The Ballad of Bob Sheeple by The Anti Sheeple Movement

T.A.S.M falls roughly within the folk-punk subgenre. But very roughly as there is little folk involved. This is all acoustic, nothing plugged in normally. What is here is punk, pop punk, ska, hip hop, hardcore and grind all mixed together. The lyrics are comic, mostly. Aw hell, you can see that much just from the song titles.


1. Kurt Cobain Called Shotgun 02:25
2. Bug Bites!!! 02:00
3. City of No Sleep & Dirty Sheep 04:35
4. Creepy Crazy Cutie 02:45
5. Kill All Hipsters 02:50
6. Burn 02:23
7. Blacker Than 02:26
8. Alcoholitics 03:46
9. The Ballad of Bob Sheeple 06:18

The first track is obnoxious, off kilter and goofy, slipping back and forth among styles, including punk, rap and ska and is that a horn? The second track is all over the place too, a weird mix of pop punk and ska with funny lyrics. Track 3 is hip hop rhymes with acoustic guitar as the dominant instrument with screamo refrains, what fun! Track 4 is rap with acoustic guitar, bass and fiddle. Track 5 is more of the same musically as track 4, having a little fun with the hipster movement, and sung screamo. Track 6, that horn is back. More screwiness. Track 7 introduces a banjo pounded on with a pick, counterpointed by a fiddle. This one doesn't seem to be comedy, sounds like they mean it. Track 8 introduces a bit of folk that mutates into acoustic punk as it speeds up. Sort of like pop punk played on the front porch. Track 9 finishes off the recording and finishes us off too. Very pretty little guitar intro that is followed by that horn. And so of course it's rap and raging punk vocals mixed together and ska guitar too. Wow an electric guitar lead all fuzzed out, then drums come in and we're listening to a plugged in punk band all of a sudden at the end. There's a hidden track that's totally out of control. Let track 9 continue playing.

Great stuff. Funny lyrics. Straight Outta Lost Angeles.

Get it here:
https://theantisheeplemovement.bandcamp.com/album/the-ballad-of-bob-sheeple

Spud Bugs EP by Spud Bugs

I am infamous locally for strong opinions expressed bluntly, even savagely. My local punk nickname is ShitEd, and I earned it. So when I heard the intro to track 2 with the guy counting off 1-2-3, 1-2-3 then I began counting. If that's 3 then the time signature is 3/8. 3/8???? Nah, it's 6/4. I have gotten into arguments with bandmates over this same thing. And when I demanded they count along I was refused. Tsk!

This is a folk-punk band out of Las Vegas, with someone I know in it. The banjo, and Karie's deep fiddle (a viola) on this both sound great. There's git, accordion and mando on here too. Think oldtimey gone edgy and often mildly ferocious.


1. Digging Holes 05:19
2. Haunted House 04:39
3. A Place We Could Call Home (Turncoat Collective) 06:07
4. All For Me Grog 04:17


Track 1 starts off slow with really pretty instrumental playing, then kicks in and rocks, great stuff.
Track 2 is a waltz that tells a story with a faint sadness to it, with the viola often moaning in sympathy.
Track 3 Is almost an anthem with group/gang vocals. A cover of a Turncoat Collective song. Great viola fiddlin'.
Track 4 they go pirate on us and cover a bawdy sea shanty that I like a lot.

Great little ep. Get it here: https://spudbugs.bandcamp.com/

Anarcho Annie​/​/​Everyday Tension Split

First let me be honest and say that I have always disliked split recordings, whether they are split LPs, split CDs, split digital like this, or split 7"s with one song from each of two bands. I find the lack of continuity annoying. On the other hand I don't mind comps with a dozen bands. Never mind my quirks, on to the recording itself.

1. Jailbird 03:32
2. I Won't Grow 01:41
3. Oh My God 01:56
4. Separation From Reality 01:45
5. Breaking Down Borders 01:03

6. A Song for Every Picked Lock 01:51
7. Pillow Talk 02:03
8. 517 02:29
9. Politics of Grace 02:19
10. Jules 02:28

Up first is Everyday Tension, a group from Kenosha, WI.  Guitar and banjo.
Jailbird starts out pretty, then morphs into gang vocals and fierce playing. Sounds like they've been listening to Days N Daze and that's a good thing. I Won't Grow is raw and wonderful. Did I also mention I disdain most overproduced crapola? Nothing like that here, thank Dog. :) Oh My God is okay, barely. Separation From Reality is fun folk-punk partially ska sort of and I like the quick vocals and the changes of tempo and rhythm. Breaking Down Borders seems to be the obligatory train song. Don't laugh my band has one too, ha ha -- it is our tradition so bugger off.

Next is Anarcho Annie, from here in Los Angeles. I know her, which is why I know about this to review it. Lyrics heavy, this one woman performer (I didn't write "band" because a band has to be more than one person) has excellent lyrics writing abilities so keep an eye (ear?) on this teenager because she has a hell of a lot of talent. A Song for Every Picked Lock, like most of her stuff, straight 60s folk (just her voice and guitar) but the subject matter is thoughtful, thought provoking and point making. Pillow Talk more of the same but with a wistful quality to its anarchic content. 517 is slower and both anti and personal. The lyrics in Politics of Grace are so damn good that I have a huge smile on my face. With the apparent retirement of Pat the Bunny, anyone who wants intelligent words and passionate anarchism should start following Anarcho Annie.

I do not understand about the last track Jules. I guess it's her but it's not recorded the same as the others, nor is it her usual long lyrics style. Nevertheless it's her and her thinking signature.

Overall this is really good stuff. Get it, separate it in two on your iPod or whatever and play them separately. Enjoy. Available here:

https://anarchoannie.bandcamp.com/album/anarcho-annie-everyday-tension-split