FAVORITE RECORDINGS - PUNK AND SKA

I listen to punk and ska music 75% of the time. Here are a few selections NOT to be overlooked!
	LARS FREDERIKSEN AND THE BASTARDS Viking 2004 Epitaph
	Lars is the guitarist for RANCID - this is his side project. The VIKING CD grabs you by the balls and never lets go! It just ROCKS, baby! One of the best punk CD's to come out in a LONG time. Their first disc is good, too - but this particular CD has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it. Great for getting an adreneline rush!
	BILLY TALENT Billy Talent 2003 Atlantic
	Personally I think BILLY TALENT is the greatest rock band in the world right now. This CD and the follow up BILLY TALENT II are two albums I can listen to over and over without ever getting sick of. Great songwriting and production. Just an AWESOME band all the way around. If you're unfamiliar with Billy Talent and like punk - you HAVE to check this band out!
	GOLDFINGER Stomping Ground 2000 Mojo
	This disc is produced so well it's almost hard to call "punk", but it definitely ROCKS with punk abandon! Their other recordings are good also but this disc really stands out above the rest to me. GREAT songwriting, production and killer grooves! The bass sounds kick ass on this CD as well. Tons o' energy, GREAT guitar sounds! YEAH!
	THE AQUABATS Fury of the Aquabats 1997 BMG/Time Bomb
	Oh, YEAH! This album ROCKS! GREAT songs! Well produced and arranged, funny, upbeat - this is a classic NOT to be missed! I like all the Aquabats stuff, but this is the crown jewel of their collection! ANOTHER all-time fav!
	MR. T EXPERIENCE Revenge Is Sweet and So Are You 1997 Lookout
	The Mr. T Experience is another one of my favorite punk bands - I like the wryness of Dr. Frank's songwriting. Just good old-fashioned fun rock and roll! Lotta energy, good hooks, cool grooves - I like 'em, I really do. Their whole catalog is worth checking out, my favs are this disc and their 1996 release LOVE IS DEAD.
	RANCID And Out Come The Wolves 1995 Epitaph
	My favorite album by the current kings of punk (in my book): RANCID. They remind me a lot of the Clash, but I like this album more than anything the Clash ever did. TONS of energy, GREAT bass lines & tone (ala Matt Freeman) & great songwriting make this a disc worth checking out!
	REZILLOS Can't Stand The Rezillos 1978 Sire
	I view the Pistols and the Ramones as the Beatles and Stones of punk, so they get billing over this disc. But "Can't Stand The Rezillos" is one of my favorite discs of all-time. Some of the BEST rock bass playing ever can be heard on this disc! GREAT songs, & the production (Bob Clearmountain - if he EVER produced a bad album I haven't heard it) kicks ass as well! HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!
	RAMONES Road To Ruin 1978 Sire
	My favorite album by the American alternative to the Pistols - THE RAMONES. They have many great albums besides this one, I would consider their debut album RAMONES and ROCKET TO RUSSIA classics as well. Apparently they are all only available as imports now, too bad - all three are excellent. The Ramones are/were the LOUDEST band I ever saw live. TOTAL energy - GREAT band!
	RICHARD HELL AND THE VOIDOIDS Blank Generation 1977 Sire
	Another one of my favorite albums of ALL-time! Richard Hell was one of the best bassists & songwriters of this period and genre. Sire Records had SO many great artists! This album also introduced me to the guitar playing of Robert Quine - VERY interesting and unique player! A classic, not to be missed!
	SEX PISTOLS Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols 1977 Warner Brothers
	A GREAT album - definitely a rock CLASSIC! Every musician should listen to this album until they "get it". It's pure rock & roll - young, loud & snotty. Great songs, energy and feeling. I still listen to this record a LOT - Sid Vicious & Johnny Rotten are punk icons. The album that pretty much started it all!