Fat Wreck Chords

Fat bands Lillingtons, Western Addiction & Good Riddance list their top LPs of 2017

Fat Wreck Chords

Long-running punk label Fat Wreck Chords had another killer year, which included the first album in 11 years by The Lillingtons and the first album in 12 years by Western Addiction, worthy albums from newer bands like The Bombpops and Bad Cop/Bad Cop, and more. Now that the year is coming to a close, we asked some Fat bands what their favorite albums of 2017 were, and we got lists from The Lillingtons, Western Addiction, and Good Riddance (whose 2015 LP Peace In Our Time was their first in nine years). Check out all three of those lists below. Western Addiction’s Jason Hall included commentary, a Spotify playlist, and a bunch of honorable mentions with his.

The Lillingtons also recently announced a tour, including a few shows with Western Addiction. All dates are listed below.

Good Riddance also have dates coming up, including a Vegas show on New Year’s Eve with Pennywise and Strung Out (dates listed below). Speaking of Fat Wreck Chords and Vegas, label head Fat Mike’s band NOFX are playing the 20th annual Punk Rock Bowling in Vegas in May.

Kody Templeman’s (The Lillingtons) Top 10 Albums of 2017
10) Iron Chic- You Can’t Stay Here
9) Acrimonious- Eleven Dragons
8) Degial- Predator Reign
7) Stalker- Shadow of the Sword
6) Dool- Here Now, There Then
5) Night Demon- Darkness Remains
4) Gold- The Optimist
3) Hybrids- When Its Over
2) Cloak- To Venomous Depths
1) Grave Pleasures- Motherblood

Russ Rankin’s (Good Riddance) Top 10 Albums of 2017
The Killers “Wonderful Wonderful”
The National “Sleep Well Beast”
Iron Chic “You Can’t Stay Here”
London Grammar “Truth Is A Beautiful Thing”
Bleachers “Gone Now”
Flogging Molly “Life Is Good”
Western Addiction “Tremulous”
Old 97s “Graveyard Whistling”
The Menzingers “After The Party”
Dropkick Murphys “11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory”

Jason Hall’s (Western Addiction) Top 10 LPs of 2017

Alvvays – Antisocialites
This band knows how to write incredible songs. Songs with great structure and wonderful vocal melodies. It’s only their second album and they just keep getting better and better. I love the singer’s vocal range and I can tell they are friends, or close cousins, to punks.

Calques – Civilizing
I’ve always liked metal but now I think I really have a handle on the nuances of black metal, death metal, grind-core, etc. and can tell when something is substantial. I’m definitely in the black metal camp and drawn most to bands that have close punk, hardcore or rock n’ roll influences. I love this EP. It reminds me of Ministry but less electronic and more black crust. They are from Alabama and I feel the complete desperation that makes music great. The solo in the middle of Galvanization is utterly terrifying. I can’t wait for their next release.

Cayetana – New Kind of Normal
I love their cover of New Order’s Age of Consent so I was really looking forward to this release. The singer’s voice is just so pleasant and the bass playing interjects this awesome countermelody to the songs. I would love to see them tour with Angel Olsen and Alvvays. It’s very heartfelt and I feel they care and have lived the songs.

Cloak – To Venomous Depths
I’m a sucker for big rock and roll riffs. I think this is technically black n’ roll but it feels like From Ashes Rise but more on the black metal side with giant rock riffs on top. No disrespect, just an observation, but they have an 80s rocker look which totally works. The solo near the end of “Beyond the Veil” is just epic. They deserve to get big.

Dan Auerbach – Waiting on a Song
Dan Auerbach is a professional musician who writes professional songs. The title track, “Waiting on a Song” is as perfect as it gets and it’s a song about writer’s block. I know that John Prine co-wrote it but Auerbach is a master craftsman. Very reminiscent of Tom petty at times, which is totally awesome.

The Jesus and Mary Chain – Damage and Joy
One of my all time favorite bands and for not having made a record since 1998, they did an excellent job. Their duets are undeniable. Great rock songs drenched in reverb and feedback.

Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked at Me
This record is truly incredible in terms of being a document of raw, unvarnished grief. The singer’s wife passed, and he’s a father. The first time I heard it, I felt like crying several times because it was just so real. Absolutely heartbreaking but I applaud his bravery. If you aren’t sure if your lyrics are powerful enough, listen to this, and start over.

Old 97’s – Graveyard Whistling
Rhett Miller is one of the most underrated songwriters of all time. The world doesn’t make sense to me, at all, and I’m constantly baffled why this band isn’t huge. An actual troubadour and historian of perfect song-craft. A great live band too.

Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
Every metal publication that doesn’t have this as the number one record of 2017 might be missing something. They keep getting bigger, keep getting on great tours and time will prove that this is a great record. They are still a young band and when they master the gallantry and pomp of the live show (they are flawless, musically) and make a conscious decision to make the black album (Metallica), they will be at the top of metal. If you’ve never seen or heard them, play Executioner’s Tax and your body will have no choice but move.

Queens of the Stone Age – Villains
Despite recent headlines, which are quite disappointing, I think this band is very, very special and people will truly understand them when it’s too late. Based on early talk, I thought this was going to be a dance record and frankly, I’d have been comfortable with that because you can tell they have no fear. The first single was fantastic and I can feel the big band influence throughout. They’re up for a Grammy. They deserve it.

Honorable mentions: Angel Olsen, The Bronx, Career Suicide, Chuck Berry, Conor Oberst, Couch Slut, Diet Cig, Exit Order, Gouge Away, Jade Jackson, Justin Townes Earle, Paul Simon, Racquet Club, Sheer Mag, Succumb, Waxahatchee, White Reaper, Wilderness Dreams, Wormwitch

The Lillingtons — 2018 Tour Dates
01/18/18 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
01/19/18 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
01/21/18 Dallas, TX Three Links
01/22/18 Austin, TX The Sidewinder
01/23/18 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall
01/24/18 San Antonio, TX Paper Tiger
01/25/18 McAllen, TX Cine El Ray
01/27/18 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad
01/28/18 Phoenix, AZ Rebel Lounge
01/29/18 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
01/31/18 West Hollywood, CA Viper Room w/ The Last Gang
02/01/18 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill w/ Western Addiction
02/02/18 Sacramento, CA Old Ironsides w/ Western Addiction
02/03/18 Las Vegas, NV The Beauty Bar
02/04/18 Salt Lake City, UT The Urban Lounge
08/02/18 Blackpool, UK Rebellion Festival
08/04/18 Duffel, Belgium Brakrock Ecofest

Good Riddance — 2017/2018 Tour Dates
12/31/17 Las Vegas, NV House Of Blues w/ Pennywise, Strung Out
01/24/18 Salt Lake City, UT Metro Music Hall
01/25/18 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
02/23/18 Edmonton, AB Canada The Forge On Whyte w/ A Vulture Wake
02/24/18 Calgary, AB Canada Dickens w/ A Vulture Wake
02/25/18 Banff, AB Canada Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon