June was the start of summer over in America, though the UK seemed to be trailing behind in terms of weather. The UK team headed to Download, or ‘Drownload’ as it was being called due to the sea of mud. Meanwhile in America, Against Me! rocked Metro. Here are some of the best tracks that accompanied our adventures. As ever, remember to regularly check out POV too for a curated insight into the best music from emerging artists.
Direct Hit! – ‘Do The Sick’
It’s never been so easy and so difficult to pick the best song of the month. Easy, because Direct Hit! have scored a solid one with their new album, ‘Wasted Mind’, their first with Fat Wreck Chords. Difficult, because so many of the album’s songs are fucking brilliant. A concept album, all about the pervasive drug culture among youth today, the songs are brighter and poppier than ever for the band, and the non-standard instrumentation for a pop punk band, including saxophone, piano, organ, and so on, bring a new excitement to the mix. Of all the songs, though, I think the one that stands out to me the most has to be the closer, ‘Do The Sick’. Nick Woods’ screaming of the vocals, in an angsty yet deadpan way, and the harder edged sound of the music, blending hardcore with soulful R&B, remind me somewhat of the Jim Carroll Band and their best known song, ‘People Who Died’; also a song about drugs and their effects. It’s a powerful combination. [Paul Silver]
Sass Dragons – ‘Downers Grove’
Pop punk done right in this track from the new Sass Dragons album, which was a long time coming. The sort of upbeat, pop punk that you can’t help but move your feet to, which we did at the album release show a few weeks ago. Fantastic fun on record and live. [Maryam Hassan]
FOES – ‘The Everest’
Liverpool quartet FOES know how to write huge, catchy tracks and latest single ‘The Everest’ is no exception. An ambient atmosphere gives way to a cinematic feel, complete with scorching vocals and majestic riffs. It’s intoxicating and really shows just how much this group have to offer. [Jess Tagliani]
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – ‘Snake Eyes’
On the surface tamer than material from last year’s seminal ‘Blossom’, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ ‘Snake Eyes’ substitutes the instant force for something altogether more visceral. There’s a progressive element to the sound, one that borrows subtly from desert rock to formulate a distinctly unique tone. The screams have morphed into an unsettling, often fantastical, undercurrent. Unleashed a little later, the brilliant accompanying video encapsulates the tone perfectly whilst directly challenging our perception and expectation of normality. As a package, it pushes Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes to an unparalleled level. [Ben Tipple]
Riverboat Gamblers – ‘Massive Fraud’
The return of the Riverboat Gamblers following vocalist Mike Weibe’s unfortunate serious accident during SXSW earlier in the year is simply excellent. ‘Massive Fraud’ continues their characteristic blend of punk and blues-tinged rock and roll, relentless in its energy. In its two and half minutes the track never once holds back, filled with riotous attitude and unquestioned self-deprecation. Having pumped out quality music for well over a decade, ‘Massive Fraud’ propels Riverboat Gamblers right back to the front. [Ben Tipple]
Hot Mass – ‘I Think I’m Done’
Featuring current/former members of The Arteries, Dividers and 33, Swansea group Hot Mass have released one of the best UK punk albums so far this year. Opening track ‘I Think I’m Done’ ticks all the boxes in summing up the key qualities of their debut ‘Nervous Tensions’. It features melodically empowered sidewinding riffs, backed by a crisp production and killer fist pumping chorus. It’s a positively charged taste that’ll have you chomping at the bit for more. [Aaron Lohan]
Every Time I Die – ‘The Coin Has A Say’
Holy shit, this band. There’s a good reason why Every Time I Die stand so far out in the vast sea that is metal. Somehow when you think they’ve written their most brutal material to date, they put out a new record. Like a time-bomb with no fuse, ‘The Coin Has A Say’ hits from the first note and drags you in with the dirty, infectious, chugging riffs ETID are known for. Vocalist Keith Buckley is in top form as he proclaims, “I feel alright, but I’m buried alive!” From there, it’s a hurricane of sonic assault in the best possible way, including a great reference to their first album in the breakdown. Given how damn hard it is to sit still just listening to this song at home, I’m almost afraid to see how it plays out live because that shit is going to be wild. ETID have never been ones to miss out on, but this new track offers a great place to start as well as a perfect extension of what fans love about them. [Mat Stokes]
Slow Gherkin – ‘Real Band R4 Life’
There was never going to be any other choice than Slow Gherkin for June. In the month where we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Asian Man Records, a celebratory festival in San Francisco and another reunion by Slow Gherkin has this time produced the first new music in over a decade. Although the future is anything but certain for a band like Slow Gherkin, they come back with a perfect summer ska tune and remind us that bands are indeed for life, perfectly encapsulating their journey from being a high school ska band to the walks of life they all lead now. [Mark Gadong]
Creative Adult – ‘Charged’
Creative Adult are back. Following on from their bleak, droning debut album, ‘Psychic Mess’, the Californian band show a more melodic side on ‘Charged.’ While still redolent of the gloomy post-punk aesthetic that was ever-present in their older material, ‘Charged’ is carried by rhythmic hooks and repetitive, bombastic beats, before decaying through a hail of beautiful noise. The subtle backing vocal by Kristina Esfandiari (King Woman/Miserable) adds an extra layer, expanding the band’s sonic palette, and brings an ethereal quality to the controlled dissonance. This is just the stunning first taste of Creative Adult’s forthcoming album, ‘Fear Of Life’, and is the perfect way to start the campaign of the record. [Glen Bushell]
Mikey Erg – ‘Comme Si About Me’
Mikey Erg is back at it after a number of years and multiple EPs with this self proclaimed “song to make fun of writing pop-punk songs.” This is what makes the lyric “I wish you loved me and blah blah blah blah” so darkly humorous. “Comme Si About Me” is the first single off of his new record, ‘Tentative Decisions’, and while it is reminiscent of early 2000s pop-punk(no pizza obsession here), the single is more mature and self-aware whilst being catchy as hell. [Daniella Heminghaus]
The Interrupters – ‘Control’
Taken from their excellent ‘Say It Out Loud’ LP, ‘Control’ showcases both The Interrupters’ traditional take on ska-punk and their willingness to say something meaningful. The track’s challenging theme is layered under their distinctive Rancid meets The Distillers sound, with vocalist Aimee Interrupter’s snarls channeling Brody Dalle’s venomous attitude. Yet as with the rest of the album, ‘Control’ sees The Interrupters cement their own stamp on their sound, one that as much celebrates their forefathers as it does push ska forward. [Ben Tipple]
Taking Back Sunday – ‘Tidal Wave’
I can’t get enough of this song, but for exactly zero reasons I have ever enjoyed a Taking Back Sunday song before. I heard them play it on the Taste of Chaos tour and remember thinking, “I guess Taking Back Sunday is a punk band now.” Vaguely politically themed lyrics, check. 3 chords and just under that many minutes long, check. ‘Whoa’s’ and plenty of them, big time check. I’m just as surprised as you are that this describes a song from a band who once offered their final breath as an apology for bleeding on the shirt of someone who just slit their throat. There have been punk influences present in Taking Back Sunday’s material before, but mostly in a broader, underlying structural approach to the music. If this album ends up being more of them pushing this simpler sound more to the front, I say bring it on. ‘Tidal Wave’ is a ton of fun and definitely brings some much needed variety to their live set. [Mat Stokes]
Witterquick – ‘Rise’
It’s difficult to pick a stand out track from Witterquick’s excellent debut EP ‘Beneath the Spinning Lights’, but ‘Rise’ just about takes it. The British alt-rock scene is awash with quality bands but for all the catchy choruses that the like of Young Guns, Mallory Knox and Lower Than Atlantis bring, they don’t often instill passion in their music. Witterquick bring the attitude and hooks of alt-rock but with bags of emotion as well, making ‘Rise’ and their entire EP, a refreshing addition to the genre. [Mark Johnson]
Yellowcard – ‘Rest In Peace’
After a career that has spanned the best part of two decades and has seen them release one of the most iconic pop-punk tracks in ‘Ocean Avenue’, Yellowcard have announced they are to split up after one final album and a world tour. The fittingly titled ‘Rest In Peace’ is taken from the forthcoming final release and it’s got everything that made Yellowcard stand out. A slow burning verse rises towards a soaring melodic chorus and Sean Mackin’s trademark violin work is threaded throughout every fibre of the song. Pop-punk will be an emptier scene after their split, but ‘Rest In Peace’ certainly suggests that Yellowcard are going to go out on a high. [Chris Hilson]