Old Info

Context is EVERYTHING. “Goodbye Horses” shall be forever immortalized as the ultra-spooky, trippy song that serial killer Buffalo Bob dances to during that scene is Silence of the Lambs. But interestingly, somewhere in the juxtaposition of a serial killer dancing naked with the skin of his victims to an 80s dance cut, the irony was lost. Songwriter William Garvey has talked about how the song is actually about being at peace with oneself and being rid of the concept of possession, in the Buddhist sense, hence the term “goodbye horses.” Meanwhile, the song actually made its film debut in the forgettable comedy Married to the mob where it was played in dance club scene. Only once it...

Austin, TX four-piece Gentlemen Rogues perfect their blend of timeless pop-rock with Surface Noise. The full length starts with "Do The Resurrection!" a well-crafted anthem a la (good) Superdrag or Replacements, overflowing with sneering vocal delivery from Danny Dunlap. "Involuntary Solitary" fires on next, with more hooks and a textured riff from Dunlap and second guitarist John Christoffel. "All Out Crush" shifts Josh Power's drums to an up-down groove, resulting in a rad build that splashes into welcoming chorus rounds. Great song. "Never the Bride" hits like a heavier interpretation of a Brit-ternative, and is a lovely, tough moment out of the ten. "Days in the Dayroom" slows the ...

Whenever I hear the word ‘Oversize’ in a musical context, I tend to think of the song ‘Oversized’ by Basement. Yes, I’m aware they’re not the same word, but indulge me. Because in this context, I think that particular synaptic link is pertinent. And here’s why. Oversize are a British, alt-rock/metal adjacent band who trade in huge walls of washy guitars, with clean, languid vocals and a general semblance of lackadaisical intensity, as contradictory as that might sound. Not unlike another band who spring to mind. But actually, in spite of some of the cosmetic similarities, there aren’t too many other aspects I can point to that will support this rather tenuous link I’m fabri...

Happy Valentine’s day! Here’s a depressing record. As the newly formed LVLTR announces on God Bless Our Happy Home, “This band/record exists for anyone who feels stuck in a situation they don't want to be in.” Reuniting Pulling Teeth’s Chris Kuhn and Dom Romeo, the project is about failed relationships- failed marriages, failed self-actualization, failed relationships to the world. That is to say, it’s a very personal record. The band bathes the self-reflection in a huge shoegaze type guitar wash. Bassist Lauren Beecher adds a contrast to Kuhn’s low rumble and sometimes the band gets downright poppy. Second track “Born to die” is powered by a juiced up guitar charge that...

Here’s a ripper. LA’s Slaughterhouse has undergone a few lineup changes the last few years but they appear to have solidified with Sick and Tired. The band flips between full on hardcore smashing and goth-lite spookiness. It works really well. What the band is particularly good at is keeping the sharp edge of punk and hardcore and posturing that into a classic pop structure. “Gimme something else1 Gimme something else! Gimme something else!” is repeated on “DNA,” the lead track and it’s almost like an 80s pop hit has been dropped onto a circle pit slammer. It feels clever, throughout out, and honest. Oh also, there’s a cover of “My War.” Many bands have attempted...