20 years of dreaming and scheming • chorus.fm

Starting a record label is not for the faint of heart. So much can go wrong very quickly if you don’t have the right people around you to help it thrive. Luckily, Red Scare Industries isn’t in that category of failing labels they’re now celebrating 20 years of dreaming and schemingthe cool new compilation with important artists like The Menzingers, Laura Jane Grace, Sludgeworth, Heart & Lung, No Trigger and many more great bands on this 17 track CD. Red Scare Industries has reliably introduced fans near and far to bands they believe are worth their time, who deliver killer live shows and have the musical chops that will have you reaching for the replay button. While some compilations of various artists are good for discovering a new band every now and then, this particular collection of songs feels like a punk rock party that’s sure to make you wonder how Red Scare did it.

The compilation begins with fast punk rock from bands like The Falcon and Won’t Stay Dead, who achieve their intended goals with “Book of Dead Names” and “Ex Machina” respectively. Cobra Skulls get into a great guitar driven groove on “You Know I Know” that reminds me of classic Social Distortion paired with Bayside’s vocals. “Dead to Me” follows this track with the quaint narrative in “Don’t Be Mad,” while Nothington hits just the right tone in “Aware,” perfect for fans of Allister and The Explosion.

The compilation’s middle section never loses momentum with Heart & Lung’s sweet punk stylings on “Big Yikes,” which label owner Toby Jeg introduced to me with a charming email and plenty of trademark humor to make sure I would love it venture with the band. No Trigger is another one of those bands that grabs you by the throat with their energetic performance on “Super Beef” and won’t let go. The moody atmosphere of Sam Russo’s heartfelt ballad “One Foot in the Grave,” which showcases his vulnerable lyrics and gift as a songwriter, takes a brief pause. When the song reaches its climax, you’re just screaming for more punk rock energy.

Good Friend delivers punk rock with “Bonzo Goes To Breakfast,” while arguably the most notable name on the record, Laura Jane Grace, follows with a blistering guitar jam in “Baby, Baby.” Laura dominates the song throughout with robust vocals and the appropriate cool riffing. Sludgeworth is another band that makes the most of this celebratory compilation, with standout late work like “Overpromised” rocking like the classic Home Grown paired with Gob. The Brokedowns’ fast-paced punk rock found on “Cool Ranch” is a fun mosh pit anthem, while The Bollweevils’ “DNR” features great drumming coupled with back-and-forth vocals in a crowd-favorite rock tune. The Lippies lead the way with an opening cheer of “Host Bodies,” rocking as if Joan Jett’s next performance paired The Donnas’ pop sensibilities.

The closing trio of “Traffic Haze” by Elway paired with the song I was most looking forward to, “Second City” by The Menzingers, makes the journey through the compilation worthwhile, while “Heaven (All Of It)” by The Holy Mess leaves the right taste in the listener’s mouth with an energetic explosion of music that is sure to stay with you long after the last note has been played. Red Scare Industries was involved in many of these bands’ successes in one way or another, and while this celebratory compilation highlights the key connections along the way, the music included here makes the label’s next 20 years seem like a very strong possibility. Red Scare’s future is bright and they won’t stop until they make you fall in love with one (or more) of their bands on their label.