Editors' Picks
27

The Zambonis / Constable Brennan

Scott: How many punk bands do you know that have their albums carried in the official NHL catalog? The Zambonis are the only one I know of. Check out this song, featuring guest vocals from James Kolchaka Superstar:
The Zambonis - Hockey Monkey
For more information on the band, go to TheZambonis.com.

Adam: I saw the Slackers in Guelph on New Years Eve, opening for them was Constable Brennan. The Toronto punk rock band put on a fun set (which included a killer cover of Toots & The Maytals' "Pressure Drop"). Here's a song from their 2001 album that Slacker Vic Ruggiero produced:
Constable Brennan - Dee Dee
Check their website for more info, they released their debut album on their own Go!Go!Go! Records.

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Editors' Picks
18

Joe Strummer

Adam/Scott: We have to thank StrummerNews for posting this song. This is a different version of "Minstrel Boy" then the one that appeared on "Global A Go-Go" (review). This version is significantly shortened from the 17 minute album track but has vocals added. This originally appeared on the soundtrack to the film "Black Hawk Down"
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Minstrel Boy (film version)
I'm also planning to put up a song from Strummer's out of print 1989 album "Earthquake Weather." Look for it soon (as soon as I can find a host for it).

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Editors' Picks
39

Joey Ramone / The Pogues

Scott: We here at Punknews.org wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah [or Happy Festivus], but we figured that the late Joey Ramone does it much better:
Joey Ramone - Merry Christmas
We hope you all have a happy and safe holiday, and please, if you're going to drink, hand your car keys to a friend. We don't want to lose any of you [well, some of you might want to see WussEmoRock disappear, but you secretly know you'd miss him if he did].Adam: Scott challenged me to top his MP3 of the Week. So here it is: The best Christmas song ever. EVER. It's the almighty Pogues featuring Kristy MacColl doing their famous tune:
The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York
Happy holidays, don't hit the Nog too hard. Look for our Top 10 of 2002 lists up on New Years and mostly-regular site updates throught the next week. (I dont know how long the server I've got hosting this song will stay up… so sorry if it stops working)

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Editors' Picks
23

The Impossibles / Huevos Rancheros

Scott: I'm not a big fan of the Impossibles, but I *am* a big fan of Weezer, and this is a killer cover of a Pinkerton gem:
The Impossibles - The Good Life [Weezer cover]
The Impossibles are broken up now, but Gabe and Rory are currently in the band Slowreader. For more information on the Weezer Tribute that this song appeared on, go to DeadDroidRecords.com. Adam: Cowboy hats and surfboards are the order of the day here in my little corner of the Punknews universe. Huevos Rancheros are an instrumental rockabilly / surf-revival band from Calgary. They're also probably the first band I ever saw live. Think the Shadowy Men, Reverend Horton Heat and a heavy helping of Dick Dale and you get the picture. Check out this song from their 1996 EP "Get Outta Dodge" :
Huevos Rancheros - What A Way To Run A Railroad
For more information check the band's website or their label Mint Records.

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Editors' Picks
31

Damone / The Constantines

Scott: Damone are a brand spankin' new band out of the Boston area, and they've already snagged a record deal with friggin' RCA Records. Check out this MP3 chock-full of pop-punky, female/male dual vocals goodness:
Damone - At The Mall
Damone's debut album is scheduled to come out on RCA in February of 2003. Look for it to blow the fuck up.

PS - Yes, I know I made this my pick last week as well, but barely any of you guys downloaded it, and I really, really like this song. Adam: Here's another track from Guelph / Toronto's The Constantines. This song's from their debut album released last year. Its a brooding track that really shows how the band can combine such disparate influences as Fugazi-esque post-punk and blusey roots rock. To check out the other track we featured, click here, otherwise check out this MP3:
The Constantines - Hyacinth Blues
Check out Three Gut Records for more information and click here for a review of their latest EP.

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Editors' Picks
15

The Heist / Damone

Adam: The Heist are a hardcore band from Long Island. They play raw, speedy old-school hardcore without sounding dated or revivalist. This track is from their upcoming 7" "Scraps & Heart Attacks" and was produced by Dean Baltulonis (Madball, American Nightmare). Check their MP3 out here:
The Heist - Sea Legs
For more info on the band check out DeadBy23 Records.

Scott: Damone are a brand spankin' new band out of the Boston area, and they've already snagged a record deal with friggin' RCA Records. Check out this MP3 chock-full of pop-punky, female/male dual vocals goodness:
Damone - At The Mall
Damone's debut album is scheduled to come out on RCA in February of 2003. Look for it to blow the fuck up.

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Editors' Picks
36

Motion City Soundtrack / The Bronx

Scott: Motion City Soundtrack is the best unsigned band in America. For proof, download the following MP3:
Motion City Soundtrack - The Future Freaks Me Out
For more info on the band, hit up www.Team-MCS.com, and if you run a label, you need to wake up and sign these guys, pronto. Adam: Who are The Bronx? I can't say that I know. It's somewhat of a mystery. What I do know is they'll be playing pretty high profile shows in California with the Supersuckers, Rocket From The Crypt, The Explosion and Social Distortion. I also know that they rock rather hard. MP3:
The Bronx - Heart Attack American
Check their website for more info and a bunch more MP3s. Click below for those tour dates.

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Editors' Picks
9

Rainer Maria / The Weakerthans

Scott: Holy shit! Someone taught Rainer Maria how to rock again, and rock hard at that. This is the first track of their new EP, which comes out this Tuesday:
Rainer Maria - Ears Ring
For more info on the band, check out RainerMaria.com and PolyvinylRecords.com.

Adam: I dug this out of the depths of the Weakethans' website. It's not particularly new, but you can never have enough Weakerthans in your diet. It's a live version on Wellington's Wednesdays from the May 12, 2001 show in Seattle, WA @ Graceland. There's a nice little guest guitar solo from Rocky Votolato of Waxwing:
The Weakerthans - Wellington's Wednesdays live with Rocky Votolato
For more information on the band check out the newly redesigned G7 Welcoming Committee site.

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Editors' Picks
28

Emocapella

Something most people on this site don't know about me is that I'm a huge fan of choral music, especially a capella stuff. So when I found this, I jumped for joy:
Emocapella - Enjoy Your Day
It's an a capella version of the Alkaline Trio's "Enjoy Your Day," and it is beautiful.

Yes, I know, I'm a dork.

For more info on Emocapella, and if you want to download more a capella covers of bands like Taking Back Sunday, Jimmy Eat World, The Mr. T Experience, and more, go here.

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Editors' Picks
21

The Promise Ring

"Hey guys, let's make the best album of 2002, and our careers, and then break up!"
Fuckers.
Download the following Promise Ring MP3s to help ease the pain [and educate yourself if you missed the boat on them]:
[from "Wood/Water"]
Stop Playing Guitar Get On The Floor Say Goodbye Good
[from their Jade Tree back catalog]
Electric Pink The Deep South Best Looking Boys Why Did We Ever Meet I Never Trusted The Russians Red Paint E. Texas Ave. A Picture Postcard

For more info on the Promise Ring, go to TPR-Online.com. RIP, boys.

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