American Football

American Football are back with a new song & album. Not only that, but "I've Been So Lost For So Long" sounds just like classic American Football with a complicated break down & shimmering guitars. The new album, American Football, is out October 21st on Polyvinyl Records.

Big Eyes

Big Eyes are back with their latest blast of power punk pop. I could write about the hooks, licks, and lyrical content - but you really should just listen to it and enjoy it for yourselves. Big Eye's Stake My Claim is out 8/19 on Don Giovanni Records.

Beach Slang

Like pretty much everyone else, I totally loved Beach Slang's debut The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us. The fact they are following it up so quickly with another album is fantastic. "Punks In a Disco Bar" feels like the natural successor to "Bad Art & Wierdo Ideas" or "American Girls and French Kisses"- it still has the up tempo and sing along choruses, but cleaned up to go out. The band recently played Pleased to Meet Me in full at a concert which is the perfect reference point for this song. Having heard a couple other songs last time I saw the band, I am sure that the new album will be a favorite of 2016. Beach Slang's A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings comes out September 23rd on Polyvinyl Records.

The Warlocks

The Warlocks are a foundational band for early to mid-2000's psych bands. Albums like Phoenix & Surgery set the blueprint for modern acid drench, desert scorched rock that came after it. Which makes the fact they are about to release a new album all the more impressive. Where many of their contemporaries have either disbanded or become parodies of their former selves, Warlocks continue to turn out quality tunes. "Lonesome Bulldog" is a slow burning tune - it never really kicks off into full garage rock, but keeps itself at a constant simmer waiting for the spark to set it off. The Warlocks latest, Songs From The Pale Eclipse, comes out September 2 on Cleopatra Records.

Natural Child

Get ready for more drunken, rambling tunes by the boys in Natural Child. These guys are keeping the spirit of Exile on Mainstreet Stones alive for everyone - they are the best at mixing punk scuzz, country heart, and garage amphetamines into three minute tunes. "Now and Then" is from their forthcoming album Okey Dokey due out September 16th on Natural Child Records & Tapes.

Terry

 
 


Terry are a super group out of Melbourne made up of members of Total Control & Dick Diver. They blend the post punk dub reverb with noisey guitars, creating a distinctly down under sound. "Chitter Chatter" & "Don't Say Sorry" are reminders of how great the rock bands of Australia & New Zealand have been. Both songs are deceptively simple that lyrically that ratchet up the noise and over the course of the song. "Third War" reminds me of the sun burnt acid drenched tunes turned out by guys like White Fence or John Dwyer at his quietest. Terry's debut album, Terry HQ, is out July 1 on Upset the Rhythm.

GØGGS

Sometimes on Friday's you just need something to turn up loud - GØGGs has got you covered. Even without looking at the credits, you can feel the influence of Ty Segall and In the Red Records. Everything goes by in a blur with Charlie Moonheart's drumming leading the way with Charles Shaw shout bark vocals letting you know these guys mean business.

Pink Mexico

Pink Mexico are from Brooklyn via Los Angeles, but you would be excused if you thought they just emerged from the same sun and drug scorched earth that gave us Kyuss and other doom & marijuana infused rock. Pink Mexico mix self deprecating humor with wide open road riffs for maximum effect - think Heavy Days era Jeff the Brotherhood. All of this has lead Pink Mexico to sign with the gentlemen over at Burger Records. "Buzzkill" is the first single off the new album and if it is any indication, the new album will be perfect for summer shenanigans. Pink Mexico's latest album, fool, comes out June 24th on Burger Records.

Dentist

Continuing on with our week of female fronted surf inspired tunes - Dentist are a foursome out of the Garden State. Where some surf rock is one gigantic burst of energy, Dentist understand that waves both build and recede. This push and pull makes "MeetYouThere (In Delware)" a total ear worm - the run out of the track is one of my favorite song moments of the past year. "Awful" is a fantastic uptempo kiss off with the classic surf drum beat from a million Ventures and Vivian Girls tunes. Dentist's new album Ceilings is out 6/24 on Little Dickman Records.

Acapulco Lips

Photo Credit: Trevor Crump

Acapulco Lips are from Seattle, but you would be forgiven if you thought they washed up on the shore of Huntington Beach with a Surfaris record in one hand and some sort of neon blue cocktail in the other. They specialize in the kind of scuzzy, lo-fi fun that bands like Shannon & the Clams or King Khan practice. Songs like “My Time”, “Awkward Waltz”, and “Shoes On” are all jungle stop monsters designed to soundtrack John Waters beach scenes. “Tonight” is an absolute broken heart barn burner with an excellent outro riff/solo - the sort of thing you dance around your room to forget about how your boyfriend is being an idiot. Really everything here is perfect for when you want to be stoned and hang out by the beach or at least think about the beach while you are in the drive through for Taco Bell. Acapulco Lips self titled debut album is out now on Killroom Records.

Peach Kelli Pop

Photo Credit: Julie Pinzur



Peach Kelli Pop has a new 7” of groovy tunes out on Lauren Records. The 7” tackles more mature themes than the previous records with songs about beauty, power, and heartbreak taking center stage. “Halloween Mask” tackles the idea of the false faces that women wear for society. “Hundred Dollar Bill” explores the power dynamics around men, women, and money. Closing out the 7” is “Stuck in a Dream”, a quieter track that focuses in on a relationship not in a good place. While the subject matter is heavier, the music continues to be fun and groovy - I am particularly fond of the ‘70’s style guitar on “Halloween Mask”. Overall, a very enjoyable release that has much more buried under the surface.