The Ergs!-"Thrash Compactor EP"

In 2008, a great band broke up. Then they released a split with The Measure [SA] two years later, and now they have a new 7" of thrash songs. The band in question here is The Ergs!. The record in question here is a one-sided, three-minute-long, five song collection of thrash songs called "Thrash Compactor", and what else would it be called?

Grave Mistake put the EP out, which just adds to the bizarre nature of this record (Grave Mistake, of course, being known for releasing Hardcore and Thrash records). This band is pulling off a Tupac-like existence in the best way possible: by making us laugh while they do it. The Ergs! have always been known to be quite silly at times, but this is just plain hilarious. Every song on this record is short and fast, but presented in a very tongue-in-cheek manner. The longest (and subsequently best) song on this record is "I Shot The Devil's Son," a song about President Ronald Reagan, which clocks in at a minute and seven seconds.

That's the other thing about this record which reminds listeners that this isn't serious; every song makes fun of old-school thrash/hardcore stereotypes. My favorite song, although not the "best", has to be the nine-second "Sneak Attack." The fact that it is nine seconds, coupled with the delivery of the song, hilariously reminds me of Negative Approach's "Pressure."

I'm waiting for my 7" right now (I got impatient, hehe), which also comes with a download code to come in the mail. I assume the only variant available (at least for now) is black, but this will still be a must-have for any Ergs fan or any Punk Rock vinyl dork. I give it a 3 for it's humorous presentation and it's ability to leave me thinking "what the fuck?"

It can be got at Dorkrockcorkrod.com for 5 measly bucks. Get it while the gettin's hot

The Pyongyang Metro Tower of White Tigers

Hey, Kids!
Do you like music?
Do you enjoy gritty-voiced cut-to-the-chase pop-punk?
You down with Off With Their Heads and Banner Pilot?
Did you know Nate used to play in a band called The Pyongyang Metro?
Now you do.

This album was originally released somewhere around 2006 or 2007 on 100 CDs. It is now available as a free download on bandcamp.com, and we all know how much I enjoy free downloads.

As previously mentioned, this band featured the ever-talented, multiple-band-inhabiting, bass-yeilding-powerhorse known as Nate Gangelhoff. The Pyongyang Metro play very melodic, yet very sloppy Punk Rock. The guitars are gritty, and the vocals are delivered in such a fun, care free way that you can't help but be happy while listening. The rhythms are very bouncy, as well. This band honestly reminds me a bit of what would happen if you mixed the gritty guitars of Cloak/dagger, which the catchy songwriting of Off With Their Heads, and threw in slightly cleaner vocals than expected from said fusion.

This is such a fun record, although I wish there was more to it; of the 13 tracks on the album, 6 of them are less than a minute long. It's certainly a great album, and a guaranteed pick-me-up, though. I highly recommend it.

Wait...I have another comparison to make....
Red and Blue, totally. More so than the other weird comparison.

It can be got here:
thepyongyangmetro.bandcamp.com

The Measure [SA] "Songs About People...And Fruit N' Shit"

Well, I'll start this article with a little honesty; When I was younger, say....14 or 15, I listened to pretty much nothing but Hardcore, Grindcore, Powerviolence, and the like. The more incoherent the music the better. I'm closing in on 19 years now, damn near 20 years old, and I can only stand a select handful of those bands. These days I listen to so much Pop-Punk that my foot is caught tapping at any given moment, I have blue hair, and I give a shit about stuff. Now that I've poked fun at the walking cliche that is myself these days, I should probably get to the point. I'm a bit behind the stampede on this one (try 2ish years) but I might as well review it. It's quite good, but I'm sure you want more than that.

The Measure [SA] is a Pop Punk band from New Jersey signed to Don Giovanni Records, and what a good band they are. This is one of those bands that I heard about but never got into, and I'm surprised I never did. These songs written very well, with a lot more structural complexity than your average Punk band these days. The "Two Lead Singers" thing always manages to catch me with any band. Guitarist Lauren Measure and new (to this record) drummer Mikey Erg (of....do I even need to say it) mesh together perfectly as vocalists. I'd like to assume both take lyrical authority in The Measure, and the lyrics are very good. The best song on the record is a tie between "Drunk By Noon" and "Hello Bastards," both of which deliver the recommended dose of catch (shoot me please).

I give this album/ep/record/thing a 3.5 out of 5

Themeasuresa.com

For Serious This Time When You're In It

This will be short sweet and to the point. This EP rules, go download it. Their sound makes me think of Braid and Latterman in a blender. It's a delicious mixture. Download it here:
http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/album/for-serious-this-time/when-you-re-in-it/

Thanks, all.