Metz "Cellophane" Track review

The first single off Metz’s forthcoming album, Strange Peace, is an absolute headbanger. The band never shy’s away from the noise and on “Cellophane” they bring it in by the truck full. 

Singer / guitarist Alex Edkins creates a bleak and helpless picture of being buried alive, wrapped in plastic. “How will I know it’s real,” sings Edkins within explosive drum hits and noise drenched, sharp guitar riffs. It’s complete and utter despair while remaining as defiant as ever. 

“Cellophane” is face melting, large, and noisy while managing to stay melodic at times, and more structured than some of the bands older works.

Strange Peace was recorded live to tape by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago and it will be out September 22 on Sub Pop.

Check out the track below!

City Of Caterpillar Reunion Shows and Record Repress

Perhaps one of the most exciting pieces of music news that I've heard in a while is that legendary screamo giants City Of Caterpillar are not only repressing their only and incredible self-titled LP, but that the band in its original lineup is getting back together for the first time in 13 years for a handful of live performances.

City of Caterpillar bridged the gap between hardcore, punk, and indie. Their influence can be seen in most modern hardcore and punk bands. In their short existence in the early 2000's the band managed to create something that still to this day seems fresh and which transcends genre's but also the constant changing musical landscape. This record is both beautiful and chaotic. It's progressive. It's an instant classic in so many tight knit circles. This is passion. This is beautiful.

Stream the record on bandcamp.
Order the repress through Repeater Records.

City of Caterpillar will play:
Friday, Jan 13, 2017 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter w/ Bermuda Triangles, Big No
Saturday, Jan 14, 2017 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas w/ HIRS, Pinkwash
Sunday, Jan 15, 2017 - Washington DC @ Black Cat Backstage w/ Pygmy Lush, Malady
Monday, Jan 16, 2017 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus w/ Big Hush, Ghastly City Sleep

Desert Sharks 'Template Hair' Review

Desert Sharks released this ep Template Hair in June via MANIMAL Records. The Brooklyn-based rockers mix a combination of garage punk, motorcycle rock, surf punk, and great 90's vibes to create three catchy rocking-as-fuck songs.

The ep opens with the fast paced "crazycrazy" about being legit crazy not silly crazy. Like killing some dude in a hotel kind of crazy. I'm a big fan of singer Stephanie Gunther's vocals and the musicianship is top notch. Some really great solo parts that are super surfy and rule.

My favorite track on the ep is "Ooh, Hey." The riffs, the tempo, the vocals. You just want to move. Head bobbing, cruising, dancing, all of the above, which leads into the last track "Black Moon" which is similar in style to the previous track but it's kind of sinister sounding. The riffs and tom work are so rad.

Get into this band. Grab the ep on tape and listen to it like 30 times in a row because you can and it's worth it. And see them live when you can. Their live show is great.

Stream Template Hair here.
Get the tape from bandcamp.
See some pics I took of them Live in Manchester as the Fuzz Hut here.

PWR BTTM "New Hampshire" Track Review

Last fall Brooklyn based punk duo PWR BTTM released their incredible debut album Ugly Cherries courtesy of Father/Daughter Records in the US only. But fear not, UK's Big Scary Monsters label is re-releasing it with two bonus songs. "Projection" was released online last month and now we get the somber, darker, tear-jerking "New Hampshire". Feels like home!

"New Hampshire" features soft chords and clicking pattered drums with just a few dashes of distortion mixed with the idea of inevitability. The end of everything will happen. Your life, animals, plants, relationships, everything. An idea that can be hard to swallow, Singer/guitarist Ben Hopkins told NPR "It's a song about greener grass. I wrote it during a period of time where I hated where I lived and who I was there, and I just felt to helpless that I figured whenever I did inevitably wither away, the parties that be could ship me somewhere better. Reflecting on it, the hopelessness I felt was actually in me, and the place I was in or where I wanted to be couldn't help things if I wasn't willing to help myself first."

The song is beautiful and touching. PWR BTTM are incredible. Hopefully they play "New Hampshire" in New Hampshire in October when they play at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth!

Stream "New Hampshire" here.
Go see them in New Hampshire.
Pre-order the record from BSM.

Go support the fuck out of them on tour!

Kindling "Everywhere Else" Review

Kindling is no stranger to this blog. The Easthampton, MA shoegaze behemoth is releasing their debut full length Everywhere Else via No Idea Records this Friday, August 12. What's so impressive about Kindling is their ability to take a genre of music where songs and bands can easily start to sound redundant and overused, and make it fresh. They have soaring guitars reminiscent of more post-rock bands, they have heavier riffy parts and constant driving bass like grunge bands, and they have times where the drums seem explosive, fast, and punk. Not to mention the haunting yet soothing vocals of Gretchen Williams and the 90's alt rock vocals of Stephen Pierce. Kindling is like a smorgasbord of grunge, shoegaze, and dream-pop, and it's so good!

Songs like the opener "Coma" and "Blinding Wave" are perfect examples of the soaring guitar shoegaze vibe mixed with the 90's alt rock vibe the band is absolutely nailing. The songs are dense and there's a lot there, but they aren't claustrophobic like some shoegaze acts. Then there are tracks like "Black Eye" and "Other Times" that are more heavy on the grunge side of things. Riffs, and hard hitting drums and bass, giving the record a nice contrast but one that isn't overly stark or out of place.

"Became" for me is the piece de resistance. I think it's the culmination of everything the record presents. Layers of heavy guitar, drum fills and steady moving bass, perfect vocals sitting just beyond full clarity, and high singing guitars. This is it.

Everywhere Else has the ability to play through and feel concise like a solid unit of work, but its individual tracks are dynamic and original, and can stand out on their own as well as within the whole. The record plays through so well, but the individual tracks have their own weight to them. They carry enough within them to stand on their own. I think this is what makes a perfect record. One that can play through as one solid piece of work, but can be looked back upon and specific pieces can be picked out. I think what I'm trying to say is: This record is really fucking good.

Kindling are playing two record release shows this week.
Stream the whole record on Spin.
Pre-order Everywhere Else from No Idea or go to a show and get it!

Notches "Big City" Track Review

It warms my heart when a band from my area kicks ass as much as Notches does, and I'm super stoked for this new ep. Notches will release a tape / 7" entitled Change My Mind on Dead Broke Rekerds. The tape will be available on their upcoming mini tour with Adult Magic, and the 7" will be out later this fall.

In anticipation of their tour and release the band has premiered the first single from the ep courtesy of New Noise Magazine.

On "Big City" Notches has taken a step or ten forward from their LP High Speed Crimes. The song manages to capture a 90's alternative vibe that makes me think of Pete and Pete while still keeping it current and original. It's catchy, it has heavy riffs and softer single notes, the drums are intricate and straight forward, and the bass not only acts as the beef but stands out on its own as well, a feat that not enough bass players can strive for. Notches will easily become one of your favorite bands. A Minimal Crimes guarantee! Plus these dudes are awesome humans and put on an amazing / energetic live show.

Go see them on tour!
Stream the song on New Noise Magazine!
Grab a tape!

Sneeze "Movie Sex" Video and Track Review

Sneeze is releasing a new 12" ep entitled Rot September 16 on Glory Kid, and they just released the second single "Movie Sex" along with a sweet arcade style video game music video that finds the band faced with the normal struggle of getting from the arcade to the gig while stocking up on necessities like beer and food in order to melt faces.

The song itself is one of my favorites from the band so far. Much like "Food" the first single from Rot, there is a new maturity present. The song slows down with a great thumping bass line and clean guitar. Singer Derek Desharnais' vocals are at there best here.

Rot is sure to be the band's best material to date.

Watch the video for "Movie Sex" below and pre-order the record from Glory Kid now!

Pity Sex "White Hot Moon" Review

I am now a contributing writer at 36vultures. My first piece is a review of Pity Sex "White Hot Moon."

Head over to the site to check it out!

I will be continuing to post on this site regularly as well as contributing over there. I will always post the links here.

Pleasure Gap "Scatter" Review

Southern NH has had it's fair share of bands over the years, but I found that in my immediate location there has been a lack of good bands emerging. Insert Pleasure Gap, the indie rock unit from right down the road from me in beautiful, bright, and safe... Manchester, NH. The band just released its third full length release, Scatter, via Midnight Werewolf Records. A collection of eight unique indie rock songs that are a true breath of fresh air for the scene here in NH and for my ears.

The album opens with the slow burn "Therapist" with it's intertwining guitar and bass parts and vocals harmonies ranging from low and subdued to swollen and layered. The song is a great representation of what's to come. Singer Ryan Egan's Modest Mouse style vocal delivery and the bands delivery of soft melodic parts mixed with louder and noisier executions like those in "Merkle." It's noisey and there are some interesting chord progressions and changes with ever present emotional howls and croons from Egan. The heavier parts have Radiohead qualities while some of the slower, twinkly parts remind me of American Football.

Standout tracks are "9821*" "Rich." "9821*" is this subdued swelling interlude type track, only it boats an over four minute run time. A repetitive guitar line reminiscent of something from Band Of Horses and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs keeps the song slowly burning along, as it builds and builds with the addition of Egan's "I lost my mind, I feel fine," vocals and some distorted feedback which adds to the desperation of the track. "Rich" allows itself to get lost in this shoegaze inspired dream-like haze, creating a steady driving ballad and an atmosphere where the band can get into the dirtier corners of their sound.

Scatter, with the risk of sounding like an idiot, is a real Pleasure. It's always exciting to feel good about/get behind a band that comes from a place you know as home, and who are doing something refreshing and original with real talent.

Get the tape from Midnight Werewolf Records or the band at one of their upcoming shows / tour!

04.15 -- Providence, RI -- AS220
04.17 -- Dover, NH-- Wrong Brain HQ
04.23 -- Boston, MA -- O'Brien's
05.06 -- Portland, ME -- Geno's
05.07 -- Winooski, VT -- Waking Windows
05.08 -- Albany, NY -- The Tree House
05.09 -- Brooklyn, NY-- Palisades
05.29 -- Manchester, NH-- Fuzz Hut

Culture Abuse "Peach" Review

Culture Abuse merge together raw punk energy with sunny pop elements to birth out the catchy, riff heavy, live your own lifestyle theme filled Peach.

The record, in contrast to their earlier releases, takes on a brighter tone. There are elements of shoegaze and reggae weaved in and out of blistering punk anthems, leaving the record a diverse and original listen. Tracks like the opener "Chinatown" feature David Kelling's slacker vocals and hard hitting 90's style riffs, and "Dream On," a standout punk anthem, mirror earlier Culture Abuse and are an exciting contrast to some of the brighter songs on the record.

Songs like "Jealous" with its crooning opening and surf styled riffs followed by an upbeat chorus, constant thundering tom work, and "I'm just happy to be here" vocals match well with the very diverse "Turn It Off." The track opens with riff driven power chords and crashing cymbals only to fall into this reggae styled break in the middle that shows the bands ability to incorporate all sorts of influences into their sound. The best part is it fucking works. It works really well.

Peach is about doing what you want. Live the way you want to live, do what you want to do. Culture Abuse managed to create an album that both incorporates a warm, dream haze, and a raw, punk attitude that opens to flood gates for what is possible in punk music today, and shows what quitting you job, moving into your jam space, and doing what you love can accomplish.

"Let there be peace on Earth. Let love reign supreme."

Stream or buy the record on bandcamp.
Order the LP, CD, or cassette copy from 6131 Records or get a copy from the band on tour now!



04/05 Little Rock, AR @ Metroplex +
04/07 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground +
04/08 Quebec City, QC @ Salle Multi *
04/09 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *
04/10 Toronto, ON @ Mod Club *
04/11 London, ON @ London Music Hall *
04/13 Des Moines, IA @ Woolys *
04/14 Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Centre *
04/15 Regina, SK @ The Exchange *
04/16 Calgary, AB @ Marquee *
04/17 Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room *
04/18 Vancouver, BC @ Imperial *
04/19 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory *
04/21 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory *
04/22 Reno, NV @ Jub Jub’s *
04/23 Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre *
06/05 Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair ‡
06/07 Toronto, ONT @ Lee’s Palace ‡
06/08 Detroit, MI @ El Club ‡
06/09 Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class ‡
06/10 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean ‡
06/11 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club ‡
06/12 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown ‡
06/14 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater ‡
06/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court ‡
06/16 Boise, ID @ Neurolux ‡
06/17 Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern ‡
06/19 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios ‡
06/21 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s ‡
06/22 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar ‡
06/23 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo ‡
06/24 Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room ‡
06/25 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar ‡
06/27 McAllen, TX @ Yerberia Cultura ‡
06/28 Austin, TX @ The Sidewinder ‡
07/02 St. Petersburg, FL @ Local 662 ‡
07/03 Orlando, FL @ Back Booth ‡
07/05 Durham, NC @ Motorco Amphitheater ~
07/06 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter ~
07/07 Washington DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel ~
07/08 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer ~
07/09 New York City, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ~
# w/ Self Defense Family, Strange Wilds

+ w/ The Story So Far, Elder Brother
* w/ The Story So Far, Comeback Kid
‡ w/ Nothing, Wrong
~ w/ Nothing

Perennial "Early Sounds For Night Owls" Review

This is the second review request I have received. Again a humbling experience to have people dig whats going on over here.

Anyways,

Perennial are a post-hardcore, self described "art punk" band featuring members of early Topshelf Records bands Lion Cub and Aeroplane, 1929. I get a little hesitant when people use the term "art punk" because it's usually never what I want it to be. I love art. I love punk. The two go hand in hand a lot of the time, but... sometimes... not.

Perennial is not one of those art punk bands. In fact I get a really nice combination of Sinaloa and Daniel Striped Tiger. The fullness of Sinaloa's songs and the raw energy of Daniel Striped Tiger, especially Condition days and earlier, but with something new. While producing top notch post hardcore jams, the band adds the new element of keys and effects which really add something nice. What's refreshing is that the keys take an active role in the song and aren't just there to add filler parts.

We are introduced to the keys as soon as possible as the ep kicks in with the rocking groove of "La Fugue Pour Beton brut." Nothing like coming out of the gates swinging. Energetic, some cool time changes, and the keys and effects at the end add that arty-ness to the mix which is followed by the straight forward and soild "Massachusetts Scenic Byways."

The albums interlude type track, "Circle/Pivot/Circle" is really nice. I like when bands release an ep of a handful of songs where you get a good well rounded taste for what they are about and where they could go in the future with a full album. I;m really stoked on the fact that Perennial can do these interlude tracks that offer more than the normal interlude/noise/ambient track. Sometimes it gets annoying when a band does this interlude thing. I feel like it's an easy way to go when you want another tracks but the ideas just aren't flowing anymore. This is not the case. The track is deliberate and it sets the scene for the intro to the closer/title track, "Early Sounds For Night Owls." A short subtle quiet vocal part that leads into a great payoff when the tracks starts moving.

All around this is a great first effort. Very excited to see what the future holds for this band.

Grab the limited cassette off their bandcamp and listen to the ep over there.

You can see the band on 4/2 in Willimantic, CT and on 4/8 in Amherst, MA!

Plebeian Grandstand "False Highs, True Lows" Review

I can not be more stoked. I saw Plebeian Grandstand a few years ago when they toured the states with Reproacher. They happened to be touring the states at the same time as Hexis, and I was able to see both bands at once. Needless to say it was one of the most intense shows I have ever seen. But the reason I am so stoked is not only is this album amazing, but Throatruiner Records, the label putting this record out, contacted me directly asking if I would be interested in writing a review, and accompanied the request with a full download of the record. Throatruiner, thanks so much! It's pretty cool getting requests from labels you dig for bands you respect. Anyways, here it is:

The follow up to Lowgazers had to be nothing short of incredible. The bands 2014 full length release was one of the best records of the year, in my opinion, and took the wave of blackened hardcore releases to a new tier. The French four-piece has taken the genre and completely overhauled it. It's not as simple as flipping it on itself, but they have taken it and created a new limb. Dark, exhausting, and claustrophobic.

False Highs, True Lows, which will be released by Throatruiner Records on April 29, is yet another extension on the hybrid they are creating. Really, the category of blackened hardcore doesn't do the band or the record justice. It's too often thrown around to any form of aggressive music baring a black metal attitude. What Plebeian Grandstand is creating here is a not just an intense monumental record, but an entire experience.

The record is exhausting. It's like a freight train pummeling down the tracks towards your damsel in distress body tied up and waiting in full blown horror. Or a car crash from the inside as you flip over and over and every piece of metal and debris is flying in all directions along with your body.  From the opening haunting repetition of "Mal Du Siecle" setting the mood for the record, followed by the chaos of "Low Empire" with those signature piercing guitar riffs by Simon Chaubard, and then to the first taste of the record we got "Tributes And Oblivions," which boasts inhuman drumming and haunting vocals that both lay deep underneath the walls of sound and present themselves as an entirely new instrument, the record is itself a different environment in a different atmosphere.

The record slows down about half way through with "Mineral Tears" which lasts a whopping 58 seconds. The track is merely a noise filler, but instead of acting as a pause or breather break, it only really displays itself as anxious. It's creepy, sudden, and long enough to really evoke the feeling of claustrophobia that the rest of the album encompasses.

Quick time changes, arpeggios, constant, unrelenting drumming, and guttural screams and howls haunt the record from the first instant until the first breath you can hope is waiting for your dried lungs at the end of this record. Plebeian Grandstand have truly created a violent, shifting, whirlwind of a record. One that will undoubtedly be on the tops of everyone's "best of" list this year.

Listen to "Tributes And Oblivions" below.

Pre-order the record through Throatruiner or through Deathwish in the states.

Graf Orlock "Crimetraveler" Review

I was lucky enough to witness the brutality that is Graf Orlock twice live. Once in a small basement show just outside of Manchester, NH and the first time at Dude Fest in 2006 or 2007. I remember they had their first singer at the time and he was a smaller dude. He was in the air as the crowd held him up as he was blasting through songs when something happened and he fell. The band kept on blasting through and the singer let out this blood curdling scream and kept on going. it was both horrifying and amazing, much like the entirety of this bands existence.

Enter in the bands newest full length release, Crimetraveler, out on Vitriol today (Feb 5). The band is known for their use of cult movie, action, and sci-fi related themes and snippets in their songs and live shows, but this record takes that to a whole new level. This record is basically the soundtrack to their own movie. Yes, the band created a film starring themselves for which the record is written and inspired by.

 From the band:

The Crime Traveler film tells the story of a French-Canadian assassin who discovers a wormhole and travels back in time to kill American politicians so that Canada can attain superpower status in the future. As the samples selected for the album illustrate, our anti-hero zips through time and space on his mission - rubbing elbows with John Hinckley at the Reagan assassination, witnessing the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and more.

 The record is nothing short of intense and brutal. Graf Orlock brings their own hybrid of metal and hardcore punk like only they can. Sometimes overwhelming, sometimes catchy, always intense!

"Bad Cell Service On Connecticut Avenue" opens the record with a "Hey, fuckface" and blistering blast-beats and soaring guitars with some great back and forth gruff as fuck vocals. There's a great melodic riff around the middle of the track too and a really cool heavy groove at the end.

"600,000 Tons Of Explosive Ordnance" has up hitting a bong hard as fuck. Heavy, classic hardcore. I love the dual / group vocal contributions. This one is slower in pace early on with some great riffs and tom work on the drums. Enter in some techy drum and guitar work. Sweet! That little solo thing too! Shit!

"Afternoon Lunch At The Red Bacchus" is a literal kick in the balls right of the bat. The recording quality of so flipping good. The guitar tone too! Full, heavy, pummeling, and clean. What? Yes! Great groove part towards and into the end. Some sweet ride.

"A Decent Proposal In A Shitty Alley" is non-stop. This one moves. Swirling, mayhem. A montage of intensity, heavy and fast paced. A tornado of riffs, little single notes, and d-beat. I don't mean to overlook the bass either. It's the backbone to these tracks. It gives that girth and linger to these songs. Always present. Always a necessity.

"Regional Turf War Spills Blood On Vegas Strip" has some of the fastest chugs I have ever heard and then that melodic part. This song is one of my favorites on the record. It takes a few different turns, each lasting just long enough and it demands a second or third or... well you get it.

"Nursing A Hangover" is something we all experience, but how about nursing one while you spill a fuck ton of oil into the ocean. You shit-turd. This is the song where the crowd completely looses their minds. The circle pits, the stage dives, running on top of people heads as far as you can until diving into the masses. Guitar slides, jumping off the kick drum, microphone to the forehead, blood, spit, people are screaming, you're in it now.

"Our Infallible Cybernetic Future" wants to know if "you're on the list, fuckface." You're probably not. It's better off, probably. You can't handle it anyways. This song has this sweet twisty dizzy sounding riff. The vocals in these tracks are so good. This band has some of the best back and forths and they each have a great gruff voice. Sometimes you get a band that try to do this but one dude sounds like an idiot. This isn't the case.

"Summer Getaway , Mount Hermon" is drippy and painful. Laugh it up. "I got an itch on the boys." This is the shortest song on the record and another one of my favorite. It's catchy and a real headbanger. There's a little solo part in there that rules.

"Difficult Decisions In The Yutani Mess Hall" makes you want to re-think that decision... This one moves. The guitar is like a whirlwind. It's like swelling and I got wicked dizzy. It was weird. Like vertigo or something.

"Cheaper, Safer, And Better Than The Real Thing" closes the record. "This is the problem with Earth today." This is how you end a record. With a fucking bang. A heavy build up throughout to this creepy credits rolling piano piece. "Go back to Mars."

As if the record and the content isn't enough, the packaging sets the bar even higher. This record is packaged with a full color 12-page news paper based on the content of the film / record.

Exploration Of The Rift In The Space-Time Continuum

Get the record now!

Slingshot Dakota "Paycheck" Track Review

Slingshot Dakota have a new full length coming out on the fantastic Topshelf Records. The record is called Break and will be released on March 11, but the band premiered the first song off the record.

"Paycheck" is a catchy as all hell, fuzzed out jam. The keys have this really great distorted, fuzz infused, effect on them and they rumble through the verses like a muddy riff and are accompanied by some great tom / cymbal work. I love that the band can capture so much and create so much fullness and layers. I'm really digging the direction this song is taking the band in and I hope that the rest of the album will follow suit. I mean just listen to that groove, man!

Slingshot Dakota will be heading out on tour in April.

Frameworks "Time Spent" Review

This record is so damn good. Frameworks blasts out two songs of the most kick ass post-hardcore, punk... whatever you want to call it. It's just insane. If you read the piece by The Fader you will also know the the songs are deep as hell too. So not only are they flipping' hard as fuck, but they are heavy as fuck, like meaningful!

"Worn Out" has this great intro part and it's almost like a heavy pop song when the band and vocals kick in. There are some great soaring guitars throughout. I love the tone of the guitar. It's clean and clear while staying hard. There is great tom work in this jam too. The end has some cool synth work going on. It's really intricate and there is this overwhelming feeling of urgency. Put this on repeat.

The title track, "Time Spent," goes so hard. It has such a sweet groove to it in the beginning. The guitars shred so hard and the drums are bombarding. The songs slows den for a bit and there's time to take a short breath of air and then jump back in the pit, kid. The end has this quick punk part and then some twinkly beautiful guitar work with some heavy synth flow.

Shit. I'm a mess. This one got me all wrecked.

Grab this record from the mighty Topshelf Records.
Stream it here.
See them on tour with Donovan Wolfington next month!

Fucko "Demo" Review

Fucko recorded this demo back in 2014, so it's a bit old, but they are releasing a full length early this year on Black Numbers and it will feature re-recorded versions of these three songs. The band is straight out of Boston and features siblings Sarah and Jacob Desmarais and newly added drummer Derek Desharnais of Sneeze-fame. 

Fucko is great grunge-pop, alt-whatever. Shit just rules.

"Buzz" is my favorite song I think. I always do this. I'll say which song is my favorite and then I take it back like two songs later, so whatever. It rules. Great riffs right off the bat and then the guitar fades to some light feedback as Sarah sings the verse. Then it kicks back in so good. I love the recording. It's dirty but clear. The cymbals have that rawness to them but without being way too fucking harsh and overpowering. There's this sweet guitar lead part towards the end of the song where everything stops except this single note part and then the song rolls on until it kicks back in with the chorus part. A little pause and some feedback. Yes!

"Shitty City" is a solid 90's pop rock slayer. The guitar is so sweet in this one. Sarah's vocals kill me too. So nice! That bass as well. A nice solid crunch to it, and it stands out among the other instruments which I really appreciate. Dig the little into part too. "You are perfect."

Look, I'm going to do it again. "Kind Of Mean It," might be my jam. Shit, I need to stop doing that. I won't though. Whatever, this song rules, and I don't kind of mean it, I really do mean it. See what I did there? Yup. This one is really intricate. The drum fills are so fast and smooth. The riffs too. When Sara sings "I could fall in love," I get the feels. Makes me start thinking, you know. Thinking about stuff. Anyways, this is the one. I'm going to day it. My favorite track. There, last words.

Stream the demo on bandcamp.
Get the full length Dealing With The Weird when it comes out on Black Numbers.
Go see them live!

Culture Abuse "Spray Paint The Dog" Review

I posted Culture Abuse's video for "Perfect Light" on my Facebook page because not only is the song super flippin' kick-ass, but the video is wild as hell. I got one comment from someone I used to work with that said, "What the fuck did I just watch?" I responded with a simple, "You're welcome."

Culture Abuse is a monster, drug infused, punk band from the Bay Area.
This two song 7" is too good and too short. Another great record on 6131 Records.

The record starts off with "Nicotine," a real banger. The beginning really sets the scene great. It's creepy, and dirty. The riffs are wicked, and the production of this record is so good. It's clear and clean while keeping it grimey and punk a.f. Towards the end there is this nice sludgy slow part with some overlapping vocals and some real noise. The chaos is so wonderful.

"Perfect Light" is my jam. I've played this song so many times over and over again rocking my face off. It's this great, weird, dance jam. I love the vocals so much and the direction this song takes. It's steady, rocking, and fuzzy. The parts before the verses with that chanty thing they do. I dig that so hard. "Love's not the answer," but Culture Abuse is definitely the answer. Get weird. Do whatever.

Grab the record from 6131.
Stream it here.
Look for a full length in the future!

Peep the video for "Perfect Light." And hey, it's totally NSFW. Bomb!

Raw Blow "Slow Choke" Review

With the recent news of the re-issue of this tape onto wax I figured it would only be right to write about this beast by Boston's powerhouse, Raw Blow. The band is made up of members of other local heroes Luau, Now Denial, and Furnace.

The tape which was first released by Social Cancer is now being pressed to wax by Tor Johnson Records.

The release starts off with the 90's inspired title track, "Slow Choke." The vocals really give me a Nirvana vibe and the song in general has a heavy post rock vibe. This may be my favorite track on the album. I love that riff at the beginning and how it comes back in later on in the song, and that little single note solo thing going on. Real nice.

"Buzzards" kicks in really heavy and reminiscent of Furnace, but with singing which I think rules. This song turns up the rocking and the post-rock vibes are strong here.

"Most Days" is similar to "Buzzards" but I get this weird post-pop-punk vibe in the beginning. It's weird. I can't help but think of a harder, heavier, less shitty New Found Glory. Maybe that doesn't make sense. I'm just giving it to you as I see it, man. The drumming kills me towards the end. There's this constant thumping with that sporadic guitar strumming and it's a cool contrast to the lyrics, "Most days go by so slow."

"All Kinds Of Garbage" is by far the heaviest song on the album, and it kicks so much ass. This one brings me back to the old days. Basement shows, sweating ass, screaming at the top of your lungs. This one is really chaotic too, but it always stays so concise in its mayhem.

The album closes with "Don't Try" which brings the album full circle as this song is similar in style to the opening track. There are these great "whooah" parts. This is the shortest song on the release too and it feels quick but nails it and just makes me want to rock it all a few more times.

Stream / buy / download the album on their bandcamp here.
Make sure you check out the Tor Johnson store and get the 7" bundle with a sweet new T-shirt.

Longings "Vacancy" and "Tarnished" track Reviews

Longings just premiered the second single from their upcoming debut self-titled LP. The record will be released on September 18 by Framework in the US and Echo Canyon in the EU. The band consists of local Western MA heroes Will Killingsworth, Meghan Minior, and Cole Lanier. If you haven't heard Longings before, they play really awesome post-punk with that great dark-wave vibe. Think a more punk Night Sins. The two songs that are available for streaming have a great urgency to them and I'm really hoping this is going to be a theme for the record.

"Tarnished" is a perfect example of the urgency I mentioned above. It has this great quick riff throughout the song and everything is just bursting through. This song is fast, punk, and drenched in a fantastic mixture of darkness and pop. It's raining out and you're driving too fast and maybe you're going to spin out on those cobblestone roads.

"Vacancy" premiered yesterday on Noisey. This song is darker and more haunting in its delivery. Meghan's vocals stand out and it is primarily her that is singing. This has that great dark-wave vibe to it. It's really bass driven and that bass lick is so nice. The guitar creates this undertone of noise and is haunting and reminds me a bit of older Interpol. That good stuff. I'm really digging this a lot.

The record drops September 18.

The record release show will be September 22. Check the fb event here.

Longings will be on tour:

8/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wolf Cycles w/ Ordinary Lives, and Isotope
8/27 - Columbus, OH - Legion of Doom w/ Malokio, Slugbugs, 99% Orgasm
8/28 - Chicago, IL @ Rancho Huevos w/ Torso, and Sin Orden
8/29 - Toronto, ON @ Soybomb w/ Full Of Hell, Frkse, Abyss, and Demonic Possessor
8/30 - Montreal, QC @ Soundcentral Records w/ The Expectorated Sequence - 5pm Matinee

Birdskulls "Good Enough" and "Sever" track Reviews

Birdskulls debut LP Trickle is coming out on the great Dog Knights Productions label on October 5th. The band has released two singles off the record and they are fantastic 90's influenced emo, grunge, pop goodies.

The first single they released is "Good Enough" and it's so good not just good enough. It has some heavy Nirvana influence, especially in the vocals. It's so nice. The riffs in this song are awesome and so fuzzy. Muff. "I don't want to go to bed" goes the chorus, even though dealing with a heavy heart and a rotten relationship is hard while awake. There is a little change up variation to the main chord progression towards the end that is really fun, and those little high notes on the guitar in the beginning is sweet.

"Sever" which was just released the other day, this is weird I know, but it, makes me think that if Blink 182 was around in the early 90's this is what they would sound like, this song. I dig it a lot. It's only a part of the song that I feel this way, but still cool. It's right after the into piece. Think about it, you'll see it. Anyways, this one is very vocal rich and the guitar creates this great atmosphere of nice underneath. The bass is really driving along with some great steady drums. "I'm alright."

Pre-orders are up now for Trickle here.

Watch the video for "Good Enough" here.