"Undertow" by Pop Filter

 

Each of the three singles from the upcoming new album, CONO, by Australian band Pop Filter has been different from the others, but all have been excellent songs. The recently released "Undertow" is bursting with vitality and purpose, with a punk vibe underpinning the loose-limbed pop arrangement. With keys and horns, there is no shortage of ideas, but it all hangs together in a live-to-tape kind of way. If you are making a year end 'best of' list, we suggest saving a slot for CONO.

CONO will be out December 1 via Bobo Integral, Osborne Again and Spunk Records.

Bandcamp for Cono

Blues Lawyer - All In Good Time

 

It seems to us that the members of Bay Area band Blues Lawyer, when faced with choices ranging from melodic, hooky pop to punky rock, checked the "all of the above" box. Ambitious? Sure. Cocky? Maybe. But there is no doubt in our minds that on All In Good Time they killed it. The hooks and melodies bounce around happily in your noggin while the drums and bass feel like they are living inside your chest. This is what good rock music should feel like. And with 14 tracks, no one can complain about the value proposition here. Every song make a case for being your favorite. Fortunately, you don't have to choose.  We previously covered album tracks "Nowhere to Go" and "Chance Encounters", and while they are highlight tracks we think you deserve a broader dive into the noisy buffet. We selected a few of our favorites, but truthfully we could have thrown darts blindfolded (however, after the last time we did that our insurance broker had a word with us -- we shouldn't have left the window open).

Blues Lawyer are Elyse Schrock (drums/vocals), Rob I. Miller (vocals/guitar), Ellen Matthews (guitars), and Alejandra Alcala (bass/backing vocals). All In Good Time is out now via Dark Entries Records.

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"Mixtape Generation" by Near Beer

 

I swear this band is going to make me look stupid (or stupider) at some point. Their name is Near Beer, but the way my mind functions/disfunctions I have caught myself typing the name as 'neer beer' and 'near bear'. Leaving aside the fact that being near a beer is far preferable to being near a bear, a band that makes good music deserves to have their name properly referenced. As they march towards the summer release of their debut album, Near Beer has released their second single from the set. "Mixtape Generation" is a pop punk blast with youthful Replacements-style energy. Enjoy the video version with a pre-wedding love fest that goes very wrong, but ends up happy. Bloody, but happy..

Near Beer - formed on the foundations of The Henry Clay People - are Joey Siara (vocals/guitar), Brent Stranathan (drums), and Jeremy Levy (bass/backing vocals). The album will be released via Double Helix Records.

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Various links for "Mixtape Generation"

The Blips - The Blips

The name of this band and their debut record is The Blips, and that would seem to imply something small and insubstantial. It’s worth noting that while several of the songs here are short and uncomplicated, it’s  an enjoyable trait that does not detract from what is really a substantial new rock record. Sometimes you want rock songs short, uptempo and — on to the next one. These guys deliver. On the lead track, “Inside Out”, you can even barely hear a Ramones “1, 2, 3, 4!” at the open if you turn it up (which you should) — enjoy:

A Birmingham, Alabama consortium of session players and lead men recruited for this project by guitar player and songwriter Will Stewart, they’re playing pop/punk with a Southern flair. Check out the twangy Southern rock guitar on “Walking Home” thrown in there with the punk backbeat, snotty lead vocal and breakneck tempo:

I love the barely controlled chaos as all the guitars come together at the end of that one. I find it impossible to believe that they just sort of threw this band together - it’s the kind of controlled chaos you usually attribute to a bar band that’s been jamming and shutting down roadhouses together for years and years - the kind of band that might have in their repertoire a version of "Wild Thing" everybody can step and jam on, and shout out the vocals together. Well, like this:

This is a really fun record.

The Blips at Cornelius Chapel Records 

"I Sold My Soul On EBAY" and "Corporate Indie Band"/"Angry Girl" by Swansea Sound

 

We wanted to start our music week with something we think is very special, so here are the first two singles by Swansea Sound. "I Sold My Soul On EBAY" is fresh and new, and the two track "Corporate Indie Band"/"Angry Girl" was release last October. This is indie music at its finest: Exuberant with a dose of acerbic and self-referential humor and a good dose of punk. The quality is no surprise, as Swansea Sound brings together Hue Williams and Amelia Fletcher who were members of the Pooh Sticks with Rob Pursey and Ian Button. Hue and Amelia handle the vocals, Rob plays the guitar and Ian drums. Rob and Amelia also perform as Catenary Wires and formerly were members of Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, and Tender Trap.

The singles are available as digital releases. A single copy of "I Sold My Soul On EBAY" also was pressed in vinyl and auctioned off. The auction is over. You didn't win. But get the singles now, and you still will be considered a winner! 

By the way, "I Sold My Soul On EBAY" is release via new label Skep Wax, which soon will release a third Swansea Sound single "Indies Of The World" in partnership with HHBTM, Formosa Punk, and Lavender Sweep.

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Bandcamp for "I Sold My Soul On EBAy"

Bandcamp for "Corporate Indie Band"/"Angry Girl"

The Flatmates - The Flatmates

There are some albums that leave you breathless, as if you just finished an enjoyable bout of strenuous exercise. You glow, you feel alive, and you want to do it again. The new self-titled album by Bristol's The Flatmates is such and album. Played at a pop punk pace with loads of fuzz and melody and hooks riding the wave, it is C86 revisited on steroids. The drums and bass are appealingly high in the mix, but then, everything else is too. And to for us, it is a confection that is easy to love. We assure you, this version of The Flatmates is a welcome addition to the indie scene, and this album is prominent in our rotation this month.

The Flatmates are Lisa Bouvier (vocals/backing vocals/bass/guitar), Martin Whitehead (guitar/backing vocals), Mattias Lidehall (bass), Rocker (keys/programming/backing vocals), and Brian Price (drums). The Flatmates is available in digital, CD and vinyl formats via Bristol label Local Underground.

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"My Candidacy" by Pom Poko

Energetic Norwegian pop punk band Pom Poko has announced new album Cheater, due November 6 via Bella Union. The announcement was accompanied by an offering of the single "My Candidacy". Despite the election season, the song actually is about the desire for unconditional love, and we are quite happy that it isn't about politics. The sound is classic Pom Poko: Like a firecracker loaded with sugar. Perfect stuff to cure your mid-week blahs.




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Various links to pre-order Cheater

"Lift Off" by Parsnip

Melbourne's Parsnip probably has given more than a little thought as to how to give a bit of polish and shine to the announcement that they are going to release When The Tree Bears Fruit, their debut LP, at the end of August.  It seems to us that they have hit it on the nose with the announcement that they have signed to Trouble In Mind Records and then shared the lead single, "Lift Off".  A shaggy, youthful sounding summer jam, the song should indeed lift off everyone's expectations for the album.

Parsnip is Paris Richens, Carolyn Hawkins, Stella Rennex, and Rebecca Liston.  Note that for fans in Australia and New Zealand,  will be available via Anti Fade Records.



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"Speakeasy" by The Violet Kind

The Violet Kind are Katya Mansell, Liam Duffy, and Kyle Hamilton.  The Glasgow-based trio are honing their pop punk with passion and skill.  The world will know soon when EP OXTR is released, but you can sample their art with lead single "Speakeasy".  The song addresses issues of consent and the insidious damage of acts that occur unseen, behind walls and doors.

OXTR will be out March 16 via Kindness Records.






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The Spook School - Could It Be Different?

We first became aware of The Spook School when we stumbled on to a few of their early demos and featured them on the blog.  We've followed them since, and have been impressed with their growth as a band.  We have been even more impressed by their steadfast devotion to their beliefs, including gender positivity and trans rights.  This is a good band comprised of good people.  The Spook School can be defiant, political and angry, but they express themselves in stories to which their listener can relate. And the humanity is at the surface, addressing identity questions, stereotyping, romantic issues and just the general confusion in trying to become and adult in your own skin.  At the end of the day, it is triumphant music, because these guys are survivors.

The Spook School are Nye Todd, Adam Todd, Anna Cory, and Niall McCamley.  Could It Be Different? is out now via Alcopop! Records in UK and Slumberland Records in North America.  The band is beginning a North American tour this week, that extends into early March.  See below for dates and venues.





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Bandcamp for Could It Be Different? (Slumberland)
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Bandcamp for Could It Be Different? (Alcopop)
Alcopop! Records

2018 US TOUR DATES

01/29 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place # ^

01/30 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison # ^

01/31 Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar # ^

02/01 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge # &

02/02 Madison, WI @ University of Wisconsin # &

02/03 Minneapolis, MN @ University of Minnesota # &

02/05 Lawrence, KS @ White Schoolhouse #

02/06 Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge & #

02/07 Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge #

02/08 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court #

02/09 Boise, ID @ Neurolux # &

02/10 Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt # &

02/11 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey #

02/12 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater #

02/14 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop #

02/15 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst # &

02/16 Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room #

02/17 San Diego, CA @ You Are Going To Hate This Fest 3 #

02/19 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress # &

02/21 Austin, TX @ Sidewinder # &

02/22 Dallas, TX @ Three Links # &

02/23 New Orleans, LA @ Hi Ho Lounge # &

02/24 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade # &

02/25 Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight # &

02/26 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre # &

02/27 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle # &

02/28 Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel # &

03/01 Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere # &

03/02 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall # &

03/03 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church # &

# = w/ Diet Cig

^ = w/ Lala Lala

& = w/ Great Grandpa

Worriers - Survival Pop

Punk rock with melody, insight and passion -- damn this is good stuff.  If you aren't familiar with Brooklyn's Worriers, you have some catching up to do.  But start with their recent album Survival Pop.  The band's focal point is vocalist Lauren Denitzio, who also is an author and visual artist.  She relies an a fluid supporting case, including Mikey Erg, Lou Hanman, John McLean, Rachel Rubino, and Audrey Zee.  Which of them play on Survival Pop is unknown to us, but WYMA gives major respect to everyone involved.  The music and performances are first rate, and as for the politics, large and small, Joe Strummer said something like 'without politics, punk is just noise'.  We assure you, this album is far more than just noise.

Survival Pop is out now as a digital download.  See the Bandcamp link.










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Mick Trouble - It's The Mick Trouble E.P.

Legend has it that Michael Toomey-Head is a legend.  Well, maybe not a Michael Toomey-Head, but as singer-songwriter punk Mick Trouble, he and his band were tipped for great success in the early '80s.  Still then in his teens, Nick dropped out of sight.  Story over, another one bites the dust - right?  Well, not quite.  It seems that Mick discovered a high quality recording of his 1980 EP, It's The Mick Trouble E.P.  Somehow Flagstaff's Emotional Response Records prevailed in the high stakes competition to release the EP, and here we are with a four-track statement of pop punk excellence and talent too long out of our reach.  Fans of Nick Lowe and The Jam will appreciate the fusion of punk attitudes, sharp songwriting and melodic expression.  And in case anyone is wondering whether we can resist streaming a song entitled "Shut Your Bleeding Gob You Git", the answer resides below.

Of course, none of us can do anything about Mick bowing out of the industry when he did.  But this EP is really great stuff, and you now can have a thrilling artifact of the legend-to-be-that-was-not.  It will make you happy, then sad, and then happy again.  We recommend it.

The Bandcamp gets you digital.  Very limited vinyl is available via Rough Trade in the UK and Emotional Response Records in the US.





Bandcamp for the It's The Mick Trouble E.P.
Link to order the vinyl version

UV-TV - Go Away EP

Go Away EP could be your new favorite record for getting the old heart rate into man/woman-of-action mode.  Consisting of four blasts of garage and pop punk with sugary vocals, distorted guitar, elastic band bass and pummeling drums, this is the kind of music that reminds you just why you love indie music.  There seems to be a bit of Glasgow's Shop Assistants in the DNA, but with a bit more of the sugar and punk concoction and a bit less of edge-of-the-knife.  All in all, we think it is really good stuff.  The EP is the handiwork of UV-TV, a trio from Gainesville, Florida consisting of Rose Vastola (bass/vocals), Ian Bernacett (guitar/vocals), and Ryan Hopewell (drums).

The record is out now in digital and vinyl formats via Emotional Response Records.




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Suss Cunts - Suss Cunts

Of all that we've known in our lives, the Suss Cunts are the finest, sussiest, C..... WAIT, STOP ... Ok, that may be the last time we let one of our interns write the lead in for a feature.  Yes, this Sydney/Melbourne trio is sex-positive, but we we aren't going to win the Pulitzer Prize if we toss around words like "cunt".  Oh, I did it.  Never mind -- we can always aim for the prize next year.

OK, personal hopes and dreams dashed, what can we do for a promising young indie band?  Well, we can tell you that their self-titled five-song record is clever, danceable, and full of attitude (but only towards guys that deserve it, we're sure).  And it also walks the pop side of pop punk in a way that makes it a worthy consideration for any summer party playlist.  Certainly more worthy than our Pulitzer dreams, apparently.  So in our expert opinion as curators of summer tunes for decades (yes, we are that old individually and collectively) you need this little record and you need it now.  And think of that great moment when it is time to cue up some music, and you say 'lets play the Suss Cunts'.  You'll probably have more attention than you had the entire day up until that point.  You can thank us later.

Suss Cunts are Nina Renee (guitar/vocals), Tahlia Eastman (drums), and Helena Holmes (bass/vocals).  The record was originally released as a cassette, but now is available in vinyl and digital formats via Emotional Response Records.







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Bandcamp for digital version of EP
Emotional Response page for vinyl

"Magazine" by Sløtface

We start today bearing the good news that Norway's Sløtface, a punk band with pop smarts, will be releasing Try Not To Freak Out, their debut LP, on September 15 via Propeller Recordings.  We know that September 15 is a long time from now, and Sløtface knows it is a long time for now.  So, out of the kindness of their hearts, they are releasing single "Magazine".  Bounce around to Haley's song about dealing with body image and unrealistic expectations fostered by the media, and enjoy your Friday.



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Los Campesinos! - Sick Scenes

Los Campesinos! aren't interested in musical trends.  That band we got to know in the last decade (with a bit of line-up shuffling) still believes in the power of their brand of punk pop.  So on their new album, Sick Scenes, the energy is high, and the melodies sweet.  And no one is a bigger believer in the redemptive power of a sing-along chorus.  But while the vocal inflection still tends towards the bratty side, and lyrics have a telling bite, this album also includes songs more contemplative in tone and pace.  And as good as this band is in dishing out the pop punk, it is the promise of the new style mixed in with the old that promises Los Campesinos! will continue to entertain us in this decade.

Los Campesinos! are Tom, Kim, Gareth, Matt, Rob, Neil, and Jason.  Sick Scenes is out now via Wichita Recordings.




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Honeyblood - Babes Never Die

Stina Tweeddale and Cat Myers, the duo that comprise Glasgow's Honeyblood, don't suffer fools, and they aren't quiet about it.  Stina snarls the lead vocals and plays guitar while Cat Myers ferociously wields the drumsticks.  In fact, the volume and intensity on their recently released second album, the defiantly-named Babes Never Die, would lead an uninformed listener to conclude that that band had several more members.  But it isn't all about the noise.  There are plenty of hooks and a meaty groove underneath the shouted choruses.  The band dials it back on a few tunes (for example, "Walking At Midnight" and, most especially, "Cruel"), and does it well.  But this is album isn't about confessing vulnerability or even negotiating compromise.  Honeyblood are unapologetic rockers, and Babes Never Die is a worthy calling card.

Babes Never Die is out now via FatCat Records.







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Terry Malts - Lost At The Party

Lost At The Party stands as proof that punk rockers don't always feel compelled to color within the same lines and in black and white.  It also is a damn fine album.

Bay Area rockers Terry Malts made their name playing wall-of-sound punk with thick veins of melody and decorated with sweet pop hooks.  They called it buzzsaw pop, and it was a accurate a description as it was a clever musical term.  Their songs were a joyful rush of Ramones meet Buzzcocks meet The Undertones and I played them every time I need an energy lift or injection of defiance.  But for this, their third album, the band had something different in mind -- different, and more.  The pace varies from the frenetic bashing of earlier recordings to mid-tempo, and even slower at times.  The dynamic range is greater over all instruments and the vocals, and the emotional content of the material is greater (or at least, more accessible).  If I had to pick only one genre tag for Lost At The Party, it would be power pop, albeit power pop with a sharp edge.  And while that generally is true, it dramatically undersells the delights to be found in the eleven tracks.  So, to continue with the opening analogy, Lost At The Party is what you get if the band that always used a pencil to create drawings in black, white, and shades of grey on 8x11 paper opened a drawer, pulled out a box of 80 colored pencils and a big canvas and said "now we'll show them what we can do".  You showed us, Terry Malts, and we like it a lot.

For Lost At The Party Terry Malts are Corey Cunningham (guitar), Phil Benson (bass and vocals), Nathan Sweatt (drums), and Jake Sprecher (guitar).  The album is out today via Slumberland Records.  You can stream it at the Bandcamp link below.




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Bandcamp for album

Hockey Dad - Boronia

The term "hockey dad" may conjure the image of a beefy North American or Northern European wearing a pro hockey jersey and screaming from the stands to urge his nine-year-old son and his friends to board the other team into oblivion.  Translating the term to music, however, requires an adjustment to your expectations.  The indie band Hockey Dad is Australian, and the only boards suggested by their music are surf boards and skate boards.  Rather than demanding violence, these guys are preaching fun, beaches, parties, surf and good times, leavened with a bit of pop punk grit.  Or maybe that was sand after all.  The tunes are upbeat, sunny, fuzz pop sing-alongs that don't take anything too seriously.  After all, the band's name is take from and episode of The Simpsons and the album's title reflects Boronia Street, the street near the beach where the duo grew up and have been friends since age four.

Boronia is a warm and approving look at life lived by the the members of Hockey Dad -- Zach Stephenson (guitar/vocals) and bill Fleming (drums) -- both of whom are in their early '20s.  You won't find a lot of regret of bitterness, and why should you.  The lives described sound like great fun, and the songs that describe them a definitely fun.  We think Boronia is a very good way to extend your summer.

 Boronia is out now.  See the Bandcamp link below for details.








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"Take Me Dancing" by Slotface

Here at WYMA we like Slotface.  We liked them when they were Slutface as well, but we like them no less now.  We like them even thought they are a bit needy and insisting that we take them dancing.  More seriously, "Take Me Dancing" is a decades-later feminist response to Big Star's "Thirteen".   Hey, some things take a little time -- and it is a cracking fun song, as well.



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