Tag Archives: ska punk

Big D and the Kids Table unveils new single

Photo Credit: Mark Stern

Big D and the Kids Table will be making their triumphant return to SideOneDummy Records on October 22nd with an inspiring 20-track collection of new songs appropriately titled DO YOUR ART. Music tastemaker SPIN took a stroll down memory lane with vocalist Dave McWane as he reminisced over his career spanning over 25 years. They unveiled the third single “Toyed” as well earlier this week which is now available everywhere for streaming (music video below).

“In many toxic relationships, the person who is toxic will oftentimes try and have the other person tied to a shoestring,” explains McWane. “They often attempt to keep the relationship going even after it has been broken off. This is a reminder to not be toyed with by these toxic people and to make sure when you break off a toxic relationship, it stays broken off.”     

The album was produced and engineered by Reel Big Fish’s Matt Appleton. “The overall sound of DO YOUR ART is similar to a full day at the waterpark,” describes McWane. “It’s sunny, a freakin’ blast and packed with adrenaline. Some songs drop you right in, straight down, blasting forward, while other songs loop you about, spinning you around and dunk you. So put your dang suit on, smile, laugh and get wet.”

DO YOUR ART is overflowing with enthusiasm, optimism, encouragement, and love. “There’s nothing that you can do about all of the terrible things that will happen in your life,” explains McWane. “The speeding train is coming your way and there’s no stopping it. Spend your time wisely before your whistle blows.” From taking things a bit too far (“Too Much”) to toxic relationships (“Toyed”) to the experience and feeling of falling in love (“New Day”) to parents and doctors medicating some children just for their convenience (“Med Her Lazy”) to the power of love (“Beautiful Way”) to class warfare (“Dispirit”) – DO YOUR ART is a reminder to make the most of life even at its lowest points and never be dissuaded from creating what you want to create.

Vinyl LP preorders and exclusive merch bundles have been selling like hotcakes via SideOneDummy’s webstore. The first pressing of vinyl is available in half & half red and blue with yellow splatter (500 copies) and solid blue (1,000 copies).

Big D and the Kids Table formed during October 1996 in Boston, MA when its members converged in college. They have had major sales success which propelled them to touring throughout 25 countries supporting bands such as The Mighty Mighty BossToneS, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, Suicide Machines, and many others from the ska-punk and punk rock scenes. Festival appearances include Riot FestThe FestVans Warped TourCranking & SkankingAmnesia RockfestReading and Leeds FestivalsHolidays in the Sun FestivalBoomtownHits & Pits Festival, and Deconstruction Tour. They have appeared on twenty compilations between 1996 and 2013 as well. In addition, the band hosts an annual Halloween show called A Nightmare Before Halloween that sells out every single year.

(review) Authority Zero – Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

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Zero Crew are back with new album and it is a full length bomb. Authority Zero are for sure one of the best live bands in the punk rock scene nowadays, so much energy, so much epic moments. After an excellent e.p. serving as kind of announcement for the new record, this time there are 13 songs mixing melodic hardcore, punk, reggae and ska in one epic and energetic bomb. The title song is a hit, I listened to it on previous e.p. and now for ten times in a row, such uplifting chorus and emotion in one song. Also The Good Fight, The Back Nine, Don´t Tear Me Down featuring guest performance by none other than Jim Lindberg of Pennywise are hits not to be missed and becoming instant Zero evergreens. Also, there is a guest performance by Igari Shuhei of HEY-SMITH on Ear To Ear, also being one of my personal favorites. This is probably one of the top three Authority Zero releases in the history of this excellent band. My recommendation.

(review) The Interrupters – Live in Tokyo!

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In the year with no gigs The Interrupters decided to release a live album to remind us all how we miss gigs and energy, singing along and smiling enjoying great company and great music. This band is huge, delivering their melodic ska punk music with style, energy, great songwriting and anthemic songs topped with Aimee Interrupter´s awesome voice making her one of the best singers in the scene, also harmonic back vocals and musicianship of the Bivona brothers. There are ten songs on this one with all crown interaction and singing along. Setlist is superb with my personal favorites By My Side, Take Back The Power, Title Holder, Gave You Everything and all others being there. This is such great record.