Punk Rock Record Reviews: The Best of 2024, Part ELEVEN.
Links: Punk Rock Record Reviews Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten.
I listen primarily to punk, with my preferred subgenre being street punk. Speed rock, garage, skate punk, hardcore, pop punk, oi!, ska, grindcore, and even rockabilly fit the bill if done right. If I can catch a live show, it gives the release an edge. Here are a few releases from 2024 that I recommend you check out. These are in no particular order; however, I’m only reviewing releases that are in contention for the best release of the year. If I’m reviewing it, I liked it. When the New Year rolls around, I’ll put them in order and do a final article of the best of the best. Drop a comment at the bottom if there is a 2024 release you think I should check out; I most definitely will.
Conflict “This Is Conflict”
Released: November 15, 2024
Format: 7” vinyl, digital download
Label: Mortarhate Records/ Uprising Records
From: U.K.
Conflict has been around for decades; their logos emblazon countless leather jackets around the world, and plenty of their songs are anarcho-punk classics. I’m certain that at one time I owned their 1986 LP “The Ungovernable Force." They even have a song on the best punk rock compilation of all time, “P.E.A.C.E./War” (“Bomb”). Many punks would consider them one of the greatest bands of all time and the founders of modern-day anarcho-punk. The members have changed over the years (nearly 43 years), but this is still the original founder and vocalist, Colin Jerwood.
I have a playlist with thousands of songs that I play on random for weeks at a time, and for some reason there isn’t a single Conflict song in there. Well, the draught ends today, as both of these songs are great, and they are both going onto my permanent playlist. I’m throwing in “Bomb” from P.E.A.C.E. as well, and I’m going to revisit “The Ungovernable Force” and everything that came after it. I’m incredibly glad that they put out this single; it’s as good as anything they have ever done and has pushed me to really check them out after all of these years. If you are in the same boat, play these songs and then do the same.
Fear “The Last Time”
Released: October 31, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, digital dowload
Label: Atom Age Industries/ Fear Records
From: Los Angeles, CA
I’m sad to see Fear announce their last album, as they are one of the first punk rock bands that I ever heard. They literally changed my life. But on the other hand, I’m also happy and amazed that 74-year-old Lee Ving is still able to both put out a new album and continue to tour (68-year-old original drummer Spit Stix is still in the band as well). I think about Fear often, especially when Lee’s friendship with comedian John Belushi got them a spot on SNL and they literally tore it up (rumored to be the only time SNL ever cut the live feed during a show).
A lot of what I love about this album is the nostalgia, of course. But being honest, this is a really good album in its own right. “What Are Friends For?” is a song that they played on 1991’s “Live… For The Record,” and we get a studio version here. There are the usual bluesy songs that really aren’t the punk rock that I’m after, but “Here We Go Again” and “Ramblin’ Gamblin Man” were both great, as were a few more. Well worth checking out if you were ever a fan.
Sick Move “Intrusive Thoughts”
Released: March 29. 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, digital download
Label: Self-released
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Another one that was recommended to me, and rightfully so. Crazy how I almost missed some of these; this one really rips. Every song is good, but "Beshu," “Hey Ma," “Intrusive Thoughts,” and “F.Y.H.” stuck out as my early favorites. They call themselves “rowdy punk rock," but that may be an understatement. They have the best of a street punk sound mixed with bands like Bad Religion, Pennywise, or Good Riddance (great melodies, speed, and at some times the vocals turn to growls). Great bass lines too. “F.Y.H.” (Fuck Your House) is a ripper that I was singing/screaming along to (and following the words, which are printed on the inner sleeve). I wasn’t able to find out much about them other than they are from Baltimore, so this is likely their first release (it looks D.I.Y., and I’m really digging the cover and the packaging). A band to watch, you can expect to see this one on my list of the best releases of the year. Fans of Suck Brick Kid, Starving Wolves, Pennywise, Good Riddance, or just good punk rock in general.
Backyard Superheroes “Mass Hysteria”
Released: June 28, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, cassette and digital download
Label: Jump Up! Records
From: New Jersey
The first thing I noticed was the size of the band. With 9 members playing instruments like tenor sax, baritone sax, trombone, bass trombone, and trumpet, along with multiple vocalists, I definitely expected Ska. A few decades ago I wouldn’t have been excited about this, as I considered myself into hardcore and street punk (always with the exception of Operation Ivy). As time went by, Ska has really grown on me (or all of the bands got better). Nowadays I listen to The Suicide Machines, Kill Lincoln, and Against All Authority as much as anything else. Also, they dedicated this album to their pets (the real heroes), and that means a lot (I love animals).
I was hoping that there would be at least a few songs on the faster, punker side with snotty vocals, and they were there. I also really appreciated some of the more subtle elements (guitar styles other than ska, including solid leads, female vocals and vocals that at times approach screams, humor, punk speed in just the right places, and light profanity). At times it got a bit too slow and straight-up ska for me, but there is a little for everyone (punk and ska fans). If you are not reading that this is really good, read it again. This is really good! Fans of The Suicide Machines, Kill Lincoln, Against All Authority, Operation Ivy, The Boy Detective, or any well-done ska-punk with layered but snotty vocals and a clean sound will pick up on this right away.
Speed Plans “D.U.I.”
Released: November 15, 2024
Format: 7” Vinyl, digital download
Label: Convulse Records
From: Pittsburgh, PA
This is insanely crazy hardcore; honestly, it doesn’t get much crazier than this. If you were watching my reviews last year, I really liked their “Statues of God” EP, and that prompted me to catch them live when they played locally at Edgemen Printing. I was excited to see another EP this year, this time on Convulse Records. They have not slowed down; if anything, they have even amped it up a notch. “Everybody Gotta Die” and “Shut The Fuck Up” were the standouts, but you can blast through the entire 7-song EP in about 5 minutes. Anyone into crazy, fast, out-of-control punk rock will have this on the top of their stack.
The Bad Ups “Life Of Sin”
Released: September 27, 2024
Format: Vinyl LP, Digital download
Label: Jump Start Records
From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Really well done melodic punk, with a touch of ska and even an acoustic track at the end. What I like about this record, other than the ultra-catchy sing-a-long vocals, is the fast upbeat drumming in just the right parts. When you put those things together, you have a great record (like this one). It looks like they had a one-sided, one-song 7” back in 2020 on Rude Girl Records (record collectors, you are going to want to track that down quick before they blow up), but other than that, this is their first release. I’m always disappointed when there is no CD to buy, but I’m also good with digital downloads these days. So far, my favorite songs are "Underground,” "Paloma,” and "Lowes,” but this release is solid all of the way through. Fans of The Putz, Teen Idols, Teenage Bottlerocket, NOFX, Masked Intruder, The Jasons, or any good sing-a-long melodic punk.
Less Than Jake “Uncharted”
Released: November 15, 2024
Format: 12” vinyl, CD, digital download
Label: Pure Noise Records
From: Gainesville, FL
Less Than Jake is somewhat hit and miss with me. I’m into heavier punk music (hardcore, street punk, speed rock), and a lot of their songs seem aimed at the mainstream for radio play (ska, pop punk). Their 2012 song “Magnetic North,” a great ska/punk song, is probably my favorite LTJ song. This is a really good release, and “Sunny Side” was my favorite song. Definitely top-notch for the genre. If you are a fan, you will love this. They are a great band with an amazing live show. Fans of The Suicide Machines, The Boy Detective, and really good pop punk, ska, and radio-friendly punk.
Snarling Dogs “S/T”
Released: November 1, 2024
Format: Digital download
Label: Drunken Sailor Records
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Following their demo cassette in 2023 on Kill Enemy Records, they have added additional songs and posted an 11-song full-length release. Solid garage rock with the energy and speed that I need, at times sounding more on the hardcore side. The first two songs, “Nothing Left” and “Televised Violence,” are both great, but it gets even better at the end (“Highway of Hurt” has a slow build into a solid ripper, and USA is the shortest and fastest). Fans of The Hookers, The Dirtys, Citric Dummies, Electric Frankenstein, The Oblivians, or just really good garage rock.
Off With Their Heads “Inhale, Exhale, Smile”
Released: October 10, 2024
Format: LP, digital downloads
Label: Anxious & Angry
From: Chicago, IL
This is a 6-song LP that originated as single songs, released on Bandcamp (and likely elsewhere) throughout 2024. They also did an “album release” tour that came through my town (Detroit) around Halloween, where they dressed up as The Minfits (a combination of Minions and The Misfits) and started the show with a dozen or so songs by The Misfits. I saw these albums at the merch booth, in various colors of vinyl, but decided to stick with digital (my vinyl collecting habit has long since been out of control and put on pause).
I’m a huge fan of OWTH, but admittedly they get a bit too dark and depressing for me sometimes. “Speakers Push The Air” was the standout song. A few of the songs were over 4 minutes, and didn’t pack the punch that some of their classics do (“Janie”, “Clear The Air”, “Start Walking”, “Let It All”, “Die Today”, etc.), but I enjoyed them. These guys are definitely not one-hit wonders (as it says in the song “Every Time The Sun Comes Up”), and even the slower songs have incredible melodies, complex lyrics, and make you want to sing along. I just wish they were a bit faster and sung more with anger than melancholy (but that’s me, being a punk/hardcore fanatic). Fans of OWTH will love this, and it should make them plenty of new ones. A worthy addition to their discography.
The Red Bastards “Good Old Days”
Released: November 29, 2024
Format: Digital Download
Label: Self-released
From: Wales, U.K.
This is another one that was sent directly to In Spite Magazine for review, I’m not sure that I would have found it otherwise. I am familiar with them though, as I did watch their video for “White Lines” a while back, and remember liking it. There was an EP “T.R.B” in 2020 that I don’t see on bandcamp or discogs and they had a song “Give Me No Shit” on the Punk and Oi! compilation “Spirit of D.I.Y. Volume 6” from 2022 (that was the first and shortest song on their S/T LP that same year).
The Red Bastards are from Wales, and take their influence from U.S. bands like Black Flag and The Misfits. “Good Old Days” is sing-along Oi!, done exactly how it should be done, with whoas and songs about drinking, shows, and having fun. Fans of Sham 69, Cock Sparrer, 999, Stiff Little Fingers, U.K. Subs will love this.
