Ten Underrated Razor & Tie Records Albums That Would Make the Perfect Father’s Day Gift If You Actually Still Talked to Your Dad

Razor & Tie Records might not be currently active, but it will always cut our life into pieces. The violent-only-in-its-name label (they’re a bunch of sweeties) put out huge releases for Starset, The Pretty Reckless, All That Remains, and various other bands, so it deserves a long slow clap. Still, this piece is NOT about those acts though as we attempt to rank the top ten most underrated R&T LPs in alphabetical order below. Some of these bands are favorites from the peanut gallery known as life, but the specific studio albums referenced just didn’t take off for one reason or 666 others. Go outside and yell at the black hole, not red rising sun; won’t ya come?

Chiodos “Devil” (2014)

From East to Andrew West, it’s a Gitter of a good time listening to Chiodos’ comeback record with formerly ousted vocalist/“Autobiography” superfan! “Devil” is a pretty no frills effort that successfully spits out the fat from previous releases but seemingly fell on deaf ears upon release. Perhaps it was because it was yet another shift in the band’s sound from Brandon Bolmer’s lone and also underrated LP “Illuminaudio” or perhaps Warped Tour fans moved onto more traditional metalcore acts like We Came As Romans and I Left With Greeks. Whatever, and ever, a man, man? Ole fishlips is dead now? But Craigery is back! Maybe they’re alive under your pillow? All’s well that ends well! Regardless, you’re looking for a tornado, and it’s an extremely expensive conversation involving Behvis the Butt-Head, and a Bullock not named Sandra. We’re talking about practice?

Failure Anthem “First World Problems” (2016)

You’re more than a failure anthem for our dying day because you, and only you, are responsible for this non-first world problem not taking flight into the aggressive music world and bombing bushes. Greensboro, North Carolina is mostly known for being difficult to pronounce but Failure Anthem isn’t, and they even shout out a Georgia city that allows public alcohol consumption; Savannah is a freaking weird spot. We wish that the fools at active rock radio took a leap of faith and promoted FA, but sadly their songs were relegated to random dweebs’ “college” radio shows that aired at 3 a.m. for NO ONE, not even the DJ’s best lack of friends. Maybe the album didn’t take off because the band’s lead singer spelled his first name as “Kile.”

Finch “Back To Oblivion” (2014)

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Finch’s LP “What It Is To Burn” is one of the better singing and yelling records from this century, and you’re stupid if you disagree. Anyway, its follow up full-length studio effort “Say Hello To Sunshine” was truly rad in its own special and helpful way, but it was a tad too weird and meandering for the mainstream. However, had “Back To Oblivion,” the band’s back to basics third record, been their sophomore LP instead of Sunshine we can affirm that the band would’ve been on a different path to, uh, stray from.

Red Sun Rising “THREAD” (2018)

Red Sun Rising doesn’t exist anymore, and we think that you, yes you, should frown for the rest of this uncapitalized thread. The Violent, the band’s follow up, uh, band is still around, but do yourself a favor, and blast “THREAD” till you’re no longer red (sun rising), sick in da head, playing dead, and petting Benny Two Dogs. Also, props to the band for forming in 2007, and for lasting approximately thirteen years for the Bar Mitzvah boy character on SNL’s “Weekend Update”; l’chaim, friends. The band released an EP after “THREAD” and then disbanded. Hopefully they return after Trump wins again. Evil like you? Left for dead!

Saves The Day “Daybreak” (2011)

Even though this extremely underrated STD album, even amongst their hard and softcore fanbase, should have been called “Saves The Daybreak,” we won’t fault the sexually transmitted diseases of the day, hey hey, come out and play, or the day. Command: Listen to the band’s “Paranoid Android”-esque title/opening track right now! Do it. See? Let it all go, live WITH love, stay together for the kids, hold on (can you hold on?), and put your shoulder to the wheel! We hope that the band puts out another record in this vein stat! Yeah! In the meantime, check out the band on tour later this year for their best album “Through Being Cool”! 25 years since this album graced our scene? Whoa. By the way/in closing, “Daybreak”’s “Chameleon” is the band’s most underrated song.

Sons Of Texas “Baptized In The Rio Grande” (2015)

If you like Pantera without the confederate flag but still repping TX in some way, shape or form, Sons of, wait for it, wait for it, is for you! The band mixed southern rock with dung dung dung dung heaviness, Sevendust-esque structures, a literal and/or figurative baptism, and certainly deserves your attention, namely with their debut full-length studio release, “Baptized In The Rio Grande.” Sadly the band only released one more LP and two EPs after this effort, and split up a few years ago. We hope that they bury the hatchet; aggressive rock needs a band like the offspring of Oklahoma. Fun fact: WWE announcer to end all announcers, Michael Cole, was reared, rather born and raised, from the same locale as Sons Of Texas, McAllen, Texas, a city so radical it has two capital letters in its title… Pull it and fire! Blameshift.

The Sword “Apocryphon” (2012)

Fans of Mastodon, Protest The Hero, comic books that have more than 2012 pages, and general and non-general nerds who shower way too much or way too little, may protest our heroic publication for including this successful band here, but no one can argue The Sword’s LP “Apocryphon” has both a weird title and should be heard by so many more plebs and creeps. Also, The Sword shares a lot of commonalities with some classic rock and old school metal whilst making a sound of their own that just cuts, bro. “Apocrython” was the now defunct band’s first release for Razor & Tie and was co-produced by the band and scene icon to end all scene icons, J. Robbins of both Jawbox and Burning Airlines, but not Jawbreaker and Jets To Brazil, American idiots. Seven sisters, hawks, serpents, and freaking execrators excreting must rejoice!

Wilson “Right To Rise” (2015)

Easily consisting of the best album art on this list and of all time, Wilson’s sophomore studio record “Right To Rise” should make East Lansing, Michigan proud in between Michigan State University riots that happen both when their sportsing sportsers win OR lose, at least all of your enemies think so; SAD. Also, if you’re feeling really frisky, extremely risky, soaking wet and like Jeff Goldblum, Google Wilson and marvel at their debut album’s title. Then go on I-496 and party hard with your windows down whilst satisfying both you AND me. Honestly and basically Wilson truly rocked harder than most hard rock bands in a hard way, but only lasted for one, wait for it, wait for it, more hard full-length; shut up, Beavis, huh huh. Are you guilty or already dead? Please let us know, RISE, and hang with the devil! What the hell is a Lascu anyway?

WOUNDS “Die Young” (2014)

We won’t last till we’re old as this full-length studio album is the only release on WOUNDS’ DSPs, and said Spotify page indicates that they have only 179 monthly listeners as of press time. To put things in perspective, even your cousin Debbie’s pink but not that pink Greygoose cover band has 213 monthly listeners and no label would EVER sign them; Scottsdale’s music scene sucks. WOUNDS is thankfully not from Scottsdale but may as well been from a non-1% region as far more than 1% of Warped Tour bands reached greater heights. Is this what we get? You can bet your bippy and walk a lonely/dead road! Ireland put out “The Banshees of Inisherin,” released both Becky Lynch and Finn Balor, is a dry liquor country, and birthed WOUNDS. So binge, and get in trouble for the sake of it!

Yellowcard “Lift A Sail” (2014)

Way away away from here I’ll be.

Famous Authors Ranked by Their Ability to Front a Successful Metal Band

It’s often hard to define the metal genre, it’s vast, with hundreds, if not thousands of sub-genres of which nerds debate about for hours. And that’s the dirty secret about metal, at its core it’s a genre for nerds by nerds. Often the lyrics are pulled directly from fantasy novels, or in the case of grindcore bands, medical journals. Today we rank famous authors by how good they would be fronting a metal band.

32. Bret Easton Ellis

The worst goregrind ever committed to tape.

31. Charles Dickens

Look, Dickens is the greatest novelist of the 19th century, no contest, we admit it. But there’s just no way. Even his most grim novels are full of whimsy and pluck, traits that only have a place in power metal (ew) and Dickens was way too busy coming up with weirdly apt names for his antagonists and diving Scrooge McDuck-style into that sweet sweet serialization and lecture circuit money to be bothered with tour planning or recording sessions. He’s got to make sure little Nell dies in the most absurdly melodramatic way possible at the end of “The Old Curiosity Shop,” there’s no time for this “heavy metal” nonsense.

30. John Milton

Milton can’t front a metal band; he’s too busy writing political tracts, shilling for Puritanism, and then narrowly avoiding being killed by the restored King Charles II for that whole thing where he had been an enthusiastic supporter of beheading Charles’ dad back in the 1640s. It’s too bad, because “Paradise Lost” is maybe the most metal book ever written. However, Milton does not want us to listen to metal. Milton wants us to think about sin and feel bad.

29. Jonathan Franzen

Franzen sometimes listens to folk black metal while he birdwatches, and his general “damn kids these days” view of the world is definitely compatible with elder metal performers like Gene Simmons and Glen Benton, but he’s really more of a post-punk guy, and his funeral doom bandmates are going to be really confused when he has them rehearse a song that sounds like Interpol.

28. John Bunyan

Wrote all of his best-known work in prison and was a hardline culture warrior, so the comparisons with Burzum are inevitable and will haunt his band until they break up and/or murder each other.

27. David Foster Wallace

Wallace was famously socially anxious. I mean, he went on an all-expenses-paid cruise and barely left his cabin. So definitely a bedroom recording project. It’ll start out sounding like 2nd wave black metal, because of course Wallace can basically reproduce the core sound of De Mysteriis dom Sathanas after just listening to it for an hour or two, but once that starts to feel too evil (hideous, even), he’ll shift to post-metal soundscapes. His insistence that anyone who listens to his demo must also read his heavily-footnoted artist’s statement was scorned by everyone except the members of Liturgy.

26. William Shakespeare

Shakespeare wrote a roughly equal number of comedies and tragedies, which means he’s willing to shift on a dime from the existential horrors of “Macbeth” or “King Lear” to the freewheeling zaniness of “As You Like It” or “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” In other words, he’s a Cannibal Corpse fan, and although he can’t do a decent hair-whip to save his life, he’s gonna start his band any day now.

25. Emily Brontë

Her band is really hoping the debut album’s moody cover art of misty moors and tortured lovers makes up for the narrative mess of the story, sorry, I mean music.

24. Jhumpa Lahiri

Lahiri’s characters are mostly neurotic strivers who drink good wine, go to Ivy League schools, read Gogol and Tolstoy for fun, and attend the opera. Their idea of rebelling usually involves listening to the Doors while drinking Budweiser poured over ice. Lahiri knows how to develop a dynamic character like no one’s business, but she also considers Metallica’s Black Album “too intense” and would basically be the worst metal frontwoman imaginable.

23. William Wycherley

Wycherley doesn’t take anything seriously. His most famous work, “The Country Wife,” is basically a five-act joke about impotence and adultery. Even when a character threatens to carve up his own wife’s face, it’s somehow played for laughs. Wycherley will record a demo that most reviewers will diplomatically say sounds more like hard rock than metal, then try to pivot into a stand-up comedy career, which will also go badly.

22. Ann M. Martin

Once “The Babysitters Club” became so successful that she could rest on her laurels and hire ghostwriters to crank out more installments about a group of middle school entrepreneurs in an impossibly utopian Connecticut suburb, she figured “why NOT start a thrash band?” She is still trying to learn the riff to “Hangar 18” and is starting to regret dropping five grand on a custom-made Jackson that she affectionately calls “The BSC Bruiser.”

21. John Keats

He likes to say it’s post-hardcore, but anyone who listens knows this is straight-up emo. The lyrics are impeccably written from a technical standpoint, but so self-pitying that even the guy from Dashboard Confessional thought they were “a bit much.”

20. Tom Clancy

An ungodly hybrid of the worst aspects (i.e. all aspects) of Five Finger Death Punch and Insane Clown Posse. Unsettling number of lyrical references to sniper scopes.

19. Samuel Richardson

First of all, he insists that every release has to be a quintuple LP concept album. Second, all the lyrics are from the perspective of teenage girls writing letters to each other, and then later from the perspective of a 20-something dude writing letters to his friend about how he wants to seduce one of them. The musicianship is sublime, but the lyrics are straight ick.

18. Alexander Pope

As established in his poem “An Essay on Criticism,” Pope believed that practice and finely-honed skill, not just an emotional sensibility, were the keys to good poetry, so he’s obviously now in a tech-death band that plays in time signatures no one’s ever heard of. He’s waiting to hear back from Colin Marston any day now about his band Vengeful Sylphs opening for Krallice.

17. Judy Blume

The protagonists from books like “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” clearly have a lot of adolescent angst to work out. Unfortunately, the most obvious go-to for this sort of thing is Linkin Park or Slipknot style nu-metal. Judy’s band is a JNCO-clad trainwreck that sounds like a time capsule from 2001, but she’s got this kid named Farley Drexel who absolutely wrecks ass behind the drum kit, and that honestly elevates the whole project a little.

Every Idles Album Ranked Worst to Best

IDLES is a bit of a controversial act in the post-punk scene. Some lambast them for being too preachy. Some dislike them because their political views are too “basic.” Some can’t be bothered by all of that discourse and would rather just appreciate an exciting band that actually seems interested in crafting bullet-proof soundscapes. Whatever side of the fence you fall on, we highly doubt anyone will be upset that we’re ranking their entire studio output of full-length records, so let’s get to it.

5. Crawler (2021)

While IDLES’ fourth album is certainly not devoid of ambition, much of the experimentation that defines the record struggles to stand on two legs. On the aptly titled effort, the band seems too timid to fully explore their newfound sonic ambitions and too stubborn to completely abandon their well-worn style. This results in a discontented soundscape that is only consistent in its wavering. It’s kind of like when you spent four years of college darting between majors only to land an Associate of Arts degree; it was an important experience for your overall growth, but ultimately not your most impressive asset.

Play It Again: “Car Crash”
Skip It: Yes, please

4. Ultra Mono (2020)

When crafting Ultra Mono, lead singer Joe Talbot wanted to present an overblown caricature of the band. A sort of purge of the most extreme conceptions and expectations of a punk outfit whose star was rapidly on the rise. For the most part, it shreds, but part of this cleansing process laid bare some of the group’s worst tendencies. The over-simplified politics on tracks like “Grounds” and the self-admitted classist undertones of “Model Village” helped to mark the band’s third full-length as one of their clumsiest. By attempting to lean hard into the lore the group had built by this point, they effectively undercut the humanity they had cultivated over their previous two records.

Play It Again: “Kill Them With Kindness”
Skip It: “Model Village”

3. Brutalism (2017)

Yeah, here we go. Right smack dab in the middle. A lot of you will argue that this is their best record, and we won’t blame you for that erroneous thought process. Brutalism is a front-to-back rager that helped solidify the band’s aesthetic while giving their live show the ammo it needed to catapult them into the proverbial stratosphere. Still, some of the group’s most uncomfortable subject matter exists within the runtime as Talbot wrestles with sobriety and his own toxic traits. While it certainly doesn’t undercut the record’s thematic importance, it can make for a tough listen at times.

Play It Again: “Well Done”
Skip It: “1049 Gotho”

2. Joy As An Act of Resistance (2018)

This album was such a breakthrough that it pretty much soundtracked an entire season of “Peaky Blinders.” Even though that show influenced some of your friend’s shittiest personality quirks and haircuts, it was still a pretty big accomplishment for a band to be featured within the series’ jarring modern score. There was a good reason for the sudden adoration. “Joy As An Act Of Resistance” is a nearly perfect record. Blending Stooges era punk rock with modern lyricism and an unrelenting sequence, the LP essentially cemented IDLES as a household name. Had the fat been trimmed just a bit, it would be unimpeachable.

Play It Again: “Television”
Skip It: “June” (but only because you’ve cried enough this week)

1. Tangk (2024)

No doubt everyone in the comments is going to have something to say about this one taking the top spot. Here’s the thing, though: Everyone knows that the people who are actively sending us death threats haven’t bothered to listen to the album. ‘Tangk’ is simultaneously the band’s most ambitious album and IDLES in their purest form. This is the pinnacle to which every other album has been building. Some will argue its instant success is due to its poppier sensibility and nothing more, to which we ask: “What pop music has ever sounded this chaotic and subversive?” Seriously, grow up.

Play It Again: It’s one of those ‘listen to the whole thing’ albums
Skip It: You would, you contrarian prick.

Christian Bale’s Mother Admits His Real Accent Always Catches Her off Guard

LOS ANGELES — Christian Bale’s mother Jenny James revealed that she’s constantly caught off guard when he uses his natural Welsh accent in conversation, confirmed sources who couldn’t relate more.

“I just can’t believe he was faking it the entire movie. At this point, his Welsh accent feels like a put-on,” James confessed. “Sure, I’ve been his mother for decades, but you try watching ‘American Psycho’ and thinking he doesn’t speak in an American accent all the time and loves Huey Lewis and the News. Turns out, he’s had a British accent this whole time and asks me to turn off the radio when ‘Hip to Be Square’ comes on. Thanks to method acting, I don’t even know him.”

Bale began lamenting the frustration of losing his identity to the characters he plays.

“After ‘The Machinist’ my family started requesting I use an American accent with them because that’s ‘the Christian they know and love.’ They even thought I weighed 120 pounds naturally,” Bale explained while speaking in an American accent to make everyone feel more comfortable. “One would think this would be the ultimate compliment, but it’s quite an inconvenience. Fans will stop me in the street, but when they hear my voice they get all weird, there was one time when a woman even screamed like she was scared for her life. But the worst thing of all is when people confuse me with Jared Leto. It’s very embarrassing.”

While Bale is willing to humor them, his manager worries he may create some unexpected problems.

“There are people out there who believe English accents are fake, and they’ve had their eye on Christian for years now. You know, hoping he’ll ‘slip up,’” said Bale’s manager Rory Tulane. “If he gets caught speaking with an American accent to his own family, they’ll have a field day in the press. Christian is less concerned about the tabloids, and more worried about maintaining his true sense of self, whatever that is. I am trying to find more English films for him to showcase his natural accent- but it may be too late to warm the public up to it. Once people believe a celebrity is from Indiana, it’s difficult to change that perception.”

At press time, Bale’s own dog reportedly didn’t recognize him in his natural accent and was seen issuing commands as Patrick Bateman, which onlookers agreed just fits.

Life Has Been One Hell of a Ride (Guest Article by the Gerbil From Richard Gere’s Ass)

Most gerbils like myself spend their lives in modest clear plastic tubes or behind bars playing in soft wood chips content with their solitary life. Well, let me tell you, I am no ordinary gerbil. I lived fast, I took chances, and I threw caution to the wind. Did I make mistakes? Sure. Do I smell like Richard Gere’s asshole? You better believe it. Do I have regrets? Absolutely not. I grabbed the bull by the horns, the bull being Richard Gere and the horns being his sphincter, and brothers and sisters I’m here to tell you it’s been one hell of a ride.

What I’ve accomplished—living inside the asshole of Golden Globe-winning actor Richard Gere—is pretty much the gerbil equivalent of the moon landing. When my wheel stops squeaking, I’ll leave this world knowing I had a life well lived.

As I approach the winter of my not-so-humble gerbil life, I feel a need to set the record straight about a few things. Firstly, Sylvester Stallone is a fantastic asshole who has been making fairy tales since the ‘70s. I never died in Richard Gere’s ass and my living situation wasn’t for some kink. Rich said Stallone likely spread the rumor and I—the gerbil who was in his ass—am here to confirm it before this rumor spreads for another 50 years.

So as for how I got there, our handsome prince Richard Gere was sleeping. I was the one who climbed in his pajama pant leg, I was the one who entered his asshole, and I was the one who had the time of my life in there. It was completely my idea—and my own volition—that brought me to ass, but I never could have predicted just where that ass would take me.

For starters, I should mention there were roommates. It was a bit of a revolving door, but there was always warm food and good company regardless of who was living there. We held a potluck in there, birthdays, coke parties, you name it. I’m a bit of a lone wolf myself, but the ferret drifters who’d come and go were always great company with tall tales about the world outside of Richard Gere’s ass.

His ass also granted me the opportunity to do something I thought I’d never do, travel the globe. Richard Gere’s ass and The Richard Gere Foundation have unwittingly taken me to Tibet and Nepal. They’ve helped me understand the plight of the Palestinian people. I do recall hearing about him being banned from China due to his support of the people of Tibet, but please understand I was in his asshole and there’s only so much information I can get from the outside world.

As I mentioned, my coming to live in Richard Gere’s ass was entirely my decision and had nothing to do with kink, but that’s not to say there haven’t been some wild nights. Richard Gere has had many a conquest, and yours truly has had a back-row seat to each and every one.

What am I doing now that I’ve retired from Rich’s ass? Well, I’m fielding offers and looking at openings (no pun intended), but I plan on sticking with celebrity humanitarians because if you get caught they won’t have you euthanized.

Nation’s Coworkers Announce Plans To Hold Long Conversation Directly Outside the Bathroom Where You’re Currently Taking a Dump

RICHMOND, Va. – The nation’s coworkers reportedly resolved to hold an extended conversation in the general area outside the employee bathroom at the exact time that you are taking a shit, horrified sources huddled inside bathroom stalls confirmed.

“It’s the official plan of this country’s coworkers that, just as you’ve finished your morning coffee and ducked into the bathroom in full view of us from the hallway, we will happen upon one another and proceed to engage in lengthy dialogues within full earshot of the goings-on of the bathroom we know you’re occupying,” said Ian O’Daly, spokesperson for the National Coworkers Alliance. “It’s common knowledge that the particularly echoey corridor outside the seldom-visited bathroom on the floor you don’t even work on is the best place to have a casual back-and-forth about our kids’ sports teams, the weather, or our recent car troubles.”

You expressed dismay at this recent policy, but due to gastrointestinal distress could not make it to the meeting to voice your opposition.

“It sucks that I couldn’t make it to the meeting yesterday,” you said while unwrapping your second 7-Eleven Three-Meat Breakfast Burrito. “I’m really not looking forward to timing my flushes to hide every sound emanating from my body, then avoiding eye contact while making some feeble comment about how it ‘smelled bad when I got in there’ as I’m exiting the bathroom. I hope the Coworkers Alliance reconsiders their policy and starts holding meetings in the back corner of the warehouse where the squirrel died in the wall. I don’t know how much longer I can live like this.”

Organizational psychologist Zara Milner noted that this is simply the latest in a progression of quickly evolving professional customs.

“Given the advent of meetings being held almost exclusively on Zoom or Microsoft Teams, it is now much more common for employees to feel genuine excitement upon seeing each other in person,” said Milner. “Unfortunately, that excitement can result in a lack of awareness of where they happen to be located with respect to their physical environments. With that being said it wouldn’t kill them to move their conversation just a little bit down the fucking hallway and let us shit in peace.”

At press time, the nation’s recent sexual partners also announced plans to sit in total silence without watching television or perusing their phones while you’re using the bathroom in the morning.

Fictional Mayors Ranked by Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack

“It’s a beautiful day, the beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time!” To celebrate one of the only days a year people get off, we recall Amity Island Mayor Larry Vaughn’s disastrous mishandling of the situation in the movie “Jaws.” But how would other mayors from popular culture handle the crucial decision of closing a beach during a heatwave after a horrific shark attack? We analyze their approaches to crisis management, explore how they might balance public safety with economic concerns, navigate political pressures, and maintain their leadership amidst the looming threat of aquatic danger.

Mayor Richard Wilkins III (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 0/10

Mayor Richard Wilkins III, the seemingly benign but secretly sinister leader of Sunnydale, would publicly handle a shark attack with his charisma and dark humor. Behind the scenes, he’d manipulate the situation to further his own mysterious plans, leaving the citizens blissfully unaware of the true danger. Wilkins’ delight in chaos would ensure that the beaches remain open and probably be responsible for (or at least benefit from) citizens being eaten.

Mayor Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin (Marvel Universe)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 0/10

Mayor Wilson Fisk is more likely to see a shark attack as an opportunity for personal gain rather than a public safety issue. Fisk would leverage the shark attack to manipulate real estate values or eliminate rivals under the guise of public safety efforts. He probably put the shark in the water in the first place. Closing the beaches would only happen if it served his complex and often nefarious schemes. More likely, he’d declare the shark attack a hoax and continue his shady dealings, leaving the citizens to fend for themselves against the lurking threat.

Mayor Larry Kline (Stranger Things)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 1/10

Mayor Larry Kline, the corrupt, disgraced mayor of Hawkins from “Stranger Things,” would prioritize his own interests and those of his political allies over public safety. Kline would downplay or outright dismiss the shark attack to avoid any negative impact on his image. He might even go so far as to suppress information about the threat, ensuring the beaches stay open to keep tourism and commerce flowing. Kline’s actions would be driven by greed and a complete disregard for the well-being of the residents of Hawkins, making him one of the least likely mayors to take appropriate action in the face of danger. Let’s just be glad Indiana is landlocked.

Boss Hogg (Dukes of Hazzard)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 1/10

Boss Hogg, the self-serving county commissioner of Hazzard County, would approach a shark attack with his usual blend of greed and disregard for public safety. Known for his shady dealings and schemes to enrich himself at the expense of others, Boss Hogg would exploit the situation for personal gain, even encouraging reckless behavior to maintain his control over the county. His response would be marked by absolute negligence, reflecting his cynical approach to governance and disregard for the safety of the community.

Mayor Tong (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 2/10

Mayor Tong, the mayor of Earth Kingdom town of Chin Village in “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” is known for his somewhat obstinate and tradition-bound leadership. When faced with a shark attack, his initial reaction would be to dismiss the threat outright. Mayor Tong’s reluctance to deviate from tradition and his skepticism towards new ideas would lead to a delayed and insufficient response. He might be swayed by public opinion or pressure from more proactive community members, but his initial hesitation would compromise the safety of the beaches. Ultimately, his decision to close the beaches would come too late.

Mayor “Diamond” Joe Quimby (The Simpsons)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 2/10

“Diamond” Joe Quimby’s response to a shark attack would be a masterclass in political doublespeak and corruption. While he might initially promise to take decisive action, you can bet that behind the scenes, he’s accepting bribes from local businesses to keep the beaches open. The only thing more dangerous than the sharks might be Quimby’s slippery ethics. In the end, Quimby’s primary concern would be his own political survival, leaving the town’s safety a distant second.

Mayor Dwayne Milford (Twin Peaks)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 3/10

Mayor Dwayne Milford, the eccentric and often befuddled mayor of “Twin Peaks,” would convene a town meeting at the Twin Peaks Town Hall to discuss the situation. He would listen attentively to the concerns of Twin Peaks’ residents and consider the potential impact on tourism, which plays a significant role in the town’s economy. However, Mayor Milford’s indecisiveness and tendency to get distracted by local gossip and trivial matters would delay immediate action leaving the window open for more citizens to be attacked. The FBI would have to be called in to handle the situation.

Mayor Roland Schitt (Schitt’s Creek)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 3/10

Mayor Roland Schitt, the laid-back and clueless mayor of Schitt’s Creek, would handle a shark attack with a blend of nonchalance and lack of foresight. Known for his casual approach to governance and tendency to prioritize his own comfort and convenience, Roland would initially dismiss the shark sightings as overblown rumors. His reluctance to take swift action would stem from a mix of laziness and a desire to avoid any hassle that could disrupt the town’s daily life. However, with enough urging from the townspeople, Roland might begrudgingly agree to close the beaches. Even then, his efforts would probably be half-hearted and poorly communicated, reflecting his general lack of enthusiasm for serious leadership duties.

Mayor Lenny Klotch (Ghostbusters)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 4/10

Mayor Lenny Klotch, the easily swayed mayor of New York City in the Ghostbusters universe, would approach a shark attack with a mix of skepticism and political calculation. Known for his reliance on public opinion and media coverage, Klotch would hesitate to close the beaches immediately, fearing backlash and negative press. He would initially downplay the threat of the shark, hoping to avoid panic and maintain the city’s reputation as a safe destination. However, faced with mounting evidence and public concern, he would eventually agree to a compromise, such as increased beach patrols and safety measures, rather than a full closure.

Mayor Thomas J. “Tommy” Carcetti (The Wire)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 4/10

Mayor Carcetti, the ambitious and politically savvy leader of Baltimore, would find himself in a difficult position when faced with a shark attack. On one hand, his public image as a reformer would compel him to prioritize public safety and close the beaches. On the other hand, Carcetti’s constant eye on his political future might make him hesitant to disrupt the local economy. He’d call for a series of bureaucratic commissions and expert panels to deliberate the issue, ultimately deciding to close the beaches—but only after exhausting all possible political capital and ensuring maximum media coverage to boost his profile.

The Mayor of Halloweentown (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 5/10

The Mayor of Halloweentown, with his two-faced personality and perpetual state of mild panic, would have a hard time making a definitive decision about closing the beaches. While one side of him would be in a frenzy, shouting about the dangers of the shark and the need for immediate action, the other side would be overly optimistic, possibly seeing the shark attack as an opportunity to make Halloweentown even more macabre.

Mayor of Munchkin City (The Wizard of Oz)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 5/10

The Mayor of Munchkin City would respond to a shark attack with a mixture of concern for his fellow Munchkins and a desire to maintain harmony. Known for his diplomatic skills, the Mayor would convene an emergency meeting in the Munchkin City Hall, accompanied by a lively discussion among the Lollipop Guild and other Munchkin representatives. He would weigh the potential risks of keeping the beaches open against the economic impact, which thrives on tourism from visitors to the Land of Oz. Ultimately, his decision to close the beaches would hinge on balancing safety concerns with the whimsical spirit of Oz, ensuring that Munchkinland remains a vibrant and secure community amidst the wonders of the magical realm.

Mayor Lewis (Stardew Valley)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 6/10

Mayor Lewis, the amiable and absent-minded mayor of Stardew Valley, would likely approach a shark attack with a mix of concern for public safety and a desire to maintain the town’s tranquil atmosphere. While he values the well-being of the community, his tendency to prioritize the town’s festivals and events might delay immediate action. His commitment to the townspeople and his sense of duty would lead him to make the cautious decision to close the beaches, ensuring everyone’s safety while trying to avoid causing unnecessary panic. However, he might also use the opportunity to plan a “Shark Day” event; complete with educational booths and a fishing contest to try and catch the beast.

Burgermeister Meisterburger (Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 6/10

Burgermeister Meisterburger, the grumpy and authoritarian leader of Sombertown, would respond to a shark attack as another opportunity to exert his control over the town. Instead of closing the beaches for safety reasons, he would decree that swimming is now illegal altogether, citing the danger of aquatic creatures as a reason to further restrict the town’s happy activities. Meisterburger would assign his bumbling henchmen, the Kringles, to patrol the shores and ensure compliance with his draconian rules. While other mayors may prioritize safety and community welfare, Meisterburger’s rigid adherence to authority would ensure that the beaches remain closed—and joyless—under his eye.

The Mayor of Townsville (The Powerpuff Girls)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 7/10

The Mayor of Townsville, a bumbling but well-meaning official, would respond swiftly to a shark attack with genuine concern for the safety of Townsville’s citizens. Known for his dramatic flair and tendency to overreact to emergencies, the Mayor would call an immediate press conference, urging everyone to stay calm while emphasizing the severity of the situation. He would declare a temporary closure of the beaches, accompanied by a series of overly dramatic public service announcements featuring himself and the Powerpuff Girls. Despite his occasional clumsiness, the Mayor’s dedication to protecting Townsville from harm would ultimately prevail, ensuring that beachgoers are safe from shark attacks.

Mayor “Goldie” Wilson (Back to the Future)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 7/10

Mayor “Goldie” Wilson, with his optimistic catchphrase “Progress is His Middle Name,” would approach a shark attack with a blend of caution and can-do spirit. As a progressive leader aiming to improve Hill Valley, he’d close the beaches, but not without first delivering a rousing speech about safety and community. Wilson’s primary concern would be ensuring the well-being of his constituents, and he’d implement a plan to both deal with the shark and reassure the public that Hill Valley’s beaches will be safer than ever. However, his tendency to see the bright side of everything might delay immediate action by just a smidge.

Mayor Sam Booth (Murder, She Wrote)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 8/10

Mayor Sam Booth, the kindly and well-meaning mayor of Cabot Cove from “Murder, She Wrote,” would approach a shark attack with a genuine concern for the safety of his townsfolk. Mayor Booth would take the threat seriously, consulting with experts and law enforcement to assess the situation. Encouraged by his friend Jessica Fletcher’s logical persuasion, Booth’s actions would reflect his commitment to safeguarding Cabot Cove, even if it means making difficult decisions for the greater economic good.

Mayor McCheese (McDonaldland)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 8/10

Mayor McCheese would prioritize the safety of McDonaldland’s whimsical citizens first and foremost. Known for his good-hearted leadership and commitment to the well-being of the community, McCheese would close the beaches promptly after a shark attack, possibly after a brief consultation with Ronald McDonald – who, we all know, is the true power behind the throne. With his entire head being made of a cheeseburger, the threat of being consumed (be it by shark or human) would be an ever-looming existential threat for the mayor.

Mayor Robert “Bob” White (Doug)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 9/10

Mayor Bob White, the affable and community-oriented mayor of Bluffington in the animated series Doug, would approach a shark attack with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of his town’s residents. Known for his dedication to public service and his friendly demeanor, Mayor White would respond swiftly to the threat posed by the shark, prioritizing public safety above all else. His decisive action to close the beaches would demonstrate his leadership and dedication to protecting the interests of Bluffington’s citizens during times of crisis.

Mayor Mike Haggar (Final Fight video game)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 9/10

Mayor Mike Haggar, the tough and no-nonsense mayor of Metro City in the Final Fight video game series, would approach a shark attack with resolve and dedication to public safety. Known for his background as a former professional wrestler and his hands-on approach to crime-fighting, Haggar would view the shark attack as a serious threat to the citizens of Metro City. He would mobilize the Metro City Police Department and organize emergency response teams to assess the situation and ensure swift action and hunt the shark down. He may even attempt to fight the shark himself. His decisive action to close the beaches would demonstrate his leadership and determination to maintain order and security in Metro City – although some might see his actions as authoritarian and heavy-handed.

Mayor H.R. Pufnstuf (H.R. Pufnstuf)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 10/10

Mayor H.R. Pufnstuf, the friendly and caring mayor of Living Island, would almost certainly prioritize the safety of his whimsical constituents. Given his track record of helping his friends out of tight spots and his generally protective nature, Pufnstuf would close the beaches immediately after a shark attack to ensure no one gets hurt. He’d organize a community meeting with his magical friends to come up with a solution, possibly involving a musical number to raise spirits and educate everyone on beach safety. His commitment to the well-being of Living Island’s residents makes him a highly responsible leader in times of crisis.

Mayor Enta (Pokemon)
Likelihood of Closing the Beaches After a Shark Attack: 10/10

Mayor Enta, the wise and compassionate leader of Hearthome City in the Pokemon world, would prioritize the safety and well-being of his town’s residents above all else. Known for his deep connection to nature and the sea, Mayor Enta would respond swiftly and decisively to a shark attack, immediately closing the beaches to ensure that trainers, locals, and Pokemon alike are protected from harm. He would gather the community and issue a heartfelt plea for everyone to exercise caution and respect the ocean’s creatures. Mayor Enta’s leadership would be marked by empathy and a profound understanding of the delicate balance between humans and Pokemon in their coastal habitat.

Dad Sings Along to “Whole Lotta Love” While Barbecuing Including Orgasm Part

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — Local father of three Steve Whipple sang Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” while grilling for friends and family, even replicating Robert Plant’s ecstatic moaning, according to mortified sources.

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” said Whipple while dry-rubbing a brisket. “Everyone knows it’s part of my grilling tradition: I put on my apron, turn on the classic rock station and sing every single word and bodily noise as I cook. No one has an issue when it’s David Bowie or The Beatles, but all of a sudden everyone gets bent out of shape about me singing a Zeppelin song? There’s nothing sexual about it, anyway. Robert Plant was simply expressing the uninhibited joy of rock and roll, that’s all.“

Whipple’s daughter Morgan had to excuse herself when the mock-climax became too intense.

“I grew up with this, so I’m used to it to a degree,” said Morgan. “But I’ve never seen it this bad before. I brought my boyfriend back with me from college and I nearly died of embarrassment. I don’t even think my dad knew he was doing it. He was over there flipping burgers and making these gross sex sounds. Then he actually sang the line, ‘gonna give you every inch of my love’ and I just had to bail. What if the tables were turned? How would he like it if I sang ‘WAP’ at a family gathering?”

Rock journalist Rodney Crumb has compiled a list of songs which he says should never be sung in the presence of others.

“People singing along to music can be annoying enough,” said Crumb. “But we really don’t need to hear other people—parents, especially—singing overtly sexual material. That was the reason I put together my list. For example, no one wants to hear mom even hum the Divinyls’ ‘I Touch Myself’ or George Michael’s ‘I Want Your Sex.’ I would advise everyone to simply hit skip or change the station if any of the songs on my list come on. My own father once sang along to Axl’s moaning in ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ on a family trip. I’m still haunted by it to this day.”

As of press time, the barbecue was reportedly cut short after Whipple stabbed himself in the buttock with a grill fork while doing a Mick Jagger dance to “Brown Sugar.”

Is It Just Me or Does This Perfect Metalcore Song Need a Shitty Singing Part To Ruin It?

Our latest song is almost done, but something’s missing. The vocals sound like a freaky werewolf threeway, the breakdown chugs like a monster truck rally, and the bass player is there, too! But…

Is it just me, or does this perfect metalcore song, which could transcend generations if given the chance, need a shitty clean singing part to ruin it? A hook written and performed so poorly it undoes the listener’s enjoyment of the rest of the song is exactly what it needs, and I bet Steve Albini would agree. There’s zero chance we’ll sing the right pitch or maintain vocal harmony for more than a few seconds, but that’s okay. This lackluster chorus is an opportunity to prove that metal performers are superior composers with the most emotional intelligence and creativity, dammit!

The song will still be about the secrets we keep from our loved ones, because metalcore is and always will be about writing bad poetry. It’s not like we’re going to sing one time and agree to be in the very first Pepsi commercial we’re offered, okay?!

“An open Door”–an incomplete phrase is a good name for a song, right?–should have an overly-melodramatic chorus we’re unprepared to execute live. In a perfect world, our drummer Steve will sing it. He’s always coughing, and the sound of his asthmatic, pre-tracheotomy vocals will give our new song the disappointing emotional chorus that no one but me asked for.

I can see it now: “An open Door To a Divorce Proceeding”–that’s probably what Rick Rubin would call it–being added to the National Recording Registry in the Libary of Congress for our dynamic vocal performance. And then, Ronnie Radke himself inducting us into the Libary of Congress Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. What. An. Honor.

This is a chance to reinvigorate metalcore with something new and groundbreaking. This song–

“I CAN’T THINK OF ANYOOOOONE BETTER TO KILL ME THAN EH-YOOOOUUUU!!”

is gonna reignite people’s love of a genre that was tailor-made for Hollister bad boys. I bet people will hear “An open Door To a Divorce Proceeding and a Baby Shower”–sounds like a Brian Eno song–and finally recognize our songwriting chops. Maybe we’ll be invited to play Willy Nelson’s birthday party or the Indy Jazz fest! The sweet sound of our drug-addled voices could take us literally anywhere–including the very first soda commercial we’re asked to do. Pepsi or Coke. Either one.

Dog Doesn’t Like Fireworks “Because of What They Represent”

CHICAGO — Local pooch Hamburger is reportedly hiding under his home’s kitchen table from Fourth of July fireworks, not due to fear of the sound, but because of the jingoistic, colonial mindset that they represent, skeptical sources confirmed.

“The state of our nation’s affairs is absolutely abhorrent,” said the four-year-old rescue before pausing to bark at a squirrel and stare into the distance for 30 seconds. “How can we stand by and wave little flags of Stars and Stripes that were made in factories overseas by underpaid workers as we continue to funnel billions into our military, deny our citizens their basic rights, and raise kids full of so much hatred and vitriol for one another? I can’t celebrate this country and neither should you. Good boys stand against fascism in all forms.”

Hamburger’s owner, Kevin deLoane, reaffirmed the dog’s political activism.

“I thought he just hated fireworks because they are so fucking annoying and they scare the crap out of him when he’s trying to nap, but this seems to be a deeper issue,” said deLoane. “Last week he chewed up mail from the Clinton foundation, bit our neighbor with the thin blue line sticker on his car, and spent ten minutes aggressively barking at the American flag outside the post office. The most troubling thing now though is he won’t poop unless it’s on a well-manicured lawn with Trump or Biden sign. And when he finally does poop he stares at the sign and unleashes powerful turds that I need more than one bag to clean up.”

John Peterson, the neighbor who was bitten by Hamburger last week believes the dog needs proper training to learn to love this country.

“That dog is out of control. I know for a fact he was brought up here from Mexico illegally by a local dog rescue, so if Hamburger doesn’t like America he can leave. Kevin needs to raise a more patriotic dog. If you can’t depend on a dog to defend this country, then it won’t defend your home,” said Peterson while walking his Rottweiler named. “Tank here knows what this country represents. He only marks his territory on a strip of grass that looks like Puerto Rico. But these coddled dogs can’t handle when their treats aren’t organic, or when people only celebrate the greatest day of the year.”

Following the rise of opinionated dogs, TNT Fireworks is reportedly piloting a firework that emits a frequency that only certain dogs can hear called “The Quake Maker Dog Whistle.”