What did you miss in 2020? Punk suggestions for punx. Julien. Toulouse, France
Intro:
Julien Virgos (Nightwatchers / Woodwork, Toulouse)
So Egor asked me about my top 5 punk albums of 2020. Tricky, as usual, but I like that kind of shit. Let’s try to pick some releases that might have gone under your radar…
Personality Cult — New Arrows
Label: Dirtnap Records
Location: North Carolina, USA
Ok, this one goes first because it’s the punk release I’ve listened the most this year, by far. There’s something of Pete Shelley and the Buzzcocks, some kind of tension. All along. I loved the first album on Drunken Sailor, this one is at least as good if not better. Best release on Dirtnap Records in a while.
Favorite song : Circles
Taulard — Dans la plaine
Label: Broderie Records
Location: Grenoble, France
Second album for this great band from Grenoble. If you’ve never heard of them, they play some sort of synthpunk, but in a very pop way. Poetry. I guess you lose its charm if you don’t speak french, but it’s for sure one of the highlights of 2020. I’ve played it non stop during the first lockdown while finishing my thesis.
Favorite song : Dans la plaine
Stiff Richards — State Of Mind
Label: Legless Records / Drunken Sailor
Location: Melbourne, Australia
A killer release I was about to miss, not sure why I slept on this. I don’t know if « garage rock » still makes sense to describe a band, but in this case I guess it fits. It rocks and it’s wild, like in the seventies. If you liked Royal Headache, be my guest.
Favorite song : Kids out on the grass
Oki Moki — Working Class Pop
Label: Paulinni Records / Flexi Discos / Andalucía Über Alles / XcementerioX
Location: San Sebastian, Spain
I’ve always had a crush for the spanish bands, for some personal reasons. Never mind. I was stocked to play with Arrotzak last year in Zarautz because they’re so damn good and super nice. Well I haven’t been disappointed by this other project runned by Aritz. More poppy and lo-fi, it reminds me the early Wavves recordings in a way, which probably explains why I’m into it (I guess it’s obvious on « Someday »).
Favorite song : Efímero
Litige — En Eaux Troubles
Label: Destructure Records
Location: Lyon, France
Second album from my friends from Lyon. « Fuite en avant » was super good, but I like this one even more. Best french punk release this year. Simple writing, nothing fancy, but they sound like no other band around. So you better check them out.
Favorite song : Regardez-Moi
Boy it’s hard not to mention some other records, so I’ll cheat a bit. I won’t talk about Chubby & The Gang because everyone will (but still). More spanish stuff : did you check Caníbal by Accidente ? Sangre by Futuro Terror ? Go ahead. Last mention to our swedish pals. Tomma Intet released one of my favorite records this year, D.A.B.D.A. Rotten Mind’s Rat City Dog Boy is pretty neat as well, as usual for the Uppsala’s renegades. That’s it. Hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did ! Stay safe kiddos.
