International News International Spotlight 18 years ago

Punkamine (Basque Country)

Tim Krysko of Wreck The Place Fantastic reporting in with our International Spotlight. Every week we're featuring updates and music downloads from bands outside the North American market. This week we're visiting Basque Country, a cultural region that straddles the western Pyrenees mountains betweeen France and Spain:

For those not in know, the Basque Country is a region in northern Spain and southern France. The culture of the Basque people differ enormously from those two European nations, and its language is unrelated to any other known language in the world. Not surprisingly, the country has a long history of nationalist movements, and where there is political action there is often punk rock. So, I took some time to talk to Asel, who is a Basque language and literature teacher, an author - and also the singer of an old school punk band called Punkamine that he formed in 2003.
What do they sound like? Asel explains,
"The influence is mostly 80s traditional punk, especially Dead Kennedys, The Adicts, and Basque bands like La Polla Records and Eskorbuto … and of course, the early punk times with the Sex Pistols."
And what are their songs about?
"They talk about war and patriotic bullshit, terrorism, the US fucking influence over the world, music, personal drunk experiences, social problems, and education of the young generation. Lyrics are pretty ironic; they mix anger and humor. All of them (and some not included on the CD) are available in English on our website."
And that website is www.punkamine.org. To get you started, here is a Basque language punk rock song called "Gau Puta Honetatik".

Punkamine - Gau Puta Honetatik (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 18 years ago

Blue Raincoat (Poland)

The Polish record label Europeans Records is home to some of that country's premier indie rock bands. One in particular that has caught my eye is Blue Raincoat, from Wolow in the southwest of the country. The band formed in 1997, and demos appeared by 1998. Their debut album was released on cassette only in 2000. "Fast At The Beginning And Then Real Slow" was put out by a small label called Every Color Productions. Afterwards the band shuffled guitarists and drummers, and took a hiatus, before settling down in 2003 to record their second album, "Small Town Addiction" in their hometown of Wolow. The results of this recording session were sent to the opposite side of the world, where Blue Raincoat became the first Polish band whose album was mastered by Jack Endino (who has worked on albums for Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney).
The latest news from camp Europeans is that Blue Raincoat stopped the presses in January to begin work on their new album. No word on the progress of that has emerged, but convention dictates that we'll hear something new in the next few months. In the meantime, the label is promoting a handful of new releases over at their myspace page.

Blue Raincoat - Stars Trying To Fall (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 18 years ago

Paura (Brazil)

Paura is one of the oldest and most respected bands in Brazil. They've been around since 1995, when the four original members formed the band after stints in other mid-90s Brazilian hardcore staples (No-Violence, Kangaroos in Tilt, and Garage Fuzz). They released albums in 1996 (self-titled) and 1998 (Reflex of Difference), unleashing a hardcore sound in the vein of Hatebreed and Comeback Kid. Now, after three years of flying under the radar (the last release had been 2002's EP "The Myth is Dead"), in 2005 they offered "youkillusweovercome", conisdered by many one of the best hardcore albums to have ever been released in South America. Growing up on metal in the 80s has left an impression on Paura, and the heaviness of metal and the aggression of hardcore are trademarks of their sound, but they still manage to bring that cool melodic side that many other hardcore bands can't quite pull off.

Paura - Demanded on Hate (MP3) Wreck The Place Fantastic features a series of online mixtapes showcasing music scenes from around the world. Check them out to download 12 full songs from some great Brazillian acts.

International News International Spotlight 18 years ago

United Kingdom - Pickled Dick

Since most of the Punknews.org staff is from North America, it seemed appropriate to enlist the aid of our friends at Europunk in order to spotlight some acts making waves on the other side of the Atlantic.

This update comes from Tom Adriany editor of Europunk and a native of Brussels, Belgium:

Bringing the same infectious poppunk that doesn't take anything serious, this UK band called Pickled Dick made me grab back to my Greenday catalogue around the Kerplunk era. As much as I respect Greenday for the road they took with "American Idiot", there's still a part of me that misses the time when they wrote songs about being dominated love slaves, but Pickled Dick does a swell job of re-creating that same vibe. With their perfect blend of Limp, Frenzal Rhomb and aforementioned Greenday, their lastest album "Panda-Moanium" is a keeper if you're looking for some timeless fun-tastic music.

You can check out two songs: "Ship Ahoy" and "Battle Axe."

In related news, Europunk has launched their second online compilation. The 25 track compilation includes 22 European acts, 3 American ones and even a few previously unreleased contributions. you can check out the material here with music from Bomb the Music Industry!, Rentokill, The Lawrence Arms, Five Days Off and others.

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Street Bulldogs (Brazil)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

One of the Brazilian bands we've been following at Punk International for a number of years is the Street Bulldogs. They've been around since the mid-90s, toured almost every state of Brazil, and released four albums (not to mention live CDs and splits), the latest of which is "Tornado Reaction". They play the sort of skate punk that's getting harder and harder to come by in North America, so check these guys out.

Street Bulldogs - Don't Stay By My Side (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Rakias (Greece)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

One of the most interesting pieces of music I've heard all summer came to me from Greece. The label is called Run Devil Run, a brand new company with just two releases under their belt so far. Record number 002 in their discography is called "Street Parade", by a band known as Rakias. I don't want to begin trying to describe this band's sound, because it's not like anything I've heard before. But just know that it's really infectious, in sort of a chill Mediterranean way. Here's the album's fifth track, "Maryloo".

Rakias - Maryloo (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Austria - Ephen Rian

This update comes from Tom Adriany editor of Europunk and a native of Brussels, Belgium:

Austria is where it all started for me, with Remedy Records releasing the first full-length from RedLightsFlash, and since then there's been a whole string of Austrian bands rocking my world. Rentokill, Jan Feat U.D.S.S.R., Antimaniax, Random, Estate and more recently the undeniable Ephen Rian, whom delivered an astounding debut with their "Heroes Don't Ask Why" demo. The band just signed to Italy's Wynona Records, where they will be releasing their debut EP, "The Special Referendum", the 24th of October. With pounding "metallic" rhythms that will appeal to fans of Strung Out and Thrice alike, mosh-able breakdowns, and enough melody to slap across the back of the whale, the band is fast growing to be one of my favorite contemporary outfits.

Two tracks are available on the band's myspace page.

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

The Psyke Project (Denmark)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

If you like the typical output of a record label like Abacus, this week's band is one you'll want to hear - that is, if you didn't catch them a couple years ago, the last time I featured them on the international spotlight. The band is Denmark's Psyke Project, and they've returned with their second full-length, "Daikini". Already a pretty vicious band to start with, their new stuff is darker, moodier, and - of course - startlingly noisier. Here's a track called "The Chaplin's Dream".

The Psyke Project - Chaplin's Dream (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Fokofpolisiekar (South Africa)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

My favorite new band of 2004 was a band out of Cape Town, South Africa called Fokofpolisiekar. Their Afrikaans-language debut "Lugsteuring" is incredible, and I've yet to hear a South African tell me this band is not the hottest thing in their country's music scene right now. The good news is, it didn't even take a year to get a second recording from these guys. "Monoloog in Stereo" is a seven-song acoustic EP for Rhythm Records that wound up being elaborated into a near-sophomore effort. Check this stuff out, if for no other reason than to hear the rare treat of indie rock sung in Afrikaans.

Fokofpolisiekar - Opp Vir Misinterpretasie (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Scalping Screen (Finland)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

I've been missing from action for most of the summer, so coming back my first thought is naturally, "where do I begin?". I'm going to start with Scalping Screen - a band I first featured here in January of 2004 when they released their debut album on Godschild Music in Hong Kong - and as good a pick as any. They've since put out their sophomore record, Blood Out, and improved on every aspect of their debut. This is metal from the European north, but not like the stuff that part of the world is usually known for. Scalping Screen are styled more along the lines of Pantera and NYC hardcore.

Scalping Screen - Deny The Truth (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Argument 5.45 (Russia)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Argument 5.45 is the Moscow-based hardcore band featured on the split CD with Riga, Latvia's When My Authorities Fall (last week's featured band, and still available for download). Both of these bands are excellent and highly creative; it's not too often I hear a split where it doesn't sound like one band is carrying the other. Visit the Russian label Old Skool Kids for more information on these guys, and some of the other best-kept-secrets of Eastern European hardcore.

Argument 5.45 - Don't Sleep (MP3) Recent Spotlights: When My Authorities Fall (Latvia), King Ly Chee (Hong Kong).

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

When My Authorities Fall (Latvia)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

There's a great hardcore label in Moscow called Old Skool Kids, and I've featured a few of their Russian and Latvian bands here before (Changes, In.Stora). A new release of theirs that's really excellent is a split CD featuring When My Authorities Fall and Argument 5.45. Both bands on this split impressed me tremendously, and I want to showcase both of them. So, this week check out When My Authorities Fall, politically-charged and highly energetic hardcore from Riga, Latvia.

When My Authorities Fall - Smile Cry Sleep Enough (MP3) Recent Spotlights: King Ly Chee (Hong Kong), FC Five (Japan).

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

King Ly Chee (Hong Kong)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Since there's an Asian theme running through this month of international spotlights (though we missed one week), I thought it would be a good idea to include the kings of Hong Kong hardcore, King Ly Chee. I first featured them here almost two years ago, before they put out their first album, "Stand Strong". That album's out there now, and they're working on new material. Among the new material is this track, "Terror", one of the band's many five-minute-plus hardcore epics. They're definitely improving a lot, so check them out.

King Ly Chee - Terror (MP3) Recent Spotlights: FC Five (Japan), Thirteen Steps (Korea).

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

FC Five (Japan)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Following up on last week's entry of excellent East Asian hardcore from Thirteen Steps in Korea, this week I want to jump across the strait to Japan for one of my favorite hardcore bands, FC Five. These guys recently came across the Pacific to record their second album at the Blasting Room studio in Colorado. The album will be their debut on Roadrunner Records Japan, and the title appears to be "Come to the End". I can't tell if their website lists a release date yet. Their latest album is called "Memories", released by 1138 in Japan. They also have an EP on Godschild Music which is distributed internationally by Interpunk. These guys are top notch hardcore.

FC Five - Monsters (MP3) Punk International recently received a design overhaul, so check it out. They're currently looking for news writers, so if you've got an ear for the international punk scene give then contact Tim for more info. Recent Spotlights: Thirteen Steps (Korea), Bankrupt (Hungary).

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Thirteen Steps (Korea)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

I first heard Thirteen Steps a year ago or so on a split they did with fellow Korean hardcore band Samchung. They were alright, I thought, pretty average old school hardcore. Now they have their own full-length, titled "This Is The Reality We Confront", and wow, have they ever turned it up. I recommend listening to it with the new Comeback Kid record back to back.

Thirteen Steps - Brotherhood (MP3)
Thirteen Steps - Good Fellas (MP3) Punk International recently received a design overhaul, so check it out. They're currently looking for news writers, so if you've got an ear for the international punk scene give then contact Tim for more info. Recent Spotlights: Bankrupt (Hungary), Antigama (Poland) .

International News International Spotlight 19 years ago

Bankrupt (Hungary)

Eastern Europe Month concludes. Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

The last stop in this month's tour of Eastern Europe is Hungary, home of melodic punk band Bankrupt. Their second album, "Bad Hair Day", came out in December. Most of the songs are in English, but the few in Hungarian sound much tighter. The CD's for sale at Interpunk, and more from it can be heard at PureVolume and Myspace.

Bankrupt - Szilikon (MP3) Visitors in Eastern Europe are welcome to contact Tim about other good bands in their area. Drop him a line at tim@punkinternational.com. Recent Spotlights: Antigama (Poland), In Stora (Latvia), Analena (Croatia).