Music is a Scam: Thirsty Curses share "Breakfast Schmeckfast" single from forthcoming John Agnello (Dino Jr, Kurt Vile) produced album

"There’s a ramshackle element to the music on the new record that firmly places this talented band alongside such Raleigh-reared greats as The dBs and Let’s Active." -- Rock & Roll Globe

"A refined take on the band’s punk-pop sound that showcases its most sophisticated hooks to date." -- Big Takeover

“An epic, battered-and-bruised finesse.” — Magnet Magazine

Raleigh, NC band Thirsty Curses share a new single today from their forthcoming fifth album. The album, Music is a Scam was produced by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, Kurt Vile, Screaming Trees). Hear and share "Breakfast Schmeckfast" on all DSPs HERE & Bandcamp.

 

Magnet Magazine recently premiered the lead single "Bombs Away" HERE. 

 

Thirsty Curses is an eclectic rock band from Raleigh, NC, which The Big Takeover called "too good to be this anonymous."  The band pulls from various influences including punk, alt-country/Americana, classic rock, and power pop alongside the distinct songwriting, lyricisms, and delivery of frontman Wilson Getchell.  No one sounds quite like Thirsty Curses. 

Thirsty Curses currently consists of Wilson Getchell (guitar, piano, vocals), Clayton Herring (bass), and Jeremiah Rhodes (drums).  Thirsty Curses has built up a dedicated and passionate following over the last several years, during which time they released four studio albums, several standalone singles, a best-of vinyl compilation (Fake Chapter Records) and a library of music videos, all the while consistently performing throughout much of the eastern United States.

The band's fifth album, Music is a Scam is scheduled for release on February 27, 2025. Music is a Scam was engineered and co-produced by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile, The Hold Steady, etc.), and features guest appearances from Kelley Otwell (guitar), Tee Corbett (trumpet), and Jason Froeber (saxophone). The new album consists of twelve songs, spanning gritty punk (Buried by the Wave, Bombs Away) to heart-wrenching ballads (This Time, All That's Left of Us Now), with a show tune or two thrown in for good measure.  

Thirsty Curses is recommended for fans of The Replacements, Deer Tick, Ramshackle Glory, Henry Clay People, The Old 97s, Against Me!, The Silver Jews, and Modest Mouse. 

Music is a Scam will be available digitally on February 27, 2025. 

Artist: Thirsty Curses

Album: Music is a Scam

Label: self-released

Release Date: February 27, 2025

01. Buried By The Wave

02. Foot In The Door

03. How To Stay Afloat

04. All That’s Left of Us

05. Diesel

06. Ride These Rails

07. Tattoo Graveyard

08. Bombs Away

09. Grandma Betty

10. Reading and Writing

11. This Time

12. Breakfast Schmekfast

On The Web:

www.thirstycurses.com

instagram.com/thirsty_curses

Spotify:Thirsty_Curses

Gus Baldwin & The Sketch share "Luxury Television" single from forthcoming album, LP/cassette preorders

 

“Noisy, fuzzy punk with a distinct pop sensibility… Full of energy and anger while also managing to be a lot of fun.” — New Noise Magazine

“Just goes to show you can still be catchy as hell while playing really fucking loud... I'm not entirely sure there's a single that can capture the live energy the drips from the stage when Gus Baldwin & The Sketch are up there, but this brand new single is pretty damn close.” — Austin Town Hall

"Kick ass to bombastic levels." -- Cosmic Clash

Austin band Gus Baldwin & The Sketch share a new single from their forthcoming debut album The Sketch today alongside an in-depth interview with Psychedelic Baby Magazine. Hear & share "Luxury Television" HERE. Or, exclusively today on Bandcamp. (All DSPs to follow soon.)

Limited Edition vinyl LP and cassette pre-orders for The Sketch are live today HERE.

Watch/share the official video for previous standalone single "Relief" via YouTube.

Gus Baldwin is a singer/songwriter/ex-hippie/part-time punk hailing from Austin, TX. After a stint holding down drums for Dallas surf punk legends Sealion in high school, Baldwin went on to form the Psych Pop combo Acid Carousel, which he led for 6 years and 20 something releases before departing the band on Halloween night 2021. 

 

Since leaving Carousel, Gus has made a name for himself as a solo artist in Austin, constantly performing as a singer/songwriter, one man garage band, or with his band The Sketch. Quickly releasing a string of titles on his own GetWithIt! Records imprint, including the EPs THRILLER II, and Live Bugs, as well as a slew of singles, Gus established himself firmly as the godson of Texas rock'n’ roll. Splitting his time as a frequent collaborator with The Black Angels, Baldwin also works with the likes of Christian Bland & The Revelators as well as The UFO Club with Night Beats frontman, Danny Lee Blackwell.

 

The Sketch is the full length debut of Gus' partnership with The Sketch. The album was recorded in one day at Studio 22 in Los Angeles by engineer Joey Oaxaca (White Reaper, Starcrawler). 

 

The Sketch will be available on LP, cassette and digital on January 31, 2025. Pre-orders are available HERE. 

GUS BALDWIN & THE SKETCH LIVE 2025:

02/20 Austin, TX - 29th Street Ballroom

Artist: Gus Baldwin & The Sketch

Album: The Sketch

Label: Permanent Teeth Records

Release Date: January 31, 2025

01. Part I

02. Part II

03. Part III

04. Itch 

05. Steady on It

06. Luxury Television 

07. Slacker’s Prom

08. (She’s Gone) Arigato 

09. Beautiful Delilah 

10. What the Freaks Say

11. Sympathy for Sunday

On The Web:

linktr.ee/gusbaldwin

instagram.com/buddy_gus

gusbaldwin.bandcamp.com

permanentteethrecords.bandcamp.com

Versus Machine (feat. Babel Map rhythm section & Failure collaborator) share new single alongside interview with ProgRock Journal

 

“A powerhouse trio blending post-grunge, alternative rock and psychedelia... Bold, boundary busting rock.” – Psychedelic Baby Magazine

Lancaster, PA trio Versus Machine share a new single today from their forthcoming sophomore album alongside an interview with ProgRock Journal. Hear/share "Red Queen" HERE. (And now on all DSPs HERE.)

It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine recently launched the lead track "Seafoam" in an extensive interview HERE. 

Versus Machine is an innovative and genre-blending rock band whose members bring together years of experience from diverse musical backgrounds. The band's core is made up of singer/guitarist Stephen Tilley, bassist Michael James Stipe, and drummer Brian Doherty, with the group’s formation rooted in both past musical connections and newfound collaborations.

Stephen Tilley and Brian Doherty grew up together, forming a deep musical bond during their early years. Although they spent nearly a decade apart from playing together, their shared passion for music never faded. In 2021, Doherty reached out to Tilley, reigniting their creative partnership and rekindling a sense of musical chemistry that had been dormant for years. Their reunion marked the beginning of something fresh and exciting, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Versus Machine.

To bring their musical vision to life, Doherty and Tilley enlisted Michael James Stipe, a bassist known for his work with the band Babel Map. Stipe, with his distinct style and musical sensibilities, quickly became a key member of the group. It was Stipe who coined the band’s name, Versus Machine, a title that encapsulated the band's blend of raw energy, modern aggression, and intricate songwriting.

In 2022, Versus Machine recorded their debut album at Noisy Little Critter Studios with renowned producer Mike Bardzik. The album marked the band's arrival, showcasing their ability to fuse elements of post-grunge, alternative rock and psychedelia with an infectious energy and emotional depth. The record quickly gained attention from both fans and critics for its bold sound and honest, often introspective lyrics.

Following the success of their first album, Versus Machine continued to evolve. In 2024, they recorded their highly anticipated follow-up LP, set for release in February 2025. The new album is shaping up to be an even more ambitious project, blending hard-hitting rhythms, complex melodies, and daring sonic experimentation. The band’s sound has matured, and the new record promises to push boundaries even further, establishing them as one of the most exciting acts in the modern rock scene.

In addition to their work as Versus Machine, Tilley has been involved in several high-profile musical collaborations. He has worked with Kellii Scott, the acclaimed drummer of Failure, on two EPs. The second of these EPs is also slated for release in 2025, further cementing Tilley’s place in the alternative rock landscape.

Meanwhile, bassist Michael James Stipe and drummer Brian Doherty have garnered recognition for their contributions to Babel Map’s new album, Teeth, which was produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge. The duo’s work on the album earned them a prominent feature on the front page of Bandcamp Daily highlighting their growing influence in the underground and alternative music scenes. Doherty and Stipe are also slated to work with Martin “Youth” Glover in 2025 on their 4th album with their band Northern Gloom.

With the release of their follow-up album on the horizon, Versus Machine is poised to expand their fanbase and continue making waves in the rock world. Their combination of relentless drive, musical innovation, and heartfelt lyrics has already established them as one of the most promising and dynamic bands in the genre today. As they prepare to take the stage once again in 2025, all eyes are on Versus Machine, eager to see where their bold musical vision will take them next.

II will be available for download and streaming on February 27th, 2025. Pre-order HERE, pre-save HERE.

VERSUS MACHINE LIVE 2025:

01/30 - Cincinnati, OH - The Comet 

01/31 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Government Center 

02/06 - Winston-Salem, NC - The Den

02/07 - Durham, NC - Rubies 5 Points 

02/08 - Newark, DE - Tire Shop

Artist: Versus Machine

Album:  II

Record Label: self-released

Release Date: February 27, 2025

01. Pterodactyl

02. Runaway

03. Blanket

04. Interlude I

05. Gimmick

06. Seafoam

07. Acid Rain

08. Interlude II

09. Red Queen

10. Time Machine

11. Going Home

12. Creatures

Links:

linktr.ee/versusmachine_

instagram.com/versusmachine_

versusmachine.bandcamp.com