Richmond’s metal scene is already legend, and it just keeps gettiing better. Case in point: Sinister Haze. The members have been around the scene for quite some time, but Sinister Haze itself is relatively young, having dropped their first demo in 2013. It promised something for old and new fans of metal alike, digging deep into classic heavy psychedelia to mix with the Doom. They’ve kept us waiting for more, and they’re finally releasing an EP, Betrayed By Time, through Heavy Stab Records on vinyl next month you can pre-order it now at the link). 

Check out the track below, "Change My Ways," premiered on Noisey, and catch them on their national tour, starting Tuesday April 28th at Strange Matter in Richmond.   

Drawing from influences as diverse (but intimately connected) as Throbbing Gristle, Butthole Surfers and early Ween, PC Worship is a musical entity that despises – rather than simply defying – categorizing. They are so hostile to crystallized descriptions that they brand themselves as ‘a band, solo project & collective of musicians […] aesthetically uncommitted and exploratory." And even though almost every band on the planet has delusions about being that free, PC Worship actually kind of pulls it off (although they are clearly committed to noise and dissonance – and to being unpredictable). You can see them live at Baby’s All Right on May 28. What to expect then? We are not sure about the number of musicians on stage, but music-wise: anything weird, although – luckily – not lacking some structure.

While we were checking out the listings at Rough Trade (see previous post) we stumbled upon Brooklyn’s revival pop trio Las Rosas. Their song will cast the listener to a vintage musical world where the cheeky melodies of the British pop bands of the ’60s (think Kinks) meet with the "beachy" psychedelic pop that invaded the west coast of the US during that same decade. The nasal lead vocals have a cool tone that works perfectly in the mix, and is balanced by well crafted falsetto harmonies. The band released a five song EP entitled "Flower in the Sun" in the spring of 2014, and then a two song single the following November including Ms. America (streaming below). You can catch them at Rough Trade on 04.23 opening for once NYC (and now Nashville) based Clear Plastic Masks.

If – right now – you feel the need to be charmed, just click on the play button of the song streaming below and let things happen. You will hear the never endingly titled song "Peggy Asked A Question & The Answer Is ‘Yes’ & ‘Let’s Keep Dancing." Relegated for some reason at the bottom of the tracklist, this is one of our favorite songs from Brooklyn pastoral-dream-pop collective Field Guides‘ debut album, released this past November, and entitled "Boo Forever." We highlighted the band in this blog for the first time a few months ago and it looks like things are moving in the right direction for them, since they’ve been booked to play the (rather large) Rough Trade stage on May 1st, opening for NYC indie staples Miracle of Modern Science and Emanuel & the Fear. If you live in South Brooklyn, you can catch them at The Rock Shop on April 23.

Do you love bands that bleed 80’s alt rock like Jesus and Mary Chain and The Cure? Are you in San Diego, or able to carpool out there next Sunday, April 19? Can you bring $5 cover to a 21+ event? Then head to the iconic Soda Bar to see The Chantepleures perform some new songs for their debut album. The four-piece beach natives exude romanticism with nods to Jim Reid’s breathy aesthetic and pastel guitar color, exemplified in their 2012 EP "Feels Like Heaven," and later in the 2013 single "All Our Days." Los Angeles post-rock group Young Lovers and San Diego 90’s psych/alt rockers Future Age will be supporting. Come out and dance like it’s Saturday night (even though it’s Sunday night). – Ryan Mo