Punk Rawk, Juniper Avenue Be Thy Name
Good punk rock bring balance to my life and peace to my soul. Ironic that a genre known for raucous, fervor, and angst is so life-giving for a man in his 40s? Perhaps… but a band with great tunes, punk rock roots, and a knack for leaving their hearts on the stage will always be a band that I want to spend my time with.
The best punk bands blend the fire of punk rock with other influences and make the genre their bitch. This is exactly what Juniper Avenue does on chuck Rock, as they show a clear love for garage rock, weave in surf tones, show off their indie chops, and even dabble in a bit of psychedelia.
On the opening track, “Everything Must Go”, the guitars soar and get a little weird, almost like Hawkwind is playing a punk song. Later, on “Miss Shine”, the guitars go full on Hendrix mode. These psychedelic rock hooks, though, find ways on both tracks to blend with a punk rock attitude, precise and tight rhythm sections, and a garage rock vibe that wouldn’t feel out of place for bands like The Strokes, The Libertines, or The Hives. The sound is diverse, but it never gives up that decidedly punk attitude.
Whether the band gets funky (“Danny Fanatic”) or poppy (“Bumfuzzle”), the album always rocks faces off. For my aging punk ass, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. So check out the album below or head to Spotify to join in the fun.
Viva la punk rock!
