Mining a rich seam running from 60s inspired garage punk to the gothic voodoo of the Cramps, by way of some trashy, swamp blues come Long Beach, California three-piece The Thingz. Latest release Vault of Tomorrow is eleven tracks clocking in at around twenty five minutes and is a blast from start to finish. Have a listen to the staccato, clattering opener Black Dust, the twangy, menacing Gospel Swamp, … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends… The Thingz
Jamie at the ever wonderful Audio Antihero label has shared details of a new benefit compilation they’ve put together. He says, “Because pretty much everybody in the world of politics right now is a totally evil scumbag, we’ve put together a wee compilation for Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Immigration Law Center.” – one sentence that pretty much sums things up… It includes … Continue reading Audio Antihero’s Unpresidented Jams Compilation for SPLC & NILC
Wild & Reckless is the title of a new musical from Americana stalwarts Blitzen Trapper that debuts in their hometown of Portland next month (opens 24th March at The Armory). Frontman Eric Early told Entertainment Weekly, “It’s the story of a kid that comes to the city looking to play music, [but] instead he meets and falls for this girl; she turns out to be … Continue reading Blitzen Trapper Announce Musical & Share Love Live On
Here we are again, but with lighter nights, spring flowers beginning to bloom and eight songs from the past week rounded up for your listening pleasure. From a new benefit single for the Southern Poverty Law Center, we have wonderfully spectral folk from Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and some equally wonderful psych-folk from a re-issue of a long-lost 70s classic by Philip Lewin. There is a … Continue reading Eight Songs You Should Have Heard This Week
The Bar is Low is the lead single from Why Love Now, the fifth album from Pissed Jeans, out today worldwide on Sub Pop. The song is one of our favourites from the record and is now the subject of a humorous new video, following the band members on a trip to the gym. Except they don’t know how to properly use the equipment. An … Continue reading New Video: Pissed Jeans – The Bar Is Low
We’ve already shared Oakland, California four piece RAYS’ raging single Drop Dead, and now we have another track for you from their upcoming self-titled debut release via Trouble In Mind. New single, Made of Shadows is just over 90 seconds of derisive, reckless, scrappy punk, speaking to the absurdities of everyday life, but with a wry smile. Watch the video below. The album is out on the … Continue reading New Video: RAYS – Made of Shadows
The ever-wonderful Mountain Goats return with a new album Goths, due on 19th May (order here). It is a particularly appropriate/nostalgic title for those of us (Mrs M & I) of a certain age who were in the thick of the original Goth movement, all black with purple hints, eyeliner and gloom all pervading and its capital in the heart of the north of … Continue reading New Mountain Goats Album
Through Windows is the excellent new single from Happyness’ second album Write In. With a chorus that started out as kind of a purposeful mishearing of the Velvet Underground’s Ride Into The Sun, the single has a undercurrent of psych-infused, blissful euphoria that reminds us of prime-time Pink Floyd. Have a listen and check out UK tour dates below. April Tour Dates: 11 Fulford Arms, York … Continue reading New Happyness Single
Los Angeles queer punk group French Vanilla was formed by four UCLA undergrads and the nine vigorous tracks on their debut record regulate the dance floor with socially sensitive lyrics, vocal freneticism, punchy basslines, and catchy sax. Check out the socially conscious lead single Anti-Aging Global Warming. Continue reading MM Shorts 924: French Vanilla
The upcoming debut release from Austin duo Beth // James, All In Life, combines a shimmering mix of modern folk, mindful pop, and Americana charm. We’re loving the first single Lion Eyes, a dark ballad spun from moody tumbleweed electric guitar and iridescent organ, and driven home with a raise-your-bourbon-to-the-sky chorus, lambasting “her lion eyes“, a rally cry against anyone who’s careless with other peoples’ hearts. Stream … Continue reading Introducing >>> Beth // James
The Mad Mackerel 