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Street Dogs - State of Grace
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With the recent signing of Edmonton’s Wednesday Night Heroes and subsequent release of Guilty Pleasures, BYO reconfirms their dedication to street punk, having been exploring a bit poppier, yet equally appealing paths to punk rock in bands like the Clorox Girls, Nothington, and Filthy Thieving Bastards. The band’s angry yet fun allure will prove enjoyable to most classic punk aficionados while efficiently piss off the majority of non-punk listeners, right-wing conservatives, and what the band calls “redneck cops” (yes, they have rednecks in Canada, too).

The Wednesday Night Heroes are, for comparative purposes, derived from the same breed of hardcore street punk that has produced mainstays like the Forgotten, A Global Threat, the Unseen and Cheap Sex. Where the band deviates is their subtle pop-punk sensibilities that add a warmth that most other hardcore street punk bands don’t possess to the otherwise rough-edged sound. The rallying youth anthem “Action,” while shouting calls for war on “redneck cops,” is a perfect example, chock full of hooks and cheerful, major-scale guitarwork. The title track from the band’s 2005 7” Move to Press is a furious slam-along with a catchy, repetitive chorus and equally catchy guitar licks. “Dead End Street,” another standout track, rings with positive, nostalgic vibes, as lead singer Graeme MacKinnon describes daily trials and the will to overcome.

The Forgotten-like anthem “Desperation” shows the band’s penchant for pointed and brash, yet reflective lyrics: "I’m not criminal and I’m not giving up / Close your mouth and open your ears…lighten the fuck up / You’re selling old ways just to make a dollar / It’s the mind that makes the man, not the colour of his collar." The record closes with “Not Alone,” a song that begins with ominous bell chimes, much like Minor Threat’s “Salad Days” and Alkaline Trio’s “We’ve Had Enough.” The song is a telling account of the band’s ethic: "It’s all we got / The hall shows we play and the basements / Where we play…while the debt keeps piling on / And we wouldn’t change a thing."

Guily Pleasures is just what the Wednesday Night Heroes needed to break onto the U.S. punk scene with a bang. Their youthful angst, relentless energy, and DIY punk ethic are a perfect fit for BYO, and a welcome addition for anyone who appreciates the punk roots of yesteryear in the young, energetic bands of today.



People who liked this also liked:
Filthy Thieving Bastards - I'm a Son of a GunNOFX - The DeclineThe Hatepinks - Tete Malade / Sick in the HeadRise Against - Revolutions Per MinuteOperation Ivy - Operation IvyLower Class Brats - The New SeditionariesThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartThe Tossers - AgonyThe Cute Lepers - Terminal Boredom [7 inch]Moros Eros - Jealous Me Was Killed By Curiosity



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    Posted by TheLando on 2008-07-23 13:46:26
    My Score:

    One of the best albums I have picked up recently.

    One of the best live shows I have encountered. They played St Louis and in typical St Louis fashion: no dancing or anyone attending. Apparently I was the only one who knew who they were. Still awesome live.

    My band got the chance to play with them and LCB in Springfield Illinois recently. Best set ever. Venue had no stage. Singer loved it. Amazing Set.

    Posted by stymie on 2007-07-03 00:08:42

    Very nice I d like to break something. I dig the anger/ebnergy and the relentless onslaught of 1-2 riff punch kick bark smack face beats that are happening here. Im an old S.O.D. fan something about the singing and quick hype this sound derives is an excellent tip o the hat to the musical elders...wicked good stuff man

    Posted by dirty_punk on 2007-06-17 23:08:11

    One of the best bands around this days. Their new album is really good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:24 AM (EDT)

    This album doesn't drop till next week in Canada.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:20 AM (EDT)

    I'm so stoked for the american tour!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:18 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Everything The Blasting Room touches turns to gold. This album is no exception. I'll say it now, ALBUM OF THE YEAR...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:18 AM (EDT)

    Everything The Blasting Room touches turns to gold. This album is no exception. I'll say it now, ALBUM OF THE YEAR...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:18 AM (EDT)

    Everything The Blasting Room touches turns to gold. This album is no exception. I'll say it now, ALBUM OF THE YEAR...

    Posted by mclz on 2007-06-07 22:50:46

    great band i have all their other releases plus demo and comp tracks...defanitely gonna pick this up

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:39 PM (EDT)

    it's hard to resist this. also not normally my cup of tea, but better than most current bands in this genre.

    Posted by passionisafashion on 2007-06-07 07:44:30
    My Score:

    WNH need to come to America. Because as much as I enjoyed this album, I'm sure it's nothing compared to the band live.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-06-06 21:28:30
    My Score:

    "I just know you can't buy it on BYOs site"

    It's available now (but you're right, last night it wasn't); Interpunk also has it in stock.

    Seriously, this record rules. I listened to it twice more today. I seriously never get into the "tru punx" kind of bands, but this shit is legit.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 2:22 PM (EDT)

    For the record, didn't this album come out yesterday?

    -Scott

    I just know you can't buy it on BYOs site

    Posted by Dante3000 on 2007-06-06 01:48:30

    Umm to the person below...the promotional copy I received was sent to the radio station I work for. Scott (maverick) works for Alternative Press, so I'm assuming that's why he got it, and Dante runs Sound Scene Revolution website & podcast.
    Yeah, but I stole this album from the band.
    Seriously, I only get promos from like 3 labels though, so whenever I do I try to make note as a "thank you" to those labels.
    -Dante

    Posted by klonny on 2007-06-06 01:33:49

    Wednesday Night Heroes, Gym Class Heroes, Glass Heroes, Fifth Hour Hero, High School Football Heroes...

    *Sigh*

    Posted by maverick on 2007-06-06 01:22:07

    "How the fuck do you people have this? You can't even buy it."

    For the record, didn't this album come out yesterday?

    -Scott

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-06-05 22:06:55
    My Score:

    Umm to the person below...the promotional copy I received was sent to the radio station I work for. Scott (maverick) works for Alternative Press, so I'm assuming that's why he got it, and Dante runs Sound Scene Revolution website & podcast.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 10:02 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    How the fuck do you people have this? You can't even buy it. You downloading whores, buy the damn record. This band deserves the little money you could contribute, they have been DIY since forming and I would bet they stay that way. Score is for bands not selling out! and making great music.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 3:12 PM (EDT)

    (yes, they have rednecks in Canada, too).

    I thought rednecks orginated from Canada - especially from the Heroes home province of Alberta.

    But good for these guys, they've been putting out quality records for awhile now.

    Posted by Dante3000 on 2007-06-05 12:31:50
    My Score:

    This album is really pretty good. I have a hard time listening to it for extended periods of time and it does tend to blend together after a while but I really enjoy it. Quite a pleasant surprise.
    -Dante

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 10:20 AM (EDT)

    I think I saw this band... maybe. Did they tour with TLA/The Draft last September?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 12:39 AM (EDT)

    Review sounds good. This band is like old AFI and Virus Nine mixed into one.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 12:37 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    HOLY shit. So fucking stoked for this. Does it come out today? Fuck yes. Best band around. Take that Thrice record and and listen to some real hardcore. I am so stoked to hear this. YEsssss Score is for Superiority COmplex, amazing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 12:18 AM (EDT)

    yes, they have rednecks in Canada, too
    Whew! Do we ever...

    Fun band. See them live when you get the chance. You'll be dog piling and singing along by the end of the night.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-06-05 00:13:08
    My Score:

    This record is really good. I don't usually get into this stuff but I can't take this CD out of my stereo.

    -Scott

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