Mike Hale’s first ever column for Punknews has just been posted. If you haven’t read it yet, please do so by clicking this link. I really admire Mike for going for it and I really hope that others are inspired by his actions. I know I am.
Make sure you check out the tour he is currently on with his band, In the Red.
Everyone’s favorite indie metal band is back with a new 12″ plus DVD. Available on 3 colors, the 12″ features 2 new songs (I think 4 total) and the DVD has a ton of footage. We shoudl have copies by mid March.
A bit pricey, but when you read the description, it makes a little sense why it is so limited and costs so much. Limited to 300 copies. Available on two colors. All new full-length album. Every copy will include a handmade collage pieced together by band member Faith Coloccia (also of Mamiffer). Lps are housed in an uncoated tip-on gatefold jacket with glossy images on inside of jacket.
Last week when I announced that Fake Problems were our band of the week, someone made a post on our message board calling O Pioneers their readers’ choice band of the week. I told them they were stealing my thunder because I had planned on making OP a future band of the week. So there!
I love O Pioneers!!! but I think that in the past, I liked them more in principle than how much I loved their music. Not that I didn’t like their music, but it was never on full rotation at our offices. With the release of “Neon Creeps” though, I must say that this album surpasses all expectations I had and I absolutely love the album. The recording is fantastic, the songs are really well-focused, and the album flows so well.
Most of you already know this, but in addition to having Kiss of Death release the vinyl and Asian Man release the CD, the entire album is available for free as a free download through Quote Unquote Records. If you haven’t downloaded the album, you can do so here. How rad is it that they have their entire album up for free (make sure you donate a little something).
O Pioneers!!! represent to me a recent wave of D.I.Y. minded punk rock bands that have made punk rock refreshing and exciting again. They tour, they have fun, and they do almost everything themselves. Eric from OP also runs the screen printing company, I Heart U Productions, who we have a great working relationship with. And over the past year, I have seen I Heart U grow leaps and bounds and have seen their printing at places like Fat Wreck, Asian Man, and with bands of every size. The band are currently out on tour, here are the tour dates:
02.25.09 -Buffalo, NY @ Sugar City 02.26.09 -Syracuse, NY @ Half Penny Pub 02.27.09 -Boston, MA @ TBA 02.28.09 -New London, CT @ Eclectic Wear 03.01.09 -Brooklyn, NY @ Lost and Found 03.02.09 -Philadelphia, PA @ The Titan House 03.03.09 -Baltimore, MD @ Golden West Cafe 03.04.09 -Richmond, VA @ The Czar 03.05.09 -Atlanta, GA @ Wonder Root 03.06.09 -St.Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope 03.07.09 -St.Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope 03.08.09 -St.Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope 03.18.09 -San Antonio, TX @ Rock Bottom
Make sure you go see them and give them a hi-five from Vinyl Collective. If you like what you hear, make sure you pick up their latest album “Neon Creeps” and you start exploring their catalog (good luck trying to collect it all as they have so many different records). Actually if anyone out there has a list of their full discography please post it as a comment.
You can buy some of their releases and their new album through us at this link.
Today’s installment of “Song of the Day” is brought to you by our own Ralph Eberhard.
I love Osker. I can’t believe “Treatment 5″ was released 9 years ago. It’s just snotty kids playing some Punk, right up my alley. You’re not going to find anything groundbreaking here but it’s just good, fast music. Probably half the songs on this record are about being stabbed in the back or telling someone to fuck off which everyone needs to hear once-in-awhile. I wish I could have found some downloadable tracks for “13″ or “Radio”, two of my favorite songs off the album but “Two Faced” ain’t too shabby.
I think everyone hated Osker, if not the music then the band themselves. I always remember hearing stories about what huge assholes they were to fans and pretty much everyone. Ahh, the good old days. Unfortunately, the curse of me liking the band struck after they released “Idle Will Kill” and then they broke up. Well, at least we got 2 records out of them. Hopefully someday “Idle Will Kill” on vinyl will see the light of day. That would be pretty awesome.
The only downside to Osker is that my ex-girlfriend from 9 years liked them also. She sucked. If you see her, tell her she sucks.
The song, “Two Faced” is the 12th track off of “Treatment 5″. You can’t directly download the song but it’s on the left side player here.
As the Song of the Day continues, you can find past installments here. You will also notice that each week’s streaming player will have each Song of the Day added so that by week’s end, there will be 5 songs. We hope you like the track. Thanks Ralph.
This record is free with any order you place (only 1 copy per person). Our friends at Temporary Residence have been so kind as to give us these overstock records (they have a little wear on the jackets) for absolutely free. Since our store makes us put a value for each item, the cost is actually 1 penny. We have 100 records on colored vinyl and it is yours free if you order anything.
A truly honest, intense and dark album based as a narrative story of a man’s life set to a volatile soundtrack of hardcore fury, punk melody and metal technicality. Defeater has elements of Fugazi, Botch, Minor Threat and Modern Life Is War. Initially released on Topshelf Records, a label owned by Bridge Nine employee Seth Decoteau, Bridge Nine recognized the talent and passion of both Decoteau and Defeater and are now teaming up to get this incredible debut full-length out to the whole world. Vinyl version includes a 12″x24″ poster insert.
We are excited to announce the eighth release of our Under the Influence series. The series finds bands we love recording songs that have influenced their song writing. The artwork is being done by the very talented Mitch Clem and Nation of Amanda who has been asked to make his own renditions of the album art that the song being covered originally appeared. For this eighth release, Austin Lucas is covering “To Daddy” by Dolly Parton and Frank Turner is covering “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen. The 7″s will come with a coupon that will allow you to download the tracks as mp3s. The 7″ will be pressed as an edition of 1,000 copies.
300 on Red/White color in color 700 on White/Black half and half
The Pre-order will be posted tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th. Where is 7 you might ask? We have the master, just waiting on Mitch to finish the OWTH side. I guess it has been a lot more work than he thought. What is #9? Two Cow Garage and Jr. Juggernaut. Fuck yeah!
Punknews.org is proud to present a new feature from Suburban Home’s Mike Hale (Gunmoll, In The Red) called “For Those Still Standing”. Mike packed up his belongings, moved out of his apartment, and committed himself to literally living as a touring musician. For the next while, Mike is going to be checking in to share his experiences. Mike Hale had this to say:
My name is Mike Hale. I’m 34 years old, and today was the last day of my life. I packed up my tools with a little extra care at the end of my work day today. Who knows when they’ll be used again. Did i mention that I’m a carpenter / was a carpenter?
That’s kind of the problem. Ive been wanting a different life for so long. I cant’ remember a time when i wasn’t wishing for it.
I play guitar and sing a little too. That, also being part of the problem. it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. so much so, that everyday, I spend almost every minute day-dreaming about it……..
Gave my boss notice, sold my truck, have a safe place to store all my personal shit. I’m going on tour… full time. By full time I mean that from now on my occupation will solely consist of playing music. I will either be touring on my own or with In The Red. I’m leaving this life behind.
His first post should be up this afternoon. We are really proud of Mike and really excited for him, too. We urge everyone to read his posts on Punknews and support him and his band, In the Red, whenever possible. We will be sure to let you know as each column is posted. Speaking of In the Red, the band starts a tour tonight in Ventura. Here are the tour dates:
2/25/2009 Ventura, CA @ Nicholby’s Tavern 2/26/2009 San Jose, CA @ The Caravan 2/27/2009 Berkeley, CA @ Gilman st 2/28/2009 Colorado Springs, CO @ Triple Nickel Tavern 3/1/2009 Denver, CO @ Three Kings Tavern 3/3/2009 Chicago, IL @ The Subterranean 3/4/2009 Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar 3/5/2009 Toronto, Ontario @ The Smiling Buddha 3/6/2009 Ottawa @ TBA 3/7/2009 Montreal @ TBA 3/8/2009 Montreal, Quebec @ Quai Des Brumes 3/9/2009 Hallowell, ME @ Higher Ground Coffee House 3/10/2009 New York City, NY @ The Cameo 3/11/2009 Washington, DC @ The Red and Black Bar 3/12/2009 Richmond, VA @ Nara Sushi 3/13/2009 Carrboro, VA @ The Reservoir 3/14/2009 Charlotte, SC @ The Milestone 3/15/2009 Gainesville, FL @ Keith’s House 3/16/2009 Gainesville, FL @ Dirty Nelly’s 3/18/2009 San Antonio, TX @ TBA 3/20/2009 Phoenix, AZ @ Jugheads
February 26, 2009 
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