Tag Archives: Punk Rock

Albums

Newtown Neurotics — Cognitive Dissidents

Newtown Neurotics

Cognitive Dissidents

Cadiz Music

Street: 10/21/2022  

For over 40 years Newtown Neurotics have sounded the alarm against the perils of political and social annihilation. They have been brilliantly demonstrating this through an uncompromising punk lead ethos. The artists behind this work toward revolution are Steve Drewett, Simon Lomond and Adam Smith.  The result of their efforts is music used as a tool to inform, agitate and organize against the trapping of complacency.  Their new album Cognitive Dissidents builds upon this method. It’s eight tracks seek to rail against submission to ignorance and in turn rally against the civilizational decay of our time.

The opening track “Climate Emergency” captures the sense of urgency celebrated in Newtown Neurotics’ material. It’s a song demanding it’s listener pay attention to the overwhelming environmental crisis facing today’s world. To do this, Newtown Neurotics unapologetically highlight the severity coming from an onslaught of climate breakdown. True, “Climate Emergency” betrays a seriousness and somber tone, but this tune is catchy.

In “Take Your Dirty Hands Off Our Town” Newtown Neurotics profess nostalgic sentiments for their hometown of Harlow, Essex. This song serenades the origins of Harlow New Town after World War Two while seeking to place present importance on the towns community. In this, vocalist Drewett decries the Tory robbing of Harlow’s civic infrastructure and promise. However, he also celebrates his upbringing along with the changes he’s observed over the years. This is drawn from examples of his youth like organizing bands and standing against the National Front. It’s obvious that this is a tune that clearly hits home for Drewett ,and I imagine anyone living in Harlow.

“Hope” is a song rallying the banner of resistance against the idea of impending doom. This track is easily a favorite of mine.  Newtown Neurotics’ “Hope” urges rising together to face today’s uncertainties.  Many of the topics found in Cognitive Dissidents are about candidly singing about today’s modern challenges. “Hope” manages to offer a way forward and more importantly the potential for a way to live. This is via an emphasis of the importance on hope through connection through love and cooperation in our respective communities. It’s refreshing song against a climate of prevailing despair. Thus, this one ought to considered along other punk lead anthems like The Clash’s “London Calling” or Sham 69’s “If The Kids Are United.”

“Dumb” is another favorite on Cognitive Dissidents. This track takes a satirical look at the absurd nature of conspiracy nuts. “Dumb” is sung from the perspective of a wearer of a right-wing tin foil hat. Drewett highlights the themes that define the conspiracy theorists. This includes finding community in the fringe, dismissal of experts and acceptance of a flat earth. Ever clever, Newtown Neurotics poke fun at these dangerous nutters while listing the importance of their emerging threat to sane discourse and living.

Overall, Cognitive Dissidents is a solid album. It’s Newtown Neurotics first album in about 34 years and neatly picks up where they left off in 1988. Not surprisingly, this album is a bit more mature in style and sound. Drewet’s song writing continues with the pressing anger and creative energy of punk.

In Cognitive Dissidents Newtown Neurotics seek to bring sense to this turbulent world and tell it like it is. It’s a sober, straight forward call to action. This is an approach that makes them consistent and among my favorite groups. To be fair, the world’s still chaotic, and maybe even more so than it was in 1988. That said, Newtown Neurotics are here to poignantly light the way. Now pick this up. It’s relevant and must to be played.

For more about Newtown Neurotics, visit them here.

Albums

The Blankz – White Baby/Sissy Glue 7″

The Blankz
White Baby/Sissy Glue 7”
Slope Records
Street: 07.13
The Blankz = Devo + The Epoxies + The Spits


Born in 2017, The Blankz are a vibrant electrical current of pogo-inducing madness. Together, they are Tommy Blank (vox), Jaime Blank (guitar), Andy Blank (bass), Johnny Blank (drums) and Nikkie Blank (synthesizer), who also fronts The Darts. They are from Phoenix, Arizona, and like their state, they are hot but not bothered. Their debut record, the White Baby/Sissy Glue record, is a lethal combination of orgasmic weirdo pop infused with the sensibilities of raucous punk rock.

Check out the full album review published by @SLUG MAGAZINE!!

Albums

Piss Test – Self-Titled LP 2

Piss Test
Self-Titled LP 2
Taken By Surprise
May 5, 2017

Piss Test live up to strong legacy of 40 years of devastatingly raw punk rock. It’s fast, hard and takes no prisoners. It contains all the familiar themes of defiance, anger and disaffection with society, which makes for a solid punk record. This self-titled LP boasts a style that reminds me of the bastard offspring of DI and DOA. It even comes across as a distant cousin of contemporaries, The Night Birds.

Dig the full album review published by Heatwave Magazine!!

Albums

Suicide Helpline — Pink Jazz

Suicide Helpline
Pink Jazz
Self-Released
Street: April 25, 2017

Suicide Helpline’s Pink Jazz is all too appropriate for this day and age. This album’s socially aware themes harken on the vast insecurities plaguing the millennial generation’s anxiety toward an uncertain future. Suicide Helpline brilliantly do this with a volatile concoction of Clash meets the Adverts style of punk discontent with post punk sensibilities. This album boasts uniquely intelligent lyrics and within these grooves, I hear the echoes of Joe Strummer’s and TV Smith’s poetic notions of rebellion.

It’s hard to just pick a few songs to showcase, but the opening number is not a bad place to start.  “Living Is A Curse” sets the tone for Pink Jazz.  It’s is a real attention grabber with a strong beat and bouncing guitar riffs.

My favorite is “Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life.” This is the foreboding song that profoundly describes a privileged  monotonous life. Its lyrical commentary satirizes the seemingly aimless existence of the silent majority just going through the motions. It has a sort of Newtown Neurotics unapologetic directness quality to it, but invokes the eeriness of a Hugh Cornwall like Stranglers tune.

“X Youth” is a song that describes the desperation of the X generation. It rings of the frustration invoked by the Dead Kennedys “Kill The Poor,” and maintains an early hardcore edge but with a distinctly post punk feeling. This is the much needed foreboding anthem for what appears to a generation of the soon-to- be-damned. Plus, the chorus is catchy as hell.

“No Wars, Only Battles” is an up-tempo tune to bounce to. With a strong build up curtesy of electro-punk guitar riffs and provoking lyrics, this is a solid tune. Lyrically it exemplifies the pointlessness of the 21st century western imperialism. Play this loud and pogo while decrying the inflammable legacy left by inept political leadership.

If there is a band that  matters, it is Suicide Helpine.  Pink Jazz is absolutely stunning and it demonstrates that punk is music that still actually has something say.  So, be sure to grab this album wherever available.

Albums

Fashionism — Subculture Suicide 7”

Fashionism Subculture Suicide 7” Dirt Cult Records Released: June 23, 2016

Fashionism
Subculture Suicide 7”
Dirt Cult Records
Released: June 23, 2016

Three singles in and Fashionism are still flawlessly knocking out catchy rock n’ roll anthems. Their style evokes a strong longing of nostalgia toward rock n’ rolls golden years while energizing their listener with highly addictive punk infused power pop. It’s a sound that twists the infectious nature of late 1970’s punky power pop with the hit making sensibilities of bubblegum glam rock.

The new single, Subculture Suicide 7” brilliantly continues on this trend by pumping out three songs of provocative high energy wrapped within a volatile twist. Fashionism jolts their listeners to remember when music was a dangerous thing that provoked passions and instilled a razor blade edged code to live by. The title track “Subculture Suicide” ” is easily for the forgotten subcultural romantics who have yet to succumb to the allures of a music inspired lifestyle threatened and rebranded as a cheap commodity. It’s a relevant track and will have any eager listener shaking all about.

“Stop Drop and Rock n’ Roll” stands out as the defiant track  celebrating the gs  relevantly upbeat and will have you shaking all about.  It’s a track perfectlory of all things that shake, shimmy and jive. It’s a song that is riddled with an electric feel of a powerful poppy nature and is easily addicting to the ears. Played loud and often this will have you uncontrollably bopping about.

“Nun of That” is ridiculously and sensationally fun. Provided that you willfully to surrender to feelings of sinful joy inspired by radical chemical imbalance of a ritalin addled mind, then this 1 min and 34 second song is for you. Pogo away.

The Subculture Suicide 7″  is further demonstration of Fashionism’s awesome ability to deliver some stirring hook filled tunes. Each track comes across as lyrically inspiring and has a sound that one can move and groove to.  Only thing missing in this discography is an LP. For now though, one will have to be happily content with dropping the needle on the Subculture Suicide 7”. So, don’t waste any more time and be sure to dig this.
—Nick Kuzmack

For more Fashionism, check out their bandcamp: https://fashionism.bandcamp.com/album/subculture-suicide-7

Check out their first single from Hosehead Records

Albums, Featured Reviews

DEAD BOD – SELF-TITLED EP

DEAD BOD
SELF-TITLED EP
Menial Fare Records
Street: 11.25.15
Dead Bod = Germs + Consumers

You and everyone subject to your sound system should note and thoroughly enjoy the sheer, brutal and deadly brilliance of Dead Bod. This self-titled EP beautifully captures a contemporary form of the late-’70s L.A. punk explosion, which inspires nostalgia for the movement.

Dig the full EP review @ SLUG Magazine!!

Albums

D.O.A – HARD RAIN FALLING

D.O.A
HARD RAIN FALLING
Sudden Death Records
Street: 06.23
D.O.A = Black Flag + The Meatmen + The Weirdos

Old and new fans alike will dig this. True to their hardcore and punk roots, Vancouver punk legends D.O.A deliver a blitz of simply stunning, no-bullshit numbers for the agitated soul. This album is filled with solid tracks, like the excellent cover of The Slickers’ “Johnny Too Bad,” but the gems in a D.O.A album are their always critical examinations of society and the world at large.

Dig the full album review published @ SLUG Magazine!!

Albums

NIGHT BIRDS – MUTINY AT MUSCLE BEACH

NIGHT BIRDS
MUTINY AT MUSCLE BEACH
Fat Wreck Chords
Street: 10.02
Night Birds = Sharp Objects + OFF! + Ramones

This is a must-have album, plain and simple. Night Birds never fail to deliver the stunning perfection of a solid-anger, no-bullshit punk sound. Their new album, Mutiny at Muscle Beach, enacts this sound through its 12 tracks of definitive, razor-sharp riffs, angst-filled vocals and beats so ferociously fast that it might as well invoke the insane speed of the Ramones.

Read the full album review published @ SLUG Magazine.

Concert Coverage

THE ADOLESCENTS @ URBAN LOUNGE 07.17 WITH THE WEIRDOS AND ALL SYSTEMS FAIL

The Weirdos played an awesome set at Urban Lounge on July 17.

The Weirdos played an awesome set at Urban Lounge on July 17.

This evening holds a promise of excitement from two legendary groups who’ve helped build the foundation of punk—The Weirdos and The Adolescents. The latter I’ve seen before while living in London, but with the addition of the former, it’s all I can do to keep my composure as I hang in the patio of the Urban Lounge. The place was packed and, while this is not necessarily surprising for a Friday night, it is interesting to see several generations of punk rockers under one roof—studs, bristles and all. I can’t help but acknowledge some romantic notions of this gathering being a symbol of the rich legacy of punk in Utah.

Dig the full coverage @SLUG Magazine!