Casper Skulls released a new LP last November titled “Mercy Works”. Seems they have added more of a pop presence on this record. Evident in the track “Lingua Franca”. The nice vocals give a 90’s alternative vibe to the track. They still keep enough fuzz and emotion to not stray too far from their garage roots. Perhaps a bit of maturity from these folks. They play here in Toronto at the Super Wonder Gallery on February 10^th before they take off to Austin and represent “The Big Smoke” at SXSW! Nice work! – Kris Gies

Grungy 5 piece rock band Sedge has just released a brand new LP. “Pyschochondriac” is hot off the press and it’ll make your speakers hot too. The record starts off with a creepy intro that slides along at a slow pace before they hammer in to “Thanks For Nothing.” That tune is in-your-face with heavy fuzzed out guitars and thumpin’ drums. It displays a great loud/quiet dynamic giving it that grunge quality but with a more intense Marilyn Manson-esque sound. Their release party goes down at The Baby G on Saturday February 3rd along with Output and Honesty. – Kris Gies

This five piece Toronto rock n roll band seem to be just about ready to explode. Sun K have released a brand new music video for “Back to Massachusetts”. This tune is a classic rock n roll tune with a psychadelic influence that makes me think of The Who or the Stones. There is some definite Beatles qualities in the vocals as well.  Great harmonies. This tune was co-written by Tom Thacker of Gob and produced by Cone Mcaslin of Sum 41. Sun K’s new record “Bleeding Hearts” is due out this year and they return to the Horseshoe Tavern on February 8^th. – Kris Gies

Hamilton psych rockers The Crowleys have dropped a new single “Pink Rainbows”. This tune takes a softer approach than what these fellas have done in the past. An acoustic guitar strums away in the background as a groovy bassline gets you lost in lazy vocals. Reverby lead guitar strums and picks away in its own world as the tune comes together near the end with a trippy solo when the drums kick in. All this before an even newer phase of the song kicks in and a happy piano plays you away. Very cool tune. The Crowleys will be opening for Spaceface at The Baby G on Friday February 2^nd. – Kris Gies 

Psychadelic garage rock group Hot Garbage just released a brand new EP at the end of the last year called “Max Blonda”. They have some unique characteristics that set them apart from some of the other top notch garage groups in Toronto right now. The main is the jazz influenced drums. That along with the menacing keyboards and atmospheric vocals their tunes take you for a serious ride. All can be heard on the track “Kimono Dragon” from their latest release. Hot Garbage plans on heading to the States for a tour this summer but first they will be playing The Smiling Buddha on January 20^th as part of Exclaim’s Class of 2018 Series. – Kris Gies

Ahead of their new album due out early 2018, Faiyaz and the Wasted Chances have released a pair of singles. “Breakfast In Bed” is a quick lo-fi rocker with really catchy guitar over a thumping rhythm section. The tune has some great slacker rock qualities to it and the vocals contain some Joe Strummer vibes as well.  “Spilt Milk” is the second tune of the split single and is a bit more hectic than the first track. A real banger live I would imagine. Two breakfast tunes to get your year started courtesy of Faiyaz and the Wasted Chances.  They will be playing the Horseshoe Tavern on February 6th. – Kris Gies

Ah Milhouse…my favorite Simpsons character. Of course a band named after Milhouse would need to have a slight sense of geekiness to them. So here is Milhouse – a two piece math rock duo from Toronto. Edna Krabapple would be proud. They have an EP available now featuring the tune “Blood & Bathrust.” An instrumental jam with slick guitar licks, wild drum techniques and all the mathy time signatures you could ask for. See it all for yourself live on January 28^th at Bovine Sex Club. – Kris Gies

Get lost in this ambient synth pop from brand new artist Makk Mikkael. Very interesting production of this tune “Jungle” will have you mesmerized as her voice grips all of your emotions and rolls them into one. According to Makk the feelings she had while creating this tune “compare to being underwater…so close to the surface to take a breath but not close enough.” Find Makk Michael in the Jungle aka her brand new website! – Kris Gies

Just when you think Toronto can’t produce another stellar garage rock band here come The Moody Tulips. Less psych than a lot of the currently booming garage bands though. The Moody Tulips lean more towards the garage pop end of the spectrum with their catchy melodies and guitar licks. However they still keep the lo-fi dream alive. They released their debut record last month. “Snarky Baby” is a 6 song EP that’ll get you dancing and singing along to their fun jams. They play the Smiling Buddha on January 27^th with Weakened Friends, Feels Fine and the Mooks. – Kris Gies

The newest addition to Toronto’s punk scene…The Mendozaz bring the heat with 90’s inspired skate punk. Made up of former members of Crush Luther, The Danger Bees, Farewell Cool Reason and Divine Hammer. They released their debut record “Two Days to Retirement” this past November. It is filled with straight up pop punk tunes that could easily be heard while playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater for playstation. I hear almost a little bit of Michael Stipe in the vocals. So it’s a must-listen if you ever wondered how Stipe would sound with a 90’s punk band backing him. Johnny, Michael and Matty Mendoza have big plans for 2018 so stay tuned… – Kris Gies

One of my favorite records of 2017 was from Toronto garage trio Wine Lips. The whole album is great front to back with wild guitar and a thumpin rhythm section that’ll keep ya groovin’. They nail the fuzzy garage tones while keepin’ the tunes catchy enough to appeal to more than just fuzzheads. In their video for “Opera Ghost” the band is competing against each other in a hot dog eating contest which looks a good time. Watch out…it gets messy. Celebrate guitarist/vocalist Cam’s birthday at the Bovine Sex Club on January 13^th where Wine Lips will be joined by Séance Sisters and Possum. – Kris Gies

This Toronto based shoegaze band Greenhouse has just dropped a brand new single. “Acetate” has a peaceful beginning with Sunday afternoon vibes during the 90’s indie rock inspired verse. The band fires up the instrumentation for the chorus but keep the droning vocals that adds a nice contrast to the music. If the Smashing Pumpkins went full shoegaze it might sound like Greenhouse. They play live in Toronto at Hard Luck Bar on January 13^th along with Tijuana Taxi and the Spiracles. – Kris Gies