Best Old-School Punk Band

In just over a year’s time, the Hanging Judge laid the foundation for a no-nonsense punk charge that made a bold first stand with 2017’s Hang ‘Em High EP. Songs like Pawns, Emergency, and Life Is War? are tight, fast, and defiantly nonpartisan when it comes to whole left-right dynamic of American politics. These guys preach the power of abiding by the old adage, “divided we fall.” To raise proletariat spirits, the Hanging Judge has spent much of the last year sharing stages with legendary punk bands GBH, U.S. Bombs, and the Queers, riffing on the power of independent thought, and rising above the divisive tone of the times. (Photo by Tiffany Avera) less...

The street punk stalwarts in ANTAGONIZERS ATL aren’t chasing trends. Not in Atlanta, at least. Working-class punk rock went out of style here right as the garage-punk boom took hold in the early aughts. Fortunately, those who really felt it then, such as longtime Atlanta musicians Richard Henderson (guitar), Eric Antell (drums), and Billy Fields (bass) never lost their zeal for old-school punk. That’s why all three got the call in 2012 for singer Bohdan Zacharyj’s local relaunch of Antagonizers, a band he originally founded in North Carolina. The band’s universal messages of self-reliance and self-respect continues impressing the old guard and winning over new fans, both here and on the road with famous tourmates the Queers and Gang Green. The May release of the band’s debut full-length, Working Class Street Punk (Pirates Press), unleashed the band’s catchy, tough, and memorable songs that are ripe for circle pit sing-alongs. www.antagonizersatl.com. less...