually pretty perfect if you think about it... Anyways, this week we got Christian Death's "Only Theatre of Pain", which I think is an instant classic. It's got a goth sound, but it has some punk elements too, mainly due to Rikk Agnew (of Adolescents fame) being on guitar. The singing is another thing that stands out to me from this band. Rozz Williams has this half interested/lazy vocal style. It almost sounds like he's sleepy or something. But, don't let that stop you! It actually goes very well with the music. I gotta say, Romeo's Distress is easily my favorite song on this album. Catchy and melodic with a twist of Adolescents. This was released in 1982 and the vocalist, Rozz Williams, committed suicide by hanging himself in his apartment in 1998.

http://www.mediafire.com/?7jvejhu4du71164

HIT ME BACK - 8 POSITIVE TUNES TO SHAKE YER BON-BON TO EP

Hit Me Back is one of those bands you really had to see live to appreciate. They we're full of energy, fast, and exciting to watch. I first saw them play at one of my first punk shows when I was about 15 and I was blown away! At the time, almost every local band was a street punk band, ala "The Casualties". So to see a band playing hardcore thrash-punk at the time was really refreshing. Anyways, I bought this record at a record store called "Trash City Records" back in 2003, I do believe. That record store is no longer there, but I still own this record, which is great because it is easily my favorite material released by these guys! It's catchy, fast, and energetic. To me, it is reminiscent of the Jellyroll Rockheads, but you can have a listen and make up your own mind:

http://www.mediafire.com/?96pu998roj62loh

Hit Me Back broke up in 2008, right before Asko was formed. Today, Abe (the lead vocalist in this band) does full time duty in Tuberculosis as the bass player.

RAYOS X - SUFRIMIENTO EP

This is the Rayos X Sufrimiento tape. Recorded at the same time as the 7 inch, it was released late last year. I'm not really sure how many copies of this tape were released, but I believe it was no more than 200. No worries though, as this is getting repressed into it's own 7 inch and will be released some time in March. This ep has a re-recorded version of No Conformo, which was originally released on the first demo in 2009.

http://www.mediafire.com/?bsq0b6qzb3oc52l

Enjoy!

SUICIDE MONDAYS - WARSAW

I'm feeling a bit depressed today, so I've decided to create SUICIDE MONDAYS. basically, for the next few Mondays, I'm going to upload some dark wave/goth/post punk/punk bands with members that have committed suicide. Pretty fun, don't ya think? So, what better band to start off with, than Warsaw? Warsaw, as you may or may not know, was Joy Division before they were called Joy Division. I do believe that this was suppose to be their debut album, but for some reason it was scrapped and they changed their name. In any case, this is some great stuff. It's got some really great raw energy and has a heavier punk influence than their later stuff (which is also great). This was released in 1978 and the singer, Ian Curtis, committed suicide in 1980 by hanging himself.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3hde39dt3cz5dca

LA VOZ - DEPRIMIDO 7"

La Voz was an awesome hardcore band from The Valley (which is in the north part of LA). To me, La Voz has a sound similar to a cross between "GRB" and "Los Crudos". It's fast, uncompromising, and sung in Spanish. They were real active about a year ago, but have since broken up. I believe they have one final show coming up, but I have no idea when or if it even will happen. This 7 inch was released along with the "Rayos X" 'Mi Desorden 7 inch, and the "Tuberculosis" 'Disfrasandose' 7 inch. I've always felt that this ep was severely underrated, as most people just focused on those other 2 releases. Still, this is an undisputed modern hardcore classic. Take a listen, then weep quietly as it sinks in that these guys are no more...

RIP LA VOZ!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/?kh592w6bc5i4ljl

UPDATE!!!

So apparently, this band has not broken up. I've been recently told that they're actually in the middle of recording for a new release. Here's hoping it comes true, because I haven't seen these guys in months!!

LONG LIVE LA VOZ!! HAHAAHA!

KRUEL - TERROR TAPE + DIS-DEMO

Ok, so let's get on with some music... or should I say noise! Kruel is a D-Beat/crust band that is based out of Cudahy (a small district in LA). Although it is based out of Cudahy, the members come from all other parts of town. Originally, this band started around 2008 and I actually played their fist show with them when I was in Asko and Vakraant (their fist show was Vakraant's last... kinda passing the torch there!). Anyways, if you've ever seen them play live, you should know that they put on a great live show, mainly due to their very energetic singer. If you're a fan of Disclose, Anti-Cimex, or raw punk in general, you should definitely check this out! Oh, and on a side note, I recorded the Dis-demo for them back in 2009 for 50 bux! What a steal! Hahaha!

Here's the Terror Tape: http://www.mediafire.com/?h3xe3txcrhyarhz




and here's the Dis-Demo: http://www.mediafire.com/?5opdmcqc96wn01q