Emily Woesthoff Archive
Big D & The Kids Table “Strictly Rude”
Record Label: Side One Dummy
Genre: Ska Punk
Band Link:
Buy on Amazon.com:
Your little emo brother might think that ska is dead, but don’t tell that to Big D and The Kids Table, as the release of “Strictly Rude” quickly approaches. The new album brings together the catchy, upbeat songs that Big D has become synonymous with, but also brings some old school, second wave ska sound to the Kid’s Table.
The album as a whole consists of a series of peaks and valleys. It has some really energetic songs toward the beginning, “Souped-Up Vinyl” and
“Noise Complaint” are in classic Big D style and show off the band’s fun punk/ska element which really kick the album off to a great start. “Shining On” has a great second wave, reggae vibe that switches it up a bit, but keeps it interesting . This momentum is counteracted by “Snakebite” and the title track, “Strictly Rude” which really slow the album down. “Snakebite” brings about a lull and its vocal echo and lyrics leave something to be desired. The ninth track, “Hell On Earth” is a turning point of sorts. It is a fun song, typical of Big D that has a strong NOFXey vibe. From then on, the remainder of the album maintains this energy and finishes off on a continuously high plateau.
Overall, fans of Big D and The Kids table will definitely be happy the album “Strictly Rude”. The best part of this band is seeing them live, and “Fly Away”, “Breaking The Bottle” and “Raw Revolution” will almost certainly become new hits for the crowd to dance and sing along to.
RATING & SUMMARY:
Bottom Line: For the most part, this album represents the fun punk/ska sound Big D has become known for. Although it gets slow at times, it has some obvious old school influence and is overall, a strong record.
Notable Tracks: ‘Fly Away,’ ‘Breaking The Bottle,’ ‘Raw Revolution’ and ‘Steady Riot’
Overall Rating: 
Less Than Jake (Roger)
First off, thanks for playing full albums, it was awesome. Many bands don’t do that and it’s just a great way of saying thank you, in my opinion. How did it feel? Did you think the crowds were receptive?
Warped Tour 06
If you missed this year’s Vans Warped Tour, you should be kicking yourself right about now, really hard. Where else can you see up to fifty different bands at one show for under $40 with 10,000 of your sweatiest friends? While last year’s Warped was a bit on the lame side, 2006 jumped out of bed, spiked up its mohawk and was ready to party all summer long.
With tons of Warped regulars like The Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake and NOFX all taking the main stages, the shows were energetic, and reminiscent of the Ghost of Warped Tour Past. Newer additions like Moneen, Gym Glass Heroes and Eight Fingers down were also able to harbor the same excitement and fuse it into their sets to really get their head-bobbing crowds going. While the tour has grown increasingly popular over the years it has been in existence; it has been able to maintain its stamina and fulfill its purpose. Somehow, tour master Kevin Lyman has managed to keep ticket prices relatively low, and bands remain as eager to play and self-promote as ever. Warped has always been a Mecca for both bands and fans alike with a bombardment of new music and merch everywhere you turn.
So, if you were unable to make it this year (and you better have a good excuse), or if you just want to relive one of the tour’s best shows, read on. This link is your gateway to interviews with Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake, and Eight Fingers Down; not to mention tons of pictures to give you that warm and fuzzy Warped Tour feeling.
INTERVIEWSInterview with ThursdayInterview with Anti-Flag
Interview with Less Than Jake
Interview with Eight Fingers Down
PICTURES
NOFX
Anti-Flag
Gym Class Heroes
I Am The Avalanche
Moneen
Thursday
Bouncing Souls
REVIEW:
Warped Tour – Post Gazette Pavilion Burgettstown, PA (Review by Creature of War)
Anti-Flag (Warped Tour 06)
While Anti-Flag may finally have their major label record contract and were probably called every name in the book for signing to RCA; the band has not lost any of their core values. They continue to preach about politics at each of their shows and speak their minds as freely as ever. In fact, their latest album, “For Blood and Empire” is uber political and stays true to the band’s original in-your-face punk sound. Bassist, Chris #2 is an absolutely amazing person on stage and off, he was even open to talking about his “big time” record deal.
Less Than Jake (Roger)
For yet another summer, Less Than Jake made the trek across the country to play for tons of sweaty punk rockers with the rest of the Vans Warped Tour. Playing alongside other Warped veterans, NOFX, Anti-Flag and The Bouncing Souls; LTJ has seen the tour and their band go through a few changes over the years with always the same end result; an awesome, crowd pleasing show and a crap load of confetti. Bassist and self-proclaimed “collector nerd” Roger was able to shed some light on exactly what it means to be an active part of ten Warped Tours.
Eight Fingers Down
Mike Rosenthal of Eight Fingers Down was more than willing to share a few minutes of his busy day to answer a few questions for Ska Punk and Other Junk. Aside from playing the tour every day, Eight Fingers Down is 2006’s Barbecue Band for the Vans Warped Tour. Basically, after a grueling day of helping set up for the tour in the morning, playing a full 30 minute set, selling merch, and doing interviews, Mike and his band mates have to throw a party every night for the other bands on the tour, complete with a schmorgasboard of barbecued delights, cooked by the band as well as a live nighttime performance from Eight Fingers Down.
AFI
Opening Bands:
Date: May 6th 2006
Venue: The Bamboozle Festival, Giants Stadium, NJ
City/State/Country:
Band Links:
AFI has been gradually progressing away from their initial punk sound into something completely different from where they started. The departure from their original sound has also coincided with variations on their image, and winning over a whole new population of fans. After not playing the New York area since 2003, AFI was one of Saturday’s headliners at The Bamboozle in New Jersey. With their set the last of the evening before Taking Back Sunday closed out the show, AFI dazzled the fervent crowd with their much anticipated performance.
The crowd went crazy for favorites from the last album like “Silver and Cold”, “The Leaving Song Part 2″, “Girls Not Grey” and completely blew up for AFI’s latest single “Miss Murder” to be released on their full length album 06.06.06. The video is in heavy rotation on the Fuse network and if crowd reaction is any indication, it is clearly already an obvious favorite. Although it was to be expected, AFI neglected to play anything really old from their Very Proud of Ya and Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes days. The set was strong regardless and the crowd was absolutely insane with crowd surfing and sing-alongs. Davey even climbed on top of and into the crowd at one point, and mayhem ensued. The band puts on such an energetic and involved set, it is obvious that they really put their hearts into every show.
Although AFI’s band image is completely different than it used to be, especially Davey Havok with his hair cut, sparkling eye lids and painted nails; the core of the band is still essentially the same. They still rock hard,but just rock differently than they used to. AFI is more of a crowd pleaser now than the fast, aggressive punk band that they used to be, but their satisfied fans will tell you they’re doing the right thing, even with all the added glitz and glamour. AFI will be playing this years Warped Tour in select cities, they are also headed out to promote their new album due out 06.06.06, some things never change.
RATING & SUMMARY:
Bottom Line:
Favorite Songs:
Overall Rating:
Moneen
Never in the history of music has there ever been a band nicer than Moneen. Maybe it’s because they are from Canada (Canadians seem to have a tendency to be genuinely happy) or maybe it’s just because they are such an amazingly talented band; but either way, they were the most energetic and genuine band featured at this year’s Bamboozle. Despite their early time slot on Sunday at 1pm, the guys from Moneen gave the most amazing and energetic main stage performance. With their new album The Red Tree not even a month old, their set featured some new songs like “If Tragedy’s Appealing, Then Disaster’s An Addiction” in their set. They also wowed the crowd with older favorites like “Start Angry, End Mad”, “Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?” and, of course “The Passing of America”. Due to some problems with the PA, the band even worked some radio static into their set.
The Rocket Summer
Bryce Avary, or The Rocket Summer as his friends call him, has made quite the name for himself in perfect DIY fashion. In love with music at an early age, Bryce started making serious music at 14 and has not stopped since. At the ripe old age of 23 and on his third album, He has already played to sold out arenas in Japan, toured the USA and UK, and has gained a huge following of dedicated fans. Oh yeah, he has also recently celebrated his one year wedding anniversary all while continuing to tour relentlessly. Right before his set at The Bamboozle, the soft-spoken Bryce was kind enough to answer some questions for Ska Punk and Other Junk.
Monty Are I
Once upon a time, in a far away place called Cranston, Rhode Island there was a band called Monty’s Fan Club. This band traveled far and wide with the Warped Tour in 2003 and 2004 and won contest after online contest. The band continued to tour and sold 4,000 copies of the Monty’s Fan Club EP with no label support or distribution. They started to make a name for themselves, but due to reasons beyond their control, this name had to be changed. The band settled simply on “Monty”, picked up the pieces and moved on to yet another Warped Tour in 2005 and further recognition from the press. Their ska-influenced peppy punk turned more heads with the 2005 release of The Red Shift. These heads happen to have included some folks at Stolen Transmission, an Island Def Jam subsidiary. The imprint label struck a deal with Monty and they began recording Wall of People which is due to be released August 1, 2006.
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