Shitty Weekend
Shit Week
Secret Pennies (2014)
This thing is all over the map, from freak-out jazz-punk one minute (“Geneva”) to a track of haunting old man ghost noises laid atop a galloping horse, and then band to spastic punk. I mean that in a good way.Shitty Weekend is made up of members of Transient and The Taxpayers and call Portland home. They’re a six-piece band with … Read more
Shockwave
The Ultimate Doom
Facedown (2004)
There was a time during my childhood when my after-school hours were dominated by sitting in front of the television to catch the latest episode of Transformers. It was my love for the show that prompted me to spend every penny I earned buying up Transformers toys. Fortunately I am able to relive those days vicariously by listening to The … Read more
Shook Ones
Body Feel
Revelation (2018)
Shook Ones are a nostalgic band for me, they were the most active during my teenage years and I associate them with that time period. I’m sure like most of their fans, I was surprised they released a new full length given that it’s been five years since they’ve released any new music. The band never officially announced they were … Read more
Shook Ones
Facetious Folly Feat
Revelation (2006)
2006 has seen the release of plenty of outstanding records from melodic hardcore bands, and as the year is coming to a close you might think the best of the best have already graced us with their presence. If so, then think again. Shook Ones' Facetious Folly Feat has defied all expectations and lands at the top of the heap … Read more
Shook Ones
Slaughter of the Insole
Revelation (2006)
In 2005, Shook Ones quietly released their debut LP Sixteen on Endwell Records. Okay, so maybe quite a few people noticed, but I'm just trying to cover my ass for not reviewing it when I damn well should have. As a result of that stellar release this Washington state group ended up signing with Revelation Records and subsequently released this … Read more
Shook Ones
The Unquotable A.M.H.
Paper + Plastick (2009)
Now on their third album, Shook Ones already have a pretty solid reputation. After the melodic hardcore masterpiece that was Facetious Folly Feat, I thought it would be difficult to make another record that was as fast and energetic as that one. Well, what does the band do instead? How about make one of the catchiest records of 2009 while … Read more
Shorebirds
It's Gonna Get Ugly
Rumbletowne (2008)
When you consider the potentially high profile of Shorebirds, it's surprising how quietly they operated. Singer/guitarist Matt Canino was in the much-loved Latterman and bassist Chris Bauermeister played in Jawbreaker. With all the hype this could have created, Shorebirds instead laid low, putting their records out on Canino and co-owned label and establishing almost no presence on the Internet. And … Read more
Short Sharp Shock
Short Sharp Shock
Dead & Gone (2006)
Anyone who's read any of my reviews probably has a pretty good idea of my old-school sensibilities when it comes to music. I've been listening to music for my whole life and it's tough to find anything that sounds fresh these days. So the reasons for my old-school tastes are simple. I'm old. I've heard a lot in my life. … Read more
Shotpointblank
Heart of a Disbeliever
Surprise Attack (2005)
The stereotypical US citizen knows very little about Australia. In fact, what little knowledge they do have was likely learned from two sources: their grade school education and, of course, the hilarious films that chronicle the adventures of Paul Hogan as Crocodile Dundee. But who really cares about Australia? It's all the way on the other side of the world. … Read more
Shrinebuilder
Shrinebuilder
Neurot (2009)
Holy supergroup! Even as that term is overused, for underground metal and heavy music, Shrinebuilder is just that when you read the members that comprise this group: Scott "Wino" Weinrich (The Obsessed, St. Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand), Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot), Al Cisneros (Sleep, Om), and Dale Crover (The Melvins, Nirvana). These four notable characters got … Read more
Siblings Of Samhain
Tales of Love, Death and the Macabre
Independent (2022)
UK horrorpunks Siblings Of Samhain offer us up album number three just in time for the spooky season! Tales of Love, Death and the Macabre is 12 tracks of dark, creepy yet incredibly catchy punk rock dedicated to a plethora of gore-tastic blood soaked horror themes. From the first track "Bury Me" you are immersed in the sing-a-long chorus and … Read more
Sick of it All
Death to Tyrants
Abacus (2006)
Does this band honestly need any kind of introduction? Seriously, Sick of it All is an institution in the punk and hardcore scene. Having been active for over twenty years at this point, the band has truly hit on a creative renaissance of late with their last album Life on the Ropes being a return to some of the heaviest … Read more
Sick Sick Birds
Gates Of Home
Toxic Pop (2012)
A lot of bands are waving their 90s flags these days. And I don’t blame them. A) they grew up with the stuff and, B) I’ll take the Alternative Nation over the skinny jeans 20-aught set any day. (Yes, I’m an old man.) Sick Sick Birds are a Baltimore group coming out of the punk scene, although their music doesn’t … Read more
Sick Sick Birds
Heavy Manners
Toxic Pop (2009)
Sometimes life gets in the way of good music. When the Thumbs disbanded in 2003, Mike Hall and Bobby Borte needed a new outlet. They formed Sick Sick Birds, but families and education have slowed the band's production, leading them to release their first full-length in 2008. Heavy Manners isn't a far stretch from their previous band, but Sick Sick … Read more
Sidetracked
Just a Front
16Oh (2006)
When Tacoma, Washington mixed early Internal Affairs with a handful of power violence and took out the repetition, Sidetracked was birthed. The Northwest has been known recently for their exceptional melodic hardcore - Sinking Ships, Shook Ones, etc. - but Sidetracked is a quick reminder of what a dose of pissed off infested kids with instruments and amps can do. … Read more
Sigh
In Somniphobia
Spinefarm Records (2012)
I don't know what it is about Japanese metal bands, but they seem to be some of the craziest of the crazy—and the most talented. Avant-thrashers Sigh are no exception, and their latest release, 2012's delightfully titled In Somniphobia, has some of their best work yet.From the first few seconds, you know that this is classic Sigh at their best: … Read more
Signals Midwest
Dent
Lauren Records (2022)
Signals Midwest play punk with a lot of words. Words arranged in actual sentences, telling stories instead of using the lyrics for purely rhythmic and singalong purposes. Dent is their fifth album, and it’s the first I’ve personally reviewed even though I’ve followed the band from afar over the years. The lyrics are personal, but consistently positive in tone, which … Read more
Signals Midwest
Latitudes & Longitudes
Tiny Engines (2011)
Placing the band Signals Midwest into a genre is a difficult task; their latest release Longitudes and Latitudes is a beautiful mesh of melodic interludes, upbeat pop punk and gritty punk rock. Having this many influences in your work can often lead to great things being lost in translation and the overall result being muddled. However, you can fully appreciate … Read more
