REVIEW: Dead Letter Box – DLB#4

Dead Letter Box – DLB#4
DIY 25.01.2019

Dead Letter Box from Mechelen (Belgium) recently released a new 3 song EP. It is their fourth release since the former ‘Bruised Not Broken’ and ‘Discordant’ boys joined their forces to start a new post-hardcore, post-punk, rock, … journey back in 2012.

The EP bursts with driving guitar tunes fronted by raw vocals. Opener ‘Vote For Me’ is very straightforward and up-tempo song. Build on anger it has a good pounding force and a nice drive. ‘Game Over’ moves forward on the same path but it sails a more melodical, more emotional and more melancholical course a course that even takes the overhand in the closing track ‘Lone Wolf’.

DLB#4 is a more than decent EP by a band that deserves a propper label release.

Youtube EP teaser

Advertisements

NEWS: March releases new single and video!

Fear Of Roses is the first song to escape MARCH’s rehearsal room since the quartets 2016 debut Stay Put, setting the tone for the bands sophomore album.

While some will certainly recognize Fleur Van Zuilen’s raw vocals and powerhouse Thomas Frankhuijzen on drums, new recruits Hermance van Dijk & Jeroen Meeus added their twist to MARCH’s signature sound.

Fear Of Roses is a three minute rollercoaster of modern day punkrock, packing guitar shreds, catchy hooks & dirty looks. After years of relentless touring, playing some of Europes top festivals (Brakrock, Punkrock Holiday, Jera On Air) & venues, this new release is MARCHs application to the big league.

Catch MARCH live:

02-02 – Ancienne Belgique – Brussels (BE) – (Support De Heideroosjes)
23-02 – Hal 25 – Alkmaar
29-02 – Patronaat – Haarlem
06-03 – Le Klub – Paris (FR)
07-03 – Zinor- Montaigu (FR)
08-03 – Bordal Fest – Bordeauxy (FR)
09-03 – El Doggo – Limoges (FR)
22-03 – Arc-En-Musique Fest – Ecaussines – (BE)
19/21-04 – Manchester Punk Fest – Manchester (UK)
20-06 – Kaiser Fest – Oevel (BE)

2003- 2018

So at thé beginning of 2018 the Out Of Step fanzine as you knew it is over. I can’t find thé time anymore to give this thé full 100 percent. I’ll keep posting news about releases, shows, … on thé  facebook Page but no actual reviews and interviews.

Thanks all bands, labels and followers involved. It’s been a Fun ride.

2003 -2018

Over but not totally out.

REVIEW: Charlie Bit My Finger – Third Time’s A Farm

Charlie Bit My Finger – Third Time’s A Farm
CD 2017 Bearded Punk Records / Thousand Islands Records

This 5-piece Belgian band released its first album in 2015 and recently the follower ‘Third Time’s A Farm’ saw the day of light. It is a co-release by Bearded Punk Records (B) and Thousand Islands Records (Can).

‘Third Time’s A Farm’ is a twelve track album for the fans of straightforward 90s inspired melodic punk rock with good variations in tempo, nice riffs, clean vocals, singalongs and a twist of Millencolin. Added some humor to the mix and you have it. It might all sound familiar but its done in style. Charlie Bit My Finger is another band from our homeland who released a pretty fine album making us proud to be part of this scene. 8/10

Track list:
1. Leap Of Faith
2. Part Of The Plan
3. Act like You Care
4. Coming Home
5. Move On Alone
6. The Gril Next Door
7. Cow A Bunga
8. Questionmark With a ‘K’
9. Strong
10. This Is Who I Am
11. Mr. Brown
12. Mindset. GO!

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/charliebitmyfingermusic

REVIEW: Saturdays Heroes – Pineroad

Saturdays Heroes – Pineroad
CD 2017 Lövely Records

Pineroad is the third release by this Swedish outfit that goes by the name ‘Saturdays Heroes’. 

This band has in one way a very familiar sound but that’s not really a surprise when you come from the land of ‘Satanic Surfers’, ‘No Fun At All’ and ‘Randy’ and play punk rock. So expect melodic punkrock in a Swedish tradition but spiced up with some good old fashioned American punk with a rock and roll attitude known from bands as Social Distortion and Streetdogs. If you add some Bob Dylan alike folky elements than you have a pretty good idea what Pineroad by Saturdays Heroes is all about. 

Opening track ‘Celebrate Nothing’ sets a nice standard but unfortunately not all songs are equal in quality but overall this is a more than decent album. 8/10

Track list:
1. Celebrate nothing
2. Rebel
3. Lizzie
4. My Fight
5. Declaration of Youth
6. Pineroad
7. The Shame
8. Back For You
9. Demons
10. The Storm
11. When We Fight
12. Long Live The King

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/saturdaysheroes

REVIEW: FORGE – demo

FORGE – demo
Cassette/digital 2017 Lost Youth Records

Forge is a new Belgian punk rock band formed out off scene veterans from ‘Outline’ and ‘Off the Charts’. In september of this year they released a 3 track demo through bandcamp and a few weeks later it got a physical release on cassette through Lost Youth Records.

This demo burst with short, fast and midtempo rough around the edges melodic punk that has a taste for more. Not because it is amazing but because it is nothing fancy, complicated or out of the ordinary. And because it is just good punk music with a familiar sound. So nothing groundbraking but straighforward plain and simple punk rock. 7/10

Track list:
1. Forge
2. Baron
3.Ignorant

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forgepunk/

REVIEW: Steel Justice – Neonlight Blues

Steel Justice – Neonlight Blues
CD 2017 Bearded Punk Records

Steel Justice is a Belgian punkrock/hardcore band formed in 2015 out of members of ‘Rabid Wolves’, ‘Violent City’, ‘Get Out’ and ‘Not Allowed’. These Genksters are one of my 2017 discoveries and play the kind of punk music I mostly grew up with during the 90s.
So Neonlight Blues bulks with 90s melodic hardcore, skatepunk and old school hardcore. These punk rockers can’t hide their hardcore roots. Musically its a pleasant en very enjoyable nostalgic trip to the mid and late 90s. Lyrically it sometimes even is a trip back to my childhood in the late 80s and early 90s with its references to the Goonies, Arcade games, …. Although it all sounds familiar, Steel Justice can certainly stand their ground nowadays. It might not be all that innovative but I  rather have some good familiar sounding music instead of some innovating bagger.
Neonlight Blues even comes with a nice Spandou Ballet (Gold) cover. 8.5/10

Track list:
1. Send In The Clowns
2. Arcade Summer
3. Caudron Point
4. Donna
5. Crucified For A Slice
6. My Friends Need Killing
7. KMS Anthem
8. Neonlight Blues
9. Jamie
10. #Bringmerope
11. This Is Not A Love Song
12. Gold
13. Petit Mal
14. Antics

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/steelejusticeband3600/