Our featured stream of the month comes from Tonguecutter, whose debut full-length Minnow releases on May 2 on Learning Curve Records.
The band is a trio from Muskegon, MI, with a sound that is heavy and aggressive, which contrarily both sharp and blunt. It’s no accident that the first song on the LP is called “Urgency.” The concept behind their sound is direct and to the point, but a myriad of influences sneak into the songs, sometimes mixing up time signatures and drawing from thrash to riot girl to punk and noise rock.
"I think Minnow is everything I wanted to say in 1997 but I didn't have balls to spit out. I was living riot grrrl culture, but my voice still felt small at times. So I backed off the mic and played guitar in a mathy hardcore band for 6 or 7 years and watched the local scenes die, reinvent themselves, and die again,” says Chantal Roeske (guitar/vocals).
“A few more projects came and went. Some of that angst went away while I was raising my kids and running my business. Then, one day, I woke up in my forties and realized I was still as pissed as ever. I wanted something heavy... and I wanted back in that scene. Once I got there, I realized a lot had changed, and yet, a lot hadn't. When we wrote this album, we wanted to prioritize melody and groove, but we still wanted it to feel like a cathartic punch to the gut."
It was recorded and mixed at Analog Time Machine and mastered by Blake Bickel (Bronson Arm) at Dynamic Sound Service. You may also recognize Eddie Gobbo (Something Is Waiting) making a guest appearance on "Antipode."
Order Tonguecutter’s Minnow here.
The band previously self-released Tupperware Party EP in 2023.
Tracklist:
1) Urgency
2) Dust Collector
3) Tupperware Party
4) Big Ol' Tree
5) Minnow
6) Do You Play Leads
7) RATAP
8) Bitch Ass Energy
9) Antipode
10) Yarn Horse
11) Bone to Pick
Lineup:
Chantal Roeske - vocals, guitar
Addison Eilers - bass
Cam Polidan - drums
See Tonguecutter at Caterwaul 2025.
