Steve Adamyk Band - Live Cassette

Big Neck (2023)

While I acknowledge that it has been four years since 2019's Paradise, this stretch of time since the last Steve Adamyk Band album came out feels like an eternity.  Granted, there are some real world events that probably adds to that feeling, but I'l not used to waiting quite so long to hear something new from Steve & co.

For now, I'll settle for this live tape that Big Neck has released.  Now, I'm on record as to not really loving tape only releases, but if you're going to do it, a live album really feels like the way to go.  In a lot of ways it brings me back to my days in the mid 90s trading live bootleg tapes on the internet (so help you if you don't use Maxell XL II as your blank).

This was recorded in various spots, with the biggest chunks being five songs recorded in Philadelphia and another five from Brooklyn.  Then we have a few from Toronta, Japan and WFMU in New Jersey for good measure.  The songs are mostly focused from the band's first three albums and include some of my personal favorite heavy hitters like "Better Off," "Forever Won't Wait" and "Speed It Up."  The recording quality of each song is really solid and really captures the live energy the band has.  This is a really fun release, even though live albums are not usually my thing.  It's worth checking out.

Steve Adamyk Band - Live:
https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/steve-adamyk-band-live

Steve Adamyk Band - Do You Wanna Know 7" - White Vinyl & Test Press w/ Alternate Sleeve

Drunk Dial (2023)

I cannot say that I was aware of Drunk Dial records before this release, but what I seem to have discovered is that they have a schtick.  And that's not meant in a derogatory way at all.  It's more due to my own personal vocabulary limitations.  The only other word I could think of was to describe it as a gimmick.  Basically, they say that a band is provided with enough alcohol and then some recording takes place.  This 7" is their eleventh foray into this experiment (maybe that was the word all along) and features one of my longtime favorites as Steve Adamyk Band turns in two tunes.

The A side is a cover of "Do You Wanna Know," which was originally by The Kids.  It translates quite well to a SAB song with the rolling guitar chord progressions and call and response chorus.  The B side is a cover of a Sedatives song, "Slip Away."  That's the band that is the reason I became such a big Steve Adamyk band.  I love that Sedatives LP, and I bought the first Steve Adamyk 7" on P Trash because it was Steve from Sedatives.  I don't know that this version is inherently different or better than the original, but it is a fun blast from the past for me.  It is crazy that Sedatives album is fourteen years old already.

I have two versions of the record, the limited to 100 white vinyl version would typically be the one I'd be going after.  But I also picked up the limited to 10 test pressing.  Now, I've gone on record in the past saying I really don't collect test pressing aside from hanging on to PopKid records ones.  This time I was tempted by the alternate cover and the fact that the label made it available via an instagram post and a totally normal and non-gouging price.  It was there.  I was there.  I bought it and I'm happy I did.

Steve Adamyk Band - Do You Wanna Know 7":
https://drunkdialrecords.bandcamp.com/album/drunk-dial-11-steve-adamyk-band

Steve Adamyk Band - Kinda Ill 7" - Splatter (/100), Mixed (/100) & Black (/100) Vinyl

Rad Girlfriend (2019)

At this point I feel like I don't even have to write anything about Steve Adamyk Band records anymore.  If you can't figure out that I love these guys based on the prior dozen or so times I've written about them dating back to before this website even existed and I was taking pictures of their records on my Flickr account, I don't know what to tell you.  To summarize: This is a great band and all of their records are great.  This 7" of four new songs (and a version of "Take It To The Top" that's a bit faster than the one on the Paradise LP) is great and you should buy it.

The record comes on three different colors of vinyl, each limited to one hundred copies.  The black vinyl and splatter are self explanatory, but there is also a third version that's random colored.  Mine came out green.  I'm not sure what else is floating around out there, but it you have one that's another color, let me know as I'm curious.

Also of note is that Rad Girlfriend has a sale going on right this very second where everything in their shop is half price.  This Steve Adamyk band 7" is only $2.50.  I don't see any reason not to buy it, do you?

Steve Adamyk Band - Kinda Ill 7"
https://radgirlfriendrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ep

Steve Adamyk Band - Paradise LP - Yellow (/200) & Black Vinyl

Dirtnap (2019)

Paradise is the sixth Steve Adamyk Band full length.  I was trying to think how many bands there are that I have six great records by.  It's not many and the ones who have that many have probably been kicking around my record collection since the mid 90's.  If you look at this specific decade, since 2010 there isn't anyone on the planet who has put out as much great music as Steve & co.  It's amazing.

You can say a lot of great things about Steve Adamyk band, but if there's one accolade I want to bestow on them it's that there isn't any band that kill the opening track of their record as hard as these guys do.  And they do it every single album.  "The Letter" starts things off with a bang.  It's built off of a simple, catchy lead guitar riff, packs a knock-out chorus and has the perfect backing 'oooooh' vocals that elevate this great song even higher.  From there it's off to the races with hit after hit like "In Death," "Something Vicious, "Left In Pieces" and "The Deep End."

That list is comprised of the faster, punchier songs that I like best.  But even when they slow it down on a song like "Waiting To Die Part 1" or "When I Was Gone,"  There's so many great hooks and energy crammed in.  Nothing feels like filler padding out an album, every song on here stands out as something great.  Production-wise, everything sounds full and clean.  They've managed to find that sweet spot between slick production and still being rough enough around the edges to not feel over done.

Nothing I'm saying could possibly be a surprise if you've read this website with any sort of regularity.  I've been saying great things about Steve Adamyk band since I got their first 7" on Ptrash.  Paradise is just another fantastic record. Go buy it and the other five.

Steve Adamyk Band - Paradise:
https://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/steve-adamyk-band-paradise

Steve Adamyk Band - Graceland LP - Clear Vinyl (/300)

Dirtnap (2016)

I have been such a gigantic fan of the Steve Adamyk Band since their very first 7" that came out on Ptrash so many moons ago.  When I picked that record up based on a "this is a dude from Sedatives" descriptions, I really don't think I realized it would turn into the starting point of one of my favorite bands of the entire decade.  Adamyk & company have kept up a furious pace of releasing records and Graceland is their fifth full length since 2010.

I've never really had anything resembling actual complaints about anything that Steve Adamyk Band has ever released, but if I had to point to one hing, it was that I didn't completely love the recording/production of their last album Dial Tone.  The songs were there and it was still one of my favorite records of that year, but the recording felt a little flat on some songs.  Any issues with that have been completely resolved with Graceland.  The production is bright, crisp and punchy.

Graceland starts out with the speedy burst of frantic energy that is "Through My Fingers." It's a burner of an album opener that instantly grabs your attention, but from there the band takes things down half a notch with "Carry On." For me, this is always where Steve Adamyk band hits their sweet spot.  Slightly slower than their fastest songs, the verse has the "whoas" in the right places and it builds into a supremely catchy hook.  I just love stuff like this and it throws me back to my favorite Adamyk song from their first album "Your Only One."  No one can touch Steve Adamyk Band when they're hitting songs like this.

The rest of the album varies from excellent to stupidly good.  Hit after hit with buzzsaw guitars, catchy vocals and even some tasteful synth here and there to give the album a little extra flavor.  If you've been reading this website for any length of time, none of this should be news for you.  I've been screaming at the top of my lungs about how much I love this band for years.  What's really amazing to me is how they are just as incredible on their fifth album as they were the first time I heard them.  Keep it up guys!

Steve Adamyk Band - Graceland:

https://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/steve-adamyk-band-graceland-lp

Steve Adamyk Band - Dial Tone LP - Black Vinyl and Gold Vinyl (/200)

Dirtnap (2014)

I don't usually do any new reviews on a holiday, but I'm making an exception today.  I will however be taking a website vacation for the rest of the week.  I'll be back writing again on Monday September 8th.  However, I couldn't take my break without writing about the new Steve Adamyk Band record first.

If you asked me who are my favorite newer bands of the last 10 years, I will immediately answer Mrs. Magician and Steve Adamyk Band.  These 2 groups have been releasing some of the best music I've heard and even though I wouldn't necessarily call them similar, they both have mastered the art of crafting perfect records.

Steve Adamyk Band is pretty much the best popped out punk rock band going.  They have the catchiest choruses and the most contagious energy of just about anyone.  I'll take the Pepsi challenge and put them up against any band playing catchy punk rock.  No one can hold a candle to these guys.  Steve & co. are just the best at it.

Their new album Dial Tone is more of the same greatness I've come to expect.  When you have such high expectations for a band, it's easy to wind up being disappointed when you finally hear their new record, but the Steve Adamyk Band hasn't let me down yet.  Even though I find some of the levels on Matt Melton's production a little uneven on a couple of tracks; the songs here are just so god damn amazing it really doesn't matter how they were recorded.

From the blazing high speed anergy of "Crash Course in Therapy" or "MRI" to the more mid tempo, crammed full of hooks "You're The Antidote" (my favorite song on the album) or "Mirror Ball" it's just smash hit after smash hit.  Somehow, the Steve Adamyk Band is able to release a new album and a handful of singles pretty much every year, yet they still manage to put out just about nothing but amazing songs.  I honestly don't know how they do it.  I'd be hard pressed to think of a band that's so prolific, but so incredibly consistent in the super high quality of their songs.

I've long had a huge soft spot for Canadian punk rock and Steve Adamyk Band is just another reason why I tend to say they make the best rock in the world up there.  Dial Tone is absolutely one of the very best records that has come out this year.  No record collection is complete without everything they've put out.  And if you're like me, that means more than one copy of quite a few of their records...

Steve Adamyk Band - Dial Tone:
http://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/steve-adamyk-band-dial-tone

Steve Adamyk Band - High Above 7" - Black Vinyl & Orange Vinyl (/150)

Steve Adamyk Band - High Above 7" - Black Vinyl & Orange Vinyl (/150), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

La-Ti-Da (2013)

Wrapping up my week of La-Ti-Da singles with my favorite of the bunch and one of my absolute favorite current bands. The Steve Adamyk Band can almost do no wrong as far as I'm concerned, but despite my lofty standards for them, they still manage to blow the doors off of this record.

This is a band that has put out quite a few great 7"s in the last year or so. High Above is the best of the bunch. The 2 originals on the 7" are instant classics. Fast, full of energy and the hooks this band churns out are just insane. In particular "High Above" is yet more proof that no band can write choruses as catchy as these guys. But for me, the main event is the 3rd song, an unsuspecting cover song that I imagine most people outside of Canada probably have never even heard of before.

"A Promise Is A Promise" is one of my favorite songs of all time. It was written by a Canadian band called Bum. It was first released on a 7" in 1991 that came out on Lance Rock Records. It also ended up on the full length album Wanna Smash Sensation. That record came out in 1993 on Pop Llama/Munster records. Wanna Smash Sensation is easily in my top 10 records of all time. They never amassed the biggest following in America from what I could tell, but there were a group of us in New Jersey that really loved this band. Just go buy Wanna Smash Sensation, please.

The Steve Adamyk Band take on the song is just perfect. Don't fix what isn't broken. The band plows through it full speed ahead, picking out all of the buried lead guitar parts & background harmonies. They also brought in some guest vocals from one Chris Page. Chris fronted The Stand GT many moons ago and is still cranking out hits both solo and with his other great band Camp Radio.

There are rumors of a Dirtnap Records showcase in NYC this year. One would think that Steve Adamyk Band might play that show as they have NEVER come to the NYC area. All I'm saying is it would be pretty great if they pulled out A Promise Is A Promise while they were playing. I never got to see Bum play. But anyway, go get this 7", it's great!

Steve Adamyk Band - High Above 7":
latidarecords.bandcamp.com/album/high-above-hate-myself-p...

The Absolute Best Records Of 2013

The Absolute Best Records Of 2013, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

I cannot even remember the last time there was a year in music as good as 2013. You'd probably have to go back to the 90's to find a year that had so many truly fantastic records come out. From the second January started right up until the waning days of December, I feel that all I did this year was listen to great music.

The top 5 records this year were so strong, it really could have been a coin toss to select who got number 1. In the end I gave it to the Night Marchers. As I've been listening to John Reis bands for over 20 years now, it just feels the most like home if that makes any sense.

However, I want to make a special case for some records on this list that really deserve a little extra attention as the bands aren't quite as well known as some of their peers. The Dead Mechanical record could have been a number 1 record in almost any other year. It's just flawless and I really encourage people to check it out if they haven't heard it. Chestnut Road brought me back to my favorite scene of the 90's and they felt like the second coming of Broccoli, Hooton 3 Car or Leatherface, If you like fast guitar pop like The Marked Men, you're a fool if you don't give the Tight Bros record a listen. And finally, that Hooper record I reviewed a few days ago is just incredible. It may have ended up higher on this list had it come out a bit earlier so I could have spent even more time with it.

All of the records on this list are amazing in my humble opinion. I couldn't have asked for a better year in music. Sure, I spent an awful lot of money on records this year (I tracked all of my purchases in 2013, my advice is don't do that, it's depressing), but it was worth it. It's crazy that there's even more records from this year I wasn't able to pick up.  I'd like to grab the new Young Leaves record and I'm pretty sure I would like that Sweatshop Boys LP, but as you may have noticed, as it is I buy way to many records. Maybe next year.

Thanks again to everyone who reads this website and an extra special thanks to the folks that have emailed, tweeted to me or sent me records to review. Here's to more good rocking in 2014.

01 - The Night Marchers - Allez Allez - Swami
02 - Dead Mechanical - OK Night - Toxic Pop
03 - Radioactivity - Radioactivity - Dirtnap
04 - The Steve Adamyk Band - Third - Dirtnap
05 - Chestnut Road - Chestnut Road - Brassneck / Speedowax
06 - Warm Soda - Someone For You - Castle Face
07 - Tight Bros - Tight Bros - Rad Girlfriend
08 - The Blind Shake - Key To A False Door - Castle Face
09 - Obits - Bed & Bugs - Sub Pop
10 - Audacity - Butter Knife - Suicide Squeeze

11 - Mrs. Magician - B Sides - Thrill Me
12 - Hooper - How To Become A Ghost - Snappy Little Numbers
13 - Rumspringer - Stay Afloat - Dirtcult
14 - Dirtbombs - Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey - In The Red
15 - Superchunk - I Hate Music - Merge
16 - Boat - Pretend To Be Brave - Magic Marker
17 - Low Culture - Screens - Dirtnap
18 - Plow United - Marching Band - Jump Start
19 - Sundowners - The Larger Half Of Wisdom - Dirtcult
20 - Crusaders - Perhaps You Deliver This Judgment... - No Idea

21 - Iron Chic - The Constant One - Bridge Nine
22 - Humanoids - Humanoids - Throwing Things
23 - Murmurs - Fly With The Unkindness - Dead Broke / Drunken Sailor
24 - The Resonars - Crummy Desert Sound - Burger
25 - Deltron 3030 - Event II - Bulk
26 - The Thermals - Desperate Ground - Saddle Creek
27 - RVIVR - The Beauty Between - Rumbletowne
28 - Shy Mirrors - Negative Collector - Big School
29 - Off With Their Heads - Home - Epitaph
30 - Wrong Words - Everything Is Free - Trouble In Mind

Other records I bought & enjoyed this year:
A Giant Dog - Bone - Tic Tac Totally
Autistic Youth - Nonage - Dirtnap
Bad Sports - Bra - Dirtnap
The Dagger Eyes - The Dagger Eyes - Ptrash
Dumpster Babies - Dumpster Babies - Tall Pat
Heavy Times - Fix It Alone - HoZac
Leatherface - More Mush - Bootleg
The Men - New Moon - Sacred Bones
Mind Spiders - Inhumanistic - Dirtnap
Paper Dragons - Die To Please - Toxic Pop
Southport - Southern Soul - Yo Yo
Space Wolves - IV - UT
Terry Malts - Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere - Slumberland
The Visitors - Yeti - It's Alive
Wavves - Afraid Of Heights - Mom + Pop
Your Pest Band - In My Doom - Snuffy Smiles
Yuck - Glow & Behold - Fat Possum
Zebrassieres - I Am Human - Ptrash

Previously:
2012
2011
2010
2009

The Steve Adamyk Band / Dauntless Elite - Split 7" - Green Vinyl(/100) & Brown Vinyl (/200)

The Steve Adamyk Band / Dauntless Elite - Split 7" - Green Vinyl (/100) & Brown Vinyl (/200), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

All In Vinyl (2013)

For me this was the main event of the 2013 All In Vinyl single series, new songs by The Steve Adamyk Band. But, let's start off with Dauntless Elite. A band that has been kicking around for a good many years at this point, I first came across them through a Snuffy Smiles split 7" a while ago, but never really followed up on them. Their songs on this 7" are quite good really. Catchy, with unique guitar play. This is a band i really need to hear more of.

As far as the Steve Adamyk Band side goes, it's just 2 more hit songs from one of the best bands currently playing. Idles Hands-esque punchy guitar riffs into big choruses. Another great showing, though I do have one comment to make. I'm not sure if it is a result of the recording or of the actual pressing of the record, but these too songs seem to really lean on the treble side of the spectrum. You can't really hear the bass at all and everything sounds a bit tinny. Nothing that will spoil the great tunes, but it's the first time I've ever had anything remotely critical to say about this band.

The Steve Adamyk Band / Dauntless Elite - Split 7"
allinvinyl.bandcamp.com/album/split-7-10

Steve Adamyk Band - Monterrey 7" - Record Release Show Covers (/50)

Steve Adamyk Band - Monterrey 7" - Record Release Show Covers (/50), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Hosehead (2013)

Due to the undying kindness of the folks over at Hosehead records, I was able to secure the record release show version of the new Steve Adamyk Band 7". If that wasn't good enough, they actually saved me both versions of this variant as well. The covers are hand made. There were 25 blue covers made and 25 yellow covers. I love it when labels do fun things like this, especially when I'm actually able to get copies. I guess I don't love it as much if I have to search for the variants, but there is something to be said for the thrill of the hunt.

As stated in yesterday's write up, the tunes on this guy are top notch. I'm pretty sure I'm on record saying that if you read my website, you really should be buying every Steve Adamyk Band release. They're simply one of the best bands out there.

Steve Adamyk Band - Monterrey 7"
hoseheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/monterrey-7

Steve Adamyk Band - Monterrey 7"

Steve Adamyk Band - Monterrey 7", a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Hosehead Records (2013)

It is certainly not a secret that the Steve Adamyk Band is one of my absolute favorite bands currently putting out records. They're nothing if not consistently incredible, putting out great song after great song and the 4 on this 7" are no exception. For the most part, they represent the faster, punkier side of the bands catalog, but Adamyk & Co. have an uncanny ability to cram the kind of hook into a song that just gets lodged in your head for days.

While all 4 songs are great, for me it's the closing track "Front To Back" that steals the show. With a back and forth guitar riff and low key vocals, the verse almost seems like it's trying to sneak something by you, only to have the chorus just smack you upside the head with its catchiness.

I'm always happy to add new Steve Adamyk Band records to the collection, and in addition to the record pictured above, there were some release show variants that I'll write about tomorrow.

Steve Adamyk Band - Monterrey 7":
hoseheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/monterrey-7

Steve Adamyk Band - Desecrate 7" - Stamped Cover (/17)

Steve Adamyk Band - Desecrate 7" - Stamped Cover (/17), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Taken by Surprise (2013)

A reader of this very website actually alerted me that this variant was coming out, so for that I am most thankful. Taken By Surprise found a handful of Desecrate 7"s with no covers. So they did the only thing any self respecting record label would do; they made an instant collectible. The 7"s are hand stamped, limited to just 17 copies in total and allows me to continue to keep my Steve Adamyk Band collection up to snuff.

The 3 songs on this record are some of my favorites as well. Especially the b-side "Unglued." This is the kind of record that really helps cement a band as one of the best out there. Steve Adamyk Band has 3 new 7"s coming out this summer (Well, one is actually out already), so expect to see more of them on this website really soon. Also...play the US East Coast already!!

The Steve Adamyk Band - Desecrate:
takenbysurpriserecords.bandcamp.com/album/desecrate-7

Steve Adamyk - Goodbye California CD

Steve Adamyk - Goodbye California CD, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Lost Cause Records (2003)

So like I said yesterday, here's a little surprise. An artifact lost in time. The very first Steve Adamyk CD (before there was a THE or a BAND) from 2003. It was released on a label called Lost Cause records, but that's about all of the information you're probably going to find about this record online. The only other hits that I found were a few college radio station playlists and message board posts from way back when.

Now, if you are expecting this to sound just like the more recent Steve Adamyk Band releases, you're barking up the wrong tree. This came out nearly 10 years ago and Steve Adamyk has had 10 additional years of perfecting his craft. What this CD does show is a time capsule, a work in progress. You can absolutely hear echoes of what is to come. From the dynamic chord progressions to the slick use of backing vocals, the pieces are here. There's some great songs on here, and a few that seem like Steve was still finding his way. Regardless it's an absolutely fascinating listen, especially if you are as obsessed as I am with the current incarnation of the band.

Sadly, I cannot find any of these songs streaming in any capacity and as I said when I started posting song links, I don't find it to be my place to be uploading anyone's music. But I will provide the track listing, who knows, if you search around, you may get lucky.

Track list:
1. 3 Miles And Back
2. Makeshift Lane
3. Got A Light
4. I'm Only Inspired By My Own Self Destruction
5. I Need Fire
6. Automated Man
7. Strychnine
8. Reality Dan
9. Without You
10. Celebration