Punk Rock

Every song is about something. Maybe not always real people or events, but stuffed to capacity with visceral language and imagery on top of Dropkick Murphys' trademark skull-rattling volume and unison shouts.

On December 9 and 10, Blink 182 and Green Day headline Live 105's Not So Silent Night at Oracle Arena in Oakland.

When the Clock Strikes dipped unapologetically into the 1990s while writing up the five tracks on this EP.

The Front End balance out different styles and genres within the same track to best convey their growing pains.

After countless listens, I feel as if I both know Fela Kuti more than I ever knew any other African artist before, and also how little I appreciated the struggles and injustices that take place across the world in other people’s hometowns or communities. It takes a strong light to shine down on some of the darkest days in the shadow. Thank god Fela Kuti burned as bright as he did for our awareness.

‘Broken Strings’ is made for fans of mainstream punk rock.

From the sonic exuberance of “Dancin’ Fool” and “Tell Me You Love Me” to the funky dissonance of “You Are What You Is” and “Joe’s Garage” to the bathroom-humor excellence of “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow” and “Titties and Beer,” this album will give you just as much of a “taste” for Frank Zappa’s music as his son’s "Zappa Plays Zappa" did for me some eight years ago.

If you’re not a fan of the band but want to experience one of the more potent albums to come from the wave of bands labeled as “emo” during the last decade, then you should definitely consider this landmark release from My Chemical Romance.

‘Blank Canvas’ is a quick, high energy, and intense listen.

Phantogram, Weezer, and Panic! at the Disco headlined the 2nd annual City of Trees Summer Concert Event in Sacramento, CA on September 10, 2016.