Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
John Carpenter’s ‘Cathedral’ Review: The Horror Master gives his synthwave sound a metal makeover on graphic novel soundtrack. John Carpenter is more than just a filmmaker behind some of the most iconic and influential horror and sci-fi films ever made. His creativity has never been confined to the director’s chair. He’s a filmmaker, composer, musician, […]
Hair Metal Veterans Turn Up the Heat in Central Texas Leander’s Haute Spot lived up to its name this week, with soaring temperatures making for a sweaty evening under the Texas sky. Fortunately, the scorching weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of fans who packed the venue for a double bill featuring West Coast […]
Guitarist/producer of The Butthole Surfers talks long awaited album, band doc, and group’s turbulent history on our latest podcast episode. In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Leary, guitarist, producer, and founding member of legendary Texas alt-rockers the Butthole Surfers, to discuss the long-awaited release of the band’s “lost” album, After the Astronaut. Originally recorded […]
Toadies ‘The Charmer’ Review: Texas alt-rockers get vulnerable and atmospheric on long-awaited release produced by the late Steve Albini. The setup alone tells you this isn’t just another legacy-band release. Toadies finally got into a room with the late producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey). not decades ago, when it might’ve made obvious commercial sense, […]
Influential alt-rockers conquer demons and shake up their signature sound on eclectics new album. Three decades after first warping the boundaries of alternative rock, Failure remain a band defined by instability in the best possible sense. Their music has always lived in a tenuous nexus where melody and dissonance coexist, resulting in a beautiful tension […]
Concert Review: Puscifer keep Austin weird during intense, spirited set, performing new album in full, interspersed with fan favorites. Puscifer has always walked a tightrope between satire and sincerity. The multimedia project, fronted by Maynard James Keenan alongside co-vocalist Carina Round, builds soundscapes spiked with absurdist lyrics that provoke and entertain. This approach has proven […]
Album Review: Puscifer – Normal Isn’tFeb 6/Puscifer Entertainment / Alchemy Recordings / BMG More than two decades into its existence, and closer to a quarter-century if you trace its earliest incarnations, Puscifer has quietly become Maynard James Keenan’s most prolific and responsive creative outlet. Where Tool moves with tectonic patience and A Perfect Circle operates […]
These rock albums threw us a lifeline in 2025, a year that felt like a decade. 2025 was a year that reminded us why we keep coming back to music: it can shock, soothe, confront, thrill and carry us through. And it proved a sonic balm that helped us get through a 12-month dumpster fire. […]
UK Rockers The Darkness deliver riffs, laughs and heart to ATX with powerhouse set at Emo’s. The Darkness turned Emo’s into a rock revival on Saturday night. The near capacity crowd were in fine spirits, ready to revel in the band’s trademark mix of glam, classic rock and timeless pop hooks. They kicked things off […]
Death Cult / The Cult at The Majestic Theater: A Dream Fusion of Goth Roots and Metal Bombast San Antonio fans got a rare treat at The Majestic Theater as Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy brought Death Cult (their original moniker before shortening their name in 1983). and The Cult together for one career-spanning show. […]
