Best of 2016 - Ricky Frankel's picks (Cover Artwork)
Staff Pick

Best of 2016

Ricky Frankel's picks (2016)

staff picks


“It All Feels Like A Cheap Parade, In The Sun I'm Gonna Beg For Rain"

- Dead To Me

Hey! It’s “Tricky” Ricky! 2016 was just down right exhausting — not just on the political front, but it felt like everything else was as well. I’m really glad it’s over. But hey, at least we had some awesome tunes to get us through it all. This year was in no means a disappointing year when it comes to releases and it looks like 2017 could be great as well. The Menzingers have a new album coming out and hopefully we’ll get a full-length from Dead To Me as well. I bet that there will be plenty of other, too.


On the Punknews front — I’m pretty sure that it has been a year since I have become a news editor on the Org and the one thing that I am most happy about is that we brought back Navel Gazing and that the camaraderie (or whatever you want to call it) in the comments section of that post stuck around even after being gone for such a long time. I’ll continue to do my best to get it posted every week. It may not seem like much, but it is really an honor to facilitate that shit show. For those six or seven of you that listen to the Punknews Podcast I have to say it is awesome that you write in and listen to us babble on about punk rock every week and even write in. Hearing and discussing different opinions and perspectives to me is really fascinating and fun.


This year I finally made it out on Punk Rock Bowling and had an absolute blast. That was my first multi-day festival ever and it couldn’t have gone better. I’m really hoping to make it out next year — and maybe even to The Fest? I saw a ton of great shows from acts that I’ve seen plenty of times and a bunch or artists that I had yet to see until this year with some really awesome friends. At this point the band I want to see most still is Morning Glory. That alone would make my year (wink, wink Ezra Kire).


Any way like my 2015 list here are my top 20 albums, top 10 EP’s and Singles, 5 Honorable Mentions, and top 15 shows I went to this year. Also, be sure keep an eye for my third annual Best Album Art Of The Year award. I don’t think this year’s winner will be a surprise.


Here’s to a great year of releases in 2017!


My Top 20 Albums Of 2016

Katorga Works



I had the pleasure of seeing Pure Disgust late in the summer open for G.L.O.S.S. I had never even heard of them before, but I have to say that they are one of the most remarkable hardcore bands to come from DC in a while. I picked up their self-titled full-length at the show and I'm really glad I did because it rocks.


Favorite Track:"Lost Child"



Obscene Records



Crusty LA hardcore done right. The urgency and death screams you get from Homesick Abortions’ album The Art Of Apathy is pretty incredible. I particularly really like how they play frantic crust songs through out the album and then end it all with these very gloomy melodic (believe it or not) vocals. I didn’t see that coming at all. Great stuff from another underrated band.


Favorite Track: "Dead By Dawn"





Sweatband Records



I have been following The Manx for five or six years now and I am so happy that they have finally released a full-length. Voyage In Bad Taste is funny and weird lyrically and even instrumentally. the metal influence mixed with melodic folk punk here is really great. The pure wackiness and intricate instrumentation shows that you can balance humor in music while still being very talented at the same time.


Favorite Track:”Rainbow Hammer"





Anxious And Angry



Granted there aren't any “new” songs on this record, but this is another acoustic album that came out this year that blew me away and at least for me that is pretty rare for an acoustic record to do that. When this album was announced I wasn't really sure where it would go, but I have to say that Ryan Young's ability to translate heavy Off With Their Heads songs into acoustic songs and still keep them just as intense (or even more) is pretty insane. As a punk rock figure, Ryan has been one of the very few that has ventured out to try to do good for other people and himself and being very successful whether it be through his music, his podcast or his label. I really admire his entrepreneurial spirit in all of those areas.


Favorite Track:”Clear The Air" -



Dumptruck Records/Endless Bummer Records



Decent Criminal's self-titled record was one of the more overlooked albums of 2016, which is a shame because it is some of the most garage punk to come out in a while. Their ability to mix surf, punk rock, pop, garage and other genres is pretty unique. The vocal harmonies are quiet remarkable whether the are in a soft and or hard hitting song. The musical range on this album is very wide.


Favorite Track:”Sore"





For me, it is all about the lyrics when it comes or AJJ. The angst, the self-loathing, the crazy and funny imagery all really hits home with me. The Bible 2 shows the band's commitment to transitioning into a full band from a two piece. This time they have gone a in a more garage direction, but at times remained true to their folk punk roots. AJJ never fail to write great records and this is no excepting.


Favorite Track:"American Garbage"





Damn you Adam White! You and your ability to expose us to these fantastic Canadian bands! I have to credit Adam for turning me on to Pup in 2014 and now I have to do the same with The Dirty Nil. Higher Power is a very refreshing album that comes much more from the garage rock part of punk rock and to be honest I needed to expand into that part a bit more. I found this album to be an exciting challenge to listen to and seeing them absolutely kill it live in Long Beach just reinforced the notion that this band's talent is through the roof. I sort of figured that I would like this band when I saw them perform Fugazi covers. That was my avenue into becoming a fan. Their original songs are really something I have never encountered and that's a good thing.


Favorite Track:”No Weaknesses"





Tight New Dimension is one of the most fun and whimsical albums to come out this year. Mean Jeans stepped up their musical writing game by added in more riffs, but still kept their party-filled lyrics and uplifting lyrics that they are known for. The whole album is just one pop punk party.



Favorite Track: ”Nite Vision"



Every year there is one year I totally regret not jumping on a pre-order for a new album for whatever reason. And this year that 'honor' goes to Get Dead's Honesty Lives Elsewhere. I was pretty blown away this one and that was when the regret of not checking it out sooner set in. It's top notch melodic punk ' aggressive and angry with super catchy hooks and instrumentation. The lead singer's super raspy voice and crisp guitars make for such a great contrast. Do not underestimate these guys!


Favorite Track: ”She's A Problem"



Total Treble



I'll be honest I was't sure what to think of Against Me!'s new album Shape Shift With Me, especially when they were releasing singles before it came out. This one had some growing to do for me, but after a full listen it all finally set in. I was particularly surprised with 'Rebecca.' That's the (newer) Against Me! kind of material I love them for and 'Haunting Haunted Haunts,' at least to me, seemed like a throwback to their older folk-y material, which is never a bad thing for me. I had the pleasure of seeing them playing these songs two different times this year and I have to say they sound awesome live and they fit right in with the rest of their set list.


Favorite Track: "Rebecca"



Pirish Records



Murderland is probably the most underrated pop punk band right now. The fact that Splitsville was not hailed as one of the best pop punk releases of the year shows that, which is a shame. They are easily on par with bands like Masked Intruder, Bad Cop/Bad Cop, Teenage Bottlerocket, etc. and yet they don't get the attention that they deserve. Well I'm do my part to do so. The band's live show is incredibly fun and they shred on stage and in the studio…no other way to put it.


Favorite Track: "Another Homicide"



One Week Records



See now this how an acoustic album from a punk artist should be like. Zach Quinn did record acoustic versions of PEARS songs. Instead he went the completely opposite route here and gave us something that a lot of PEARS fans and haters did not expect. This album is filled with beautiful songs with ton of peaks and valleys and wonderful melodies. The fact that Quinn is able to transition so easily between PEARS-type song writing and solo acoustic song writing shows just how talented of a musician he truly is.


Favorite Track: ”Infinite Sigh"



Tankcrimes / Pirate's Press



I'll be honest I'm late on Kicker, but I am so glad that I gave them a chance this time around. Rendered Obsolete is what punk rock should be ' mean, gritty, obnoxious (in a good way), and full of metaphorical middle fingers. They are a great throwback to early UK punk rock with an updated edge. The 'in-your-face-ness' of this album is staggeringly high and I love it.


Favorite Track: ”Full English"





Pup's self-titled debut was an amazing surprise. At least from the stand point of being American, they seemed to have come out of nowhere. The Dream Is Over continues their fantastic ability to mix indie and punk rock together. There's a ton of power in songs like “DVP” and “My Life Is Over And I Couldn't Be Happier,” while cooling it all off with calmer songs like “Pine Point.”For their sophomore album Pup did not disappoint whatsoever. I had no doubt in their abilities for this follow up at all.


Favorite Track: "DVP"





When NOFX announced that they were announcing a new album I was moderately interested. More cautiously curious than anything. Then “Six Years On Dope” was released. That is when I was incredibly stoked about it. The lyrics are funny, clever, interesting and at the same time very personal and quite dark at times. It has to be one of the most diverse NOFX albums to date in that respect. NOFX have proven yet again that they are a punk band that can keep it fresh even after being a band for over thirty years.


Favorite Track: “Six Years On Dope"





Here's another band that waited about a decade to release a new full-length. I really wasn't sure what to make of it when the singles started being released online before it came out. It sounded so much different compared to Unicornography. I found myself listening to it quite often and it quickly grew into one of my favorite albums of the year. If Brendan Kelly is involved ' I'll be on board. That scratchy voice of his is super unique for a lead vocalist. Songs like “Hasselhoff Cheeseburger.” “You Dumb Dildos,” “The Fighter, The Rube, The Asshole,” and “War Of Colossus” are so catchy and the lyrics, when they aren't funny I found really interesting.


Favorite Track: “Hasselhoff Cheeseburger"



We heard rumblings about this late last year and it all came true! After ten years the Descendents have come out with an album that exemplifies why they are so great writing pop punk albums. 'Victim Of Me' might just be my favorite song of there's and 'No Fat Burger' is a funny sequel that still rocks. I had the honor of seeing them at Punk Rock Bowling this year and then later in Hollywood and both times they made faces melt. The new songs sounded so good live as did their older material. I just hope for whatever they release next won't have to wait until 2026! For 2016's Album Art Of The Year Award, I really have to give to Chris Shary. This artwork is classic Descendents with an updated edge. And the fact that the physical version glows in the dark is a very nice touch. Side note: A sincere “fuck you” to the organization that tried to lead a boycott against this record and the Descendents. Don’t you have more important things to do or are your lives that empty and meaningless?


Favorite Track:”Victim Of Me”





I called it! My very first review for Punknew was posted back in 2013 (before I was ever on the staff). It was a review of Direct Hit!'s first Southern California show and I even said in it that they really should be on Fat Wreck Chords. Three years later they have released yet another killer pop punk record. Wasted Mind has got that anger and weird lyrics that we Direct Hit! fans love them for, but this time they pushed themselves quite a bit. There is more hardcore and they included more instruments this time around. The band expanded just enough and still stuck their original aggro-pop punk sensibilities. I can't wait to see what they do next.


Favorite Track:"Do The Sick"



I had been following this band since the release of Stay Honest. Then last year they release that killer Bottoming Out 7-inch, which unfortunately I found out about too later to put on my list last year. When Brutal Youth announced Sanguine it quickly became my most anticipated release of the second half of this year. I had a gut feeling that they would really hit it out of the park with this one and once I heard “The King” I knew it was going to be awesome. Sort of like PEARS' Green Star, but in a different fashion, this album mixes and mashes hardcore punk and melodic punk together in a very balanced way that just fits together so well. It doesn't always work when bands try to do that, but Brutal Youth's ability to do so through out their discography and especially on Sanguine is a prime example of how is should be done. Truly one of Canada's and the punk scene's (in general) best. This is a band I really need to see live now.


Favorite Track:"The King"





No surprise, right? Well I really have to say that PEARS truly out did themselves with Green Star. I was so happy for them when they signed to Fat Wreck Chords, but I had no idea how they were going top Go To Prison and they absolutely did. This album is thrashy, hardcore and melodic in all the right places. I can't get enough. Every song is interesting, which keeps it fresh from front to back. “Hinge By Spine,” “Green Star,” “Cloverleaf,” “Anhedonia”… GAH! The musicianship was taken to a new hight of maturity as were the vocals. I still very much stand behind my 5 star review and I could not be happier for this band's success. They absolutely deserve the top spot on my list this year. Green Star is a phenomenal record as is every show I have seen them play.


Favorite Track:”Cloverleaf"



Two rowdy bands that never disappoint! ROCK legend The Dwarves and The Svetlanas! The Dwarves bring the classic crude and fun punk antics on this split, while the Svetlanas bring their evil and confrontational A-game. I'm pretty sure I saw The Dwarves like three or four times this year and they are always a blast. I finally had the pleasure of seeing The Svetlanas for the first time and they killed it! They totally live up to the hype.


Favorite Track:”Fucking Retard” (by Svetlanas)



Like I said in my review of this split, this was probably the most underrated and overlooked Record Store Day 2016 release. Hearing new Brokedowns material is always great and the fact that we got some extra tunes from Direct Hit! this year was fantastic. This EP is just pure pop-punk awesomeness.


Favorite Track: “Chemical Ability” (By Direct Hit!)

Total Negativity/Nervous Nelly



Inevitably every year I forget to put one release on my end of the year list. As I am writing this I'm paranoid about what I am forgetting right now. Last year I forgot to put G.L.O.S.S.'s Demo on it and boy did I regret that. This time around G.L.O.S.S. managed to keep their intensity and angry, while expanding a bit on their lyrical content. This EP is a true ripper. I had the pleasure of seeing them about a month or so before they broke up. I'm really glad I did because I did not want to regret missing them live, too.


Favorite Track:"Give Violence A Chance"





MORE DESCENDENTS?! Yes please! Sure Hypercaffium Spazzinate was a fantastic release this year, but this sister EP that came out with it definitely has some melodic punk gems on it. It should not be overshadowed by the full-length by any means. A huge plus is that etching on the B-side on the vinyl version. Very nice touch!


Favorite Track: “Thinkin’”




I'm a huge fan of Night Birds. Their last full-length Mutiny At Muscle Beach was my #2 album of the year last year and I believe it was the consensus best album of the 2015 as well ' and rightfully deserved. I was incredibly stoked to finally see them live at Punk Rock Bowling this year. This EP is a fun collector's piece for us mega fans and it is a great peek into what they sound like when they first started out and of course even back then they kicked so serious ass.


Favorite Track:"Demon Haunted World"





Two Jack Dalrymple releases in a year?! Are you kidding me?! I've been a massive fan of toyGuitar (and every thing else Jack is involved with). I credit them for expanding my musical horizon into garage punk. This EP is a fantastic follow up to In This Mess especially on the instrumentation front. That guitar solo/bridge in the title track is one of the most brilliant build ups I have ever heard.


Favorite Track: "Move Like A Ghost"

Self-Released



Every year I manage to come across one stellar new band that I like to push on the ol' Org and this year it is Natter's first release. This is 1980's SoCal hardcore done from a British perspective and it shreds! This is one of the few releases that i reviewed and then really grew on me. I found myself listening to it quite a bit. I expect great things from Natterers! Definitely keep an eye on this band.


Favorite Track:”And No Birds Sing"

Sisters In Christ



This was my top must-have item for Record Store Day 2016. Sure, it wasn't officially on the RSD list, but it did come out that day so I'll count it. This 7-inch is just a fun piece for us PEARS super fans. What I really love about this is it showcases their amazing approach to covering songs. This time they not only covered 'The Sisters In Christ Theme Song,' but they also wrote their own. Of course I want to see what more PEARS can do in the studio with original material, but their covers consistently rule i.e. “Judy Is A Punk” and “Chemical Smile” I'd love to hear them do more covers.


Favorite Track:"The Sisters In Christ Theme Song" (by PEARS)





I have been craving a new Dead To Me release for quite a while especially since Jack Dalrymple rejoined the band and this EP in no way disappointed. It's like he never left. These three songs encapsulate how great DTM is at aggressive and loud songs as well as softer songs. They completely killed it on this one. I saw them during the summer it was hands down one of the best shows I have ever been ' probably the best DIY show I have ever been to. They played a couple of these songs live and they fit into the setlist so perfectly. If this EP is anything like what we will hear on their new album American Son Of Cholo there is nothing to worry about and a ton to be excited about. If it indeed is coming out next year, it will be my most anticipated record of 2017. I'm pretty sure that "I Wanna Die In Los Angeles" is my favorite song of the year.


Favorite Track:"I Wanna Die In Los Angeles"



Buyback Records/Anxious And Angry



Ezra Kire and co. have done it yet again. I was literally speechless after listening to this EP all the way through. I couldn't believe how amazing it was. The riffs infused with piano and the stellar vocals. How this band isn't bigger is beyond me everything that they have released to me is gold wether it be the new Poets Were My Heroes (and later) material or their early ska-punk. Ezra Kire has to be one of the most talented song writers in punk today. It is off the charts. I just wish M-Glory would actually tour!


Favorite Track: “Clean The World"



5 Honorable Mentions



I saw both of these bands play a show together near the end of 2015 and was blown away. I had seen Rats In The Wall before so I would be and also anything that Brad Logan is involved with I'll absolutely be on board with. Heartless Folk though were the surprise of the night. They were really great. So when they mentioned that they were releasing this split in early 2016 at that show I was really stoked. I have to say that both bands did not disappoint at all on this record.



Favorite Track: "Manufactured Desire" (by Rats In The Wall)


Self-Released



I felt the need to have this on EP on my list somewhere not just because it rocks, but also because this was The Holy Mess's last release before they broke up this year. This was especially significant to me because I remember vividly that this was the first band I ever go into from listening to the Punknews Podcast before I was ever on the staff. Unfortunately, I never got to see them live. But again, this EP definitely is worth mentioning here and deserves a listen.



Favorite Track: "Flesh Of The Fresh, Blood Of The Dove"


Boulevard Trash



I actually met Starving Wolves’ drummer at Punk Rock Bowling this year and she asked me to check out her band. So I did. For a first release this is a pretty great start and the fact that members of Leftover Crack are featured on one of the songs is a big plus for me. This is some great crust/street punk that truly rips. I can't wait to see what they do next. Starving Wolves are a band to definitely keep an eye on.


Favorite Track: “Fuck The People” (Featuring Leftover Crack)

Not Yer Buddy Records



What a fantastic tribute to one of punk’s fallen soldiers Todd Serious. Admittedly I got into The Rebel Spell way late, but I have to say that this band could shred. They one of Canada's great contemporary punk bands. The fact that they got awesome bands like Propagandhi and Brutal Youth to record covers for this compilation shows how much respect they got in the Canadian punk scene. Whether the band decides to continue or not, I think it is indisputable that they definitely left their mark on the scene.



Favorite Track: "I Am A Rifle" (Cover By Propagandhi)




I think a lot of people had the same reaction to this when the story was posted: 'Wait, what the fuck?' Then they listened to it and were taken aback by how great this cover was. Leftover Crack and Men At Work do not seem like a very likely pairing and yet this track exists. I wasn't sure exactly sure where to put this on my list since it was only available to stream via SoundCloud. So I though making it my number one honorable mention would best suit it. This was one of my favorite stories of the year because it was so unexpected and really great. They changed it up just enough to let you know that it was a Leftover Crack cover, but still kept the majority of the important emends from the original.


Favorite Track: "Down Under" (Men At Work Cover)

Top 15 Shows That I Attended In 2016:



So by the end of 2016 I will have been to 35 punk shows. Some were fantastic DIY shows, some were huge festivals, and some were in medium-sized venues. Here are my top 15 that I went to this year.




15. Pup/Rozwell Kid - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA - June 10, 2016


14. Murderland/ Bad Cop/Bad Cop/Shell Corporation/ (Murderland's Record Release Show) - The Redwood Bard & Grill - Los Angeles, CA - March 6, 2016


Related: Review


13. Dwarves/Bad Cop/Bad Cop - Alex’s Bar - Long Beach, CA - March 17, 2016


12. The Falcon/The Copyrights/Sam Russo/Mikey Erg - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA - July 16, 2016


11. The Suicide Machines/Left Alone/Noise Complaint - Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA - October 27, 2016


Related: Review


10. A Wilhelm Scream/Implants/Heart Sounds - Los Globos - Los Angeles, CA - May 7, 2016


9. The World/Inferno Friendship Society/Culture Shock - Los Globos - Los Angeles, CA - July 23, 2016


8. Descendents/Modern Baseball/Sharp Shock - Hollywood Palladium - Los Angeles, CA - October 1, 2016


7. NOFX/Direct Hit!/Mean Jeans/Bad Cop/Bad Cop - The Belasco Theater - Los Angeles, CA - April 16, 2016


Related: Review


6. Ye Scallywag! Festival (NOFX, Bad Religion, Goldfinger, Against Me!, Reel Big Fish, Wakrat & The Bombpops) - Waterfront Park - San Diego, CA - October 22, 2016


5. PEARS/Direct Hit!/DFMK - VLHS - Pomona, CA - August 19, 2016


4. Leftover Crack/Homesick Abortions (Secret/Free Record Store Show) - Vinyl Solution - Huntington Beach, CA - April 10, 2016


Related: Review


3.Choking Victim/Naked Aggression/Rats In The Wall/Psyk Ward - The Observatory - Santa Ana, CA - November 13, 2016


2. Dead To Me/The Deathless (Free Show) - 2nd Annual Refuge Recovery Conference At Against The Stream Buddhist Meditation Society - Los Angeles, CA - June 25, 2016


Related: Review


1. Punk Rock Bowling 2016 (Club Shows Included) - Downtown Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV - May 26 - May 30, 2016