Okay! I'm back! It's only been what, like 6 months since my last post? So that's not too bad right? I'd say I was too busy, but we all know that's code for lazy and uninspired. I felt like now was a good time to start posting again because I just felt like writing again, so here it is.

To get things off on the right foot after giving the world a cold shoulder for so long, I thought I'd make some band recommendations. And I'm not talking about recommendations you give to bands like "get a haircut!" or "free bird!", I'm talking ME recommending bands to YOU. Because everyone should like more music that I like, obviously.

The first band that I felt compelled to share with y'all is from my home state of Connecticut, which makes me very happy, but also pissed that they didn't actually exist when I lived there. They're called New Year's Revolution, and they mix a lot of good things that I like into their music. For example, the vocals are rough and raspy and the guitar is loud and distorted. Shut up, I know that's every punk band. But these guys and girl have some great country, blues, and folk elements that set them apart, plus the songs are just really fuckin' catchy. If that doesn't sell you, how many times do you think you'll hear a punk singer say the phrase "the nutmeg state"? That's what I thought.

Connecticut Casual by New Year's Revolution

Next up to receive the MD bump (that's a good thing?) is a band that is decidely NOT from Connecticut. Hailing from St. Petersburg, Russia, The Alcobastards have a deliciously rowdy take on punk rock. Clearly owing a lot to U.K. street punk, the ABs come out strong with wailing guitars and stompable beats, not to mention plenty of gang vocals. I won't pretend to comment on their Russian lyrics, aside from that they sound super-cool to a non-speaker, but the songs they sing in English are witty and raucous. I mean, how can you not like a song called "Jesus Was a Rebel (Hallelujah)"? That's right, you can't not.

Oh yeah, did I mention this album cover? And that it's free to download?

The Alcobastards by The Alcobastards

Last, but certainly not least, I would be remiss if I didn't direct your attention to San Diego's Caskitt. These guys also have sweet artwork, but that's about their only similarity to The Alcobastards. This is the type of pop-punk where you listen and suddenly feel nostalgic for an experience you didn't actually have. For a band that plays as fast as Caskitt, sounding wistful is no simple task. But they do it through unique rhythms and riffs wrapped around numerous tempo changes, and it sounds pretty damn great. And honestly, this EP cover needs to be on a t-shirt so that I can have it on the front of my torso, stat.

Don't Tell Anyone by Caskitt