Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Asian Man Records 15th Anniversary

Over the past week, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Asian Man Records’ 15th Anniversary Festival in San Francisco. For those unfamiliar, Asian Man Records is a label started by Mike Park of Skankin’ Pickle, The Bruce Lee Band, and The Chinkees. Over the years, Asian Man has released many, many records from bands like Slapstick, Lemuria, The Broadways, as well as helping to launch the careers of bands like Less Than Jake, Alkaline Trio, and The Lawrence Arms. Personally, the first time I found the folded-up mail order one-sheet catalog for Asian Man in a CD- it was Less Than Jake’s Pezcore- was a huge moment in my entrance into punk rock.

The festival was 5 days of shows in San Francisco, with high profile reunions of short-lived but classic Asian Man bands, Slapstick and The Broadways, not to mention bands like Slow Gherkin and MU330. The shows I attended were:

• Slapstick, MU330, The Chinkees
• Alkaline Trio, The Hot Toddies, Kepi Ghoulie, The Atom Age
• The Broadways, Bomb the Music Industry!, Ratasucia, Spraynard
• The Lawrence Arms, Toys That Kill, Short Round, Spraynard, Chotto Ghetto

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Alkaline Trio - This Addiction

The new decade kicks off with an album from Chicago punk veterans, the Alkaline Trio. Now, I love the Trio. Skiba, Adriano, and drummer Derek Grant will always end up on my list of most anticipated new album, regardless of previous efforts. And previous efforts have not always been pretty. We remember Crimson, right? Right. And 2008′s Agony & Irony wasn’t a whole lot better (though it was better). So, with their promise to deliver a sound closer to their roots in mind, how is the latest from these guys?

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Riot Fest 2009 promo poster

Chicago’s Riot Fest Records are once again putting on Riot Fest, a multi-day festival of awesome punk rock and ska. Last year’s festival featured ALL, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Ergs!, Mustard Plug, the Methadones, the Lawrence Arms, the Bouncing Souls, and so many more awesome bands.

This year’s lineup includes:

• Screeching Weasel
• NOFX
• The Alkaline Trio
• Murder City Devils
• The Dead Milkmen
• Cock Sparrer

I went last year, just to the Sunday show, and it was truly excellent. I will definitely be back for 2009. Hell, Screeching Weasel alone would be enough to merit the trip.

Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony

I always find myself surprised that Goddamnit only came out in 1998. And it surprises me just as much to realize that 1998 was ten years ago. Has it really been that long? Clearly, I’m getting old. At any rate, it’s been ten years since the Alkaline Trio released their debut LP, and in addition to a deluxe reissue (still on Asian Man Records- props to Mike Park), Chicago’s dark trio have given us a brand-new full-length. Of course, comparisons between then and now and inevitable.

First off, long-time fans of Alk3 will have noticed that their punk tendencies have lessened over the years following their trio of Asian Man releases (Goddamnit, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, and the self-titled compilation). So anyone entering into this album expecting some full-throttle, alcohol-drenched punk rock hasn’t been paying attention.

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Alkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch Fire

Welcome to part 2 (of 5) of Chicago Week. Wherein I talk about notable albums to come out of the Chicago scene. Today, we take a walk down one branch in the Slapstick Family Tree mentioned yesterday, to Dan Andriano’s next band with Matt Skiba and a rotating cast of drummers, the Alkaline Trio.

Maybe I’ll Catch Fire is the band’s second album, following their now-legendary debut on Asian Man Records, Goddamnit. The earlier album is rightfully lauded as a landmark record. But what about the follow-up?

The album kicks off with the anthemic “Keep ‘Em Coming,” which sets the tone for the album; darker lyrical content than Goddamnit, and generally faster than that album as well. The music has a somewhat darker feel, as well; the second song “Madame Me” is effective at creating a gloomy, evil-feeling atmosphere.

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