Review / 200 Words Or Less
Explode and Make Up
Some Kind of Diplomat

Underground Communiqué (2009) Jason

Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat cover artwork
Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat — Underground Communiqué, 2009

Any band that names themselves after a Sugar song automatically wins major points with me. And it doesn't hurt the band's cause when you hear names like Dag Nasty and 7 Seconds batted around in reviews either. Explode and Make up features the singer of 88 Fingers Louie as well as members from The Bomb and The Suicide Machines. And yes, they play old school melodic hardcore in the vein of bands mentioned above. I even hear bits of 411 and even the all mighty Lifetime. There's plenty of fast catchy hardcore with a couple of "whoahs" and hooks that will leave you humming these six songs in bank lines. If know me, you know I eat this stuff up like a box of Mike and Ike's.

8.5 / 10Jason • December 10, 2009

Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat cover artwork
Explode and Make Up – Some Kind of Diplomat — Underground Communiqué, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Cel Ray

Cel Rayzer
Exploding In Sound Records (2026)

I don’t remember how, but I stumbled across Chicago’s Cel Ray in 2023 on the heels of their debut EP, Cellular Raymond. I was immediately hooked. After another EP and a single, the band finally brings us their debut long player, Cel Rayzer. To no surprise, it’s excellent. Cel Ray plays a brand of post-punk that’s lo-fi and streamlined. Singer … Read more

Bevis Frond

Horrorful Heights
Fire Records (2026)

God loves Nick Saloman, and from the heavens, the expulsion of the beloved archangel fell and spawned Horrorful Heights. A 20-track double-album behemoth. Eighty-eight minutes of musical mayhem. Who does that anymore? nobody. As they edit themselves down to make nice, safe Spotify playlists, Nick just dumps the whole glorious attic on your head like the wicked witch of the … Read more

Nine Pound Hammer

Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country
Reptilian Records (2026)

For nearly forty years, Nine Pound Hammer have occupied a strange corner of American music that very few bands have ever managed to touch. They're too loud for traditional country, too country for most punk bands, too dirty for radio rock, and frankly too stubborn to care where anyone thinks they belong. That's exactly why Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country … Read more