Reviews
Album Review: The Expendables’ newest album takes you to “Pleasure Point”!
No matter where you live, it's clear that summer is upon us and the music scene is in full swing. Santa Cruz’s, The Expendables, decided to participate in the sizzling “summer release” program with their newest addition, “Pleasure Point” via Ineffable Records.
Album Review: Having roots deep in Santa Cruz soil, Pacific Roots is "Still Standing" taller than ever with their brand new album!
On the coast of California south of San Francisco and north of Cali Roots location Monterey lies the beach town of Santa Cruz. The community has become well known for both its surf and stoner culture, both of which heavily influence the music coming out of the city. The legendary band The Expendables have been the global ambassadors for Santa Cruz's reggae/ska sound for the past couple of decades, finding a home in speakers of reggae fans around the world with their unique blend of reggae, ska, punk, and heavy Iron Maiden inspired guitar riffs. As we move into the year 2022 it is the talented and creative band Pacific Roots that is now making a name for themselves as the next Santa Cruz group to bring this brand of music to the reggae masses. The band has grown over the past few years from roots planted deep in the Northern California soil, and with their brand new album have made it known they are "Still Standing" taller than ever.
Album Review: Punk, Reggae, and DIY attitude, Kyle Smith’s debut album is far from a “Lost Cause”
Reggae and punk rock music have long been intertwined. Both cultures embody a DIY attitude and a rejection of social norms that divide and oppress, and though the exact expression of this rebel mentality and promotion of a more equal and inclusive community differ between the two, the common ethos they share has led to amazing music combining the genres for decades. For many reggae fans their initial introduction to the genre came through punk; whether it be from classic punkers like The Clash, third wave ska bands like Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, or current artists blending reggae and punk such as Slightly Stoopid. Such a musical journey is shared by this reviewer as well, with my personal introduction to reggae starting with the punk band NOFX, which led me to bands like Sublime and The Expendables, further leading to Rebelution, and from there the whole genre opened up before me. I am far from alone in this experience, one which I especially share with my fellow West Coast Americans.
The combination of punk and reggae is far from over, and there are amazing new artists continuing this legacy that you should be aware of.The combination of punk and reggae is far from over, and there are amazing new artists continuing this legacy that you should be aware of. Enter the great Kyle Smith and his debut full-length album "Lost Cause".