Punk Rock Record Reviews: The Best of 2024, Part Six.
Links: Punk Rock Record Reviews Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five.
I listen primarily to punk, with my preferred sub-genre being street punk. Speed rock, garage, skate punk, hardcore, pop punk, oi!, ska, grindcore, and even rockabilly fit the bill if done right. If I can catch a live show, it gives the release an edge. Here are a few releases from 2024 that I recommend you check out. These are in no particular order, however I’m only reviewing releases in contention for the year's top releases. If I’m reviewing it, I liked it. When the New Year rolls around, I’ll put them in order, and do a final article of the best of the best. Drop a comment at the bottom if there is a 2024 release you think I should check out; I most definitely will.
Zeke “Snake Eyes”
Released: October 4, 2024
Format: Vinyl 7”
Label: Hound Gawd! Records
From: Seattle, WA
I’m not sure why, but Zeke seems to be releasing their new records only on vinyl (i.e., no streaming platforms, including YouTube and Bandcamp). I still haven’t been able to review the Zeke/Cosmic Psychos split 7” because I can’t find it anywhere to listen to it (I currently only play digital, although I’m feeling like a return to vinyl may be in my future). Today was my lucky day, as Zeke’s label sent this one to In-Spite Magazine for review. And of course, I’m a huge Zeke fan, so it went right to me.
If you haven’t read my rundown of the Zeke pool party at Punk Rock Bowling last year, read that to find out everything you need to know about them. This single rules, with “Snake Eyes” being a little slower and then back to break-neck speed for “The Knife.”. This is as good as anything they have done (during a career that has spanned over 30 years). Since I can’t give you a video from this release, I’ll leave you with my all-time favorite Zeke song (“Let’s Get Drugs”). If you aren’t already a fan, Zeke is speed rock at its best (they practically define the genre), and I can’t imagine any self-respecting punk or hardcore fan not loving them as well. I’ve got this single on repeat, it’s already played about 10 times through, and I’m not done yet.
Kill Lincoln “No Normal”
Released: September 27, 2024
Format: 12” vinyl, digital download
Label: Bad Time Records
From: Washington, D.C.
There was a time (in my early days of punk) when I shied away from ska bands, even with Operation Ivy in the mix. But then bands like The Suicide Machines, Against All Authority, Rancid, and Less Than Jake got really, really good (ska but also fast and punk). So nowadays, I give them all a listen. Kill Lincoln fits into the category of ska punk that I really like. The very first song on this release, “I’m Fine (I Lied)”, is killer and drew me right in. They have horns, and slow parts, but I would also expect a mosh pit at their shows and the melodies are just right. I’m guessing this will be a top band for ska fans, but straight up punk fans would want to check this out too. Fans of The Suicide Machines, Mustard Plug, Operation Ivy, Against All Authority, Less Than Jake, and even NOFX would want to get this.
The Last Gang “Obscene Daydreams”
Released: September 20, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
From: California
I first saw The Last Gang live in 2021 at Punk In The Park (the original festival in California, before they started the road trip), and they were amazing. I ended up catching them a couple more times in 2022 when they toured with Teenage Bottlerocket and later Bad Cop/Bad Cop. Their “Keep Them Counting” LP is a classic, with the songs “Blood Drunk," “Sing For Your Supper,” and “Salvation For Wolves” getting hours worth of play on my iPod over the last couple of years. They also did a split with another of my favorite bands, The Drowns (that is very good company). Given all that, I was excited to see them come out with a new album and picked it up right away.
This new album is out on Fat Wreck Chords, which I guess is the big time for a punk band (and well deserved for The Last Gang). I prefer my music faster and crazier than most of this; they seem to be going in the opposite direction. But, overall, this is still very good, and I love their sound (and especially Brenna Red’s smoky voice). A few of the songs pick up the speed and remind me that they are a punk band. While, but I’m hoping in the future they do faster songs and scream more. My favorites were “NRA Back 2 School” and "Madness."
GEL “Persona”
Released: August 16, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, digital download
Label: Self released
From: New Jersey
I just saw GEL at Riot Fest in Chicago, and they were fantastic. It rained, the pit was mud (and the mosh pit was going), and it was a blast. This band is serious hardcore, with a pounding bass drum and clean guitars that gives them hints of D-beat and metal. Female vocalist Sami Kaiser is perfect. This is a 5-song EP, where each song has a one-word name ("Mirage," "Shame," “Persona”, “Martyr”, and “Vanity”). The title song is my favorite, but all of the songs have a similar energy and sound. Fans of Anklebiter, Bad Beat, Eyes of Salt, NUTT, The Pill or just really good hardcore/D-beat will love this. I’m already looking forward to seeing them again, hopefully they come out to one of the Detroit hardcore festivals (Black Christmas or Tied Down would be perfect).
Corrupt Faith “Not My War”
Released: September 23, 2024
Format: Digital download
Label: Self released
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Ultra fast (5 songs in under 5 minutes), screaming, hardcore. The ultimate DIY, self-produced, and it looks like this was released only as a download on Bandcamp. It’s not for everyone, but I just love these short, fast, angry songs. This had me visualizing a crazy basement show with the crowd moshing into the equipment and destroying everything. It brings me back to my childhood, I’ll never get tired of these kinds of releases. Fans of the first Negative Approach single, or 1980’s style hardcore, will want to check this out. If you like to mosh and live in North Carolina, I’d recommend finding one of their shows.
Bring The Light “Building Chaos”
Released: May 10, 2024
Format: Vinyl EP, CD, cassette, digital download
Label: People of Punk Rock Records
From: Quebec, Canada
Catchy, fast, melodic hardcore. This is a great record that you don’t want to ignore. There have been a bunch of new hardcore bands coming out of Canada lately, and this is one of the best. “Burn It Down” and “Police State of America” were the standouts, and both easily made my playlist for the month. It looks like this is their first formal release, but they have songs on Bandcamp (songs that eventually made the album) going back to 2019, so they have been around a few years. I sure hope that some of these great Canadian hardcore bands make their way to the U.S. next year, this is a band that I need to see live.
Fans of Strike Anywhere, Satanic Surfers, A Wilhelm Scream, Chaser, Strung Out, Kid Dynamite, or just great melodic hardcore will want to get this. Another great release from People of Punk Rock Records, you should also check out their entire roster.
Laura Jane Grace “Give An Inch”
Released: September 6, 2024
Format: Vinyl 12”, CD, digital download.
Label: Dial Back Sound
From: Chicago, IL
I recently saw Laura Jane Grace and Catbite at Riot Fest, where they did an Operation Ivy set. I know that she used to be the singer for Against Me! (which I’m not familiar with), but I love Operation Ivy and I was staking out the rail for NOFX anyway. I didn’t know what to expect, but they were absolutely amazing. In fact, other than NOFX it was the best set that I saw all weekend. So of course, I had to give this new EP a listen.
It was pretty much as I expected, not really punk but still good. It’s mostly ballads that have a bit of a country feel, and reminded me of guilty pleasures Earl Lee Grace (a Blag Dahlia side project) and Jello Biafra & Mojo Nixon. I know that Laura Jane Grace can belt out some serious punk rock (based on Riot Fest), and I’d rather have her do that, but this is not bad either. “Fuck You, Just Because” and “M*A*S*H” were at the end, but were the stand-outs (make sure to listen to the whole thing). I’m curious to know if they have any loud, fast punk songs, when I have some time I plan to visit the entire discography. If all of her music sounds like this, it makes the Operation Ivy set all that more impressive.
Soft Play “Heavy Jelly”
Released: July 19, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: BMG
From: U.K.
Admittedly, the first time that I heard Soft Play, I didn’t like them and didn’t classify their music as punk. I’d heard the song “Punk’s Dead”, and probably listened only because of the title. But there was something about it that made me listen a second time. And then a third. And then the video. That was last year, and “Punk’s Dead” ended up being one of my favorite tracks of the year. This isn’t a new band, they were previously called Slaves, but pressure from above to change their name resulted in Soft Play (a crappy name, probably selected in spite). They changed their name, but the band continued to get better.
After the two songs last year, with “Punk’s Dead” being one of those rare songs that gets better and better with each listen (and eventually you can’t get it out of your head), they finally released the full album. My expectations were low … but damn, if they didn’t do it again. Not all of it is my taste, but for two guys playing music that at first seems closer to hip hop than punk, this is way above expectations. Today I’m screaming along with “Bin Juice Disaster”, while also trying not to break into laughter (and FYI, the word palaver refers to an unnecessarily elaborate or complex procedure, I had to look it up). Angry screaming vocals, dumb lyrics, fast and noisy, maybe this is punk? Either way, I like it.
Anti-Heros “Devil At My Heels”
Released: September 19, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: GMM Records
From: Avon Park, Florida
I’m aware of the controversy surrounding this band, because of the movie “American History X” and their questionable choice of cover songs and influences. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt, since they passed the vetting for Punk Rock Bowling a couple of years back (and put on a great show). They also have a ton of great Oi!/street punk songs, and have been part of the scene for four decades.
This album was released on their own label, GMM Records, their first full length in over 20 years. It sounds like they never stopped. I listen and review based more on the music than the message, but this is most definitely an album filled with political commentary. If that doesn’t bother you (some of the sound bites at the end are over the top), this is a solid punk rock record and maybe their best. We get a reprise of the classic “Fuck Hollywood” and a bunch more songs that will easily make my weekly play list. A few songs are a little long for my taste (although “Find The Fallen” is one of my favorites, closing in on 4 minutes), but there is a good mix with shorter songs too.
V/A “Stronger Than Before Volume 2”
Released: July 19, 2024
Format: Vinyl 12”, digital download
Label: Battle Scarred Records
A follow up to last year’s “Stronger Than Before," this is volume two. I love Oi! music, and the easiest way that I have found to find new bands and songs is compilations. One of the bands includes members of Lion’s Law, and I also really liked the Castillo “Pleasure and Pain” EP released in 2023, so spinning this one was a must. This is professionally recorded, and all of the songs sound great (and are great). This is traditional sing-a-long Oi! music that is exactly what I expected and wanted. I’m planning to check out new releases from every one of these bands, and I hope they never stop putting out compilations like this. The Castillo song was my favorite, but I liked them all. Fans of Lion’s Law, Booze & Glory, The Drowns, Anti-Heros, Reckless Upstarts.
