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Le Roq Punq
avec TJ du California

30FootFall "Divided We Stand" CD     Ok, I guess this is the re-release of their first album. I like this album way more than Acne-143. Which is their most recent stuff, I guess. I don't know much about these guys, they seem cool enough, and people compare them to The Vandals and Guttermouth. Well, I guess that is ok, but I just don't see it. 30footFall seem original to me, and overall this album is good. Fast, snotty, funny. What more can you ask for from a punk band from Texas? Cowboy boots? Not on this album, sorry. (Fearless Records 13772 Goldenwest St. #545 Westminster, CA 92683)

· 98 Mute "Class of 98" CD     Besides a fucking gay name for an album this CD is actually quite good. I mean the whole 98 thing is kinda lame. Their name sounds good, but having 98 in the album name too is just a bit overboard. These guys are from Hermosa Beach, where Pennywise, Descendents, Circle Jerks have come out of. Cross off Pennywise and insert 98 Mute in their place and its safe to say Hermosa Beach has produced some fucking good bands. 98 Mute has a very likeable style, very fast with good vocals, the only problem is the lyrics are a little simple, and down right annoying, and when they try to be complex, they come of stupid sounding. Like: "Don't let them take control of you/Stand tall and walk with pride/Believe in yourself and good things/will come to you." Overall this CD is very likeable; it just doesn't sit well with me. Get it and see for yourself, I'm sure more of you will like it then dislike it. And if you don't like I'm sure you can sell it to a friend that will like it. (Theologian Records P.O. Box 1070 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254)

· The Alkaline Trio "For Your Lungs Only" CDEP     This 4 song little CD rules! It's only got 4 songs, but they are all good. It is Emo with a big influence of punk. Or at least it seems that way to me. The songs are a little bit faster and more melodic Emo songs. They have great lyrics too, that are brought to you with 3 very good singers. One of them is Dan from Tuesday. This CD is good, my friend tells me it isn't even their real good stuff, so keep your eyes open for some new stuff by these guys. (Asian Man Records PO Box 35585 Monte Sereno, CA 95030)

· Armchair Martian "Monsters always Scream" CD     Ok, I don't know how to describe this CD. Every time I listen to it, I have a different opinion of it. Overall I like it, I don't know exactly how to describe AM's sound, its different, which is a good thing, because now a days it is hard to tell your friend switched CDs while you were playing Nintendo. There is a hint of ALL, actually a little more than a hint. Chad Price (ALL's singer) plays bass on this album. And it was recorded at the Blasting Room, Descendents/ALL little recording studio in Denver. This CD is on My Records, which means Armchair Martian is on their way to bigger and better things. After My Rec. put out Nerf Herder's full length they were singed to a major, and after they put out Ridel High's full length they too were signed to a major. Armchair Martian is the 3rd band put out by My Records and I'm sure some mayors are watching. So get this CD before you see it in blockbuster for 17 bucks on some different big label. (My Records P.O. Box 170280 San Francisco, CA 94117)

· At the Drive-In "in/casino/out" CD     This is one of the best albums I have heard in so long. It comes from the S.Ca label Fearless Records. It doesn't fit the Fearless roster of bands at all; it isn't that extremely fast punk that most of us have all grown sick of. Instead At the Drive-In is emotionally driven Emo. But At the Drive-In take no prisoners, like most generic Emo bands do. This CD is nothing but original deep songs, musically and lyrically. This CD comes highly recommended from me. Fearless hasn't put out a CD this good since Drunk in Public's "Tapped Out." (Fearless Records 13772 Goldenwest St. #545 Westminster, CA 92683)

· Avail "Over the James" CD     THIS CD IS SO GOOD ITS SCARY! I LOVE AVAIL!!! I LOVE AVAIL!!! Hardcore/Punk from Richmond, VA! How can you go wrong? Avail is beyond words; no band can pump me up or cheer me up like Avail can. This CD has magical powers or something, because it never gets old. It's one of the best CDs ever, it always gives me energy, and it has kick-ass lyrics. "Over the James" is a must have for any complete "Punk Rock" record collection. Long live Avail! . (Lookout! P.O. Box 11374 Berkeley, CA 94712-2374)

· Bad Religion "No Substance" CD     I shouldn't have to review this CD, because you should all have a copy! If you don't, its probably because you think this CD is going to sound all watered down and stupid like some of Bad Religions more recent stuff like "Grey Race". Well I'm happy to tell you it doesn't sound like their newer stuff at all! Bad Religion is back to their better, old, 'good' sound. This CD is evidence; it reminds me most of "Recipe for Hate" with a hit of some their newer sound thrown in the mix. This CD will make you scream with joy! So pick it up! And sing along! But if your sick of Bad Religion and wish they had something new to say, than this CD will probably be boring as hell to you… (Atlantic, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019)

· The Broadways "Broken Star" CD     I reviewed this for my last issue, but Asian Man sent me a copy. So if you didn't read issue 1 let me recap what I said about this CD. IT RULES! One of the best CDs I've ever heard. The Broadways are a punk rock with Emo thrown in the middle. They have 3 singers, w/ all have good voices. The Broadways is the other band that formed when Slapstick broke up. The Broadways are said to be a mix of Jawbreaker and Fifteen. That does them some justice, but not enough. They are even better then you can imagine. I can't say enough about them this CD is def. In my top 10 of all time. (Asian Man Records PO Box 35585 Monte Sereno, CA 95030)

· Carter Peace Mission "Ladies, Ladies, Ladies…" CD  "Better then Blink-182!" say fans of CPM. Both CPM and Blink are from San Diego, and both play punk, that's the only similarities though. CPM is a trillion times better then Blink. I love this CD so much, it's flat out Pop Punk, with a little trace of Ramones influenced punk. This CD has 18 songs, but plays really fast, all the songs are shot and to the point. "Next Thursday" is one of the best songs I've ever heard; you should buy this CD for that song alone. If your still not convinced this CD also has a great version of "California Dreamin'." (CPM 518 H Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118)

· Chixdiggit "Born on the Fourth of July" CD     It seems that whenever I talk about music with someone, this band always gets mentioned. I have not the faintest clue why. Everyone says they are so original, I just find them boring. This CD isn't special in any real way, its just another CD put out by Honest Don's to make a quick buck. When I think of Canadian punk I think of bands like Propagandhi, not Chixdiggit, who are from Canada by the way. Save your money on this one. (Honest Don P.O. Box 192027, San Francisco, CA 94119-2027)

· Crimpshine "Duck Tape Soup" CD     This is the re-release of one of punk rocks' best album ever. Crimpshine were one of the most influential bands of all time. Other bands always copy their sound; there is a little Crimpshine in most bands out there. If you haven't heard of Crimpshine get this CD. I can't describe their sound; all I can say is one of the most original punk rock sounds. The linear notes are 22 pages long! Its like a mini Zine! There are even comics! You can't lose with this CD. . (Lookout! P.O. Box 11374 Berkeley, CA 94712-2374)

· Gob "Too Late… No Friends" CD     Gob is a great Canadian band. This CD is as very good, 20 songs. All fast, and instrumentally quite good. Chixdiggit should take lessons about being a Punk band from Canada. This CD fits with the Fearless Records roster pretty good, so if you like Fearless/Fat Wreck Chords style bands you'll love Gob. (Fearless Records 13772 Goldenwest St. #545 Westminster, CA 92683)

· Hagfish "S/T"     First off, the cover of this CD makes me wanna puke! Then when I hear the actually CD my stomach hurts even more. People say Hagfish are an "original Descendents style band." I have news for you people, DESCENDENTS were original, and they kick ass. Hagfish is a big mean copycat! And they don't even do it well. If your going to totally rip of a great band you might as well do a good job of it. Here's the ironic part Descendents/All produced this record. I don't know what they were thinking; producing a record that is trying to cash in on there original sound. Don't buy this record, it sucks. The end. You wanna argue with me? Email me itzteejay@aol.com (Honest Don P.O. Box 192027, San Francisco, CA 94119-2027)

· The Mad Caddies "Duck and Cover" CD     Yes I know the Mad Caddies are a Ska band. They are from my hometown Santa Barbara so I like them more then the average stupid Ska band. (Note to reader: I hate SKA!) The Mad Caddies are one of the two Ska bands I really like. I think Horns and guitars go together really well, most bands just suck at it. Not The Mad Caddies though, this CD has some of the catchiest songs on it ever, some of the fasts songs also. The really Ska sounding songs are also good, because its like "Circus Ska" (I take all credit for "Circus Ska" I made up that phrase to the best of my knowledge). Circus Ska is like so annoying and odd sounding it comes off as funny. I recommend this CD to anyone, ska, punk, or whatever there is a little something for everyone on it. (FAT P.O. Box 193690 San Francisco, CA 94119-3690)

· The Mixelpricks "Bitter" CD     The Mixelpricks are one of my favorite bands ever. I'm lucky enough to be friends with Jason their bassist, so this review might be a little bias. BUY THIS CD! SUPPORT THE MIXELPRICKS! IT'S ONLY 8 BUCKS! IF YOU DON'T BUY THIS CD YOU WONT BE COOL! I'm totally serious, The Mixelpricks are so good, they do the whole Midwest Pop thing so well, and they have great lyrics. This CD isn't just Love songs like most Pop CDs are and its not political songs either. It's just good songs, with a love song or two thrown in. If you like bands that do the whole slower pop punk thing you'll love these guys, so check them out! (E.L.R. P.O. Box 2570 Dunedin, FL 34697-2570) ·

· Mulligan Stu "Do the Kids Wanna Rock?" CD     The best Ramones/Queers band out there right now. This CD has so many catchy songs it's hard to single one or two out. "Jenny" and "Mary Tyler Moore" are two of the funniest catchiest songs on the album. Mulligan Stu has so much personality, and such talent it seems like they couldn't make a bad song even if they tried. If you love that slow Ramonesy punk you love these guys, so do the obvious thing and order this CD. I promise you won't be let down. (Rhetoric P.O. Box 82 Madison, WI 53701)

· MxPx "Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo" CD     First off, people need to start saying MxPx is a religious band. They aren't, they were just on Tooth and Nail w/ is a Christian Punk label, and they quote the bible in some songs because it helps explain things, or often times makes for good metaphors. They aren't on stage playing for God, or some higher power, and they don't do any of that whole "Christian Punk" stuff. All that Christian stuff is just a pile of crap. Now that that's said, let me start my review. I love this album, all this talk of MxPx makes me want to get up and put the album on right now. This album is good, poppy, funny and all that bubble gum pop stuff. If you like good music, and don't care that MxPx is trendy, buy this album. If you don't buy it because they had their worst song on MTV or because they are trendy, you are a bigger sucker then all the dumb kids that aren't Punk and bought this album. Don't be a Sucker!!! (A&M)

· Rancid "Life Wont Wait" CD     Just when you think you really know a band, they trick you. I've never liked Rancid I always thought they were boring and not half as good as Op Ivy was. Then this CD came out, and it totally blew me away. Rancid went from being a junior high band to one of the maturest bands in the scene. Compare "Life Wont Wait" to their last attempt at an album, "And out come the Wolves" and you will see what I'm talking about. Rancid wins the Most Improved award in my mind; they even recorded half of the album in Kingston, Jamaica. (Epitaph 2798 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026)

· Screeching Weasel "Screeching Weasel" CD     Er… this record is proof you get better over time, and practice makes perfect. I don't think I have listened to this CD in its entirety in one sitting. It kinda sucks, but it is screeching weasel so I tolerate it. If you don't own a SW record and think this would be a good first one to buy to see what they sound like, SAVE YOUR MONEY. Buy "My Brain Hurts" or "Anthem for a New Tomorrow". I don't know what else to say about this CD, I just can't listen to it. I love SW though, so don't get me wrong! They are the best! This CD, is just… ehhh… skip this one… (VML Records P.O. Box 183 Franklin Park, IL 60131-0183)

· Screeching Weasel "Television City Dream" CD     SW is my favorite band, but I don't really like this CD. It's really fast, there aren't that many amazing songs, it's just an average CD. I expect more from the kings of good punk rock music. I think SW needs to throw in the towel, the best bands are the ones that quite while they are ahead, not when people stop buying their records because they suck… just a little food for thought. (FAT P.O. Box 193690 San Francisco, CA 94119-3690)

· Social Distortion "Live at the Roxy" CD     I guess all bands think that if they have been around for more then 5 years they need to put out a Live CD. So I bought this CD, thinking it would capture how truly great Social D. is live. ERRRRRRR! Wrong! This CD pretty much blows. Social D. is one of the best bands live, they have so much energy, and such talent on stage every person in the crowd is having the time of their life watching them play. Well the CD falls short of showing that, and I mean short. Overall I think the CD lags on and on, has nothing special about it, and is interrupted way too much with Mike Ness and all his Punk Rock nonsense. Maybe when the two times I saw them live I was just drunk so I had a blast, or maybe they just had a bad night when this CD was made. Skip this CD, and see them live for real. (Time Bomb www.timebombrecodings.com)

· Strung Out "Crossroads and Illusions" CD     This is the latest thing from the boys from Strung Out. It packs a whopping 5 songs! It is to prepare all the Strung Out fans for the long awaited full length due out May 5th. From the sound of "Crossroads and Illusions" I can tell "Twisted by Design" is going to be damn good! Strung out keeps getting better and better, the only complaint I have about this CD is that it is only 5 songs. (FAT P.O. Box 193690 San Francisco, CA 94119-3690)

· Strung Out "Twisted by Design" CD     Get this CD! I've been waiting so long for this CD to come out, and when I finally heard it, it was even more than I expected! It's so good! So fast! So good! So great! It has the songs from "Crossroads and Illusions" on it, so don't waste your time buying both, unless you just wanna look like a die hard Strung Out fan. It was produced by Ulrich Wild, who is famous for working with bands like Pantera. I don't know how to describe this CD; it sounds totally new, and different from their last full length. It's just as good though! I recommend this one for everyone! (FAT P.O. Box 193690 San Francisco, CA 94119-3690)

· Swinging Utters "Five Lessons Learned" CD     This is an all around great CD. I never really liked the Utters that much until my friend Marko told me he was in them for awhile, and I ought to get "More Scared" because it shows how good the Utters really are. So I bought "More Scared" and I loved it, it's one of my top 20 CDs easily. I listened to "More Scared" all the time for the next couple months, then "Five Lessons Learned" came out. It is equally as good, if not better than "More Scared." This album has so many other instruments then your regular punk rock album its scary. There is some Piano, Saxophone, Trumpet, and a Vox Organ. If you don't know what the Utters sound like, just think of a more polished off Social D. (FAT P.O. Box 193690 San Francisco, CA 94119-3690)

· Tuesday "Freewheelin" CD     OK, this CD is old, but Asian Man sent it to me, and I promised to review everything I get so here I go. Tuesday is Emo. Good fucking Emo! GREAT EMO! I love Tuesday; they are so damn good! This CD is so damn good; I'm always listening to it. I bought my own copy a long ass time ago. I had "Freewheelin" on in my room when I opened up my mail and got another copy! That means something! I don't know what, but it has to be some kinda sign. Tuesday is the after product of the break up of Slapstick, one of the best Ska-punk bands ever. Get this CD! (Asian Man Records PO Box 35585 Monte Sereno, CA 95030)

· Unwritten Law "Live in Hollyweird" CD     Let me begin by saying this CD is in my all time top 10 records. I feel honored for being lucky enough to own a copy of this CD. There were only 2,000 copies printed, and hand numbered on the cover. I am lucky number 0048! If you don't have this CD, I'm sorry, odds are you won't be able to find one. I picked this one up when I saw UL live a couple weeks ago. The CD has a total of 15 songs, 6 of them are new. The Album was recorded at the Palace in Hollywood, CA on 12/13/97. This CD is so great! The sound is good, everything is great! UL is so good live, and this CD captures it all! And it was only 5 bucks. You need to all write Tommie's Cheap-ass Records and tell him to print a couple thousand more copies, because this CD is a must have. (I let Kris barrow this CD, and he is on tour with it right now, so I don't have an addy, so I guess you can't write the label and bitch for a copy right now, ill included an address in my next batch of reviews, sorry.)

· Unwritten Law "S/T" CD     This is UL's 3rd CD, and by far their best one in my mind. Some people don't agree with me, they think this CD is too corporate, and UL changed their style to appeal to the mass. This CD does have some slower songs, and a does experiment around with some new styles, but I think it is just because UL is still a relatively new band figuring out who they are, my favorite songs on this CD are actually the new different ones. I don't see why people wanna hear the same sounding stuff over and over and over again, don't people know a little diversity or changed never hurt. (Interscope Records 10900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1230 Los Angeles, CA 90024)

· V/A "(don't forget to) BREATHE" CD     This comp. flat out rules. It's just a bunch of the Crank artists showing why Crank is the best Emo/Rock label around. There are songs by Silver Scooter, Hot Water Music, Promise Ring, Knapsack, Drive like Jehu, Mineral, and a ton of other bands. 17 bands, 17 songs. This is a great comp overall, and I recommend it for all Emo fans. (Crank! A Record Company 1223 Wilshire Blvd. #173 Santa Monica, CA 90403)

· V/A "The Last Great Thing You Did" CD Well this is just a Lookout sampler. Its old, I don't know why Lookout sent it to me, they obviously didn't think I was worthwhile of receiving a good CD like "Over the James" by Avail, (w/ I got on my own!). This CD is just crammed full of songs, too many to count, they aren't anything special I think all of them appear on prior releases (I'm to lazy to get the CD cover and look) and the songs aren't even that great. If your have a couple extra dollars and don't like all that extra weight in your pocket pick this sampler up. It's got a shitload of songs, and some of them are actually worthwhile. I wouldn't waste a trip to the store just to get this CD though. (Lookout! P.O. Box 11374 Berkeley, CA 94712-2374)

· V/A "Mailorder is Fun!" CD     This is an Asian Man comp. I wasn't to thrilled when I got this CD, because I'm not much for Ska, and most of the Asian Man bands are Ska. So anyway, I put the CD on, and I dig it! The Ska bands are ok; some of them are actually good! There is also some other Emo stuff on the comp; w/ makes up for some of the annoying average Ska bands on it. The good bands that come to mind on this comp are: LTJ, The Broadways, Alkaline Trio, Tuesday, Potshot, Pushover, Nicotine, J church, Discount… This CD is worth the 4 bucks they ask for it, so pick it up if you can. (Asian Man Records PO Box 35585 Monte Sereno, CA 95030)

· V/A "Metal Rules" CD     Ok, first off let me say this is the best comp my little grubby hands have gotten a hold of in a long time! It's mostly bands from Santa Barbara, and some other CA bands. Let me warn you, this comp contains some swing songs. Don't worry though, they are tolerable, and the other songs more then make up for them. Nerf Herder, The Ataris, Mad Caddies, Ridel High, Buck Wild are on it to name a few. A total of 14 great 80s songs, that will bring a big ass smile to your face. "Youth Gone Wild" by Skid Row is covered by the Mad Caddies and is one of the best songs ever! I swear, I'm not a big fan of them, but "Youth Gone Wild" is so god damn good! You need to hear if for yourself…. "Photograph" by Def Leppard is covered by Jason Falkner and is great too! Buy this CD! With songs by bands like: Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, Cinderella, Skid Row, Poison, and Motley Crue you can't go wrong! (Smart Recordings P.O. Box 480120 Los Angeles, CA 90048)

· V/A "l X l A l N l A l D l U l" CD     This is the best comp. I have heard in months! This CD has all the Midwestern Pop punk you could ever ask for! There isn't one bad song, and not one bad band on the whole CD. This CD features such kings of good punk as Sinkhole, Beatnik Termites, Everready, Boris the Sprinkler, The Crumbs, Mulligan Stu, and Weston. If you want to hear good music get this CD. It's cheap too, something like 4 bucks. (Rhetoric P.O. Box 82 Madison, WI 53701)

· Whippersnapper "America's Favorite Pastime" CD     Ok, this CD rules. It's from Lobster records, which have put out CDs from Buck Wild and Joystick. This CD fits right in with the other bands on Lobster. This CD just plain out rocks. My friend told me Whippersnapper sounds exactly like Satanic Suffers, so much so that you can't even tell the difference. Well I haven't really heard SS so I can't comment on that. Whippersnapper is just flat out punk rock, the vocals take a little while to get used to but by the 2nd or 3rd time you've listen to this CD you wont be able to get the songs outta your head. (Lobster Records P.O. Box 1473 Santa Barbara, CA 93102)

USOUNDS | 10.2.98

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11/15 Did you miss Ric Befara's latest album review, guest starring the Korean store clerk, Pong Ling?