Flying under the Radar

I've always known there is a world outside all the hype stuff but it's hard to keep track of everything that's going on these days. So today I wanna tell you about two Bands that just recently caught my attention and another one:

First of let me share a few words about DEVOTION.
Quite some time ago I came across an online ad for a new record on Rivalry Records. Now I've never really followed that label. They had a few good releases but right now it seems they are defunct. The latest news on their website is about the release of the "new" Devotion LP that came out in Nov. 2009 and which you might still be able to order from the label. Although I wouldn't feel too good about ordering from a website that hasn't been updated in more than 1,5 years. Luckily the band has their own store where you can also buy shirts.
But let's get back to how and why I got aware of them. The ad I already mentioned grabbed my attention in a heartbeat. Unfortunately it is nowhere to be found anymore. Instead I can share with you the main attraction of that ad. The cover design for "Bastard son of affluence blues"

I so love that picture. Unfortunately I didn't have the time to check them out when I first saw it. It was during one of those being way to busy periods and with time I forgot all about it. Until I was reminded of the band about a month or two ago at a Punch show in my hometown. When I attended said gig because it was the last time to see my homeboy Dan before he went on tour I ran into a friend from Vienna who was talking to Aaron. I kinda know the guy because I put up a show for his old band Lights Out years ago and then meeting him again while he was chatting with the same friend from Vienna when he was touring europe with On. And what do you know. He also plays in Devotion. 

Knowing that I couldn't let it slide again and although it took me a while I finally did check them out.  And I gotta say I do like what I hear. If I come across it anywhere I'll definitely pick it up but I just don't like it enough to put in an order right away. Why? Well, I'm not too down with the style of music they play. War Pigs however was a similar band that I totally love. So if you're into them you might like Devotion too.

Let's say you are into Doomriders, Bars and Iron Age. Chances are you will love Devotion. Give them a chance. They deserve it. 

If you're still not sold check out a vimeo clip from one of "Bastard son of affluence blues" songs here or a clip they did for one of the three recently recorded songs here. US citizens might want to check their tour dates. 

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Ok. On to the next band although I bet that if you're into that kinda stuff you will most. likely know them for quite a while already. Their name crossed my path a few times already but somehow I never paid attention to the Night Birds. Which is such a fuckin' shame. 

I'm a sucker for Agent Orange up to their first LP and the Night Birds just have to be on the same page with me here. Incorporating equal parts of US-Punk that could just have been on the almighty Dangerhouse Records or bootlegged on the original Killed By Death compilation series and awesome Surf tunes that I as someone who actually doesn't know shit about the genre know best from the amazing Man Or Astro-Man?

Interested? Listen to the Night Birds on the Gravemistake Records bandcamp. I can't stop.

They are also coming to tour europe. Oh Yeah!

You can pre-order the upcoming LP from Grave Mistake Records and get previous releases and shirts here. 

Euro guys and gals can get the new LP from Taken By Surprise Records.

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Have you heard of the Rough Kids yet? I do have their Why so serious? 7" 

for quite a while now as well as their split 7" with the Irritones and just yesterday I bought their latest 7" Into the '00s. 

Boy is this another good one. Immediately I had to think of the legendary Zero Boys. Vicious Circle is such a damn good record and the Rough Kids are almost up to par. Yes, almost. It's not possible to write a song as good as Civilizations Dying or Amphetamine Addiction. But this band from LA is the closest thing to it so far. Both singles are available from the band. If you want the split you'd have to check your favorite record store/ distro or do a google search. It's still out there. Listen to one song of each record by hitting the above links.