Tag Archives: Garage

Album Review: Slug Fest – Animal

Cleveland surf punkers Slug Fest have dropped a gritty, goodtime as hell release titled Animal that we all deserve.

Wait, did I just say “Cleveland” and “surf punk” in the same sentence? You bet your grits I did. By now you are probably asking yourself how is surf punk even possible in the rust belt, but I assure you it is, it works, and it’s outstanding.

Hailing from the shallow waters of Lake Erie, Deirdre McCafferty, Michael Luciano, and Michael Stanis share a love for proto punk, garage rock, and psychedelic noise that in turn helped shape their sound. The surf riffs were just an added enhancement that made Animal even better.

Starting off was “Never Be Your Baby”, a banger of a song that was just bad ass to listen to. I loved when things slowed down only to explode again. One song in and I was completely digging it.

When “On The Run” started it just gave me energy and captured my attention in the best way. The change up in the middle had me smiling while nodding my head in approval.

Title track “Animal” was equal parts 80s punk as it was garage rock. The bass riff combined with the non-stop guitar playing just made for a hell of a tune to listen to. Not much singing, but plenty of riffs and jams. I have the feeling this song live would be amazing.

Noise-heavy, “Surf Demon” was an adventurous journey with plenty of fuzz and fun. Loved the breakdown towards the end where you can clearly hear the trio having a blast doing what they love to do.

“Moonlight Power” was to me the track on the album that showed the true dynamic of this band. At times I was reminded of Ween as it was all over the place, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it was one of my favorite songs on the release. The best part of this track was the horror-laced theme throughout.

“Luce Potentia” was surf noise at its finest. I loved the mysteriousness on this track that seemingly could fuel an angry ride around the city. The drums were chaotic, the guitars never held back, and the singing was enchanting.

This threesome seemingly came out swinging with their impressive style and Animal is the proof. Imagine the fun of Japandroids mixed with the fuzz noise of bands like Muhammadali but with surf riffs galore and you’ll have a slight inclination of what this infectious sound is all about.

The band actually said that “Animal was intended to be a collection of big, standalone bangers that capture how we sound and play live. Our shows are usually exceedingly loud and hectic/high energy and we wanted to make recordings that express/capture that.” I can honestly say they achieved that.

My only suggestion to this trio is to press this release on wax so I can spin it daily. I’ve listening to this album a ton over the last month with no intentions of taking a break. Certainly well received by this listener.

The band was supposed to play an exclusive show at the Grog Shop this month, but that stupid virus got in the way and cancelled it. Look for this talented, young threesome to smash some heads in 2021. They will not go unnoticed.

Check out more on the band’s Facebook and Bandcamp

Also, if you think you can’t surf in Cleveland, you are clearly mistaken as seen here:

Album Review: Big Dick – Disappointment

Big Dick - DisappointmentIndie-punk duo Big Dick have returned with an all new album titled Disappointment.

This is a follow up to the band’s impressive 2013 self-titled debut and once again has been released through Dirt Cult Records.

Before you question the band’s name and its meaning, just note it was taken from a NoMeansNo song title.  Don’t dig in too deep you pervs.  Who am I kidding?  If you ever heard the original song, your questions might be validated instantly.

Anyways…

Cultivating their own sound with just drums, bass, and dueling vocals, Big Dick really reaches back to 90s alternative rock styles while keeping a DIY punk and even garage rock edge.  The result is melodic yet heavy at times making for a truly killer listen.

“Let Down” was a catchy self-esteem downer of a track fueled throughout with a heavy distorted bass.  This opening track was a subtile reminder to me how much I enjoy this band as well as one of my favorite cuts on this release.

“Last Days” straight up ruled with the dual harmonies and just addicting bass riffs.  It’s hard to believe that there are only two dudes in this band when you hear songs like this.  This was another favored track over the rest.

“Up A Step” took  more pop-punk noise route that was totally ok with this listener.  At times, the vocals just seemed off but not enough to ruin the track.

“Out On A Limb” was a tad more technical with intricate bass lines.  The dual vocals and singing on “Crawl” was worth of an immediate second listen.  I dug this track a ton.

Tracks like “Marnier”, “Good Hunting”, and “Another Minute” really showed the band has matured and mastered their own sound.  From the lyrics to the insane drum and bass playing, I could not help but just get sucked into what I was listening to.  Then came “Young Love”, a more experimental track of sorts that clearly could have been a Ween b-side.

“Bad Dream” was one of my favorite tracks on the album.  I loved the different genres I could hear in this track, especially the grungy garage rock.  The slight harmonies in the background and the throat-clearing screams made it that much better.

Disappointment is anything but that.  Fans of Japandroids, Two Gallants, and even Death From Above 1979 are going to eat this up.

Iron Chic/Low Culture – Split 7″ – Color Variant Pre-Orders Up Now

This is a friendly heads up to all of you Low Culture and Iron Chic fans out there.   Pre-orders are up today for the upcoming Iron Chic / Low Culture split.

Low Culture / Iron Chic Split

(anyone recognize that location????)

This is not your typical split.  This is a label/split 7? between Mike from Iron Chic’s Dead Broke Records and Chris from Low Culture’s Dirt Cult Records.

Brilliant.

At this time this split is set to drop in November.  The color variants will sell the hell out.  I guarantee it.

Where To Pre-Order:
Dirt Cult Records
Dead Broke Rekerds

Pressing info:
-200 on orange vinyl (Dirt Cult exclusive)
-200 on blue vinyl (Dead Broke exclusive)
-400 on green
-100 FEST test pressings
-700 on black

EP Review: Low Culture & Needles//Pins – Split EP

Low Culture - Needles//Pins SplitPower-pop, garage-punk rockers Low Culture and Needle//Pins have both been on my radar for a while now.  When I heard that the two were putting together a split release, it just made complete sense.

Low Culture won me over hardcore when I was introduced to them while staying in Las Cruces.  Featuring members of Shang-A-Lang and Marked Men, the foursome blends in the perfect amounts of rock and punk making for tunes that can easy fuel a good time by all.

British Columbia’s Needles//Pins are more of a power pop garage act that I have recent been getting into thanks to their latest release Shamebirds.  This band is to me the saviors of old school punk pop.  You know, the good stuff that did not get suffocated by talentless acts with more t-shirts for sale in a Hot Topic than quality songs.

Low Culture hammered out with “Reservations”, a fun, infectious garage rock track with plenty of drumming and distorted guitar.  I loved the break downs at the end that eventually led the song into a climax of sorts only to drop more signing that sounded like a new song, but alas, it was still the same track.

“Don’t Tell Me” was equally as fun to listen to.  The guitar solos were quick at times but also memorable on this track about a solitary man.  This track was not nearly as scattered as the previous but just slayed in a good good way.

“Hateful” by Needles//Pins was gruff yet thoughtful to listen to in regards to a crashed relationship.  I felt like some of the lyrics were plucked out of my past thoughts in regards to crap relationships.   “And I hope you don’t think that I’m hateful, it don’t matter very much to me” were lyrics that stuck to me especially.

“Bored” followed and pretty much could either have continued talking about poor relationships or perhaps just being old in the scene.  The more I listened to it, the less I thought it was about an actual relationship with someone and more so with some other form of attraction.  Clearly I think weird.  Deal.

It is no surprise that the two acts decided to release a split together.  Both bands really compliment one another’s sound making for a great listen.  Currently available on iTunes and also on Spotify, the split was put out by the amazing Dirtnap Records and the 7″ should be available very soon for purchase on their site.

If you like classic bands like the Ramones, The Ruts, and The Weirdos, do yourself a favor and get into both of these bands now.  They are both too good to not know about.

Album Review: Baby Ghosts – Maybe Ghosts

Baby Ghosts - Maybe GhostsWhat happens when you take your unforgotten obsession with  late-90s pop punk rock and mix it with the styles heard in female-led DIY punk / garage rock jams of today?

The answer is Salt Lake City’s very own Baby Ghosts.

Warning: This band has the full potential to become your new favorite band and I’m pretty sure you’ll be kicking yourself for not getting into them earlier.  It’s ok.  I am in the same boat.

In a perfect blend of pop punk and garage rock, Baby Ghosts have been doing their thing since 2010.  At one time, the band could have been considered a local act, but those barriers have long been broken.

Baby Ghosts recently dropped Maybe Ghosts, an all new album full of poppy hooks, sneaky guitar solos that could make J. Mascis blush, and plenty of just straight up fun.

“Ghost Boyfriend” completely floored me when I heard it for the first time.  I adored the garage rock sounds tucked behind the blaring pop punk goodness.  I am reminded slightly of RVIVR in a way with the female / male singing style, but this jam is way more fun to rock out to.

Baby Ghosts“Tumblr” had the band taking on at least 3 decades of different punk rock styles in under three minutes.  I was so wowed that I had to listen to it over and over again.  Maybe the band did not intend this, but listening to this track alone was something special.

“Oil/Sunshine” was a pop punk gem with forward intentions of moving onward.  “Crash” went a little dark for a moment but it did not change the way I felt about this album at all.

I loved the guitar shredding that was hidden behind the singing in “COOKIES”.  Coincidentally this is also one of my favorite kinds of treats.  “alien.edu” easily was one of the best tracks on the album.  “Computers” was very riot grrl sounding in a good way.

“Oh, a Surprise” should have been titled “This is What Rancid Would Have Sounded Like if Tim and Lars Were Females”.  That is all I have to say about that.

I had a hard time not thinking of Juliana Hatfield and Kim Gordon while listening to Kar and Kat sing throughout this album.  I hope to hell that was the idea.

I’m glad Baby Ghosts was suggested to me by a swell guy (Thanks Chris).  I would hate to have missed out on this band even longer than I already have.  These talented SLC punks deserve to be heard by all.

Baby GhostsTruth be told, I can not keep up with all these bands today.  Perhaps this music lover is just too preoccupied with fighting off being an adult to take notice to every single act out there throwing down good music.

If you do find yourself digging this release as much as I did, don’t be shy and snag a copy of the LP.  Lost Cat Records, Drunken Sailor Records, Dirt Cult Records, Hip Kid Records, and Waterslide Records all have assisted with releasing the album.  I doubt it will be a challenge to find but I know the 1st pressing will be gone sooner than later…