Point Blank - "Trapped In My Head" Review

Song: Trapped in my head

Artist: Point Blank

Rating: 4/5

Recommendation: Must Hear

NY Hardcore band, Point Blank just released a new single titled "Trapped In My Head" 

It was darn great at first hearing, that i am compelled to do this review, to share the adrenaline rush 

Bask Story
I discovered Point Blank sometime in 2017 when local punk radio show "The Punk Connection" on Jam 88.3, featured Point Blank on one of it's episodes, they also had vocalist Ken Kwe Wagner for a live phone interview. It was great listening to Kwe, but Of course the music itself interests me. One of the song that really connected me was the song "Klique" , which any WWE fan, especially the attitude era fan will definitely relate.. so not long after i search for their music and would end up finding them on bandcamp..

A short band introduction

Reaching back to the early days of NYHC, scene stalwarts Ken KWE Wagner (Vocals), and Dan Derella (Guitar), founding member/guitarist from NY hardcore legends Underdog, join forces with Frank Avila (Bass) Keith Malonis(Drums) to form New York's POINT BLANK. A sonic force mixing early 80's NYHC and Punk, with new breed aggressiveness.
(From the band's facebook page).

The New Song "Trapped In My Head"

It's been 5 years since the band's last album "On The DL" , ( discovering them in 2017 , the 2 previously released records kinda filled that gap for me.) Either way, there couldn't be more perfect timing for new Point Blank material, (and hopefully album coming out soon). They kicked off the year, by releasing a new single "Trapped Inside My head" ...
And darn! As soon as that sheer energy of the guitar intro of the song started, i already felt that the boys are back with really good shit! (And my adrenaline rush never fails me.)

The catchy lyrics/phrase of the song just had me sing/hum along and resonates in my head after the song is over. 

I love that they kept the lyrics simple and relatable leaving that premise open to the listener..
The song was an intense energy about something/feeling occupying one's mind that is not leaving soon.. 

And i did relate perfectly .. with this song actually keeps on repeating on my head, thus "Trapped in my head". 

Im really looking forward how would the album but as early as now "Trapped in my head" is already an assurance Kwe and the rest of Point Blank is on the right track..

Listen to the song 

Youtube:

https://youtu.be/j5WmmjUmnmw

Bandcamp:

https://pointblanknyhc.bandcamp.com/

For more news and info

Point Blank Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/POINTBLANKNYHC/

Non Skid - Pop Shit Circus Album Review

Non Skid - Pop Sh*t Circus 

 I'm back to reviewing albums and gigs. Will try to concentrate with the local stuffs atleast to unearth and commend some gems that should be given the deserved attention. and without further more delay... 

 My First review is from a very Prized find (Not from Ukay) Punk band from Baguio. Started in 2015. Impressively the band releases their debut album independently in 2017, was on a short hiatus and is back and revigorated in active Playing started late last year... 

 I discovered Non Skid around sometime 2018 and was looking for the Physical CD since. I was able to download the album and fortunately was able to listen to the album . When i first learn Non Skid, i can say "discovered" in the sense that i knew that it's a punk rock band who just released an album, through fb feeds from common friends in the scene... 

though i dont have much clue with their music ,i can sense some exciting or greatness, whenever i see or hear one.. and The album Pop S** Circus gave me 3 reasons (and to make it a point to listen to it); Knowing the album is punk rock, A cool album title Pop S** Circus , The album cover especially The mascot.. yes peepz album cover is such a big deal for me.. i always believe it has always been an integral part that reflects a part of the band and part of their music.. and i grew up in that era. Going to the music i can immediately sense some Green Day, Offspring, Anti-Flag and even E'heads feel into it from first playing.. i got to give a huge commendation for the band's drummer on this record for giving me an adrenaline rush and really enticed me to listen closely as compared to the usual slack listening.. i took it as a sign that i just hit something great... 

 The band sound is like a cohesive locomotive that 'll runover whatever gets in it's path, Aggressive and straightforward, with a catchy chorus to go with a relevant lyrics that goes with it. not sure how the mixing helps but if the band play this tight on live gigs.. then f** sign me up as the Non skid fan club president.... 

 In a short description, Non Skid knows what they're doing and has and all the punk rock ethoes and senses .. No, one doesn't need to be a skinhead or a sport mohawk, to be a punk, it wasnt a requirement.. heck i got Richard Hell, Stiv Bators, or The Great Jello Biafra, The Legendary Ramones to back me up. The music speaks for itself... Loud proud and Punk as The Legendary british band, The Business puts it. I dissect some Great Gems on the album and the rest i leave it for "but wait theres more" for you 

Track . Pop S*** Circus 

The album title track starting off with an antagonizing chant " Welcome to the age of modern tragedy, Welcome to the age of new Hypocricy... The Millenials are f*** up. So bad".. Non skid is clearly on a warzone and not just a pop punk band.. theyre men on a mission Musical arrangement wise the freakin stanza had me the "Just Because " part with an equally powerful response ( back up lyrics and vox ) and chord chops are freakin Brilliant. And this is even not my most fave song on the album 

Track : 26 Hundred 

A cool punk rock and i love the fact it made a reference to their home city "When the sun goes down in Baguio City" 

Track :Ignite The Flame 

One of the standout track on the album. Personally my personal pick for best track. Just an awesome in yer face punk song.. I love the energy and vibes of the drum part.. its just something one can just replicate .. i love the title. The song isnt hard to figure out... and that flame was contagious 

 Track: Batugan 

 I"m not sure why i have this 90s feel , but it should be good having to capture the vibe of a certain era... again the band knows how to use catchy words or phrase "Batugan" .. "Babatukan kita" is enough to catch attention and have an instant recall . The only song in the album with tagalog lyrics though.. not sure if the band isnt comfortable or they just prefer english songs... but this is a pretty good song i think they should do more. 

 Track : War Is Hell 

This instrumental track is a fu*** brilliant. The non lyrics and them getting heavy in one a half minute is like an invitation for everyone to go Berserk (looking forward to hearing / seing this track live) ... 

 Track : Rebel For What? 

 How to make an ultimate punk rock album?. Throw in a couple of great Ska tunes and you can't go wrong... and they just did with this track.  

Track: Let's Do It 

You'll know a good song whenever you hit one.. and no matter how you interpret it. t'll sound good just the same. I'm having a good guess that there is an alternate version or atleast on the writers mind to make this a straight up punk rock on a different perspective for the song.. and i would love to hear if there's one 

 Track: We Are All Heroes

 Got to commend the boys for coming up with excellent song titles as well. Not sure if they are concious .. but it says a lot of them as songwriters and as a band for the directions of excecising their liberty of expressing themselves their most poetic way Perhaps could easily be one of possible their entry for anthem of this generation if there is such. Darn i'm supposed to have finished this review already but i just can't leave this song without being mentioned 

 Track: Bandwhore

Humour and wit is such an appeal.. a filler that finds it merit in the album.. "He likes Dave Grohl not Paramore Kajie is a bandwhore" .... it's like Buloy meets Cutterpillow feel. And kajie is now a legend.. 

 Seems i almost didnt leave anything left afterall... but that just saying that its easy to describe and find words to something you find cool and great... the words just comes out naturally. Non Skid in my perspective are not just your ordinary punk rockers they have vision and the sense of musicianship. their lyrics are uncompromised. Another way to describe it is theyre just simply new school sounding but with an ethoes of an old school... and is just a fu*** great band. PopSh*** Circus was a freakin great debut album... and i cant wait to hear more from them.. ********* 

Pop. Sh*t. Circus is the debut album of Non Skid from Baguio City, Philippines. It contains 12 tracks which are based on the songwriter's socio-political standpoint and day-to-day experiences. 

Tracks: 1. Pop. Shit. Circus 

2. Dead Air 

3. 26 Hundred 

4. War Is Hell 

5. Ignite The Flame 

6. Let's Do It 

7. Leave Out All The Rest 

8. The Pigs Are Not Alright 

9. Bandwhore 

10. Batugan 

11. Rebel For What? 

12. We Are All Heroes

 Credits 

 Released December 8, 2017 

 All songs except for 

"Batugan" were written by: Nil De Guzman 

"Batugan" was written by: Dan Maurice Villamar All songs arranged by: Non Skid Recorded, 

Mixed and Mastered by: Samuel Fianza of Disperse Media Produced by: 13th Sin