Concert Review: Mr. Bungle at Emo’s, Austin

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 […]

Dave Lombardo ‘Rites of Percussion’ Review

Dave Lombardo ‘Rites of Percussion’ Review: influential metal drummer gets drum-centric on debut solo album (May 5, Ipecac) “When the pandemic hit, I thought, ‘Well, I can’t tour now. I immediately started working on the record. It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. I had my studio, all my drums. Nothing was […]

Dead Cross ‘Dead Cross II’ Review

Dead Cross ‘Dead Cross II’ Review: Hardcore supergroup fronted by Mike Patton overcome tragedy and strife on triumphant sophomore release.  After Dead Cross’s critically acclaimed 2017 self-titled debut, the future looked bright for the hardcore supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton, bassist Justin Pearson, guitarist Michael Crain and drummer Dave Lombardo. Then all hell broke loose: […]

35 Albums Turning 30 in 2022: The Best of 1992

35 Albums Turning 30 in 2022: The Best Albums of 1992: a list of the best alternative, metal, hip-hop, indie and experimental releases from 1992.  Last year I boldly declared that 1991 was the best musical year of the 90’s. And I still stand by that. But by damn, 1992 is a very close second. Whereas […]

Happy Halloween: Top 20 Scariest Rock Songs

Happy Halloween: Top 20 Scariest Rock Songs: the creepiest tracks of all time-from metal, goth, and more. Whether you’re trying to plan a Halloween Party, or just enjoy being creeped out all on your lonesome, music can be just as terrifying as a horror film. Even in its early days, rock music has always enjoyed a good scare, […]

Tomahawk ‘Tonic Immobility’ Review

Tomahawk ‘Tonic Immobility’ Review: Mike Patton and co. battle pandemic fatigue on 4th studio album. Not even the pandemic can slow Mike Patton down. Ever the busybody, he released new material from both tētēma and a reunited Mr. Bungle in 2020, and his latest release is Tonic Immobility, the 5th album from alt-metal super group Tomahawk (March […]

Mr. Bungle ‘The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny’ Review

Mr. Bungle ‘The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny’  Review: Mike Patton and co. re-embrace their thrash metal roots on their first album in 21 years, which also features Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo. When Mr. Bungle reunited for their first tour in 20 years, they did the most Mr. Bungle thing they could do. […]

Episode 35: 25 Albums Turning 25 in 2020-The Best Albums of 1995-SLIS Podcast

Episode 35: 25 Albums Turning 25 in 2020-The Best Albums of 1995-SLIS Podcast Following last year’s podcast episode celebrating the best albums from 1994, co-host Chris Logan and I dive in to the best 25 albums from 25 years ago, in this case the year 1995. ’95 was another great year for alternative rock in all […]

Episode 34: Talking Book’s Billy Gould Discusses New Album ‘Talking Book II’, Upcoming Faith No More Tour and More-SLIS Podcast

Episode 34: Billy Gould Talks Talking Book’s New Album ‘Talking Book II’, Upcoming Tour With Faith No More and More-SLIS Podcast Billy Gould has had a busy 2020. Not only has he once again reunited with Faith No More (for which he plays bass and is a founding member), he’s also just released ‘Talking Book […]

tētēma ‘Necroscape’ Review

tētēma ‘Necroscape’ Review: Mike Patton and Anthony Pateras release another sonic chapter in their unique musical partnership. Between recent and in-the-works projects/reunions with Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Jean Claude Vannier and Tomahawk, powerhouse vocalist Mike Patton has kept busier than even his normally insanely packed schedule allows. And his seemingly endless prolific streak continues […]