Browsing Tag

garage rock

Zach Butler has made his funked-up blues debut with ‘Selfish’.

Posted on 20 November 2021

Some artists try to portray themselves as icons, and some become iconic through their instant accessibility; Zach Butler safely and funkily falls into the latter camp. His debut single, Selfish, is a soulfully rendered feat of experimentalism that finds its vibrancy by grasping at the roots of blues and ripping them out in grooves that are almost technical enough to resonate as avant-garde.

Even though there’s plenty of distinction to grasp through the lyrics and vocals that carry the charisma of a cult leader, the guitars are on a whole other level. As soon as he starts to play in the progressively choppy despite being smooth single, you get the sense that he carries a deep passion for the technicalities of expression. The up and coming Atlanta-based artist takes influence from the guitar styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. For songwriting influence, he looks to the likes of Stephen Day and Jordy Searcy.

Selfish is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

If I Could Only Make You Mine: The Kindest People show us why it really matters on ‘Wedding Day’

Posted on 10 November 2021

Formally a surf rock act that skillfully rode the sea-filled waves trying to catch the best barrels imaginable, The Kindest People show us their growing maturity on their latest single called ‘Wedding Day‘.

The Kindest People is a four-piece Johnson City, Tennessee-based indie garage rock outfit. Featuring intricate solos through guitar and drums, this is a ravishing track from a band who certainly know how to wake you up from any previously drowsy sleep-infused naps.

”The band combines slick, catchy melodies with a large variety of instrumentation in order to frankenstein their own unique sound of rock and roll.” ~ The Kindest People

There is so much passion and introspection wrapped inside this tasty sandwich of an experience, with rampaging riffs to nibble on ravenously. The pace is high tempo all the way with no let ups, as you gaze outside and think deeply about your own path to that altar.

‘Wedding Day‘ from the Johnson City, Tennessee-based indie garage rock band The Kindest People, rockets through your sleepy eyes and helps us face our fears one at a time. This is a hard-hitting song about wondering through this special day for so many, and wondering whether it will actually happen with the right person for you. Sung with a heartfelt velocity that spins a web of spidery reflective poison into your mind for an instant, this is a terrific effort from such a criminally underrated band.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more stories on their IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

TD Hutton – Down Howe Sound; a dark and stormy surf rock debut

Posted on 28 October 2021

‘Down Howe Sound’ is the  swaggy, dark surf rock debut from Canadian alt-rock artist TD Hutton, which immerses you in far darker water than what Dick Dale swept you up within. If you can imagine Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as a surf-rock outfit, you’ll get an idea of the sonic picture drawn in Down Howe Sound that pulls bleak and hostile inspiration from the Pacific Northwest seas.

Between the grumbling garage rock discord, macabre lyrics versed through whiskey-soaked vocals and the gorgeous shimmers of the Gretschy guitars, the track takes a visceral grip from multiple angles, making it impossible not to get caught up in this pornographic feat of surf rock.

Down Howe Sound is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Progressive pioneer, Junkhouse Bones, has released his latest single, Only a Name.

Posted on 17 September 2021
Junkhouse Bones

Elements of prog rock, Midwest emo, indie, garage rock, and pop all feed into the latest single from the genre-melding self-taught solo artist Junkhouse Bones (Dominic Orteza). After starting with a trashy garage rock prelude, Only a Name loses its discordant textures as the melodies get sweeter and the vocals provide even more nectar to make sure that the earworm sticks to your synapses like superglue.

With riffs that allow Orteza to show his rock and roll stripes and the cleverly formulated instrumental breakdowns, it’s impossible not to be hooked by the release that consistently piques your interest with clever motifs and aural curveballs.

Only a Name will be released on September 17th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Sleepy Palms shone the Cali sun into their debut shoegazy garage rock single, You’re Gonna Be Just Fine

Posted on 4 September 2021

Garage rock, surf rock and shoegaze entwine in the synthy debut single, You’re Gonna Be Just Fine, from the California-based pioneers, The Sleepy Palms. They shone plenty of Cali sun into the optimistic in spite of crushing dread soundscape that will allow you to imagine what the Verve could have been if it wasn’t always raining in Manchester.

Their clever hooks, captivating choruses, velvety smooth vocals and glassy synths are arresting from start to finish as the Sleepy Palms set an innocently amorous scene that celebrates fleeting intimacy.

The way the bitter-sweet lyrics “I never liked the taste of cigarettes, I just wanted to be around you, and after all this time there is nothing left, but I’m still so glad I found you” fall into the surf rock rhythms, shoegazey reverb and clean vintage garage rock tones left me feeling like I’d hit the aural jackpot. Enrichen your soul by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get high with Monday Feeling’s ska-punk track, Dope.

Posted on 27 August 2021

Monday Feeling has been sending ripples through the Korean rock scene for the last eight years; based on their latest single, Dope, they deserve to go internationally viral.

Their old school Rancid rhythms paired with honkytonk hints of Americana and playful garage rock vibes arrange themselves to ensure euphoria floods right through this authentically absorbing release which runs you through all the reasons the relatable lyrical protagonist sells dope.

In contrast to Western punk, hitting play on Dope almost feels like listening to Ska Punk in a parallel universe, it’s familiar but there’s something that tells you that Monday Feeling is on a different frequency to the assimilators and the unauthentic. Frankly, we’re obsessed.

Dope is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I Like To Watch You On My Television: Pittsburgh band Bikini Islands shape-shift our intrigued ears on ‘Midnight Lizard’

Posted on 14 August 2021

As the brilliantly named Bikini Islands are back from their short pandemic-fueled hiatus with more deliciously lip-licking music after 2019’s ‘Vines‘ and ‘Psycho Killer‘, they have us looking around for potential slimy creatures roaming around unexpectedly on their new slick single named ‘Midnight Lizard‘.

Bikini Islands is a super chilled and highly unpretentious four-piece Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based indie garage-rock band. Their style is a blend of steel city edge and surfer mellow, as they make thrilling music that reminds you of simpler times.

On a riff-laden track with much to like on this tv-swirling song that wraps a palm-tree blowing freshness into your awaiting mind, you quickly feel the weekend beach smooth-talking track flow beautifully into your atmosphere. This is a song to turn up loud and just let go – as the solos are something specially mixed to please – combined with confident vocals that keep things sweet and pure for the gasping soul to lap up thirstily.

‘Midnight Lizard‘ from the pulsating Pittsburgh garage-rockers called Bikini Islands, is that awesome catchy track you aren’t quite sure what is all about, but you love it anyway. They have a very likable style and you feel enraptured by the soundscape provided and feel like they would be an epic band to watch live. As long as there are no slippery lizards crawling around at the gig however.

Stream this fine new single on Spotify and see more news on their IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Sanny Veloo has released his misanthropic alt-rock single, The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving

Posted on 3 August 2021

Sany Veloo’s latest scuzzy garage rock hit, The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving, is a playlist staple for every misanthrope. The high-octane hit channels the angst of 90s grunge, the instrumental flair of rock n roll and the energy of a pop-rock anthem.

Before making his solo debut, the Singapore-born and raised artist was in the band, Boredphucks before they were banned by the government for their polarizing music. It doesn’t get more rock n roll than that, does it? Now residing in Melbourne, Australia, Veloo carries the same commitment to creating unapologetically expressive tracks. We probably don’t need to mention that, given the title of his latest release.

With the powerful and colourful instrumentals in The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving, Veloo created an ironically euphoric atmosphere for the listener to complete our undeserving sentience.

The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Owen Hamlin gives us the Green Light in his debut garage rock single.

Posted on 1 August 2021

‘Green Light’ is the melodic psych-pop-tinged debut single from the breaking garage rock artist Owen Hamlin; any fans of The Strokes, The Kooks and The Libertines will want to experience the vintage tones for themselves.

With the inventive use of the wah pedal, we can guarantee that the guitar solos in Green Light hit like no other. Owen Hamlin’s use of brash and kaleidoscopic textures resulted in a soundscape that is as scuzzy as it is soulful.

With his debut album Right as Rain in the pipeline, you will want to save space for Hamlin on your radar.

Green Light is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wohn delivers a sonic blast of alt-90s nostalgia in his scorching hot alt-rock single, Junjito.

Posted on 28 July 2021

Up and coming alternative artist, Wohn has released his relatable EP, Waiting for Life to Happen; the lead track, Junjito, is an arresting amalgamation of shoegaze, post-punk and garagey psych-rock that any fans of the alt-90s will want in their ears.

After a shoegazy prelude, the mostly instrumental release starts to centre around the artist’s ability to lay down riffs at blistering speed and his ability to make a soundscape fraught with tumultuous tension with his over-driven angular lead work.

After an ebb in the veracious momentum, the pensive vocals make an eerily captivating appearance before Wohn lays down a scorching-hot, seemingly endless solo that is leagues apart from other contemporary alternative artists. We truly can’t rate Wohn highly enough. He not only evokes angsty grungy 90s nostalgia, but he also puts a visceral signature spin on it. We can’t wait to hear more of in the future.

Junjito is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast