Category: Rock

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Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

By Amaris Pollinger The world was on pause… Consisting of Matt James (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Wilson (drums) and Matt Christoforo (bass), the Connecticut trio, Phatt James (a college nickname given to a reluctant Matt James that he later decided to own) were set to play their debut show at the infamous Toad’s Place, but leave it to COVID-19 to crash a party. With the onset of quarantine, Phatt James headed into the studio to work on their debut album, Just Begun.  “It [the pandemic] definitely made us more connected as a band,” says James, “all the time spent in the … Continue reading Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

Alternative, Review, RockLeave a comment

Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

by Amaris Pollinger (dark, spicy (picante), upbeat, serene and of course, humorous) it’s also exactly what you wouldn’t expect. The “thinking man’s garage rock band,” Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds have released their first full-length album since La Araña Es La Vida(2016). Out everywhere now, That Delicious Vice is—well—delicious (no, we didn’t eat it).  When they lost a member, frontman and LA punk/garage rock veteran Kid Congo Powers (The Gun Club, Nick Cave and the Badseeds, The Cramps, The Knoxville Girls) decided: “Why not try this as a three-piece?” This decision gave the Pink Monkey Birds space to stretch … Continue reading Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

Rock, Upcoming ToursLeave a comment

Reality Club Gears Up for Their First North American Tour

Indonesian rock band Reality Club is fresh off a success-high thanks to their 2023 studio album, Reality Club Presents… and are prepping for their first-ever North American tour. The tour begins March 3rd in Seattle, WA, and concludes March 22nd in Brooklyn, NYC. Consisting of Era Patigo (drums), Faiz Novascotia Saripudin (vocals, guitar), Fathia Izzati (vocals, keys), and Nugi Wicaksono (bass), the band received critical acclaim with the release of Reality Club Presents… grabbing the attention of NME and Hive Magazine. Reality Club also won two AMI (Anugrah Musik Indonesia) awards for “Best Alternative Album” and “Best Alternative Group.” Now, … Continue reading Reality Club Gears Up for Their First North American Tour

Indie, Rock, Upcoming ToursLeave a comment

Tyke James, of The Moss, on New Single, Life on the Road & “Keeping Life Spicy”

“I’ve always put everything I could into music,” says Tyke James, lead singer of acclaimed rock band, The Moss. He sits cozied up in his home, presumably somewhere in the mountains, looking jubilant and lively. After passing greetings, he’s ready to dive right into conversation about new music, new sounds, and all kinds of exploration.   The Moss just released their new single, “The Place That Makes Me Happy,” a lighthearted coming-of-age, indie-rock masterpiece about the constant search for a place that offers fulfillment. James mentions that he has always loved exploring – that he “takes adventure really seriously” – and … Continue reading Tyke James, of The Moss, on New Single, Life on the Road & “Keeping Life Spicy”

News, Punk, Rock1 Comment

The Hard-Ons Are About to Drop Their New Album, “Ripper 23”

Australian punk band, The Hard-Ons are about to drop their new album, Ripper 23, on June 2nd off Golden Robot Records. Ripper 23 is the band’s fourteenth studio album and their second with Tim Rogers (YOU AM I) as their frontman. With their signature punk-metal-meets power pop sound, The Hard-On’s Ripper 23 will surely delight fans old and new. Pre-order today and be on the lookout for upcoming live shows! Catch up with The Hard-Ons on social media for live updates.   *Cover photo by Jo Forster, courtesy of Jo Murray.   Continue reading The Hard-Ons Are About to Drop Their New Album, “Ripper 23”

Indie-folk, Rock, Upcoming ToursLeave a comment

Tommy Stinson’s New Band Cowboys in The Campfire to Release Debut Album “Wronger”

Founding member of The Replacements, Tommy Stinson (also of Guns N’Roses, Soul Asylum, Bash & Pop, and Perfect), and his good friend Chip Roberts makeup the duo Cowboys in The Campfire. Their debut album, Wronger, will drop on June 2nd of this year. Described as “the most American album” Stinson has ever made, Wronger will coincide with a tour starting in Nashville, Tennessee.  Tommy Stinson intends to keep Cowboys in The Campfire on the road. “Chip and I are going to make a real run for it with this record,” Stinson says. “I’ve got some ideas; they’re just in my head … Continue reading Tommy Stinson’s New Band Cowboys in The Campfire to Release Debut Album “Wronger”

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The Courettes Kick Off Their US Tour with Boom! Dynamite

The dynamic rock duo, The Courettes, consisting of Flavia Couri (vocals, guitar) and Martin Couri (drums), hail from Brazil and Denmark, and have been touring Europe non-stop since 2015. With their signature blend of 1960s garage rock, doo-wop, and surf, “the hardest working band in showbiz” are finally hitting the US stage starting May 5th. To celebrate their first batch of shows in the US, The Courettes will be releasing a special USA/Canada-only compilation, Boom! Dynamite (An Introduction on to the Fabulous Courettes) on May 12th 2023. The Courettes have previously released four albums on Damaged Goods Records, with each … Continue reading The Courettes Kick Off Their US Tour with Boom! Dynamite

Indie, Indie-folk, interviews, Punk, RockLeave a comment

The Sound, Spirit, & Edutainment of Sihasin

“These are rez dogs,” Clayson Benally is surrounded by puppies, who are bouncing excitedly at his feet. The Arizonian landscape behind him shows an azure horizon that stretches for miles. Before long, his sister and lifelong bandmate, Jeneda Benally, arrives on schedule. Jeneda & Clayson Benally have quite the resume. Together with their brother Klee, they formed the punk rock trio, Blackfire, protested (and sued) the federal government, and balanced their Ramones albums with the traditional Diné songs told to them by their father. In fact, their star power runs in the family. Their mother/momager Berta Benally was a folk … Continue reading The Sound, Spirit, & Edutainment of Sihasin

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The Lemonheads Kick off Their ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’ 30th Anniversary Tour

Fresh from a sold-out tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland where they performed It’s a Shame About Ray in its entirety for the 30th Anniversary of its release, the Lemonheads kick off their North American tour on November 17th. The tour will include special guests Rusty, The Nils (performing 11/18), Bass Drum of Death (11/25-12/9), On Being An Angel (12/7-12/18), and Juliana Hatfield (12/7-12/18). North American tour dates are as follows, get your tickets while you still can! Tour Dates: 11.17 Lititz, PA Mickey’s Black Box 11.18 Toronto, ON Phoenix Theatre 11.19 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop 11.20 Bloomington, IL The … Continue reading The Lemonheads Kick off Their ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’ 30th Anniversary Tour

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The Uneasy Gets Real About Overcoming Addiction & Healing Through Music

By Amaris Pollinger East coast progressive rock band, The Uneasy, has a logo that might look familiar to some. It’s a clash of three swords stabbed into a heart and sporting an eye. The Three of Swords is a tarot card whose symbology resonated with The Uneasy’s singer/songwriter/ founding member, Emily Jean. Like all tarot cards, The Three of Swords has a double meaning. Right side up, it represents heartache, loneliness, depression, separation, confusion, ill-health, trauma, and alienation. Reversed, the card is representative of compromise, forgiveness, overcoming grief and sorrow, and reconciliation. The card inspired Emily Jean to press on … Continue reading The Uneasy Gets Real About Overcoming Addiction & Healing Through Music