The Speakeasy Working On New Album; Premieres New Single

Posted on March 30, 2023 by philspicks

Pop punk band The Speakeasy is working on a new album that it is hoping to release this year through Thousand Islands Records.

As audiences wait for the album’s release, the band has given them a new single to whet their appetites. The song premiered Thursday in the form of the subdued punk ballad ‘Breakfast Drugs.’ The song is the second single the band has released this year behind ‘Bright Side,’ which the band premiered in February.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Breakfast Drugs’ is a stark contrast to that featured in ‘Bright Side.’ Where ‘Bright Side’ features a high energy pop punk sound and style akin to works from the likes of NOFX and Sum 41, ‘Breakfast Drugs’ is a far more subdued, almost melancholy type composition that is so contemplative. Even in that difference, it is still an engaging and entertaining work in its own right that conjures thoughts more of more emotional works from the likes of Matchbox 20 and Three Doors Down to name just a pair of comparable acts.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the new single’s premiere. No lyrics are available, either. In listening to the song, it comes across as something of an existential nature. That is just this critic’s interpretation.

More information on The Speakeasy’s new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/TheSpeakeasyRock.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Handheld Gets Sentimental In New LP’s Second Single

Posted on May 21, 2022 by philspicks

Skatepunk band Handheld unveiled another single from its upcoming album, A Canadian Tragedy this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Leaving Candyland‘ Tuesday. The song is the second single from the band’s new album, which is scheduled for release June 14 through Thousand Islands Records. When released, the album will be the band’s first new music in 14 years. The band released the album’s lead single, ‘Bend The Iron‘ in March.

The song’s musical arrangement is an immediately infectious pop punk style composition that lends itself easily to comparison to works from the likes of Blink-182, Sum 41, and others of that ilk. That is evidenced through its upbeat, positive energy and overall instrumentation.

The positive vibes generated through the song’s arrangement do well to illustrate the positivity in the song’s lyrical theme, which the band talked about in a prepared statement.

“Certain people can leave a lasting impression on you and make you laugh,” the statement reads. “‘Leaving Candyland’ is about Thanksgiving, travel, sales, coaching, polka, family, a radio dj, being your own friend, Christmas, and more polka, oh… and eating a giant steak.”

More information on Handheld’s new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/handheldpunk.

Chief State Announces New Album Details; Debuts Album’s Lead Single

Posted on March 12, 2022 by philspicks

Punk rock outfit Chief State is scheduled to release its latest album this summer.

Waiting For Your Colours is scheduled for release July 1 through Mutant League Records. In anticipation of its release, the band premiered the record’s lead single, ‘Team Wiped‘ and its video Thursday.

The musical arrangement featured in the song immediately lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Sum 41, New Found Glory, and All Time Low. That is evidenced through its familiar poppy guitar riffs and vocal harmonies.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announce the premiere of the song and its video. The lyrics provided with the video hint at the theme centering on the familiar matter of a relationship that is in a very difficult position.

The song’s video features the band performing its new single on a sound stage and blends that with footage of front man Fraser Simpson carrying a deck chair around a city and singing along to the track.

Chief State’s new single follows the debut of the band’s then latest single, ‘Metaphors‘ and its companion lyric video in December.

More information on Chief State’s new single and coming album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.chiefstate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chiefstate

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chief_state

Another One Down! Debuts ‘Deadweight’ Lyric Video

Posted on October 9, 2021 by philspicks

Pop punk band Another One Down! debuted hte lyric video for its latest single this week.

The band premiered the lyric video for its single, ‘Deadweight’ Friday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming debut album, A Bitter Descent, which is scheduled for release Nov. 5. Pre-orders are open now. The band debuted the video for the album’s lead single, ‘Headspace’ last month.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Deadweight’ is a familiar pop punk style composition. It will appeal to fans of bands, such as NOFX, Sum 41, and All American Rejects. Its lyrical theme meanwhile touches on a topic that will connect with a wide range of audiences.

According to a statement from the band, ‘Deadweight’ “is a song inspired by former bandmates who refused to pull their own weight. It encapsulates the frustration of dealing with someone who will never admit their faults and will blame anyone else but themselves.”

More information on Another One Down!’s new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnotherOneDownRI

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anotheronedown_

Settle Your Scores Debuts New Single, ‘1999,’ Companion Video

Posted on May 15, 2021 by philspicks

Pop punk band Settle Your Scores debuted its latest single and video this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘1999,’ and its companion video Tuesday. The song is the lead single from the band’s forthcoming, as-yet-untitled album. The song’s musical arrangement immediately lends itself to works from the likes of Sum 41, Good Charlotte, and All Time Low while its lyrical theme clearly delivers a fond reminiscing of days gone by.

The video features the band — Christian Fisher (vocals), Ricky Uhlenbrock (guitar, vocals), Patrick Bryant (guitar), Jeffrey Borer (bass, vocals), and Caleb Smith (drums, percussion) — performing its new single in an apartment setting. One scene feature the band in a rehearsal space in the setting that is lined with posters featuring pop culture icons from the 90s. Among those icons are Blink-182, Nickelodeon’s classic Nicktoons cartoon characters, and everyone’s favorite fearsome deadman, Beetlejuice.

The other scene features Fisher (sporting an All That t-shirt) and one of his band mates enjoying huge bowls of sugary cereal as the warm remembrance of better days plays over the visuals.

‘1999’ is Settle Your Scores’ first single with the independent record label Mutant League Records. The band recently signed a record deal with the label. Specifics of the deal were not announced.

More information on Settle Your Scores’ new single, video, record deal, and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.settleyourscores.co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settleyourscores

Twitter: https://twitter.com/syspoppunk

A Few Too Many Encourages Listeners To Let Go Of The Past With Its Latest Single

Posted on November 13, 2020 by philspicks

Upstart pop punk outfit A Few Too Many is gaining fame across the Atlantic.

The UK-based pop punk band premiered the lyric video for its new single ‘Someday’ Sept. 29. now the single, whose musical arrangement will appeal to fans of fellow pop punk acts, such as Sum 41 and New Found Glory, and emo band Jimmy Eat World, is starting to make waves in the United States.

The song’s musical arrangement is just one part of its appeal. Its lyrical theme encourages listeners to let the past stay in the past, and to focus on moving forward in life. the pairing of that positive message and the song’s equally familiar, infectious musical arrangement will appeal to a wide range of listeners.

The band addressed the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.

“Our single Someday represents our determination to continue to chase our dreams despite setbacks, disappointments and toxic relationships,” the statement reads. “This song is our survival anthem.”

A Few Too Many was recently called one of Alternative Press magazine’s “10 Rising UK-Based Pop Punk Bands You Need To Hear.”

‘Someday’ is available to stream and download here.

More information on A Few Too Many’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/afewtoomanyband

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Another Year Unknown Debuts New Single, ‘A-TT-I-C’

Posted on June 26, 2020 by philspicks

Courtesy: Earshot Media

Pop punk band Another Year Unknown debuted its latest single this week.

The band debuted its new single ‘A-TT-I-C’ Thursday. The song, available to stream and download here, is featured in the band’s EP Stymie. It presents a sound that will appeal to fans of bands, such as Sum 41, New Found Glory and Blink-182. Its lyrical theme presents a coming-of-age story of sorts.

The band talked about that theme in a recent interview.

“When writing A-TT-I-C we wanted to write something that gives that iconic early 2000’s summer pop-punk feel with our own style,” the statement reads. “Our goal was, if we had a chance to write a song for ‘American Pie’ back in the day, what would it be? Well it would be A-TT-I-C.”

More information on ‘A-TT-I-C’ is available along with all of Another Year Unknown’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.anotheryearunknown.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/anotheryearunkn

2017 Rock On The Range Festival Lineup Announced

Posted on November 30, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents/AEG Live

The lineup for the 2017 Rock on the Range Festival has been announced, and once again it has proven to be quite the collection of acts.

The three-day festival will be headlined by Metallica, Soundgarden and Korn. It will feature more than 50 bands over the course of that time along with some of the country’s top comics at the festival’s Rock on the Range Rolling Rock Comedy Tent.

The lineup for the 2017 Rock on the Range Festival includes: Metallica, Soundgarden, Korn, The Offspring, Volbeat, Primus, Bush, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Seether, Coheed & Cambria, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Taking Back Sunday, Thrice, Amon Amarth, Pierce The Veil, Sum 41, Skillet, Dillinger Escape Plan, In Flames, Gojira, Biffy Clyro, Motionless In White, Nothing More, Beartooth, Starset, Every Time I Die, The Story So Far, Deafheaven, Zakk Sabbath, Rival Sons, The Amity Affliction, Attila, Norma Jean, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, I Prevail, Turnstile, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Red Fang, Dorothy, Kyng, Radkey, As Lions, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Sylar, Fire From The Gods, Badflower, Wage War, Goodbye June, Cover Your Tracks, DED, Bleeker, Royal Republic, Mother Feather, Aeges and One Less Reason.

Rock on the Range—fueled by Monster Energy—is billed as America’s largest and most acclaimed rock festival. The festival will also feature in 2017 “The Music Experience,” art installations, and unique on-site activities over the course of the festival’s three days.

Tickets for the 2016 festival sold out more than two months in advance of the festival. It marked the fourth consecutive year the festival has sold out in advance.

Weekend Field, new Weekend Field VIP, Weekend Stadium and a limited number of Weekend Stadium 4-packs are available now for purchase. A layaway option is also available for concert-goers. That option allows audiences to split the cost of their ticket/ticket packages into four separate monthly payments.

Fans can get a pre-sale password for Weekend Field VIP, Weekend Field GA, Weekend Stadium GA and Weekend Stadium GA 4-packs on the official Rock on the Range website, Facebook page and Twitter page. The ticket prices are listed below.

Weekend Field VIP: starting at $349.50* + fees
Weekend Field GA: starting at $199.50* + fees
Weekend Stadium GA: starting at $99.50* + fees
Weekend Stadium GA Ticket 4-Pack: $380.00 + fees
* Phase One prices listed
*** Ticket prices automatically move to the next price level once the allotment sells out ***

General on-sale for tickets is Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. EST. Tickets will be available online at the festival’s website, at Ticketmaster locations and the MAPFRE Stadium box office.

Audiences who want an even more special concert experience can purchase the new Uber Ranger Camping Package. The package includes amenities for four people such as luxury RV on a double campsite at the Ohio Expo North Campground (May 18 – 21), a dedicated concierge with golf cart shuttle, 4 Weekend VIP Field Admission Tickets, a backstage tour, access to the stadium club (with catered lunch and dinner), access to the Side Stage Viewing Platform, access to the VIP Lounge and more. More information on the new Uber Ranger Camping Package is available here.

Rock on The Range celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2016. More than 120,000 people attended the festival from around the world. As part of its 10^th anniversary celebration, Columbus, OH mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Columbus, OH city council presented festival organizers with awards of recognition. A resolution was also announced from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners acknowledging the festival’s economic impact on the city.

The commissioners pointed out in their resolution pointed out the festival brought in more than $140 million for the city over the course of its ten years in the city.

Rock on the Range is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, AEG Live and MAPFRE Stadium. It is supported by Monster Energy, Bud Light and Zippo. They and other partners will feature interactive experiences, meet & greets, and other special fan engagement opportunities throughout the festival.

More information on the 2017 Rock on the Range Festival is available online now at:

Website: http://www.RockontheRange.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rockontherange

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Tales From Wisconsin Is One Of Teenage Bottlerocket’s Best Records Yet

Posted on April 16, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: Rise Records

Teenage Bottlerocket is one of the best punk rock bands that audiences have never heard. For almost fifteen years, this Laramie, Wyoming-based band has been making its own brand of punk rock and building its audience base. All the while, it has remained just under the mainstream radar. This is actually a good thing. That is because it has kept the band from becoming just another cookie cutter pop punk rock band a la Sum 41, Blink 182, Newfound Glory, etc. Remaining just under that mainstream radar has allowed the band to continue crafting its own brand of music more akin to its counterparts in The Lillingtons, Bowling For Soup, and others of that ilk, all the while building its legions of fans around the world. The band’s latest album Tales From Wisconsin is proof of that. It is a fourteen track, thirty-five minute record that is just as certain to have listeners singing along happily just as much as any of the band’s previous releases. This has already been proven thanks to the album’s lead single, the light-hearted ‘Nothing Else Matters (When I’m With You),’ and its follow-up ‘They Call Me Steve.’ Both songs clearly show that nearly fifteen years after it first formed and roughly thirteen years after the release of its debut album Another Way, Teenage Bottlerocket has not lost a single step. The album’s gentle, acoustic closer ‘First Time’ shows this just as much. What’s more, it shows a certain growth from the members of Teenage Bottlerocket. Sure, the comparison to Dropkick Murphys and Green Day are inescapable here. But considering TBR’s body of work up to this point, it shows a turning point for the band and just as with the album’s first two singles shows yet again why this album is one more success from what is one of the punk realm’s best kept secrets.

TBR’s new album Tales From Wisconsin comes some thirteen years after the release of its debut record Another Way. One would think that considering how long TBR has been making music together, it would have broken through into the mainstream a long time ago when MTV and VH1 were still airing music videos and when they, along with the nation’s mainstream radio stations, were thirsting for the next big name in punk rock. Interestingly enough that never happened. Yet considering what those outlets did to the reputation of punk rock, maybe it’s a good thing that TBR never did break through. It allowed TBR to continue making its own music rather than give in to some A&R rep and other label exec along the way. Because it has manage to avoid those trappings, the band has manage to craft an album in Tales From Wisconsin–its sixth full-length studio effort–that is just as enjoyable as any of its previous recordings. That is evident early on in the record courtesy of its lead single ‘Nothing Else Matters (When I’m With You).’ This fully tongue-in-cheek song pays homage to veteran hard rock/metal act Metallica all while presenting a story of a man who has met a woman who is just as much a fan of the band as him. The song’s standard, melodic punk sound will itself have audiences on their feet, dancing in time as Brandon Carlisle keeps time alongside brother Ray Carlisle and fellow guitarist Kody Templeman. The song’s lyrical side is just as apt to put a smile on audiences faces as Templeman makes reference after reference to Metallica’s body of work throughout the song, singing, “That guy was such a d*******/When we were sticking up for Jason Newstead/That’s when you said you loved …And Justice For All/I didn’t make up with the creeps that night/they were looking for a fight/I was totally right on/The frayed ends of sanity/The shortest straw has been pulled for me/I’ll probably fade to black someday/Unless you hit the lights and escape with me.” The references to Metallica’s extensive catalogue don’t stop here. There is also a reference to ‘The Unforgiven’ and ‘Nothing Else Matters.’ The song’s very title is itself a reference to ‘Nothing Else Matters.’ Such playful use of references coupled with the standard theme of a love found make this one of the most original compositions of its kind to be churned out by a musical act in any genre. Such originality makes clear why this song was chosen as the lead single for TFW. It also makes clear by itself what makes TFW one more wonderful release from one of the rock world’s best kept secrets. Audiences can check out the song’s lyric video online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdRrN4xQ8zk.

‘Nothing Else Matters (When I’m With You) is one of the most original compositions about a relationship that has ever been crafted by any act in any of the music world’s many genres. The playful references to Metallica’s biggest hits as the basis for the song’s story coupled with the song’s catchy hooks and chorus makes it obvious why the song was chosen as TFW’s lead single. It also stands as just one clear example of why TBR remains today one of the best kept secrets in both the world of punk and rock in general. The song’s follow-up ‘They Call Me Steve’ shows just as clearly how much TBR has to offer on its latest release. The song’s musical side boasts even more infectious hooks and choruses throughout its two-minute, twenty-one second run time. Looking at the song from a lyrical standpoint, it is just as intriguing as Templeman sings, “I knocked down a tree with my bare hands/And I’ve been to all four corners of this land/I killed a giant spider with an iron sword/And I ran ten miles being chased by a zombie horde/They call me Steve/I’ll do anything you want me to/They call me Steve/I’ll dig a hole to Hell and back for you.” If not for the song’s companion video, which can be viewed online now, the song alone would definitely have had audiences talking. The song’s companion video is a Minecraft themed creation that perfectly complements the song’s lyrical content. It’s a love story in a video game world. The video can be viewed online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqLAkjRyiJU. In viewing the video, audiences will agree that it perfectly illustrates the story presented in the song and in turn makes the song even more enjoyable than it is on its own musical merits. The combination of the song’s musical and lyrical sides, and its companion video makes clear once again why TBR remains one of the best names in the punk realm and one of rock’s best kept secrets. Alongside ‘Nothing Else Matters (Without You),’ it shows even more clearly whyTFW is such an enjoyable record.

‘Nothing Else Matters (Without You)’ and ‘They Call Me Steve’ are both clear examples of what makes TFW such an enjoyable record both for fans that are new to the band’s material and to those that are more familiar with the band’s body of work. As much enjoyment as those songs offer audiences, there is one more song on this record that stands out even more than them as one of the album’s highest of points. That song is the album’s string-laden acoustic closer ‘First Time.’ Both musically and lyrically it presents the band’s much more rarely exhibited softer side. The comparison to Green Day and Dropkick Murphys among others is inescapable here because of that combination of music and lyrics. But being one of those truly rare times that the band has gotten to display its softer side, it makes this moment something special. It shows the band a little more willing to grow and show a more mature side from the band in comparison to what audiences have become accustomed to hearing. There is almost a certain desperation in Templeman’s voice as he sings I’m falling apart with a broken heart for the first time/I’m starting to doubt what this feeling’s about/For the first time/I stare at the wall/I’m beginning to fall…For the first time/spinning out of control/With nowhere left to go.” It’s not the standard oh, woe is me sort of delivery musically or lyrically that audiences have become all too familiar with from so many punk and emo bands. It has its own identity. Because of that, it proves yet again what makes TFW just as enjoyable as TBR’s previous records and why this veteran punk rock band remains today one of the best kept secrets of the rock world in whole. Together with ‘Nothing Else Matters (When I’m With You)’ and ‘They Call Me Steve,’ all three songs together exhibit why this record is just as enjoyable for first time listeners and for those that are more familiar with the band’s body of work. That is not to discount the other dozen tracks that make up this record, either. Each of those tracks not noted here makes its own argument in favor of TFW, too. The whole of those tracks and those more fully noted here show clearly why every punk rock fan should hear this record regardless of their familiarity with TBR.

TBR is currently out on tour in support of its new album. It will wrap up the U.S. leg of its tour this Sunday, April 19th in Denver, Colorado before taking a few days off to recharge and prep for the European leg of its tour. That leg kicks off next Thursday, April 24th in Lindau, Germany. Fans will be able to pick up TFW at either of those shows or any of its upcoming shows, too. Fans that can’t make it to the band’s shows can also pick up TFWin stores and online. Fans can check out TBR’s latest tour dates and get more information on TFW, and where they can purchase it online now at:

Website: http://www.teenagebottlerocket.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/teenbottlerock

Instagram: http://instagram.com/teenagebottlerocket

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

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