Wednesday, April 01, 2026

The Peppermint Kicks - "Shaking Underground"


When I first heard that The Peppermint Kicks were releasing a new single on April Fool's Day, I got a little suspicious. Anything having to do with April 1st always has me on high alert. Who in the heck releases new music on a Wednesday? Was this going to be an elaborate prank? Would April 1st come and there'd be no single but maybe a triple album with all lyrics in Russian? Would it be branded as Peppermint Kicks but actually be some sort of Metal Machine Music type project? Would the new single just be a video recording announcing that the band is retiring from music to prepare for a mission to Mars? Well here we are, and it all seems legit. 

Out on the one-and-only Rum Bar Records, "Shaking Underground" not only sounds like The Peppermint Kicks, but it might also be the biggest smash hit that Dan Kopko and Sal Baglio have ever crafted together in their secret headquarters. Of course it's a power poppin' garage rock 'n' roll stomper, but this is no ordinary radio hit for an alternate universe. This, my friends, is a full-blown ANTHEM and a rousing call to action. It's an unflinching commentary on technology addiction and content oversaturation — and the hapless masses who find themselves manipulated, enslaved, and zombie-fied by all those sinister little devices. The irony that this song is largely being transmitted through devices is probably not lost on the band, but sometimes you've got to wage war with the weapons you've got. "Shaking Underground" is not all gloom and doom. It's a wake-up call, and it proposes a way out of this nightmare. No more fooling around! Joined by dynamo drummer Chuck Ferreira, Kopko and Baglio are in top form on this track. Sometimes it takes an irresistible tune to ensure that the message hits hard, and no doubt "Shaking Underground" will have you shaking and grooving with all you've got. What a freaking tune! Sometimes when all else fails, rock 'n' roll is the answer. There is another way. Let's give 'em hell to pay! 

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Saturday, March 28, 2026

Sick Shooters - Super Sonic Rock Saga


Holy 2005, Batman! On their debut long player, Utrecht, Netherlands–based Sick Shooters take me back to the heyday of garage punk/power pop mash-ups. The perfectly tiled Super Sonic Rock Saga blasts through 11 tracks of blistering punk rock 'n' roll with relentless power pop hooks in 28 thrilling minutes. This is an all-killer, no-filler affair from start to finish. Think first generation punk-pop (Buzzcocks, Undertones, Boys) if you gave it a '90s garage punk kick in the pants and and then injected it with a modern-day youthful exuberance. If I made a playlist of the stuff I was listening to two decades ago (Kidnappers, Manikins, The Heartattacks, Marked Men, etc.), any of these songs would fit right in. Yet the sound of this record is totally fresh and exciting  — proving the timelessness of this type of music when it's done right. There aren't really many new bands like this these days — especially not ones made up of folks in their early 20s. 

What a breath of fresh air this album is! It delivers a perfect mix of scorching punk rock 'n' roll tracks ("Evacuation," "Gambling Girl," "Never Comin Home"), more power pop leaning numbers ("Daisy," "Sweet Telephone," "Holding On"), and a few that split the difference ("Heartbreaker Soulshaker," "Supersonic Lovin," "In Between"). A couple of my influential friends have already weighed in with ringing endorsements, and I will happily add my voice to the chorus of acclaim. 2026 is stacking up to be perhaps the most loaded year for new music in decades, but Super Sonic Rock Saga will absolutely have a spot near the top of my year-end albums list. When it comes to just about everything I love in music, this record hits the target dead-center. Get it from Wap Shoo Wap Records in Amsterdam. Is it just me, or is The Netherlands turning into the epicenter for everything that's awesome? 

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Vista Blue - Batting Around


Baseball season is never officially underway until Vista Blue properly opens it with a baseball-themed release. But we didn't have long to wait this year, as Vista Blue released Batting Around the day after the real Opening Day (one game on Netflix doesn't count) — and on Mike's birthday to boot. Mike got an early present in the form of a Pete Crow-Armstrong contract extension with the Cubs, and now he and Mark have gifted us four new Vista Blue tracks that no ABS system will ever be able to deny. 

The title track starts things off with some snappy, toe-tapping punk rock that celebrates one of the most formidable achievements a baseball lineup could ever hope to attain (and no, Meta AI, "batting around" does not refer to casually hitting the ball in a relaxed or informal setting). "Good Reputation" takes things in a more pop direction. It's a song about the one guy who's on the roster because he's respected in the clubhouse and contributes to the team in ways that are never apparent on the stat sheet. "What's Your Favorite Lockout?" is one of my favorite types of VB songs — a 30-second speed-burner that makes The Queers sound like Emerson, Lake & Palmer. And I'm absolutely on board with '94 being the gold standard for MLB lockouts. "I Don't Wanna Be DFA'd" is in classic VB territory. Paired with "Good Reputation," this song finds Mike and Mark speaking up for the guys who aren't big stars with massive contracts. A lot of players have to fight for roster spots and hope the axe doesn't fall on them when it's time to designate someone for assignment. I'll be pouring one out for Garrett Stubbs, a Phillie with a good reputation who has sadly been DFA'd. 

From that first chord of "Batting Around," I knew I was in for another first rate Vista Blue release. I'm always open to interpreting this band's sports songs on a metaphorical level, so let's hope that this is a year where all of you clear the bases in your life and put some crooked numbers on the board.

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Thursday, March 26, 2026

Sparrowhawk - Sunflowers in the Moonlight


On its second full-length album, Minneapolis-based foursome Sparrowhawk continues on its mission to make super-awesome rock music. I'm not one to judge an album by its cover, but it would be hard to look at Lucas Gluesenkamp's bad-ass cover art for Sunflowers in the Moonlight at not assume that the music would totally kick ass. Luckily, there's no assumption necessary in the era of streaming. But even in digital times, some albums ought to be experienced on vinyl based on how they look and sound. This is one of them! 

Sparrowhawk is by no means the only indie/punk band embracing '70s arena rock, but you won't find anyone else doing it better. Following their excellent 2023 debut, Johnny Eggerman, Zach McCormick, Damien Tank, and Marty Mueller have doubled down on their love for classic rock. I was amused that the promotional email I received in the advance of the album release was sent by "Phil Lynott." If Philo was going to come back from the dead to do some publicity work, it was certainly going to be for a record like this one. This is an arena-sized rock 'n' roll long player with a punk rock heart. On this release, the band has added a touch of Allman Brothers/Molly Hatchet influence and expanded its repertoire to include ballads and rustic folk rock. Your dad or granddad would love this record, and that's not a knock. Sparrowhawk truly throws it back to a time when there was no shame in crafting a rock radio hit. 

Sunflowers in the Moonlight builds on the sound and style of its predecessor. It's everything that was great about the last album and much more. The melodic rockers "Underneath the Moonlight," "Still Talk About It Now," and "Power and the Glory" will please anyone who loved the band's debut. "Blackberry Brandy" is full-on Southern rock and totally freaking excellent. "Lonesome Operator" is a splendid power ballad in the proper sense of the term. "Down the Line" is giving Stones/Faces energy, and I'm sure not complaining. The title track is earnest Americana with all kinds of scrappy charm. And what other band would think to close an album with a Western-themed eleven-minute multipart finale? That's pure genius! 

Of course Sunflowers in the Moonlight rocks hard. Those harmonized lead guitars remain front and center, and these tunes will have you air-drumming like a maniac in short order. But the Midwestern soul in this music should not be sold short. The album's lyrics are heavy on storytelling and character sketches, so this is like listening to a record with the substance of a movie or short story collection. The band reunited with Andy Mathison, whose recording and mixing favors a sound that's massive but never too slick. Imagine what a king you would be if you were walking around with the Sparrowhawk logo emblazoned on the back of your denim jacket. People would see you and immediately want to hear the band that had the vision to pick such an unfuckwithable name. And one guy would be like, "I heard those guys! They did that song 'Take a Bow'!" And you'd be like, "Dude! Wait until you hear this new album!" 

How do you top a big, hooky rock record? You make an even bigger, hookier rock record! The vinyl, limited to 200 copies, was pressed in Minneapolis by Outta Wax and released on the Twin Cities' own Piñata Records. In the process of bringing this album into existence, the band really showed some love to its own community. And that tells you a lot about Sparrowhawk. Grab a copy of this monster while you can!

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Sunday, March 22, 2026

The New Brutarians - "Del Rio Way"


Today must be Adam Turkel Day in Faster and Louder Land! I just weighed in on the Beatings retrospective, and now I've got something new for your ears. "Del Rio Way" is the latest single from The New Brutarians. The track features Alan MP from Juvenile Wrecks on lead guitar, Robbie Rist on drums on bass, and Greg Shankland on piano. What we've got here is a quintessential glam rock blues ballad in the neighborhood of The Dogs D'Amour with hints of '70s Stones. This song is pure heart and soul and finds Adam in fine form both lyrically and vocally. And of course the recording sounds amazing. Arriving on the heels of the hard-rocking "Tonight's Your Night (Tonight)", "Del Rio Way" takes things in a mellower, more reflective direction. Both of these songs should be turning up on vinyl later this year courtesy of Sioux Records. For now, enjoy this poignant track on your favorite streaming platform!

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The Beatings - 1997-2007

Since late '90s/early 2000s punk rock is my jam, I am thrilled about Baltimore's glam-punk heroes The Beatings finally getting the full retrospective treatment. If you've been on this ride with me from the beginning, you may recall me flipping my shit for The Beatings' Kiss on the Cheek EP circa 25 years ago. And while my prognostications of The Beatings becoming the next huge band in American punk rock never came true, Adam T. is still going strong with one of the best bands out there, the mighty New Brutarians. So whether you think of The Beatings as part of Adam T.'s origin story, one of the best and most overlooked of the later '90s old school punk revivalists, or a mainstay of the Baltimore punk scene back in the day, the new digital collection 1997-2007 is well worth your time and attention. As the title suggests, this album compiles material that was recorded and released from the late '90s through the early-to-mid 2000s. It includes the songs from all three of the band's 7" releases: "The Ballad Of Jimmy & Jenny" (WAX/Telegraph Records), Kiss on the Cheek (Pelado Records), and the Solid Gold picture disc (Glass Manacle Records). It also includes The Beatings' cover of The Boys' "First Time," which was originally released on Pelado's cult classic Three Minute Heroes compilation. Also included are "Pretty Face (Born Too Late)" and "Like a Broken Shoe" from the band's 1997 demo tape, a live recording of "Party In Berlin" from New Year's Eve 1998, and some demos from Adam's bands Heavy Metal Kitchen and Treasure Island. At 23 tracks in one hour, this is a massive collection for longtime fans or anyone interested in the music Adam made prior to The New Brutarians. 

I was hardly the only reviewer giving The Beatings their flowers in the early 2000s. Some noteworthy lines of praise included "If Duran Duran wanted to be Motörhead and not Roxy Music", "The Bay City Rollers meets the Dwarves", "Better than a boot to the ear hole" and "The NY Dolls on Crack!" The magic of The Beatings was that there wasn't really another band out there quite like them. They were playing sleazy, glammy '70s-style punk with an unlikely mix of bubblegum, new wave, and hard rock influences. It had been a long time since I had listened to The Beatings, so the release of 1997-2007 has been an occasion for me to revisit these songs and decide if my younger self had any idea what he was talking about. By the time I got through "Kiss on the Cheek" and "Ghetto Blaster," I was able to assert that, at least in the case of The Beatings, I wasn't totally full of shit back then! These tracks really hold up — as do "Rollercoaster Girl," "The Ballad Of Jimmy & Jenny," and "Medicine." I don't recall ever owning or hearing the Solid Gold 7", but "New Wave Love" is a stone cold ripper. 

The beauty of the digital music revolution is that old records don't have to be lost to the dustbin of history. And we don't have to play the "You had to be there!" game. Even if you had never heard of The Beatings before, if you like trashy punk rock with a heavy glam influence, it's likely you'll be really into this compilation. I know there's so much music out there to listen to, but I truly believe that there's a significant audience for this album in 2026. It will warm my heart if a few of my influential friends play some of these tracks on their radio shows or if a couple of you end up discovering The Beatings for the first time and genuinely liking what you hear. I remember getting into punk in the '90s and thinking that all those old punk records from 20 years prior were ancient. Now we are three decades removed from the new bands I was into then! Will there be a '90s punk revival? Let's make it happen while there's still time!

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Saturday, March 21, 2026

The Melmacs - "Lazy Hearts"

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love The Melmacs any more, they're back with another new single that shoots straight to my heart. Now the band's fourth single released in advance of the forthcoming album EUPHANCHOLIA, "Lazy Hearts" is perhaps its purest pop song to date. It's a total earworm. I'm not sure it's humanly possible to create a song catchier than this one — this tune is like caffeine for the soul! You could be having the worst day ever, and then this song comes on, and suddenly your possibilities are endless and your hopes are bright. The band puts so much energy into this musical performance, and Bimmi sings every note with absolute joy. 

This song resonates with me because it's an anthem of encouragement to all those people out there who feel like failures because they haven't yet accomplished the things that society expects of them. But the twist is that they're not failures since they hold on to their dreams and cling to the belief that there has to be more to life than having lots of money and status. The band has dedicated this song to the "stamped daydreamers and true believers" who ultimately make this world a better place. So cheers to all the "lazy boys, all the lazy girls" with their hearts full of gold, and cheers to The Melmacs for making music that restores my faith in humanity. I've been playing this track on repeat and getting pumped for EUPHANCHOLIA, which will be out April 10th on Bakraufarfita Records & Wanda Records in Germany, Spaghetty Town Records in the USA, and Beluga Records in Sweden. I can't wait! 

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Poison Suckers - Charmer

It's crazy that it has already been five years since the first Poison Suckers 7" came out. Today Jo Jo and Joe are back with a follow-up, and this thing is a stone-cold ripper that will melt your ears clean off your head. Out on Transistor 66, the 4-track EP Charmer finds Poison Suckers doing what they do best: mixing soul music and '60s girl group stylings with ferociously trashy garage punk rock 'n' roll. This band makes an art form out of lo-fi budget production, and the music is all raw energy and thrillingly primitive fury. 

"Slash Tires" is pure fire right out of the gate — like Tina Turner fronting the Oblivians playing an MC5 song. This tune explodes out of your headphones, and Joanne's vocal is just ridiculous. It gives me chills. "Charade" is old school girl group greatness without all the fancy production getting in the way. "Viper Winds" lays down some hip-shaking hillbilly blues stomp — think Southern gothic vibes transplanted to the chilly North. "I'm a Zero" caps things off with full-on garage rock fury. It's a banger of epic proportions. 

And that's that: four perfect songs that give you a little bit of everything you might be craving. I can think of no band that better understands or more fully brings to life the true spirit of rock 'n' roll. Of course this band has talent. These two have a great knack for writing songs that hit you in the gut yet also treat you to enthralling hooks. And there's a very limited number of humans on the planet who can sing like Joanne. But beyond the talent, it's the feeling and the fire in this music that is just so undeniable. Charmer will hit you deep in your soul. It's a record made to be played loudly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's an at-home dance party waiting to happen and a spirited soundtrack to whatever sinful activity you might be compelled to engage in. The EP will be officially released tonight at Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club in Winnipeg! 

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Friends of Cesar Romero - Songs the Siren Sing


And now it is done. Songs the Siren Sing is the final installment in Friends of Cesar Romero's Doomed Babe Series, a project that spanned 5,191 days, 24,641 words, 400+ songs, and more than 50 releases. What J. Waylon Porcupine has done with this project is one of the most impressive feats in music that I've ever had the good fortune to experience. And now the mystery surrounding the title has been revealed: the doomed babe is J. Waylon himself. "Babe" was his childhood nickname, and this series has documented his failed relationships and allowed him to exorcise some demons. Just releasing 50+ installments in a series would be an achievement in itself. But what's so remarkable about this one is that the quality never dipped. There were no phoned-in installments. There were never any throwaway tracks. How do you release over 400 songs and never once turn out a dud? But I don't want to sell this last installment short by turning this review into a retrospective. I am happy to say that this album finds the Doomed Babe Series (and most likely Friends of Cesar Romero) going out on top.

A la February's superb Soul Scouts, Songs the Siren Sing is definitely on the more rocking end of FOCR's musical spectrum. It has its share of perfect pop songs (such as "Simple XX's" and "Dying For Dai (A Little More Each Day)"). And it concludes with J. Waylon having his Pet Sounds moment on the beautiful "Plum Cherry," which is quite possibly the best song in the entire series. But all in all, this album wraps up the Doomed Babe odyssey with a proverbial bang. From the opening jolt of "Elko Speedway" to the garage-rocking fury of "My Cultist Angel" and "Starfucker Qualities" to the thumping power pop of "74 Dart" and "The War on Wednesday," this album brings an energy that's thrilling and infectious. This album, like every Doomed Babe installment, is the perfect combination of almost every musical genre I love. Why choose between power pop, punk, and garage rock when you can get it all in shot? 

We all know of certain series in television and literature that were great for so long but couldn't stick the landing. Well J. Waylon has absolutely stuck the landing. Songs the Siren Sing doesn't try too hard to create closure. It just does what you expect any great Friends of Cesar Romero to do: deliver two-to-three minute tales of relationship woes that will tear your heart out yet also have you dancing around the house and humming the melodies all week. If you pay close attention to the lyrics, you understand how personal and intense these songs are. Yet isn't the beauty of rock 'n' roll that you can take these excruciating experiences and channel them into music that's fun to listen to and deeply reassuring to people who have felt similar pain? I'll put it simply: if you love garage rock and power pop, you will love this release. It's a great-sounding record with loud guitars, hooks for days, and genuine soul in the vocals and lyrics. Who would have expected anything different? 

It's not fair or even accurate to say that J. Waylon Porcupine is now quitting. He has finished what he started. The last time I checked, that's the opposite of quitting. I was a latecomer to the Doomed Babe Series and have so much gratitude to J. Waylon for putting this music into the world and to Niek for turning me onto it. Someday, music historians will look back on the Doomed Babe Series with absolute awe. That's where I already am. Songs The Siren Sing is a free download for now, and the entire Friends of Cesar Romero catalog is a deal and a steal at $111.25!

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Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Girl Drink Drunks - Meal Deal


Back with their first new music since August of 2023, Portland, Oregon's mighty Girl Drink Drunks absolutely rip it up on the five-song EP Meal Deal. This band, comprised of PDX punk mainstays Joel Jett, Adam Kattau, Capt. Johnny Sensitive, Rodrigo Diaz, and Matt "Wet" Waters, continues to play blistering, totally pissed-off punk rock that meets at the intersection of budget trash and early hardcore. But somehow, even after the consistently fantastic output this band has produced in recent years, Girl Drink Drunks have managed to totally blow me away with this latest release, which takes things to the proverbial next level. These tunes have grabbed me by the neck and kicked my ass into the next county. This, my friends, is punk fucking rock in all its fierce and furious glory! 

I love hearing a band sing about how much it sucks to live in these dark times, and few vocalists are better equipped to scream out all those frustrations on an 11-out-of-ten intensity scale than Mr. Joel Jett. And if you like scorching guitars and forcefully bashed drums, you are in for a treat! If "Better Than a Human" had been the whole record, this would have already been an essential purchase. But there's zero letup from there. The title track is an anthem for these times — an urgent reminder that a lot of people out there are struggling just to put food on the table. "Hang Time" might very well be the best song Girl Drink Drunks have ever put on tape. "Woke Up Screaming" is another raging ode to the bleak zeitgeist of Planet Earth circa now. And tying it all together is a smashing rendition of Screaming Sneakers' classic "Violent Days." That choice of a cover was not random. Girl Drink Drunks have made a record that speaks to the present condition. If you subscribe to the "Shit is fucked, but at least that means the punk rock will be really awesome" doctrine, well here's the kind of record you've been waiting for! Dave Berkham recorded this EP at Village Squire Studios, and it sounds exactly like an impassioned punk record ought to. Crank these tunes at the loudest possible volume, sing along at the top of your lungs, and fire yourself up for the fight. Let's be better than a human!

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Sunday, March 15, 2026

Egghead. - Would Like A Few Words With You (2026 Remaster)


It's not very often that I review vinyl reissues of albums that came out 16 years ago. Then again, it's not very often that I get second chances to review really great albums that came out between 2008 and 2010 — when I was doing lord knows what and not writing about music. Egghead. was/is unquestionably one of the all-time most influential bands in the dork rock neighborhood of the pop-punk universe. John Ross Bowie, Mike Faloon, and Johnny Reno contributed so much to this particular sub-genre in their original '90s run that their place in history would have been cemented even if had they never again brought their superpowers together for the good of humankind. "Not Everything That Smells Good, Tastes Good" is some of the best life advice ever dispensed in song. "First Flight To The Moon" predicted space tourism decades in advance. Would The Ergs! have ever existed if "Cosmo & Vogue" hadn't existed first? "Books" was the model for every successful romantic relationship I've ever had. But the music gods eventually gifted us with an Egghead. reunion record titled Would Like A Few Words With You, which was recorded in 2009 and released on compact disc by Knock Knock Records in 2010. I don't know how to put this, but this album was kind of a big deal. And it's kind of a big deal that I'm reviewing Egghead. for the first time in nearly 27 years. For context, consider that I was not yet publishing online (or doing anything at all online) the last time I reviewed this band. 

How do cult classic pop-punk albums from a decade and a half ago wind up getting vinyl releases in the digital age? In many cases, it's because the fine folks at Mom's Basement Records, who are pop-punk historians on a level that not even I could dream to attain, take notice of an injustice that needs to be corrected. You would have thought by now that there would have been a spirited Twitter campaign, well-circulated neighborhood petition, or cable access telethon designed to compel the proper authorities to give Would Like A Few Words With You its long-deserved vinyl release. But now our long ordeal has ended. The album has been remastered and made available on multiple colors of vinyl to longtime fans, record collectors, and a whole new generation of music geeks and geeks who love music. If there was any concern about Egghead. making a record in 2009, it was that perhaps, these gentlemen, now well into their 30s, would at this point be too mature and sophisticated to make a proper Egghead. record (and technically their first studio album). But come on: You know it was absurd for me to even entertain such concerns! Egghead., the sons of the Dickies and first cousins of Boris the Sprinkler, were not about to soil their legacy by writing serious songs. 

What kind of band starts off a pop-punk album with a piano overture? Egghead. does! Over the course of 14 tracks, Would Like A Few Words With You finds Egghead. tearing into a brand of music it helped to perfect: goofy pop-punk with the smartest dumb lyrics you ever heard. If perhaps the band's songwriting was now influenced by such things as marriage and parenthood, these influences were still going to be manifested in a distinctly Egghead. style. Hence we get "My Daughter Can Fuck Up Your Daughter," now recognized on six continents as a certified classic. And "I'm Still Here," a genuinely sweet '60s-style pop song about enduring marital love, features this lyric for the ages: "Sometimes affections fade, I know/But every time I see you naked, it's like I found my favorite song on the radio." Elsewhere, songs ponder interesting topics such as digging mysterious objects out of the ground, excelling at the sport of luge, pondering the frustrations of falling in love with a stoic, and finding yourself stuck inside a Stuckey's with Leonard Graves Phillips. The album also features something that wasn't always a hallmark of Egghead.'s early output: straight-forward pop-punk love songs like "It's All True," "Slow News Day," and "What the Hell Is She Thinking?". This was, and still is, an album that cements Egghead.'s legacy as opposed to piggybacking off of it. 

I've always considered Egghead. a band that I personally underrated back in the day — most likely because I fancied myself as more of a punk than a geek. But eventually a man grows up and realizes he had it backwards. Rebooting a band a decade and a half after its initial run can sometimes be a recipe for disappointment, but Would Like A Few Words With You was nothing short of a triumph for Egghead. And if it hadn't been, Mom's Basement wouldn't be putting it out now. No fan of '90s pop-punk will want to sleep on this release.

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Saturday, March 14, 2026

Shop Talk - self titled


Brooklyn-based trio Shop Talk, following a series of singles and EPs the last three years, has just unleashed a self-titled album on One Track Mind Records/Revolver USA. Recorded in Nashville with James Mechan of The Sleeveens, this 11-song long player does something that's very hard to do: take obvious inspiration from first wave punk rock while still sounding contemporary and original. 

If you've heard Shop Talk before, you know this isn't a band that's easy to pin down. But hey, why would you even want to? If I got into rock geek mode, I could say this band sounds a little bit like The Adverts might have if they'd come out of Los Angeles but listened to a lot of New York punk rock. The style is powerful, slightly moody melodic punk with intelligent lyrics and razor-sharp hooks. I'm not surprised at all that someone with impeccable taste like Henry Rollins is a fan. Also not surprising is that James Mechan was able to elicit such a perfect recording for a punk rock record. Jon Garcia's guitars really pack a punch but never overwhelm Tristan Griffin's nimble, hard-driving bass lines. The sound is crisp but not excessively polished. Garcia, who mixed the album, and Mikey Young, who mastered it, really get what timeless punk rock ought to sound like. The songs are lean and well-crafted, and they manage to create a dreary-ish mood while still radiating pure energy. I appreciate that the band re-recorded some of its earlier tracks ("Ramona," "Black Friar," "Camp Hero", "Mirage of Love") for this release. They were too good to leave off a full-length album, and they fit in perfectly with new scorchers such as "SOS," "Love Dart," and "Terra Damnata." Clocking in at less than 27 minutes, this album is definitely an all-killer, no-filler experience. If you love first wave punk rock but perhaps lean towards some of the more progressive bands of that movement, Shop Talk is a current band that ought to be on your radar.

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The Dollyrots - "Attention Span"


How do The Dollyrots do it? After more than a quarter-century as a band, countless releases to their name, and thousands of live shows played, Kelly and Luis still hold on to the enthusiasm and style that made The Dollyrots such a breath of fresh air in the punky pop rock 'n' roll scene in the early 2000s. "Attention Span," the band's new single on Wicked Cool Records, is instantly recognizable as a Dollyrots song. It's a high energy blast of punchy punk-pop that pairs a sugar rush of hooks with very relatable lyrics about how this age of constant connection ultimately makes us feel more disconnected from one another. The single arrives in conjunction with the band's Spring Break From Reality Tour, which launched a couple days ago and continues through the 22nd of this month. Straight-up, this song is an earworm. But that's not a surprise, is it? Most of us could use a little break from reality right now, and "Attention Span" sends me on a three minute vacation to my happy place. Hit up The Dollyrots' web site for more tour info!

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Friends of Cesar Romero - Jolly Joker


Aw man, we are getting close to the end! Jolly Joker is number 49 in Friends of Cesar Romero's Doomed Babe Series — making it the penultimate entry in a series that dates back to December of 2011. This is something a little different for FOCR: a "semi-live album." Basically, this is J. Waylon's very own Peel Session, and I dig the vibe. This set was recorded for a radio segment that never aired, and now we get to enjoy some FOCR blasts from the past in all their unpolished glory. If you're a fan, this is a huge treat. These songs from the 2010s date as far back as 2011's "Skull Carpenters" (off of Return to Zero, the first installment in the Doomed Babe Series). A lot of these tracks are up there with the band's best — such as 2012's "Tammys of Tomorrow," 2016's "Grab Your Heathers and Run," and 2018's "Longing Heart Condition." Kicking off with the stomper "Wolf in Houndstooth," this is a really hard-rocking set. For all of us who will never experience FOCR as anything more than a studio project, it's thrilling to hear the group as a proper live rock 'n' roll band that puts the power in power pop and the rock in garage rock. If you, as I, were a late-comer to the Doomed Babe Series, you might find yourself inspired to go back and check out some of the early installments that feature these songs. I'm notoriously "meh" about live albums in general, and I'm not sure what my policy on semi-live albums is. But I'm enjoying Jolly Joker tremendously and am quite thankful it was released. Now we await installment #50!

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Sunday, March 08, 2026

The Darrans - "I Don't Care About You"


It was nearly seven years ago when I reviewed the debut album by The Darrans. In my book, that remains one of the most underrated punk rock records of recent times, and The Darrans are one of those Aussie bands that doesn't get talked about nearly enough. Even I have not kept up with this band adequately. "I Don't Care About You" is its new single following two it released last year. What can I say about this song other than it's classic punk rock? If you like your punk rock simple, catchy, and full of attitude, The Darrans are a band you need in your life. I hope a new album is in the works. In the meantime, you can play "I Don't Care About You" on repeat until you've thoroughly annoyed your friends, family, and neighbors

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N*rc*s y Horchata - Lake Ave Traffic EP


While I still can't spell the whole band name without getting reprimanded by Google's censor bots, N*rc*s y Horchata is absolutely one of my favorite bands. This is, in my estimation, the best American punk group going. With the band having a long-running love affair with the city of Minneapolis, it has decided to do something in the wake of what has been going on there in recent months. The Lake Ave Traffic EP is a benefit release on Bandcamp. All proceeds are going to the NE Neighbors Mutual Aid Fund in Minneapolis, which is providing direct relief to families affected by the current administration's brutal occupation of the city. The title track is one of my favorite songs of off NYH's most recent long player, precious little album. If you don' yet own it, "Lake Ave Traffic" will surely encourage you to rectify that situation. The other two songs on the EP are previously unreleased. "Boone's Farm Amongst Möet" is vintage NYH: no-nonsense Midwestern melodic punk with heart, grit, and clever, self-effacing lyrics. I can't help hearing lyrics like "I leave the poetry to the poets/'Cuz there's a good chance that I'll blow it/I'm sinking fast, boy, don't I know it" and thinking of a certain band from Minneapolis. This easily could have been on the album, but it's kind of neat that the band had some spare songs sitting around that they could put on this EP. Staying in that Midwestern vein, "Walk in Cold" is a Naked Raygun classic, and it's NYH's first recorded cover. Anyone who has heard precious little album can understand why this band covering Naked Raygun makes sense. NYH plays the cover fairly straight but still puts its signature on the song. Any fan of the band will want to own this release. The price is set at $4 but the band is asking you to consider to pay more since every penny of its take is going to NENMAF.

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Saturday, March 07, 2026

The Overjoyed - self titled


Last year I reviewed an absolutely crackling track called "Don't Listen!" by Athens-based punk band The Overjoyed. This band has been releasing music since the early 2010s, but I must admit to being unaware of its output prior to last year. But "Don't Listen!" definitely grabbed my attention, and I was pleased to discover that the band released a new full-length album (its first in seven years) a couple weeks ago. This self-titled album is a fine work of melodic punk rock and power pop that mixes influences nicely while still maintaining a largely cohesive sound. 

The album opens emphatically with "Can't Write Music," an absolute banger of a song. The story behind the track is that singer/guitarist Leo was struggling with writer's block a few years back, towards the end of the pandemic. At a moment when it seemed like everyone else was using their down time to write and record music, he was going through some heavy stuff personally and found himself adversely affected by Covid-era social-political hysteria. He literally couldn't write anything. Then one night, he sat down and wrote a song about not being able to write songs — ironically finishing it in a single evening. You can hear the feelings pouring out of him on this song, which is a perfect tone-setter for the rest of the album. I can truly appreciate the irony of a band called The Overjoyed making an album this dark. It's definitely an album of these times, and the influence that modern-day punk rock had on its sound is undeniable. I can totally a dig a band that can move seamlessly from aggressive punk rock to high energy power pop to old school punk-pop. The band's love for Green Day remains apparent on "Don't Listen!" and "Party Eyes," while "Spark" is classic power pop/punk done to perfection. "Laundromat" and "Already Late" are giving Radioactivity vibes, and I've got no complaints about that. "Joy Vampire" brings a heavier sound — think 2000s commercial punk, but not in a bad way. 

All in all, this is a powerful-sounding record. These guys really put their hearts and their guts into these songs. The album, which was recorded at the band's own studio in Athens, is the rare example of a punk record sounding super-polished but in no way lacking an edge. This thing sounds massive and raging, and that makes these songs hit even harder. This album totally lives up to my expectations. It manages to scratch my nostalgic itch for '90s punk rock yet still sound like it's that one of those records that's ushering in an exciting new era of power pop/punk. Great stuff from Greece!

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Ryan Allen - They're Coming For Us


One of the benefits of this modern age of music is that an artist can opine on current events in real time. If you released a protest song back in the day, by the time the thing got recorded, the records were pressed, and the label was ready to put it out, you might have been singing about something that had happened a year or more earlier. But these days, modern technology has greatly reduced (and in some cases, virtually eliminated) the turnaround time between writing and releasing a song. And if you're a protest singer in 2026, that's ideal. Ryan Allen is not always a protest singer, but he certainly doesn't shy away from using his art and his platform to weigh in on what's happening in America. He is passionate about social justice and (to put it mildly) deeply concerned about the political climate of the moment. "Shit is fucked" is his technical assessment of the situation, and he's not wrong. 

If you had told me even a decade ago that we'd soon be living in times where white supremacy would be rebranded as a perfectly respectable political choice, anti-fascism would become a partisan stance, an outgoing president could incite an insurrection and subsequently get re-elected in an electoral landslide, and half the nation would bend over backwards to justify masked government agents executing protestors in the streets, I would have considered that a fiction too absurd to be published. But here we are. A wise man once asked the musical question "What are we gonna to do now?", and what Ryan Allen has done is written some songs that he hopes will inspire resistance and raise some money for the cause. They're Coming For Us, his brand-new EP, is his effort to use his talents "as a weapon against hate, oppression, and the doomscroll world that we're all living in." All proceeds from this release will be donated to Democracy Forward. 

Musically, this EP delivers a little bit of everything that I enjoy about Ryan Allen. The title track finds him going back to his roots in punk rock, and the message is not subtle. If you're willing to embrace authoritarianism in America because they're going after "those people," don't act shocked when they eventually come for you. "This Ugly" is vintage Ryan Allen indie power pop and confronts the distressing realization that we can no longer assume that most people are decent, kind-hearted humans who reject hate. The EP concludes with "Hurry Up and Wait," which finds Allen adopting the classic guitar-and-voice only approach to protest singing. The song ponders a question that has been on my mind as well: When will this lunacy end — if it does at all? 

They're Coming For Us was produced, mixed, and mastered by Robby Miller. It sounds fantastic, and the songs are as inspired musically as they are lyrically. The EP is a $5 download from Bandcamp. 100% of Allen's cut will go towards the defense of democracy. Again, not that many years ago, the mere notion that we'd ever have to worry about preserving democracy in America might have seemed ludicrous. But I'll be honest: I'm pretty damn worried.

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Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Geoff Palmer - "Last Call At Mickey's"


Duuuuuuuuuuude! How great is it to have a surprise new single from Geoff freaking Palmer fall into our laps in the middle of a work week? Released in advance of the show Palmer and his band will be playing at Mickey's Tavern in Madison this weekend, "Last Call At Mickey's" is an exuberant tribute to that very establishment. What's not to love about a song that celebrates a beloved watering catering to "the local drunks, punks, and freaks"? This could be the theme song to the greatest TV program not yet made! Palmer, joined by the crack unit of Tyler Spatz, Paul Kennedy, and Daniel James, is in top form on this infectious little ditty. If you dig high-spirited poppy punk that's catchier than measles in South Carolina, this track is gonna be your jam even if you've never set a foot in Wisconsin. On the virtual B-side, "I Ain't No" recalls peak-era Queers with its scathing excoriation of heshers and college hippies. This song makes me nostalgic for more innocent times when the most objectionable thing about most of the people we disliked was their poor taste in music and fashion. God, I miss the '90s. What a great new single from Geoff Palmer and friends! Break out one of your old $2 bills and snag this bad boy!

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The Sleeveens - "If I Was a Casual"


Alright kids, shit just got real! 2026 was already off to a hot start, and there's a whole lot more waiting in the wings to get excited about. And now a pre-order for a new album from the mighty Sleeveens turns up? What have we done to deserve this? 

Coming off a debut album that I can call an instant classic without being the slightest bit guilty of hyperbole, The Sleeveens certainly have lofty expectations to live up to. But I have zero doubt that they're up to the task. If the album's first single, "If I Was a Casual," is any indication, the Dublin & Nashville-based band isn't straying far from the mix of old school Irish punk and soulful Tennessee-fried garage rock 'n' roll that has thrilled live audiences and record buyers for the past couple years. It opens the album National Anthem in fully anthemic style — coming on like a firecracker and exhorting you to sing along and pump your first in the air before you even know what hit you. The Sleeveens' music is literally poetry in motion, and here that motion is furious and infectious. The full album releases May 1st on Goner Records, and now would be a very good time to reserve yourself a copy on vinyl. Man, I can't wait to hear this one. The soundtrack to the resistance is gonna be bangin'! 

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Loose Lips - Live at the Cactus Room

How good do you have to be to pull off releasing virtually the same set of songs six months apart and have your fans ecstatic about it? Well Loose Lips have done it! Live at the Cactus Room was recorded this past October in Melbourne, and it captures Loose Lips fully in their element. Outside of a couple songs that were on the band's first 7", the entire set is from the band's debut album Last Laugh. The recording debuted on Todd Ophonic's WFMU show, and now it's available as a digital album from Bandcamp. I'm usually not a fan of live albums, but this particular one is an exception for me. It's a good-sounding recording (credit must go to Dave Forcier for a stellar mixing job). And hearing these songs in a slightly different form reminds me how great of an album Last Laugh is. I'm not going to give you some hot take about how this "side project" band is better than Josh's and Nadine's main bands. But if you gave me that take, I wouldn't fight you. This recording demonstrates how Loose Lips sound rawer and looser than the typical power pop band but still fill their '60s girl group and '70s glam inspired sound with killer hooks. Is a live digital album from this band worth ten Australian dollars? If you're a huge fan, you bet it is! Could you perhaps expect more new tunes from Loose Lips sometime this year? If you check out Jay's interview with the band over at Shock Treatment, you just might find an answer!

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Monday, March 02, 2026

Mod Lang - Borrowed Time


There has already been considerable acclaim for the the debut album from Detroit's Mod Lang, and every bit of it is richly deserved. Every now and then, a truly great new pop band comes on the scene and treats our lucky ears to something genuinely special. Mod Lang is one of those bands, and the attention it's getting makes me really happy. Released on the ever-dependable Just Add Water Records, Borrowed Time has been out for only ten days and has already sold out an entire vinyl pressing and amassed over 130 supporters on Bandcamp. That's an immense response, and it shows you that something truly remarkable is cooking in the American power pop/pop-rock underground. 

My first reaction to this record was that it sounds like the '60s — but in a way that comes off more timeless than retro. Vocalists/guitarists Antonio Keka and Alex Belfie have crafted ten songs that combine pop-rock classicism with a legit freshness that is all too often missing from music that draws from the '60s and early '70s. This is exciting new music, not cosplay karaoke. The influence of everyone from The Beatles to The Raspberries to The Everly Brothers to (obviously) Big Star is worn on this band's sleeve. And yet you get the sense that this band is looking forward, not backward. So much of that comes down to the superb material. If you're going to write melody-driven rock songs, you ought to write melodies like these that are absolutely intoxicating and twice as memorable. The lead vocals and harmonies hit the spot, and you won't hear a band better equipped to pull off the ringing guitars and punchy bottom end that make music like this so hard to resist. But ultimately what comes through the most is that these four individuals are having fun. They're playing rock 'n' roll, and they're doing it joyfully. This is that rare band that will go over well with just about any music lover aged 9 to 90. Trends come and go, but great songs never go out of style. If you aren't a believer in pop music, Mod Lang will make you one. Hit up Just Add Water and order yourself one of those newfangled compact discs! 

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Sunday, March 01, 2026

The Dahlmanns - Life in Reverse


On this first day of meteorological spring, The Dahlmanns have birthed something fresh and beautiful. Life in Reverse is their first full-length album in more than 14 years. It's part of a brilliant second act for one of my favorite bands. For nearly a month, I've been walking around like a grinning child who's fighting valiantly to hold on to a secret. I could not wait to write about this album! Now release day has arrived. The O.G. of punk rock zine bards has already weighed in, and I am delighted to spread the gospel!

The title Life in Reverse is shared with one of the songs on the album, but at a deeper level it reflects the theme of this LP. Andre and Line Dahlmann, joined by Magnus Gulbrandsen on guitar; Jan-Erik Hoel on bass; and Ole S. Nesset on drums, have taken a deep dive into all the music they've loved from their teen years to present day. If the last album, 2011's All Dahled Up, was a quintessential example of power pop by way of the Ramones, Life in Reverse is something else entirely. It's not quite what you were expecting from The Dahlmanns, yet it sounds absolutely like The Dahlmanns. This is music full of melody and life, and Line's voice has never sounded better. Having covered everyone from ABBA to Men Without Hats to Sylvain Sylvain to Suzi Quatro to Katrina and the Waves over the years, Andre and Line had already made it clear that their musical influences transcended one specific genre. And so Life in Reverse feels like a logical progression in The Dahlmanns' oeuvre. While certainly not a "power pop" record per se, it's a shining example of what great pop music ought to be.  

Kicking off with the 1-2 punch of last year's singles "Leatherboys" and "Dark Side with You," Life in Reverse quickly establishes itself as something quite different from The Dahlmanns. The former is a Detroit-inspired rocker that brings plenty of sleaze and stomp; the latter channels the spirit of Roky Erickson. From there, Side 1 of the album unfolds in a very pop-leaning way. "What's Inside a Mind" exudes gorgeous melancholy and chilly day sunshine. It's truly a perfect pop song. "Sandalwood" is pristine guitar pop operating at full maturity. The gentle "In the Dark" brings more laidback vibes, and then "Ride On" is the album's token shot of power pop by the book. After easing you into their evolved musical approach, The Dahlmanns really let their hair down on Side 2. On the scorching "From the Universe," the band flashes the action rock moves that are practically its birthright. "The Golden One" is full-on modern rock — a song that's moody and haunting yet undeniably powerful. The stunning title track is '80s-ish synth-pop with a modern Nordic indie pop twist. "Fire Fades" feels the like '90s with its bittersweet, heart-on-sleeve jangle. The extraordinary album closer "Old Ghosts Say" is all warm '70s breeze and sun-kissed melody — "A fjord twist on Laurel Canyon," as the venerable Mr. Hutton puts it. 

My personal history of writing about The Dahlmanns dates back nearly 15 years. This is my 14th occasion writing about this band, and it's a joy to observe that they've grown as much as I have since the dawn of the last decade. The 2011 version of me might have been taken aback by The Dahlmanns making a record like this. The current version of me wouldn't have it any other way. Do you really want a band to sound exactly the same when 14+ years of living life and absorbing new influences separate two albums? I get the sense that the band is expecting Life in Reverse to be a polarizing release. But I'm anticipating reviews and (more importantly) fan reactions to be almost universally positive. This is an extraordinary album. When it comes to songwriting, musicianship, production, and vocal performances, this record leaves everything else in The Dahlmanns' catalog in the dust. It's still close enough to power pop to appeal to longtime fans, but it doesn't need to limit itself in terms of musical style. I love hearing this band show that it can rock both harder and softer than expected — and break all sorts of new ground in the process. 

The Dahlmanns, in honoring some of the favorite artists of their lives, have made a record for people who love music. You can feel the love in these songs. And at a time when we need music more than ever as a retreat from the darkness of the world, Life in Reverse will take you to a place of joy and hope. It's available now from FABCOM! Records in the U.S.A. and Waterslide Records in Japan. European releases are coming soon!

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Saturday, February 28, 2026

The Melmacs - "Bad Seeds"


I have a running joke that something is seriously wrong with me if I haven't declared an album of the year frontrunner before the end of February. Well I'm cutting it close this time, but I'll gladly put The Melmacs' forthcoming long player EUPHANCHOLIA in the leader's chair at the moment. The Melmacs already have one of my favorite albums of the decade, Good Advice, to their credit. Now they are poised to surpass themselves. "Bad Seeds," the third single from the new album, arrived a couple of days ago, and it's another banger. Musically, this highlights the way the band has held on to its core punk/powerpop sound yet expanded it with elements of new wave and modern rock. And much like the last single, "Keep On," "Bad Seeds" feels like a pep talk to whomever might be listening. 

"Bad Seeds" is a reminder to take a good, hard look at the people around you and ask yourself which of them are bringing light into your life and which ones might be doing the opposite. "Don't let anyone in the world steal your glitter," says the band, and those are truly words to live by. This song is another inspired performance from The Melmacs. You can hear it in Bimmi's impassioned vocals and the electric energy of the music. And even as the song ruminates on dark subject matter, it ultimately turns it all into hope. By that time the chorus hits, you're shouting along, pumping your fist, and resolving to seize back whatever light has been taken from your life. The Melmacs are on fire! Circle April 10th on your calendar. EUPHANCHOLIA will be out Bakraufarfita Records & Wanda Records in Germany, Spaghetty Town Records in the USA, and Beluga Records in Sweden!

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