Wank – White Knuckle Ride – Album Review

Orange County pop-punk vets WANK have released their brand new 11 song album White Knuckle Ride!

1 – Remington
2 – Blue Skies
3 – Salvation
4 – Rollin’ On
5 – Sweet Music
6 – Believe It
7 – Shut You Down
8 – We Wanna Rock
9 – It Was You
10 – Won’t Let Go
11 – Forgiven

WANK formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, CA. Mixing pop sensibility, rock chops, and punk energy, WANK quickly gained momentum and garnered a reputation for themselves with melodic songs and highly entertaining live shows.

In 2000, Amodeo was diagnosed with cancer, and after years of treatment, he’s back and rock ready.  WANK reunited in 2016, self-releasing their 5 song EP – On with the Show and, in 2017, added guitarist Higgins X-13, formerly of the Offspring. And for as for 2018, WANK has been in the studio finishing the new full-length album.

WANK in the studio with Chris Shiflett.

Favorite song on the album?  I am usually pretty critical of the first song on every album since it sets the tone for the entire project and “Remington” was initially my favorite after the first play through.  But after becoming more familiar with the album I’m finding myself going back to “Shut You Down”.  Final Answer – Spider, drum roll please, my gut is saying “Shut You Down”.

“Shut You Down” – Music Video

Conclusion : Everything you’d expect from a Wank album full of poppy punk with some ska and reggae rhythms that I’m a huge fan of.  Add in some harmonies, gang vocals, and classic rock style guitar solos and now you have my full attention.  White Knuckle Ride is a  very enjoyable album that fires on all pistons, hang on tight!

All songs produced by WANK✪ with Paul Miner with the exception of “Salvation” Produced by Chris Shiflett.  Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by Paul Miner @ Buzzbomb Studios – Orange, CA   Buy at: http://www.wankusa.com/cd

Social Media Links:
Web: wankusa.com
Facebook : facebook.com/wankusa/
IG @ instagram.com/wank_usa
Twitter : twitter.com/wank_usa
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/c/WANKUSA

 

Authority Zero’s 7th Studio LP ‘Persona Non Grata’ Out Now

Long-running Mesa, AZ-based melodic punk/rock/reggae act Authority Zero has just released Persona Non Grata, their first studio self-release since their debut EP album Patches in Time over 17 years ago.

The release of Persona Non Grata will be followed by an early spring European Tour in 2019 and a summer headlining tour of the United States.

1 – A Blind Eye
2 – Derailed
3 – Persona non grata
4 – Atom bomb
5- Ah hell
6- Shake the ground
7 – Mush mouth
8 – The Bright Side
9 – Back From the Dead
10 – On the Outside
11 – Damage control
12 – Rights this way

Vocalist Jason Devore says, “The writing process for recording our new album (Persona Non Grata) was simply awesome. The music and lyrical content came together so organically in such a short amount of time given that our last record, Broadcasting To The Nations, only came out a year ago. Mike, Dan, Chris, and I put our hearts into this one and we are all extremely proud of the work we were able to do as a collective. The music and sound are classic Authority Zero but with a slightly revised approach. For the fans as well as ourselves we strive to give each record its own individual character and life.”

Conclusion :
I’ve been a fan of Authority Zero since 02′ when they dropped A Passage in Time and Rhythm and Booze was a standard pregame album for every party we hosted.  I’ve had big expectations from every album since and classify this as an album you can play from Track 1 to 12 straight through and it never loses energy.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this album live when they hit the East Coast on their 2019 Summer tour.

Persona Non Grata was recorded at The Blasting Room Studios.
Produced by Bill Stevenson, Andrew Berlin, and Jason Livermore
Mixed & Mastered by Jason Livermore

Web: http://authorityzero.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AuthorityZero/
IG @ https://www.instagram.com/authorityzeromusic/

Reel Big Fish’s new album “Life Sucks…Let’s Dance!” Review

RBF fans, the 6 year wait for new music is almost over!  With their 9th studio album scheduled to drop on Rock Ridge Music December 21, 2018.  The long-running ska heroes, fresh off a summer-long stint on the final cross-country Vans Warped Tour, and appearances at Scallywag! Fest (with Bad Religion, Pennywise, Less Than Jake and The Interrupters) and Sammy Hagar’s Hightide Beach Party, remain as popular as ever, as they continue to tour non-stop, playing over 250 shows a year to thousands of loyal fans all over the world, gaining more and more underground popularity as the Ska scene continues to flourish.

Tracks :
1. Life Sucks… Let’s Dance!
2. Pissed Off
3. You Can’t Have All of Me
4. In Love Again
5. Tongue Tied and Tipsy Too
6. Bleached Thang, Baby
7. Another Beer Song
8. Bob Marley’s Toe
9. Ska Show
10. The Good Old Days
11. G.D. Beautiful Day
12. I Should Know By Now
13. I’d Rather Get It Wrong
14. Walter’s Highlife

We are enjoying a sneak peak at the new tunes and have a lot to say about it along with some thoughts from Aaron Barrett (vocals and guitar).  Barrett says, “We started recording the album in January 2018 and really took our time with it. Our friend and engineer David Irish just finished building his new studio “Pot of Gold” in Orange, CA, and we loved how everything sounds there. There’s just really good energy and good vibes there, plus there’s a really adorable studio kitten named Iggy Fluff there, so we may have accidentally made a positive, happy record instead of a pissed off, hateful record, oops…well, there’s a little pissed off-ness in there and some sarcastic, funny lyrics as usual! Also, I just got married so there might be a few sappy love songs on the album too! Yuck!”

He adds, “Recording the album with this line up was really fun, we all get along really well these days and everybody was excited to make a new record. Everybody had lots of great ideas and really got creative with everything and I really think it shows.

The new single “You Can’t Have All of Me,” is a danceable sing-along, catchy, hooky good old Reel Big Fish song. We didn’t reinvent the wheel… We just painted more checkers on it!”

 

Conclusion:
It did not take long for me to review my notes about each song to land on my final feelings about this installment in the REEL BIG FISH library.  With an overwhelming smile I’d have to say this is a feel good album anyone who appreciates quality music can enjoy on some level.  And for us who enjoy the insane horn section perfectly balanced with crispy vocals and some crunchy guitar tones, well you probably pre-ordered this album like I did!

Youtube – REEL BIG FISH – YOUTUBE
Web : http://www.reel-big-fish.com/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ReelBigFish/

Badda Skat Interview @ Reggae Rise Up 2018

REGGAE RISE UP 2018 – Interview w/ Badda Skat

Check out some of the good vibes Badda Skat shared with us back stage.
 Interview conducted by Brendan McGinley.  To check out his full write up on the Reggae Rise Up 2018 festival check out Tampa Bay Creative Loafing  (Full Article)

Hurricane Party 2018

If you haven’t been to the West End Trading Co. annual Hurricane Party – you must not live in Florida.  With this all day festival routed in the best music CFL has to offer including everything from metal to reggae.  Not to mention there are almost too many food trucks and good drink options to choose from, so here is my recommendation.  Plan for all day, dress for a day at the beach and bring your dancing (drinking) shoes.  O did I mention there are 5 stages, a skate ramp, and kid zones? It is a great day for the music community and shout out to Paul – the man behind this amazing festival and all the awesome sponsors! #FLFamily Special shout out to Travi Seeds and the http://www.WeTheSeeds.com squad!

Event page – https://www.drinkatwestend.com/

Recap Film by Scott Trippler of EastCoastVisualMedia

Some personal highlights include performances by Universal Funk Orchestra, Artikal Sound System, and Josh Heinrich + Skillinjah.

Josh Heinrichs & Skillinjah

Artikal Sound System

Universal Funk Orchestra

Event Flyer

Tatanka – “Love is Medicine” (Live @ West End Trading Co)

Tatanka – “Love is Medicine” @ West End Trading Co.

Tatanka blessed Central Florida on their recent tour stop at the West End Trading Co. with an early performance of the new single “Love is Medicine”.  We hope you enjoy this taste of their amazing live performance and light show.

Huge thanks to the guys for bringing their unique blend of reggae and electronic music  all the way from Denver to show us East Coasters what Inland Reggae is all about!

Rootfire writer Dave Shiffman wrote a fantastic piece about this track breaking it down in their First Listen – Love is Medicine article.   He dives much deeper into the sounds and lyrics which we highly recommend you give it a read to appreciate this track for all that it offers fans.

Stay tuned for more from Tatanka Dub content to hit the blog and make sure to purchase the new single “Love is Medicine” on iTunes.  Shout outs to the Travi & Dustin of WeTheSeeds.com for making this all possible.

For current tour info and to stay up to date with Tatanka make sure to follow them on your favorite social media platform.

Facebook – Instagram – Tatankadub.com

Video/Photo by Scott Trippler

Kash’d Out – “Being Easy” ft. Howi Spangler – Official Music Video

Kash’d Out – “Being Easy” ft. Howi Spangler

We are stoked to have been part of the film team on Kash’d Out’s music video for “Being Easy”.  This was truly a coast to coast production with the help of Brendan Carolin who filmed all the west coast footage.   Special thanks our friends at Lowlife Bikes, Law Records, and Howi Spangler of Ballyhoo.   To see more music videos by Kash’d Out subscribe to their Youtube Channel and to catch them live swing by KashdOut.com.

Kash’d Out @ Jannis Live

“No Time For You”

Kash’d Out and their new label mates, Serenation got things heated up at Jannis Live.  And there is something special about the Jannis crowd, they always seem to be a little louder and know every word to songs.  Now add Florida’s finest on stage and your in for a good time! We are excited to share their performance of the track “No Time For You” off their latest release.  To hear more of their music and see their current tour schedule cruise over to KashdOut.com.

Fortunate Youth – “Be Strong” Tour Music Video

We are very excited to be involved with WeTheSeeds.com and Fortunate Youth on this film project.  As the WTS crew hit the road with the FY fellas and made stops in Colorado and Florida they were there to catch the action.  We hope you enjoy our edit and this little glimpse of life on the road.   ~ Shout-outs to RAW Rolling Papers, Travi Seeds, Ryan McCully, Katy Seymour and the FY Fam for making this project come to life.

 

The Elovaters w/ Savi Fernandez – “Sunshine” (Live) @ Irie Vibes 2017

The Elovaters w/ Savi Fernandez “Sunshine” (Live)

With so many exciting aspects to the Irie Vibes Music Festival 2017 it’s difficult to say what was our favorite moment. But we can all agree seeing artists do surprise collaborations are once in a lifetime performances concert junkies live for.

The Elovaters are a top shelf reggae rock group hailing from Boston, Ma and in true festival spirit invited central florida’s most exciting improv guitarist, Savi Fernandez, on stage. Check out some of his east coast flavor mixed in with the guys performing the track “SUNSHINE”.

The Elovaters – http://elovaters.com
Savi Fernandez Band – https://www.facebook.com/savifernandezband
Irie Vibes Music Festival – http://irievibesfest.com