Punk Rock Record Reviews: The Best of 2024 Part One.
I listen to primarily punk, with my preferred sub-genre being street punk. Speed rock, garage, noise, 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 that are in contention for the top releases of the year. 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 on the best of the best. Drop a comment at the bottom if there is a 2024 release that you think I should check out; I most definitely will.
Chaser “Small Victories”
Released: June 28, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: Thousand Islands Records
From: Southern California, U.S.A
Chaser is melodic skate punk, fast and energetic, that you can sing/scream along with. Not only is this a solid release, but the live shows are off the hook as well (I caught them in 2021 at Punk In The Park and again in 2024 at The Punk Rock Museum). You can expect signer Mike LeDonne to be running across the stage and jumping into the crowd, where a mosh pit will be in full force. I picked up this one on CD, but you can also download it from Bandcamp or check out several professionally produced videos on YouTube. The CD starts off with a bang, with my pick for the best song “Brand New Enemy”. There are really no low points, but “The Breaks” and “Fault Lines” also made my monthly playlist. Fans of Pennywise, MxPx, Bad Religion, Good Riddance, and Pulley would consider this essential. While you are at it, get their 2020 release “Dreamers” as well and you can thank me later.
Starving Wolves “The Fire, The Wolf, The Fang”
Released: May 3, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, digital download
Label: Pirates Press Records
From: Austin, TX
Starving Wolves is absolutely ripping street punk from Austin, TX, and that should be enough. It’s apparent right from the start, however, that this band has exceptional talent, message, and energy. Zach Volta is amazing on the trumpet—not something that you usually see in a street punk band. Starving Wolves is, of course, fronted by David Rodriguez (aka David Tejas) of The Casualties and Krum Bums. This would be a blind buy for me just knowing that, but it lives up to every ounce of the hype. I was lucky enough to catch them live this year at a Punk Rock Bowling Club show, and David was at peak energy with his trademark red mohawk and raspy screaming vocals. Every song on this release is a banger, but I’m partial to short, fast songs so “Burn the Stations” at a short 0:58 is my favorite. Anyone who regularly listens to The Casualties, Defiance, Cheap Sex, The Unseen, The Virus, or A Global Threat will want to check this out.
30 Foot Fall “National Treasure… And Other LaForgeries”
Released: March 22, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, cassette, digital download
Label: People of Punk Rock Records
From: Houston, TX
30 Foot Fall has been around for over 20 years and plays pop punk in the best possible way. I cannot stress how essential their first four albums, released from 1995 to 2002, are (“Divided We Stand," "Acme-143," “Ever Revolving, Never Evolving,” and “The Doppler Effect”). It can be difficult to track down all of their releases on LP or CD, but they do have a few on Bandcamp (including a decent live album) for those who are satisfied with just the digital copy. They generally play fast, upbeat punk rock for fans of Frenzal Rhomb, NOFX, The Vandals, Lagwagon, and FYP. If you are going back through their discography for the first time, check out “Divided We Stand," “Two Wheels, One Dark Lord," “Attack of the Flaming Egos,” and “Breaking the Weather.”. I was surprised to hear that they were putting out new music and grabbed this CD right away. It’s not often that a cover song really catches my attention and becomes my favorite track on a record, but on this one, “Respect” is truly great. To be honest, I had never heard the original and didn’t know it was a cover until I’d already played it about 20 times. The original is by Erasure, but you are going to want 30 Foot Fall’s version in your collection. This will be in the running for the best cover song of the year if that ends up being a thing.
V/A “Higher HEDucation Volume One”
Released: July 12, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, Digital download
Label: High End Demim Records
I love compilations, as they give me a chance to hear songs from bands that I may not have otherwise taken the time to listen to. I’ll admit that sometimes I give up on them early, if I haven’t heard of any of the bands and the first couple of songs don’t grab my attention. There will be very few in my top picks for 2024 but this one is the exception. The title is a play on the label High End Denim Records, hence the HED. The first song that struck me was Free Sergio’s “I Give Black Cats Bad Luck.”. Fast punk rock with a bit of a ska tinge, humor, and great back up harmonies. I have already tracked down their full album, “A Nail In The Coffee” and I’m sure that will make one of my upcoming reviews. The songs by Boo Radley and Regal Foul also made my monthly playlist, but the real gem is “For A While” by Lost Planet Airmen. So far I haven’t been able to find any other songs by them, or any information about the band, so I’ll keep watching High End Denim Records hoping that this song signals an upcoming full-length release.
Anklebiter / Prevention split
Released: April 26, 2024
Format: Vinyl 7”, cassette, digital download
Label: Delayed Gratification Records
From: Northeast U.S.A.
Anklebiter is screaming, fast, straight edge hardcore with a female singer, and it’s done perfectly. I was already a fan, after their “To Live And Withstand” 7” (check out the track “I Am”). They play short, catchy songs, that have really stuck with me. I was lucky to catch them live in Detroit at the 2024 Tied Down Festival and they were insane. I bought only two shirts at the festival, and one was from Anklebiter. I asked if it was OK if I wore even it even though I’m not straight edge. Their merch guy knew I was joking, and talked with me for a while about the band and just really impressed. The Prevention side is a perfect match with Anklebiter, maybe slightly less crazy but both are good. If you are a fan of Bad Beat (Detroit), Speed Plans, Skullcrack, NÜTT, Disco Assault or just love your music crazy and fast this is for you.
Rumkicks “Let’s Go”
Released: April 29, 2024
Format: digital download
Label: Poclanos
From: Seoul, South Korea
This is a one-off song, that follows their amazing “Born Rude” CD from 2023. Rumkicks are an all-girl band from Seoul, South Korea that dress and play street punk as if they were veterans at it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played “Drinking Every Day”, “Rude Girl Oi!” and “Punk Rocker” from their prior CD, so when they released “Let’s Go” it was an immediate download. Great song, and even better that I got to see them live this year at a Punk Rock Bowling club show where they played “Let’s Go”. It looks like this song was self-released (I’m unsure if Poclanos is a label, or just a friend), but they must have some good backing with their professionally produced videos and U.S. Tour with Starving Wolves. Hopefully all of that adds up to another full length release later this year, and maybe even another U.S. Tour. If you haven’t heard this band yet, put them on your short list.
Snooper / Prison Affair Split
Released: June 10, 2024
Format: Vinyl 7”, digital download
Label: Static Shock Records
From: Nashville, TN
When I first heard Snooper, from Nashville TN, it sounded like they had recorded the song at 33RPM and then played it at 45RPM. They have a unique sound but also a crazy live show that includes large Papier-mâché props and costumes. Both Snooper and Prison Affair have a similar sound, fuzzy and noisy with electronics and intermittent fast beats. Not just any band can pull that off, but both of these bands do. Snooper is another band that I originally heard when preparing for 2024 Punk Rock Bowling, coming across my favorite song of theirs “Bed Bugs”. They played an incredible set at one of the infamous PRB pool parties and I’m looking forward to seeing them again in Detroit and hopefully a forthcoming full length will follow this split.
xXSmile - xXSmile
Released: May 3, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: People of Punk Rock Records
From: Canada
xXSmile from Canada has a sound that is generally a little too polished for me. I’m usually searching for fast/hardcore, but when I am in the mood for pop punk this is exactly what I want to hear. I wasn’t able to find a lot of information on this band, and what I did find was mostly in French. They have played some festivals (including Red Bridge Fest in Quebec) and they are fans of Joey Cape and Scooby Doo. I guess I will have to leave it there, but check out the song “Goddamn” and judge for yourself. And pick up their full length CD on People of Punk Rock Records.
Priceduifkes “Dancing Dirty”
Released: March 15, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: Striped Records
From: Belgium
The Priceduifkes are currently one of the more underrated bands still cranking out high quality punk rock (honestly, have you heard of them?). I first heard them when they did a split single with one of my favorite bands Direct Hit!, each covering the other’s songs. Direct Hit! did a cover of The Priceduifkes “I Ain’t Dreaming Of A White Christmas”, which in my opinion is the best punk rock Christmas song ever played (the Direct Hit! version). If you can find their early releases, The Priceduifkes are pop punk but also throw in some fast, tight hardcore with vocals that speed along with the band. Check out “Thumbsucker” from their “Bloody Bloody Kempen” CD, “I Can Dance” or “GetWood City” from their “Goathorse” CD, or if you can find their retrospective “Complication” album you will become a fan like I did (check out “Your Boyfriend Sucks”, “Creep” or maybe the best ever punk rock instrumental “Swiss Fucking Watch”). “Dancing Dirty” was released 7 years after their previous album, and it doesn’t have any crazy fast songs like I was hoping. It’s still a good album, and both “Send It” and “Little Old Beer Drinker, Me” ended up on my monthly play list. If you listen to The Pricks, Frenzal Rhomb, Screeching Weasel, or The Queers you should love The Priceduifkes.
Necron 9 “Flower Children”
Released: June 9, 2024
Format: Cassette, digital download
Label: Unlawful Assembly
From: Milwaukee, WI
8 minutes long, recorded live in 3 hours. Quote from the band: “Hardcore punk, don’t give a fuck”. This one has no minimum on bandcamp, so if you don’t give a fuck either you can download it for free. It looks like they are from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and banded together in 2023. They have a few other releases as well, all on cassette only (or digital download). Deep growling vocals, and I have no idea how many songs there are, as the download is all one file called “FULL TAPE”. Crazy though, I really liked this. Reminiscent of listening to early Negative Approach when I was a kid (not even knowing the name of the band). I can only wonder what a live show might be like. When I get time, I’m going to check out some more releases from Unlawful Assembly Records and you should too.
