Enter the ecstatic, end-it-all goth-fest of Ink & Dagger. Vampire punks to the end, this Philadelphia band released four albums, toured extensively, vomited on Christmas trees, drenched themselves in fake blood, and generally upset their fans’ parents. Their records sound loud even at low volumes, stuffed with belligerent yet sexy grunge metal guitar riffs, all infused with their own unique take on life. “Creatures Like Us,” the title track from their farewell album, delivers Ink & Dagger’s message and sound in a deliciously dangerous 3 minute pill.

Ink & Dagger
“Creatures Like Us” (mp3)

from “Ink & Dagger”
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Surf band goes berserk at backyard BBQ! Details at 11. Crashing waves of perilous fun, careening along at a breakneck tempo. I expect the drummer may need medical attention after such a thrashing. This is a ferocious two minutes and fifteen seconds of all out punky surf mayhem. A GR8 instrumental, from this summer fun compilation. Enjoy.

Greg Anderson
“Free Style” (mp3)
from “Backyard Bonanza, Vol. 2″
(Fervor Records)

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Another epic track from The Wolverton Brothers, who already won my Gr8 Song Title award for “Cops Nab Drunken Legless Burglar.” Proudly declaring themselves OLD, UGLY, and LOUD on their site, this band is a cre8ive force to be reckoned with, conjuring a massive, distinctive sound. In “Memory Thieves” they sound like a an old school power trio interpreting goth punk, to produce a sort of psychedelic surf prog that exceeds expectations as the piece unfolds. Brilliant, minimal lyrics, and a fully realized performance from this Cincinnati Ohio institution.

Wolverton Brothers
“Memory Thieves” (mp3)
from “Crooked”
(Ionik Recordings)

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Rock is not always pretty. Rock often crawls out from a sweaty, dirty place in the unglamorous depths of depravity. The Sons Of Hercules play rock like it’s still dangerous, like there’s going to be hell to pay. This is the polar opposite of today’s inoculated mainstream. This is balls out rock played by five San Antonio, Texas music vets who sound rather like The Stooges jamming with Lynyrd Skynyrd at AC/DC’s house. Play loud with beer.

The Sons Of Hercules
“Brain Dead” (mp3)
from “A Different Kind of Ugly”
(Saustex Media)

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Like a demented Gang Of Four engaged in bathroom sex with Joy Division on quaaludes, Cincinnati Ohio’s Wolverton Brothers lurch forth, their hapless instruments wailing in protest along beside them. Actually, once you get into it, “Cops Nab Drunken, Legless Burglar,” is a surprisingly fine piece. I find myself not only entertained but impressed. Clearly I need help. This is music your parents hope you don’t like. Enjoy.

Wolverton Brothers
“Cops Nab Drunken, Legless Burglar” (mp3)
from “Crooked”
(Ionik Recordings)

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What a perfect name for this band. Seethingly dark gothy pain-bliss with a rolling drum, bass and guitar grunge mass, careening along beneath a a reverb drenched lone female vocal. Gets in, makes its point and gets out. Like a good ex-lover.

Black Tambourine
“For Ex-Lovers Only” (mp3)
from “Black Tambourine”
(Slumberland Records)

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In the long strange trip of Berkeley, California ska pioneers The Uptones, three founding members spent some time playing clubs on the west coast as Stiff Richards, while the Uptones were on hiatus. During that time, they wrote some of the gr8 songs they now play with the re-formed Uptones. One of the standouts was “Not From Here” which I was thrilled to find is on the set list for their Warped Tour appearances this month. Here is the Stiff Richards original version, off the “E-Mail EP” recently re-released by Fun Fun Fun Recordings. A scorching ska punk number about post modern alienation, sung by The Rev. Paul Jackson himself. Rock it.

Stiff Richards
“Not From Here” (mp3)
from “E-Mail – EP”
(Fun Fun Fun Recordings)

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A funny thing happened to the Alkaline Trio on the way to being one in a bazillion obscure pop punk bands in the wastelands of the post-music business. They got famous. Through relentless touring and real fan appreciation and good songs and energetic live shows, by gosh, they’re gettin’ big the old way, and it’s a beautiful thing. On every stop at this summer’s Warped Tour, Alkaline Trio is one of the more eagerly anticipated acts. Here’s an early cut from their 2002 split with Hot Water Music. It rocks. To hear what they sound like now, after a decade of seasoning, check out their myspace and DL the iTunes 10 Song Warped Sampler. These guys are gr8.

Alkaline Trio
“Queen Of Pain” (mp3)
from “Split”
(Jade Tree)

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For a brief moment in 1977, “New Wave” and “Punk Rock” were one and the same, in the minds and safety pin laden cheeks of many a spike haired, spitting angry teen. Teenage Kicks apparently take their inspiration from that storied cultural nanosecond, in this ode to Lora Logic, whom, googlenets be praised, I now know to be the sax player from original new wave punkers X-Ray Specs! She played those gr8 sickly tenor parts on “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” “I Heart Lora Logic” is a punk rockin’ love letter to a pre-riot grrrl pioneer, and a lament to the end of teenage fun. Enjoy.

Teenage Kicks
“I Heart Lora Logic” (mp3)
from “Teenage Kicks”
(Team Science)

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I posted 13th Chime‘s wonderful “Sarah’s Got A Chainsaw” last year and have purty much been in love with this long disbanded band of gothy Brits since. Behold the late 70′s mile long guitar reverb. Revel in the smudged eyeshadow sexy talky part. Gyrate to the rude pounding drum craziness but most of all, soak up the ever-so-English vocal dreaminess. Swooning in black lace as I return to “The Lost Album.”

13th Chime
“Two As A Couple” (mp3)
from “The Lost Album”
(Sacred Bones Records)

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