Record Label: Blackheart Records Group
Genre: Punk Rock
Band Link: link
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The Vacancies hail from Cleveland, Ohio and have teamed up legendary Joan Jett to produce a memorable edition of old-school punk rock. A breath of fresh air has been injected into the mass produced emo-punk scene that has been dominating under the guise of punk rock. Although this band will never attain mainstream media success nor will this release fall into the hands of many listeners, the Vacancies have put forth a lesson in how punk should be done.

Grief stricken teens from Cleveland have something to sound off on the opening track Children of the Century.’ Growling vocals and guitar work reminiscent of better days fill the album from start to finish. One of my personal favorites on the album is Radio Revolution.’ It rings true with me and takes me back to a better time of my youth. The song captures my sentiment of how classic rock radio has become extinct in favor of the money making juggernaut of cookie cutter megalomaniacs. And it does so in truly wonderful fashion.

The lads spew off anything and everything and their lyrics are insightful and inspiring. The encompass what makes real punk rock so truly enjoyable. Because to me the term punk’ isn’t associated with the music alone but rather it’s an attitude, a way of life. It’s about looking at the world you live and inspiring others to think freely and independently. The Vacancies have this ideology down to a science. They make there commentary clear on social and political issues and present it in a fashion that lets you make an educated decision about what you feel is important. And they manage to do it through guitar hooks, a relentless drumbeat and scintillating vocals. This Cd is a winner.

Bottom Line: An old school sound that is fresh and new again in today’s mass produced misadventures.
Notable Tracks: Children of the Century, Radio Revolution, Draw By Numbers, Killing Time
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