All posts by vladkraykulla

Active member of alternative underground scene and culture since early 1990-ies. Underground is a way of life!
Reviews, Various

(review) HITCH & Go – A Place That Doesn’t Exist (People of Punk Rock)

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Hitch & Go from Quebec City have been around since 2012 but their line-up solidified in 2015 and this is their brand new full length opus out with People of Punk Rock. This one contains eleven songs and what immediately came to mind when first song started is, gods how this one rocks. It is totally fast and melodic skate punk like it was done in the nineties and having some pop punk in some song structures thrown in for good measure here and there. Sheep In Wolf´s Clothing hits you in the head with fast skate punk and beautiful vocal melody, bridge that transforms into anthemic and bombastic chorus just made for singing along at gigs or whole day when you think that nobody hears you, or you just don´t care if they hear or not. Vocals are strong and melodic with nice backing harmonies and remind me of Tony Sly a bit for couple of moments in almost every song. But, they sometimes transform into screamed parts and they fit perfectly in some hooks and grooves in song parts. Lyrics deal with every day themes, but they are nicely and great written. There is also special appearance of Scott Sellers in awesome If I Fall. My other favorites are Find Yourself and A Place That Doesn´t Exist. This record is a hundred percent proof that skate punk is alive and well like it was when I was growing up.

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Melodic punks from Berlin Awkward Reunion released new single and video for the upcoming debut album!

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In a society in which it is easy to loose yourself or feel like you don’t belong – excluded by looking, feeling, acting different – connecting seems to become harder, even with the closest people around you. The more we think we feel different, the more we tear away from each other. But it only requires a little bit more love from each and every one of us to finally connect again. And if we are fully honest with ourselves: „[…]being nice is not that hard.“

Idiot is the title track from Awkward Reunion’s debut album, due out May 20, 2022. The accompanying music video captures the urban still life of Berlin and the band in their common environment.

Sprung from Germany’s Punk Rock capital Berlin, Awkward Reunion reminds you of the early days, the bruises and the broken voices after you’ve downed a few too many with your friends at the show. Known for their strong harmonies and perfectly raw guitar melodies, the band’s members carry the torch from their previous endeavours in The Uprising, Berlin Blackouts, Versus You and many others. After releasing a tape on the DIY label Tape or Die in 2018, the four joined Mercy Union on tour through Germany and supported many other bands such as Not Scientists, Pears and Off With Their Heads.  

On May 20, 2022, the band is set to finally release their long awaited debut album Idiot on SBÄM Records. Recorded in their own studio in Berlin and mixed by Pete Steinkopf (The Bouncing Souls), the band has created the summer punk rock soundtrack of the year to raise your fist and scream along too. In cooperation with SBÄM Records and Felix from Flix Agency, Awkward Reunion is ready to take to the stages again in 2022.

Idiot will be released on May 20, 2022 on SBÄM Records.

Line-Up

Torri – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Mike – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gabriele – Bass, Backing Vocals
Jens – Drums

Reviews, Various

(review) Snuff – Crepuscolo Dorato (SBÄM Records)

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Snuff are back with a new full length album and new material that has been two years in the making. I must admit that I sometimes had hot/cold relationship with this band through my history back in the days, sometimes liking their records, sometimes less liking, but this one is a keeper. Vocalist/drummer Duncan Redmonds sounds angry when the song needs it, also melodic and emotional at other times, but his voice is a unique sound that can be recognized every time without mistake. On this album Snuff mix their vision of melodic punk but also mod, some garage rock influences, also blues at times, like in cover song by Curtis Mayfield Hard Times with all organ and trombone what makes this bands stand apart and so unique from other bands in the scene. My personal favorites are Looks Alright From Here, being faster, more straightforward angry punk song, One Of Those Days which is my top song from the record with haunting melody and infectious vocal lines. There are also some metal influences in guitar work of instrumental Barba Gelata, somehow harshest sounding song on the record although there are no vocals on that one. Green Glass Chippings is also safe to mention as a highlight of this great record. But, you have to listen for yourselves and create an opinion. This is only mine. I love this one.