By Keith Walsh
Raging hot torrents of guitars meet an inferno of blazing social issues, love gone wrong, and more, in this sizzling set of guitar-based tunes.
Mr. Phylzzz “Modern Life”
Powerful and frenetic, this amazing tune and video features a mysterious female vocalist. Or is it guitarist and vocalist Clinton Jacob, in a heavily processed performance? Either way, this track rocks, with full on guitar pyrotechnics and arrangements equaling Frank Zappa, cool DIY production, and clever funny lyrics. It’s from the brand-new album Fat Chance, out now on Amphetamine Reptile Records.
Mr. Phylzzz On Facebook
Mr. Phylzzz On Bandcamp
Mr. Phylzzz On Bandcamp
Move “1,000,000 Experiments”
From the Boston-based hardcore quintet Move comes a powerful song about growth and transformation. An attentive listen reveals an instructive message behind the rageful guitars and vocals, by Corey Charpentier. “1,000,000 Experiments” is inspired by Mariame Kaba’s website millionexperiments.com which aims to transform lives by brining awareness, resources and justices to communities across the United States. “1,000,000 Experiments” is the third single from the upcoming LP Black Radical Love, coming in August on Triple B Records.
Move BHC LinkTree
Triple B Records
City Windows “The Price To Pay”
This San Diego-based punk rock bank delivers lots of important messaging in a video that would be hilarious if it weren’t so topically relevant. “The Price To Pay” features brilliantly crafted caricature puppetry by Mike O, news flashes of tragic statistics, and messages about holding public officials accountable in the face of growing disenfranchisement. Lyle Pavuk sings with gravitas equal to the powerful, anthemic guitar, bass and drums. “The Price To Pay” is from their brand new release, Velvet Divorce, on their Midwest Migration Records label.
City Windows On Facebook
City Windows On Instagram
City Windows On Bandcamp
Puppets By Mike O. On Instagram
Phantom Bay “Collective Decline”
From Bremen, Germany this hardcore band leans heavily into new wave and emo, including occasional use of synth pads and an intro on this song that reminds me of The Cure. “Collective Decline” leaves no doubt about their philosophical stance, and the vocals by Michael Hanser are more aggressive than the totality of the guitars. “Collective Decline” is from the EP Underground, to be released in August, on KROD Records.
Phantom Bay On Facebook
Phantom Bay On Instagram
Phantom Bay Dot Net
KROD Records
Elk City “Strong (You’re Not Alone)”
Included here because of the lovely garage rock integrity and the cool guitars, this lilting psychedelic tune from Elk City brings early Jefferson Airplane vibes, while others hear The Doors and Mazzy Star. Either way, the organ, the resonant drums, and the lovely vocals from Renée LoBue are sweetly delicious, delivering a hopeful, timely message. “Strong (You’re Not Alone)” is from the upcoming album Undertow, on Magic Door Records, coming in September. We all need a break from harsh messaging now and them.
Elk City On Facebook
Elk City On Instagram
Elk City On Bandcamp
Magic Door Record Label On Facebook
Everyone Asked About You “Handsome Beautiful”
Experimental and art rock vibes reverberate throughout this jarring but melodic tune. Pleasantly strange guitars and lilting vocals by Chris Sheppard and Hannah Vogan define the sound of this tweemo outfit, out of Little Rock, Arkansas. They specialize in queer coming-of-age lyrics, and the guitar work and rhythms reference math rock and the guitars on Captain Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica. “Handsome Beautiful” is from the upcoming two-disc set, Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts, a compilation of the recorded works from Everyone Asked About You, newly remastered and due in September from Numero Group.
Everyone Asked About You On Instagram
Numero Group
Hollow River “Change”
The project of Mark MacDonald, Hollow River delivers catchy pop punk, with the familiar trademarks – bouncy rhythms, jagged, distorted guitar riffs, and boisterous, scrappy vocals in the alto range. “Change” is about growing up while rejecting the laziness of victimhood, and was recorded at the legendary New York City studio, The Power Station.
Hollow River On Facebook
Hollow River On Instagram
Hollow River Dot Com
Trounce “The Wheel”
There’s an allegory here in this darkly dramatic goth flavored metal tune, wrapped in a gruesome tale about an indestructible goddess and a Caesar’s efforts to destroy her. Not sure where the mythology comes from, but along with the frantic drum beats, walls of guitar and the roaring vocals, it’s a haunting tale, and not for the squeamish. Trounce are a Swiss metal band, and “The Wheel” is from their upcoming new LP, The Seven Crowns, due in October on Hummus Records.
Trounce On Facebook
Trounce On Bandcamp
Hummus Records
Wilmette “Circa ’99”
There’s loads of irony as vocalist Aaron Hailey launches “Circa 99” with the phrase “you make me feel like a kid again.” Hailey is only in his mid-twenties — so he’s nearly a kid, and his voice has that popular alto pop punk flavor that’s sounds ‘kiddish,’ for lack of a better word. The fun and catchy tune features bouncy beats and hyper guitar riffs, and is inspired by the Guitar Hero video game. The title is manufactured nostalgia, as the band members were born around 1997. It’s from their long-anticipated debut album, Hyperfocused, coming in August on Mutant League Records.
Wilmette On Facebook
Wilmette On Instagram
Mutant League Records
Jaguero “New Love”
This very cool song of love and betrayal comes from Italy, and channels all the confusion and self-doubt that comes from a toxic relationship. The guitars are distorted beautifully, as are the vocals, and there’s a dark melodic sense that evokes grunge rock, throughout. “New Love “is from the upcoming EP of the same name, from Jaguero, coming soon on Epidemic Records.
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Jaguero On Instagram
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