The 351's: Worst-Case Scenario

Canadian punk trio The 351's have rounded up the tracks from their first two EPs (No Replacement For Displacement and Against All Odds)for a reissue on vinyl. They make it quick - the eight tracks Worst-Case Scenario are all done in a little over 20 minutes - and there is plenty of energy, but they come up short to make a lasting impression. There's righteous anger, a decent amount of Ramones-inspired guitar, but naming your band after the evil truck from Spielberg's Duel means that relentlessness should be part of it as well.

A track like Glass Of Mosh Pit Blood with the on-point stuttering guitar and singalon potential of the chorus shows their potential, but the ill-advised attempt to channel the Clash with the ska excursion Devil's Daughter should have been confined within the confines of their rehearsal room. They are currently working on a new EP. If they are lucky, the old adage of third time's a charm might apply.

Nick Cave: "Conversations with Nick Cave: An Evening of Talk and Music" North American tour

Nick Cave will answer questions and play a few songs on piano during his Conversations with Nick Cave: An Evening of Talk and Music tour in North America:

Years ago, in a peculiar state of mind, I travelled across the U.S., stepped onto stages in different cities, and fielded questions from the audience. It was a strange, almost desperate idea, but those nights became deeply healing for me. I hope the audience felt the same.

Eight years have passed. The Red Hand Files have grown in reach and stature; the topics of conversation have broadened, and it feels like the right time to return to America, a different America from eight years ago, and bring the Conversations… show back. I’ll have my piano with me, play some songs, and answer questions. What could possibly go wrong?

Tickets presale on November 11 at 10am (local), general on sale begins Friday, November 13 at 10am (local) - except for the Montreal show which starts at 11am (local).

It's Karma It's Cool: Jeremiah

English neo-psychedelic power pop quartet It's Karma It's Cool's new single Jeremiah tells the tale of a young man, who is suffering from serious mental issues, but is given an opportunity to set things straight and get his life in order..

The raucous guitar solo leads the way to better days, but the various rhythm shifts in the songs mirror the hills and valleys that he will encounter during his journey. It is a track from the band's new album Paint Me Skyward, which will be released next year.

Johnny Dowd: "God Created Woman" live @ The Bug Bar in Rochester NY

One of the options for Johnny Dowd's Kickstarter campaign for the release of Pictures From Life's Other Side album on vinyl is a digital download of a concert with Brian Wilson, Justin Asher and Kim Sherwood-Caso @ The Bug Bar in Rochester NY on July 7, 2001. He just posted God Created Woman from that show on Bandcamp. The aim is to raise €10.000 (€4260 pledged so far, with 16 days to go).

HCTF premiere - Stephen Kohler: Lifeguard

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Stephen Kohler reaches out to those who are in need of help on his new single Lifeguard, a slice of upbeat power-pop with a serious message. He played all the instruments, save for the drums and percussion which were taken of care of by Gerald Dowd. The electric guitar and piano are his instruments of choice, so it is no wonder that he put them smack in the middle in the mix. Alex Chilton fans will love it.