Best Band to Turn Up and Drown Out Current National Politics

No, nobody should ignore the sinking ship that is the Trump presidency. But sometimes coming up for air, in the form of catchy protest pop (post-)punk, is what’s needed to continue forging ahead. That’s where ART SCHOOL JOCKS come in. With a well-crafted eponymous EP released in June via Father/Daughter Records, the foursome of scene veterans combines various influences (post-punk, Britpop, emo) with socially aware lyrics. Hit ‘Just a Gwen, which garnered the group national attention via NPR, Stereogum and Mother Jones, explores and denounces the dark irony of victim-blaming culture Ñ don’t dress that way, watch your drink Ñ around sexual harassment and assault. This music is the perfect salve for these hard times. www.artschooljocks.com.

photo by: Joeff Davis

It’s a tie: PYLON and LOVE TRACTOR, two of Athens’ most influential ’80s new-wave bands, returned to dynamic duty this year following lengthy periods of inactivity. Both groups have an impressive canon of material, with their most enduring works released through Atlanta’s DB Recs. Pylon, created in 1979, stick to the old-school Athens adage: “If one of us leaves, it’s not the same band anymore,” and has the distinction of being the only Classic City act from the “golden age” to feature all of its original members. Formed in the ’80s, Love Tractor now consists of founding singer/guitarist Mike Richmond and a gang of relatively new recruits heard on its recently released Black Hole album. Welcome back, folks, we missed you!
www.wearepylon.com.