Alternative music, cult films, and pop culture explored through a Gen X lens — with reviews, interviews, and a deep-dive podcast.
Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel Announce 2018 North American Tour: veteran post-punk act announces first North American tour in 10 years. Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel just announced their first North American tour in a decade. This will be welcome news to fans who have been clamoring to see the group following last year’s warmly received […]
Concert Review: The Smashing Pumpkins at Frank Erwin Center-90’s alt-rock titans rock the Texas capital on their Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour (featured image by Olivia Bee) [rating=5] The Smashing Pumpkins made Austin their first Texas stop on their Shiny and Oh So Bright tour. And for fans who’ve been clamoring to see a […]
Mike Patton ‘1922’ Soundtrack Review: musician’s avant-garde score for the Netflix Stephen King adaptation is a suitably sinister and haunting soundtrack. [rating=5] The world of Stephen King has been alive and well thanks to the recent success of It, the Netflix adaptation of Gerald’s Game (directed by Mike Flanagan), and the upcoming Hulu series Castle […]
Episode 9: 30 Albums Turning 30 In 2018: The Best Albums of 1988-SLIS Podcast: celebrating the best alternative and metal albums turning 30 this year. For anyone who has followed my blog for a while, you’re used to reading my best-of lists by year (including 1987, 1991, 1992, 1997 and, most recently, 1998). They’re always […]
Spotlights ‘Hanging By Faith’ Review: Brooklyn alternative-metal trio return with remixes off last year’s Seismic LP, as well as a cover track. [rating=5] Spotlights’ album Seismic was one of the best albums of 2017, a bruising yet beautiful sound from the NYC husband and wife duo of Mario and Sarah Quintero, which offered a bewitching […]
Failure ‘Your Body Will Be’ Review: band’s 2nd of four 2018 EP’s covers the gamut of their sound. [rating=4] Hot on the heels of their In The Future EP, Failure are back with Your Body Will Be (due May 25th on Failure Records),the 2nd of 4 EP’s planned for this year, all of which will […]
Poptone ‘Poptone’ Review: Bauhaus, Love and Rockets and Tones on Tail vets reunite for live recordings of their classic back catalogue. [rating=5] Last year former Bauhaus, Tones and Tail, and Love Rockets members Daniel Ash and Kevin reunited as Poptone, rounded out by Haskin’s daughter Diva Dompe on bass. Click here for my recent podcast […]
Kaada ‘Closing Statements’ Review: Norwegian instrumentalist offers a moving meditation on death. [rating=5] Norwegian composer and multi-instrumentalist John Erik Kaada has had a diverse and multi-faceted career. While he’s perhaps best known for his work with vocal virtuoso Mike Patton, he’s also had a varied solo career as well composing film scores. And his cinematic take on sound […]
Yob ‘Our Raw Heart’ Review [rating=5]: Oregon doom metal trio create a masterpiece born of pain and rebirth. It’s like when your hard drive crashes—sometimes only parts of it are retrievable. That’s how it was for me. Some things just didn’t come back. Others came back in completely different ways. Others are still there but my […]
Episode 8: Spotlights’ Mario Quintero Talks New EP ‘Hanging By Faith’-SLIS Podcast: Guitarist and vocalist of alternative metal act discusses new experimental remix EP. Spotlights are one of the most compelling new metal bands in recent memory, comprised of the husband and wife duo of Mario Quintero (vocals, guitars, keyboards) and Sarah Quintero (bass, guitar, […]
