DS Staff Picks: Dylan’s Favorite Punk Albums, EPs & Things of February, 2023 (Presented by Punk Rock Radar)

(THE) RIMMINGTONS
Rocket to Rimtown

I’m a sucker for a good Ramonescore record, and this debut LP from Sydney, Australia’s Rimmingtons is a really fucking good Ramonescore record. Check out Rocket to Rimtown below and grab it on beautiful colored vinyl here (US) or here (AUS).

HELLAPHANT
Crumble and Rise

I learned a long time ago not to judge a band by its name, folks. Ontario’s Hellaphant is the latest awesome band I discovered thanks to my strict adherence to that rule. If you’re into hooky pop-punk, their new album Crumble and Rise is required listening. Hit ’em up on Bandcamp to get the album on LP, cassette, etc.

WRONG LIFE
Self-Titled LP

I’m a longtime fan of Fraser Murderburger’s work and his latest project Wrong Life is absolutely not an exception. I really enjoyed the band’s first two EPs that culminated in 2022’s Early Workings of an Idea. This new self-titled is another step up when it comes to songwriting and production quality. These are some of the most sincere songs Fraser has ever put out. “The Quartermile” is probably my favorite track, but “Living in the Key of Hope” is a close second since we got to host the exclusive premiere for its music video. Listen below, buy the record here (US) or here (UK) / CD, cassette & digital available here.

EMPIRE ME
I’m Out

Our next stop on this punk rock trip around the globe is Germany, where we are greeted by Empire Me. These guys have been around for a decade, but this is the first time I’m hearing of them. The band brings the heat on their debut full-length I’m Out. This is an excellent melodic punk album; it reminds me a lot of another great band whose name I can’t remember right now. Download it for $5 on Bandcamp.

FAT HEAVEN
Trash Life

So I guess Fat Heaven‘s new record isn’t really a “new record”, it’s a compilation album of previously released EP tracks… but there’s four new songs, too! Anyway, I hadn’t heard of these guys before their music video for “Quarter Life Crisis” caught my eye while doom scrolling Instagram at 3am. Trash Life is a great introduction to this super fun Brooklyn pop-punk band. Listen below and get it on colored vinyl here.

WHEN THE WALLS FELL
Build Back Better

When The Walls Fell is one of many bands John from Punk Rock Radar introduced me to this month. Perhaps you saw our Band Spotlight on them? Build Back Better is the second full-length album from this “transatlantic punk band” with members in New York and Poole, England. It’s very good! The guitar playing is great (actually, it’s very intimidating to me as a mediocre guitar player). Name your price for this one on Bandcamp.

SCREECHING WEASEL
Anthem for a New Tomorrow (30th Anniversary Reissue)

Alright this one probably don’t count, but I don’t give a fuck, I’m counting it. Anthem for a New Tomorrow is my favorite Screeching Weasel album (and one of the greatest pop-punk records of all time in my humble opinion). Mike Kennerty and the gang put a shiny new coat of paint on this beast and, though it may seem sacrilegious, I like it a lot. Check out my review.

BARGAIN BIN HEROES
Waiting for so Long

I’m letting my Floridian bias show here, but I can’t help it. There’s something about Florida and ska that just works. The songs on Fort Myers ska-punks Bargain Bin Heroes‘ new EP Waiting for so Long are their best yet. If you’re a Less Than Jake enjoyer, you’ll like these guys. They actually just played with LTJ at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale; hopefully everyone showed up early and skanked it up for Bargain Bin Heroes!

SPRAINER
Can’t Fix Everything

It’s awesome when music grabs you right from the get-go. Something about this debut EP from Peterborough, England’s Sprainer just clicked with me. I love it and can’t wait to hear more from these guys (blokes?). Listen below, buy it here.

STRUM 101
Trial and Error

Mixing skate punk and ska is something you’ve gotta be real fucking good to pull off. Finland’s Strum 101 is real fucking good. Their new EP Trial and Error is excellent and inspired me to go back and check out their back catalog, and you know what? That stuff’s real fucking good, too! Check ’em out, all their shit’s on Bandcamp.

FRENZAL RHOMB
“Where Drug Dealers Take Their Kids”

Frenzal Rhomb is coming off two of the best albums in their illustrious career. Does The Cup of Pestilence have what it takes to top those records? Of course it does! How dare you question Frenzal’s excellence. This lead single is killer, I can’t wait to hear more.

FAKE NEWS
“Rise & Fall”

Before we leave Australia, let’s take a moment to appreciate this new song from Frenzal Rhomb’s countrymen in Fake News. These guys are a great up-and-coming band that needs to be on your radar if you like skate punk as much as I do. “Rise & Fall” is the second single from their upcoming EP Take Me Away. Check out the music video below and keep an eye out for that EP.

FAINTEST IDEA
“Kill Em Dead”

This list needs some more ska, and our Bri’ish friends Faintest Idea are the right band for the job. “Kill Em Dead” is from their long-awaited new album The Road to Sedition, due out March 31st on TNS Records and Jump Start Records. Recommended listening if you’re into harder edged ska-punk like the Suicide Machines.

BRIDGE THE GAP
“Road Less Traveled” & “Over The Target”

February saw the release of two new singles from the hottest new band in skate punk: Bridge The Gap. Their highly anticipated debut LP Secret Kombinations was recorded with Bill Stevenson at The Blasting Room. All the singles have been top notch; the hype is deserved. Check out the tracks below and pre-order the record here.

LONG DISTANCE
“Left for Dead”

And back to Australia we go! Newcastle’s Long Distance make a very good first impression with their debut single “Left for Dead”. These skate punk (are you sensing a theme here?) newcomers have a bit of a poppy slant that I enjoy. Check ’em out and stay tuned for their second single “What You Want” and eventual debut EP.

OMNIGONE
“Against the Rest”

Skate punk and ska: that’s apparently all I fucking listen to. Anyway, here’s another ska song. It’s the first single off Omnigone‘s new album Against the Rest, which is due out March 31st on the ska powerhouse that is Bad Time Records. Two former members of Link 80 are in this East Bay ska-core band, and if you like Link 80 (or Against All Authority, Voodoo Glow Skulls, or any other hardcore-infused ska bands), I can say with full confidence you will like these guys. Music video down there, pre-order over here.

DEAD ALRIGHT
“Parasites”

Alright, now that our monthly ska quota has been met, time for some more skate punk! I’ve been pimping this (one man) band out for a few months now and I’m not stopping any time soon. Montreal’s Dead Alright is dropping new singles all the time. The latest one “Parasites” is a great song. Listen to it below and stay tuned for more on their debut album; release date TBA on Thousand Islands Records.

DEB CEMETARY
“Let’s Murderlize ‘Em!”

Look, it’s another Canadian skate punk band on Thousand Islands Records! I promise they’re not paying me to heap praise on their bands, that label just puts out really good shit. Debt Cemetary‘s new single is awesome! I think it’s time these guys released an album, eh? Fun fact: the singer from this band makes a guest appearance on that Dead Alright song I just talked about.

RED ATLANTA
“Reaching Out”

Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s Red Atlanta reminds me a lot of early 2000’s pop-punk but faster and with really cool lead guitar parts. Their new single “Reaching Out” has a kinda Slick Shoes-ish vibe. Check it out and if you like it, go back and listen to the band’s 2019 debut album Unsettled. Also keep an eye out for a next album coming soon.

MAKING FRIENDS
“Damage Control”

Brighton, England’s Making Friends are either named after a No Use For A Name album or a Lagwagon song, so that should give you a good idea of what their music sounds like. They just put out a great new single called “Damage Control”. Check out the music video for it below and stay tuned for more on the band’s upcoming album.

In case you didn’t already see it (and actually give a shit), I posted a list of my Top 10 favorite punk albums of all time. It’s hardly a definitive list, most of the shit’s from the 90’s and later. I guess if you want a better idea of the kinda shit I’m into, this is a good way to find out! Check out my list here.

February was a busy month for the Dying Scene Record Radar! The biggest announcement in the world of punk rock vinyl was probably the 25th Anniversary reissue of ALL‘s Mass Nerder. I got my copy (actually I bought two variants because I have no self control), did you? Go here for more info on where to send your money.

Have you checked out the awesome interview Dying Scene’s Jason Stone did with Jason White of Green Day, Pinhead Gunpowder, The Influents & a million other bands??? Stop what you’re doing and check that shit out, it’s awesome! Read the interview here.