At the end of each year, our friends at OhMyRockness.com have the habit to make a list of NYC’s Hardest Working Bands – i.e. the ones that played the most shows, at least according to their database (they don’t list every single show played in NYC, it would be impossible since there are a lot of unofficial gigs and improvised venues). Even though obviously limited to indie and punky acts, this is definitely an interesting chart, because, in NYC, only artists who have the rare ability to consistently draw a decent crowd get booked more than a couple of times per quarter – and all of the bands in this list played an average of two to three shows per month! Topping the list is post-punk-with-sax quartet Pill, who played THIRTY NINE (!!!) shows in 2015 (with a stunning average of more than three show per month in NYC alone!). The band released their self titled debut EP on local label Dull Tools in March, and then single "Hot Glue" (streaming below) on Mexican Summer in August. They already have FOUR shows scheduled for January 2016… evidently, they are trying to best themselves!

P.S. Tall Juan and Acid Dad share the OMR’s list podium, full list with 21 names here – congrats to all!

Considering they had their first digital single out just about one year ago, NYC rockers Acid Dad built an impressive amount of buzz in 2015, through a powerful and fun live show, and a series of multifaceted releases ranging from the more garage oriented early single "Graveyard Kid" to the droney developments of latest single "Grim," which flirts with the dreamy and droney sound of the UK scene from the early ’90s. And then there’s this, which is always a good sign. The quartet doesn’t seem interested in letting your attention slip away in 2016: they recently announced the release of their debut EP with a show at Baby’s All Right on January 22, with Total Slacker and AMFMS. We have no idea if it will be just a collection of their previous singles or entirely new songs or a mix of the two. We suggest you find out in person! Check out single "The Digger," streaming here. – photo by Sonic Highlark

A chilly, dark Saturday on the other side of some tracks in Baltimore found this writer attending a killer show at The Warehouse, a small venue with the perfect amount of sketchiness and featuring cheap beer, plenty of graffiti, and a working toilet. First onstage was Western Star, a four-piece heavily influenced by alt and classic rock. High octane riffs, croony vocals, and evocative lyrics, the band is equal parts Modest Mouse and Van Zant Band in their musicality. Frontman Max Jeffers brought great energy to the stage, hair flying, and the instrumentals were fantastic, recalling the stylings of Jimi Hendrix.

The Milestones are quickly becoming an establishment-worthy act in the Baltimore scene. Cobbling together an indie style with dance-worthy melodies, the band put on a fantastic show, gripping the audience’s attention immediately and not letting it go until the last guitar note faded on the amps. A particular standout song, UFO (see below) was great live, with expert guitar pieces and crashing drum segments. The band recently put an EP called Honey and listening is highly recommended, especially for a highway playlist.

Closing out the night was rap-reggae-rock fusion group Edjacated Phools. A band of seven, they surprised with their rap skills and seamless reggae techniques. Slick guitars, sick, booming vocals, and melodic keyboard playing brought together an exciting and fun performance and their audience interaction was on point. With semi-political and feel-good verses, the Phools are reminiscent of Sublime and Dirty Heads, yet distinctive in their own right.

We wonder if Brooklyn based producer Obey City‘s stage name is intended as a way to describe the Big Apple – which wouldn’t be a very rock’n’roll view of our city, although probably a quite correct one: New Yorkers tend to comply (or – to put it more positively – are great team players!!!). Probably not, since his real name is Sam Obey, which is fitting indeed: you can’t be a producer without being a diplomatic person. He operates mostly in the electronic/experimental RnB realm and he’s keeping himself busy, churning out tracks and remixes on a weekly basis – one of the most popular was the song entitled Rewind he co-produced for emerging LA via DC soul diva Kelela. He also co-owns "record label/blog/party" Astro Nautico (it sounds like a great business model). Earlier in 2015 Obey City released a three track EP entitled "Merlot Sounds," featuring again a collaboration with Kelela in the synth-ballad "Airy" – streaming below. Check out also single Waterbed. He’ll be bringing the party at Palisades on New Year’s Eve, if soulful EDM is your kind of thing, you don’t want to miss it.

Don’t Believe in Ghosts is the solo project of Steven Nathan, the driving force behind NYC pop/rock band Man On Earth, now on a prolonged hiatus. The band’s debut EP "Change Your Mind" was recorded with the help of friend Rick Eddy on drums and a cameo by collaborator Matt Fink of Prince & the Revolution on keyboards, and will be followed by another EP a few months from now, entitled "Change Your Luck." The two EPs were (mostly) self recorded and self produced, and a lot of DIY went also in realizing the video we are premiering here for single "Nothing I Could Do Is Ever Good Enough For You," which narrates the frustration of a little robot in love with its human lady-master. Mixing synth pop and alt rock elements, the song deftly straddles the line between hope and resignation, themes that are obviously central in Natan’s new material, and that have the potential to resonate with all those who are working hard, day in, day out, chasing their lifetime dream. You can see Don’t Believe in Ghosts’s debut live show at Bowery Electric on January 13.