Strike Twelve Offers Audiences Some “Music Therapy’ In New Single, ‘Baseball Bat’; Announces New Live Dates

Posted on June 2, 2023 by philspicks

Independent punk rock outfit Strike Twelve is giving audiences yet another preview of its forthcoming album, Last Band Standing as the weekend kicks off.

The band premiered the album’s new single, ‘Baseball Bat‘ and its companion video Friday. The song is the album’s third behind the most recently released single, ‘Smart Phones, Stupid People,’ and the album’s lead single, ‘Watch It Burn.’

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single continues the skate punk sound and style that is presented through each of the album’s other songs. The difference in sound is minute enough that only those who fully immerse themselves in each song will catch the subtle differences.

The lyrical theme featured in the new single is a commentary on the things people feel and think as they allow negative thoughts and emotions to build inside them, according to guitarist Matty T.

“‘Baseball Bat’ involves a violent physical release caused by prolonged emotional suppression,” Matty T said. “Sometimes I just can’t bite my tongue any longer and before I open my big mouth it’s better to physically exert myself.”

In other news, Strike Twelve has also announced a handful of live dates. The first of those dates is June 30 in Murrieta, CA. The band’s new live dates are listed below:

Upcoming shows:

June 30th at Solaris Beer in Murrieta, CA

Colorado/Wyoming run with The Frickashinas & Reno Divorce

August 17 at Oil City Beer Co in Casper, WY w/System Restore

August 18 at Vultures in Colorado Springs, CO

August 19 at Herman’s Hideaway in Denver, CO w/Red Stinger

More information on Strike Twelve’s new single, video, and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.striketwelve.com

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

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Dead Alright Premieres New Single, ‘Nights Of Self-Destruction’

Posted on May 11, 2023 by philspicks

Punk rock band Dead Alright premiered another new single this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Nights of Self-Destruction‘ Wednesday. The song’s premiere more than a month after the band premiered its then latest single, ‘Dust Falls‘. That song’s premiere was preceded by another single from the band, ‘Strong Enough To Fail‘.

The song’s musical arrangement is likened to works from the likes of A Day To Remember and Neck Deep among other similar bands. That is evidenced in the semi-sung/screamed vocals and gritty sense from the guitars and drums.

According to information provided in a news release announcing the debut of the band’s new single, the song’s lyrical theme is an introspective look at how people change emotionally and otherwise as they grow and change.

More information on Dead Alright’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/deadalright.

Strike Twelve Goes After ‘Smart Phones, Stupid People’ In New Single, Video

Posted on April 25, 2023 by philspicks

Smart phones make humans anything but smart.

That is the message of Strike Twelve’s new, smartly titled and written single, ‘Smart Phones, Stupid People.’ The song and its simple yet deep video are the first preview from the band’s forthcoming album, Last Band Standing. The album is scheduled for release June 30 through Thousand Islands Records.

The message presented in the band’s new single is anything but new, as acts from across the musical universe have tackled the topic. The thing is that it still is a message that sadly needs to be presented. One of the most interesting aspects of the message is the note in the lyrics that while people’s growing dependence on their phones started prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has only gotten worse since then, with people increasingly planting their faces on their phones and really doing things increasingly through social media, etc. for their own selfish purposes. That in itself really is the starting point for a much deeper discussion that needs to take place at every level. The isolation brought on by the pandemic caused people to rely increasingly on that attention from others through outlets such as Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram, most of which people accessed through their phones.

Front man and bassist Joey T. talked about the commentary in the song’s lyrics during a recent interview.

“I got the inspiration for this song while sitting on the couch with several other people in the room, all of us separately staring in silence at our respective phones,” he said. “‘Smart Phones, Stupid People’ takes a look at the challenges we face with our ever-growing dependence on technology and reminds us that there is a real world with real people right in front of us. And, of course, we shot the whole video on our smart phones…”

The video that accompanies the song, whose pop punk musical arrangement is instantly catchy, does so well to illustrate the message that the lyrics deliver. It uses imagery, such as Joey T. paying more attention to his phone than his kids in various situations, another of the band members doing a live feed, getting himself drunk just for people’s reaction, and even spending more time recording a wrestling event than actually enjoying the match.

More information on Strike Twelve’s new single, video, and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.striketwelve.com

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

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.

Dead Alright Debuts New Single, ‘Dust Falls’

Posted on March 17, 2023 by philspicks

Punk rock band Dead Alright premiered its latest single this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Dust Falls‘ Thursday. The single’s premiere came more than a month after the band debuted its then latest single, ‘Strong Enough To Fail‘ The musical arrangement featured in Dead Alright’s new single is a catchy, infectious pop punk composition that easily lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Millencolin, No Use For A Name, and A Wilhelm Scream, very much as with its predecessor.

According to information provided about the song’s lyrical theme, the song’s theme touches on the touchy subject of loss and grief. This despite the upbeat vibe featured in the song’s arrangement.

More information on Dead Alright’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/deadalright.

Dead Alright Debuts New Single, ‘Strong Enough To Fail’

Posted on January 29, 2023 by philspicks

Punk rock band premiered its latest single to kick off the weekend.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Strong Enough To Fail‘ Friday. The song boasts a musical arrangement that echoes the sounds of so many pop punk bands that have come before throughout the mid to late 90s and even the early 2000s. Among the most notable comparisons are to works from the likes of Millencolin, No Use For A Name, and A Wilhelm Scream.

According to information provided in the news release announcing the single’s debut, the song’s lyrical theme delivers an uplifting message of “being strong enough to learn from your mistakes.”

More information on Dead Alright’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/deadalright.

Trashed Ambulance Honors Label’s Head With New Single

Posted on January 8, 2023 by philspicks

Punk rock outfit Trashed Ambulance is paying tribute to one of the heads of Thousand Islands Records with a new single.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Cyntax Error‘ Thursday. The song is a birthday present to Cynthia Charpentier, Thousand Islands Records co-owner and label manager, according to the band.

“When a great friend/mom-ager turns 40you have to make sure she feels the love,” the band said in a prepared statement. “The song is an ode to Cynthia for always kicking ass and taking names while being the best gal east of the Saskatchewan River!”

The musical arrangement featured in the song is an upbeat, fully celebratory composition that fits the song’s lyrical theme quiet well. The pop-punk style approach and sound presented here will appeal to fans of other punk acts, such as Pulley, Face to Face, and The Flatliners.

More information on Trashed Ambulance’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://thousandislandsrecords.com/roster/trashed-ambulance

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/trashedambo

Straightline Debuts Video For New Single, ‘Earth Defenders’

Posted on January 3, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: Thousand Islands Records/Lockjaw Records

Independent punk rock band Straightline debuted the video for its latest single, ‘Earth Defenders’ last week.

The video is featured in the band’s new album, Keep Your Cool, which is available now through Thousand Islands Records and Lockjaw Records.

The track listing for the band’s new album is noted below.

Tracklisting:

1. Global Frustration

2. Virus

3. Undone

4. Weltschmerz

5. Shame on you

6. Dead certain

7. Earth defenders

8. Leaders of self-destruction

9. Failed Catharsis

10. Stood for something else

11. Power Shift

12. Global Citizens

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is a catchy, upbeat composition that will appeal easily to fans of works from the likes of Propagandhi, Strung Out, and Death By Stereo.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announce the premiere of the single and video. The lyrics provided with the video lead to interpretation that the song is meant to deliver a defiant social commentary about the role of the band’s current generation despite how the “older” generation views the current generation.

The video that accompanies the new single is a simple, straight forward presentation that features the band members and others singing along to the song. A group of family and friends is incorporated into the video as it progresses.

More information on Straightline’s new single, video and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StraightlineMusic

Twenty2 Debuts New Single, ‘Underneath’

Posted on June 25, 2022 by philspicks

Punk rock outfit Twenty2 debuted its new single and video this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Underneath‘ Tuesday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album, Dismissed, which is scheduled for release July 22 through Thousand Islands Records. The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Grudge‘ and its companion lyric video late last month.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Underneath’ is a tense, upbeat composition whose energy and urgency will keep listeners engaged and entertained.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme. No lyrics were provided with the song, either. In listening to the song, audiences are left to infer that the lyrical content deals with the familiar topic of mental health. That is just this critic’s interpretation of the lyrics.

The track listing for Dismissed is noted below.

Tracklist:

1. PRE-CONDITIONED

2. CONDITIONED

3. UNDERNEATH

4. SETUP FROM THE START

5. GRUDGE

6. ERASE YOUR FEAR

7. FUCK YOUR RULES

8. BEFORE YOU SAVE US

9. I’M (NOT) DONE

10. ADULTEEN

11. I KNOW IT’S YOU

12. WHAT SHE DID

13. OUT OF MY HEAD

More information on Twenty2’s new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/Twenty2PunkRock.

Handheld Premieres ‘Leaving Candyland’ Video

Posted on June 5, 2022 by philspicks

Skatepunk band Handheld premiered the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its single, ‘Leaving Candyland‘ Thursday. The band premiered the single by itself last month. The video pays tribute to the late great actor John Candy. It does this by presenting the band in famous scenes from beloved John Candy movies, such as Uncle Buck, Spaceballs, and Planes, Trains, & Automobiles as the song plays over the visualization.

The band talked about the video in a prepared statement.

“We wanted to pay tribute to the great human that was John Candy and honour his life in a unique way, the statement reads. “We picked 6 of our all-time favourite John Candy roles which included: Barf from Spaceballs, Gus from Home Alone, Chet from The Great Outdoors, Del from Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Yosh of The Schmengie Brothers (SCTV) and Uncle Buck from you guessed it… Uncle Buck. Then for each character we shot an homage to our favourite scenes, sprinkled in some punk rock flavorings and what you get is one hell of a good time. This video is definitely big in Sheboygan.”

‘Leaving Candyland’ is the second single from the band’s new album, Canadian Tragedy, 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.

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Tag Archives: Thousand Islands Records

Strike Twelve Offers Audiences Some “Music Therapy’ In New Single, ‘Baseball Bat’; Announces New Live Dates

Dead Alright Premieres New Single, ‘Nights Of Self-Destruction’

Strike Twelve Goes After ‘Smart Phones, Stupid People’ In New Single, Video

The Speakeasy Working On New Album; Premieres New Single

Dead Alright Debuts New Single, ‘Dust Falls’

Dead Alright Debuts New Single, ‘Strong Enough To Fail’

Trashed Ambulance Honors Label’s Head With New Single

Straightline Debuts Video For New Single, ‘Earth Defenders’

Twenty2 Debuts New Single, ‘Underneath’

Handheld Premieres ‘Leaving Candyland’ Video