Unhappy with the current state of ska music, We Are The Union decided to stick out their own necks and tried to change things for the better in the summer of 2005. Getting a paycheck is not on their agenda. Instead of following typical ska punk conventions, WATU takes a harder-nosed approach to the genre. With influences ranging from Philadelphia/New Jersey favorites Lifetime and Kid Dynamite, to bands like Slapstick and This Is A Standoff, they rage with the best of them while still retaining a heightened sense of melody.
“We Make Thunder–yes, it’s a declarative statement. After all, it ought to be. Because, you see, it’s what they do. And We Make Thunder does not mince words. “Well, what type of thunder do they make? What does thunder constructed by them entail?” Well, the best way to determine the answers to these questions is to take a listen, but if we must… The base is country-stained punk or it could be punk-tinged country, but let’s eschew the arbitrary and call it rock ‘n’ roll. They’re an unassuming band of hellions. This is no more evident than in one of their favorite catch phrases. They’re known to quip, “We’re good for the no reason.” There you have it. They’re interested in everybody having a root ‘n’ toot. Yes, they know that one day their rock will take over the world, but for now, they’re satisfied winning over the folks watching them make their thunder this night. They’re a tolerant, accepting bunch. Upon seeing them live, you’ll become one of them, singing and shouting along, “We Make Thunder!” -S.B.
Weedeater was born the mid-’90s, in Wilmington, NC, originally taking shape as a side project of vocalist/bassist “Dixie” Dave Collins, who was otherwise engaged with sludge metal cult favorites Buzzov*en at the time. However, upon that band’s official demise in 1998, Collins was free to concentrate his efforts on Weedeater, which released two sludgecore albums to kick off the new millennium: 2001’s And Justice for Y’All and 2002’s Sixteen Tons, both produced by stoner specialist Billy Anderson. Collins later decided to tour briefly as bass player for Bongzilla and also found time to lend his four strings to Wilmington neighbors, Sourvein, but continued to work with Weedeater guitarist Shep and drummer Keko, touring relentlessly over the years, with the likes of C.O.C. and Alabama Thunderpussy. Busy as he was, Collins and co. finally got around to recording their third long-player, God Luck and Good Speed, which was release through Southern Lord in 2007. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi
Voice Of Addiction are politically charged and socially conscious Chicago based punk-rockers. V.o.A. has been around since 2004 doing over 1,500 shows across North America. Having 8 official releases & independently selling over 10,000 physical copies (as well as being involved in countless compilations, and digital sales) these boys have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. V.o.A. has been featured in the video games Skateboard Party 1-3, Snowboard Party 1-2 & Playbook. A feature length documentary on V.o.A. entitled “Punk Band” is out on all major outlets. The new full-length “Divided States” was released 8/5/22. The Video for Shinigami was just released & WON Chicago Indie Music Awards. And we are about to release another video for Division Complex.
In their 24 years of existence, the Voodoo Glow Skulls have an impressive list of achievements. 9 albums, one million records sold, appearances in exotic locations like Brazil and Japan as well as the creation of a record store, record label, recording studio and a music venue attests to the remarkable creativity and energy of the band. Formed in 1988, Voodoo Glow Skulls meshed hardcore punk, traditional ska, tough guitar riffs and the Mexican music of their roots to create the prototype for the West Coast ska-core sound. Unflinchingly honest, their songs often used humor to comment on harsh political realities – from racial inequity to unrest overseas. Singing in both Spanish and English, Voodoo Glow Skulls’ bilingual musical tradition has been a hallmark of the band since they began.
The core of the band since the beginning has been the three Casillas brothers, Frank, Eddie and Jorge. With a list of accomplishments that might make some bands ready to slow their pace, the band shows no signs of slowing down. Voodoo Glow Skulls dubbed their sound “California street music” – a perfect description of their high octane mix of rock, punk, ska and hardcore.
Voodoo Glow Skulls 9th studio album “Break the Spell” was released on January 17th on Smelvis Records and is available now!
Vortis is an ultra-concentrated, old-school explosion of second wave punk rock ruckus. Their sub-two minute songs epitomize Chicago punk rock and feature all of the hooks with with none of the frills.
If playing the sub-sub-genre game, this Chicago three-piece belongs in the punk-before-industrialization section next to bands like Naked Raygun, Dwarves, and Hüsker Dü. This trio requires no coasts for their wave of punk rock, only those big throaty guitars and throat-shredding vocals with pointed messages anxiously crafted for the latest round of geopolitical oblivion.
“I’ve never been able to find a live band in New York as consistently thrilling and funny and fun as the Waco Brothers.” —Author and former Chicagoan Sarah Vowell interview on the Chicagoist.
Ladies and gentlemen, quite possibly the best live rock band on the planet. We’ve seen them a hundred and sixty seven times, and the Waco Brothers never fail to entertain with their train wreck approach to country. Subtlety is for the weak, so they’ve chosen the path of optimum mayhem and tomfoolery. In their rollicking career, they have been called everything from the flagship act of the alternative country “movement” to pure butchery. Both are likely to be correct.
The line-up, in case you haven’t been paying attention: Jon Langford (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts), Joe Camarillo, Alan Doughty (Jesus Jones), Deano (Dollar Store, Wreck) and Tracy Dear (World’s Greatest Living Englishman).
In a world of corporate-sponsored tours by lame-o alt-rockers complaining about their hotel suites and “country” stars who owe more to Boston than Bakersfield, the Wacos go out every night and play as if their lives depended on it. Their shows at SXSW and CMJ are legendary, and every year threaten to actually collapse under the weight of their runaway brilliance. If you’re not drunk, sweaty and out of money at the end of one of their shows, then brother, we pity you.
“…and dancers of all stripes jumped into the uproar on the tiny platform of a stage, seemingly destroying the barrier between band and audience. As the last bits of the tumultuous sound faded away, the crowd picked up the slack, cheering with all their might. A feeling of exhilaration permeated the air, leaving all assembled smiling the knowing smile. They’d been to rock & roll nirvana, and life just couldn’t be any better.” —Austin Chronicle SXSW
Their mix of hellfire country and mournful punk truly inspire. They are working to save music so you don’t have to.
“The band’s songbook is filled with political parables fused to a lost highway aesthetic and loads of black humor… pass the bottle and turn up the jukebox.” —Time Out Chicago
“What makes the band a force to behold live is their refusal of subtlety. With three lead singers, a three-guitar lineup and a punk rock rhythm section, the band commits at a high level and rarely relents.” —The Daily Herald
“The Wacos infuse lefty outrage into rollicking roots songs that lambaste Bush, Christian conservatives, commercial radio, and society in general enough to please any political hardcore band.” —Onion A.V. Club
Modern thrash titans WARBRINGER are thrilled to announce their highly anticipated new album, Wrath And Ruin, out March 14, 2025 via Napalm Records. With 20 years of history and millions of cross platform streams in their wake, ‘best of the year’ nods from the likes of Loudwire and Consequence on 2020’s Weapons Of Tomorrow, and now gearing up for a massive European tour with Decapitated and Cryptopsy this spring, WARBRINGER is poised for their next global assault with their seventh full-length studio release.
On Wrath And Ruin, WARBRINGER continues their furious assault against the powers that be with eight new explosive rippers lyrically focused on inspiring listeners to recognize strength in numbers and actualize their class power. The album features pristine production by Mark Lewis, famous for his work with Cannibal Corpse, Trivium, and The Black Dahlia Murder, mastering by Justin Shturtz (Testament, Sepultura, MachineHead), and album art by the legendary Andreas Marschall, famous for his work with Kreator, Obituary, and In Flames amongst others.
Alongside the album announcement, WARBRINGER have unleashed the breakneck speed metal ripper “A Better World”, lambasting ignorant optimism with forked tongue. The track arrives with ahigh octane official music video.
Valient Thorr combine high energy speed rock-n-roll, sweat drenched heavy metal, and ass-shaking punk gospel. With Total Universe Man, Valient Thorr lay down a meaty slab of rock AND roll that cannot be tamed. You won’t hear about this kind of action on the news in the United States. The true call has gone out to and has already hit countries like the Ukraine and Uzbekistan and the results have been Earth shattering! These dudes know how to take it to the streets! It’s the fervor that America needs! That’s the sheer power, energy, and attack that Valient Thorr have, Total Freedom, Total World, Total Sky, Total Package, Total Universe, Man!
