Happy Birthday, Farewell, and Goodnight

Posted by Brett Schwaner

N.O. Punks began five years ago this week, on a chilly morning in January of 2004. It's been a fairly comical and tear-soaked odyssey, marked by triumph and tragedy, agony and ecstasy, fear and loathing... and now it's time to say goodbye... for now.

The 2008-2009 revival of N.O. Punks was an interesting experiment. I'm not sure if we ever really accomplished what we set out to do, but hey, that's life sometimes. We probably should have spent less of our time lying in the gutter, cranked up on dragon juice, snotting on ourselves, and listening to Discharge...

This is our last online update for awhile, but I'll still be covering the local music scene every month in Antigravity Magazine. Our January issue is out right now, featuring local thrash-rockers Face First on the cover, and including interviews with members of local bands like Angry Banana, Miles and Minutes, In Tomorrows Shadow, Sick Like Sinatra, Further Reasoning, Outlaw Order, Isabella, and Meadow Flow. Antigravity is available for free all over the greater New Orleans area (here's a short list of a few places that carry them), but you can also download a PDF copy of the latest issue right here.

If your band or your friends' band has news to report, get in touch with me at brett@antigravitymagazine.com. We'll throw a ho-down or, at the very least, try to get you in the next issue.

Loose ends that I need to mention before we turn off the lights:

- Tommy Thompson (currently the drummer of Capitol Offense) has recently begun posting some unreleased Hello Asphalt recordings. The tracks are from Hello Asphalt's second album (2006's Chapter 2) which was recorded, but never mixed or released before the band broke up. You can check out some of those songs by clicking here.

- The Green Room Rockers, a touring reggae-ska band from Indiana, have a last-minute show at The Neutral Ground Coffeehouse in New Orleans this Monday, January 5th, at 7pm. Open to all ages. The Neutral Ground is located at 5110 Daneel Street.

Okay, that's all. Bye now.

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JANUARY 3rd: An evening of extraordinary circumstances...

Posted by Brett

Looking for something awesome to do this Saturday night (January 3rd)? Then you, my friend, are in luck...

At the Dragon's Den at 6pm: Thou, Raum, and Jude Fawley will partake in an uncanny exposition of fanciful hardcore merriment with Milwaukee's finest grindcore troupe, Abbadon. An enchanting picture paper for this event is available by clicking here.

At 9:30pm, 504WhatStyle will host an art show after-party at the Buddha Belly (located at 4437 Magazine Street) with surf-rockers The Unnaturals and Durel Yates (of Suplecs). This is a free event, so don't bother bringing money. Click here for a digital flyer (also free).

At 10pm, Converts will perform at the Banks Street Bar in Mid-City with a special surprise guest. Who's the surprise mystery guest? We know, but we're not telling. If you miss the old days of the Dixie Taverne, don't miss this show. Free, free, free to get in.

And finally, just after 10pm at the Circle Bar: Sick Like Sinatra will bring their amazing stage show to the city's most cramped venue. In case you've never been to the Circle Bar, it's roughly the size of the backseat of a Volkswagen. Slightly uncomfortable, but worth the $5 price of admission.

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VIDEOS: The Local Skank - 12.19.2008

Posted by Brett

In case you missed it: The Local Skank (New Orleans' first and only all-girl ska band) made their debut at the Banks Street Bar last Friday, December 19th. Here's a video clip from their set. Thanks to Melissa for the video.

DECEMBER 20TH: Hollywood Blues + Fleur De Tease (Baton Rouge)

Posted by Brett

This Saturday, December 20th, at the Spanish Moon in Baton Rouge:

Hollywood Blues, Baton Rouge's swankiest roots-rock revivalists, will be playing their last local show for quite awhile (or at least until they come back from their January trip to Puerto Rico).

Joining Hollywood Blues will be the Fleur De Tease burlesque troupe, performing a holiday-themed show. Remember: stripping is sleezy, burlesque is classy...

Showtime is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up.

Happy skalidays. 

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COMMUNITY RECORDS Free Download Day II

Submitted by Gerg Rod.

The local criminals over at Community Records are having their second free digital download day today (December 18, 2008).

What this means for you, dear friends, is some free freeness of epic proportions. Head on over to Community Records' web-site by clicking here to partake of the goodies, including full album downloads from the likes of Tusker, The Flaming Tsunamis, The Ghostwood, The Supaflies, Stuck Lucky, Arm the Poor, and The Mad Conductor.

I mentioned that this is free and legal, right? Crazy stuff, man.

Forum users: Click here to discuss this topic.

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DECEMBER 19TH: The Local Skank (free show)

Posted by Brett

It's time to end the sausage party, New Orleans.

Seriously, how many women are there involved in local rock bands? Besides A Hanging, Maddie Ruthless, Rougarou, We Need to Talk, Terranova, and one or two others, I can't think of that many. 

This Friday, December 19th, you can check out a rare performance from The Local Skank at the Banks Street Bar. The Local Skank is an all-female ska ensemble who've been around for awhile now, but their shows have been somewhat sporadic. I actually can't even name another all-female ska band, locally or nationally, so these ladies are fairly unique in that regard.

Showtime is 10pm. Admission is free. Short people may be able to attend. Behave yourselves, kids.

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