Photo Source: Red Liquid

Red Liquid are set to play alongside Gibraltar, Kingdom of the Holy Sun, and Black Nite Crash this upcoming Saturday at Lo-Fi Performance Gallery.

Formed in 2009, the band released their debut EP I Wanna Be Yr Victim last year. They meddle with haunting and industrial-like sounds frequently, like at the start of the eponymous song "I Wanna Be Yr Victim." The tune – which begins with synths that recall rippling tides, engines and sirens from some doppelganger world – suddenly morphs into a relentless hybrid of punk and post-hardcore.

Led by vocalist and guitarist Lee Cizek, Red Liquid sinks deeply into sonic chambers of repetitive churning riffs that reverberate off into space with echoing synth waves; this interstellar effect can be heard prominently on "Neptune Massive." The vocals on this song especially display similarities to Nick Cave and Michael Gira of Swans. The track lulls you in with its mantra-like effect before tearing into a heavy, psychedelic rock section halfway through.

Their nightmarish, futuristic plunge into music pulls from post-punk, psychedelia, electronic vibes, and more. Visit Lo-Fi this Saturday, July 7th for the show – it costs $7 and will begin at 9pm. Until then, check out "Neptune Massive" below and give their bandcamp a visit to hear the whole EP. Word is Red Liquid is releasing a new cassette very soon too.

– Cameron LaFlam

Rather than scratching their heads like every pop culture scholar over a question with no shortage of answers – i.e ‘what the ‘ell is punk anyway?’- Brooklyn’s Sleepies made its past their playground, juggling anything from oi to pop-punk influences to craft fast and fun music. Godmode Records having recently released a preview of the band’s next LP ‘Weird Wild World’, we can all get a taste of the album to come! First impressions? Arrogant. Deliciously arrogant. Judging by the tone of ‘Seriously’, teasing game of distortions served with attitude and the stability of a tantrum, ‘WWW’ should be one more treat for those who like their punk with a middle finger up. Welcomed with a party at Dead Herring on the 17th of August, the LP will be released a few days later on the 21st,.Before that, catch them by the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk on July 21st!

The precise, direct stabs of singer/songwriter Laura Stevenson are the telltale marks of a true assassin lyricist. Hers are words that carve a fine point through anyone caught listening to the singer/songwriter’s haunting vocals, and rich instrumentation provided by tight rock outfit The Cans.

The Long Island-based chanteuse dives into her material with an enormous weight; whether hocketing through ‘Baby Bones’ (from the band’s second full length ‘A Record’) or challenging a violin for dominance in the comforting title track ‘Holy Ghost,’ from her debut EP. Stevenson’s spark and energy doses the band’s music with an epic quality perfectly suited for such personal tomes.

Her new full-length record ‘Sit Resist’ is no different. First single (streaming below) ‘Master of Art,’ paints a convincing method for bottling time spent between lovers with all the passion and denial necessary to make a statement like that actually work. This is what makes Stevenson such an enduring presence… and also what makes her an assassin.

Catch Laura Stevenson and The Cans when they play Bowery Ballroom on July 21. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Congratulations to Dollar Fox for The Deli – Kansas City’s artist of the month for July! They won by a landslide!

This 5-piece folk/Americana group plays music with precision, character, and heart. Since forming about 3 years ago, Dollar Fox has found success on Money Wolf Music with a full-length album under its belt and a wide fanbase. Between the 5 of them, the band uses probably 10 or more instruments in a set. That alongside Tommy Donoho’s sincere voice and lyrics helps make Dollar Fox stand out, even in an ever-growing base of Kansas City’s Americana scene.

Look forward to October 19 when Dollar Fox releases its sophomore effort, Little Mother’s Things I am Keeping.

Dollar Fox is:

• Tommy Donoho
• Nick Dothage
• Justin Penney
• Ethan Taylor
• Ryan Watkins 

Check out a few tracks from Dollar Fox’s 2010 release, Close to Home.

And check out the band’s recent performance on FOX 4, playing a track called "Letter" off the new album:

NYC quintet, Outernational, have had a whirlwind of a year so far. Touring since last year and recording all last spring/summer, these rockers have masterminded their second release, “Todos Somos Ilegales,” an 18-track album that revolves around the issues that haunt the American southern border and aptly combines fiery rock in English and en Espanol, rap, and World music vibes. Just a week ago, the title track’s eye-catching music video, featuring musical collaborators, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Residente of Calle 13, Pop/Latin Rock Producer, Thom Russo, and photo/video submissions from over 100 fans worldwide, dropped and has nearly 34,000 views and counting on YouTube along with heated commentary and debates. “Todos” made it onto a segment of CNN en Espanol and has aired in Venzuela, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and the UK so far. Check out the video below and visit www.weareallillegals.com to download the album in its entirety. Outernational will be headlining Bowery Electric on July 11 before heading back out on the road for a summer/fall tour. — Meijin Bruttomesso

 Photo Source: The Hoot Hoots

The Hoot Hoots are playing with Caught in Motion and The Torn ACLS at The Sunset Tavern on Saturday, July 21st; it is the latter group’s CD release show.

This band is, in a word, delightful! Their tunes are driven by floating, bubbly synth arrangements, energetic drums and playful harmonies. Their lyrics are often quirky, like they are reeling off their own versions of bedtime stories. At times, the words take a turn towards poignance, like the Broken Social Scene-esque song "Brighter" – (although still retaining their decidedly power pop flavor).

You will inevitably hoot, stomp, surf, and cheer your way through their full-length Appetite For Distraction, which came out in December of last year. "Do You Know What They Say About the Pacific?" is anchored by a voice that sounds remarkably akin to Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes; they then promptly guide it out of bucolic territory with a happy, buzzing synth melody.

Songs like "Mr. Ghost" and "Scully" show they can rock their fuzzy pop with the best of them. Listen to the former track below, and take care to visit their bandcamp to stream the whole album. The Hoot Hoots will be at The Sunset Tavern on the 21st of July – tickets cost $8 and the doors open at 9pm.

– Cameron LaFlam

The masters of keeping gritty blues and old time rock ‘n roll alive, The Dead Exs, are serving up a brand new single for the 4th of July. Recorded at Converse’s Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn, “Relovolution,” streaming below, showcases the New York-based duo’s signature slide guitar-driven garage blues merged with energetic rockabilly, teasing fans with a fun track that builds anticipation for the rest of The Dead Exs upcoming record. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Black Whales, Seattle’s answer to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, have released a new single entitled "Vietnam."The fuzzed-out rock track features echoing vocals courtesy of lead singer Alex Robert, and an undeniably catchy chorus ("I can’t get out of Vietnam"). What with it’s psych-rock sound and it’s title, "Vietnam" is a love letter to 60’s music, but still feels fresh and modern. The band will play Tractor Tavern July 13th, and "Vietnam" is streaming below. – Josh Johnson

Photo Source: Robin McGarrity

Monogamy Party are set to appear at local D.I.Y. venue the Black Lodge this Saturday, July 7th. The following week they play Chop Suey, opening for Mean Jeans and The Spits.

Made up of a primary vocalist, bassist, and drummer, the fiery group pummels ears with its distinct musical creations. Equal parts noise rock and fuzzed-out punk, they channel the abrasive grooves of a band like Death from Above 1979, but move into territory significantly more aggressive and defiant. 

This past fall they debuted their first EP Pus City via Good To Die Records. The track "Drunk or Dying" introduces itself with a stop-start drum/bass part that gives the impression of a by-the-books punk song before crashing into a wall of noise and shouts. The vocals oscillate between taunting and expressive singing to deeper, roaring screams. 

Eponymous song "Pus City" begins with a segment of quiet and spaced bass tones, the occasional tom roll and bell, before turning into a twisted march of distortion that burns with intensity.

See Monogamy Party at the Black Lodge this Saturday, or Friday, July 13th at Chop Suey for $10. Stream "Pus City" below and check out the band’s entire EP at their bandcamp where it can be purchased digitally or on vinyl.

– Cameron LaFlam

(pictured above: Oriole Post)

Olassa

Georgia Gordon

She’s A Keeper

Stephen Paul Smoker

The Hearts of Darkness

Since his last EP, filled with holiday-themed cake throwing and wailing guitar solos from behind the driver’s seat, it’s been two whole years since Brooklyn based psych-folkster Fletcher C. Johnson‘s had a release.

Thankfully, the psycho-scorched jangle of ‘Messin’ with My Mind’ has just been released to 7", crafted especially for all your messy road trip fantasies. The pleasantly twangy guitars are ready-made for sun worshipping, while Johnson’s vocals fill a nice space between the folksiness of Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold and the brassy energy of Primus’ Les Claypool.

No matter what kind of dust you’ve got kicking around in your head, you’ll always find something new to put in it with Fletcher C. Johnson. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Brooklyn rave rockers My Best Fiend have been around since 2005, and their persistence got recently rewarded with a record deal with UK forward looking label Warp. In their Warp debut "Ghostlike Fading" the band puts an almost spiritual twist on a sound that introduces itself quietly, only to erupt into a full-on psyched-out jam. The single "Cracking Eggs" starts out with gently strummed acoustic guitar and stark, spacious piano chords, while emotive vocals sing about "the crack in the egg that provides relief." It’s not long before full band pomp and stomp fills the sonic spectrum as harsh textures lift the listener into the clouds. Another favorite song, "Higher Palms" (streaming below) turns to an electric piano for keyboard figures, as full instrumentation is then added in, creating a high western plains feel. Vocals are layered and embedded in hallways of reverb, enhanced by synthesized textures extending the tones. Guitars join in from multiple angles, merging with the rising sonic tide without obscuring the defined rhythm. – Dave Cromwell