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The Mimes

Plastic Pompeii
Lets Pretend (2021)

After all the bedroom pop to come out of quarantine, we finally have a band doing something new that sounds like a real record, not an experiment. The Mimes features Maura Weaver, John Hoffman, and Megan Schroer, who played together in Boys long ago, and more recently in separate projects such as Homeless Gospel Choir, Ogikubo Station, and Vacation.Fittingly, The … Read more

The Great Hurricane Escape

If Not Now, When?
White Russian Records (2020)

There is so much music coming out that it is impossible to keep up. Every now and then I spend a couple of evenings checking out labels that I dig, just to see what’s new. One of those evenings I visited the bandcamp of White Russian Records and discovered this EP by The Great Hurricane Escape. One e-mail later I … Read more

War On Women

Wonderful Hell
Bridge Nine (2020)

I owe War On Women an apology. This review was due months ago, but some shit circumstances came about and an unplanned hiatus was from Scene Point Blank was needed. The band deserved far better and I very much regret that I wasn’t around to give them the lauds and love upon Wonderful Hell’s release because had I been around … Read more

The Living

1982
Loosegroove (2021)

The Living will transcend and be reincarnated on April 16th via Stone Gossard’s (Pearl Jam) label-Loosegroove. This release is getting a lot of attention namely because the band contained a 17-year-old Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses fame. Digging into the punk rock vault a bit deeper the band also contained drummer Greg Gilmore who went on to play in … Read more

Come Closer

Pretty Garbage
Pirates Press (2021)

J. Wang has played in a lot of bands: Dan Padilla, Tiltwheel, Altaira, and Shallow Cuts, to name a few. In other words, he’s an active musician and when his other bands broke up, or went on hiatus, or live too far away – throw in a year-plus pandemic -- well, a creator’s gotta create. Come Closer actually kicked off … Read more

Cry Babe

Fell In Love With A Spirit 7”
Drunk Dial Records (2020)

When I was assigned this 7” from Drunk Dial Records, the name of the label caused me to assume it would be a skatepunk album. Why? I’m not totally sure. I couldn’t have been more wrong, though, and was surprised upon listening to Drunk Dial #5, the Fell in Love With A Spirit 7” by the band Cry Babe.This dream … Read more

The Wheelz

Twenty/Twenty EP
No Front Teeth Records/Boulevard Trash (2021)

This was a hard review to write. It’s not because this EP is bad, but because it’s so damn good. The pandemic has left us all dying to go to live shows again, and this EP from The Wheelz is four songs of straight-up, fist-pumping, body-slamming sing-a-long anthems meant to be experienced in a live setting. I’ve known Tony and … Read more

Honshu Wolves

Cosmic Creature Capture
Voodoo Rhythm (2021)

Over the grassy knoll, down the weed tangled pathway, and to the right of the small babbling brook lays a large one-hundred-year-old oak tree. It has widely been known that the exposed massive root system has been used by generations of wolves for years thus giving many wolf pups their first home prior to venturing out in the unknown darkness.However, … Read more

Street Eaters

Simple Distractions EP
Nervous Intent Records (2021)

The info surrounding this EP talks about how Street Eaters have changed. The band formed roughly a decade ago, so there’s always going to be evolution and whatnot -- and there is even a new shape to the band on Simple Distractions, as they’ve officially become a three-piece. Still, the first thing I hear on the opening title track is … Read more

The Next Great American Novelist

Careless Moon
Independent (2020)

Insert joke about judging a book by its cover, in reference to a band who calls themselves The Next Great American Novelist -- somewhere the ego of Dave Eggers shudders. The trio of indie rockers from Brooklyn is the brainchild of lead singer-songwriter Sean Cahill, and their moniker may indeed be tongue-in-cheek enough to stand up to the irony. Cahill … Read more

Znous

Znousland 2 EP
Anti-Ta7na Records/ A World Divided Tapes (2020)

Recently my girlfriend had put on a random playlist. Most of it passed me by unnoticed, but one song made me look up. I am not even sure what caught my attention, but I do know that for one song I was completely focused on music. You guessed it, this band was Znous. I noted down the name on my … Read more

Slant

1집
Iron Lung (2021)

The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone. Even though I’ve stayed healthy, it’s stressful and that inevitably seeps into daily life. One interesting takeaway is that I think I appreciate hardcore more in 2020-21 than I have in the past decade. It’s a good time to be screaming from the bottom of your lungs.Slant is a 5-piece from South … Read more

NEW YORK JUNK

DREAMING EP
Tar Beach Music (2021)

Hand-tossed New York pizza is served traditionally with a specially blended, highly guarded-in-secrecy sauce and topped with a healthy dose of mozzarella cheese. The wedge of delight is easily folded and shoved down your gullet. Feel it as it slides over your pallet barely touching your incisors, molars, and eye teeth.Standing on any New York street corner chewing out a … Read more

Charlie Continental

Be Much Better
Snappy Little Numbers Quality Audio Recordings (2020)

I dunno. Maybe reviewing a flexi is a weird idea as it’s a standalone thing. I still don’t get them: They wear out really fast; they’re vulnerable to damage and they don’t sound very good. They’re a novelty item and, in an era with fewer physical releases, somehow the most disposable format is on the rise?Anyway, I wanted to cover … Read more

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