Video: The Nobodys- “Scarred By Love (live)”

As someone who has devoted a huge amount of my life to skatepunk, I bring you Colorado Springs punk rockers The Nobodys. Due to their simple four chord punk and catchy, if sometimes cringe-worthy and sophomoric lyrics, they fit the snotty pop-punk profile perfectly. The song in today’s video is “Scarred By Love” which had originally appeared on their previous album but skyrocketed by being included on the 1997 compilation Joe King Presents: More Bounce To The Ounce on Lookout! Records.

On the album, Joe King of New Hampshire’s The Queers sings lead vocals on “Scarred By Love”. I really can’t find much information on exactly who is in The Nobodys these days, with the obvious exception of J.J. Nobody (long-haired bass player who looks like Jay Navarro from The Suicide Machines with a wig). J.J.’s whiskey vocals give a rougher version of this classic on the last verse. I’ve managed to see The Queers dozens of times and a few of their mid-90’s shows were backed by Lurch on drums. In this video, that MIGHT be him playing drums, as he is a rather tall dude (hence the nickname Lurch), but that’s just a guess.

Anywho, The Nobodys were a solid part of the late-90’s skatepunk/pop punk scene and put out a few decent full length albums on Hopeless Records and are still releasing new music. Enjoy the video, which was recorded as part of the awesome Live from The Rock Room in Chicago (please check out their other high quality videos).

Upcoming Shows: Going to see The Queers, Guttermouth and Agent Orange!

In March, I’m planning on going to see Agent Orange / Guttermouth / The Queers / The Atom Age in Indianapolis. I wish the tour was playing closer to my area, but it’s only a 5 hour drive each way, so no big deal.

I’ve seen Guttermouth a couple of times and always enjoy their shows. I think their singer Mark is hilarious, although many people don’t share that sentiment. It will be nice to see The Queers again. It’s been about 5 years or so since I’ve seen them live and spoken to Joe Queer. My old bass player and best friend knows Joe, so I’ll have to see if I can weasel my way on to the guest list again. After seeing The Queers live at least 25 times, I should just have a lifetime pass, right? Right? No? No.

As far as Agent Orange, I’ve never seen them, but as a huge SoCal skatepunk fan, I’m stoked to see them because they are legends. I’ve read some reviews about their live show not being very good, but I’ll have to see for myself. The band has just as much of an opportunity to impress as they do to disappoint, so I’m going in open-minded. The last band on the bill is The Atom Age. I’ve listened to a few tracks of theirs and maybe it is just me, but they sound like a heavier The Blue Meanies during their “Smash The Magnavox” era. Hopefully they put on a “smashing” good show, right? Right? Fuck it, I’m done.

Record Review: Strung Out – Twisted By Design (Fat Wreck Chords)

I may have previously mentioned my love for Simi Valley’s punk band Strung Out. They are my favorite band, locked in a brutal fight with The Queers, Screeching Weasel, Bad Religion and NOFX for the key to my heart. As a mid-west punk rocker, so many awesome California skatepunk band’s either just don’t have the interest or the ability to play outside of the southwestern US, so I’ve taken advantage of as many chances I can to see Strung Out play live.

The first time I experienced the live energy of Strung Out was in the mid-90’s. They blew my mind at how technical they were musically in concert. Between the dueling guitars of ace guitar players Jake Kiley and Rob Ramos, one of the best skatepunk drummers ever in Jordan Burns (sorry, Smelly, Raun and Rory), and a strong bass presence in Chris Aiken, who replaced the late Jimmy Cherry (RIP), Strung Out’s sound is a mix of wall-of-noise shredding and tight back-and-forth melodic guitar scales and solos. They, along with NOFX, No Use For A Name and Lagwagon, really define the “Fat” sound that we all have grown up along-side and appreciate.

Twisted By Design is the third album Strung Out released on Fat Wreck Chords. Their previous full-length, Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues, is my favorite Strung Out record. However, Twisted By Design is the perfect mixture of “more of the same” AND evolution for Strung Out as a band. The new songs have the same intensity and convictions as the band’s earlier output with the willingness to try something heavier and slower-tempo (remember slower-tempo is relative. This is skatepunk after all.)

Recently, I was able to see Strung Out again during the Chicago stop of the Fat Wrecked For 25 Years Tour and they did not disappoint. As with most (all?) Strung Out shows, they kicked off their set with “Too Close To See”, the blazing opening track off Twisted By Design. I love this song. The opening guitar work is fucking amazing and the song is strong from start to finish.

One of the best songs on Twisted By Design is “Exhumation of Virginia Madison”. My favorite lyrics from the song:

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“Then I awake with a snap, it was all a dream
I got an empty bottle of something under me
I gotta really bad headache, my clothes are soaking wet
It’s times like this I wish I hadn’t slept

Star locked gaze, uneasy hands
Then the dream fades away and leaves my head
Another riddle, another dream, another fucked up fantasy
Gotta learn to stay away from all this TV”

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Jason Cruz is one fine damn lyricist with some dark lyrics, especially on tracks like “Ultimate Devotion”. The song is about being a slave to something, whether that something is a drug or a partner. The song is similar in sound to “Bring Out Your Dead” from Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues. Chunky guitar sounds cultivating the depravity and sincerity of the lyrics.

I highly recommend Twisted By Design to any skatepunk fan. It’s a solid album with no filler and is perfect for someone just getting into Strung Out.

Favorite Songs:
– Too Close To See
– Matchbook
– Deville

Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords ( 1998 )
Band Website: www.strungout.com

Buy “Twisted By Design” From Fat Wreck Chords