Billy Raygun, “Billy Raygun” LP

cover-billy-raygunThe first time I heard Billy Raygun, I have to admit I wasn’t impressed. Their side of the split with Lipstick Homicide left me fairly cold. This self-titled LP from John Wilkes Booth Records has completely changed my mind, however. The gruffness that bothered me upon first impression has been tempered. Either the band is less dischordantly wasted, or I’ve just been listening to enough hardcore for this to seem melodious by comparison.

That being said, Billy Raygun is the heir apparent to the low fidelity wastrels of Shang-A-Lang. Though it’s not even been a year since that band released their farewell EP, the calamitous pop that trio brought to so many singles is sorely missed. Thus, Billy Raygun’s development from sloppy pop quartet to tenuous garage punk rockers is a welcome change.
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John Wilkes Booth Records’ David Solender on the label’s recent split releases

cover-billy-raygun-lipstick-splitThough still several months shy of celebrating its third birthday, John Wilkes Booth Records has become a solid purveyor of pop-punk. In addition to releases from the band for which he drums (Billy Raygun), David Solender has put out recordings from Blockhead and What Happened? Solender recently put out two splits: an LP from Billy Raygun and Lipstick Homicide, as well as a live cassette from Big Eyes and Rational Anthem. We e-mailed back and forth with Solender about the new releases, as well as a little of the label’s history.
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Shoganai author Servo Jefferson talks about his “year on tour”

zine-cover-shoganaiZine author Servo Jefferson recently released Shoganai, an epic tale of love, punk rock, and teaching English in Japan. It’s an amazingly well-written story which delves deeply into the titular concept of “shoganai,” which is Japanese for “nothing can be done.” Essentially, Jefferson gave himself over to it, allowing a focus “upon oneself and one’s inability to change the external world.” This is good, as Jefferson encounters poor work conditions, bizarre roommates, and being stranded in unfamiliar parts of Japan. The positives outweigh the negatives, however, and it’s all handled with good humor and aplomb.

Jefferson will soon be going on what might be the longest book tour ever to promote Shoganai, starting in January. He was cool enough to do an e-mail interview with Rock Star Journalist regarding the tour and Shoganai.
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Various Artists, “Dangerous Intersections VI”

cover-di-viVarious Artists
Dangerous Intersections VI
(Traffic Street Records)

Every time a new installment in Traffic Street‘s “Dangerous Intersections” series of four-way splits comes out, I’m forced to make a decision. Namely, which track is my favorite? It’s always a difficult choice, as each one manages to have each band skew towards a different punk direction. Volume six is no different.

Do I want the Transgressions‘ short and to-the-point “17”? Is it the hard to describe, yet compelling “Flashlight” from Billy Raygun? The pop-punk by way of post-hardcore of Vacation‘s “Heterosexual Lion”? Or, the simple college rockin’ of New Creases‘ “No Spark”?
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