Make Time for Eastern Standard Time's "Time for Change"

Courtesy of Eastern Standard Time 

DC rocksteady ska ensemble Eastern Standard Time (EST) returns to the studio with their first full length album in 15 years entitled Time for Change. 

The music of EST has evolved incredibly since 1995. How the band has crafted their self described Caribbean Beat sound that combines ska, jazz, rocksteady, and Latin flavors has been seen firsthand by fans around our nation's capital. Since 2004, the band has released only a handful of songs, such as “The Dragon” and a couple songs released on compilations. In that time, EST has stayed semi-active doing the occasional US tour, European excursion, and backing various artists, including Dr. Ring Ding. At Supernova Ska Fest in 2016, the band backed the legendary Derrick Morgan.  

Time for Change opens up with a call to action on the title track. The lyrics delve into various topics including a return to the dancefloor, social justice (including Black Lives Matter), and a plea for peace. The next track is a ska-jazz instrumental ala The Skatalites called “Totem Pole.” This tune showcases the amazing horn section of EST including sax man Morgan Russell. The opening songs provide a blueprint for the rest of the album. The band jumps from topical to tender love songs: a characteristic that began since the early days of Jamaican music where artists wrote songs that spoke about issues like Jamaican Independence (see “Forward March” by Derrick Morgan) to songs about love (“Sweet and Dandy” by Toots and the Maytals).

Throughout this album, many of the songs recall what Eastern Standard Time does best by infusing soulful lyrics on top of finely crafted Jamaican infused melodies. “Lovely in Mad” is a true ska love song with a catchy organ melody written by trombonist Alex Powers and lead singer/percussionist Unikue Peace. Peace's vocals on this tune are infectious, harrowing back to the classic 1960’s style of Jackie Opel and Justin Hinds. “Hayati” is a song about love lost and heartbreak. The band sets the perfect rocksteady infused groove provided by drummer James McDonald, bassist Reid Attaway, and keyboardist Bill Dempsey. “Left for Dead” is another upbeat love song with a catchy chorus that's hook accented by drums. The song showcases Powers with a killer trombone solo.

The band returns to the topic of social justice with a groovy reggae cover of Sam Cooke’s “Change is Gonna Come.” This fits perfectly with the title track and the direction of the album. On the second side of the LP, the band includes a number of covers including Maxwell’s “Pretty Things”, Alton Ellis’ “People Get Ready”, and The Shirelles “Thing of the Past” (also covered by Phyllis Dillon). These covers demonstrate how EST can float around genres including modern R&B, soul, and classic ska/rocksteady. My favorite track on the album is “Sugar Shack”, which jumps around from singing to toasting. Guitarist Zachary Cutler throws in some modern reggae melodies that align well with the toasting/reggae backing vocals. Even the horns are catchy, making the listener just want to move and groove.  

Overall, Time for Change is essential listening for all who have enjoyed Eastern Standard Time in the past yet is the perfect jumping off point for new fans. The album demonstrates how a band can masterfully swerve between genres, crafting timely tunes to get people dancing, and infusing meaningful messages while paying respect to the past.

easternstandardtime.bandcamp.com

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Eastern Standard Time are throwing their album release party, The Capital Ska & Reggae Review, on May 24^th at Songbyrd, located  at 2475 18th Street NW, in Washington, DC.

~ Bobby Bobson

Catbite Claws into our Hearts with "Catbite"

Courtesy of Catbite

Philly powerpop ska band Catbite (ex-The Snails/Dull Blue Lights, Posers and The Up Up Ups) sink their teeth into This is Croydon Fest 2 and open for The Slackers before unleashing their debut S/T album on May 7th.

Catbite kicks off with rockin' powerpop ska track "Come on Baby". Drummer Chris Pires and keyboardist Brittany Luna take the helm while guitarist Tim Hildebrand releases a furious solo. The band mellows down on R&B flavored rocksteady tune "Can't Give You Love", which is the latest single that they made a music video for. Johnny Mick lays down one groovy bassline while Hildebrand rocks out on guitar with Luna stealing the show on vocals as Matamoska's Esteban Flores Valenzuela takes over on keys.

Catbite picks it up with their first single, powerpop ska song "Amphetamine Delight". Drummer Pires pounds out the beat as guitarist Hildebrand shreds out the rhythm and slays with a solo while Luna and Hildebrand lay down some killer dual vocals. The album closes out with catchy powerpop ska anthem "Scratch Me Up". Luna throws down some wicked keys with Mick's upbeat bass skills as both Hildebrand and Luna level the jam with some sick guitar and keyboard solos. Catbite is one standout ska album that exceeds expectations with a perfect blend of ska, rocksteady, R&B, rock and even dub, delivered with punk ferocity. Watch out for Catbite as they continue to pounce around the country and into our minds.

catbite.bandcamp.com

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Catbite is playing This is Croydon Fest 2 at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, located at 909 Ray Avenue in Croydon, PA on May 4th and with NYC ska band The Slackers and Philly ska band Ruder Than You at World Cafe Live, located at 3025 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA.

~ Garyn Klasek

The Scotch Bonnets Strike on "Come on Over"

Courtesy of The Scotch Bonnets

Baltimore punky reggae rockers The Scotch Bonnets, who've worked with HR from Bad Brains and Roddy Radiation of The Specials, release Come on Over for their ten year anniversary while touring across country.

Come on Over kicks off with sixties R&B-styled ska track "Another Saturday Night", with some impressive saxophone by David Hillyard and Pablo Fiasco's keys standing out, along with a fantastically rockin' guitar solo by Kristin Forbes. The Scotch Bonnets keep the traditional ska flavor going with "Hair Did". This is one tight song between Names Thompson's drums and Dan Breen's bass, as well as the killer vocals of Forbes and MC Selah, plus a terrific sax solo from Hillyard. 

The band simmers down on rocksteady jam "Blank Stare". Breen's bassline and Fiasco's key tickling really sizzle here with a stripped down feel that isn't lacking in the least, with a dub groove standing out on Thompson's percussion and Forbes' guitar. The album closes out excellently on R&B/rocksteady tune "We Can't All Be Astronauts". Fiasco's keys and Breen's bass dominate while the drumming of Thompson and dual vocals set the mood here, whether it's Forbes' sixties harmonies or Selah's dub flair. Come on Over is certainly a top contender (if not the top contender) in a sea of ska albums being released this year. This is no freak occurrence: The Scotch Bonnets might just be what fans are looking for who love the sounds of amazing Jamaican-influenced dynamos such as The Slackers or Hepcat.

thescotchbonnets.bandcamp.com/album/come-on-over

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The Scotch Bonnets play War3house 3, located at 100 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, PA outside of Philadelphia, on May 3rd with Philly Reggae Girls. 

~ Garyn Klasek

Lucero Enraptures on "Among the Ghosts"

Courtesy of Lucero

Memphis country-punk rockers Lucero embark on a cross-country tour, and enter Canada, supporting their latest full-length album Among the Ghosts.

Courtesy of Lucero 

Lucero kicks off their most recent endeavor with eponymous rockin’ epic country track “Among the Ghosts”. It stands out hauntingly between the delicate yet brash guitars of Ben Nichols and Brian Venable plus the breathtaking keyboards of Rick Steff, as well as the marvelously memorable vocals of Nichols. The band takes a dark turn on punk-spirited country rocker “Everything Has Changed”. Bassist John Stubblefield delivers a mellow yet melodic bassline while drummer Roy Berry pummels out a steady beat as Nichols informs the listener that “somewhere down in Hell, they call my name”.

Lucero heads down an intriguing path with epic country ballad “Long Way Back Home”, which Jeff Nichols (Ben's brother) made an eponymous short film around featuring Michael Shannon. Nichols and Venable conjure some mystifying guitars while Steff provides atmospherically somber keyboards. The album closes by picking up the pace on country-punky rock tune “For the Lonely Ones”. Keyboardist Steff uplifts on this song as Nichols and Venable soar, playing high-spirited guitars alongside some soulful saxophone. Among the Ghosts smacks of Lucero's early energy while trailblazing forward momentum for the band that throws back to the country and Motown that has surely influenced them.

luceromusic.bandcamp.com

Lucero plays The Fillmore, located at 29 East Allen Street in Philadelphia, with L.A. Celtic folk punk rockers Flogging Molly on February 23rd. 

~ Garyn Klasek

"The Fuck Tape" is Fantastic for Fucksake

Philly thrashin’ hardcore pogo punx Fucksake discharge The Fuck Tape, continuing their nearly two year quest, having already graced the stage with acts like Some Kind of Nightmare, The Droogettes and even U.S. Bombs.

Images courtesy of Fucksake

Fucksake lets loose on The Fuck Tape via hardcore punk rock track “Anxiety”. Muppet opens with a sweet bassline before Earl busts out some tight drumming accompanied by Muppet’s twisted vocals. “No Strings Attached” unleashes the band's nihilistic hardcore punk fury. Ruza shreds out on guitar as Muppet leads the way on bass, declaring “war with the world”. Fucksake brings the brutality with hardcore thrash metal tune “Nazi Scum”. Earl attacks his drum kit while Ruza rips it up on guitar. This album boils down to the ability of Fucksake to expose their drive and talent for coalescing hardcore, punk, and thrash to the delight of punks and metalheads alike.

fucksake.bandcamp.com/album/the-fuck-tape

Fucksake plays the New Year's Eve Eve Eve Punk Rock Piss-Up on December 29th at Century, located at 1350 South 29th Street in South Philly with Trenton punk rockers Doc Rotten, Philly street punk rockers The Lot, NJ punk rockers Houston and the Dirty Rats and Philly Americana country punks Side Pocket Louie.

- Garyn Klasek

Amigo the Devil Diabolically Dispatches "Everything is Fine"

TX murder folk act Amigo the Devil descends across country in support of his new studio album Everything is Fine.

Amigo the Devil, AKA Danny Kiranos, kicks things off with dark folk ballad “Cocaine and Abel”. The piano and soulful vocals pull the listener in mesmerizingly. Gothic alternative country track “You're Perfect Too” picks up some astonishing steam. The cool guitars and raucous drumming almost crash through before pulling back beautifully. Kiranos simmers down on alternative Americana folk song “Hell and You”. The light banjo is fantastically balanced by the tone set by the bass.

Images Courtesy of Amigo the Devil

Amigo the Devil enchants with Gothic country cabaret tune “Hungover in Jonestown”. The slide guitar works incredibly well the drums. Epic alternative indie rocker “Everyone Gets Left Behind” is pleasantly thrown into the mix. The poppy drumming and keys feed off of each other. The album closes out with stripped down dark folk jam “Stronger Than Dead”. The guitar and vocals delicately interweave into a glorious splendor. Everything is Fine is a breathtakingly marvelous record that leaves the listener yearning to see what Amigo the Devil throws down onstage.

amigothedevil.com

Amigo the Devil is currently touring all over the U.S. and Canada before heading overseas to the UK.

~ Garyn Klasek

Gallows Bound Conjures Up "Appalachian Witch"

VA Appalachian bluegrass punks Gallows Bound unleash Appalachian Witch, touring the east coast, the south and Canada supporting Swingin’ Utters.

Images courtesy of Gallows Bound

Gallows Bound sets the tone for Appalachian Witch with “Empty Flask/Empty Heart”. Banjo player Justin Carver stands out with his speedy, melodic bluegrass punk picking accompanied by Rob Schultz’ tight, quick drumming. This is followed by Americana punk track “Shake”. Vocalist/guitarist Jordan Joyes really gets cooking here by way of voice, as well as both her and vocalist/guitarist Jesse Markle laying down some sweet rhythm and lead guitar.

The band continues with bluegrass punk song “Broken Glass”, starting off dulcet as upright bassist Aaron Blow and Carver take the helm. Then, the band takes off full force, masterfully and posthaste. Epic Americana punk tune “Appalachian Witch” is next and seems to deliver the overall mood of this record. Markle takes the lead vocally with beautiful harmonies from Joyes as the ensemble builds up and busts out relentlessly. Despite the fact that Appalachian Witch is an EP and therefore short, it not only packs the expected punch of what’s expected from this band but it does it stylistically and grandiosely. The only downside is that it leaves the listener salivating for more. Luckily for us, Gallows Bound is frequently found on the road, catering to the sweet tooth of their fans and lovers of Americana, bluegrass and punk alike.

gallowsbound.bandcamp.com/album/appalachian-witch-ep

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Gallows Bound plays Connie’s Ric Rac, located at 1132 S. 9th St in South Philadelphia, on Saturday, October 20th at 8 PM with the following locals: folk/country punkers The TC Cole Riot, Americana folkers The Cheddar Boys and Americana/country punks Side Pocket Louie.

- Garyn Klasek