The Dumbing of America » The Bronx http://thedumbingofamerica.net Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:11:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Albums of the Decade- #11-20 http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/11/25/albums-of-the-decade-11-20/ http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/11/25/albums-of-the-decade-11-20/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:01:59 +0000 admin http://thedumbingofamerica.net/?p=2374 i_love_the_00s_button-p145902313645842891t5sj_400

View our picks for #31-40 here
View our picks for #21-30 here.

20) Radiohead- Hail To The Thief (2003)
Recommended Track: There, There
Why We Like It: Where to rank the albums of the greatest band of this decade… We choose to put this album here because it was the bands’ return to a more guitar-based sound. With shorter songs than on Kid A or Amnesiac, it was a more palatable entry into the world of Radiohead for many. Recorded in a mere two weeks, it proves that you don’t have to pull your hair out in the studio to create a work of genius.

19) McLusky- McLusky Do Dallas (2002)
Recommended Track: To Hell With Good Intentions
Why We Like It: Yet another materpiece produced by Steve Albini. Hooks, noise, tempo changes and more emotion than Black Francis with a buzzsaw chopping at his arm.

18) Darker My Love- 2 (2008)
Recommended Track: Two Ways Out
Why We Love It: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club got all the attention for creating dark, intense, melodic pop songs, but DML did their best to match the intensity. On their second album they created another masterpiece that take the JAMC principal’s of noise meets melody and sang vocal melodies that Jim Reid could only have dreamed of.

17) Rilo Kiley- More Adventurous (2004)
Recommended Track- Portions For Foxes
Why We Love It:

16) The Bronx- I (2003)
Recommended Track- Heart Attack American
Why We Love It: Since the beginnings of this site, we’ve questioned whether punk is dead. The Bronx are the strongest (only?) argument of it’s continued vitality. With perhaps the greatest living drummer in rock, a guitarist that writes melodies unlike any punk guitarist in memory and a vocalist who can fashion a melody in the middle of this storm of chaos. Brilliant and arguably, the best punk record of the last 20 years, not just this decade.
To read our interview with Matt from The Bronx, click here.
Criminally unavailable on lala.com. Here a video:

15) The Hives- Your New Favorite Band (2002)
Recommended Track: Hate To Say I Told You So
Why We Love It: While they may not have lived up to the hype, this Swedish band knocked alternative on its ass by playing straight-ahead rock with a sense of flair.

14) Darker My Love- S/T (2006)
Recommended Track: Post-Mortem, Post Boredom
Why We Love It: In the midst of the shoegaze revival, DML showed that merely creating a wall of feedback wasn’t enough to entrance the masses. On their debut album, they immediately showed an ability to craft beautiful melodies inside of their cavernous sound. Epic.

13) Radiohead- Amnesiac (2001)
Recommended Track: Knives Out
Why We Love It: If you need to ask, you’re on the wrong website.

12) Band of Horses- Everything All The Time (2006)
Recommended Track: Our Swords
Why We Love It: An album so beautiful, it still brings tears to our eyes every time we listen to it. The failure of this band to become massive has stumped us for years. While frequently compared to My Morning Jacket in a genre that’s become over-crowded with wannabes, BOH is heads and shoulders ahead of the pack.

11) Fugazi- The Argument (2001)
Recommended Track: Cashout
Why We Love It: The last album from one of the greatest punk bands of all-time. A criminally under-rated album from a band that should have received even more accolades. By the time The Argument came out, this band had become far to complicated to be pigeon-holed as “punk”. Complex rhythm changes; on drums, guitars and vocals made this band a challenging and rewarding experience throughout their career. How many other legendary bands can claim that their last was a “classic”?
To read our interview with Brendan Canty from Fugazi, click here.

Unavailable on Lala.com

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]]> http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/11/25/albums-of-the-decade-11-20/feed/ 2 Random TDOA http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/04/23/random-tdoa/ http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/04/23/random-tdoa/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:39:24 +0000 admin http://thedumbingofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=737 Believe it or not, there are still some people out there that don’t recognize Radiohead as the greatest band in the world.  I know.  Breathe deeply.  This is why we have a website.  We’re here to help.

“Radiohead and Philosophy” is a new book explores Radiohead’s cultural and philosophical relevence in today’s world.  Watch this video which references everyone from Karl Marx to Albert Camus.  Sounds fascinating!

TDOA favorites The Bronx, release a video for the best song they’ve ever written: Betterman.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.814368&w=425&h=350&fv=%40videoPlayer%3D20394524001%26playerID%3D13847470001%26domain%3Dembed%26]

Great article by Dave Segal on My Bloody Valentine here.  I knew Dave many years ago when we both lived in Detroit and I’ve always admired his writing.

Sleazy Olympian role-model(Michael Phelps) dates homo-phobic Miss USA runner-up.  (via Radaronline.com)Ooooh, I hope they have children!  My favorite line in the story is her grandmothers comment that she’s not just a pretty blonde.  So true, grandma!  She’s a pretty blonde that hates gay people and thinks that they shouldn’t have the same rights as straight people.  She’s a real catch, isn’t she?

]]> http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/04/23/random-tdoa/feed/ 0 The Bronx: The Interview http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/04/09/the-bronx-the-interview/ http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/04/09/the-bronx-the-interview/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:33:37 +0000 admin http://thedumbingofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=634 If you haven’t already guessed, we’ve got some pretty disperate tastes here at TDOA.  We can swoon to some old Chameleons, love our indie rock (how’s it goin’ Diehard and East Hundred?), while still loving our old school punk.  Thus we’re going to follow our interview with Jaydiohead with a band that couldn’t be more different: The Bronx.

One of our constant themes here has been the debate as to whether “punk is dead”.  Currently we’re sticking with the Simon Reynolds statement, “they’ve (bad “punk rock” bands) chosen punk rock as a style, as opposed to it being the sound that is produced when you’re straining at the upper limit of your ability”.  Given this definition, The Bronx are one of a handful of bands that can truly be deemed “punk”.  Style is not a word in their vocabulary and they put the other bands who profess to be punk to shame.  We always felt that the best punk bands were the ones who did more than just thrash out 2 minutes of music.  They had a guitar hook or a drum line who’s synchopation was thought out, rather than just a mile-a-minute effort to be a speed metal drummer.  And vocals that either had a clever lyric or a beat to it that made you believe they actually heard the music around them.  While this may seem a little too thought out and defying our definition of punk, you’ve got to provide something “musical” for it to be….music.  The beauty of The Bronx is that they wrap up every expectation you have in a big, sweaty, shambolic ball and hurl it back at your face.

The Bronx are: Matt Caughthran (vocals), Joby J. Ford (guitar), Jorma Vik (Drums), Ken Horne (2nd guitar), Brad Magers (bass).  Their third album was released in 2008 and they’ve been touring endlessly since then.  They’re following up a hugely sucessful appearance at SXSW with an appearance at the ATP Festival in England, this May.

While we love that some of our interview subjects can wax poetic for hours about the relative merits of inserting a bridge after the second chorus… This ain’t rocket science.  This is The Bronx.  Love it or leave it.


TDOA: You’ve made several great videos. Can you tell us about the creative process for the ideas behind History’s Stranglers or False Alarm? Any plans for a Knifeman video?


Matt Caughthran:  We actually just finished the Knifeman video. It’s shot in a pool underwater. It’s one of those videos that is gonna be really cool or really shitty. Roll the dice you know? Mike Pitchetelli usually does all of our videos but he is in Guam researching the hardcore scene breaking out there. Guamcore.
TDOA: The last time I saw you, you were a 4 piece and had no trouble filling the room with sound. Why the decision to add band members?

MC: A wall of sound isn’t really a wall without Ken Horne. We also added Brad Magers on bass about a year and a half ago. He is very violent. James left the band to research the indie scene going on in Haiti right now. He knew about it before Vice Magazine did.
TDOA: Can you talk about your time with Island and what appeared to me as a lack of support? Tell me about the differences between being with a major versus now, the good and the bad.

MC:  Simon and Garfunkel once wrote that, “A rock feels no pain and an island never cries”. This sums up our major label experience. Now if we fuck up it our fault. I miss my zillion dollar scapegoat.

TDOA: When I see the success of self described “pop-punk” bands like My Chemical Romance, my stomach churns. How do you feel about bands of their ilk? Do you ever consider changing your approach to tap into this crowd?

MC: The two sides feed and fuel each other. If cops didn’t fuck with punks and were totally supportive of house partys then punks wouldnt hate cops. Then all these great anti-cop songs would have never been written. The bad creates the good and vice versa. The shittier the mainstream gets, the stronger the underground becomes.
TDOA: If you’ve read my write up of the band for SXSW you know how much I love the band. In particular Jorma has to be one of the great drummers currently in rock.  Can you tell me anything about how he learned to play drums, his influences, etc.?
MC: Jorma is stoned out of his mind. He  smoked weed with our sound guy and now they are just staring at eachother. I think it’s some sort of primal battle. If I break his concentration with this question the weed will turn on him and his brain will no doubt tailspin into eternal damnation. But man can he play drums.
TDOA: Talk about the music writing process for The Bronx. Do lyrics come after the music? Drum riffs before guitars? Personally Matt, I think it’s your ability to write creative vocal melodies that separates you from every current punk band. You use of what I call “percussive vocals’ does remind me of Fugazi (even though you compare the band more to Black Flag). What were your influences vocally?

MC: Songs usually start with a guitar riff or a vocal melody. Sometimes both. The majority of the lyrics are written once the songs have a strong musical base. Melody is extremely important to me. That’s why The Ramones are my favorite band. I grew up on metal, Neil Young and Sonic Youth. Then I discovered Los Angeles punk. Then I discovered America.

TDOA: When you play a showcase like SXSW what does the band aspire to? Hanging out and seeing other bands? Getting signed to another major? I saw a band called the Village Green play a tremendous set a couple of years ago and I was literally the only person there not associated with the band. A year later they’re single got picked up by Ford for use in a single. Ever think of SXSW as a springboard to a film soundtrack or (gasp) a commercial deal?

MC: Not at all. South By Southwest is a great time to see new bands play with a purpose and watch big bands play in small clubs. It’s also a great time to watch your sketchy Austin buddies sell bags of baking soda to record label dudes who are eager to reclaim there golden year via expense account. “Can I get a receipt with that?”  No record contract needed. If the music industry was a college, SXSW would be spring break. Show me your tits.

To purchase music by The Bronx, visit their website at www.thebronxxx.com.

]]> http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/04/09/the-bronx-the-interview/feed/ 2 SXSW a to z pt. 2: the 'b's! http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/02/17/sxsw-a-to-z-pt-2-the-bs/ http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/02/17/sxsw-a-to-z-pt-2-the-bs/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:53:11 +0000 admin http://thedumbingofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=230 Day two of our picks of the best of this years South By Southwest.  Today the ‘B’s!

Beach House: One of our fave albums this year.  This band is certainly primed for blog mega-hype during the festival

The Bronx:  Pull up a chair, this is going to take a while.  The Bronx have released two albums that define passion in music.  I’ve made my feelings that punk rock is dead, clear.  The Bronx are literally the only band in the world who can say that I’m wrong.  They do it by understanding and demonstrating punk through emotion and style.  This doesn’t mean “punk” hair or makeup or brand new ripped jeans they just picked up at Hot Topic.  When you listen to their music (have I mentioned that both of their albums were on my top 10 album of the year lists?) and see them live (see my top 10 live bands of 2008 list) you understand that nothing they do is calculated.  No show is the same and what happens, occurs because of the passion they feel during that show.  Matt Caughthran’s vocals are raw, angry and as passionate as anything Ian MacKaye or Iggy (Stooges era) ever did.  Joby Ford seperates himself from the other current hard rock/punk bands by actually writing hooks that are incredibly agressive without being “noise” but are memorable without being…..Blink 182.  Personally, drummer Jorma Vik is my favorite.   While most rhythm sections are strictly bass and drums, Vik plays drums that are the punctuation to everything Ford plays on guitar.  He seperates himself from the other drummers of this genre by using breaks in ways that few in the history of drum have had the inhehrent musical ability to think of, let alone talent to execute.  I read an interview with the lead singer of Interpol once, in which he marvelled at his own drummers ability and talked about how his drum rhythms almost seemed to move backwards relative to the tempo of the music.  It’s a difficult concept to understand, but it accurately describes what Vik does on some of the breaks in Bronx songs.  Suffice to say, The Bronx is a must-see anywhere but will be one of the highlights of SXSW.  You’ve been warned.

I will try not to make too many snarky comments about bands showcasing at SXSW, but I feel obligated to point out those that contribute to TDOA.  So…Bowling For Soup?  Really?  According to the band’s bio: “Bowling for Soup (acronym: BFS, or sometimes B4S) is an alternative, comedy band based in Denton, Texas (but originally from Wichita Falls, Texas) formed in 1994 from the ruins of an old metal band. Quoting Jaret Reddick, the lead singer, “we wanted to make happy music”. They’re known for their often humorous lyrics, upbeat guitar riffs, and Jaret’s voice.”

Alternative comedy?  A lead singer who says he wants to make “happy music”?   This band has been miring in obscurity since 1994.  Why are they still happy?  Why won’t they stop?  Many, many years ago I went to see The Ramones play a small club in Detroit.  The opening band was some local metal band that clearly didn’t belong there.  I spent their entire five song set booing loudly.  Before songs, during songs and after the songs.  After the band walked offstage, the lead singer immediately walked over to me and attempted to punch me.  Luckily, I smelled his hairspray coming from a mile away and had my wits about me enough to duck.  The crowd surrounding me seemed to agree with my assesment of the band as evidenced by the couple of guys standing by me (I didn’t know them) who grabbed the guy and literally carried him out the front door.  I mention this story as it’s a fate that might be too kind for “B4S” at SXSW.  Keep an eye out for me boys.

Tomorrow: The ‘c’s!

]]> http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2009/02/17/sxsw-a-to-z-pt-2-the-bs/feed/ 2 Best Live Bands of 2008 http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2008/12/23/best-live-bands-of-2008/ http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2008/12/23/best-live-bands-of-2008/#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:19:58 +0000 admin http://thedumbingofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=97 Best live band of 2008…..The Bronx

The Hives- HOB Dallas

The Duke Spirit- Meridian- Houston

The New Year- Granada Theatre- Dallas

Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s- Backroom- Houston

For more entertainment, look back at our top 10 albums of 2008 or look ahead to our top album of 2009.

]]> http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2008/12/23/best-live-bands-of-2008/feed/ 0 Best Albums of 2008 http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2008/12/12/best-albums-of-2008/ http://thedumbingofamerica.net/2008/12/12/best-albums-of-2008/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:15:42 +0000 admin http://thedumbingofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=78 One of my pet peeves is the number of websites who post their “best of” lists beginning in mid-November.  With albums still being released and still plenty of opportunity to give an album a couple more spins, why rush?  Having said that, I’ve seen the release schedule for the last couple of weeks in December and there’s nothing coming out that has the slightest chance of being on this list.  As I get older, I hate hear my (older) friends say that there isn’t as much good music coming out.  Unfortunately, this year seemed a little sluggish.  The top three on this list would make my list any year, but beyond that I struggled.  Good news is that there are quite a few bands who put out amazing singles (I’m looking at you White Lies and It Hugs Back) and will be releasing great albums in 2009 (not that I’ve heard leaked versions or anything…).

I’ve tried to do something that’ll seperate my list from the masses.  Not only have I posted one video for each of the albums, I’ve tried to steer clear of the “official” video.  This presented challenges since the “live” videos tend to have bad sound quality.  In almost every case I was able to come up with something that is a little special.  Enjoy!

…and with that, here’s the list:

1) The Duke Spirit- Neptune

2) The Virgins- The Virgins

3) Darker My Love- Darker My Love 2

4) Steve Malkmus & The Jicks- Real Emotional Trash

5) The Kooks- Konk

6) The Late Greats- Life Without Balloons

7) The Pigeon Detectives- Emergency


8) Fujiya & Miyagi- Lightbulbs

9) We Are Scientists- Brain Thrust Mastery

10) The Bronx- The Bronx 3

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