Tag Archives: California

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- Sledges – “Fading”

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You know, sometimes when I hear a band tagged as “shoe gaze” I wonder what I am going to get as that genre tends to span a rather wide range these days.  After reading through the press release from Earshot Media on this one I checked it out and was impressed.  

There is a dreamy start to this song which lasts about twenty seconds before punching up to nice guitars and drums with volume and attitude accompanied by strong vocals.  The arrangement on this one sets an interesting pace, alternating fast / loud with slow / subdued that gives it a unique tone.  You would be hard pressed to pigeonhole this track into a genre and that is a good thing.  

Sledges have an EP coming in June also (unnamed as far as I know) that will include this single.  I am  looking forward to listening to that and seeing if they maintain this creative mix across those other tracks.  

Video here to review if you wish 🙂 

As always – just a reminder to support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Spark of Life – “Better Keep It To Yourself” from the album: Plagued By The Human Condition

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So, I have to admit that when I received the news from Earshot Media that this group was set to release a new album (Plagued By The Human Condition)…well, I had lost track of them a long time ago.  I think the last time anything by them had been played by me it must have been way back in my Michigan residency era.  As it turns out, they had in fact dropped out a bit and only truly reformed a few years ago.  That is great news for me!

This song is short and to the point clocking in at 2:33 for time and opens up with a nice fuzzy melody line before filling out with drums forward.  It can lull you a little bit into a “swaying with the beat groove”…and then comes an awesome vocal scream right after the one minute mark (and another right after two minutes).   Overall, this is a thumping, punk-edged song with a bit of attitude thrown in.  

This single should be out there for you to listen to now (and consider purchasing :).  The album is set to drop May 30th from New Age records.  You can get a pre-order in here along with some gear if you are so inclined:

Spark of Life

Quite the quirky video also available if you want to do a quick check:  

Take a bit of time to support your locals (& to be kind to your neighbors:) – community is powerful! 

Song Review- The Manic Standstill – “Bulletproof”

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Thanks to the good people at Earshot Media who sent a press release and introduced me to this band…always good to find new sounds out here in the listening-verse.  This group features the talents of Adam Bones, Eddy Hewitt and Brad Dickert, aided on this song by Aixa Vilar and Michelle Rangel (both from Go Betty Go) who really fit together nicely and this track is a testament to that fact.  

“Bulletproof” has driving rhythm right from the start and a nice in-the-front bass overlay that gives this track great depth.  Backed up by the guitar work of Bones and lyrics written by his wife Megan (with a backstory that bears reading about if you get a chance) you can put this one in regular rotation for sure.  

There is a colorful video you can check out here: 

As far as I know this track is just on steaming right now but watch for the upcoming album from this band as an item to purchase.    It is set for release later this year and features a quality list of guest musicians including Packy Lundholm (I Fight Dragons), Ian Fowles (The Aquabats), Kody Templeman (Teenage Bottle Rocket, The Lillingtons) and many more 🙂 

Please remember to support your locals – they need you and much as you need them – and community is powerful 🙂 

Album Review- Annie Dolan with Joel Paterson – “Sorry Charlie” from the album Atta Boy Girl

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I was intrigued to see this set come out in advance of Dolan’s upcoming album release of her own material and gave it a good listen…enjoyed all of it but this track stuck out to me as a favorite. 

This song starts out with a bit of rockabilly toned guitar and bass and hammers along in that vein accompanied by some nice lyrical work from Dolan.  The guitar solo around the 1:15 mark is right on point and crisply played.  Really good production on this with well-blended instruments and vocals…keep that toe tappin’! 

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

Your locals would love to see you out and about  – 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…

Album Review- Wiretap Records  – 10 Year Compilation

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I am not going to run through all 81 songs on this monster compilation…that would be quite the read for you and I would get sidetracked about 100 times along the way.  Suffice it to say that Wiretap Records is one of the best labels out there for getting those up & coming punk artists released into this world and you will be blown away by the music on this album.  Just cue up “Spanish Love Song” by Concrete from the top of the list and you will get a taste of the awesomeness.   Every band here deserves a direct mention but I am going to limit it to a few suggestions that are just personal favs: Wolves&Wolves&Wolves&Wolves, Aree and the Pure Heart, Elijah Newman & the SideEffects, Avenues, Camiches and Lovebreakers.  Really though, buy it and get your own favorites list going – you will not be disappointed! 

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

As always…remember to get out and support your local artists – community is powerful 🙂

And please think about purchasing this song (or better yet…the entire album and maybe for more than the very generous $5 minimum they put on it) after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Katie Knipp “Outlaw Doc” from the album Me

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There is such a nice, peaceful ten seconds that lead off this song, it makes you kind of “sitting around the backyard” kind of sleepy…and then boom!  This track bangs open into a real hard driver…very awesome! 

That calm intro is a very nostalgic dobro that is understated and almost under-volume.  When this track takes off that dobro carries on with the accompaniment of a crashy drum line, bass, guitar, harmonica and a great sounding Hammond organ.   Nice guitar solo mid-stream also and what a great ending ( I will not ruin that for you…just listen!).

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

As always…please get out with your locals…they all need you 🙂 

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

Song Review- Militarie Gun “Thought You Were Waving” 

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Yeah, yeah, I know, everyone loves Militarie Gun these days…I would mention that I should have written about them back in ’21 but, hey, who would believe me?  But in case you do…check out “Fell On My Head” from All Roads Lead To The Gun…you will not be sorry!

This track (released in July 2024) has a bit of Semisonic in there (it’s a good thing I swear) and the booming front with the rhythmic vocal lures you into a mellow world overlaid with enough noise to keep your attention – definitely worth a listen! 

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

Please get out there and support your locals – all of them need you – and 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- Alliance “Wingspan” from the album Alliance

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What can I say…give me some great saxophone and I am hooked from go. 

This track is their take on a Mulgrew Miller original from an album of the same name released in 1987.  I really enjoy the way the saxophone comes right in at the beginning and maintains a place near the front for the first half of this composition.  It has a slight edge of the frantic about it (to me anyway).  The piano section that starts around the 1:40 mark is a nice counterpoint, a little less edgy but not lulling anyone to sleep for sure.  An engaging drum solo clears the palate for about thirty seconds and then everyone comes back together to finish this track out.  The clarity of the individual moments on this song, combined with the great skill of the musicians together, really make for a good musical memory:) 

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

As always, please get out and support all of your locals – community is powerful:)

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

Song Review – Niis “Connection” from the album Not Niis

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I bring you this review not because it is the most recent release by this terrific band (for that check out their single “Big Zoo”).   I include it here to urge you to go out and grab as much music by this group as you possibly can…anywhere you can find it.   Upon listening to that music you may well say to yourself…”there sure is a lot of energy here!”  You would be 100% correct but if you really want to experience this assault in full force, find out where they are playing and go see them live.  Travel long & far if you have to because they will blow your head off…yes, it really is that good…in your face, explosive, a bit provocative, angry…and awesome! 

“Connection” has the things that make this band what it is; loud guitar right off the go, driving rhythm section and the sometimes soothing and often angry vocals of Mimi SanDoe.  This track is direct and short (about 1:45 total time) but delivers some good hooks in that short window and it will stay with you after listening.  The only complaint I have is that the vocal mastering is a little bit muddy but it works here.  

This band is going to break out one day…soon I suspect…get in now:)

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://niisla.bandcamp.com/album/not-niis

Remember that your local businesses and artists need your support 🙂 Community is powerful!