When two guys start shouting, it usually spells trouble. Not so with Möbius Strip, an indie punk trio from DC. The vocals are harsh and gritty, the basslines are chunkier than Campbell’s soup, and the guitars cry out for the world to listen, all classic ingredients to a quality punk act. Möbius Strip isn’t just another punk act, however. Their latest 7” Palabras Podridas was recorded with living legend Don Zientara in his studio. You’ll be able to find these noteworthy rockers headlining at The Black Cat, 8/18. All ages, $10. -Jonathan Goodwin

Put simply, Outer Spaces rocks. This Baltimore trio plots its essence in catchy riffs, classic drumbeats, and cheerfully nihilistic lyrics. Effortless transitioning is one of their specialties, slipping from folksy acoustic to grungy alt-punk without losing the listener. The gripping vocals are supplied by one Cara Beth Satalino, an experienced rocker whose pipes fall somewhere between Stevie Nicks and Courtney Barnett. Attendees won’t be disappointed when Outer Spaces heads up their gig at the Windup Space on 8/12. Doors at 9, bring a friend. -Jonathan Goodwin

Perfect for a smoky, haze-filled cocktail lounge, Ezra Mae and The Gypsy Moon have an excellently refined grasp on backroom blues, with a touch of garage lo-fi for flavor. A rare treat, this DC-based foursome has good stage presence and the sort of sultry vocals that induce deep trances of wistfulness. Kicking it right after only two years on the scene, Ezra Mae and The Gypsy Moon have a sound modeled after the greats of blues-rock, replete with weepy guitars and thick bass lines. Do yourself a favor and catch them headlining at The Pinch, 8/7, $7. -Jonathan Goodwin

 This Saturday, they’re driving all the way from Norfolk, VA, to open for the Loud Boyz release party for their new LP. They’re called The Seeers and they have something for everyone who likes rocking out. Grinding out tasty guitar progressions and understated vocals never sounded so great. Inspiring headbanging, crowdsurfing, and casual swaying all at once, these guys have great crossover appeal in their repertoire, from garage grit to mellow indie vibes. Switching from emulating The Who to a punky REM, The Seeers will be a perfect opener for the party at DC9 on 8/1. Doors at 9, $10. -Jonathan Goodwin

Last year’s album, ‘Kotekan‘, (with highlight "Low Blind" streaming below) proved Half Waif (pictured) as forceful, otherworldly music experience. Her ethereal vocals and the spiritual synth pop sound are a welcome, soothing break from all the loud garage-rock coming out of Brooklyn right now. Half Waif is the project of Nandi Rose Plunkett, a Brooklyn native, who also performs in NJ mellow indie rock band, Pinegrove. Catch them both playing the last of a series of shows together this Friday the 17th at Shea Stadium. – Sam O’Hara

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

In their newest single, Doubting Thomas Cruise Control are switching things up. The Brooklyn based band’s self-labelled "debt punk" (a term that captures life in New York more than we’d like to admit) crosses over into new territory with the single, "Lillehammer" (below). The EP they released this year, ‘Moonchild/Jailface’, is a lo-fi slacker rock with ’90s influences, while "Lillehammer" – without losing the slacking – showcases a more modern and cultivated indie rock sound. This single is the first from a new album to be released August 14th, through Austin’s Fleeting Youth Records, and we’re curious to hear Doubting Thomas Cruise Control sonic evolution in what we believe is their first release under a record label. The band will be leaving for a two week tour in August. – Sam O’Hara

DCRadaR only has one single out so far, "GUN (Give Up On The Now)", and already you can pinpoint their interesting play on genres (listen below). Their self-proclaimed sound is "electro-shoegaze," but there’s also hints of pop-punk, making it surprisingly easy to dance to. They’ve got more singles to come, and they’re playing July 19th at Metropolitan in Annapolis.

Friends Records is all about sharing, and have just released a split single from Baltimore bands Sherman Whips (photographed above) and Little Leaguers. Sherman Whips’ sound is brighter and campier than Little Leaguer’s, especially their play with pacing in the featured single, "Baby Go Home," going back and forth between speedy psych-rock and calmer surf music. On the other hand, Little Leaguer’s single, "7", is more of a catchy, punk spirited noise-rock tune, beginning with a whisper and ending in a scream. The split single is available for streaming below.

DC’s Mittenfields are FINALLY set to release their long awaited full length Optimists. I was blessed with an early listen and was beyond pleased with maturity and variety of the songwriting and production. Fans of Mittenfields wont be surprised if I say there’s a lot of 80’s-90’s indie-rock sound in it, but what they might not be expecting is all the places the album goes in and around the genre.

Just in the second song, "We’ve Become Numbers," there’s a bass groove with the "angular" guitars, which fuse into bright layered guitars/pedals (that remind one that U2 was pretty cool in the beginning), ultimately crashing into an intense surf-guitar covered shoegaze drone. All complementary sounds in a coherent song. The further into the album one goes, the more variety one hears, both within and across songs. Fuzzy and clean, mathy stuff, poppy stuff, gentle songsmithing, hard rocking. All tight, cool shit. And Dave Mann’s voice is pretty good too.

Check out lead single/video "Optimists" below, and go to the record release show an April 30th at Black Cat Mainstage, featuring a stellar lineup (including Greenland, Magnetar Flares, and Night Streets).  –Natan Press

It’s been a few years since the release of Alex Vans’ first full length DJ Booth. It’s a solid and catchy record, full of promise. After recording, Alex formed his backup band The Hide Away, and they’ve played some 200 shows. Recently, most of those shows have been tributes to Beck, and fans (including myself) were starting to wonder when Alex was gonna fulfill the promise of the first album. I’m happy to say the wait is over.

Vans and The Hide Away are dropping their first new single since DJ Booth, "Velocirapture" on May 5th. It’s a bright rocker, exceeding the expectations of earlier work. It’s at least as catchy, with a deeper, more formed and practiced sound. Somewhere between Tom Petty and Beck, Alex has found his home. I, for one, believe in the Raptor.

You can catch Alex and The Hide Away at Iota May 9th for a Beck tribute set (part of a huge 1996 showcase featuring tributes to Ras Kass, Weezer, The Cranberries, Fiona Apple and Tori Amos), before The "Velocirapture" Single Release Party, on May 16th at Hill Country Barbecue (w/ Short Lives). –Natan Press

 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.   

In early 2014, Expert Alterations self-released a self-titled cassette EP. Now they’ve teamed up with Slumberland Records for a limited edition vinyl release. It’s as solid a collection of contemporary post-punk as you can hope to hear. It’s got jangle and drone, energetic guitars and lackadaisical vocals. The low-fi sound and vocal delivery are reminiscent of Sebadoh, but the songs are quick, their structure and the rhythm section, alternately bouncy and insistent, channel punk like Minutemen and Wire. They jam econo, and the EP is over much too fast, prompting repeated listens.  

You can pre-order now for a June 1st release. In the meantime, Expert Alterations are going on a short tour, starting April 18th at Baltimore Soundstage (where they will be opening for The Buzzcocks–Yes!). You can also catch them April 21st at Metro Gallery (w/ Peach Kelli Pop–also Yes!–along with Baltimore’s Boy Spit and Moist–mmmmm), before they head to the boroughs of NY for some Fests.  –Natan Press