"take some history lessons"

Three-fourths of the music I listen to predates the 70s.

Dude..sublime is so irrelevant to this band.

Posted by misfitmamma on 2007-04-20 14:30:52
My Score:

It’s your prerogative if Vlad isn’t your cup of tea musically, and as a so-called “music critic” it’s your job to give your opinion. No matter how closed minded and full of shit it is. In this case however, you should have given Vlad credit where credit is deserved. They’re a DIY band consisting of individuals who are passionate about music. They’re doing what they love and are loved by many. If you catch them at a show, you can see and feel their enthusiasm as well as the crowd’s. Having this knowledge makes the CD desirable to listen to.

Vlad already rocks, but now that they have two new members [hailing from another amazing DIY So-Cal band], they are bound to produce an even tighter, higher energy, fist pumping, pit inducing sound! Being a band from So-Cal isn’t a bad thing, it’s a great opportunity. You’ve got a variety of venues to play, a wide audience to attract, and a whole shit load of talented bands to encourage, influence, and promote one another. If you knew anything about the history of American West Coast Punk and all it’s sub-genres, you’d know that some of the greatest bands have paved the way starting here, in So-cal.

Now as for the attack on the band’s name, do you even know the actual history of Vlad, the Impaler? He wasn’t one to mess with, and the same can be said about this band and their fans. The band’s name is unexpected for the type of music created, but that’s what makes them different. They could have the stereotypical punk name…something “destructive” or spelled incorrectly… but this is where Vlad has been original and stands apart.

These guys should be applauded for their talents, attitude, and the initiative to do things their own way. YOU, however, should open your mind, take some history lessons, and leave CD reviews to those who have an inclination of what a good album consists of. How you received the privilege of reviewing bands is beyond me.

sublime is the best

I just noticed you dissed Lagwagon down there... you best step off homie! Also, this totally seemed like one of your old half star reviews, yet it got two stars? What gives? Never heard these guys though...but stick to your guns man!
-Greg

Jesse is not a punker. Look at his top bands, they would all be considered not punk and shit.

So, another pissed off Old Punker with too much time on his hands......arrogance doesn't make the world go round. Get off your high horse. What kink of music do you make? Vlad is punk, you are not, so get the F@ck over yourself!!

Jesse is sooooo cool. He hates punk rock and reviews a punk CD, way to go.

By the way, I wrote the review because I got sent the CD to review. When you're staff, you get solicited to review albums. In exchange, you get a little yellow button under your name on the review.

In summary, little yellow buttons are worth about two hours of my time every week.

first, i wondered why jesse even did this revew. i mean, it's like a 25 year old who goes to high school parties and brags about how cool he is. but i suppose the sheer comedy value of the response justifies the review.

Flame war! Go!

C'mon people, I want to get as many as I can in here telling me how stupid I am for having an opinion!

Upstrokes are upstrokes. Unless you're Lee Perry or Scientist, you've got no excuse using 'em.

This is directed to Jesse but left here so others can read. I am from the band and wanted to set a few thing straight. I know it's not very becoming to comment on my own review but I have to say the following: We are in now way influenced by Sublime or any other 3rd wave ska band. In-fact, I despise the third wave of ska and have always felt it to be very shallow. I grew up listening to bands like the Police, AC/DC, the Clash and then got into the old punk stuff. Not the OC jock shit. If you want to say we sound like a ska band try OP-IVY or early Toasters. I have never owned a pair of sandals nor played at a high school talent show. So Jesse, you should listen to music with an open mind and not try to pre judge thing 'cus the band is from California. We don't fit in your little bubble, sorry....

This review was completely off base! My thoughts: Vlad- Musical Geniuses. Members produce bone chilling music which makes you want to dance. Album 5 Stars.
This Jesse guy should have his license revoked, damn emo lover. Sublime, is that the only “So-Cal” band that came to mind, are you deaf?? Also, Southern California bands are very diverse and can not and should never be placed into one category.

Vlad Rocks, Jesse Sucks!

I'm guessing this band made a Myspace bulletin about your review to get their junior high street teamsters all hot and bothered. But honestly, it wouldn't have been a Jesse pop punk review without these kinds of comments.

And everyone knows pop-punk sucked. Even good pop punk sucks. And this isn't even good pop punk.

-Will

PS- Defenders of Sublime, please get off this board and go wait in line for tickets to this summer's Family Values tour.

the singer of sublime had a really great voice, better than a lot of bands can say.

- APK

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 3:43 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Can you not fu@king hear...Vlad kicks ass

Sublime was not "good at what they did". Sublime was good at nothing. Defending a crap band just because you listened to them while you where twelve (or, if you're a sandal-wearing, pot-smoking, football-playing, date-raping jackass, now) is not a good system to go on. I loved Green Day in 7th and 8th grade - I bought 5 of their albums in a year. I don't try to defend them, though. Blechh, on the part of Sublime. This, however, is an excellent review.

the review was written by a little kid. the band sucks but not as much as this crap i almost vomited on.

I think you are dead wrong on Vlad and the Impalers. They have a great sound and know how to keep the audience moving. I know tons of people who love this band, including myself. You don't know shit. Well, I guess it's your opinion, but VLAD ROCKS!

Posted by alleycat92627 on 2007-04-18 11:44:07
My Score:

I think you are dead wrong on Vlad and the Impalers. They have a great sound and know how to keep the audience moving. I know tons of people who love this band, including myself. You don't know shit. Well, I guess it's your opinion, but VLAD ROCKS!

the phrase "sublime always sucked" means this reviewer is an ass-hat and his opinions can immediately disregarded.

you might not like sublime, but you can't deny they were good at what they did.

yeah, what is this guy smoking! Sublime? I don't get it. I would go with the clash as being a closer fit. This guy should have his reveiwing license revoked.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 9:24 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This review makes no sense. I can understand not liking a band that has this sound but to lump them into a category with Sublime or Socal pop-punk seems a little off base. Clean guitar does not make a band 3rd wave ska. Have you ever heard of the clash, Dead Kennedys, Dead milkmen, or even the specials, or Madness? I would imagine these would be their influences more likely because that is who they remind me of. This guy gives emo bands good reviews so what does he know.....not much!!!

wasn't vlad the impaler a name of a "battlebot"?

Did you miss the class pertaining to Romanian history?

oh, and socal scene>>>every other one
`

The southern California punk scene is about as diverse as any out there. You'll find every sub-genre of punk here from hardcore to crust to political to ska to oi to electronic to classics like Adolescents, etc. I don't get how you can lump together everything from here into the Epi-Fat category. There are plenty of EXTREMELY DIY bands here you don't even hear about. Whether I think this cd is good or not, I have heard it and I don't think it remotely fits that category. I think that was an easy way for you to express your distaste for it, but you could have been more thoughtful and imaginative and kept your bias for where the band was from to yourself.

this review is spot on.

I love you Jesse.

wasn't vlad the impaler a name of a "battlebot"?

By the way, this review just reads like an old man scratching his beard and trying to tell me that my music is terrible. And maybe that's what this review is, I have no idea how old Jesse is.

And this is coming from someone who hated this album.

Sublime was awesome. You may not have a heart if you think differently.

I LOL'ed 3 times whilst reading this review. That's quite a good score on the LoLometer I'll have you know.

Posted by JaredK on 2007-04-17 10:21:33
My Score:

I came across this band's myspace page about a month ago and thought is was pretty bad. Some of the upstrokes and arrangements are somewhat appealing but the lyrics are stupid, whether they are meant to be funny or not. Listen to track 4 "The Vampire"....I do not remember any examples off-hand as I listened to it about a month ago but I recall chuckling at how stupid it is.

Now I'm going to get fifty thousand comments about the intricacies and differences between NoFX, Lagwagon, Good Riddance, and 10ft Pole and Pulley.

Fundamentally they're all the same shitty band. Deal with it.

Posted by AphasiacIIC on 2007-04-17 04:12:27
My Score:

i found this album to be fairly solid and pretty damn good overall. my main complaint is recording quality, get these guys into a good studio and theyll make an even better album

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 2:52 AM (EDT)
My Score:

wtf? This review sucks. The reviewer is clearly attempting to lump every single punk band from southern California in one category. Good luck buddy! Do you know how many fucking bands are from here? I've seen this band a few times and they don't fit the category you're attempting to put them in. Score is for the review.

They stole their album title from MDC.

Blech.

The Lawrence Arms ARE the cat's meow--duh.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 1:53 AM (EDT)
My Score:

So you give Blonde Redhead (who is anything but punk) a great review...and you trash a great punk band because of where they are from?

lame.