Vomitface formed shortly after Hurricane Sandy when two of its members found themselves trapped in their home writing songs about their depressing surroundings, and released two EPs in 2014 and 2015. Evoking the sounds of Nirvana and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the lead single off their upcoming album “Senior Pictures” is a sludgy grungy track that features crunchy spastic guitars over a steady rhythm section. Front-man Jared Micah delivers lines like “I like the subtle way you roll your eyes” in a deadpan tone before erupting into a raw and gritty scream during the song’s final seconds. The trio recently released a music video for the song directed by Jimmy Fontaine and Nick Bilardello. It depicts the group rocking out in a gritty warehouse setting and on the rooftop of a New York City building, through uneven camera movements that match their angsty brand of rock. Vomitface’s debut full length Hooray For Me will be released on August 26th via Help Yourself Records, and they will be celebrating its release on August 28th at Alphaville in Brooklyn! Stream their latest single Dramamine below! – John Honan
Johnny Lightning & The Thunder
Johnny Lightning & The Thunder released their latest EP, Fur Rush, last month. The play a gritty and nostalgic brand of surf-rock that is perfect for these waning days of summer.
White Widows Pact opens for Madball at St. Vitus on 8. 22
There was a time where the metalheads and hardcore kids were separated by their tastes in music and fashion, but as time went on hardcore bands such as Cro-Mags, Sick of It All, and Agnostic Front began to blur the lines between the two genres by releasing metal influenced hardcore records. Today’s hardcore scene is dominated by metalcore bands, and Brooklyn’s White Widows Pact are one of the more pummeling and interesting acts in this scene. On their debut full length True Will the quintet fuses the 90’s death metal and sludge metal with the groove of classic New York Hardcore bands like Madball and Biohazard. Frontman David Castillo’s (also of Primitive Weapons and co-owner of St. Vitus) lyrics are deeply personal, and are delivered in a throat shredding and vehement manner. White Widows Pact will be playing St. Vitus on August 22nd in support of one of their main influencers – Madball! – John Honan
Radar Eyes
Radar Eyes has released the first single, "Community", from their forthcoming LP, Radiant Remains. The album is set to be released on Sept 2nd via Chicago’s Under Roads Records.
You can catch Radar Eyes for free show at Empty Bottle on Sept. 5th with Pink Frost and Brian Case.
Krust Toons: “Brace Yourselves…” by Teddy Hazard
Krust Toons: "Brace Yourselves…" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
The Lemon Twigs unveil video for “These Words” + tour with Sunflower Bean
This Long Island teen brother duo is set for an exciting year, having recently signed with legendary British label 4AD. First single—“These Words” b/w “As Long As We’re Together”—is not merely post-modern mischief. It’s full of seventies cliché, the kind which elegizes funky guitars, prog synths, smooth choruses, and metallic band logos (e.g. Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden). In this case, a hypervigilant sensitivity to the past doesn’t detract, but feels freshly imbued with the spirit of youth. Check out the brand new video for the single, streaming below, and don’t miss their upcoming show with Sunflower Bean at Music Hall of W’Burg on October 7 (part of a three week east coast tour). – Brian Chidester
New Music Video: “The Smell of Us” – The Dove & The Wolf
The Dove & The Wolf recently premiered a new music video for "The Smell of Us," over at Nylon. The footage uses the landscapes of Atlantic City, Wildwood, and Ocean City (New Jersey) to capture the air of loneliness found in the single, which is off the duo’s latest EP I Don’t Know What To Feel. The video was directed and edited by Dave Jannetta. You can catch The Dove & The Wolf performing live tomorrow evening at All Night Diner with Friendship, Curtis Cooper, and Field Sleeper.
New Work Drugs LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Prolific Philly yacht rockers Work Drugs are back with their ninth full-length album, Method Acting. It’s here just in time to help you wrap up this brutally hot summer with some chill sonic waves. They’ll also be bringing their smooth-fi sound on the road next month so Left Coasters keep a look out for Work Drugs coming to your town.
Support XRAY.FM Tomorrow at X-ILE on Ray Street
We love XRAY. The community radio station has done tons in the realm of supporting not only local bands and solo musicians, but supporting other DIY outlets that promote artistic and creative endeavors. They give a lot to all of us so here’s another opportunity for us to give back to them.
Tomorrow, Dig A Pony will be hosting a benefit show with the witty title of X-ILE on Ray Street. Tickets will be $5 and all proceeds going back into the volunteer run station.
Theo Craig and Chancie Chance will be playing tunes in between sets by the ever-entertaining Lola Buzzkill and the darlings of Psychomagic, not to mention the benefit also acting as the album release and tour kickoff show for the loveable Reptaliens (who also help set the benefit up!). Adding even more intrigue to the set, a secret special headliner will also be taking the stage.
Head down to Dig A Pony on SE Grand at 8 p.m. tomorrow to give a lil something to XRAY’s cause, hang out with much of the fellow music scene and to figure out who the secret headliner is!
Balto is Back with a New Residency
If you’re looking to enjoy some straight up rock & roll roots, local maestros in the craft Balto will be providing a freek week of it with their new week-long residency at Al’s Den, downtown at the Crystal Hotel.
Beginning today and lasting through the 27th, Balto’s residency will mainly be solo performances from band frontman Daniel Sheron. It was Sheron’s ventures from Moscow, Russia through Siberia that have helped inspire much of Balto’s songs and sounds, from their October’s Road debut to their recently released 7" Call it By its Name.
"CA LUV" is the latest to come off Call it By its Name and is an airy roots track that will act as the perfect taste holder for fans as the wait for yet another Balto release.
All of Balto’s Al’s Den residency shows begin at 7 p.m., are free and for those 21 and over. They’ll be joined by other acts throughout the next week, all of which can be found here.
MH the Verb Opening for Gangstagrass at MilkBoy April 21
Whether he’s suavely spitting over a soulful, candle-burning beat or escalating into his own fire, MH the Verb always appears under control. The ability to cruise when the traffic turns up around him and seemingly slowdown the system, skillfully hitting high performance while cascading over an array of worldly sound, displaying versatility. It may be Sunday, but he’ll extend that weekend vibe for all it’s worth. Tonight, MH the Verb will set the table for the unlikely yet ear-grabbing combination of hip-hop and bluegrass known as Gangstagrass. Milkboy, 1100 Chestnut St., 7pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Saturday Night Sounds: Astro Tan – “HYFY”
Fusing jazz, psych and r&b are what Astro Tan are masters at doing and their new single, "HYFY," further proves it.
"HYFY" premiered on Impose this last Thursday and what the track stands for (presumably "hell yeah, fuck yeah") is exactly the excitment it brings. Jazzy tendencies playfully circle around distorted guitars and an intriguing drum beat, while party-like lyrics bring a lighthearted air to the track.
The trio just took off for a West Coast tour and return September 4 for a show at Rontoms, but let "HYFY" be your hell yeah, fuck yeah anthem as this Saturday night cools down.