Kalamazoo, Michigan is home to Bronson Arm (Blake Bickel – Guitar/Vocals, Garrett Yates – Drums) who are back with a new release a mere year after last year’s self-titled debut. The oddly titled Casket Schwagg (Learning Curve Records) is described as a politically charged album by Bickel despite the band not being politically charged themselves, whether this proves potentially off-putting to some remains to be seen. Continue reading
Morgan Y. Evans – photo credit Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gomez DaPena
Morgan Y. Evans is a nonbinary musician, activist, and writer from Woodstock, NY who has been in the scene since 1993. They live in SoCal now and record as Walking Bombs, an ongoing musical project based on solo songs and/or collaborations which has included team-ups with folx as varied as Garry Brents of Gonemage, industrial pop duo VOWWS, Lis from Filth Is Eternal, Gridfailure, and Jørgen Munkeby of Shining/Emperor (to name a few). Continue reading
Last night was night one of the Fire Aid Benefit to raise money for victims of the recent devastating California Wildfires. Among the star-studded performers at the arena was the surviving members of Nirvana, performing a mini-set of mostly deep cuts and hits. Filling in on guest vocals and guitars were St. Vincent, Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Joan Jett, and Violet Grohl. This was also Dave Grohl’s first performance and official public appearance since his family issues, last year. Nirvana has reunited a few times over the years since the death of Kurt Cobain, including with Joan Jett twice for their Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction. You can donate at the link here. https://fireaidla.org/Continue reading
Had I been told four or five years ago that the spirit of psyche-exploring, experimental Electro/Industrial duo Coil would be alive and flourishing in the hands of Napalm Death’s bass player, I would have been … surprised. Continue reading
If Noise-Rock, and Punk were musical movements built on no more destructive behaviour than a gigantic excess of sugar, and were intrinsically aligned with computer game soundtracks, the world might have many a Melt-Banana. Continue reading
Having followed Learning Curve Records for a fair old while, it was exciting to see one of their number, Bronson Arm, pop up on the Ghost Cult reviews list. Other noteworthy acts from said label that are worthy of investigation include The Tunnel, Something Is Waiting and Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends, to name but a few.Continue reading
Death Mother (Church Road Records) is the debut full-length from Sweden’s Blodet, and it arrives after the tragic death of their guitarist Rickie Paleski-Östland, who contributed to the writing of the album. In spite of the inevitably difficult process of getting the record finished, it is nevertheless described as “cathartic”, “mesmerising”, and “alluring” by the press release which also draws comparisons to Chelsea Wolfe, Cult of Luna, and Sonic Youth.
When it comes to describing 93696 (Thrill Jockey), the latest album by Liturgy, one could just as well start by describing what this album is not. It is not a record to easily put on in the background and definitely not a go-to if you want to reduce your anxiety. Pretty much the opposite is true. This is a record screaming in your ears for attention, that induces anxiety all along the way.
Alternative Rock icon Thurston Moore, best known for his time in Sonic Youth, has announced a new instrumental album, Screen Time. The album will arrive via Southern Lord Records on all DSPs on 25th February, 2022, with a vinyl version due out at a later date. Pre-orders are live for the album now. To tide you over, listen to two debut singles, “The Station” and “The Walk’ right now!
Seattle hardcore punk outfit Fucked and Bound have shared their cover of Sonic Youth’s “Kool thing.” The track appears on the limited-edition reissue of the band’s Suffrage LP, out this week, December 18th, via the Quiet Panic label. You can listen and stream “Kool Thing” on Spotify here:Continue reading