Mixtape: The Break-Up Part 2

Well it happened again. A break-up. Which made me revisit the playlist I made last time. Man there were some great songs on there, that covered all the feelings I had. This time around it's a different situation, but it hasn't stopped me making a playlist of new break-up songs!

I was tempted to just list every Brand New song ever (which is my defacto sad soundtrack) but I decided to challenge myself instead.

1. Dangers - (Love Poem)

This album is just pure emotional angst, from the first lyrics to the very end. But there's a theme throughout the whole album, with just small samples that pop up between songs, which culminates right at the end. Sure, it's not a proper song, but it's a great way to start it.

It's so nice to wake up in the morning and not have to tell somebody you love them, when you don't love them anymore

2. Descendents - Everything Sux

Before songs about teenage angst were cool, the Descendents were writing about it. And when your heart is broken, it really does feel like everything sucks today.

My girlfriend's moving this morning
I don't think anything is gonna be okay today
Everything sucks todayGot up on the wrong side of life this morning
Nothing today is gonna go my way

3. Finch - Letters to You

A lot of break-up songs come from my youth. Like this, quite possibly the poppiest song Finch ever wrote (and their most mainstream successful, if memory serves me right). Later on, with their second album about the most random stuff (I think it was drug influenced) they would become one of my favourite bands. But with their first album, it was quite cliche heartbreak/emo.

I'm writing again these letters to you aren't much, I know
But i'm not sleeping and you're not here
The thought stops my heart
Do you notice i'm gone?
Where do you run to so far away?
I want you to know that I miss you, I miss you so

4. I Killed the Prom Queen - Say Goodbye

Yes. It's cheesy metalcore. But back in the day this was MY cheesy metalcore. I loved this album by I Killed the Prom Queen. Most of it was comparing love to death, as was the fashion back then. And this song helps you get some of the break-up related anger out.

So we say goodbye
Heartstrings severed just as quick
As they were discovered
I'll break my own fall, to keep you, picture perfect
Just don't wake me up now

5. Wilco - I am Trying to Break Your Heart

When it's time to get sad, quiet and reflective, what is better than the wavering quality of Jeff Tweedy's voice? His voice in this song just captures the raw edge of emotion that you sit on during a break-up.

I'd always thought that if I held you tightly
You'd always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep and the city kept blinking
What was I thinking when I let you back in?
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy

6. Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Oh Dylan. Is there anything you can't sing about without making it beautiful? This song was him explaining why he left his girlfriend at the time. Right now, I'm imagining this song is exactly how she's feeling.

But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway
So don't think twice, it's all right.

7. My Chemical Romance - Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Both of Us

Where as Mr Dylan gave us a poetic side of being the dumper, Gerard Way is showing the chaotic break down of a break-up. This song was the first real track (not including the instrumental opener) from their first album. Like a lot of break-up songs, it comes from the teenage emo years of my life. I still love this album unashamedly.

And you can cry all you want to, I don't care how much
You'll invest yourself in me, we're not working out
And you can't touch my brother and you can't keep my friends
and we're not working out
This time I mean it, never mind the times I've seen it

8. The Walkmen - The Rat

Another song of the 2003-2005 period of my life. It was big for me. I moved back to Australia from the USA, leaving behind someone dear to me as well as everything I knew. This song was so different from everything else on their debut album, and it hit a nerve with me. I may have wept when I finally saw this song live last year.

You've got a nerve to be asking a favor
You've got a nerve to be calling my number
I'm sure we've been through this before
Can't you hear me, I'm beating on your wall?
Can't you see me, I'm pounding on your door?

9. Atreyu - Right Side of the Bed

Ahh. Far out. 2003 again. Kind of cheesy metalcore again with overtones of death. But it's just good.

I can see her now, Dancing around, her drink in hand.
All her baggage in tow, I just want to forget and let go of all the love the joy,
the pain. I took your guilt and placed it into me and now I kiss it goodbye.

10. Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring

Not about a break-up per se, but more about the slow death of love that both of you seem to ignore until it gets to that fatal point.

You're pouting in your sleep, I'm waking still yawning
We're proving to each other that romance is boring
Sure there are things I could do if I was half prepared to
Prove to each other that romance is boring

11. Billy Talent - The Ex

I'm not at this point yet, but I imagine I'll be following the course of the lyrics in this song pretty closely.

Why would she put me through such torture,
I would have given my life for her,
She was the one that knocked me over,
Now I'm alone sitting on the corner

12. The Get Up Kids - Mass Pike

You want real sad emo? You get old school Get Up Kids. All of the emotions. Especially when someone does it with a montague of pictures of love.

I wonder when I wander home If I'll be fit to drink alone.
Sleep with my memories, Pictures, apologies.
For every minute yesterday, Regret reminds me anyway.
If I remember anything, I'll make mistakes again. 

13. Bomb the Music Industry! - I Don't Love You Anymore

This song has always won my award as the best fan-made video ever. It's been stuck in my head since seeing BTMI! in February and I haven't been able to stop singing it. I hope it didn't become a pre-cursor for everything. The Lost line also resembles me way too much. And a bit of ska in a mix tape is always good to cheer up the soul.

I don't love you anymore.
No this isn't some mistake.
For the past two months I've just been getting drunk
And watching Lost and then getting even drunker just so I can fall asleep.
Every second I'm with you I get an ache in my head
And I spin in my bed and again and again and again and again.

And all the money I spend is my money again
I'll understand what is said when I'm out with my friends.
And at the end of the night, baby I'm'a gon' drive 'em home.

And all the time that I waste repeating mistake
And the ridiculous taste and the look on my face.
I'm gonna take it back.
Baby I don't love you no more.

14. No Doubt - Don't Speak

It's well known that Gwen and the bass player who's name escapes me were dating before the release of this album. This song beautifully documents the break up.

You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe
This could be the end 

15. New Found Glory - Hit or Miss

Pop-punk. Of all the genres I listen to, I don't think you'll find as many whiny sounding songs about love and regrets. New Found Glory is probably the best of them all.

Have I waited too long
Have I found that someone
Have I waited too long to see you

Maybe it's for the best
Maybe it's not for anything
It wouldn't be so bad to take this right from me

16. Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Time to move away from my teenage years and into the classics again. This song, as far as I can tell, is about the failed fling between a young male and his older, richer lover. It captures the moment when Rod is deciding to end it.

I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used
Oh maggie I couldnt have tried any more
You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurt

17. The Vandals - My Girlfriend's Dead

The worst part of any break-up is telling everyone about it. Having to explain why it happened. The Vandals had a novel solution: pretend she's dead.

I once had a girlfriend,
But then one day she dumped me and everywhere
I'd go people would ask me where she was.

I don't want to talk about her.
Someone always asks about her.
So I tell them all my girlfriend's dead.

18. The Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love (With Some You Shouldn't've)?

Apparently heartache has been around for a long time. Even with the early punks in the 70s. 

I can't see much of a future
Unless we find out what's to blame
What a shame
And we won't be together much longer
Unless we realize that we are the same

Ever fallen in love with someone?
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with

19. Arrows - Pour Me Into a Taxi

My friends have been getting depressed and emo to Arrows for years. I never understood why. I guess I first heard them when I was happy, through a friend that worked with the guitarist. But now even the tones of the guitar just make me weepy. The lyrics don't share the heartache when being read. Put it together as a narrative with the music and it just encompasses the whole feeling of the end of love.

There’s a photo by your bed of the two of us in Europe and it scares me to think of how many different men would’ve cast their eyes upon it on a Sunday morning. " When we sat on the curb outside my Sister’s house, did you really think I loved you?" "Are you that optimistic, or are you just that fucking naive?” you asked me.

 

Free Music Friday 25!

I really wanted to post this last week, but hey, I was in Melbourne for Modest Mouse. So I think I had my priorities straight. But it gave me a lot more time to listen to this band on the plane, and I can't stop listening to it.

The band is Monument and this year they realeased an album called Sweat Pants Fever. You can stream it here:

It's 90's style emo, with a way more heavy rocking edge. The album is half covers. But that doesn't bother me. The last two covers just make the album even stronger (Descendents and Braid).

Now, streaming isn't free. I know. But if you follow the stream link to their Bandcamp (or you can click here) you can get some of their EPs for free. Just click the album covers on the right hand side of the page.

With the Get Up Kids coming out in 2 weeks and Braid about to release a new album, this has really got me back into my 90s midwest style emo.

No Sleep Til...

So I just got out of the longest hot shower I've ever had, following one of the coldest and wettest days of my life at the No Sleep Til festival at the RNA showgrounds. It was such an interesting day for me, that I am feeling compelled to blog it down before I go to bed.

As I was waiting in line to get in early to catch Break Even, my heart sank. All I could see for miles was young, teenage scene kids, with their horrible hair cuts, makeup and band shirts. After following them in and scoring a seat out of the rain, I proceeded to watch them make their way back and forth between the two stages, following the popular scene bands. From one stage to another they followed Confession, House vs Hurricane, We Came as Romans, Suicide Silence and August Burns Red.

We just sat in the stands waiting out the rain, staying dry and watching them herd like cattle on my grandad's property. Eventually the scene kids made it up into the stands and the metal crowds disappeared into the stages. Although the festival had fairly staggered bands and genres, it just seemed that it started scene and then split into metal and punk onto either stage. Not that it bothered me, I followed the split into the punk side.

The second tragedy of the day (the first being the consistent rain that just kept getting heavier) was during NOFX. With it being the last day of the tour, Fat Mike seemed to have almost lost his voice. He kept changing to songs that El Jefe could sing. Although his notes were off, he did manage to finish out a very good and fun festival set, where he spent the majority of the time slagging off the metal bands and crowds.

The third, the final, the greatest tragedy of the day came in the punk headliner: the Descendents. Anyone that knows me knows I have been obsessing about this day of seeing the Descendents ever since the tour was rumoured. Having already seen most of the lineup of this festival before, it was only the Descendents I was really there for. So when they came out to play, I was in heaven.

But oh no, something was wrong. The songs just didn't sound right and Milo stopped pretty much mid song. He had completely lost his voice. The band, on their first (and maybe only) tour to Brisbane had lost their main (and iconic) vocalist.

Now Milo, Steve, Karl and Bill, I don't think you will ever read this, but if you do, I would just like to applaud you for your professionalism and resolve. Most other bands would've stopped playing, but you decided to keep going and work your way around it. And it almost worked.

The set that followed was a one-off rarity that not many people will ever get to witness. Milo went off to get some tea or something similar for his throat, and the rest of the Descendents kept playing. On some songs they all sang the lyrics. On some songs one of the techies did. On other songs members of NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Frenzal Rhomb and Dropkick Murphys came out and did vocal duties. You could see all of the other punks running out to check the setlist and see what songs they knew the lyrics to so they could join in.

And best of all, Milo showed extreme bravery (or stupidity) and came out and sang a few random songs, spending most of the time throwing himself into the crowd and letting us sing. He could barely speak into the microphone to talk to the crowd, but he threw everything that he had left into singing his set.

Fat Mike and the rest of the punk crew were amazing as well, showing such concern and care for Milo, much like a kid to a father. They kept trying to help him out however they could, when they weren't singing the songs (or backflipping and rolling across stage while singing, ala Fat Mike).

Unfortunately Milo had to call it to a stop 5 or 10 minutes early, it was just too much. To me, it seemed like the set had only been 10 minutes long. I craved more.

Luckily, after persistant cheering and clapping from the crowd, they came out, but with a twist. Bill (the drummer) on guitar, Milo on bass, Stephen (guitarist) on drums and Karl (bassist) singing. It wasn't as clean (probably not even practiced) but they managed to play us one more song with Karl spending most of the time above me crowd surfing.

It wasn't the day I ever imagined it would be, but I was thankful enough to the Descendents for giving it their all today in such a tough situation, and also giving us something special.

EDITED to add this video. Obviously someone else thought the same as me:

Mixtape: The history of punk

Through the ages there has always been the classic musical fight: which punk band came first? Did the British do it with the Sex Pistols? Or the Americans with the Ramones? My old boss and I used to get in verbal arguments about this with 2 bands in mind, he said Brisbane's own The Saints, I always maintained it was Iggy Pop and the Stooges from Michigan.


Hilary told me she enjoyed my last mix tape, the ones about the 90s, and she asked for one that was a history of punk. So I thought I'd do it scientifically: bands by the order of the year they formed. This should settle the argument once and for all, at least based off my poor internet research. Some of these songs aren't from the early days, but let's face it, how many bands first songs and demos are good? Especially back before there was any cheap way of recording them. So here it is, Chuck's history of punk.

1. ? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears

Formed in 1962, 96 Tears came out in 1966. Sure, it's not what we now know as punk, but back then it was new and exciting. It was raw garage rock and nothing like the country music of the time. This music was what your parents back then were never allowed to listen to. And to settle which country came first, they were from Michigan in the USA.

2. MC5 - Kick Out the Jams

Formed in 1965 and released in 1968. Their first album of the same name was recorded live. And how do you know it was punk? They were kind of tuning their guitars as this track gets going and then they kick it off with a swear word before unleashing their raw energy. Can you imagine, 45 years ago, an album starting with a swear word? And to settle the argument again, MC5 stands for Motor City Five. The Motor City being Detroit, Michigan. Do you see where I'm going with my punk history? It all started in Michigan.

3. The Stooges - Gimme Danger

Formed in 1967, this version is from 1974, the live album Metallic K.O., which was one of (if not) the last shows they performed before breaking up. The Stooges, with Iggy Pop as their frontman, were also from Michigan. I've become obsessed with Iggy since reading his biography and he is who I think took punk from the streets of Michigan to the world. They were like nothing of the time. Not only did they start the music of punk, they started the whole idea of putting on a show. Iggy is still known for his outrageous perfomances behind the microphone.

4. Devo - Uncontrollable Urge

Formed in 1973, this song is from their debut 1978 album Q:Are we Not Men? A: We Are Devo! Most of us know them for their slightly more new wave 80's-ness and their upside down flower pot hats. But they were still punk. But like a lot of early punks, they kept maturing with the times and updated their sounds. I guess that's why they are still alive these days. Also, I dreamt about Devo performing last night. It was weird. But that's because they were in a Futurama episode I saw the other day. And they are from Ohio, USA.

5. The Saints - (I'm) Stranded

Formed in 1974, this song blew them up (especially in Britain) in 1976. And the best part? They are from Brisbane! I know this is from Wikipedia, but Bob Geldof has been quoted as saying, "Rock music in the Seventies was changed by three bands — the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and The Saints" (I know it's a wanker saying it, but he speaks the truth).

6. Ramones - Blitzkreig Bop

Formed in 1974, this song is from 1976. Surely you all know about the Ramones. From New York (where are the Brits on this list?) most people will say they are punk. Anything before them just paved the way for the Ramones.

7. Radio Birdman - Non-Stop Girls

Formed in 1974, this song is from their 1977 album Radios Appear. Another Australian punk band, this time from Sydney, they pioneered indie rock and punk in Australia. To this day they still spontaneously perform, including a Big Day Out appearance a few years ago.

8. Talking Heads - Psycho Killer

Formed in 1974, this song is from the 1977 LP. Another early punk band in the style of Devo, who went on to change their style to match the changing times. David Byrne, the main creative output of Talking Heads, slowly went the way of art rock with non-sensical lyrics and put out some amazing LPs, which I still listen to regularly. From New York.

9. Blondie - Atomic

Formed in 1974, this song is from their 1979 album, Eat to the Beat, which was their 4th LP. Their early albums were very punk, but they quickly went the way of disco and new wave. Heck, they even had one of the earliest charting rap songs ever in Rapture. Two things you should know about them: Deborah Harry is hot and they are from New York.

10. Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the U.K.

Formed in 1975, this song is from the timeless album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, released in 1977. Finally! A UK band! We had to wait over a decade, but it was worth the wait. The Sex Pistols were everything that was punk. The lifestyle, the attitude, the music, the middle fingers in the air and the anarchy. Sure, they weren't the first, but they were the biggest, the best and the ones that made punk punk. Pretty much everyone that saw this band play formed a band. And the next few bands were all in attendance at the same concert.

11. The Undertones - Teenage Kicks

Formed in 1975, this song was a single in 1978. I'll be honest, I know very little about this band. This song was originally in my playlist as a Buzzcocks song, but I was proven incorrect. Apparently they are Irish.

12. Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love?

Formed in 1976, this song was on their second album Love Bites in 1978. They were the first punk band to come out of Manchester, which over time became one of Britain's hottest area for music from people pissed off at the world. They are most widely known for this song, which is a curse and a blessing. This song is amazing (especially for a break up song) but it also hides the other great songs they have written over the decades.

13. The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go

Formed in 1976, this song is from the really popular 1982 album Combat Rock. Rumour has it that they met at a Sex Pistols gig, the same gig where most of the crowd went on to form punk bands, most of which formed the basis of British punk. They obviously went on to big, big things, with some of their songs featured on Triple M almost daily. Following their demise, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones went on to make some great music as solo artists too. If you get the chance, get Joe Strummer's album (with the Mescaleros) called Rock Art and the X-Ray Style. It's amazing. RIP Joe.

14. The Damned - Smash It Up

Formed in 1976, the song was released as a single in 1979. The Damned were another British band of the original punk scene, they used to play in bands with members of the Clash and Chrissy Hines from the Pretenders. When they first formed, they were even going to audition Sid Vicious for the lead singer position, but he never showed up. Over time they have become more of a rock band, incorporating cabaret and psychedelic rock.

15. Bad Brains - Attitude

Formed in 1977, this song is from the 1982 debut self-titled album. From Washington DC, they pioneered hardcore punk. Originally starting as a jazz fusion band (I shit you not) they are famous for combining reggae, dub, metal, punk and hardcore with their rastafarian religion. As a punk band they went places not many other punk bands went before them: they played faster, they played more technical and they didn't just limit themselves to one style. I was so disappointed when they cancelled their Australian tour earlier in the year.

16. Black Flag - Fix Me

Formed in 1977, this song is from their 1978 EP Nervous Breakdown. Probably best known for their lead singer who joined in 1981, Henry Rollins, Black Flag pioneered American hardcore as well as the punk do-it-yourself ethic. Everything they did was on their own label.

17. Dead Kennedys - Too Drunk to Fuck

Formed in 1978, this song is from the album Holiday In Cambodia from 1980. This song is the reason they didn't get signed to a label at an early age (obviously for it's profanity). From California, they mixed satire, politics and criticisms of life into their songs. For those of you playing at home, you may recognize the lead singer Jello Biafra from his announcements over a lot of the old Offspring albums (think Intermission).

18. Descendents - Bikeage

Formed in 1978, this song is from their 1982 absolute classic (I have the vinyl and love the shit out of it) album Milo Goes to College. From California, they were one of the first bands to mix hardcore sounds with a bit of melody and lyrics about everyday things. Basically, they invented pop-punk. I am so excited to see them on their first ever Australian tour in a few months!

19. The Exploited - I Hate You

Formed in 1979, this song is from their 1985 album Horror Epics. Formed by an ex-Scottish soldier they were a very political hardcore band. As the band went on, they became a crossover thrash band, showing that the anger never really left. They are still active and putting out music and I would love to see them. Even 31 years after they formed! For those of you playing at home, Lisbeth in the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movies (the Swedish versions of course) wears a shirt bearing their distinctive logo: the skull with a mohawk.

I hope that settles it! Of course it won't, as this is purely my interpretation using my musical tastes and based off the years they formed. I'd like to hear what others think though.

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90's Mixtape #2: Punk

A lot of the punk bands from the 90s are still going strong these days. For some reason, probably people from the 80s becoming adults, punk became quite a profitable and popular genre. Just look at some of the concerts we’ve been to: Pennywise, NOFX, Bad Religion, Frenzal Rhomb, Against Me!, etc... they all came to popularity in the 90s. It’s like the Rolling Stones were to our parent’s generation I guess.

This mix starts off with a Chicago punk scene tribute. I was on the outskirts of it too late for some of these bands, but it was strong in the 90s. Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Fallout Boy, the Tossers, Local H, Smoking Popes and even (not really so punk) the Smashing Pumpkins.

1. Mach Pelican - Dance In Chicago (1:59)

Not from Chicago, but actually from Japan but playing out of Perth. These guys just worship the Ramones and try to be the Japanese version of them.

2. Lucky Boys Confusion - Fred Astaire (3:33)

Chicago reggae/punk/ska band that was actually mainly all of Indian descent. They played my old university town every few months and were much loved by all. I was at one of their final shows before they broke up in early 2004.

3. 88 Fingers Louie - Drunk & Ugly (1:43)

Chicago melodic hardcore punk band and one of Clus’s favourites. After they broke up, 2 band members helped form Rise Against.

4. Hot Water Music - Rooftops (2:53)

I saw the lead singer Chuck Ragan play an acoustic show earlier this year in Perth. Not as punk as most punk bands, but almost a working class rock and roll. I thought they were from Chicago, turns out they formed in Florida. Woops.

5. Lawrence Arms - A Guided Tour of Chicago (1:45)

Chicago pop-punk. These guys just have a lot of fun and sing about the most random shit. They opened for Frenzal Rhomb at the Arena about 4 years ago. Although they got booed off stage by Frenzal’s dipshit fans, I think they are a much better band.

6. Ace Troubleshooter - Punk Rock Chicks (2:05)

Christian pop-punk. I saw them open a ska show years ago, and they are reasonably good fun.

7. Fenix TX - All My Fault (2:50)

Originally called RiverFenix, they were sued by the dead actor’s estate. I only really know this song, as it was a bit of a one hit wonder in the late 90s.

8. Against All Authority - Daddy's Little Girl (1:21)

Hardcore/skatepunk ska. They do the kind of ska that has no horns, but is more of skate punk. One of the heavier ska bands there is. In fact, most people don’t consider them ska at all.

9. Propagandhi - Ska Sucks (1:51)

Canadian skate punk, quite political in their songs. They are still putting out albums but are now almost a metal band.

10. Suicidal Tendencies - Cyco Vision (1:49)

A punk/thrash metal band from California, although these days half of the band is married to Australians and live on the Sunshine Coast. They’ve gone through a lot of different sounds, from punk to metal to thrash, but this song is off their skate-punk album Freedumb. It was so much skate punk that it was on the soundtrack to the first Tony Hawk game.

11. Descendents - I'm Not a Loser (1:29)

The originators of nerd punk and probably pop-punk, they were one of the first punk bands to not take themselves seriously and just sing about fun things. They are about to embark on their first Autralian tour in their 30+ year career, I’m stoked. Barely a day goes by when you don’t see someone wearing one of their shirts, which have a quite distinctive caricature of the lead singer Milo as their recurring logo.

12. The Bouncing Souls - Kate Is Great (2:53)

One of my favourite pop-punk bands, in the 90s they were more of a melodic hardcore style. Amazingly fun live band, they are touring here with Hot Water Music in December.

13. The Vandals - Euro-Barge (1:54)

A band very much in the style of the Descendents, most of their songs are just jokes. Very skilled musicians, but this is the most serious song on their best album “Hitler Bad. Vandals Good.” The rest of the album is about the government reading their mind, mullets, dead girlfriends, people going to hell and even movie ideas. I think you saw them with me opening for Sum 41 once.

14. Good Riddance - Hardest Part (1:44)

A very influential and political hardcore punk band. They were on the record label owned by NOFX, but were never overly famous outside of the punk scene. However, most modern hardcore punk bands owe a lot to their sound.

15. Dogbuoy - Mozzies (2:56)

This was a small one hit wonder on Triple J when I was in primary school. Came around about the same time as 28 Days, when we went through that rap/rock phase.

16. Guttermouth - What If? (2:25)

A very rude and crude American skate punk band. They are quite vulgar and every song is generally a joke or an innuendo. I really don’t like them too much, but this song is a great parody of the Doors and the B-52s and always makes me laugh.

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No Sleep Til festival

I mentioned it a while back, but there's an official release now for the festival featuring the Descendents. It is the No Sleep Til festival.


The poster says it all. December 19th at the RNA Showgrounds. Apparently it's going to be about $140 a ticket. And feel sorry for Perth, they pay the same and don't even get all of the bands.

concert updates

I had a bit of a predicament with the Gorillaz and Descendents shows being on the same day. But after looking up the prices for the Gorillaz (at $100 for the worst seats) I think it's easy enough to say that I will be putting on my nerd specs, slicking my hair over and going to see the Descendents!

Also, word has it that the Bouncing Souls/Hot Water Music tour in December is going to sell out soon. The Melbourne one already has. So hurry up and get tickets! Well, save one for me, I haven't bought one yet....

New punk festival

Originally for me, the Soundwave lineup announcement was overshadowed by a text message I received at about the same time. The Descendents are coming to Australia for the first time. And they are going to be playing at the Riverstage in a new punk festival.


For those of you (unfortunately probably most) that don't know the Descendents, they are a pop-punk/melodic-hardcore band first formed in 1978. Unlike most of their contemporaries, they sang about light-hearted subject matter. In this way, they pretty much started pop-punk as we know it.

Apparently this festival includes NOFX, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, Dropkick Murphys, Killswitch Engage, Atreyu, Frenzal Rhomb, Parkway Drive and "about 10 other internationals (all punk, metal or hardcore)."

WOW. I am stoked. This could be better than Soundwave. It's happening December 19th at Riverstage.

Descendents MySpace
or come over and I will spin you their 1982 record, Milo Goes to College.

EDIT: FUUUUUUUUUCK. It's the same day as the Gorillaz. What to do?!