Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
Queens of the Stone Age ‘Villains’ Review: Josh Homme and co. embrace dance music without losing their quirky edge. [rating=4] If Queens of the Stone Ages uptempo new album Villains feels like a reaction against 2013’s somber, mortality examining …Like Clockwork, it’s by design. In a recent radio interview, band mastermind Josh Homme described it […]
Concert Review: Dead Cross at Emo’s, Austin: Hardcore supergroup brings noisy bliss to Austin. [rating=5] Everyone awaiting Dead Cross at Emo’s had a scare yesterday when news broke that the band (fronted by the ever-prolific Mike Patton) had been detained by police in Houston, Texas. Somehow, given their combustible and intimidating self-titled debut, it seemed […]
The Black Watch ‘The Gospel According to John’ Review: one of alt-rocks best kept musical secrets is back, and its time to pay attention. [rating=4] As a music obsessive of the Gen-X persuasion, I pride myself on an extensive knowledge of amazing, under-the-radar alternative and indie bands from my youth. I tend to favor the […]
Melvins Drummer Dale Crover Talks New Solo Album ‘The Fickle Finger of Fate’–influential drummer discusses his first full-length solo album and much more in our exclusive interview. Dale Crover has had one busy year so far, and he isn’t slowing up anytime soon. In addition to The Melvins recent double-album A Walk With Love and Death, […]
Love and Time Lost: A Possible Endgame for Twin Peaks The Return–Damon Shell examines Agent Dale Cooper/Dougie Jones’ ultimate fate in Showtime series. By Damon Shell With only 6 episodes left in Twin Peaks The Return, and dozens of loose ends left to be tied up, there is one major plot thread that has me […]
Dale Crover ‘The Fickle Finger Of Fate’ Review: Melvins drummer offers eclectic affair on début solo album. [rating=4] For his first full-length solo album The Fickle Finger of Fate (due August 4th, via Joyful Noise Recordings) veteran Melvins drummer Dale Crover showcases his musical gifts in both expected and unexpected ways. Click here for my […]
The Foreign Resort ‘She is Lost’ Review: review of Danish neo-post punkers beguiling new single. [rating=4] Denmark’s The Foreign Resort are a 21st century act with an unashamedly retro sound–drawing inspiration from 80’s New Wave, Goth and Post-punk. And they pull it off with aplomb, as witnessed on their new single She is Lost–a heady […]
Albums Revisited: 30 Years Later The Lost Boys Soundtrack Is Still A Hot Mess: a look back on a sax fueled soundtrack (and movie) that hasn’t gained vampiric immortality. July 31st marks the 30th anniversary of director Joel Schumacher’s vampire horror comedy The Lost Boys. If you were a teenager growing up during the late 80’s, […]
Dead Cross ‘Dead Cross’ Review: a stellar, punishing debut from hardcore supergroup. [rating=5] Hardcore supergroup Dead Cross’s self-titled début (out August 4th via Ipecac) is one of the most anticipated albums of 2017. This shouldn’t be surprising: any band featuring former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and vocalist (and man of a 1000 bands) Mike Patton is […]
John Fryer Talks New Black Needle Noise Album ‘Lost in Reflections’: veteran producer discusses new Black Needle Noise album, working with Chrysta Bell and more in our exclusive interview. John Fryer has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of electronic and alternative music. As a producer he’s worked with some of the most pivotal […]