Yard Sign Releases New EP, ‘The Midwest Midlife Meltdowns’

Courtesy: Punkerton Records

Independent punk act Yard Sign released its new EP, The Midwest Midlife Meltdowns Friday through Punkerton Records.

The six-song record was recorded in 2022 and produced independently by the one-man act, which is the brainchild of Scott Marks, according to a news release announcing the record’s release.

Marks said the EP was recorded quickly and fluidly.

“Outside of half of a song and a little piano jingle, the entire EP was basically written and recorded in one manic blast of inspiration,” Marks said. “This EP is pure Yard Sign, for better or worse!”

Yard Sign’s new EP is anchored by its lead single, ‘Hlp U Out.’ The song was released last week just before the EP’s release. The nearly three minute composition is an infectious work. That is thank in large part to its catchy guitar line and vocal harmony. The song’s upbeat energy definitely plays into that appeal, too. The song’s arrangement is easily comparable in its sound and style to works from the likes of Pennywise, Bouncing Souls, and Jeff Rosenstock.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme, but in listening to the song, the inference is that this is simply someone telling a friend or family member that he or she is there for that other person and will be there to help when and how he or she is needed. It seems a rather upbeat, positive message, and if that is the case, then it matches well with the song’s musical arrangement. That is because the arrangement is just as upbeat.

More information on Yardsign’s new EP and single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://yardsign.bandcamp.com.

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It’s Not Dead Festival Comes To Life This Fall

Courtesy: Earshot Media

Punk rock is alive and well!

That is the message being sent by “It’s Not Dead Festival” co-founders Kevin Lyman, Jon Reese and Live Nation’s Rich Best. Thanks to the trio’s combined efforts, the aptly-titled festival will become reality, proving the spirit of punk and the music itself is alive and well. The “It’s Not Dead Festival” will be held Saturday, October 10^th at the San Manuel Amphitheater Festival Grounds in San Bernadino, CA. The festival will feature performances from a total of thirty-five bands across three stages representing the past, present, and future of punk and ska. Those bands include: Bad Religion, Pennywise, Descendents, NOFX, The Vandals, 7 Seconds, The Vandals, Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag, Strung Out, Fishbone, H20, Lagwagon, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and many more. The festival’s complete lineup is listed below.

The Lineup: Bad Religion, Pennywise, Descendents, NOFX,The Vandals,7 Seconds, Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag, Strung Out, Fishbone, H20, Lagwagon, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake

Second Stage: The Adolescents, Agent Orange, CJ Ramone, Devils Brigade, Duane Peters Gunfight, Manic Hispanic, Pulley, Riverboat Gamblers, Sham 69, Swingin’ Utters, The Dickies, TSOL

Third Stage: DI, Left Alone, Otherized, Rhythmic Asylum, The Briggs, The Interrupters, The Untouchables, Total Chaos

Tickets for the “It’s Not Dead Festival” will be available beginning this afternoon at 1pm ET on the festival’s official website at http://www.itsnotdeadfestival.com/. Early bird tickets start at $25 and go up in price from there. Regular on-sale price for tickets is $42.50. Service fees and parking are not included in ticket prices. Kids 10 and under get in free. On-site overnight parking will be available for those that get there early in anticipation of the big day.

While the bands tapped to play this year’s festival are the main attraction, they are just part of what audiences can look forward to this year. There will also be an old-school skate/BMX jam presented by Vans featuring appearances from skateboarding legends such as: Mike Frazier, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, Omar Hassan, and Neal Hendrix along with pros Lizzie Armanto, Alex Perelson, and Josh Bordon. BMX rider Dennis McCoy will also be on hand for the event.

For those looking for something calmer, there will also be an art exhibition titled “Art’s Not Dead” and a book-signing area. The art exhibition will feature works from artists and photographers such as Mark deSalvo, Dave Naz, Natalia Fabia, Lisa Johnson, B.J. Papas, Greg Attonito, Chris Shary, Craig “Skibs” Barker, Jeff Alulis, Jason Cardwell and many others.  Their works will both be on exhibition and for sale. The book-signing area will feature books from well-known authors such as Jeff Alulis, Danny Bland, Cecil Castellucci, Jack Grisham, Shawna Kenney, Jim Lindberg, David Nazworthy, Christian Picciolini, John Roecker with Dylan Melody, Daniel Weizmann and Shanti Wintergate & Greg Attonito.

The “It’s Not Dead Festival” is sponsored by Vans, Rockstar Energy Drink, FYE, Coldcock Whiskey, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Epitaph Records, and Pure Noise Records. More information on the “It’s Not Dead Festival” is available online now including ticketing information at:

Website: http://www.itsnotdeadfestival.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsnotdeadfest

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