Sitting On Stacy - I'm Not Dead Anymore [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lyrically brilliant, ‘I’m Not Dead Anymore’ comes out blazing with a truly a unique vibe. The band, formerly known as Paper, changed their name to Sitting On Stacy to better stand out given an internet search of Paper turns up far more than info on the band.

This three piece Southern California Ska band has carved a name for themselves regionally and is poised to climb even higher with strong writing and the talent to performs it all live.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Vaxxines - Drink Beer and Destroy [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Saint Patrick’s day is coming, so we all need a good drinking anthem to help us let loose and celebrate.

The Vaxxines have just what the doctor orders with their energetic track, ‘Drink Beer and Destroy.’ No it’s not Celtic Rock per say, though I can imagine holding a glass high and belting this out with other patrons in an Irish pub any day of the year.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Codefendants - Def Cons [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Utilizing a variety of tempos and deliveries, the Codefendants capture magic with ‘Def Cons.’ A blend of Punk, Ska, Hip-Hop, and Skater Punk makes up the overall arrangement. Each set of vocals delivers a different tone, and yet they all mesh and sync to create one wondrous piece of music. Lyrically, the track has just as much to offer, and I’ll definitely be adding this one to several playlists and listening to it for years to come.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sir Echo - Raven [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Blurring the lines of Punk, Alternative and Emo Rock, Sir Echo has a retro vibe that at times feels like the Bangles in a blender. ‘Raven’ is about the battle between fantasized or romanticized versions of a person, and the reality that they come with a complex history and set of flows just like every other person.

Love might be blind, but eventually every relationship is tested by reality and here those ideas take flight thanks to dark wings and thrumming guitar strings. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Love Hounds - Lazy Boy [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Punk Country? Yes it is, but there is nothing here that feels anything like the Corporate Mainstream Country most associate with Nashville. Instead Love Hounds, unleashes more of an Outlaw Country sound mixed with heavy Punk influence to give ‘Lazy Boy’ both an edge and a storytelling quality that lands in between genres. But make no mistake, this is not so much a niche type track as it is one that takes the best elements of various genres and turns them into a unique, but broad appeal.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Pink Leather Jackets - Sixteen Forties [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Growing up in a small town, or in the boring, far flung regions of suburbia can be a challenge as a teenager desperate to escae and experience real world excitement. This track is about that desperate need to escape and carries some nostalgia for the years of life when that is the most important problem you face. A Pop Punk heavier on the Punk side gives this track a nice edge and energy and is a track you can song along with alone or with friends. Simply a fun track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bedouin Soundclash - Walk Through Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a tough track to put a label on. Reggae? Pop Punk? American? There are elements of all three, but no matter what you call the genre, Bedouin Soundclash has given us an infectious track that burrows its way deep down in your soul. “Walk Through Fire” stuck with me through multiple listens and I found myself singing along long after the track had ended. This is one that will continue to impress no matter how many times you listen. A fun, energetic build and easy to join in chorus makes it a clear hit in my eyes. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mixed Kid Fridays - Something To Shout [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A big chanting anthem, that feels a bit like a drunken sing-a-long in the best of ways. Mixed Kid Fridays are clearly having fun, and this bold and sparing track embodies that.

The track is truly ‘Something To Shout’ about, and it is futile to resist the energy of this one. A great party song for you and your friends to belt out once you have all properly lubricated your vocal chords.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Billingsley - Long Shot [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Billingsley is compromised of three brothers from North Carolina. The sound and style is Green Day meets Offspring and ‘Long Shot’ is the kind of tongue in cheek song that never goes out of style. The emotions behind the track are ones we’ve all felt and experienced and the wry humor helps make the odds that are stacked against us easier to laugh off. A fun song that you will want to listen to over and over again to get all the lyrics. Pure fun and energy!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

J. Graves - Valentine [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Taken purely as a standalone song, ‘Valentine’ is a treat for the senses. Portland’s, J. Graves has the talent and verve to pull of the track with attitude and talented flair, but you cant take this single on its solo merits alone. The [project is fun and unique as part of a musical, choose your own adventure thread. The video ends with a question and your answer will determine the next track and so forth down the line making the music truly interactive. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Connor Kauffman - Bleed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have all shed some blood, at least metaphorically, in the name of love. Connor Kauffman has tapped that emotional vein on this passionate track that has a hint of 90s Rock along with a contemporary Pop Punk vibe at times.

’Bleed’ offers a catchy hook and a lyrical progression that is easy to dial in on and sing along with. Straightforward Rock that speaks to the heart.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Spinning - St. Stephen's Green [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written immediately after a trip to Ireland, ‘St. Stephen’s Green’ is a Punk Pop track with a nice bit of reflective emotion pushing it forward. We all get in our own way from time to time and let our emotions color the world around us. this can spoil our own joy as well as our relationships and just recognizing that fact can be all we need to find solid ground once again. This track just might help, as with a lot of great art, it simple resonates in a way that lets us know we are not alone in our thoughts feelings, and anxieties. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Peyton Shay - Aftertaste [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Peyton Shay is poised to be the next darling of the Pop Punk scene. With beautiful ones and an emotional edge, ‘Aftertaste’ is the break down of the mental mastication of a breakup. The seed things can go from great to irate is stunningly quick but sometimes it is is the devastation that we truly find out who we are and this song offers a glimpse of that ride. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Penny Lame - I Don't Talk To Boys That Make Me Cry [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Penny Lame strikes Pop Punk gold with their latest single, ‘I don’t Talk To Boys That Make Me Cry.’ Fed up and pissed off, the lyrics leave no room for doubt that the time has come to move forward. The energy and build feel like Pink meshed with Avril Lavigne with an old school splash of No Doubt tossed in for good measure. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

FANGZ - Won't Be Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Energy and passion can make make for an engaging track, and when the musical talent shines just as boldly as those elements — the music truly comes alive. FANGZ has created just such a track with ‘Won’t Be Me,’ a hard charged Punk anthem about sticking with a relationship even as the wheels fall off. You know it is doomed, but still you want for the end rather than bring it about.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Maximilian Thanksalot - Toe on the Trigger [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sneaky clever writing and attitude lift this track from Maximillian Thanksalot above the fray. ‘Toe on the Trigger’ is an in your face Pop Punk track that blends intense lyrics and hard guitar licks to create a vibe that carries the day.

This is the kind of track you have to give a few listens to pick up on everything being laud down but you won’t mind at all. A true mood setter. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mr. Max - I Hate My Life [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Falling somewhere between The Beastie Boys and Weezer, Mr. Max brings nothing but attitude with ‘I Hate My Life.’

Riding a hard edge beat and build, the track hooks and holds with a set of vocals that demand your attention. The writing commands its own level of engagement as it is sharp and pointed and hits its mark throughout the build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

An Adolescent Tragedy - I'm Keeping the Nintendo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A different kind of break up song that will make you smile, but also nod along if you’ve even been there in that situation of watching a relationship dissipate.

LA band, An Adolescent Tragedy has a decided West Coast sound that has enough of a Punk vibe to be categorized that way, but still brings a bit of the 90s sound to the mix to make the track have a Commercial feel as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Charlotte Sands - Every Guy Ever [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Charlotte Sands could very well be the next big Pop Punk sensation. ‘Every Guy Ever’ is a track that will speak to anyone who has ever ventured out in the cold dark dating world. Yeah, here it is pointed to idiot guys but we all know it is tough for any gender to find that person who is honest, trustworthy and right for them. The emotion and energy of this track ring true and comes with several amen type moments. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rhys - Thanks a lot now I can't smile [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rhys was born in Portland but moved to Sweden when she was only ten years old. The influence of both American and Swedish Pop can be found in her sound and the tender emotion is palpable in every single line. This particular track reminded me of Pink a great deal but that is not to say Rhys doesn’t have her own unique spin and delivery. The writing is also strong and in it you can truly lose yourself into the world of the singer. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger