TITLE HOLDER RELEASE FIRST SINGLE FROM WHAT BETTER TIME

If necessity is the mother of invention, then it’s no surprise that Title Holder’s creation was born at the height of the Covid pandemic. Formed in 2020 by then Queens-based singer/songwriter Matt Sullivan, Sullivan’s take on ska and pop-punk is an honest and earnest take on two genres that have seen their fair share of silly fads and trends. The result is Title Holder’s undeniable energy and pop sensibility that quickly gained the attention of Chris DeMakes of Less Than Jake who produced and helped arrange several of the tracks from Sullivan’s first recorded effort, the six song EP The Story of My Life.

The band’s diligent work ethic and creative music videos helped the band build a supportive following coming out of the pandemic. Ready and eager to bring their energetic live show on the road the band followed the release of The Story of My Life by sharing the stage and supporting the likes of The Pietasters, Mustard Plug, Catbite, Spring Heeled Jack, J. Navarro & The Traitors and more. Milwaukee based Interstate Music also chose Title Holder as their 2022 pick as ‘Best New Band’ giving the band even more momentum going into 2023.

With that momentum the band is excited to announce the release “Going Insane”, the first track from What Better Time, their first vinyl release which includes for the first time a physical release of The Story of My Life EP along with seven new tracks recorded with Nik Bruzzese at The Gradwell House and mastered at Sun Room Audio by Dan Coutant. Slated for a June 2nd release, What Better Time shows Sullivan’s keen pop sensibilities and lyrical wit on full display.

FIRST NO ON 15 MATERIAL RELEASED IN 20 YEARS

It’s been a long time since this band has been talked about around these parts, but “New Year, who dis?”

Full disclosure, this is a bit of ‘self-promotion’ since we’re going to talk about a band I played in a long, long time ago…

Two decades ago in a college town in the middle of Pennsylvania a group of six idiots sprang forth with a goal of drinking a metric shit ton of beer and playing some sort of mix of horn driven pop-punk that was too ska for the punk kids and too punk for the ska kids. Or something like that.

That group was No On 15 and from town to they spread their infectious blend of party anthem pop-punk punctuated by a three piece horn section and a lot of beer. And I mean a lot of beer. See what I’m getting at there

Over 20 moons ago the band set out to work with Steve Foote (of Big D & the Kids Table fame) at Fork In Hand Studios to record their opus. To mix the record the band headed to Fort Collins, Colorado to work with the legendary Bill Stevenson of The Descendents/The Blasting Room fame. It was honestly some of the craziest shit I’ve ever done and seen. We got to record with one of our favorite and most respected dudes in Steve and mix with arguably the best punk drummer ever. Oh yeah, and we got to see Bill Stevenson fart/shartle on a glass door in the studio. I shit you not, but I digress.

Like just about every good punk story it wasn’t to be. Before a planned tour with The Code and the release of Meet the Lads the band fell apart like all ‘legendary’ bands should leaving the rest to stories and myths.

Eventually Meet the Lads was released digitally and maybe someday it’ll get a proper vinyl/physical release. It’s been in the works for a bit… just needs a few loose ends to make that happen, but in the meantime why not have a lil’ fun? Would or does anyone even really care? Probably not, but why the ‘F’ not, right?

Three of the songs that were never included with Meet the Lads but part of the Fork In Hand/Blasting Room recording and mixing sessions were sort of forgotten. When cleaning through the Jump Start basement I came across some old discs with all the original mixing files from those sessions, and low and behold there were two songs outright that had never been released with a third song that had only been released on a label compilation way back in the day, albeit a different version. So, two of these songs, “Party at Fuz’s” and “Valerie” are seeing the light of day for the first time ever with this being the first time The Blasting Room mix/version of “Bottle of Rossier” has ever been released.

Having never done a picture 7″ release, now seemed like the perfect time so we recruited long time friend of the band, Brian Dumm of The Keystone All-Stars fame, to handle the artwork for this killer release. Having played a basement show or two with us, Brian knew exactly how to capture a No On 15 house show and his artwork brings back a few infamous parties and memories for sure.

This release is limited to 100 copies. Outside of some act of God this is never being pressed again, so if sophomoric, immature, party pop-punk and ska are your thing pickup a copy and trip the light nostalgic with me. Head on over to our webstore to grab a copy.

Because the lyrics aren’t immature enough, here’s a sweet lyric video that is definitely NSFW.

Enjoy!

FAINTEST IDEA TO RELEASE THE ROAD TO SEDITION SPRING 2023

Man, it’s been a busy, busy month. I have no clue where September went. Between a busy work travel month back and forth between Tennessee and my upcoming work related travel for the paying gig back to Germany this week, September was flat out INSANE and the next three weeks show no signs of slowing down either. I can tell you this though… Hard Mountain Dew is a thing, and while it may have ‘Zero Sugar’, it’s not worth the price of admission if you ask me. But, I digress…

During my travels through the hills of Eastern Tennessee our good buddies over the UK, Faintest Idea, dropped the first single, “Nose Dive” from the forthcoming LP, The Road to Sedition, due out Spring of 2023 on Jump Start here in North America and TNS Records in the UK/Europe.

Those unfamiliar with this hard charging UK outfit would be well served to check out their Bandcamp page for a heavy dose of Oi! and 2-Tone influenced ska-punk with a heavy Chomsky-vibe. It’s been a while since a ska-punk band with not so subtle social commentary has gained my attention, but these guys certainly did.

“Nose Dive” is available on all your favorite streaming platforms right now and to have a bit of fun with it all the band has also dropped a lyric video for the track which you can check out right below.

Be on the lookout for more from Faintest Idea in the coming months before the new LP drops including their first ever trek across the Atlantic for some dates in early 2023.

NO ECHO TIME ‘IN YOUR HEAD’ PREMIERE

Time are excited to present “In Your Head,” the latest single to be lifted from the Friday, July 22 release of the band’s debut album, Hydrangea (pre-order some super sick limited vinyl RIGHT HERE). The fine folks over at No Echo are premiering “In Your Head” and you can also stream the track on your favorite digital platform.

Time’s ‘90s-inspired grunge-pop presents the question, “How much damage do you have to inflict on yourself before you’re reminded you’re still alive?” and bring you “In Your Head”, a self-deprecating song about our tendency to rely on vices or dependencies as excuses to avoid acceptance or accountability. “My writing has always been extremely self-critical,” said guitarist Jon Hunt of Time. “‘In Your Head’ ended up being the output of what happens when frustration and exasperation turn into self-reflection, and the grappling with the unintended self-destruction that brings about. Life is messy, and that is OK.” Stream “In Your Head” on YouTube HERE and via No Echo HERE.

While its core members are veterans of Philly’s hardcore scene via bands such as Kill Verona, No Roses and Shark Attack, Time’s own inspiration and sound is derived from the dark and heavy shoegaze/noise-pop of touchstones such as My Bloody Valentine, Sugar, Swervedriver and Catherine Wheel but with its own blushing melody and shine.

TIME TO RELEASE DEBUT LP HYDRANGEA JULY 22ND ON JUMP START

Jump Start Records and Philadelphia-based quintet Time are excited to announce the Friday, July 22nd release of the band’s debut album, Hydrangea. The band is now streaming the first single, “Wallow”, on Bandcamp and YouTube and we’ve also launched a PRE-ORDER over on our Limited Run Webstore. The first pressing is available on Opaque White, Purple with White and Pink Splatter, and Coke Bottle Clear with Purple Splatter (Subscription Club only) vinyl.


While its core members are veterans of Philly’s hardcore scene via bands such as Kill Verona, No Roses and Shark Attack, Time’s own inspiration and sound is derived from the dark and heavy shoegaze/noise-pop of touchstones such as My Bloody Valentine, Sugar, Swervedriver and Catherine Wheel but with its own blushing melody and shine.

Time’s initial release, 2018’s In Decline EP (Low Dose Records), set the foundation for what Hydrangea would build upon; nuanced layers of delayed guitars, lyrically fluid bass progressions and two-part vocal melodies, all anchored to a confidently nimble backbeat.

“Maybe it’s time I said goodbye”

A declaration of farewells serve as the hook for “Adios”, the opener of Hydrangea. It may seem odd to open your debut showcase with an expression reserved for parting, but given the circumstances under which Hydrangea was created, it’s not that strange.

Entering New Jersey’s Gradwell House studios with producer Nik Bruzzese (Man Overboard) during the beginning of the pandemic, the members of Time — Paul Butterly (guitar), Chris Margarite (vocals/guitar) and Jon Hunt (guitar/vocals) joined by then-rhythm section Tony Rossi (drums) and Matt Whiteford (bass) — committed Hydrangea’s nine tracks to tape while the world around them descended into oblivion.

The album is an indisputably diverse effort. Cuts like the pummeling post-hardcore adjacent “Wallow”and brooding overdriven bass intro of “Color Me Comfortable” cozy up against the aforementioned “Adios,” an almost sunny tune paying homage to Nineties Brit-rock. In early support of Hydrangea — joined by new rhythm section Jon Van Dine (drums) and Scott Signorino (bass) — Time has shared the stage with acts like One Step Closer, Comeback Kid and Off with Their Heads. And while freed from the isolation of the pandemic, and despite its own lyrics, Time has just arrived and won’t be saying goodbye any time soon.

Check out the first single from Hydrangea, grab some limited vinyl, and be on the lookout for more stuff from these guys in the coming weeks leading up to the July 22nd release!

BAD PLANNING ET FORTES OUT TODAY

Happy release day to the fellas from Bad Planning! Oh yeah, it’s also BANDCAMP FRIDAY! Head on over to Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, or any of your favorite digital and streaming services or grab a copy of Et Fortes on vinyl from our Limited Run webstore or Bandcamp page. Did we mention that it’s BANDCAMP FRIDAY too? Et Fortes is available on Randomly Mixed color vinyl, Translucent Gold with Black Splatter (Subscription Club only), and audiophile Black and showcases the band’s love of riff heavy hardcore, skate punk, and pop punk.

BAD PLANNING PREMIERE FIRST VIDEO FROM ET FORTES

With one week to go the fellas from Bad Planning just dropped their first video for the track “A Year Without Sleep” from their upcoming LP Et Fortes. The fine folks over at Punk Rock Theory were kind enough to premiere it, so smash the link below and head on over to check it out!

ET FORTES VINYL SHIPPING NOW

PRE-ORDERS for Et Fortes are NOW SHIPPING and feature some of the slickest vinyl we’ve ever had pressed. Slated for a May 6th release, Et Fortes is available on Randomly Mixed color vinyl, Translucent Gold with Black Splatter (Subscription Club only), and audiophile Black showcasing the band’s love of riff heavy hardcore, skate punk, and pop punk.

UPCOMING BAD PLANNING SHOWS

Bad Planning is keeping busy with a slew of shows in the coming weeks to celebrate the release of Et Fortes. They’ll also be playing some shows with labelmates You Vandal around the Midwest. Details below…

05/13/2022 – Indianapolis, IN at Hoosier Dome with Cold Streets, Action-Adventure, C-Rex and The Day After

05/27/2022 – Franklin, WI at JJ’s with Kule, Telethon, You Vandal and Honey Creek

05/28/2022 – Aurora, IL at Halfway House with Backroom, Life Looks Good and You Vandal

YOU VANDAL VIDEO PREMIERE ON BAD COPY & EAST COAST DATES

Following the February release of their latest LP the fellas from You Vandal are stoked to announce the premiere of the second video for the track “Ghosted” from their latest pop-punk effort Pretend I Don’t Exist. The fine folks over at The Bad Copy have all the details along with info about their upcoming run of shows in the Mid-Atlantic THIS WEEK that see them hitting spots from Washington DC to Brooklyn and capping off a Sunday Funday in Trenton, New Jersey. Click on the image below to peep the new video and don’t miss out on this quick run of shows through our area this weekend!

EAST COAST TOUR DATES

April 21, 2022 – Washington DC – Slash Run
April 22, 2022 – Stroudsburg, PA – The Basement Bar
April 23, 2022 – Brooklyn, NY  – Gold Sounds
April 24, 2022 – Trenton, NJ – Mill Hill Saloon

BAD PLANNING DROP FIRST TRACK FROM ET FORTES

Chicago’s Bad Planning just dropped the first single from their upcoming debut LP, Et Fortes, available now on your favorite streaming platform and the fine folks over at PunkRockTheory were kind enough to feature a premiere and write up of the band so just smash the link below.

We’ve also launched a PRE-ORDER for Et Fortes that features some of the slickest vinyl we’ve ever had pressed. Slated for a May 6th release, Et Fortes is available on Randomly Mixed color vinyl, Translucent Gold with Black Splatter (Subscription Club only), and audiophile Black and showcases the band’s love of riff heavy hardcore, skate punk, and pop punk; a young band with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. Are these sick or what?

GRAB SOME BAD PLANNING VINYL RIGHT HERE

The newest Jump Start recruits have been writing together since they were freshmen in high school, and now all these years later, the band is still booking their own shows, playing gigs with some of their favorite bands, and making a name for themselves in the Midwest.

The band writes with a sound that will draw comparisons to bands like Neck Deep, but with an obvious heavy slant towards East Coast melodic hardcore like Lifetime or former label contemporaries Crucial Dudes who themselves were heavily influenced by bands like Latterman or early Saves the Day. In 2019 Bad Planning released the split Splitting Hairs alongside Chicago’s A Semester Abroad, bringing a heavier side with singles “Be Brave” and “Actors”.

The four-piece outfit will be keeping busy over the coming weeks and months in support of Et Fortes. Look for a video drop in the coming weeks and more live dates in support of the release.