Toronto-based left-field punk quartet Bad Waitress video for 45, a track from their In The Hollow album: "They have inserted elements from art-rock, noise and progressive metal into their modus operandi, plus quite a few good old power chords, as the solid bit adventurous backing for songs that deal with gender and sexuality, growing up in the sticks, and rampant consumerism".
November 14, 2026
Cover Me: Army Dreamers
Watch The Last Dinner Party perform the Kate Bush classic Army Dreamers for a Studio Brussel session, recorded on January 9th, 2024.
November 13, 2026
Swansea Sound: Pre-post-truth
Jangling pop quintet Swansea Sound cover a lot of ground on their new album Pre-post-truth: the tech-bros (20mph), the demolition of beloved live music venues (On Our Own), but also the weirdness of claiming to be cool and independent by buying albums and assorted paraphernalia after the gig is over (Merch Stall). All members have been part of the underground than they care to remember, but no one is showing signs of ageing gracefully. Why should they? There is plenty of shit going on to be pissed off about.
With their amalgam of post-punk, New Wave and power pop they might be preaching to the converted, but anyone with a craving of sardonic wit and catchy melodies can pick this album up without thinking twice. Being out of step with what is fashionable makes it timeless. They proudly proclaim that they might be The Band That Brought Back Rock N Roll. In hindsight that may become a reality some day and if not, it is fucking endearing to come up with such a statement.
underdown: No Room For Love
Over the years Welsh singer and piano playe Rhys Underdown saw his solo project turn into a sextet that could turn his vision of becoming a crooner fronting a band that can handle the wall-to-wall arrangements of Harry Nilsson and Elton John in their '70s heyday. The new EP No Room For Love celebrates sarcasm and disappointments in a stylish and sometimes even joyous way.
On the surface the songs might come off as a collection of snarky love songs, but there is an extra layer: finding his bearings in the Big Smoke and all the hassles that come with it. He is not giving in though. Backed by his band he attacks and caresses the piano in art rock meets Rufus Wainwright fashion. No Room For Love is an act of deviance, delivered with panache and gusto.
Stick Men: free download of 2026/09/30 La Rosa, Tucson, AZ
Avant-prog improv trio Stick Men have posted a recording of their show @ La Rosa, Tucson, AZ on September 30, 2026 on Bandcamp. Pay-what-you-want for this unedited board mix made by F.O.H. engineer Robert Frazza, so it sounds rather splendid. As per usual there are plenty of King Crimson tunes - check their treatment of Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part I - carefully arranged for this power trio format, as well as quite a few tunes from the upcoming new studio album Let's THRAK Again.
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