I have often said in these very pages that change is overrated. Don’t get me wrong, piles of redone landfill is not what I want, but redoing a classic sound and making it as good or better? I am in! This Mexican band sound like Blitz. I mean almost exactly. Ok, okay if you want […]
Two songs from their preceding album, Too Fag for Love, a track from their latest single, and a cover of the Middle Class’s “Home Is Where.” The cover is a solid take on a classic. The remaining originals keep things mid-tempo and hint at a humorous bent via the song (and album) titles, while the […]
This solo project from Buffalo’s Swimming Faith Records has two songs, sometimes kind of space rock, post-punk, and other times kind of almost Brit pop-sounding. The ’90s neo-psychedelia influence of a band like Primal Scream would be a reference point—the influence is seemingly there. Good stuff. –Mark Twistworthy (Swimming Faith, themidnightvein.bandcamp.com)
The garage-trash elder statesmen have returned to once again rally the true rock’n’roll believers in their crusade against the stuffy purists and boring dead weight clinging onto the scene. Follow Beat-Man and Co. as they thrash and trash their instruments in an ungodly racket befitting of a teenage, nihilistic hardcore outfit. The tempo slows and […]
These garagy punkers from Kansas put the guitar and drums right up front, taking cues from ’90s garage rockers like The Gories or Cheater Slicks. Six catchy lo-fi garage rock songs with Dr. Strangelove samples spread over two ultra limited lathe cut records; there’s a lot to like here. This would be something I would […]
Self-released two-song single from a Lawrence, Kan. two-piece band with a real political bent. Psychedelic-tinged garage punk is probably the best way to describe the sound. Decent recording quality and everything can be heard well overall. “Fuckkkops” is a minute-long anthem I’m sure folks love to sing along with. –Mike Frame (Tinker Tapes, mrandthemrs.bandcamp.com)
Yes, indeed! “Fukkops” is that nasty and tough slice of punk aggression you’re always jonesing for—and when you finally get it, it’s glorious rush. It’s short, to the point, and delivered with that ageless attitude that anyone who’s not a bootlicking cop lover can relate to. The kind of song that pops into your head […]
I was immediately taken by the surf rock-esque hook of Mr. Malibu’s track “Deserted.” The band has more of a lo-fi garage aesthetic overall, and there’s a beautiful rawness to them, especially on “Waiting on You.” The song starts with a steady rockin’ riff and then takes you on an emotional journey. Three songs was […]
This screams Liz Phair Exile in Guyville. Recreated perhaps with a slight modern twist, but just undeniably anchored in ’90s alt rock. Easy, smooth edges, and tough but still very femme vocals. What’s old is new I guess, unless you’re me. –Camylle (Just Because, justbecauserecs.storenvy)
Two tracks of scuzzy, offensive-for-the-era punk from a band notorious for a) causing chaos wherever they went, b) containing members who went on to various shades of rock stardom in later years. Of the two, I believe “Fuck Yourself” is the only one that ever made it further than a demo tape prior to this, […]
I’m pretty sure Neutrals’ “Rent” b/w “Your House” 7” was the first record to arrive at our house after lockdown started. Bec and I spent the evening of its arrival listening in the basement while we played darts. Now, almost exactly two years later, the Oakland trio is back with more new stuff, their first […]
To know me is to know that the Riverboat Gamblers are a big deal to me. That can also be said of the individual band members’ other projects. Gamblers guitarist Ian McDougall has thrown down a couple of ripping garage rockers with long-time Gamblers producer/studio wizard Stuart Sikes and like the project’s name suggests, this […]