Justin: Ex-who? The Street Dogs have moved past any sort of ex-member stigma three albums in and carved a wonderful niche for themselves in the punk rock and roll world. On their newest album, Fading American Dream the band rips apart the first "single," a cover of classic Boston punk band Mung's best song, "Fatty." Its chorus reminds me instantly not only of that long-lost troupe, but infuses the anthemic qualities of the Bouncing Souls and sincerity of early Dropkick Murphys. It will burrow its way into your head like a tapeworm does into your stomach, refusing to let go until you're singing it while walking down the street, sitting at work or driving your car. Fading American Dream is a must-listen-to this year and this song is a perfect example why. You can stream it (gasp) the band's 'space page.
The Street Dogs' MySpace Adam: I first encountered Jon-Rae and the River opening for the Constantines in Hamilton earlier this year. The band sounds implausible on paper, but live they put on one of the most insanely fun and captivating live shows I've ever seen. The River is the brainchild of the geeky, unassuming Joh-Rae Fletcher. Fletcher's the son of a Baptist minister, and the influence of gospel music comes through in a set of songs about, well, the very un-gospel topics of drinking and fucking. It's all wrapped in a riotous mix of alt-country crooning and punk energy that can get whole rooms of people whipped into a frenzy of debauchery and spirit. The band made the cover of Exclaim this month, and there's a great interview up on their website.