The Lockdowns - Can't Catch a Break

It's probably redundant to say we have another good pop-punk release coming to us from Mom's Basement Records. This label doesn't release anything that isn't good! "The Lockdowns" is such an obvious name for a present-day band that I'm surprised there aren't dozens of other bands out there called that. Perhaps these Lockdowns from Houston won the wrestling tournament or lottery drawing or pie-eating contest or whatever it was that decided which band got to be called The Lockdowns. Can't Catch a Break is their debut full-length, and I only wish I could go back in time and play it for my 25-year-old self. He/I would have been so stoked to discover that music like this would still exist in the distant and terrifying future of 2024. The cover art depicting a black Chuck Taylor sneaker stepping off a wad of bubblegum pretty tells you everything you need to know about this band. 

When it comes to pop-punk, there are two main categories of bands I most enjoy. I like groups such as, say, The Young Hasselhoffs who start from a fundamental pop-punk base and then proceed to grow and expand the definition of the genre. And I also like bands that completely eschew originality in favor of strict adherence to the sacred textbook of pop-punk as written by the Ramones and amended by Screeching Weasel. Obviously The Lockdowns are in the latter category. They aren't trying to move the ball forward or learn a fourth chord or turn any hater of pop-punk to the dark side. They make pop-punk music for people who proudly love pop-punk, and they do it well. Can't Catch a Break finds these guys laying the hammer down '90s-style — with some modern-day beard-core vibes in the mix as well. The album delivers a nice mix of heart-on-sleeve love songs, snottier tracks, and straight-up fun tunes. And of course I was thrilled that these guys covered the best Ramones song. If Lookout! (or better yet, Mutant Pop) Records is well-represented in your music collection, Can't Catch a Break will have you dancing in your leather jacket. 

-L.R.

https://thelockdownstx.bandcamp.com/album/cant-catch-a-break
https://open.spotify.com/album/0cJ9mYn5bJOwKybRjTGFvy
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-lockdowns-can-t-catch-a-break-lp-cd
https://www.instagram.com/thelockdownstx/
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords
https://www.instagram.com/momsbasementrecords/
https://www.facebook.com/thelockdownstx/

Boogadas! - Heartbeats and Heartbreaks

2024 has been an excellent year for pop-punk. The hits just keep on coming. That continues with Heartbeats and Heartbreaks, the debut album from Brazilian foursome Boogadas! Agnes, Jennifer, Priscila, and Renata demonstrate what I've long believed about pop-punk: that you don't need to break new ground to excel at this kind of music, and that perhaps, it's better if you don't. Heartbeats and Heartbreaks is pop-punk the way it ought to be, rooted in simple yet undeniably catchy songwriting with strong melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Essentially, this is pop-punk for pop-punk fans. So it's no surprise that one of the biggest pop-punk fans out there, John from Mom's Basement Records, heard this band and quickly signed them to his label. John knows good pop-punk, and he has found us an absolute gem in Boogadas! I mean, come on: How great is "Punching Above Your Weight"? And that's not the only ace song in the bunch. At just eight tracks, Heartbeats and Heartbreaks is filler-free and certain to leave you wanting more if '90s/early 2000s era pop-punk is your jam. Look for a physical release from Mom's Basement in the near future.

-L.R.

https://boogadas.bandcamp.com/album/heartbeats-and-heartbreaks
https://open.spotify.com/album/2TKqcygf25GMn0sjxqfXyH
https://www.instagram.com/boogadas

The Putz - Too Little Too Late

Duuuuuuuude! The Putz, who've long been a band I would place in the top tier of present-day pop-punk, have unleashed what could very well be their best album yet! Out now on Mom's Basement Records, Too Little Too Late is their fifth album and first in four years. At first, this may come off as something a little different for The Putz. It leans more to the the snottier, more aggressive side of pop-punk and less to the "pop" side of pop-punk. But when I look back over The Putz's body of work, I realize that this band has always excelled at snarky three-chord punk blasters. The ratio of hate songs to love songs may be a little higher on this release, but essentially this is a vintage Putz effort. When it comes to pulling off a fuck-off attitude yet keeping the songs totally fun, no band can top The Putz. Billy started writing this album during peak lockdown times, so of course his lyrics reflect a great deal of frustration and dissatisfaction. But this is by no means a "dark" album. Billy, Dougie, and Pat are operating at a master class level in the fine art of channeling intense negativity into triumphant songs that will have you bobbing your head, tapping your toes, and shouting along until all your troubles melt away. Songs rage against everything from your asshole boss to douchers named Chad to people who never shut their mouths to haters of punk rock to chowder heads to whiners to pharmaceuticals to your scumbag friends to a refrigerator devoid of beer. Mixed in are some Ramones-based rockers like "Teenage Hand Grenade" (reminding me of superstar label mates the SUCK) and a couple of absolutely perfect pop-punk love songs, including the masterpiece "I Hope You Stick Around" (featuring Leah Putz on lead vocals). Put it all together, and you've got everything you could want from a pop-punk record. You know Mom's Basement Records ain't messing around! 

Of course there are a whole lot of bands out there that worship at the altar of The Queers in their early to mid '90s peak years. Most of them are enjoyable to some degree but come off like obvious copyists. The Putz, on the other hand, remind me of why I loved all those Queers records but don't sound like they're trying to be The Queers. A lot of that has to do with Billy's unique, authentic appeal as a vocalist. With every word that comes out of his mouth, there's no doubt you're buying what he's selling. And of course you won't find three other musicians in the world who are more perfectly suited to playing this kind of music. This band includes my favorite living drummer and a guitarist who recently released the best pop-punk album in a decade. But much love is also warranted for the author of these songs. It takes an incredible amount of smarts to write great songs this dumb, and it's high time that the genius of Billy Putz be acknowledged.

-L.R.

https://theputz.bandcamp.com/album/too-little-too-late
https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-putz-too-little-too-late
https://open.spotify.com/album/0BS6XHVdTngrEJHevdiIpn
https://www.facebook.com/theputzrock
https://www.instagram.com/the.putz/
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/momsbasementrecords/
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords
https://www.tiktok.com/@momsbasementrecords

The Follow Ups - Know Who Your Friends Aren't

This is turning into the summer of pop-punk for me. Perhaps that's because there's so much music being released that just feels like the music that made me fall in love with punk rock in the first place. Know Who Your Friends Aren't is the second album (and first in five years) from Moncton, New Brunswick's The Follow Ups. It's out now on Faster and Louder Records in Canada and Mom's Basement Records in the U.S.A. In a totally good way, this album reminds me of the '90s. The Follow Ups take me back to a time when the lines between pop-punk and straight-up snotty punk rock were blurred. These guys play ballsy three-chord punk rock with snotty vocals and lyrics that are humorous in a wonderfully obnoxious way. Vocally, they give off Vindictives/Sloppy Seconds vibes. Musically, they seamlessly move between that Lookout! Records via the Ramones lane that is such a sweet spot for Mom's Basement and a faster, more aggressive '80s-influenced approach to punk rock. This is a really fun album. These guys never take themselves too seriously, but they are serious about playing high quality pop-punk. Their ability to write consistently good songs in varying styles is rare in this genre. Know Who Your Friends Aren't  is a super-solid record that doesn't try to break any new ground and doesn't need to. You might like this one even if pop-punk isn't always your thing!

-L.R.

https://fasterandlouder.bandcamp.com/album/know-whoyour-friends-arent
https://www.instagram.com/followupsband/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFollowUps
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdUZ29fO-TBnrcYibW1YJag
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-follow-ups-know-who-your-friends-aren-t

The Bacarrudas - "You Can Have My Love If You Want It, OK?"

Wow: The Bacarrudas sure knew how to pick the perfect debut single! Excuse me while I go pick my jaw off the floor. Notice I said The Bacarrudas, not  The Barracudas or Barreracudas. The Bacarrudas are a '60s-style frat rock band from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As fellow citizens of this commonwealth, they are entitled to free admission to any music fests I will someday arrange along with complementary Faster and Louder varsity jackets. Technically, their debut single was a Christmas release which came out at the end of last year. But for their first proper single, The Bacarrudas treat us to a preview of Pool Party, their forthcoming debut album on Mom's Basement Records. Now this is no ordinary garage rock band. This is a garage rock band featuring the god-like singing and songwriting talents of Mr. Adam Rabuck.  "You Can Have My Love If You Want It, OK?" has more energy than a 1980s exercise video, and it is sure to promote the burning of even more calories. If the song were any catchier, your school nurse would have warned you about it. Push play and get dancing! The full album drops May 3rd!

-L.R.

https://thebacarrudas.bandcamp.com/track/you-can-have-my-love-if-you-want-it-ok
https://open.spotify.com/album/1YTLr1QT3Fq3aUHa9BvFFL
https://www.facebook.com/thebacarrudas

https://www.instagram.com/the_bacarrudas/

Hoaxxers - "Thought That You Should Know"

Here's some more excitement in the Mom's Basement Records department: Hoaxxers are releasing their (sort of) debut 7" on the label very soon. I say "sort of" because Hoaxxers look and sound suspiciously like Charlie, Kye, and Tron from Joe Jitsu, a really terrific pop-punk band from the 2000s. I had to look up when I first reviewed Joe Jitsu, and it was twenty years ago! Man, does time fly! But this is a new band for a new time, with a sound that's maybe a little more, uh, punkier? In advance of the 7", the band has released one of the tracks, "Thought That You Should Know," as a digital single. The punkier sensibility manifests itself mostly in a peppier tempo, but otherwise this is not far removed at all from Joe Jitsu. And that's a good thing. Charlie's voice is as smooth as silk, and the song bursts with energy and melody in that old school '90s style. For not having played together for a while, these three sound tight as heck! "Thought That You Should Know" is a free download from Bandcamp, so be sure to grab it if you're a fan of Joe Jitsu or good pop-punk in general. If Mom's Basement is putting it out, you know it's gotta be good! 

-L.R.

https://hoaxxers.bandcamp.com/album/thought-that-you-should-know
https://open.spotify.com/album/71AIUoZx9eiZWKIfQ8l3jz
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072073354583

Classic Pat - Won't Back Down

I am not a believer in diminishing the value of art by assigning it a numerical rating. But if I were, I would award Classic Pat's new album Won't Back Down a ten out of ten. If you love pop-punk, you will love this album and should run through a brick wall if necessary to acquire it. That should be the end of this review, but it would be out of character for me to be that succinct.  

Almost anyone who has bothered to read this far will be familiar with Classic Pat and the many great bands he has played in. With Won't Back Down (out today on Mom's Basement Records), he has delivered a royal treat for eternal fans of Lookout! Records inspired pop-punk. This is a particular genre with which I have a very complicated relationship. 70% of the time, I'm pretty "Meh!" about it. But the rest of the time, there's no music in the world I'd rather listen to. Won't Back Down is obviously in the latter category. On the first day of this year, I described "Sadie Hawkins Dance" as "one of the greatest pop-punk songs ever written." You may have suspected that I wrote those words under the influence of recency bias, temporary insanity, or a bad hangover, but now it's nine weeks later, and my opinion hasn't changed. When I reflect on why some pop-punk hits the spot for me and some of it doesn't, I can identify several qualities that tend to win me over:

• I enjoy a likeable singer and funny, relatable lyrics. 
• I like to hear the influence of classic pop and rock 'n' roll.
• I prefer a little variety over the course of an album. 
• The poppier the better!
• I'll take catchy songs over new ideas any day of the week.

Let me tell you: if that's my rubric, Won't Back Down checks off every single box! Emulating the old school Lookout! sound without coming off like a cheap knockoff is a tricky task, but Classic Pat totally pulls it off. And the secret is that there's really no secret. It's all about writing perfect three-chord punk songs with earworm hooks. If "Seeing Triple" were any catchier, the CDC would be raiding the Mom's Basement headquarters at this very moment. "She Don't Care" is basically the best Screeching Weasel song in decades. "The Next In Line" is bubblegum perfection a la The Queers circa Don't Back Down. "No Telling At All" (featuring Canaan from Barbariettes on lead vocals) hits the pure pop side of the Ramones bang-on. Clearly Pat is transparent about his biggest influences. But rather than making me wish I were listening to the Ramones, Queers, or Screeching Weasel instead, Won't Back Down has reignited my love for pop-punk. And these songs are just so much fun. Over the course of the album, Pat reflects on the strain that responsible adulthood can place on friendships, waxes poetic on girlfriends who are awful and sometimes outright scary, romanticizes the golden age of rock 'n' roll, pays tribute to the cinematic classic Mallrats, and recounts an obviously true story about having to choose between dancing with a pretty girl and making it to the opening night screening of Demolition Man with some best buds. Now that's what I call relatable music! 

With song styles ranging from snotty ("Creeped Out") to super-poppy ("Trend Setter") to oldies-influenced ("Do You Remember," "Goin' Nowhere") to classically pop-punk ("He's a Daddy Now"), Won't Back Down has something for every fan of pop-punk. Sometimes with a really good pop-punk album, I talk about how I would have totally flipped out if I'd heard it when I was 25. But Won't Back Down has me flipping out now. CDs are limited to 100 copies and available now from the Mom's Basement webstore. While you're over there, you can pre-order the vinyl for the new Yum Yums album (which is freaking awesome!) coming out next month on Screaming Apple Records! 

-L.R.

https://classicpat.bandcamp.com/album/wont-back-down

https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/classic-pat-won-t-back-down-cd

https://open.spotify.com/album/5Rou70HsbnwyJLiUswVeHN

https://www.instagram.com/momsbasementrecords/

https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/

Classic Pat - "Sadie Hawkins Dance"

One cool thing that happened to me in 2023 was that I got really stoked on pop-punk again. Of course I've always liked pop-punk. This was the type of music that got me into punk rock in the first place way back when. But this past year, it just felt like I was into pop-punk way more than I'd been in a long time. And that momentum carries over into 2024. Classic Pat has released a couple teaser singles for his forthcoming solo album on Mom's Basement Records, and I am totally obsessed! I guess this is not surprising since his band The Putz has been a longtime favorite of mine. But man oh man, this latest single "Sadie Hawkins Dance" is what I live for: pop-punk that's super-poppy but also heavily influenced by traditional rock 'n' roll. Plus you have to love a song that tells a story! I imagine John from Mom's Basement laughing like a diabolical cartoon super villain when he heard this — realizing that he had one of the greatest pop-punk songs ever written in his possession. Hit up Classic Pat's YouTube channel to hear "Sadie Hawkins Dance" and "She Don't Care," which sounds like the best Queers song in years. The full album will be out soon! 

-L.R.

https://www.youtube.com/@ClassicPatTV

Post Ramone - Sounds Like This

And the honor of my final review of 2023 goes to Post Ramone! That's a genius band name, and thankfully it isn't wasted on mediocre music. Out on Mom's Basement Records and Jolly Ronnie Records, Sounds Like This is the debut long player from this Youngstown, Ohio–based outfit made up of members of Spastic Hearts, Jagger Holly, Hollywood Blondes, RADD, etc. On this album, these pop-punk veterans rip through 12 tracks straight out of the textbook. There's something to be said for a pop-punk band that's wise enough to not mess with a winning formula. If originality or innovation are must-haves for you, this is not your next favorite band. But if you enjoy tried-and-true pop-punk executed to perfection, Sounds Like This is sure to satisfy. Post Ramone is here to show you how it's done with killer tunes, quality lead vocals & harmonies, and a musical philosophy that values fun over all else. None of that is surprising given the band members' musical history, and the brisk sales so far indicate that the pop-punk faithful are appreciative. Every year there are two or three pop-punk records that remind me why I got into this type of music in the first place. Sounds Like This is one of those albums for 2023. Would you expect anything less from a Jolly Ronnie/Mom's Basement co-release? 

-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/post-ramone-sounds-like-this-lp-cd
https://jollyronnierecords.bigcartel.com/product/post-ramone-sounds-like-this-lp
https://open.spotify.com/album/6rVBmvAbMINoMBe3jCRBGN
https://www.facebook.com/p/Post-Ramone-100064910940746/
https://www.instagram.com/postramoned/
https://www.facebook.com/JollyRonnie/
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords

The Young Hasselhoffs - Dear Departed

Late last year, The Young Hasselhoffs emerged from a decade-long hibernation with Life Got in the Way, one of the greatest "grown-up" pop-punk albums ever made. The title pretty much told the story. If you weren't among the dozens who had heard the band's third album The Obsolete Man upon its initial release in 2011, you might have questioned if this was even the same Young Hasselhoffs you remembered from back in the day. But here's the thing: Life Got in the Way wasn't just more accomplished and mature than its predecessors — it was also better. Any notion that pop-punk is strictly a young persons' game was wiped away when The Young Hasselhoffs released their best album (by far) a quarter-century into their existence. I wouldn't have blamed them if they'd just taken a bow and called it a day, but they went the other way and got busy ascending to the next level. Releasing next month on Mom's Basement Records, Dear Departed is the next step in the band's progression. It is, in the words of drummer Young Phil, "a pop-punk record about death, grief, love, and obsession with an adaption of an Edgar Allan Poe poem as its emotional core." I know, right? Where do I sign up?! 

Dear Departed is ambitious for a pop-punk album, but it's appropriately ambitious for where Matt Stansbury and The Young Hasselhoffs are at in their musical evolution. It's still totally a pop-punk record, yet the sophistication of its musical arrangements and lyrical themes are quite unique for the genre. And while it's a pretty dark album (for the most part), it's nothing close to a downer. Melodic guitars, memorable choruses, and silky-smooth harmonies remain the band's bread and butter. But after flirting a little with the idea of making a mini-symphony out of a pop song (as on the last album's "Pull Me Out of the Scene"), Stansbury more fully embraces such an approach on this release. His songwriting continues to add layers of depth and maturity. And while the arrival of session musicians playing piano, strings, and horns can be a shark-jumping moment for a lot of rock bands, the more elaborate instrumentation serves these songs beautifully. "Hold Me Now" wastes little time getting the album going, exploding into an anthemic chorus before you've even had time to pour yourself a beverage and find a comfortable seat. "It's Been Years" is an interesting reflection on the randomness of fate and utter meaningless of existence —  you know, typical pop-punk stuff. The title track is partially about death but mostly about life. "Beautiful Annabel Lee" is essentially a cover of one of the greatest poems ever written, and it's a wonderfully-realized interpretation. "You Belong To Me" could pass for a happy love song but hints at something far more sinister. The band goes the epic ballad route on "Still Got Time," which closes the album on a more optimistic note. 

The Young Hasselhoffs' ability to push the boundaries of pop-punk while still holding true to the genre's most essential qualities is beyond impressive. Even bolder in its boundary-pushing than Life Got in the Way, Dear Departed takes a big swing and knocks it out of the park. It's hard to find fault with any of its songs, but I appreciate that the band frames each of the album's sides with a pair of powerhouse tracks. Given that so many Young Hasselhoffs fans are growing older with the band, it's no surprise to me that the response to these last two albums has been so overwhelmingly positive. Speaking on behalf of the fan base, I must remark that these guys are making music that we can deeply relate to. And it's all grounded in timeless melody, masterful songwriting, world-class vocalization, and all those other things that keep us going back to pop-punk music time and time again. There is a literal multitude of packages available from Mom's Basement for the preordering of Dear Departed, so hit up the label's webstore now to reserve your loot. Preorders will ship the weekend of October 6th!

-L.R.

https://theyounghasselhoffs.bandcamp.com/album/dear-departed
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/preorder-the-young-hasselhoffs-dear-departed-lp-or-cd-shirt-bundles
https://www.momsbasementrecords.com/
https://www.instagram.com/the_young_hasselhoffs
https://www.facebook.com/younghasselhoffs
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords

Greendales - self titled

As a rule, I don't review music you can't immediately sample yourself in the event you want to make sure I'm not full of shit. You all work hard for your money, and I don't want to be responsible for you wasting it on sucky music. I've adhered to a "digital only" review policy on the grounds that it's in everyone's best interest. But I have been known to make exceptions in very special cases. Such an exception has been made for the self-titled album by Greendales. I could not request access to a digital version of this album for the simple reason that no such thing exists. Released on Mom's Basement Records, this album is a 100% vinyl-only issue. There are 200 copies on clear vinyl and 200 on yellow. That's it. There are no CDs, cassettes, 8-track tapes, or digital downloads available. You won't find it on any digital music service. There are no digital tracks floating around for me to embed. What this means is that you will all have to pretend it's 1995 again and trust my judgment. But I feel like that's not much of an ask in the case of Greendales, who have celebrated the 27th anniversary of the release of the first Riverdales album by covering it in its entirety. Greendales are essentially a Mom's Basement Records supergroup. The lineup is the alien and the basement from the SUCK along with Brody from Proton Packs. Any person who would be interested in owning a cover of a Riverdales album would most likely already be a fan of the SUCK and Proton Packs. And it's hard to deny that this was a really awesome idea for an album! 

I would personally consider the first Riverdales album to be the all-time gold standard for the genre that would later become known as Ramonescore (although I won't take exception to anyone who argues that Storm the Streets is better). Has it really been 27 years since it came out? Well the math sure works out. And I can clearly remember picking up my landline phone and calling my local compact disc store to see if they had the album in stock, so that tells you how much the world has changed since then. When you're dealing with such legendary material, your first duty is to not screw it up. That's mission accomplished for Greendales, who cover this album with textbook execution. Your second duty is to put your own twist on the songs  — but not too much of a twist. Again, I feel like Greendales have succeeded. They approach these songs faithfully — but no so faithfully that the album is pointless. The thing that makes the first Riverdales album hold up for me is the way it balances the punk rock side of the Ramones with their pure pop side. Not every Ramonescore band of today would have the stuff to accentuate that yin/yang quality of the Riverdales. Yet Greendales absolutely do. They prove themselves to be a well-rounded punk-pop band as they gleefully tear into this album's straight-up bangers and embrace the melodic majesty of some of the slower tracks. If you're a fan of the SUCK and/or Proton Packs and think it would be cool to hear these guys cover the Riverdales, you will not be disappointed. What I appreciate is that listening to this album has given me an enhanced appreciation for the original album. It made me want to go back and listen to it again, and it made me remember how much I love it. Also, I find it interesting that while I'm not always keen on Ramonescore, I seem to be writing rave reviews any time the basement is involved. Never underestimate the value of a great drummer! 

Summing up: Greendales have covered the classic first Riverdales album in its entirety. It's only available on vinyl and is limited to 400 copies. It went on sale moments ago via Mom's Basement Records and will likely sell out quickly. If you're a super fan of Ramonescore, the Mom's Basement label, or these guys' other bands, you're going to want to snag one of these bad boys pronto. Trust me. 

-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/greendales-self-titled-lp
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords

The Young Hasselhoffs - Life Got In The Way

Is it possible for a quintessential teenage pop-punk band to fully grow up without losing the charm and appeal of its younger self? That's precisely the magic trick The Young Hasselhoffs have pulled off on their fourth album Life Got In The Way — releasing today on compact disc on Melted/Rum Bar Records.

Nearly a quarter-century has passed since Omaha, Nebraska's The Young Hasselhoffs released their classic debut full-length Win A Date With. They were barely out of high school when that album was written and recorded. Now they're in their 40s. And rather than carrying on like they're still teens, they've made an album that reflects the more serious considerations of adult life. In doing so, they've shattered all notions that pop-punk as a genre is inherently juvenile. Life Got In The Way still sounds like a Young Hasselhoffs album — yet you can hear the progression in craftsmanship and lyrical content that you'd expect from an older, wiser version of the band. 

The CD release of Life Got In The Way is a full circle moment for The Young Hasselhoffs. Nearly 25 years ago, Young Phil sent Malibu Lou a hand-written letter along with a cassette tape of the band's recently recorded songs. Before long, Lou had booked the band's first tour, and the songs on that tape became the signature Melted Records release Win A Date With. The band members eventually parted ways in the early 2000s but briefly reunited in 2011 to record their absolutely splendid third album, The Obsolete Man. Threatened legal action over the band's name (yeah, these guys were Hasseled by the Hoff!) halted the album's release for a decade. For a long time it seemed The Young Hasselhoffs would never be heard from again. Luckily, Young Phil was able to convince Matt Stansbury and Jason Baywatch to give it another go. I say "luckily" because those of us who love pop-punk are fortunate to have this band back in our lives. Nearly two years in the making, Life Got In The Way finds The Young Hasselhoffs coming home in spectacular fashion.  

Even in their earliest days, The Young Hasselhoffs had more refined pop sensibilities than most of their peers in the pop-punk scene. They were one of the earliest bands to connect the dots between the modern pop-punk sound and the tight harmonies and timeless melodies of doo-wop and early rock and roll. So it's no surprise that Life Got In The Way finds the band leaning into its mastery of melodies and harmonies. Stansbury, now based in Colorado, is no doubt one of the finest songwriters in the pop-punk world. With the songs he has written for this new album, he has inched this band closer to a pure pop sound while still retaining just enough of that punk edge. 

Perhaps this is the advantage of writing albums once every ten years, but you can hear the huge forward leap the band took between Get Dumped and The Obsolete Man and again between The Obsolete Man and Life Got In The Way. These new songs won't necessarily clobber you in the head upon first contact, but they'll slowly and surely pull you in with their masterfully-crafted melodies and sophisticated vocal arrangements. Stansbury shows the confidence to experiment with his craft, trying everything from the fully stripped-down "Sweet Matilda" to the almost jazzy "When I'm Gone" to the epic "Pull Me Out of the Scene" (which is practically a pop-punk symphony). But it's the big hooky pop songs that remain his bread and butter. The chorus to "Babydoll" will likely be stuck in my head until the end of time. "Wish You Well" is the kind of song I've been waiting for Green Day to write the past 15 years. "Eugene McCray: Ex-Guitar Hero" is so rousing and anthemic that it practically soars out of your speakers. "Barbara Part 2" is a sequel to a song off of the last album and, true to form, better than the original. The real show-stealer is "Quiet," which features a surprise appearance from Barbara Stansbury on lead vocals. In my book, it's the best tune that Matt Stansbury has ever written. And Barbara's vocal suits the song so perfectly. I've hit the repeat button on this stunner countless times over the past few weeks. 

I had the fortune of seeing The Young Hasselhoffs on their 1998 tour. They were still kids; I was a twentysomething whippersnapper. They quickly won over the crowd with their youthful enthusiasm and genuine love for pop music. What a joy it is to be able to sit here in 2022 and write about those friendly kids from Nebraska — now approaching middle age and cementing their position at the head of pop-punk's master class. I'm sure there will be some odd dissenters who will wish this band were still writing songs about pretty girls and teenage romance. But for most fans of The Young Hasselhoffs, Life Got In The Way will be a delightful reminder that your favorite bands can grow up with you and still remain great. Don't get me wrong: I still consider Win a Date With one of the best and most definitive '90s pop-punk albums. But it was merely a precursor to what this band would later achieve. Touching on such topics as marital love, deferred dreams, and compromised ideals, Life Got In The Way is an album this band might have not been ready to make 20 or even 10 years ago. Mom's Basement Records will be releasing a vinyl edition very soon. Pre-orders are now open via the label's online store! 

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/life-got-in-the-way
https://theyounghasselhoffs.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/the_young_hasselhoffs/
https://www.facebook.com/younghasselhoffs
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords

Proton Packs/Zoanoids - Split 7"

If you're gonna do a split, this is the way to do it! Hey Pizza! Records, Mom's Basement Records, and I Buy Records have their united their superpowers and released a split 7" featuring two of the top pop-punk bands on the planet: Zoanoids and Proton Packs. Zoanoids out of Kalamazoo, Michigan took the pop-punk world by storm with their debut album in 2020. Here they return with two more top-notch tracks of gothic pop-punk. I'm usually not much of a death-punk guy, but I've got to admit that this band has pulled me to the dark side. When it comes to writing songs, executing a sound, and owning a distinctive style, Zoanoids are as good as it gets in this genre of music. A "feelgood" horror song sounds like a contradiction in terms, but "Cemetery Nights" is exactly that. What a smash! Italy's Proton Packs, the founding fathers of ecto-punk, have been standouts in the Euro pop-punk scene for 15 years plus. Their sci-fi/conspiracy theory brand of darkness is a little more up my alley. In any case, they make ideal partners for Zoanoids on this split. "Follow the Protocol" is more on the pop side of things and one of the catchiest tunes you'll hear all year. "The End of Everything" is textbook pop-punk done right. I imagine that any super-fan of modern-day pop-punk would already be familiar with both of these bands and probably own this record already. But if you've been living on a faraway planet or recently became undead, here are a couple of bands you really ought to check out. Vinyl copies on blood red and slimy green are going fast!

-L.R.

https://heypizzarecords.bandcamp.com/album/proton-packs-zoanoids-split-ep
https://ibuyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ibr023-split
https://zoanoids.bandcamp.com/
https://protonpacks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.heypizzarecords.com/product/zoanoids-proton-packs-split-7/
https://www.ibuyrecords.it/prod/zoanoids-proton-packs-split-7/
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/zoanoids-proton-packs-split-7-ep

The Lorrainas - Party 'Til It's Dark

Who remembers The Lorrainas? This band out of Hamilton, Ontario played fun poppy punk rock and roll which met at the intersection of the Ramones and Runaways. They self-released a debut album in 2005 that never came out on vinyl...until now! A collaboration between Mom's Basement Records, Surfin' Ki Records, and Mr. Jimmy Vapid, Party 'Til It's Dark is an enhanced vinyl reissue of The Lorrainas' debut CD Fast Kitties. It features four additional tracks and skillful remastering by the illustrious Geoff Palmer. Most importantly, it's really freaking good! In a style reminiscent of The Bobbyteens, Eyeliners, and early Donnas, The Lorrainas had one foot in poppy punk rock and the other in bad-ass rock and roll. The style is so timeless that you could easily compare this band to several staples of Surfin' Ki's current roster (not to mention several staples of this blog!). And the songs, which were recorded nearly 18 years ago, really hold up! Based on the early sales numbers, it seems I'm not the only one who believes that songs like "Peroxide Suicide", "Kiss My Ass", and "Johnny" are forgotten classics that the world needs to re-discover. The four unreleased songs, highlighted by the super-energetic "Superman Garbageman", fit in perfectly with the original 10 tracks. Party 'Til It's Dark is the hottest new old album out there! Those of you in Europe can pre-order a vinyl copy from Surfin' Ki's webstore. In the U.S.A., vinyl is available from Mom's Basement Records. Don't sleep on this one, folks!

-L.R.

https://thelorrainas.bandcamp.com/album/party-till-its-dark

https://www.facebook.com/thelorrainas/

https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-lorrainas-party-til-it-s-dark

http://surfinkirecords.bigcartel.com/product/thelorrainas-partytilitsdark

https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/

https://www.facebook.com/surfinkirecords

VonErichs - First Blood Match (tag team review)

"I've got me a tag team partner -- and he’s the greatest tag team partner that anybody in the world could ever have!"

-Randy Savage, 1988  

(Review by Ralph Rivera)

Well this came from one of my hair-brained ideas that Josh and I should do a "tag team" review of this album once it came out. I seriously love Josh, and we've been turning each other onto music since the '90s! So on to this album. Does it live up to the "hype"? Well as someone who's been an "insider" on this project since last year and ate up every song they released, I have to say this went beyond ALL expectations. If you have any knowledge of what's going on in the "Outloud/Mom's Basement" pop punk scene, you'll instantly recognize some of the voices on these songs. But first & foremost, you need to know this - if you didn't grow up watching '80s/'90s WWF wrestling, you'll have no idea what these songs are about. So what? Another gimmick band? Well let me tell you this - if you can write songs this good, sign me up. Starting with the intro song "Running Wild", this is pure pop punk perfection. A tribute to the one and only Hulkster! From that first round, you get songs about the joys of cocaine and some of the best wrestlers to come out of that era. And THEN you get "Kamala Ate My Baby". A song that breaks the mold and enters a '50s/'60s style vibe that enters once again with "Elizabeth" -- a beautiful retro style tribute to the FIRST ever female sidekick in pro wrestling with awesome co-vocals by the mysterious "Miss Lorraina". Songs like "Texas Tornado", "Figure Four", and "Ring Rat" just seal the match. Ending with the anthem "Horsemen Never Die", this is a pure labor of love by all members involved. Did this album live up to my expectations? Well let's just say this will tide me over until Black Russians drop their next manifesto to take over your weak, pathetic lives! This album is the musical equivalent to a chokeslam from The Undertaker. Just wrap your head around that!

-Ralph Rivera

(Review by Lord Rutledge) 

As far as concepts album go, it doesn't get much cooler than a pop-punk supergroup doing a full album of songs about the glory days of professional wrestling. But what I appreciate the most about VonErichs' First Blood Match is how well the concept is executed. Even if these songs weren't about wrestling, this would still be a fantastic pop-punk record. VonErichs really know how to write top quality three-chord punk tunes and pound them out with power and precision. Great thought and detail went into the wrestling aspect of this release, but just as much effort went into the songwriting, musicianship, and production. So even if the wrestlers referenced on these songs were well before your time, First Blood Match is still a must-hear if you're a huge fan of modern-day pop-punk and Ramonescore. 

Now of course this album is special treat if you're a fan later '80s/early '90s wrestling. These songs celebrate some of the incredible personalities that made pro wrestling so fascinating back in the day. Here you'll find tributes to the likes of Hulk Hogan, Brett Hart, The Four Horsemen, Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth, and of course Kerry Von Erich. There are also songs that dig deeper into the old WWF talent pool (Kamala, Bad New Brown, Repo Man) as well as an homage to cocaine. And because this is a pop-punk record, you can expect some interesting twists on the wrestling theme. Leave it to VonErichs to turn the tale of Greg "The Hammer" Valentine into a love song! "Kamala Ate My Baby" touches on themes of love lost like no band ever has before. And "Smasher Gave Me The Ax (When Crush Started Coming Around)" -- about the downfall of the mighty Demolition -- is the ultimate breakup song! 

Comprised of several stars of the pop-punk underground and assisted by some mysterious special guests, VonErichs have delivered a blood match that fully lives up to its billing. This release is right at home on Mom's Basement Records -- the reigning heavyweight champion of pop-punk labels. What a fun record! I've already got my fingers crossed for a sequel! 

-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/vonerichs-first-blood-match

https://www.facebook.com/VonErichs

https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/vonerichs-first-blood-match-lp-cd-cassette

https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords

Beatnik Termites - Sweatin' To The Termites

I've mentioned two or three or 20 times that my favorite pop-punk bands tend to be the ones that fully embrace the pop side of the genre. On that note, you would expect the Beatnik Termites to be way up there on my list of all-time favorite pop-punk groups. Indeed, the Termites would be included in my personal holy trinity of pop-punk (most likely joined by The Queers and Parasites). With a legacy dating back to the dawn of the '90s, the Termites paved the way for every subsequent pop-punk band that would take its primary musical influence from the worlds of doo-wop, surf, bubblegum, and '50s rock and roll. If "oldiescore" is a recognized strain of modern-day pop-punk, it's no stretch to say that Pat Termite pioneered it! 

And so it's a true joy to hear the old master still at the top of his game in 2021. Out now on Mom's Basement Records, Sweatin' To The Termites is the first Beatnik Termites album in 18 years and just the fourth proper album in the band's history. I was excited by the return of the Termites but wasn't sure how a new release would stack up to the band's classic albums. Well let me tell you: it stacks up just fine! This is a vintage Termites release all the way. The Termites were always the band you could play for your parents if you wanted to turn them onto pop-punk. Well now it's your grandparents that you're converting, and Sweatin' To The Termites is fully up to the task! The formula hasn't changed in over 30 years, any why should it? The band still excels at writing harmony-drenched pop songs about pretty girls and the ups and downs of love. On Sweatin' To The Termites, the group embraces its love for doo-wop and early rock and roll like never before. Throw in nods to the Beach Boys, bubblegum, and (of course) the almighty Ramones, and you've got yourself a recipe for another classic Beatnik Termites album! Songs like "Pet Shop Girl", "Denise Marie", "Out of My League", "Summer Summer", and "My Darling Maryann" instantly rocket into to the top tier of Termites songs. "Tell Me Why" demonstrates that even bubblegum bands can have a serious side. "Rubber City Roller Girl" brings to mind the Ramones on Sha Na Na. "She's Gonna Kill Me" finds the Termites at their punkiest. 

It seems fitting that I'm typing a review of a record called Sweatin' To The Termites on a 90-degree day. This really is the ultimate summertime record from the ultimate summertime band. Thinking back to the days when Taste the Sand was a foundational piece of my initiation into the world of pop-punk, I am pleased as punch to discover that the Beatnik Termites have withstood the test of time without having to fundamentally change their approach to music. If you like pop and punk and rock and roll, it doesn't get much better than this.

-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/beatnik-termites-sweatin-to-the-termites
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/beatnik-termites-sweatin-to-the-termites
https://www.facebook.com/BeatnikTermites/
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/

The SUCK - Boris Sprinkler

Somehow the world made it through all of last year without any new music from the SUCK. Man, that was a rough go. Fans were so distraught that a great many went as far as to proclaim 2020 the worst year ever. Fortunately, the unbearable wait is almost over. Boris Sprinkler, the second album from these Mid-Atlantic street rock champions, will officially be out next weekend on Mom's Basement Records. 2019's In​-​Cog​-​Neat​-​O surely set a standard that the SUCK would be hard-pressed to maintain. What would it take for the band to concoct another batch of tunes as massively rocking, supremely amusing, thoroughly unoriginal, and brilliantly stupid as the eight songs that comprised In​-​Cog​-​Neat​-​O? These secrets have never been revealed, but I believe Boris Sprinkler is the fruit of much deep reflection, excessive drinking, and deep reflection under the influence of excessive drinking. 

Having already perfected a formula for what a SUCK album ought to be, the band took great care to not disappoint the fan base. Eight of Boris Sprinkler's ten tracks clock in at under two minutes, and the songwriting continues to strictly adhere to the tenet that no band needed to exist after the Ramones, except maybe HEAD. There are certain things we all demand from a SUCK album, so let's go ahead and run Boris Sprinkler through the checklist. Is there a song about drinking? There are actually multiple songs referencing drinking, but "Fantasy Beer League" is THE song about drinking and an instant classic in the SUCK canon. For a guy who loves sports, I am surprisingly terrible at fantasy leagues. But I feel like I could be a contender in this one! Is there a party song on this record? Why yes: "Who Brought The Tits" chronicles a basement hang so epic that a six-foot sub was fully consumed and The Dunk started throwing chairs. Check! Does the band manage another song as wrong and inappropriate as the last album's "Vape Store"? Why, yes: "You're Not Home" is way more wrong and way more inappropriate! Is there a cover of some unheralded pop-punk classic that's not nearly as good as the original? For sure, and this time it's The Proteens' "I Told You So". Does the album end with a devastating tale of heartbreak and despair exacerbated by modern technology? Why, yes: "J Prozac on a BMX Bike" is even better than its last album counterpart "The Catfish" and a reminder that the SUCK could be a top-rate pop-punk band if they ever lost the physical wherewithal to rock the streets. Elsewhere, there are songs about Dungeons & Dragons, suave secret agents, and, uh, jugs. The SUCK are nothing if not renaissance men. 

My love/hate relationship with the musical genre known as "Ramonescore" tends to mirror my love/hate relationship with IPAs. Overall I find the style to be overdone and largely full of indistinguishable clones. But the handful of exceptions are truly magnificent. I'll gladly take a Troegs Perpetual any day of the year. And the SUCK is the Troegs Perpetual of its world. It seems fitting that the SUCK is on the same record label that has released music by The Vapids and NECK. If you like those bands, you will also like the SUCK. In fact, you probably already like the SUCK if you like those bands! Boris Sprinkler is a bigger and better follow-up to its formidable predecessor. The Alien and The Dunk have again turned out some of the hottest-sounding guitars in all of the land. The Cola remains a unique and charismatic vocal presence -- as convincing boasting about the stun gas in his key chain as he is pining over the girl who broke his heart years ago. And the Problem and the Basement continue to do all of the unappreciated work of keeping everything simple and tight (notice that on the album cover, they appear ready to start playing at a moment's notice, while The Dunk looks like he may have just murdered a man with his guitar). As a lifetime Pennsylvanian, I am proud that we get to count the SUCK as one of our own. Although I believe that 20% of Delaware may be eligible to claim the SUCK as well. I'll need to get a ruling on that. Boris Sprinkler officially releases the day after April 1st -- because the SUCK doesn't fool around! 

-L.R.

https://thesuckstreetrock.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/StreetRockSUCK/
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/

Goin' Places - Save The World

Continuing its established pattern of releasing an album every decade, beloved Staten Island pop-punk trio Goin' Places is back with the wonderful Save The World. Out on Mom's Basement Records, Save The World is the band's first album in nine years and just its third album overall. It's hard to believe that Goin' Places has now been a band for 20 years. But the numbers sure don't lie! It's a tricky proposition for a pop-punk band to "grow up". One hand, you know you can't go on forever strictly writing songs about the teenage experience. On the other hand, you risk losing the entire appeal of the band if you "mature" too much. Goin' Places have navigated this transition brilliantly. 

Save The World is an album guaranteed to satisfy longtime fans. As always, Richie, Victor, and Frank stick close to the Green Day/Queers/MTX playbook with deeper roots in the harmony and melody driven rock and roll of the 1960s. They've made a pop-punk record for people who love pop-punk -- and you would not expect anything different from Goin' Places. But that doesn't mean that Save The World is a total copy of its two predecessors. Lyrically, it's far more serious and thoughtful than previous albums. This is a record full of songs about getting older, confronting disappointment and failure, reflecting on the past, and figuring out what lies ahead. Some of the album's finest tracks ("4:04", "Live Those Times", "Message In A Dream") reflect that the band members are in a far different place in life than they were when they made Girl Songwriting 101. Yet even with all of that deeper thinking involved, the songs remain steeped in the trio's old standbys: catchy melodies, tight harmonies, and Richie and Victor's likable tag team vocals. Fear not, though: Goin' Places may have gotten more serious, but they still aren't taking themselves too seriously. On "This Song Is Not About A Girl", they have a great time poking fun at themselves and almost every other pop-punk band out there. Meanwhile, "Listen To My Love Song" and "Across The Room" actually are about girls and are absolutely great! Elsewhere the band isn't above throwing in a couple of crowd-pleasing numbers ("I'm Gonna Steal Your Girlfriend", "Cell Phone Girl") that embrace nearly every teenage pop-punk cliché in the book, much to our collective delight. 

Save the World begins with the premise that there's too much hate and divineness in our world, and that maybe some fun pop songs could bring people together. That's a cause I can fully endorse, and Goin' Places are more than up to the task. Save The World, although it features an older, wiser Goin' Places, is still tremendous fun and a reminder that sometimes great pop is exactly what we need. While these guys were already qualified to write a college course on girl songwriting a couple decades back, now they've clearly graduated to teaching the masters class.

-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goin-places-save-the-world
https://goinplaces.bandcamp.com/album/save-the-world
https://www.facebook.com/goinplacesmusic
https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/product/goin-places-save-the-world-lp
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/

Goin' Places - Better Things To Do

As I've reflected on why there are some pop-punk bands I love and others that do absolutely nothing for me, I've become increasingly aware that my favorite pop-punk bands are usually the ones that infuse the formula with bubblegum and '50s rock and roll influences. Pop-punk, when it's done right, is one of our purest forms of rock and roll. So when Staten Island's Goin' Places sing about "saving the world with rock n roll", I'm totally feeling it! Goin' Places have always been upfront about their love for The Queers, Green Day, Mr. T. Experience, etc. But in terms of songwriting and vocal influence, they take just as much from the Beatles and Buddy Holly. The band's 2002 album Girl Songwriting 101 is a modern classic of pop-punk. The follow-up Relationship Sneakers arrived a decade later. Later this year, the band will release its third album Save The World. New 7" Better Things To Do, out now on Mom's Basement Records, features the title track to the new album along with a pair of exclusive songs. Aside from the fact that none of these songs are about girls, this is a vintage Goin' Places release. It falls into that bubblegum/rock and roll side of '90s-style pop-punk, with Richie and Victor trading off on lead vocals. "Save the World" is all about how music can bring people together in a world too often marred by hate and general crappiness. Now that's a cause I can wholeheartedly endorse! "Better Things To Do" is a tongue-in-cheek number about the frustrations of busting your ass to make music that no one seems to care about. A lot of you will surely relate! "Instru Mental", as you may have surmised, is an instrumental. You don't hear a lot of pop-punk instrumentals, but I really like this one! 

I'm stoked for the upcoming release of Save The World. Goin' Places is my kind of pop-punk band. You know who the primary influences are, but the songs also reflect a deeper appreciation for classic pop traditions going back to the '50s and '60s. And you always get the sense that these dudes would be fun to hang out with. When I think about some of my favorite pop-punk bands of recent years (Neon Bone, Jagger Holly, The Putz), I consider Goin' Places to be one of the forerunners to that whole scene. It's great to have 'em back!

-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goin-places-better-things-to-do-ep
https://goinplaces.bandcamp.com/album/better-things-to-do
https://www.facebook.com/goinplacesmusic
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords

The SUCK - In-Cog-Neat-O

You all have had your little taste of street rock. Are you finally ready for the main course? You better be! I've been teasing/promising/threatening the arrival of a full-length debut from the SUCK for a while now, and finally the wait is (almost) over. In-Cog-Neat-O is up for pre-order today over at the magnificent Moms Basement Records. I gotta tell you that this thing is gonna have smoke coming out of your ears! Lean and mean at eight tracks with only two of 'em daring to eclipse the mostly forbidden two-minute mark, In-Cog-Neat-O brings on the next phase of street rock - the one that will bring hope to humanity and have young and old alike pledging allegiance. While by all means inspired by/allied with the HEAD/NECK/Vapids axis of Ramones worship, the SUCK very much has its own thing going. Packing such explosive power that its membership had to be spread across three contiguous states, this gang really brings the rock on this debut long player. For real: these dudes aren't afraid to make a punk record that actually sounds good! Those guitars pack a mega-punch, and you'll swear they enlisted an army to record some of those backing vocals. And while this album obviously owes a great deal to the Ramones and pop-punk, it also earns high marks in the originality/uniqueness department. Given that my stance on humor is "the darker, the better", the SUCK and I are definitely on the same wavelength. The closest thing to a "love song" on this record is about a guy who gets catfished. "#youredead" is a feelgood hit about threatening murder over social media. "Death Machine" is literally about building a contraption for killing people. "The Vape Store" concerns the plight of unemployed grown men who hit on teen girls. These songs are so very wrong - yet somehow so right! Elsewhere the band addresses some of the burning topics of our time: Mexican bogeymen, the ruthlessly competitive sport of flip cup, and the tangled web of love interests complicating the plot of the Twilight franchise.

Coming off a massively acclaimed self-titled EP and the instant classic web single "Party Town, USA", the SUCK had the pop-punk and Ramones-loving communities pumped for an absolute ripper of a debut album. I am confident in guaranteeing that nobody is going to be disappointed! The SUCK has come out and crushed this one. You've got The Dunk and The Alien cranking up the guitar thunder, The Basement knocking the snot out of his drums, The Problem laying it down like Dee Dee, and The Cola bringing a voice to this band's unique sense of humor and unwavering pursuit of fun. And as for the short running time...that just gives you more chances in a day to listen to the album! While leaving little doubt about its influences, In-Cog-Neat-O finds the SUCK carving out plenty of territory for itself. It's a little bit Ramonescore, a little bit party punk, a little bit pop-punk, and a whole lot of street rock! Your prayers have finally been answered. East Coast, represent!



-L.R.

https://momsbasementrecords.storenvy.com/collections/1516376-pre-order
https://thesuckstreetrock.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/StreetRockSUCK 
http://www.the-suck.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MomsBasementRecords/