Punk is dead?!...long live Latterman

I think I was 15 or 16 years old when I got into punk(rock) and hardcore. The raw energy and passion, the positive aggression, the obscurity, the melody and fastness of the music and the (do it yourself) mentality really spoke to me. Basically, these bands i fell in love with showed a lot of heart. For a lot of my favorite bands from that era the lyrics were just as important to me as the music. In my opinion, punk (and hardcore) should be about more than just music; it should be a counterculture. It should provide inspiration to young (and not so young) people to make a change in this world on an individual level. It's hard to name one band that stands out for me because it's the whole culture that was inspirational. It gave me the strength to make my own decisions instead of conforming to a certain standard. I'm not afraid to admit that I probably would still eat meat if it weren't for punkrock/hardcore to name an example.

These are still the things I look for in punkrock today and sadly, in my opinion, it is heart that is lacking in a lot of the more popular punkbands. Surprisingly, the bands that never used to be that outspoken on political, environmental and societal issues show the most heart (NOFX and Green Day are examples that first come to mind). Well, maybe I'm just getting old...but I'm losing touch with the 'scene'.

Every now and then however, you come across a band with the right spirit. When I heard Latterman's album 'No Matter Where We Go' last year it blew me away (listen to three songs from this album here). This band is't the most technical or original, but they play their music with such determination and passion that it's contagious. Add some inspirational lyrics and you've got a winner! The bands strong point is the vocalpart: it's hard not to sing along to these songs. The bands weak point might be the similarity of the songs. This is also the case for the new album '...We Are Still Alive'. Expect more of the same, which in one way is a dissappointment cause I was kind of curious what their next step would be. Sometimes however, it's nice to get more of what you already like.

"I hope that we'll be searchers pursuing solution but I hope I have the context right/so as we try to understand each other with the weight of the world on our shoulders/I'm sorting this out with another poppy song/I'm not feeling too young these days but this time I'll make it sound better". ('An Ode to Jon Contra, part 2)

Latterman - If Batman Was Real, He Would Have Beaten The Crap Out Of My friends
Latterman - This Basement Gives Me A Fuckin Headache
Latterman on MySpace

Bookhunting

Today I went to my favorite bookstore. I had some bookcoupons left from my birthday/graduation that were in desperate need of spending and this is what I bought:




* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book) Teacher's Edition: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
* A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
* The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell
* The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Earlier this week I bought The Beach by Alex Garland and Wonderboys by Michael Chabon at bargain prices, so I got my reading cut out for me. First I have to finish Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk though, which I'm thoroughly enjoying. I really should have more time or make more time to read!

Finally Friday Video's Part VIII

Instead of hairmetal, some classic hiphop songs this week. Oh...those memories!

Will the new Beach Boys please stand up?

I like to theorize about everything and everyone. For instance, when I went to college by bus everyday I'd theorize about the lives of all these familiar strangers that I saw every day. In my head I knew what their lives looked like, what music they liked and which television shows they watched. In my psychology study I've learned that this isn't that rare and actually is pretty well researched (read about the familiar stranger phenomenon here). Today however, I like to discuss a whole different theory and I encourage you to give your opinion. It goes a little something like this...

If the Beach Boys were still around in 2006 (in their mid twenties) they would sound like:

Option A) Field Music. This band plays delightful indiepop, with postrock drum rhythms and great vocal harmonies. The music is somewhat inoffensive so your parents might even like this, but that's also true for the original Beach Boys right? I wouldn't be surprised if this band will score a hit someday. Check the video for 'You're not supposed to' below and you'll see why! I'm totally digging this song.

Download: Field Music - If Only the Moon were up

Option B) Rooney. Alright. Take one part Weezer and one part Beach Boys and you will get Rooney. Named after the infamous principal of 80's hit movie "Ferris Bueller's day off", this band plays the kind of powerpop that stucks into your head after one listen. Their songs do get old after a couple of listens, but hey...you can't deny the fact that they were on 'the O.C'!


Download: Rooney - I'm Shakin'

Option C) Annuals. A bit more experimental than option A and B, but it's a fact that the Beach Boys also had a more experimental side to them. Take a little bit of modern day indiepop/rock acts like Arcade Fire and Islands, put it in a blender together with the Beach Boys and you'll get something that closely resembles this band. This is the kind of music that you will have to listen a couple of times to 'to get it', but it's actually pretty good!

Download: Annuals - Complete or Completing

Okay...I could go on, but let's keep it with three options for now.

..to be continued!

Finally Friday Video's Part VII

I'm getting ready for bandpractice. Just enough time to post a song which I loved when I was much younger. I have no idea how old I was when I first heard this song and I must admit that watching this makes me a little uncomfortable because this band isn't really cool. Then again..this segment isn't about being cool, it's about sweet memories. Here ya go...'Hey You' by The Quireboys!

Show Review: Samiam/The Draft @ De Helling

Monday isn't the best night for a show...it's not as bad as lazy sunday evening shows, but still...it's monday... Though I was pretty excited to finally see one of the best poppunk bands around, this night might've just as well turned out to another dissappointing monday night show. Luckily I got my money's worth last night in Utrecht.

I haven't really listened to the debut album ('In a Million Pieces) of The Draft yet. With three members of the great Hot Water Music this is a band that definitely deserves more interest from my behalve. Last night they showed that there is life after HWM. They are blessed with one of the best singers in punkrock today, while musically I think they can be seen as a more accessible (not better though) version of HWM. They played a solid set and I'm listening to their album as we speak. However, singer Chris Wollard was so stoned that his between song speeches sounded more like the late Steve Irwin than anything else. I'm glad it didn't affect his singing voice (which really was great), but it was actually quite lame...

Up next: Samiam.
What I like about this band? They write good songs. There's no image. Just 5 guys playing good music and that's exactly what they did yesterday. Starting off with one of the best opening lines I've ever heard on a show ("Here's some songs we know") they came out strong, opening with some classic Samiam songs. They finished their set strong too and although some people might say that the middle part (with some new songs en some slower songs) was kind of dull...I loved every minute of it. This is the poppunk I love. Heartfelt, well written songs sung passionately by (again) a great vocalist. This band has the gift to make you sing along like these songs are a part of you.

Thus...a 'unmondaylike' show. Samiam's 'She found you' has been stuck in my head. Check out the video below.

Samiam on MySpace

"New" album Ben Folds

Tomorrow Ben Folds will release 'supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp', which is "a comprehensive collection of original songs culled from his successful series of EP releases, b-sides, covers and film soundtrack appearances".
The album (amongst Ben Folds originals) contains his infamous and hilarious interpretation of Dr. Dre's hit 'Bitches ain't shit' (yeah it's true... lyrics like 'Bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks lick on these nuts and suck the dick' on sweet pianopoprock) and covers of the Cure ('In Between Days') and the Darkness ('Get your hands off my woman'). My favorite song on the album so far is 'There is always someone cooler than you', which reminds me of the better songs from his Ben Folds Five era...good stuff!

Ben Folds - There is always someone cooler than you
Ben Folds - Bitches ain't shit

Ben Folds on MySpace