The Taxpayers
A Rhythm in the Cages
Useless State/Quote Unquote (2009)
The Taxpayers are a three-piece punk outfit from Portland, OR. A Rhythm in the Cages is their second full-length, with twelve songs that run the gamut of punk styles. Opener "Never Getting Warm" brings to mind the recent influx of groups like Against Me! and Defiance, Ohio. Meanwhile "White Walls" is a ruckus-raising punk cut akin to early Anti-Flag. Then … Read more
The Telescopes
Experimental Health
Weisskalt (2023)
There has been a lot of excitement about The Telescopes’ latest record, Of Tomorrow, and rightly so. Yet earlier in the year, the historic act from England put out another record through the small, independent Aussie record label Weisskalt. Experimental Health is the ying to Of Tomorrow’s yang, tilting much more towards the experimental side of the band, but without … Read more
The Telescopes
Of Tomorrow
Tapete Records (2023)
Tintinnabulation resounds through the astral planes pulsating waves of pleasure that wash over the mind's crevices. Electrical jolts of sensory disturbances alter perception guiding you through dark passageways toward doors with rays of light pouring through cracks and crevices for those brave enough to explore. Lawrie the high lord of shoe pondering kinship amongst psychedelic warlords has reinvented and suspired … Read more
The Thermals
Personal Life
Kill Rock Stars (2010)
It’s very rare that an album can be described as “charming.” However, it’s an appropriate way to describe indie-punk outfit The Thermals’ fifth full length album Personal Life. That’s until you get past the music and listen to the story.From the start, it’s apparent that The Thermals are taking a softer approach than previous works. Themes of love, loss, and … Read more
The Thrills
Let's Bottle Bohemia
Virgin (2004)
Foreign territories naturally exude mystery and romance. Dubliners the Thrills found California so intriguing that they wrote their whole debut, So Much for the City, about it. Their blatant references in song titles, from "Big Sur," "Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)," to "Hollywood Kids," and their Beach Boys-influenced pop made them the best California band that wasn't from California … Read more
The Thucydidean Theory
Chapter III: World Reclamation
Independent (2008)
Chapter III: World Reclamation is a bizarre release. The Thucydidean Theory combine punk and trance arrangements that are heavily bass-driven. This four song release features female vocals that mingle with vocal-like synth sounds. "Please Stop Calling My Office and Yelling 'Cunt' at Whoever Answers the Telephone" is the most upbeat track on World Reclamation. Although the band's hybridized ideas are … Read more
The Tim Version
Decline of the Southern Gentleman
No Idea (2008)
At The Fest last fall I saw a lot of bands, most of which I had a previous idea of what they were about beforehand. One band I didn’t know, but lucked out to see because they were slotted before Bloodbath & Beyond and Tiltwheel, was Tampa's The Tim Version. Decline of the Southern Gentleman in the group's newest release … Read more
The Tim Version
Ordinary Life
No Idea Records (2014)
The Tim Version’s set at Fest 12 was slower. The songs were drawn out—still loud, and angry—but they were a notch slower, going for expansive and big instead of that 1-2 punch. Was that to be the style on their next album, or was it just the hangover influencing their set list?Ordinary Life is their second LP on No Idea … Read more
The Tomb Tones
Ghost Of Toast
Independent (2023)
Atlanta, Georgia three piece horrorbilly rocksters The Tomb Tones released their debut album "Pumpkin Guts" in 2020 and are now following up with this brand new spooky foodie fable Ghost of Toast! This album tells the gruesome tale of Bill Higgins, a mill worker for the Miracle Bread Company back in the 60s. It was reported that Bill fell into … Read more
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo
Black Market Activities (2007)
This Louisiana/Tennessee metal conglomerate has a fairly funny yet juvenile name that is likely a huge hit with the faux-hardcore kids. But rather than live off of namesake alone, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza can actually write a good song or two. Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo is the band's second full-length and third overall release. Since releasing their self-titled … Read more
The Tossers
Agony
Victory (2007)
A handful of records on multiple labels, a World Series game, a Jimmy Kimmel appearance, a solo record...not bad for a band of Southside Chicagoans I first heard opening for Citizen Fish in 2000. With Agony, The Tossers' second release on Victory Records, they continue to steadily grow in popularity and release almost an album per year. Often overlooked by … Read more
The Tossers
Smash the Windows
Victory (2017)
The term “Irish punk” sprung up in the late ‘90s around the time Flogging Molly jumped into the spotlight and in the waning days of ska-punk. A new hyphen was needed for those into punk aggression and hybrid genres.I’ve always had a soft spot for violins, mandolins and other instrumentation common in the style. While time and more and more … Read more
The Tossers
The Emerald City
Victory (2013)
The Tossers top out my list of Celtic punk bands. Dropkick Murphys turned into cartoons long ago and I’ve just never been that big a fan of Dave King’s (Flogging Molly) voice. The Tossers, who call Chicago home, bring a mix of emphatic punk energy a la Flogging Molly, but blend it with a traditionalist sense found in, who else,The … Read more
The Transplants
In A Warzone
Epitaph (2013)
I grew up on Rancid and they introduced me, eventually, to a much wider world of punk rock than what I caught on late night Headbangers Ball and 120 Minutes episodes. Or, for those who didn’t get where this is going from that intro sentence: I feel that I have to qualify why I’m listening to In a Warzone, the … Read more
The Trouble With Templeton
Rookie
Bella Union (2014)
All good stories need an emphatic storyteller to bring the characters to life. Beyond one dimensional storyboards where all film ideas begin and draft-upon-draft of song lyrics harbouring a vision, the most important part of any creative endeavour is when these ideas are brought out of their enshrouded beginnings, and the storyteller tells us why these characters should matter to … Read more
The Twilight Collective
All in Due Time
Independent (2005)
So lately you've seen a lot of new bands popping up. The first thing you see is 'ex-members of ______ and ______!!!!' HOLY CRAP, you mean this band has members from all of my favorite bands? They're writing songs together? YES!! It seems as though so many of the new bands recently have become sort of incestuous, all sleeping and … Read more
The Umbrellas
Fairweather Friend
Slumberland Records (2024)
Slumberland is one of those labels I note, but haven’t really dove into. The Umbrellas fit my expectations of the label’s sound though. It’s distinctly modern songwriting, but with a wave of sounds from yesterday. I’ll call this power-pop washed in the folk and psyche rock of the ‘60s, with a bit of twee and British invasion and dreamy indie … Read more
The Uncomfortables
Demo
Independent (2005)
When I first started to listen to this demo, I thought it sounded as if Motorhead had a side project that kind of sucked a little, but was still Motorhead, at least. Turns out, The Uncomfortables are more like if you mixed Soundgarden with something else that sucks and sucked it through a straw so you could have both Soundgarden … Read more
