Artists

In an era when so many bands are either playing classic rock covers as the house band in some bar or struggling to prove how much more “indie” they can be than the next guy, it’s nice to know that there’s another option.

The International Jet Set is comprised of former members of blues-rock, alt. country, modern rock and punk bands, as well as seasoned ska musicians, and the result is a sound that is unique in this area. Taking inspiration from sources as obvious as The Clash and the Specials and as veiled as the Replacements and Rush, the band’s focus is on creating music that is both true to the ska genre and original enough to be worth doing.

Guitarist Cody Finkner, guitarist/saxophonist Jon Beasley, and bassist Dan Van Skiver take turns with lead vocals while drummer Chris Beasley keeps the songs solid and the horn section of Mike Johnson (trumpet), Amanda Aller (trombone), and Nick Johnson (saxophone) add a refreshing new dimension not usually heard in local music.

The Smizokes have brought their catalog of 2 studio albums and 3 live recordings to Procrastination Records for rerelease. All of this will be happening over the next few months as well as a possible return to the stage. Visit their myspace for more info about The Smizokes.

The Smizokes

The International Jet Set

Out Of The Machinery

Out Of The Machinery was the catalyst for the label name Procrastination Records with it’s 7 year creation period. Hopefully there will be another release within 5.

Press Black is a three piece punk rock band from Easton Maryland. The band formed in August 2006 with the intention of making challenging, interesting punk rock by eliminating conventional song structure and cliche’s that the genre continuously waters itself down with, but making the songs listenable at the same time. Members include Ben Tucker on bass, guitar and vocals, Cody Finkner on guitar, bass and vocals, and Willis Kurtz on Drums.

The three members of the group draw from a variety of different influences such as Rudimentary Peni, Nomeansno, Choking Victim, Slayer, The Pixies, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, NOFX, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Wu-Tang Clan, Bad Brains and Led Zeppelin. All three members are also well rounded musicians as Willis previously played in a grunge/thrash band, Ben has played everything from surf to funk, and Cody started off playing in a bluegrass band with his father. Nothing is considered musically out of bounds in Press Black.

Throughout 2006 and 2007 the band recorded two singles, “Only the Strong Survive, Be Fruitful and Divide” and “Nacirema.” The two singles would later be featured on the bands self-titled full length debut. The album was recorded for absolutely free by Shea Springer, and is a testament to the DIY aesthetic. The Artwork was provided by close friends who are very like-minded in their respective crafts. The response from the album has been highly positive so far and a new split with the World Class Defects (Greensboro MD.) is in the works for a release on Procrastination Records.

www.myspace.com/pressblack Pressblack@hotmail.com

The Mob Warehouse Band hailing from DC. “We make art and noise in a old brick building in NorthEast called the Mob Warehouse.

So here we are, a three piece. Trading instruments around, yelling into cheap microphones, and banging on stuff.”

Slop punk blues at it’s best.

The Mob Warehouse Band

Press Black

Formed in early 2005, The John Hardy Boys are a three piece that combine dirty garage rock and greasy blues. The result falls somewhere between The Sonics and The Gun Club. Some influences include Mississippi Fred McDowell, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Canned Heat, MC5, The Gun Club and a lot more. You can usually find them playing all over Baltimore with their good friends and bands in their top friends on myspace. Come out and see them, Bring your appetite and a sweat rag. Best guitar, sax, and drums trio in the city.