People throw around the word “punk” nowadays like they slap down money for fast food. The face of punk has gone from The Ramones and The Damned to the likes of Avril Lavigne and Blink 182. So it always pleases me when a band like THE BRONX come down to a venue to punch some true punk spirit back into our skulls. Their self-titled LP is unlike anything I’ve heard in a long while; “Heart Attack American” starts things off with a guttural scream and furious three-chord guitars, and the pace doesn’t slack until “Strobe Life”, a showcase for one of the best voices in punk, Matt Caughthran. One of the main reasons why The Bronx draws me in is that there is a certain genuine angst going on, a desperation to get out of harm’s way and the inability to do so that creates a true punk rage. And I could go on and on interpreting one of my new favorite groups, but instead, I think this excerpt from the band’s website does it best:

“theses days rock is dead, punk - we won't even go there, and emo dudes are carrying purses. music... well, music is exactly where it should be.

fuck your silverlakes, fuck your melroses, fuck your sunset strips. this is Hollywood Blvd. just a bunch of junkies, hookers, pimps and bookies.”

Tonight, The Bronx takes it to the masses at the Knitting Factory, with HURRY-UP OFFENSE, YOUR ENEMIES FRIENDS, and READ YELLOW. 74 Leonard St., $12, 7pm.

The Bronx – Heart Attack American

The Bronx – White Tar

Video For False Alarm by The Bronx

Hurry-Up Offense – Punk Life (Juicy)

Your Enemies Friends Website

Read Yellow Website

Events Calendar for shows from the likes of TED LEO/RX, MAN IN GRAY, THESE BONES, and more.

And, because it bears mention…

I F-ING LOVE THE HIVES. I always have, back when The States were blessed enough to catch wind of their amazing material nearly three years after they originally released it. And I love them now with the same intense passion reserved for a select few. Rock on Hives. And rock on with your bad selves if you saw them live at Irving. Myself? I decided to save money to go see Devo in Central Park. Toss up if ever there was one, let me tell you. But worth every fucking penny. I am one happy spud right now.

’They say it’s new/But I have to doubt it’: The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk Video

Rock Photos:

Of course, The Hives. First one by Kristian Anttila, second one taken by Rune Hellestad at the 2002 Leeds Carling Festival for CORBIS.









Got told the school of human thinking/Teaches only truth/And one of its educations/Is gonna find you-S.