Feature / Music
Coming in 2013: Scene Point Blank Anticipates

With 2012 now firmly behind us, it's time to take a look at the year ahead. In this feature, SPB staff compile lists of the records we're excited to hear this year, including Iron Chic, Black Sabbath, Broadway Calls, Black Face, The Tim Version, and, um, Justin Timberlake.

We've also got an interview with Portland label Dirtnap Records, speaking to owner Ken Cheppaikode about the label, now celebrating 14 years as a business, and its plans for 2013 onwards.

Aaron's picks for 2013

1. Iron Chic

There’s only one album I could possibly want more than a new RVIVR album, and that’s Iron Chic’s new record. I can only hope their new record brings about a full US tour so I can finally see this band. I can’t wait for more catchy pop-punk melodies tacked on to movie-reference titles with vocals I can sing along to for a month straight (again). I don’t even know if this is planned for 2013, but I sure hope so.

2. RVIVR 

It’s RVIVR, and everything I’ve heard from the new album so far has been great and either on par or better than their 2010 Self-Titled record. That record blew me away and still does to this day. They’re one of my current favorite punk bands going right now and always have me begging for new music.

3. A Wilhelm Scream 

It has been way too many years since the last full length from A Wilhelm Scream. Career Suicide was, in a way, more straightforward for Wilhelm. While still technical, melodic, and great, there was something missing from it that had the same appeal to me as Mute Print and Ruiner. If their recent new song they released was any indication, this new record could be a decent mix of all the previous albums. Only time will tell.

4. Boy Sets Fire

Damn straight I’m excited for a new Boy Sets Fire record. I don’t really know what to expect. It’s been over 6 years since their last album. I would love to see them explore more territory like with “Deja Coup” from The Misery index. It’s completely out of usual BSF fashion, but it was actually my favorite song on the album. 

5. Pure Love

This one is out of curiosity more than anything. I was never a big fan of Gallows while Frank was in the band and even less so now. Pure Love is pretty much the complete opposite. I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve heard from the band so far, and it won’t be much longer before I hear the rest. Sounds like perfect driving music. It’s easier to sing along to too, haha.

- Aaron

Steven's picks for 2013

1. Black Sabbath - 13

Black fucking Sabbath! Produced by Rick fucking Rubin!

2. Alice In Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

All of my doubts about an Alice in Chains without Layne Staley were completely annihilated by Black Gives Way to Blue. With the release of the first single, “Hollow,” its clear that the follow-up to my favorite album of 2009 is going to be equally amazing.

3. Kylesa - Ultraviolet

With each album, Kylesa kick down another wall and expand their sound even further. Wherever they decide to take us this time around, I am delighted just to be along for the ride.

4. Ghost - Infestissumam

Opus Eponymous was one of the biggest surprises of the last few years. Out of all the throwback metal bands popping up these days, Ghost stand out as the more forward thinking of the bunch. 

5. Carcass - (not yet titled)

It has been 17 years since Swansong and I am anxious to hear what these grindcore pioneers have in store for us.

- Steven

Loren's picks for 2013  

Our Pass the Mic feature is a monster of a read, but it’s worth it to learn about upcoming releases (and all kinds of other stuff too). Anyway, I had a handful of ideas for this list already, but thanks to our 74 participants, by list quickly expanded. Some of the highlights are below, and others like The Hussy, Bangers, Shell Shag, Plow United, and Captain, We’re Sinking all made a run for it before I settled on these entries:

1. The Tim Version

What do you know, it’s the same thing that topped my list last year. But this time it seems a bit more real, what with the facebook updates confirming a recording session has taken place. I guess it’s wait and see for their follow-up to Decline of the Southern Gentleman.

2. Future Virgins

Western Problems was a late, late 2011 discovery for me, but it would have been top 5, for sure. The garage-punk thing has been appealing to me more and more of late, and Future Virgins have a really distinct and powerful sense of melody that’s enhanced by the DIY flavor.

3. The Lawrence Arms

Allegedly this one is in the works. It’s not that the members aren’t active (see Sundower, Smoking Popes, Brendan Kelly & the Wandering Birds, Treasure Fleet, more), but the Lawrence Arms’ output this past half-decade has trickled in. The last full-length, Oh, Calcutta!, was back in 2006. Call it life. Anyway, as blogger Brendan has made a name talking parenting, I can’t help but curious to see if those tones crossover into the Lawrence Arms’ drunken, melancholic anthems. Plus, Buttsweat and Tears had some of their best songs yet—even if it’s already pushing four years old.

4. Big Eyes 

Hard Life is a creeper of an album, with subtleties that play well with more spins. The band is also killer live, which is my main experience in checking them out. I’m curious to see how they’ve developed since 2011 and a lot of time on the road.

5. Frank Turner – Tape Deck Heart

Frank Turner is an intriguing artist. While none of his releases have been list-toppers for me, there are always a handful of tracks that I absolutely adore. Add the personal tone and relate-ability of his songs, and it’s definitely a release I’ll be checking out.

- Loren

Nathan's picks for 2013 

1. Black Face – Where Will We Run / Leave Me Out to Rot

In 2011 former SST Records co-owner and original Black Flag bassist, Chuck Dukowski formed a new band with Oxbow vocalist, author and ass-kicking enthusiast, Eugene S. Robinson. Black Face recorded four songs there were written during Black Flag’s My War era. Hydra Head released a 7” featuring two of them—Monster b/w I Want to Kill You—but the other two—“Where Will We Run” and “Leave Me Out to Rot”—have yet to see the light of day. This is purely hypothetical, considering the band called it quits in February of last year, but I remain hopeful these songs will be eponymously released in one fashion or another.

2. The Cave Singers – Naomi

Seattle’s moody indie folk/roots revivalist unit The Cave Singers are all set to release their fourth album, Naomi. Expanding to a quartet, singer Pete Quirk, guitarist Derek Fudesco and drummer Marty Lund brought in Morgan Henderson (Blood Brothers, Fleet Foxes) to play bass and some other instruments for this record. I’m anxious to see how expansive their dark, gritty, folk-blues compositions will get with additional musical arrangement.

3. Iceage – You’re Nothing

Despite a variety media-drummed hoopla surrounding its release, Iceage’s debut album, New Brigade still took me completely by surprise; and subsequently ruled my stereo for the better part of 2011. I’m not expecting to be blown away by You’re Nothing, but I am eagerly anticipating more of their brooding hardcore and goth-tinged post-punk.

4. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

I am disappointed by “Suit & Tie,” the underwhelming debut single from Justin Timberlake’s upcoming album and the first new music we’ve heard from the man in roughly seven years. That being said, I remain wholeheartedly optimistic that The 20/20 Experience will at least equal, if not surpass, the splendor of FutureSex/LoveSounds. I need…check that, want…no, wait, I actually need this…I need this album to be tremendous, thus reconfirming that my biggest man-crush since Davey Havok hasn't happened without warrant.

5. The Replacements – ?!?!

Late last year it was announced that Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson were joined in-studio by Westerberg’s touring guitarist and solo artist, Kevin Bowe and drummer Peter Anderson, where they recorded an EP’s worth of cover songs as (gasp) The Replacements. (The Replacements!) In mid-January, the limited-edition 10" vinyl, Songs For Slim went up for auction online to benefit former Replacements' guitarist Slim Dunlap, who had suffered a stroke in February of ‘12. Covers are cool, and charity is beyond great, but here’s the real kicker: Westerberg has gone on record saying the band does not rule out touring or recording a new album. (Does not rule it out!)

Runner-Up: Murder City Devils. Another year of reunion shows passes; a couple new songs surface. Hey, this could still happen right? RIGHT?

- Nathan

Sarah's picks for 2013 

5. Devin Townsend and Ché Aimee Dorval - Casualties of Cool

Though this was supposed to be out in 2012 alongside Epicloud, Devin Townsend's new project with vocalist Ché Dorval is shaping up to be a pretty awesome project. At least it can't be any worse than Townsend's other two recent albums.

4. Ayreon - untitled eighth studio album

After setting his main project on hiatus to release some pretty okay solo material, Dutch metalman Arjen Lucassen has announced that his old collaborative project, Ayreon, will be resurrected. A new album (and an entirely new storyline) are supposed to follow later this year--I can't wait to see who he's working with this time.

3. Wintersun - Time II

The epic saga of Wintersun's Time should finally be over this year! The second half of their incredibly-long-awaited album Time is supposed to be released this year, and if the first half is any indication, it's gonna be worth the wait.

2. Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused to Sing (and other stories)

Porcupine Tree might be on hiatus, but frontman Steven Wilson is as busy as ever. His last couple of albums haven't been spectacular, but still quite strong, indicating that he's not out of steam yet. Hopefully his new solo release will prove that he's still got it in him.#

1. Karnivool - untitled third studio album

This band is so good that sliced bread is all "Whaaaaaat?"

- Sarah

Stephanie's picks for 2013 

5. Paramore - Self Titled

Personally, I predicted a Paramore break-up for 2012. I guess I was wrong, because they're releasing their self titled and fourth studio album in April. Their first single is "Now" and has already surfaced radio. It was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who has also produced albums for Tegan and Sara, M83 and Neon Trees. This will be an interesting album to listen to since it will be the first without the influence of the Farro brothers. Zac (former drummer,) and Josh (former guitarist and vocalist,) left the band in 2010.

4. Tegan and Sara - Heartthrob

We don't have to wait too long for this record, since Tegan and Sara's follow-up to the very much beloved Sainthood comes out in January. Their first single off the record is "Closer" and so far, has been a hit on rock radio. This will be the sisters' seventh studio album.

3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito

The trio's fourth studio album releases this April. It's going to be tough to top 2009's It's Blitz! but it still will be interesting to see what direction the band will be going in after that.

2. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City

Not a lot of information has been released about this album yet, except for it's scheduled release: May 7, 2013. Lead singer and guitarist Ezra Koenig collaborated with Das Racist and Major Lazer in 2012, so perhaps they could be involved. It's definitely good to hear we'll be getting some new material, though. Since 2010's Contra, many fans have been wanting more, including me.

1. The Black Keys - TBA

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney aren't slowing down a bit. The duo are hoping to have this album finished by March, before touring with The Flaming Lips in April and May. It hasn't been confirmed, since the band is still in the process of recording their eighth studio album, but it is anticipated to be released by the end of this year.

- Stephanie

Cheryl's picks for 2013 

Altar of Plagues - Teethed Glory and Injury

The wait is sickening.

Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance

This is kinda cheating because I'm lucky enough to have heard it....but I'm really excited for it nonetheless, you guys aren't prepared!

Deafheaven - Sunbather

Seeing this band grow and develop has been incredibly exciting and this is sure to push their sound and scope into ever more interesting territory.

Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

"Suit & Tie" is magical, and if this first single is anything to go by, then The 20/20 Experience is going to be fantastic.

Woe - Withdrawal

This drops in April and I've been given a little (ok, a full) preview. It's incredible. 

In summation: shut up and take my money.

- Cheryl

Nick's picks for 2013 

1. Broadway Calls – Comfort/Distraction

Broadway Calls’ last full length was released 3 years ago, followed by extensive touring, the dismissal of former bass player Matt Koenig, signing to No Sleep Records, and a handful of smaller releases. Fast forward to now and the Oregon trio’s latest LP is so close you can almost touch it. If their recent splits and Toxic Kids EP are any indication, Comfort/Distraction is slated to be one of the year’s most exciting pop-punk records.

2. Off With Their Heads – Home

Something about Ryan Young’s Off With Their Heads has always rung a little close to the chest for me. Whether it’s the endless lines tabled around addiction, depression, and hopelessness or their flawless ability to translate it into upbeat, rambunctious tunes, I’ve never disliked a song and I can’t say I begin to start anytime soon.

3. Protest the Hero – Untitled

Protest the Hero will always hold a special in my heart. They were my first show at age 14 and their Calculated Use of Sound EP still sees fairly regular rotation. While my attention wavered in recent years, I’m constantly finding myself liking their newer albums more and more. Their new, yet to be titled, self-released album may not make it on my best-of in 11 months, but it won’t be from lack of trying.

4. The Men – New Moon

I can still remember as 2012’s Open Your Heart finished up and I sat at my desk with one thought in my head: what the fuck was that? It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting from the Brooklyn based noise rock band, but it grew on me quickly and became one of the most dynamic albums of last year. I refuse to listen to anything from this new album prior to its release because of the band’s drive to switch things up and leave you flabbergasted. And damnit, I will be flabbergasted.

5. Restorations – LP2

I’m not afraid to admit I had a really hard time getting into Restorations until last year’s A/B 7”. Maybe they weren’t in your face enough for me or I had to gleam myself over in the stage of maturity where I had given up enough hope to get it, but it took me longer than it should. That being said, in the past few months Restorations have dug their own hole in my musical landscape and I’m counting down the days until April for their Side One Dummy debut.

- Nick 

Interview: Ken Cheppaikode (Dirtnap Records)

Entering year 14 as a business, Dirtnap Records has fashioned a sound and identity that reaches well beyond their Northwest base. Founded in Seattle, WA in 1999 and later relocated in Portland, OR, the label continues to release punk rock with a poppy, garage edge, including records by The Spits, The Ergs!, The Marked Men, and many many more. Owner Ken Cheppaikode has worked in the industry for a long time and now runs Green Noise record store in Portland in addition to the label.

Scene Point Blank sat down at the PC to email with owner Cheppaikode (pictured below) about the label and his plans for 2013 (and beyond).

Scene Point Blank: You were in a hardcore band, then ran Dirtnap Radio, which lead to the label and now Green Noise too. When did you get into music and decide that it was how you want to live your life?

Ken Cheppaikode: I’ve been obsessed with music for literally as long as I can remember. Was buying AC/DC records when I was like 6. Like a lot of folks, though, I didn’t really fall into full-on-obsession mode with music ‘til I got into punk rock. I started buying punk records in probably like late 1982, and went to my first show in summer of 1984. For better or worse, that was and continues to be the main interest and influence in my life.

Scene Point Blank: How did you determine that being in a band wasn't for you? Do you think playing in a band prepped you for running the label?

Ken Cheppaikode: Well, I don’t even really count my experience as really being in a band. I was in a band for 6 months and I have been doing the label for 13 years—it’s hardly worth a comparison. It was probably less being in a band and more the fact that I had been hanging around the punk scene for a good 15-16 years before I started the label. But, yeah, I’ve always been fascinated with behind the scenes stuff, and the machinations of the world of music. To me the stories of the various legendary independent labels were always almost as fascinating as that of the bands themselves.

Scene Point Blank: While Dirtnap started with a local focus, it's expanded to cover bands from New Jersey, Texas, Canada, and all over. How do you find your bands?

Ken Cheppaikode: It really varies. I do still keep up with a lot of new music, even at my advanced age, and try to be pretty pro-active about going after bands I like. Sometimes bands that are already on the label recommend. Other bands to me, other times bands approach me but, the ones I’ve picked up, I almost always know who they are. It’s quite rare that a random band that I’m not already at least vaguely familiar with winds up on Dirtnap as a result of [somebody] approaching me, but it does happen occasionally.

Scene Point Blank: If I got the number correct, you've done 13 releases with Mark Ryan's involvement. Where would the label be without him?

Ken Cheppaikode: I don’t even want to think about where we would be without Mark and the rest of the Denton folks!

But yeah, when the Marked Men when on their last little period of hiatus, I approached Mark and told him that I would automatically put out any music he recorded, I didn’t even need to hear it first. That’s when he said, “Funny you mention it, I am putting a new band together,” which wound up being The Mind Spiders. I agreed to put out their records before I ever heard them (and before they had a name), put out their first 7” before they played a show, and flew to Texas for their first show. (Well, also to see The Marked Men and The Novice’s first show at Chaos In Tejas.)

It’s really hard to overstate the importance of Mark and the rest of the Denton folks to Dirtnap. I feel like the label had a pretty good beginning (from like 2000-2003) with bands like The Briefs, Epoxies, Spits, and Exploding Hearts. Then things died down for a bit but, once we picked up the Marked Men, it really re-defined and re-invigorated the label for me, and seemed to usher in a whole new era. I am real lucky in that many indie labels don’t even have a successful first act, where Dirtnap has had two, thanks in part to successfully re-defining ourselves—with The Marked Men being the biggest symbol of that to me.

Scene Point Blank: Legendary Wings were an exception in how you find new bands (demo). Do you normally try to have a previous relationship before you release somebody's record?

Ken Cheppaikode: Yes, I normally am at least vaguely familiar with bands we pick up prior to them coming on board. The Legendary Wings were a major exception to that, in that they just sent in a CD-R, I listened to it a few times, and then said, “Screw it, I’ll put that out.” Sometimes you have to be willing to put your money where your mouth is. Happens very rarely, but it does happen.

Scene Point Blank: In another interview you've stated that you like to work about a year, 10 or so releases, in advance. How did you come to working on this schedule? Was it trial and error of what works for you?

Ken Cheppaikode: Yes, we definitely plan stuff far, far in advance these days. At any given time, I generally know what our next 10-12 releases are going to be. We’re also real lucky in that we have a stable, productive roster of bands right now. No one is breaking up or signing to other labels (this has not always been the case in the past). So a lot of the scheduling in advance thing is as much to accommodate band’s schedules as anything. Of course, there are downsides to working this way, too, in that packing the schedule so tight so far in advance imposes a certain inflexibility and a lack of spontaneity. Like, the best demo in the world could cross my desk tomorrow, but it would be very, very hard to commit to putting in out when one is scheduled a year out. That’s one reason we recently stopped accepting demos…

Scene Point Blank: Do you view your releases in terms of years or quarters, or is it more accurately based on recording and pressing schedules? Do you view music in terms of years, or is that a new (media) invention?

Ken Cheppaikode: I think I kind of answered this already but, yes, I definitely view the label in units of time. I’d say at any given time I have an extremely clear vision of what the next 6 months are going to look like, and a somewhat clear vision of a year as well. I also definitely look back on the label, and music in general, in terms of years like, for example, 2002 is remembered quite differently than, say, 2005.

Scene Point Blank: Is there any specific record you're excited to release in 2013. All of them, obviously, but does one of them have a big backstory or challenges in getting to this point that makes it more exciting or even relieving for you?

Ken Cheppaikode: All of them! Next question! No, just kidding.

It’s been a long time (years, in fact) since we’ve done a single by an up-and-coming young local band, so I am quite excited to be releasing the next Youthbitch 7”. The new Steve Adamyk Band LP is hands down the best thing they’ve ever done, which is saying a lot. I’ve been talking with the legendary King Louie of New Orleans’ Missing Monuments for many years about him releasing something on my label, so I am real happy we were able to hook something up. Plus he’s already talking about recording another album this year. Of course I am real excited to be putting out another Mind Spiders LP. I’ll release anything Mark tells me to and, knowing him, I am sure there’s more where this came from.

Also, looking at Dirtnap’s back catalog, there are some titles that have been out of print for awhile that really should be available on vinyl, so in 2013 I am planning to go back and make some of this stuff available again. I’m going to start with the 2nd High Tension Wires LP, plus there’s talk of reissuing The Ergs’ Upstairs/Downstairs, as well.

Extra special mention needs to be made of the upcoming Bad Sports LP, though. It hasn’t even been mastered yet, but every time I listen to it I freak out at how good it is. It almost sounds like a different band than the one who released Kings of the Weekend, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Every record-label-person instinct in my body is telling me that this record is really going to turn some heads. In fact, if it doesn’t, I am going to quit the label and go get a job as the assistant manager of a McDonalds! You can hold me to that.

Scene Point Blank: I reviewed the last Sugar Stems record on Dusty Medical. How did you get involved with that band? Do you still have a lot of Midwestern ties?

Ken Cheppaikode: How did you know we are putting out the new Sugar Stems? Haven’t even announced it yet! Damn, you are on top of things. Been a big Sugar Stems fan for awhile now, and we’ve loosely talked about them doing something on Dirtnap over the years but, due to the earlier-mentioned scheduling practices, I’ve never been able to commit to making it happen. Actually, I’m happy that I held out for awhile as I think that their new LP is much, much better than anything they’ve done before. Hoping to do some more stuff with them in the future.

I am from the Midwest originally, but unfortunately do not have as many ties as I would like. I really need to make it back home more often. The label has done a bunch of stuff with Midwest bands over the years, though. Sugar Stems, Legendary Wings, Goodnight Loving, Busy Signals, The Returnables, Modern Machines, and I am sure there are more which I’m forgetting.

"To me the stories of the various legendary independent labels were always almost as fascinating as that of the bands themselves."
- Ken Cheppaikode

Scene Point Blank: The Something Fierce/Occult Detective split last year was your first split. Why does the label shy away from those? Is it something you’re looking to do more of?

Ken Cheppaikode: That wasn’t our first split, we’ve done a bunch of ‘em! In fact, just last month we did a Mean Jeans/Big Eyes split. But yeah, to be honest it’s not really my favorite format. In the case of the Something Fierce/Occult Detective Club split, though, it made sense. The two bands were doing a big tour together, and we wanted to get some new Something Fierce material out, plus I have been a big Occult Detective Club fan since the start of the band, so I jumped at the chance to work with them on somethin’.

Editor’s note: I swear I read that it was the first split somewhere. Oh well.

Scene Point Blank: Is there anything else about the upcoming year in music that you’d like to mention? Are you already planning for 2014?

Ken Cheppaikode: I know I say it every pretty much every year, so you might want to take this with a grain of salt, but I think this is going to be the best year ever for Dirtnap. I’m truly stoked about the stuff we’ve got coming up. We’re going into the 14th year doing this and I’m not the slightest bit tired or burned out or jaded or bitter. Honestly, I am probably more psyched to be doing the label now than ever; today’s music scene definitely does not leave me short of inspiration. It kind of blows my mind that anyone cares enough to ask me these questions or to read my answers to them, so if you are reading these words, thank you!

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Main feature image by revtango - thanks! Fancy seeing if we were right about 2012? Read our predictions from last year here.