Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes ‘The End of Suffering’ Review

Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes ‘The End of Suffering’ Review: UK tattoo artist turned punk sensation’s latest release is a game-changer.  I must sheepishly confess that I was unfamiliar with Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes. I had heard the name, but for whatever reason it went under my radar. But all that has changed with […]

Spotlights ‘Love and Decay’ Review

Spotlights ‘Love and Decay’ Review: Brooklyn trio’s sophomore album offers new insights into their unique musical landscape. Brooklyn’s Spotlights made big waves with their 2017 full-length début album Seismic, taking a disparate influence of post-metal, shoegaze, space rock and goth that made them one of the most refreshing new acts in metal. One cursory listen […]

Concert Review: The Church ‘Starfish’ 30th Anniversary Tour at 3TEN

Concert Review: The Church ‘Starfish’ 30th Anniversary Tour at 3TEN: Aussie alternative stalwarts conjure vintage and contemporary charm during residency at Texas capital.  Last year marked the 30th anniversary of Starfish, the classic 1987 album that launched Australian psych rockers The Church into the mainstream, and became a beloved musical touchstone for many fans of […]

Big Business ‘The Beast You Are’ Review

Big Business ‘The Beast You Are’ Review: Seattle stoner metal duo bring bottom-heavy bliss on latest release. Big Business has been one of the best under-the-radar American rock acts ever since their formation in 2006, whether playing as a two-piece, or as a full-blown band. The act are back in power duo mode on their […]

Episode 26: Marty Willson-Piper Talks Noctorum’s ‘The Afterlife’, ‘Hanging Out in Heaven’ Vinyl Record Day Release and More

Episode 25: Marty Willson-Piper Talks Noctorum’s ‘The Afterlife’, ‘Hanging Out in Heaven’ Vinyl Record Day Release and More: post-punk progenitor and master of the 12-string discusses new album, Record Store Day 2019 plans, new projects and much more in our latest episode.  While Marty Willson-Piper is best known for his work with Aussie alt-rock pioneers The Church, […]

Episode 25: Our Take on the 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees-SLIS Podcast

Episode 25: Our Take on the 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees-SLIS Podcast: ranking the RRHOF class of 2019 in advance of this week’s induction ceremony. On this week’s episode of the SLIS podcast, co-host Chris Logan and I dive into the 2019 inductees for the RRHOF, including Radiohead, Roxy Music, The Cure, The […]

Concert Review: The Black Queen at Barracuda, Austin

It looked like a metal show was going to erupt at Barracuda last Tuesday: the crowd were clad in black concert tees, and opening act Uniform brought enough pummeling cacophony to suggest the headliner would follow suit. But those who attended were clamoring for a different type of heavy: the brooding and sensual brand of […]

Concert Review: Peter Murphy and David J.– The Ruby Celebration: 40 Years of Bauhaus at The Paramount

Concert Review: Peter Murphy and David J.– The Ruby Celebration: 40 Years of Bauhaus at The Paramount in Austin TX: goth icons bring dark atmosphere to Austin (Photo Credit: Judy Lyon).  One cursory glance at The Paramount Theatre and you can see why it was the  venue of choice for Peter Murphy and David J. […]

Book Reviews: The Big Book of Super Hero Bedtime Stories and Girl Power Brain Boosters

Book Reviews: The Big Book of Super Hero Bedtime Stories and Girl Power Brain Boosters: latest Downtown Bookworks releases both stimulate the brain and prepare kids for sleepy-time.  Downtown Bookworks have created a wonderful line of kids books that impart helpful life lessons with the help of DC Comics characters, and they continue their winning streak […]

Evi Vine ‘Sabbath’ Review

Evi Vine ‘Sabbath’ Review: single from forthcoming album showcases a furor of dark delights, and an impressive goth pedigree.   When you’re about to listen to a song called Sabbath for the first time, expectations are high. The title of course draws associations with the progenitors of metal Black Sabbath, but it also conjures images of religious […]