Bummer, Dudes
New Bums apply a lo-fi Simon and Gar-fuck-it take to the tired old trope of two dudes with guitars. “We’re pretty stripped down with an emphasis on words,” Ben Chasney, of New Bums, tells EW via email. Continue reading
Music: Page 167
Into the Scottish Fold
Some bands like to record new albums as quickly as possible to create cohesiveness. But in the case of the traditional Scottish folk group Battlefield Band and its 2013 release, Room Enough For All, the band took a different tactic. Continue reading
For further evidence that Tiny Tavern seriously shreds as a live venue
For further evidence that Tiny Tavern seriously shreds as a live venue, head down Friday, April 11, for Basque punk/nu-metal band Berri Txarrak (“Bad News”), a power trio from Spain that plays high-octane alt-rock, meshing the anthemic assault of Judas Priest with the angsty crunch of early grunge. Founded in 1994, this outfit has recorded with Steve Albini and toured with Rise Against, and they sing in their native tongue. Long live Basque metal! Continue reading
Photos: Beats Antique live at McDonald Theatre [4.3.14]
Photos: Future Islands live at Cozmic [4.6.14]
Photos: Lydia Loveless live at Sam Bond’s Garage [4.3.14]
Cuthbert’s summer lineup is beginning to fill out with Childish Gambino
Just announced: Cuthbert’s summer lineup is beginning to fill out with Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover from Community) May 9, the Indigo Girls and Joan Baez June 25 and Slightly Stoopid July 9. In other news, the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies will headline the 12th Annual Sasquatch Brew Fest June 7 at Ninkasi Brewery. Continue reading
Giant Sounds
After breaking into the modern rock and alternative worlds in 2011 with hit singles like “Cough Syrup” and “My Body” from its self-titled debut record, Young the Giant needed to decompress before starting work on its 2014 release Mind Over Matter. Continue reading
Kitty Cat Club
“Like a Stranger,” track one off L.A. band Kitten’s 2013 release of the same name, is romantic ’80s dance-pop to the max — all smoke machines, teased bangs and the distinctive electric-boogaloo beat of the era; think Madonna’s “Lucky Star” meets Pet Shop Boys remixed by early hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash. Continue reading
Kids These Days
Don’t be surprised if Future Islands comes snapping out of 5th Alley like a gang of dancing street toughs from 1955. The North Carolina-founded, Baltimore-based synth-pop trio has grooves to spare, and lead vocalist Samuel T. Herring has some dance moves that will make you feel inadequate. They’ve been working at that can-do sound of theirs, all the while evolving from kids to adults, and nowadays they’re surfing a wave of half-maturity that leaves their sound feeling hopeful, ponderous and full of heart. Continue reading