Rizchex’s things that surprised me this year: “Not Really Best of 2024”

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As I say every year, rankings are subjective and who cares what I liked, so instead here is a list of music things that I was unexpectedly impressed with this past year.

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LIVE SHOWS

I got to see The Linda Lindas twice in 2024, once as a headliner at a small club, and once opening up for Green Day at a larger Pavilion, both times they killed it. I knew they would be good, but I didn’t expect a band that young both in band age and human age, to be that good. I already have tickets to see them in DC in April and good thing I do, as it is sold out, because the word must have gotten out how good they are live.

On the opposite spectrum, Green Day sounded fantastic live and played almost non-stop for about 2 hours and 20 minutes, not bad for a 37-year-old band and bunch of old dudes in their 50’s.

One of my favorite live shows I saw this past year was The Interrupters, but that was really no surprise as this was my third time seeing them live. But what was a bit unexpected was even though I had seen them live seven months earlier, their show still felt fresh and different from the previous concert. It has to be hard to play so many live shows and not just repeat the same act over and over, it’s why I already can’t wait until the next time they tour near me.

RECORDS

Omingone – Feral

Hardcore ska-punk is not always my thing, but this album is one that I have enjoyed on multiple listens. There is not one bad track on this record.

The Last Gang – Obscene Daydreams

I hadn’t paid much attention to The Last Gang in the past and I may have thought some of the songs on this album were covers as they have the same name as some good tunes from the 80’s. It turns out they are not covers, but luckily every song rips on this release and I am very glad I checked it out.

The Lookout – I Know the Future

Another band I didn’t know much about, but after listening to this record, I felt like I have been missing out on some greatness. If you don’t know them, they are a female fronted punk rock band from Montreal, Canada that to me sound like The Distillers, The Venomous Pinks, and Joan Jett. It has a slightly more rock-n-roll feel, but I am into it.

Mean Jeans – Blasted

This is a band that I have know about for years and liked their music, but I just never really got into them. This album changed that for me, the lyrics are super witty and catchy, and the music is full of energy. There is even a Taco Bell song.

SONGS

Bridget “Throw Me In The Pit” – Yes technically this song was originally released in 2023, but it also was included on the Loud Women Volume 6 comp that was released in August of 2024, which is where I first heard this track. Hands down, this is the best new song I discovered this past year, it is fantastic, song of the year material.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes “Good 4 You” – When I was checking out their new live album iBlow it…Live at Madison’s Quincenara! and heard this song, I knew of course it was a cover, but I had never heard the original version, or anything by Olivia Rodrigo. After listening to the original, I can say I am a fan of this song, I almost like Olivia’s original better, which is not normally in my wheelhouse.

The Linda Lindas “Yo Me Estreso” – Bela Salazar is a fan of Spanish language songs and this is not the band’s first song sung in Spanish, so that part was no surprise. This track has a more mature and less fun tone, the lyrics translate into a song about being anxious and stress and finding moments of clarity. The song also features an accordion and has a circus like sound, but it’s who’s playing that accordion that was the big surprise for me.  

FILM

This is New Tone – By no means did I not expect this to be good. But I was surprised how well it was put together and how Bad Time Records laid out a plan with a set budget and seemed to meet all their target dates and get it released, with bonus footage, when they said they would. Unusually with projects like this there always are delays and dates get pushed back or it never gets finished. The end result was a great film about the Bad Time Records tour, with tons of behind-the-scenes footage. I recommend it if you are into any of the Bad Time artists.  

Big thanks to every one of you that supports TGEFM and all types of ska and punk music and let me know if you had any pleasant surprises with any new music, concerts, or songs. This will be my last post of the year, but please come back on New Year’s Day to read my December Drive By Reviews, it’s a great hangover cure!