The flow changes have been numerous lately, unfortunately unbalanced toward the negative. Myriad horrific news stories and details haunt the world we’re in, as again the flames are stoked enough this week to pay attention. I’ve been fighting it hard, with a little help from these songs.
Pinhead Gunpowder “Life During Wartime”
We start today with the mid 90s vocal stylings of Billie Joe Armstrong. This record is slightly less well known than his other work at the time, Dookie. While he didn’t write the songs in Pinhead Gunpowder, he sure sings the hell out of those he’s tasked with. His unique phrasing and syncopated head trashing bring home the east bay punk attitude many have come to love.
As for this one, it’s a 90s pop punk song executed to perfection. I’ll admit, the lyrics feel a bit too relevant for a 25 year old track.
Yeah we say making changes
Pinhead Gunpowder
Starts in the little things you do
“Revolution begins at home”
But for most of us it ends there, too
Sundowner “Cemetery West”
This mostly acoustic solo project features a familiar voice and rhythm section to Lawrence Arms fans out there. Chris McCaughan (Broadways / TLA) and Neil Hennessy have collaborated on several Brendan Kelly-less projects, including a few great Sundowner records. This track is from Neon Highway.
The chorus has been a mantra the past few weeks. It allows me to take a second, realize where my brain is pointed, and chose any number of reasons to be grateful.
I won’t let the darkness
Sundowner
catch me this time.
The Wonder Years “Came Out Swinging”
I never got into this band when these records were released (2011). Classic heard of them, never heard them cop out claim. But, like many other great artists and groups, this suggestion came from the JERFEST playlist. I still don’t know if the festival itself is a joke, but the playlist certainly isn’t.
Sure, the dude leans pretty hard into the youngish emo tropes, but there’s plenty of catchiness and power chords to go around. From the ~4-5 songs I’ve heard, this appears to be a recurring theme. The video is rad. They take the “year as a ghost” lyric and let that ghost prank all their friends.
