Friday, May 31, 2019

ZIG-ZAGS premiere video for "Punk Fucking Metal", announce more tour dates

"Sounds like Kill ‘Em All-era Metallica meets Motorhead but with claustrophobic garage rock production. It’s a real ripper." -- Brooklyn Vegan

"A potent dose of galloping, cartoonishly vicious rock'n'roll -- material previously perfected by bands like Motörhead and Megadeth." -- Pitchfork

"Noisy, aggressive, and raucous music that careens between garage rock and heavy metal like an amusement-park ride." -- Stereogum


L.A. punk-metal trio Zig-Zags premiere the first video from their recently released fourth album, and debut on RidingEasy Records, They'll Never Take Us Alive today via Metal Injection. The wildly intense video for anthemic album opener "Punk Fucking Metal" is available to watch and share HERE. (Direct YouTube.) 

Kerrang! Magazine also recently streamed the full album alongside an in-depth interview HERE. LA Weekly recently named Zig-Zags "Best Metal Band" in their annual Best of L.A. Music issue. 

Zig-Zags are currently on tour throughout the EU and UK, followed by US West Coast & Mexico dates in June. The band then returns to the EU for more shows in July. Please see complete dates below. 

They'll Never Take Us Alive is available on LP, CD and download, released on May 10th, 2019 via RidingEasy Records. Purchase it HERE


ZIG-ZAGS LIVE 2019:
06/07 Los Angeles, CA @ The Factory - album release show
06/14 San Francisco, CA @ The Ivy Room
06/15 Eureka, CA @ Little Red Lion
06/16 Portland, OR @ Highwater Mark
06/17 Seattle, WA @ Belltown Yacht Club
06/19 Vancouver, BC @ CBDB's
06/21 Nevada City, CA @ Cooper's Ale Works
06/22 Ventura, CA @ Red Cove
06/27 Tijuana, MX @ Moustache Bar
06/28 Tecate, MX @ Licores La Esmeralda
06/29 Mexicali, MX @ Taberna Lebaron
07/06 Nikolsdorf, AT @ Sticks & Stone Festival
07/07 Wien, AT @ Venster99
07/09 Bratislava, SK @ Kulturak Klub
07/10 Berlin, DE @ Toast Hawaii
07/11 Hamburg, DE @ Komet
07/12 Erfurt, DE @ Stoned from The Underground
07/13 Ludwighsafen, DE @ Ein Schoner Tag im Freien
07/16 Madrid, ES @ Wurlitzer Ballroom
07/17 Barcelona, ES @ Rocksound
07/19 Helsinki, FI @ Hori Smoku Summer Boogaloo 2019
07/20 Den Haag, NL @ Grauzone Summer Special 
07/23 Liverpool, UK @ Drop The Dumbulls
07/24 Sheffield, UK @ Record Junkie
07/26 Lille, FR @ La Gare Saint Sauveur
07/28 Rokycany, CZ @ Fluff Fest
07/31 Koln, DE @ MTC
08/01 Kassel, DE @ Goldgrube
08/03 Schierling, DE @ Labertal Festival
08/04 Slavonice, CZ @ Barak
08/08 Santarem, PT @ InStr
08/09 Moldeno, PT @ Sonic Blast Moldeno
08/10 Sinzendorf, DE @ Void Fest

11/09 Austin, TX @ Levitation Festival 



Artist: Zig-Zags
Album: They'll Never Take Us Alive
Label: RidingEasy Records
Release date: May 10th, 2019

01. Punk Fucking Metal
02. Killer of Killers
03. Fallout
04. No Way Out
05. Ms 45
06. The Shout 
07. Why I Carry a Knife
08. They'll Never Take Us Alive
09. Nothing To Do
10. God Sized


On the Web:







Warish (led by Tony Hawk's son Riley) share new 2-song single "Runnin' Scared"/"Their Demise" from second RidingEasy Records EP

"Remember when indie rock sounded all grimy, corroded and metal-sludgy -- the last thing you'd hear in a commercial or being played at an arena show? Warish do. It's music to the ears of anyone who wants to damage their ears." -- Rolling Stone

"Warish totally rules... An awesome mixture of punk energy, biker rock fuzz, and grunge growl." -- Kerrang!

"Sludgy and punk-y at the same time, with an Iggy and the Stooges meets Misfits vibe, plus a bit of stoner rock and metal mixed in, as well." -- Consequence of Sound


Southern California trio Warish share the lead track from their forthcoming second EP on RidingEasy Records today. Hear and share "Runnin' Scared" / "Their Demise" HERE. (Direct shareable Bandcamp and YouTube.)

Rolling Stone recently featured the lead track "Fight" from the band's self-titled debut EP HERE. (Direct YouTube.)

Imagine if Incesticide era Nirvana were crossed with Static Age era garage-punk Misfits. You'd have sinister low budget horror rock with a visceral, twisted weirdness and bludgeoning riffs. Some might call it nightmarish, we call it Warish

Warish is a very newly minted SoCal trio formed in early 2018 that has wasted no time making its presence known. The band formed when guitarist/vocalist and pro-skater Riley Hawk (son of skating legend Tony Hawk) and drummer Bruce McDonnell decided they wanted to try their hand at something more distinct than they'd done previously. Bassist Alex Bassaj was added shortly after the recording to complete the live trio. 

"We wanted to do simpler riffs and a fun live show," Riley explains. "A little more punk, a little bit of grunge... a little evil-ish."

Their sound takes cues from a variety of cool underground sounds and twists it all into an energetic and exciting fist to the face of dark fury. Hawk's effect-laden vocals hearken to early Butthole Surfers and David Yow's tortured caterwaul in Scratch Acid. The guitars are heavy and powerful, though decidedly not straightforward cookie cutter punk; more like Cobain's and Buzz Osbourne's wiry contortions. The rhythms bash and pummel right through it all with aggressive force ensuring that nothing gets overly complicated and the horrors keep coming throughout the band's uh, warlike assault.

Runnin' Scared/Their Demise is available on 7" vinyl and download on May 31st, 2019 via RidingEasy Records. Orders are available HERE

WARISH LIVE 2019:
06/06 Oceanside, CA @ Pourhouse
06/21 Los Angeles, CA @ House of Machines L.A.
06/27 Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
07/05 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
07/06 San Diego, CA @ Casbah +
09/20 Portland, OR @ Star Theater - Hesh Fest *
09/21 Seattle, WA @ Highline *
09/23 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater * 
09/24 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown *
09/25 Chicago, IL @ Reggies * 
09/26 Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle *
09/27 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *
09/28 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place *
09/29 Boston, MA @ Sonia *
09/30 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory * 
10/01 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's *
10/02 Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall *
10/03 Raleigh, NC @ Kings *
10/04 Asheville, NC @ Mothlight *
10/05 Atlanta, GA @ The 529 *
10/06 New Orleans, LA @ One Eye Jack's *
10/07 Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey *
10/09 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *
10/10 Mesa, AZ @ Club Red *
10/11 Los Angeles, CA @ Satellite *
10/12 San Francisco, CA @ Chapel *
11/09 Austin, TX @ Levitation Fest

* w/ Acid King
+ w/ Earthless

Artist: Warish
Album: Runnin' Scared / Their Demise
Label: RidingEasy Records
Release Date: May 31st, 2019

01. Runnin' Scared
02. Their Demise


On The Web:

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Acquaintances (Titus Andronicus, The Ponys, Ted Leo, Don Caballero supergroup) streaming album early, first-ever shows in June

"Acquaintances manage to convincingly be everything at once without ever breaking the flow of a solid rock album." -- Rolling Stone

"Spiky, rolling indie rock in a vintage Pavement or Sebadoh mold." -- SPIN

"Mixes arty ’90s post-hardcore with a hypnotic krautrock backbone. It’s cool stuff." -- Brooklyn Vegan

"A hard-charging second album that explores mortality and an increasingly uncertain future. 'Flooded Candle Flickering Flame' isn't just a walk through the outfit's underground pedigree but manages to break new ground amid Who-ish thrums and Jesus Lizard-esque aggression." -- PopMatters


Chicago post-punk supergroup Acquaintances are streaming their forthcoming sophomore album today ahead of release via Echoes & Dust. Hear and share the mortality-themed full length 8 1/2 Lives HERE. (Direct Bandcamp.)

The band plays its first-ever live shows this June. Please see dates below.


Brooklyn Vegan recently shared "And It All Went Black" HERE. Treble premiered two album tracks, each sung/written by the band's two singers/songwriters, explaining, "they show the full range of the band’s songwriting and aesthetic sensibilities, from kickass rock ‘n’ roll to more nuanced arrangements," HEREPopMatters also launched the driving rocker "Flooded Candle Flickering Flame" HERE.

Acquaintances are finally back with their second album, 8 ½ Lives, and right in time for File 13 Records' 30th anniversary as the label's 95th release.

Jered Gummere - Guitar, Vocals (The Ponys, Bare MutantsRichard Vain)
Justin Sinkovich - Guitar, Vocals (The Poison Arrows, Atombombpocketknife, Thumbnail)
Patrick Morris - Bass (Don Caballero, The Poison Arrows)
Chris Wilson - Drums (Ted Leo + Pharmacists, Titus Andronicus, Hammered Hulls, Open City)

Also With:
Stephen Schmidt - Guitar (Thumbnail, Chino Horde)
Adam Reach - Percussion, Keyboard (The Poison Arrows, Pink Avalanche)

Recorded in a practice space and a basement by Justin Sinkovich, then mastered by John Golden, this second album builds on the fluidity of five dudes who don't necessarily occupy the same space all that often, and have made a lot of records you may have heard.  They pieced their schedules and ideas together via Chicago, Philadelphia, and Portland, and made a pretty sick sounding noise rock record over the course of a year with lot of travel and shipping recording gear back and forth.

Acquaintances was originally formed in 2012 with Chris Wilson passing through on tour, and meeting up with longtime friend Justin Sinkovich in Chicago. They agreed to start a band despite Chris living in Philly. They recruited local Chicagoans Jered Gummere and Steve Schmidt to write songs, sing, and play guitar along with Justin doing the same. Three guys writing weird songs with Chris on drums... so yeah, they naturally recruited Patrick Morris who plays with Justin in The Poison Arrows, to play bass with Acquaintances as well.The first self-titled album was recorded by Justin in his basement, and was released in 2013. It was featured in Rolling StoneSpin and other notable publications, but things came up in life, and they never played a show.  BTW, the band name came while recording that first record, labeling files of songs in progress as "Acquaintances Track 01 No Vocals" etc. to share online while they were all over the place constructing the album. 

Last year Justin and Jered wrote twelve songs and recorded them with Chris and Patrick for this new album. Steve had moved to Portland at this point, so they shipped recording gear out to him and he put his distinctive guitar sound on a majority of the album. This time around, Adam Reach from The Poison Arrows filled in on drums for some rehearsal and writing sessions, and played some percussion and keyboards here and there on the record.

8 ½ Lives lives up to its title by exploring mortality, and where to go from here amidst increasingly complex existences. Acquaintances are confirming shows this time around, to figure it out face-to-face with each other, and with you.

8 ½ Lives will be available on LP and download on May 31st via File-13 Records. Pre-orders are available HEREThe album will also be released on cassette via Coup Sur Coup. 


ACQUAINTANCES LIVE 2019:
06/06  Bloomington IL @ Nightshop
06/08  Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle 



Artist: Acquaintances 
Album: 8 1/2 Lives
Label: File 13 Records
Release Date: May 31st, 2019

01) And It All Went Black
02) Flooded Candle Flickering Flame
03) A Night in a Town
04) Mutual Denial
05) I'm an Artisan Goddamnit
06) Barmuda Triangle
07) This Moment Was Due
08) 8 ½ Lives
09) Dissolve Today
10) Mistakes
11) The Last Page
12) A Few Seconds Ahead of Your Ghost








On The Web:




Wednesday, May 29, 2019

ALTAS exclusive album stream, Denver band merges Latin-American styles w/ post-rock exploration

"The band is a creative and emotive force; a spatial palette of sounds that takes the listener on a transformative journey." -- Ghost Cult Magazine

"ALTAS take some classic post-rock and blast it with Rhodes electric piano melodies, jazz grooves, cumbia rhythms, and crunchy guitars to form their own stupendous sound." -- Pure Grain Audio


Denver instrumental quintet ALTAS are streaming their forthcoming sophomore album All I Ever Wanted Was ahead of release starting today via Pure Grain Audio. Hear and share the album HERE. (Direct Soundcloud and Bandcamp.)

ALTAS also recently released a dramatic art film set to the track "Rattenkönig" via Echoes & Dust. The video was created in partnership with New Trash films as part of Colorado Film organization's 53:14 Music Video Experiment. Watch and share the breathtaking film "Rattenkönig" HERE. (Direct YouTube.)

Powerful messages needn't always be spoken. ALTAS sends a distinctive message heard loud and clear in their melodic instrumental rock compositions.

Post-rock groups tend to construct lengthy songs based around guitar effects and group dynamics. ALTAS shares territory with post-rock bands such as Explosions in the Sky or Russian Circles but they refreshingly sidestep many of the typical genre tropes. Their compositions are carefully designed, the structures evolving engagingly and leaving so little room for excess that the listener rarely realizes the average song length is seven minutes. ALTAS is eager to expand the type of instrumentation and influence typical in post rock. Distorted guitars thrash under bell-like Rhodes melodies; sparkling synths arpeggiate over abstract effects; hip-hop bass grooves, jazz beats and cumbia rhythms make subtle appearances. Above all, ALTAS engages the listener with gorgeous, emotive melodies that suggest narrative structure. The clear exposition, conflict and denouement of each song perfectly complements film soundtracks.

ALTAS is also eager to expand the notion of who makes post rock music. A band composed entirely of women and minorities is rare in rock music, especially in the instrumental/post rock genre. Enrique and Israel Jimenez (guitars and drums, respectively) hail from Oaxaca, Mexico; guitarist Juan Carlos Flores was born in Juarez, Mexico. These roots can be heard their music, which hints of turmoil in the current political era. They can also be seen in their dynamic, passionate performances which have gained a loyal following in their hometown of Denver.

ALTAS has toured from the dry desert at the Mexican border to the pine-filled Pacific Northwest. They have performed hundreds of shows both large and small, from Vietnamese billiards halls in Denver, CO to the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX. Their debut album Epoca de Bestias, was included in the "Best of Colorado Albums" by Westword in 2014. They are also an IM Tour roster artist, an organization which honors artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. Their follow up album All I Ever Wanted Was will be followed by tours through the Western United States.

All I Ever Wanted Was will be available on LP and download on May 31st, 2019. Pre-orders are available HERE.


ALTAS LIVE 2019:

06/08 Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis


Artist: ALTAS
Album: All I Ever Wanted Was
Label: Altas Musica
Release Date: May 31, 2019

01. Mi Siento Maldito
02. Glasgow Smile
03. A Break In The Damage Path
04. Cosas Nunca Dichas
05. Valentin Trujillo (An Unsung Hero)
06. Noble Savage
07. Rattenkönig (Kompromat)


On The Web:




Thursday, May 23, 2019

American Sharks share campy video via Kerrang from new album 11:11 (The End Records), Austin punk-metal trio returns w/ crushing riffs


"A little bit stoner, a little bit punk, a lot a bit fuzz, it is just the right mixture to create that delicious blend of awesomeness." -- Nerdist

"A frenetic blast of scuzzy, fuzzy rock’n’roll that’s full of raucous, riotous energy." -- Kerrang!

"Puts Motorhead's rhythm section, The Stooges' raw power, and Black Sabbath's evil melodies in a blender. For a more modern comparison, it also sounds a bit like Mutoid Man." -- Brooklyn Vegan


Austin trio American Sharks premiere the official video for "Spare The Rod" from their new album 11:11 today via Kerrang Magazine. Watch & share what happens when Ouiji board shenanigans go wrong HERE. (Direct YouTube.) The video was directed by Scott Barber, who also directed an upcoming documentary about the rise of Nickelodeon

American Sharks' new album 11:11 was released on The End Records on May 10th. Hear and share the album on Bandcamp, Spotify and YouTube. Watch a comedic basic cable parody video for the album track "Masters" available to watch and share via YouTube

American Sharks is a three-piece band hailing from Austin, TX. Since the release of their self-titled debut album, American Sharks has toured extensively supporting the likes of GWAR, Clutch, The Sword, Red Fang, Big Business, Corrosion of Conformity and many others. After touring to support their debut album, American Sharks took time off to write and record their self-produced follow up album. With a spring 2019 release date, American Sharks will look to expand on the story they began writing in 2013.

"Austin's American Sharks provide the antidote to a mob of grimacing heshers...heavy metal soul, stoner rock brains, and a punk rock heart, the fast-rising power trio yells and pounds its way through rollicking nuggets of crushed concrete and dirty steel." -- Michael Toland, Austin Chronicle

"American Sharks are creating some of the grittiest, rawest and realest rock and roll we've heard in a very long time." -- Diffuser.fm

"American Sharks play that special brand of hard rock we love so much. A little bit stoner, a little bit punk, a lot a bit fuzz, it is just the right mixture to create that delicious blend of awesomeness...If you're not into American Sharks, fix that that. Get into them. Rock 'n' Roll waits for no one." --Benjamin Bailey, Nerdist

11:11 is available on LP, CD and download, released May 10th, 2019 via The End Records. Orders are available HERE.

AMERICAN SHARKS - LIVE 2019:
06/20 Mexico City, MX @ Caradura Condesa
06/21 Toluca, MX @ SALA Traffic - Go Skate Day Toluca
09/17 Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom - Northwest Hesh Fest 


Artist: American Sharks
Album: 11:11
Label: The End Records
Release Date: May 10th, 2019

01. Let Me Go
02. Spare The Rod
03. KLUDU
04. Landslide
05. Masters
06. White Witch
07. Alcohol
08. Satan's Overture II
09. The Fear

On The Web:






Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Acquaintances (Titus Andronicus, The Ponys, Ted Leo, Don Caballero supergroup) share blistering track from upcoming album, play first-ever shows in June

"Acquaintances manage to convincingly be everything at once without ever breaking the flow of a solid rock album." -- Rolling Stone

"Spiky, rolling indie rock in a vintage Pavement or Sebadoh mold." -- SPIN

"Mixes arty ’90s post-hardcore with a hypnotic krautrock backbone. It’s cool stuff." -- Brooklyn Vegan

"A hard-charging second album that explores mortality and an increasingly uncertain future. 'Flooded Candle Flickering Flame' isn't just a walk through the outfit's underground pedigree but manages to break new ground amid Who-ish thrums and Jesus Lizard-esque aggression." -- PopMatters


Chicago indie rock supergroup Acquaintances share a blistering new track from their forthcoming sophomore album today via PopMatters. Hear and share "Flooded Candle Flickering Flame" HERE. (Direct Bandcamp.) The band plays its first-ever live shows this June. Please see dates below.

Brooklyn Vegan also recently shared "And It All Went Black" HERE

Acquaintances are finally back with their second album, 8 ½ Lives, and right in time for File 13 Records' 30th anniversary as the label's 95th release.

Jered Gummere - Guitar, Vocals (The Ponys, Bare MutantsRichard Vain)
Justin Sinkovich - Guitar, Vocals (The Poison Arrows, Atombombpocketknife, Thumbnail)
Patrick Morris - Bass (Don Caballero, The Poison Arrows)
Chris Wilson - Drums (Ted Leo + Pharmacists, Titus Andronicus, Hammered Hulls, Open City)

Also With:
Stephen Schmidt - Guitar (Thumbnail, Chino Horde)
Adam Reach - Percussion, Keyboard (The Poison Arrows, Pink Avalanche)

Recorded in a practice space and a basement by Justin Sinkovich, then mastered by John Golden, this second album builds on the fluidity of five dudes who don't necessarily occupy the same space all that often, and have made a lot of records you may have heard.  They pieced their schedules and ideas together via Chicago, Philadelphia, and Portland, and made a pretty sick sounding noise rock record over the course of a year with lot of travel and shipping recording gear back and forth.

Acquaintances was originally formed in 2012 with Chris Wilson passing through on tour, and meeting up with longtime friend Justin Sinkovich in Chicago. They agreed to start a band despite Chris living in Philly. They recruited local Chicagoans Jered Gummere and Steve Schmidt to write songs, sing, and play guitar along with Justin doing the same. Three guys writing weird songs with Chris on drums... so yeah, they naturally recruited Patrick Morris who plays with Justin in The Poison Arrows, to play bass with Acquaintances as well.The first self-titled album was recorded by Justin in his basement, and was released in 2013. It was featured in Rolling StoneSpin and other notable publications, but things came up in life, and they never played a show.  BTW, the band name came while recording that first record, labeling files of songs in progress as "Acquaintances Track 01 No Vocals" etc. to share online while they were all over the place constructing the album. 

Last year Justin and Jered wrote twelve songs and recorded them with Chris and Patrick for this new album. Steve had moved to Portland at this point, so they shipped recording gear out to him and he put his distinctive guitar sound on a majority of the album. This time around, Adam Reach from The Poison Arrows filled in on drums for some rehearsal and writing sessions, and played some percussion and keyboards here and there on the record.

8 ½ Lives lives up to its title by exploring mortality, and where to go from here amidst increasingly complex existences. Acquaintances are confirming shows this time around, to figure it out face-to-face with each other, and with you.

8 ½ Lives will be available on LP and download on May 31st via File-13 Records. Pre-orders are available HEREThe album will also be released on cassette via Coup Sur Coup. 


ACQUAINTANCES LIVE 2019:
06/06  Bloomington IL @ Nightshop
06/08  Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle 



Artist: Acquaintances 
Album: 8 1/2 Lives
Label: File 13 Records
Release Date: May 31st, 2019

01) And It All Went Black
02) Flooded Candle Flickering Flame
03) A Night in a Town
04) Mutual Denial
05) I'm an Artisan Goddamnit
06) Barmuda Triangle
07) This Moment Was Due
08) 8 ½ Lives
09) Dissolve Today
10) Mistakes
11) The Last Page
12) A Few Seconds Ahead of Your Ghost








On The Web:




Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Acid King announce 'Busse Woods' 20th anniversary tour, reissue on RidingEasy Records

Watch/share Busse Woods 20th Anniversary Tour video (YouTube)


"Busse Woods still stands as one of Acid King's finest hours." -- Noisey


San Francisco trio Acid King announce the 20th Anniversary reissue of their 1999 sophomore album Busse Woods to be released on RidingEasy Records. The reissue is in conjunction with an extensive North American tour commemorating the landmark album. Please see dates below. 

The tour features support from Wizard Rifle and RidingEasy label mates Warish

Originally released via Frank Kozik's groundbreaking Man's Ruin Records in 1999, Busse Woods will be remastered, with updated artwork for release via RidingEasy Records

Busse Woods will be available on LP, CD and download on August 30th, 2019 via RidingEasy Records. 


ACID KING 'BUSSE WOODS' 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2019:
09/20 Portland, OR @ Star Theater - Hesh Fest *
09/21 Seattle, WA @ Highline *
09/23 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater * 
09/24 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown *
09/25 Chicago, IL @ Reggies * 
09/26 Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle *
09/27 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *
09/28 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place *
09/29 Boston, MA @ Sonia *
09/30 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory * 
10/01 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's *
10/02 Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall *
10/03 Raleigh, NC @ Kings *
10/04 Asheville, NC @ Mothlight *
10/05 Atlanta, GA @ The 529 *
10/06 New Orleans, LA @ One Eye Jack's *
10/07 Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey *
10/09 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *
10/10 Mesa, AZ @ Club Red *
10/11 Los Angeles, CA @ Satellite *
10/12 San Francisco, CA @ Chapel *


* w/ Wizard Rifle, Warish