Jen Bender is the vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for Rochester, NY’s Cusp, a new band that features members of Full Body 2 and Rut. Set to release their debut EP, Spill, via Dadstache Records on 5/7, it’s a great collection of worn in and fuzzed out DIY rippers, built with emotion, wandering structures, and plenty of good old guitar harmonies.
Ainsley Wagoner's upbringing by her church musician parents becomes readily apparent on Silverware's new single "Take Me With You” thanks to the unmistakable sound of the Hammond organ that permeates the track. The post-breakup anthem showcases the multi-instrumentalist's singular voice and penchant for raw lyricism.
Much like their first two albums, Paper Mice’s latest once again pulls their stories from newspaper headlines, and thankfully they picked some of the lighter and more hilarious articles. Lead single “The Cynic Route” happens to be about a group of Russian men who decided to illegally cross over a bridge disguised as a yellow school bus.
Set for release on April 2nd via Feel It Records, there’s little time to waste however and Spread Joy are sharing a new video for two of the album’s many highlights, “St. Tropez” and “Semantics.” That idea of no time to waste is one they take to heart with the ten song debut clocking in at fourteen minutes. It’s all pulp, no juice… or all juice, no pulp, whichever.
Godino is set to release his next odyssey, Alien Nation, his first record under his own name. Due out April 2nd via Feeding Tube Records (Wren Kitz, Big Blood, Blanche Blanche Blanche), the album is not one you will soon forget, steeping in a cartoonish insanity that feels like a head full of acid at the most sugar-spun of carnival sideshows
Boston quartet Moron is led by Brendan Delohery (vocals) with the band is rounded out by Ovlov’s Theo Hartlett (guitar), Ronald Baron Smooth Jazz (bass), and PHONY’s Neil Berthier (drums). With the release of the Allston Live Demmies, the band play a pointed brand of punk and post-punk, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek lyrical jabs.
Nick Vicario has released great punk records, both noisy hardcore (Crisis Man) and post-punk (Public Eye). He’s also released a string of EPs from his solo project, Smirk. Having released a pair of cassettes in 2020, those efforts have been remastered are being released together on vinyl as LP on 3/5 via Feel It and Drunken Sailor Records.
Spiritual Mafia features members of EXEK, Spray Paint, Ausmuteants, etc which should give you a hint at Al Fresco, their debut album (out March 12th via Ever/Never and Anti Fade). While their pedigree precedes them, this is something a bit different, trading in the brainy agitation for something blunt and bludgeoning, a haze of proto punk sleaze and drugged out garage psych.
Aggressive and full of whiskey soaked punk disdain, the four songs that comprise Rides Again… are among Spodee Boy’s best, not just in concept but in execution. Make no mistake, these songs rip with an outlaw intensity. The feeling of cowboy culture, in the most unhinged of ways, is captured on “Dress The Part.”
Having spent over a decade playing together as a duo, the Bay Area’s Street Eaters have gone and done the unthinkable, they’ve added a guitarist to the mix. While sometimes less is more, in the case of Street Eaters’ upcoming EP, Simple Distractions, the guitars are a welcome addition, bringing new sonic heights to their sound.
Lifeguard’s debut album, Dive, caught the attention of noisy music fans with an ear to the ground including the fine folks at Chunklet Industries (Shark Toys, Honey Radar, The Apples In Stereo). The Atlanta based label is set to release a limited hand-cut 7” single with two new Lifeguard tracks, Receiver b/w Sun Ra Jane.
The Nashville trio Styrofoam Winos have no lead songwriter, no “front” person. The band’s voice, styles, and inspirations are collective, with each member pulling equal weight, from songwriting and vocals to their own personal styles of reflection. It all comes together wonderfully on their well conceived self-titled debut album.
Baltimore duo Caution are getting ready to release their self-titled sophomore EP. Due out this coming Friday, February 19th, via the great Born Yesterday Records (Moontype, Dummy, Stuck), the pair have created an album that is pop at its core, but buzzing with fuzz, noise, and psychedelic shoegaze swells.
With over fifteen years spent playing together, three EPs, and a handful of singles and splits, the trio is set to release their debut full length, They Birds, via Controlled Burn Records. The album could only have been recorded at Electrical Audio and mastered by Bob Weston, because after all we are talking Chicago post-hardcore here.
It took a global pandemic to get Blessed to stop touring. The road heavy experimental quartet may not be playing shows, but they’re still busy sharpening their ever changing craft. Set to release III on February 19th via Flemish Eye, the band’s latest continues to prove why they are one of Canada’s most exciting bands.
