Japandroids - Near To The Wild Heart Of Life

1.    Who are these rock demons? 

Japandroids are are a commercially and critically successful rock band from Vancouver, Canada. They combine equal parts classic rock and punk and started playing together in 2006. Near The Wild Heart Of Life (Nov'16) is the lead single, and title track, from their third album Near The Wild Heart Of Life (Jan'17). 

2. What have they got left in the tank?

Near The Wild Heart Of Life sounds like R.E.M. crossed with Death From Above 1979; heartland rock and hometown ennui versus the raging punk promise of realizing your greatest dreams with a little help from your friends. A somewhat low-key, but profound, banger. 

3. Who do Japandroids sound like? 

Death From Above 1979, Titus Andronicus and Cloud Nothings. 

4. What is the word about Near To The Wild Heart Of Life from the cut and paste jackals in the press? 

“Letting their arena-rock DNA express itself” – Pitchfork. 

“Rollicking drums and punkish riffs” – Zumic.

“The soundtrack for dive bars and nights where nothing good happens” – Pretty Much Amazing.

5. Which bands have put the fire in Japandroids' music? 

The special influences on the new album are Townes Van Zandt and Tom Waits. The all-time influences are Husker Du, Constantines, The Stooges, The Gun Club and The Rolling Stones. 


6. Why should I give Near To The Wild Heart Of Life a lash? 

It's the kind of song that reminds you to break free and take a chance. Inspirational. 


7. Do Japandroids have any more good tunes?

The House That Heaven Built was the greatest fists-in-the-sky indie rock anthem of 2012. A classic. . The Nights Of Wine And Roses  and Continuous Thunder aren't too shabby. 


8. Any more words?

Near To The Wild Heart Of Life is about guitarist/singer Brian King's move from Vancouver to Toronto. 

“And it got me all fired up,

To go far away”

Titus Andronicus are a punk rock band from Glen Rock, New Jersey. Formed in 2005 they have been through a multitude of lineups with lead singer/guitarist Patrick Sickles the only constant. Patrick's main influences are Neutral Milk, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and The Pogues. Titus Andronicus have recorded four albums the latest being a rock opera The Most Lamentable Tragedy (2015). The second single was Fatal Flaw a song Stereogum called “truly badass” and Jonk Music “a fist pumping sing-along.”

“Waiting at the drugstore, oh yeah,

Waiting on the drug dealer all day”

Green Day - Revolution Radio

     1.   Why must I bow before their majesty?

     Green Day are perhaps the finest punk band to ever walk the planet. Green Day were conceived in East Bay, California, in 1986. There is no doubt it was an immaculate conception. The band have labored hard and sent down twelve long players of gospels to the huddled masses. Bless their hearts. Green Day have sold over 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame in 2015; their first year of eligibility. Revolution Radio (Sept'16) is the second single released from the album of the same name Revolution Radio (Oct'16). 

     2. Do the boys have anything left in the gas tank? 

     Does a rapist sweat in church? Revolution Radio is straight for the jugular political punk rock and the band are incendiary. Revolution Radio pulses with malice and launches jagged licks over a blitzkrieg of riffs. This is Green Day at their finest, firing on all cylinders, fury unleashed. The band have fired off a missive about the state of the nation, and it ain't pretty, and a call to arms to the rebels prepared to fight for a better world. 


3. Who do Green Day sound like? 

Rancid, The Offspring, The Living End, Stiff Little Fingers and The Clash.


4. What have the venerable scribes in the press said about Revolution Radio?

“A big snotty hook and a sense of speed” – Stereogum. 

“Hell-raising” – Vulture. 

“Back to basics” – Alt 92.9 Boston. 

      5. Which bands were instrumental in carving out Green Day's genius?

The main Green Day influences are Husker Du, The Replacements, The Ramones, Queen, The Who and Cheap Trick. 


6. Why should I give Revolution Radio a fair crack of the whip? 

Green Day have served up another chapter in their long history of phenomenal rock and roll and it doesn't get any better than this. Revolution Radio is visceral and vital and asks a question that only you can answer. Are you prepared to put up with this shit show? 


7. What are the other gems in Green Day's crown? 

When I Come Around, Know Your Enemy and Oh Love are the crown jewels. 


8. Any more words whipping boy? 

The new album Revolution Radio was self-produced by the band for the first time since Warning (2000). 

“Sing like a rebels lullaby,

Under the stars and stripes”

     

     The double dip today is a Green Day crowd singing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody at the Emirates Stadium, London, 2013. Queen are one of the greatest rock bands to ever step on stage. They started rocking in 1970 and recorded thirteen albums selling up to 300 million copies worldwide. Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) was Queen's most successful song, selling millions of copies and is one of the best selling singles of all time; topping charts around the world. Listen to a Green Day crowd sing it. Jump to before the two minute mark for the best bit if you must. It's pure fucking magic. 

“So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?

So you think you can love me and leave me to die?”