Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
Ashes and Diamonds “Are Forever” Review: trio fronted by Daniel Ash go all killer, no filler on moody, atmospheric debut album. For over four decades, Daniel Ash has left an indelible musical imprint. From Bauhaus to Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets and his own solo ventures, Ash has mastered the art of moody […]
Post-punk icon Daniel Ash of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets talks new band Ashes and Diamonds’ debut album “Are Forever” on this week’s podcast. Few artists have a résumé as genre-defining as Daniel Ash. From the shadowy art-rock of Bauhaus to the sleek psychedelia of Love and Rockets, his fingerprints are all over post-punk, goth, […]
The Chameleons: ‘Arctic Moon’ (Album Review): atmospheric UK post-punk guitar architects expand their legacy with first album in over two decades. Few bands carry the kind of cult weight that The Chameleons do. Their influence runs deep, with echoes of their sound heard by bands including Oasis, The Verve, Interpol, The Smashing Pumpkins and The […]
Jerry Cantrell Brings Career-Spanning Firepower to Emo’s It was a packed house at Emo’s on Saturday. The crowd spanned generations, but there were strong 90s vibes, when heavy alt-rock dominated the musical landscape. That said, Jerry Cantrell wasn’t here to coast on nostalgia from his work with Alice in Chains. That was just one piece […]
In this week’s podcast, Cranberries drummer Fergal Lawler reflects on their iconic 1994 album three decades on, including memories of frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan. Thirty years ago, The Cranberries released No Need to Argue, an album that would define a generation, cement late vocalist Dolores O’Riordan as a 90’s alternative icon , and leave an enduring […]
Arcadea ‘The Exodus of Gravity’ Review: experimental electronic trio featuring Mastodon’s Brann Dailor blasts off into the cosmos on sophomore album. Arcadea’s self-titled debut back in 2017 was a wild tangle of prog-synth madness, like Rush and John Carpenter fighting inside an arcade game. Their new album The Exodus of Gravity (Relapse Records, August 22, […]
The Psychedelic Furs and The Chameleons at ACL Live: a night of nostalgia and sonic evolution from two iconic new wave acts wows Austin crowd. It’s been a great time to be an ’80s alternative music fan in Austin lately, but Tuesday night at ACL Live was particularly potent: new wave icons The Psychedelic Furs […]
Daron Malakian & Scars on Broadway “Addicted to The Violence” Review. (July 18, Scarred for Life Records) Seven years after Dictator, System of a Down guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian revives Scars on Broadway with Addicted to the Violence, a feral, frayed collection that finds catharsis in chaos. Malakian once again blends metal, punk, psych-pop, and world […]
New documentary Every Time You Lose Your Mind offers an unflinching look at Failure’s rise, fall, and rebirth. Streaming June 28 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ The new documentary Every Time You Lose Your Mind charts the tumultuous history of alternative pioneers Failure. Directed by frontman and multi-instrumentalist Ken Andrews, the film is an […]
UK Synth-pop icons OMD bring New Wave euphoria both past and present with ebullient Austin set. On a balmy June evening, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) transformed Austin’s ACL Live into a pulsating haven of synth-pop nostalgia and contemporary electronica. Touring in support of their 2o23 album, Bauhaus Staircase, the band delivered a performance […]