NYC

Bam! Bam! releases new video for “Literary Hoax”

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Oakland’s Bam! Bam! just released a video for their song "Literary Hoax" and it is old school style with weird imagery that matches well with their vibe. Energy, slamming guitars and all the glory of post punk and pop punk, these ladies are holding it down. They are playing Bandcamp’s Oakland record store and performance space on Friday, September 13. Check them out. – Lucille Faulkner

Chicago

Blacker Face “Parade”

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Blacker Face has released the latest single, “Parade”, from their forthcoming LP, Distinctive Juju, which is due out October 18th via Sooper Records.

For this single, the second from the album, the band shifts their focus towards on the ongoing climate change crisis.

Blacker Face is Jolene Whatevr (vocals), PT Bell (Bass, backing vocals), Isaac Nicholas (Guitar), Noah Jones (Drums), and Louis Clark (Keyboards).

You can catch Blacker Face at East Room on August 17th with Hunx and His Punx. The record release event for their new album will take place on October 18th at The Hideout.

Chicago

The Hecks “So 4 Real”

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The Hecks have released the first single, “So 4 Real”, from their forthcoming sophomore LP, My Star, which is due out October 11th via Trouble In Mind Records.

This is a Synth Rock instant classic that we have been dancing to all week!

The record release event for My Star will take place on October 7th at Empty Bottle with JUICEBOXXX, but you can catch The Hecks on August 17th at The Hideout with Jungle Green.

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior – August 16 – 18

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Sussing, the debut EP from Weekend Athlete, is a multifaceted, captivating release. Earnest, unfiltered songwriting draws the listener to an intimate, vulnerable distance. A mercurial, instrumental atmosphere aids in developing a sense of tense friction. Pensive, penetrating lyrics and rough-around-the-edges guitar and drums combine to create a haunting heaviness that resonates on a personal level. This Saturday at Boot & Saddle, Weekend Athlete lays the foundation for Aster More’s final performance, which also serves as the record release show for their new album Dog-Eared. The affecting, absorbing narratives of Gladie will also bridge the gap. – Michael Colavita

More locals at play this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Northern Liberties (Record Release), Evil Sword, Sour Spirit, SAT Bahamadia, Ursula Rucker, Reef The Lost Cauze, DJ Mike Nyce

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Aster More (Album Release/Final Show) Gladie, Weekend Athlete 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Grave Bathers, Yuckmouf/DJ Deejay, SAT DJSC, FRI Philly Dell, Tripel AAA, DJ Digital Crates

TLA (334 South St.) FRI Marsha Ambrosius, Johnny Popcorn, SAT Reef Royalz, Leaf Ward

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SAT Beano French, Dayne Jordan, Just Frenchie, AIME, Eli Capella, Seraiah Nicole, DJ HVNLEE, SUN School of Rock Philadelphia Summer Season Fest

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Brother Martin, Flat Mary Road, SAT (Upstairs) Adam Travis & The Soul, Tree Rats

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Bul Bey, Cult Objects, SAT Yeenar, All This Huxley, SUN Wexler & the Better Humans, Mr. Smith, Bright Yam Suns, Nicole June, Cop Jokes, Digital Rot

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Love? said the Commander (EP Release), The Naked Sun, SAT City Dressed, SUN Sophie Coran 

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Live Band Karaoke, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI The Ancient Mariners, Frost Giant, SAT The Grip, Future Victims, SUN Reef the Lost Cauze, Space Kamp, 3T3N, DJ Kirsh

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT The Droogettes, Illusions Of Grandeur, Atomic Cretins, The End A.D., THE WORKHORSE III, Voodoo Death Cult, Vixen77, Trash Knife, Erin Incoherent, Less Dead, Disoriental

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Ryan Tennis, SUN Afton Live presents

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI The TC Cole Riot, Live Not On Evil, 7th Victim

Century (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI Quantum Zoology, SAT King Azaz, The Invasive Species, Beloved Binge

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SAT DJ Pfeffer, SUN Michael Thompson 

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Jac with No K, SAT The Cluster Flies, Knightlife, Jumping Juvies

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Splintered Sunlight, SUN Lady Alma

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Trash Boy, Secret Nudist Friends, Meat Sweats

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI AM0RA, The Classic Hunt, SAT Youthfool

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) SAT Sideswipe, Backpack/Matthew Law presents Friends & Fam

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Rebecca Zimmerman, Hoochi Coochi

Couchtown (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Brackish, Harmony Woods (solo), Alenni 

House of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Bad Sleeper, Lucky House, Marcelyn

The Buffalo (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Coffin Dust, Covered In Sores

Old Pool Farm (Philadelphia Folk Fest) THURS-SUN: Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, Charlie Frey’s Blue Plate Specials, Dan Blacksberg, Dave Fry, Driftwood Soldier, Emily Drinker, Great Time, Homestead Collective, J Solomon, Jackson Howard, Jackson Pines, Joshua Fialkoff, Julia Levitina, Last Chance, Lolly & YoYo, Marion Halliday & Trickster Sister, Matthew Gordon, Meghan Cary, Michael Braunfeld, Michael Spear Duo, Nina de Vitry, North Star Puppets, Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element, The River Drivers, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train, Stella Ruze, The Carryons, The Cornerstones, The End of America, The Jayplayers, John Byrne Band

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “The Truth” – Riverby

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Featured on their EP The Guide to Oversharing, an adorable, new video for “The Truth” by Riverby has emerged. Directed by Bob Sweeney, the footage captures its cast of characters, adorned in ears and antlers, enjoying drinks at a bar and later battling it out with water guns. The narrative of a relationship reaching its conclusion, because one side falls out of love, while the other tries to hold on, aches while retaining an optimistic outlook. Riverby will be part of a lineup that also includes Camp Candle and Bridal Party on Wednesday, October 2 at The Pharmacy.

NYC

Hoax’s New Single, “Unamerican Dream”

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Long Island natives Hoax, has released their latest single, “Unamerican Dream,” an immigrant’s vision of America in indie pop fashion. Michael Raj and Frantz Caesar are both first-generation immigrants and chose to centered the single’s focus around an immigrant father who, at the end of his life, comes to terms with his shortcomings. Michael and Frantz wanted to pay tribute to the topic by donating 50% of the proceeds to KIND, an organization that aims to help immigrant children find safety and protection in the States.

The song’s soundscape, filled with clean lead synths, guitars, and a tidy beat, blends seamlessly with lead singer Michael Raj’s emphatic vocals, and is in part reminiscent of the so-called sophisti-pop of the late ’80s that saw its peak in bands like Prefab Sprout and and The Style Council, among others. Since releasing their first EP, The Truth and Other Lies in 2017, Hoax has been unloading previews of their musical talent at a promising rate. Check out the new single, streaming below! – Susan Moon

Philadelphia

New Field Mouse LP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Field Mouse‘s new full-length album, Meaning, is out today via Topshelf Records. The band’s latest collection of recordings navigates and negotiates individual existence, within a world of disorder. Peaceful vocals provide the vehicle to explore personal and societal problems and pleasures in radiant, melodic eruptions. The LP was produced by Field Mouse bandmates, Andrew Futral and Rachel Browne, and Kyle Gilbride (of Wherever Audio). 

L.A.

Repenter releases blistering debut single, “So Sick”

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Repenter’s heavy, blistering debut single "So Sick" gets its point across with startling immediacy. Led by a chugging guitar line with a punk flourish, the duo of vocalist Holly Winter and guitarist Thomas Scriven complement each other with an ease that can’t be taught. "I just want you to know that I ain’t mad at ya, but I ain’t a fan of ya," Winter unapologetically sings in a husky upper register, making a pointed critique at the insidious side of influencer culture. – Juan Rodríguez

Toronto

Laurie – Debut EP “Group Dynamics” Premiere!

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The current Deli Toronto Band O’ The Month is getting ready to release brand new EP! Hailing from Parkdale; Laurie are a quirky noise rock trio whose songs touch on everyday life in a self-deprecating and loud way! The new 5 song EP titled “Group Dynamics” covers subjects such as coping with death, feeling trapped in a broken relationship and the frustrations of a 9-5 life. The opening track “Locked” sets the tone with the drums thumping and bass rolling alongside heavily psyched out guitars. The vocals have a slight dose of Brit-rock inspiration and the lyrics are straight forward and sincere. Hear the new tunes live at Hard Luck on Friday August 16th along with Tijuana Taxi and New York’s Laveda. “Group Dynamics” is available now! – Kris Gies

Chicago

Jungle Green @ The Hideout (8/17)

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Jungle Green released the lead single, “Cryin’”, from their forthcoming album, Runaway With Jungle Green, back in May. The group, lead by the multi-talented Andrew Smith, is now preparing to release their album in the world this Saturday, August 17th.

Jungle Green is the Psych Pop of Alex Heaney, Adam Obermeier, Viv McCall, Andrew Smith, Emma Collins and Adam Miller.

You can help Jungle Green celebrate the release of the new album on August 17th at the Hideout with The Hecks and Peeper and Le Play.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Goodbye Johnny” – Dr. Doper

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Dr. Doper, a.k.a. the pairing of Michael Do and Brett Coper, recently shared its debut single. “Goodbye Johnny” taps into a sense of longing in a breezy, melodic manner. There’s a desire to reconnect over unanswered questions in an optimistic, upbeat fashion. Let’s hope that we hear back from Dr. Doper sooner than later.