Folk-punk recommendations
March 8, 2018 1:44 PM

I really like the new Titus Andronicus album ("A Productive Cough"), which I can best describe as "Folk-punk" or maybe "backyard punk hoedown". What else would I like along these lines?

The Pogues are the only band I can think of off the top of my head. Springsteen's Seger Sessions isn't punky, but I definitely like it for the same reason (rocky takes on folk songs, folky takes on rock songs). Obviously late 60s Dylan is the granddady of this genre.

I like bands like Mumford & Sons (clappy-stompy folk revival types) well enough, but I think I'm looking for something with a bit more of an edge.

I'm definitely not looking for punk-goes-acoustic gimmicky stuff.

Thanks!
posted by no regrets, coyote to Media & Arts (29 answers total) 26 users marked this as a favorite
I don't have time to formulate a great answer, but you could start in a far worse place than Mischief Brew.
posted by General Malaise at 1:47 PM on March 8, 2018


Oh, and early Against Me! (Reinventing Axl Rose and As the Eternal Cowboy).
posted by General Malaise at 1:48 PM on March 8, 2018


I think maybe you are going to like Frank Turner.
posted by Medieval Maven at 1:50 PM on March 8, 2018


Billy Bragg
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:50 PM on March 8, 2018


Oh and Billy Bragg.

Okay I really need to get back to work
posted by General Malaise at 1:50 PM on March 8, 2018


Also maybe The Menzingers?
posted by Medieval Maven at 1:51 PM on March 8, 2018


Okay one more: Erica Freas.
posted by General Malaise at 1:52 PM on March 8, 2018


I would check out Ghost Mice, Ramshackle Glory, and Defiance, Ohio.
posted by Ragged Richard at 2:15 PM on March 8, 2018


Nice! Are you going to see Titus Andronicus on their current acoustic tour? I was just thinking about buying tickets for the Los Angeles show.

I agree with the recommendations for the first few Against Me! albums and Billy Bragg wholeheartedly. There's an album by the singer/songwriter from Against Me! that you need to get, but it's released under her pre-transition name, Tom Gabel. Get that, too.

I'd also add Days N Daze, Rail Yard Ghosts and most especially Blackbird Raum for really raw stuff.

For more crafted and sentimental stuff that's more on the electrified but folk/rock-influenced side - what I'd describe as "dad punk," The Gaslight Anthem has been described as punk rock's answer to Springsteen. Their lead singer, Brian Fallon has a couple of decent solo albums out. Also, I adore Dave Hause. His band, The Loved Ones, were another Springsteen-influenced punk band, but his solo stuff reminds me of Jackson Browne.
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:18 PM on March 8, 2018


Gogol Bordello not sure if it's what you're looking for, but it's extremely folk punk.
posted by so fucking future at 2:24 PM on March 8, 2018




The Zydepunks.
posted by CheeseLouise at 3:00 PM on March 8, 2018


Gogol Bordello not sure if it's what you're looking for, but it's extremely folk punk.

I'm not sure if it's what I was looking for either, but it makes me extremely glad I asked this question.

Thanks everyone, these are all great! I can't believe I forgot about Billy Bragg/Mermaid Avenue when I was brainstorming this.
posted by no regrets, coyote at 3:55 PM on March 8, 2018




Some more, now that I'm not trying to meet a deadline:

Chuck Ragan (the lead singer of Hot Water Music)
Tim Barry
The Gaslight Anthem
Andrew Jackson Jihad (I think they're now AJJ)
Defiance, Ohio (as mentioned above)
Bread & Roses
Craig Finn (lead singer of the Hold Steady)
Blackbird Raum

And, while a stretch, you'd probably be into the Replacements.
posted by General Malaise at 4:03 PM on March 8, 2018


Camper Van Beethoven perhaps.
posted by coevals at 4:04 PM on March 8, 2018


Oh, crap, and Nathan Moore (the American, not the Englishman)
posted by General Malaise at 4:05 PM on March 8, 2018


The Boggs!
posted by Jellybean_Slybun at 4:27 PM on March 8, 2018


This Sleater-Kinney song
posted by Chenko at 4:32 PM on March 8, 2018


Well General Malaise has gotten here first I see.
The most obvious stuff has been covered (even Ghost Mice!).

But I'll throw a few more in from left field.

Sincere Engineer is currently on repeat for me.... 1K Rats

Waxahatchee is really important right now, and I think the American Weekend release will be a good match for you. Katie breaks your heart with Grass Stain

What about Trampled By Turtles? Wait So Long


And a million tiny bands, one probably playing in the next three days near your house, earnest and drunk. Go see them this weekend and leave your heart on the floor with everyone else.
posted by littlewater at 5:09 PM on March 8, 2018


[waves at littlewater]

Also littlewater's recommendations are (unsurprisingly) great.
posted by General Malaise at 5:25 PM on March 8, 2018


I'm getting pretty good The Men They Couldn't Hang vibe from them.
posted by Candleman at 5:27 PM on March 8, 2018


My friend's band, Ghost Town Gospel. AJJ aka Andrew Jackson Jihad. Thee Hobo Gobbelins. Seconding Mischief Brew. My Pizza My World.
posted by sacrifix at 5:51 PM on March 8, 2018


If you like Gogo Bordello, Franz Nicolay put out some interesting solo stuff after he left The Hold Steady
posted by littlewater at 6:13 PM on March 8, 2018


I don’t know if they have had any new albums in a while, but The Bad Livers is a favorite of mine.
posted by Slothrop at 6:35 PM on March 8, 2018


Since you mention The Pogues I assume you know Flogging Molly & The Devil Makes Three, but in case you don’t: Flogging Molly and The Devil Makes Three.
posted by Tentacle of Trust at 7:16 PM on March 8, 2018


Levellers

New Model Army
posted by parm at 2:15 AM on March 9, 2018


Do you already know Ted Leo? If not you should. I see Titus Andronicus toured with him some years ago. Here for instance is a punk-adjacent treatment of an Irish folk tale which fuckin bangs imo.
posted by clavicle at 6:22 AM on March 9, 2018


Skinny Lister
posted by Majorita at 8:03 PM on March 30, 2018


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