Thursday, July 16, 2026

Amplifier Heads - Super 8


Smack dab in the middle of this most wonderful year for music — a year in which many have observed that real deal rock 'n' roll has come back with a vengeance — it seems fitting that we would be treated to a new full-length album from The Amplifier Heads. Super 8 releases tomorrow on the world-famous Rum Bar Records. It is, by my count, the band's sixth LP. And it's almost certainly the finest effort yet from Sal Baglio and friends. It's essentially a sonic journey through rock 'n' roll history — a history that is, in fact, still being written. As you would expect from an Amplifier Heads album, the menu is packed with a variety of popular flavors. You'll hear hints of everything from the blues and first generation rock 'n' roll to the British Invasion to garage rock to power pop to glam rock to the Rolling Stones to OG punk rock. If the firecracker opening track "Rock N' Roll Riot" had been the whole record, Baglio could have dropped the mic and declared victory. But that's just a starting point, and Super 8 keeps on bringing the hits. Life is too short to waste on filler. 

Off the bat, "Rock N' Roll Riot" is a pure jolt of raucous energy to get you moving and shaking and dominating your day. It literally starts at the beginning — time-traveling back to the Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland in 1952 and rocketing forward into the world-altering sonic explosion that soon followed. On the sexy and sticky-sweet "Hot Stars," the time machine stops off in the early '70s for a rendezvous with Marc Bolan. "A Song Called Sha La La" takes it back to the '60s and slyly pilfers a melody from The Troggs. Baglio, as he longs for someone out there to write another timeless rock 'n' roll radio smash, proceeds to will that very thing into existence. Just like that, you've got an opening 1-2-3 punch that few albums will ever beat. But wait! There's more! "They Don't Dance Anymore" is a reflective ballad longing for a time when rock 'n' roll ruled the airwaves and all the kids still knew how to groove. "A Girl Named Chop Suey" is kickin' livewire garage rock that winks and nods in the direction of "Louie Louie." "Can't Put My Finger On It," which is a little bit country and a whole lot of rock 'n' roll, is an earworm of master class status. "Superstar" sounds like the best song Dave Edmunds never wrote. "Hot Wax" takes us back to a moment in time when rock 'n' roll was climbing mischievously out of the womb of rhythm and blues — a suitable last stop on this full circle journey through time and sound. 

It's hard not to look back at last year's tremendous Peppermint Kicks album Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum (which Baglio co-authored) and note that Super 8 seems to have been made from the same magical stuff. Sometimes The Amplifier Heads sound like an intergalactic rock machine, but on this record, they're sticking to Planet Earth and the scorching sounds that pumped new life into it in the latter half of the 20th century. As a songwriter, Baglio has never sounded more inspired. Joined by Kevin "King" Rapillo on drums and Brad Hallen on bass (along with some special guest stars on a few tracks), he exemplifies everything that rock 'n' roll ought to be and still can be. There's no need for bells and whistles when you can conjure this sort of glorious and rousing racket that comes roaring out of the garage and into the dive bars and dance halls. These guys truly put their soul into this record, and the joy is palpable in every note. This is the work of a child of the '60s who fondly recalls the majestic past but isn't resigned to being stuck in it. 

Is Super 8 a throwback record? Yes and no. The whole point of all this time traveling is to remind ourselves why we still love rock 'n' roll and why we all remain so passionate about its preservation. All of you out there playing in bands, running labels, promoting music, buying records, hosting radio shows, writing reviews, and going out to see bands don't even have to question why you do it. This is the music that sets our souls on fire. Who wants to live in a world without rock 'n' roll? Thankfully we'll never have to (as the first half of 2026 has made evident). Gather 'round, true believers, and behold the gospel according to The Amplifier Heads!

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Sunday, July 12, 2026

Bart and the Brats - Brats Being Brats


Bart is back! Out on Big Neck Records, Brats Being Brats is the 7th 7" record from La Rochelle, France's one-man wrecking crew Bart and the Brats. The title says it all. You should expect nothing different than usual from Bart. He's not attempting five-minute epics or trying to learn a fourth chord. He's not singing about his feelings. He's here to deliver four more tracks of thumping meat and potatoes rock 'n' roll that bridges the 1977 punk explosion to the '90s budget punk heyday. Expect vocals drenched in attitude, lyrics that tell it like it is, pummeling power chords, rapid-fire drums and bass, and songs that never overstay their welcome. Who can't relate to songs about killing your TV and needing three coffees before noon? As always, Lo'Spider was on hand to catch this madness on tape at Swampland, Toulouse. As France shows the whole world that it's unbeatable on the football pitch, Bart and the Brats would make one hell of a run if there were a World Cup of punk rock. Vinyl is limited and sure to go fast!

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Vista Blue - "Wooden Horse"


In addition to holding the record for being the most frequently reviewed band on Faster and Louder (today they surpass Roger Maris with write-up #62), Vista Blue is also the only band that I've ever reviewed both twice on the same day and on back-to-back days. The back-to-back day part of that has been accomplished today, and I know a lot of you are speculating about any improper benefits I may have received in exchange for facilitating such a milestone. Let me reiterate that it would be unlawful for me to accept any shipment of alcoholic beverages brought into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from an unlicensed entity. The truth is that I just really love this band and really love writing about this band. I will go as far as to vow that I will continue to write about music for as long as Vista Blue continues to exist as a musical entity. So yeah, if Vista Blue releases a song in 2050 to celebrate Pete Crow-Armstrong's Baseball Hall of Fame induction, I'll almost surely be there to write a review that you can download from a microchip in your eyeball and read in your flying car. 

Just when I was starting to wonder how nearly every band I love releasing an album in 2026 would impact the musical offerings of 2027, I get my first "I can't wait until next year!" moment. In March of 2027, Vista Blue will release an epic project titled 50 Stories. The album will include 50 songs, which will all be inspired by books and short stories Mike has enjoyed over the years. Given that I'm a book geek when I'm not busy being a music geek and a sports geek, I'm really stoked about this release. The brand-new single "Wooden Horse" is a sneak preview of the album. Leave it Vista Blue to take inspiration from Homer's Odyssey and come up with a love song! The song's release, of course, coincides with The Odyssey hitting movie theaters this week. It's something a little different for Vista Blue. It features strings arranged and recorded by Nicolas Ocampo and falls closer to pure majestic pop than it does to punk rock. That said, it still feels like a classic Vista Blue song. 

Obviously, when you're putting 50 songs on an album (I still can't believe they're doing that!), there's going to be a lot of variety in terms of musical style. So this is just a little taste of what's to come. Mike and Mark really knocked this one out of the park, and I appreciate that the use of strings actually fits the song. They didn't say, "Let's put strings on this track because we can!" They put a lot of thought into this one, and I feel like the folks at Universal Pictures will be pretty upset they didn't know about the song in time to put it in the movie. This tune has bigtime closing credits energy! The connection to the Odyssey is undeniable, yet the song's relatability transcends any particular work of literature. Will this be on Christopher Nolan's personal playlist by year's end? I wouldn't be surprised!

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Saturday, July 11, 2026

Vista Blue - "50 Years"


There are few things I enjoy more in life than a happy love song. And if it's coming from one of my favorite bands, I'm going to be doubly delighted. On its new single "50 Years," Vista Blue has brought us the ultimate happy love song. The song celebrates the 50th wedding anniversary of the band's good friends Kent and Barbie Duffy. Kent co-wrote the lyrics with Mike, and then Mike and Mark recorded the song. Kent and Barbie gave their blessing for the song to be released for streaming, and now we all get to share in the celebration!  

First of all, congratulations to Kent and Barbie! 50 years of marriage is an amazing, beautiful thing, and I wish you many more anniversaries to come! Secondly, I'm really blown away by what a genuinely fantastic song this is. To be able to write a song like this that's heartfelt, beautiful, and sentimental without being cheesy is an amazing achievement. The song takes a matter-of-fact approach that is touching and relatable. I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up the first two to seven times I read the lyrics. The line "I closed my eyes and opened them/And now it's been 50 years" absolutely gives me goosebumps (I'm feeling the exact same way today about 17 years!). I love the way the song looks back at all the things that have happened in those 50 years — the places Kent and Barbie have lived, the children they've raised, the songs on the radio that have come and gone. And here they still are. The last verse incorporates a passion for music into their love story and reflects on memorable shows they've seen together. And of course, Mike and Mark perform the song joyfully and splendidly. 

There's so much darkness and despair in this world right now, so a song as sweet and uplifting as this was exactly what I needed. I don't think Mike ever gets enough credit for being an excellent singer (honestly, it was the first thing I noticed about Vista Blue back in the day), and here he takes on the tall task of having to give voice to the words that came from another person's heart. But that plays to his natural sincerity as a singer. What an inspired performance, and what a wonderful anniversary gift to give to dear friends! Much is made of Vista Blue being lyrically unconventional for a pop-punk band, but isn't that exactly what makes this band so endearing? Even when they're not doing love songs, the love is always coming through since every song means something to them. Here, they are doing a love song, and it couldn't be more perfect.

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Mauro & The Mob - What Have I Got To Lose


Mauro Venegas (ex Speedways, Godfathers, Jonny Cola & the A-Grades, the Rocks ) has launched a new solo-ish project, and of course it's brilliant! "What Have I Got To Lose," Mauro & the Mob's debut single, will be released on vinyl this fall by Spain's Snap!! Records. The digital tracks are already available from Bandcamp and well worth owning in advance of the 7". The title track, featuring David Ryder Prangley on bass and Steve Grainger on drums, is a straight shot of rockin' power pop with impassioned vocals and a killer chorus. On the flip side, "Don't Look Now" (featuring additional playing by producer Jez Leather) is a little more '80s new wave-ish and quite reminiscent of the excellent songs Mauro wrote for the last Speedways album. Those guitar lines are immediately recognizable as his, and they mingle nicely with the keyboards that drive the song. This is a very nice pairing of tunes: one a little punchier, and the other a little moodier. But which one is the hit? It's a tough call! Keep your eyes peeled for information about the vinyl release, which is slated for September! This will be up there with the best singles of the year. 

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Tuesday, July 07, 2026

Tiger Bomb - 15 Super Hits


You have to love an album with the name 15 Super Hits. Right off, you know to expect nothing more and nothing less than fun and timeless rock 'n' roll. There will be no robot voices or seven-minute songs about dragons. You know that when you put that record on, you'll soon be dancing and singing along and generally having a great time. Tiger Bomb, a band co-fronted by Chris Horne from garage rock legends The Brood and Lynda Mandolyn from Fabulous Disaster, has been at it for nearly a decade now. I am more than a little chagrined that I've never previously reviewed this band that was practically tailor-mode for this blog. But the great thing about being a fan of music is that it's never too late to get hip (pun intended) to all kinds of good stuff. With a lineup rounded out by Amanda Ayotte (Legendary Unknowns) on bass and Jessica Smith (The Resistance) on drums, the Portland, Maine–based Tiger Bomb plays upbeat & infectious garage rock influenced by girl groups, punk rock, power pop, and classic pop and rock 'n' roll. Yeah, I know: that sounds like something I would be into! Out on the legendary Get Hip Recordings, the aptly named 15 Super Hits features 15 original songs that could easily pass for covers of forgotten '60s classics.  

The singing and songwriting partnership between Horne and Mandolyn is one of the things that really makes Tiger Bomb special. The former's songs are mostly high-energy garage rock shakers, while the latter's lean more towards power pop. But Horne's songs still have killer hooks, and Mandolyn's songs still pack plenty of punch. And all these songs go together splendidly. It never feels like you're listening to two different bands. Both of these women could carry (and have carried) a band as the lead songwriter, but they sure are dynamite together. I can't think of one song I would want to subtract from the track list, and even a healthy collection of 15 songs leaves me wanting more. 

Given the individuals involved, it's hardly a surprise that Tiger Bomb is such a fantastic band. But this group is more than just the sum of its parts. These four women get rock 'n' roll, and as a unit, they are an absolute ball of fire. They are masters of their craft, yet they play with the energy and enthusiasm of teenagers in the garage. Many of you are reading this and thinking, "What took you so long, dude?" The rest of you will be wondering how quickly you can acquire Tiger Bomb's full discography. Happy shopping!

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Bashful - 'Til It Makes You Sick


This one was an A+ recommendation from Niek. From Richmond, Virginia, Bashful has unleashed an absolute banger of a new album in 'Til It Makes You Sick. I believe the technical way to describe this is "punk rock that kicks ass." You know what I'm talking about: mega-blasting guitars, relentlessly pounding drums, vocals with guts and heart, and hooks that never quit. Pop-punk can often be a hit-or-miss thing, but this is a band that gets it right. Whatever frequent complaints you might have about pop-punk (too wimpy, dumb lyrics, annoying vocals, no originality, etc.) will not apply here. This record is a total firecracker. These songs are as likely to make you want to start a pit in your living room as they are to get stuck in your head. I often have a sweet spot for pop-punk that seems to have been teleported in from the '90s, but Bashful sounds a little more contemporary. I love that you can feel the passion that Bashful put into these songs. This music is infectious and full of life. If I'm sitting on the couch and you ask me why I'm so sweaty, I'll say, "I was listening to Bashful." 

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