Of all summer festivals, Warped Tour has always been the best bang for your buck. Twenty three dollars for 30+ bands is ridiculously awesome. Too bad Ticketmaster likes to stab at our wallets. “Convenience” charges and service fees aside, Warped is still your best ticket of the summer, and maybe even the year.

The sun was already high in the air and there wasn’t a rain cloud in sight over the Starwood Ampitheater in Nashville, TN. The parking lot was filling up as street punks, older Warped vets, and the Myspace generation made their way to the gates.  Read more...

Artist: Cute Is What We Aim For
Album: The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 20, 2006

Overall: 5.5
Music: 5.6
Lyrics: 5.7
Production: 5.4

Having followed this band since last summer, I had high hopes for this album. They were shattered to an extent. There’s an odd thing going on with this disc. Usually, the first half of an album is good and the last half is forgettable. It’s reversed here.  Read more...

Artist: Ryan’s Hope
Album: Apocalypse In Increments
Label: Punk News Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 11, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.6
Lyrics: 7.6
Production: 8.0

Not hitting up the Warped Tour this summer? Looking for some new tunes to capture the feel of the glory days? Look no further than Ryan’s Hope. Hailing from Chicago, the band delivers a disc packed with the “fuck you” attitude of Bad Religion and the speed and catchiness of the Descendants and Lifetime.  Read more...

Artist: Jet Lag Gemini
Album: Business
Label: Doghouse
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 6, 2006

Overall: 7.9
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.2

Jet Lag Gemini are a young bunch of kids form New Jersey who have been playing music for years. Where does this come into play you say? Well, being that the band consists of Vlad and Matei who are brothers from Romania and the whole band comes in at the age of 20 or under makes this a great accomplishment. Being signed to Doghouse Records (home to bands like Say Anything, Limbeck, and mroe) and have an EP out makes this accomplishment all the better.  Read more...

Artist: Sleepaway
Album: Sleepaway
Label: No Milk Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 6, 2006

Overall: 7.8
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.6
Production: 8.2

This self-titled debut is something you would expect from a band on their second or even third release. Sleepaway hit it on the spot with this release that has the sounds of Waking Ashland, JamisonParker, This Day and Age written all over it.  Read more...

Artist: House of Heroes
Album: Say No More
Label: Mono Vs. Stereo
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 30, 2006

Overall: 7.6
Music: 7.8
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

After releasing their self-titled album last year, House of Heroes didn’t quite get the coverage they deserved. Re-releasing that album with a couple of new songs, new artwork, and the name Say No More, the band is back and they want your full attention this time.  Read more...

Artist: Danko Jones
Album: Sleep is the Enemy
Label: Razor & Tie
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 23, 2006

Overall: 6.8
Music: 6.6
Lyrics: 7.2
Production: 8.0

Danko Jones are on their third release with their new album Sleep is the Enemy. This Canadian trio mixes a bit of yesterdays rock style with a bit of today pop rock style. Their heavy riffs are set in an almost laid back rock style on this album. You’ll find Yourself rocking to tracks like “She’s Drugs” and banging your foot to tracks like “Sleep Is The Enemy.”

Track Listing
1. Sticky Situation
2. Baby Hates Me
3. Don’t Fall In Love
4. She’s Drugs
5. The Finger
6. First Date
7. Invisible
8. Natural Tan
9. When Will I See You
10. Time Heals Nothing
11. Sleep Is the Enemy
12. Choose Me

Artist: Various
Album: Hotel
Label: Hopeless | Sub City
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 6, 2006

Overall: 7.0
Music:
Lyrics:
Production:

Hopeless Records continues the release of their Hoplessly Devoted To You series with Vol. 6. This 2 disc + DVD package contains a few new tracks as well as a large mix from both Hopeless and Sub City records. The bonus DVD includes music videos from Amber Pacific, Thrice, Avenged Sevenfold, Nural, and more.  Read more...

This is the interview I did with Matt Wertz in Seattle on June 5, 2006. Later that evening, I was fortunate enough to see Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz play a capacity crowd at the Crocodile Cafe in one the most memorable concert experiences of my life. Do yourself a favor and check out Matt and Dave’s music, as well as the organization they are involved in:

The Mocha Club

Thanks to Emily & Nettwerk Management!  Read more...