Monthly Archives: June 2025

Song Review- SUNBENDR – “Stick Up”

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After getting a release note from Earshot Media on this one I had to check it out.  It mentioned that this band is powered by some notable names from the alternative / indie rock sector including Chris Cote (Kut U Up), Frank Dixon (Nancy, Sister Juanita), Brandon Parkhurst (Kut U Up, Yovee) and some helper vocals from George Perks (Mogwai, Doves).  All have put out some music in the past that I thought was pretty darn good.   

No disappointment on my expectations when I hit “play” as you get a powerful drum knock-around right away that is soon followed by a groovy and strong bass line.  Once the guitar fills out the sound everyone is in fine form by the half-minute mark.  They take the time to develop a nice foundation and then the vocals punch in at 1:03.  The vibe flips to a bit of a sing-a-long groove for a bit before powering back on and the vocals trade off nicely between Cote and Parkhurst.  I thought five minutes might be a little long when I started listening but it keeps your attention all the way through.  

Cool side note that this was produced and mixed by Perks at Tom DeLonge’s home studio 🙂 

Steaming in all your usual places – quick link here:

https://onerpm.link/StickUp

If you go out and give “Stick Up” a listen…think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- TRUSS – “Concession Stand” from the album Fluorescence

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Before I get to my favorite track on this album I definitely want to shout out this DIY effort from these Cleveland rockers.   As mentioned by Eric Kennedy (guitar & bass) in their release info, “The entire project was DIY – written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered in our own homes.”  All efforts at self-sufficiency deserve to be applauded in my opinion and this one is a solid example of what can be done by dedicated musicians.  The production quality here is very good and the sonic atmosphere they deliver on these tracks really sets a great vibe for the entire album.  

In several places in the press release there is mention of nostalgia and I have to agree that the songs definitely brought me back a few decades.  TRUSS certainly have a handle on that tone and groove some bands of the mid-90’s / early 00’s were bringing to the table.  For me “Concession Stand” really hit that the best and I found myself clicking “repeat”…well, repeatedly.  

A soft guitar melody starts this off with just a little bass overlay giving way to a tight, rising drum and then dipping back down to mellow vibes with great sonic atmosphere.  The vocal parts on this that dart in and out of the drum line have a nice dreamy effect that kind of sticks with you.  

Available via your usual streaming places of course.  You can also check out the first single from the album (“Numb”) here:

If you go out and give “Concession Stand” a listen…think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Useless ID “Too Late To Start Over” from the album No Vacation From the World 

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When I heard that this classic (and great!) 2003 album from UID was being re-released I knew it was going to be a good day.  Note that you can get this gem on yellow vinyl & CD via Bandcamp (link below) or other outlets.  My first exposure to them came through their  association with the late great Tony Sly as he was involved in this album and I picked up on that from some article in some magazine I was reading at the time.   This is one of those “CD’s that got away” from me in my moving around and I had never gotten around to replacing it.  I believe on that original release the 15th track was un-credited on the song listing for the CD?…somebody correct me if I am off on that – here it is titled “Talk” but still has info I cannot compute as I do not speak the language.   

I originally was going to review “Same Story Someone New” for this post as it really gives me those SoCal punk / alt-rock vibes that I like so much.   In the end though I picked “Too Late To Start Over” as it really has some power and a notable composition.  This song delivers a nice punch right away off a loud drum intro and soaring guitar riffs.  It drives along at a good pace (with a vocal track slightly obscured by the instruments) until the 1:25 mark, when it ascends to a remarkable and different place that lasts the remainder of the song and has it all: squealing  guitars, booming drums, punchy bass line and an arrangement that manages to  be chaos and composed all at the same time.  I did not remember this track being so good…but it has been a long time.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://uselessid.bandcamp.com

Locals – we all need each other – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- J.D.Short “You Been Cheating Me” from the album Blues from the Mississippi Delta

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It is always a good idea to regularly take a step back and review music from long ago.  That can be via albums like this one (which also features Son House) that have music I greatly enjoy or even those that may feature genres or artists that are not in your usual wheelhouse.  In some way, directly or indirectly, all of those old sounds influence our current artists.   This album, as described on the Bandcamp page where it is featured, is “an early endeavor at celebrating the Delta blues as a genre, history, and chronicle of Black experience in the American south.”  There are some fascinating songs (and other hidden info) among the 12 tracks that definitely make this a valuable collection.  

This track stuck with me for a few days after hearing it which made it an easy pick for my favorite on the album.   The recording opens on a warbling harmonica and some nice acoustic strings and has that stripped down, authentic sound throughout that puts you right there with the musicians (even though this was way back in 1963).  As with all original blues the authenticity and emotions here are real and right on the surface.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://sonhouseandjdshort.bandcamp.com/album/blues-from-the-mississippi-delta

You and your locals need each other so please support them – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Midnight Peg – “Thirstland” from the album Skinning

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This single is an early release from the upcoming album.  

So, before you push play on this just be aware – you are about to be blown away!  This experience kind of reminded me of the time I was chilling out at the bar, awaiting GBH to take the stage later, when Niice walked out and slammed into my mentality.  That was a damn good moment and this track has that same vibe and energy.  

A hot opening guitar riff here, a nice little 10 seconds of space and then the vocals from Mann (nicely supported at some points by call backs from Neilson) drop in to set a fiery tone for the remainder.   The fast pace set down by a deep bass line and thundering drums is nicely played against by guitars on high distortion.  Yes it is loud and in your face…and awesome!

This should be out there to check out on all of your usual streaming places.   

Remember to support your local bands – community is powerful!