Musings on the past and present state of music, film, and pop culture. Get off my lawn.
Episode 54: The Melvins’ Dale Crover Talks New Solo Album ‘Glossolalia’-SLIS Podcast: veteran drummer talks third solo effort, current European tour, Melvins’ activity and more in new interview. Today, we’re talking with legendary drummer Dale Crover, best known for his work with The Melvins. Their unique blend of metal, punk, and experimental music helped shape […]
Concert Review: The Sisters of Mercy Return to ACL Live: Goth icons cast a bewitching spell over their rabid Austin fanbase. This past Sunday, The Sisters of Mercy played their second performance in Austin in just over a year. This was a welcome surprise, given the 17-year absence that preceded their 2023 return. Darkwave duo Blaqk […]
Episode 52: The Sisters of Mercy’s Guitarist Ben Christo Talks Band’s 2024 North American Tour and More -SLIS Podcast The Sisters of Mercy are one of the most iconic Goth groups of all time. Despite not releasing an album since 1990’s ‘Vision Thing,’ they retain a devoted fanbase, as evidenced by the rapturous acclaim of […]
Mark Burgess Talks The Chameleons’ Past, Present, and Future: post-punk frontman talks band’s new EP ‘Where are You?’, their upcoming first new album in 20 years, and ‘Strange Times’ Anniversary tour in new interview. Few bands have maintained a cult status as enduring as The Chameleons. Led by inimitable vocalist Mark Burgess, the band’s pioneering […]
Concert Review: Slowdive at ACL Live: shoegaze legends show offer cross-generational transcendence during Austin set, with Drab Majesty supporting. ★★★★★ Fans of a certain age (i.e., me) remember Slowdive as a band that never got their due, breaking up in 1995 amidst record label indifference and cynical album reviews from indie rock snobs. It was […]
Concert Review: Mr. Bungle at Emo’s, Austin: rock’s favorite oddballs return to ATX for the first time since 1999, with assistance from Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo. ★★★★★ It’s been over 24 years since Mr. Bungle, the weirdest band in rock, played Austin (I was at that show. Good times). Given that the band disbanded […]
Blushing ‘Sugarcoat’ Review: Austin quartet channels classic shoegaze and alt-rock through a modern prism on third album. ★★★★ Something interesting happens when American bands gain inspiration from British shoegaze. Groups like Garbage, The Veldt, True Widow, Deafheaven, and The Smashing Pumpkins borrow elements from My Bloody Valentine, Curve, Slowdive, Ride, et al, but with an […]
John Carpenter’s ‘Lost Themes IV: Noir’ Review: Carpenter and Sons take inspiration from classic Hollywood on new album of moody instrumentals. ★★★★★ John Carpenter is one of cinema’s most unique filmmakers. A director who scored most of his own films, he understands the importance of sonic architecture in conveying mood and atmosphere for his horror, […]
Australian post-rockers reach new heights on latest release. sleepmakeswaves may not be a household post-rock name like Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Sigur Ros, or Explosions In The Sky, but that hasn’t stopped them from gaining a small but loyal fanbase in their native Australia (where they have been nominated for ARIA and AIR awards). […]
The Melvins ‘Tarantula Heart’ Review: experimental metal pioneers go back to double drumming while exploring new sonic pathways. The Melvins are the metal band that never sleeps. Since forming in the late 80s, the sludge icons have pumped out 27 studio albums, setting a high bar for quantity and quality. Ever the musical mad scientists, […]