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New album: Dazy || MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD: The First 24 Songs

By / / Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Power Pop / Leave a Comment

Be careful what you wish for. Earlier this year, I wrote about Dazy. I mentioned how I hoped James Goodson, who is the artist/music publicist/podcast host behind this one-man band, would someday release his best work on a LP. There is no LP yet, but we do get a digital/cassette compilation of all of the songs Dazy has recorded so far, including three new songs. And that’s a lot: MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD has 24 tracks of hook filled fuzzy ’90s alt pop. What stands out even more than the quantity of Dazy’s output is its consistent quality. Good luck in finding a filler track among these songs. Don’t just take my word for it, here are some blurbs from Bandcamp supporters that I fully agree with:
“It’s brand new music that makes me nostalgic. That’s why we listen, isn’t it?” (Foobella)
“It’s like someone passed the 90s through a filter so only the best bits were left: fuzzy guitars and massive hooks.” (Mark Grassick)
“We are witnessing the beginning of something truly great.” (Captain_Codeine)

MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD is out now on cassette at Convulse Records in a limited run of 50, which of course is already sold out. Fingers crossed that this gets pressed on vinyl eventually.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New Album: Chubby And The Gang || The Mutt’s Nuts

By / / Punk / Leave a Comment

Speed Kills, the debut album from Chubby And The Gang, was a pure adrenaline rush. Perhaps there is some recency bias on my part, but I have trouble recalling a more exciting debut in the past decade – it was my favorite record of 2020. How do you follow up a record that special and that succesful? Chubby And The Gang seem less interested in that question than the serious music critics, because on their sophomore album the band does whatever they feel like. The Mutt’s Nuts is a different beast altogether while still very recognizably Chubby And The Gang. The band did not try to replicate Speed Kills, although The Mutt’s Nuts has that same violent threat of street punk and the agressive rush of hardcore: The first couple of tracks on The Mutt’s Nuts would have fit perfectly on Speed Kills. The rest of the record shows that the band has more to offer and is unafraid to create their own path. Try sitting still to the Malcolm Youngesque guitar riff over a thumping bass in Coming Up Tough, or the pub rock’n’ roll of Life On The Bayou and Lightning Don’t Strike Twice. There is even some tasteful soulful balladry in songs like I Hate The Radio and Life’s Lemons.

If Speed Kills was a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart, The Mutt’s Nuts is more like a surprise seven course meal where you never know what is coming up next. Ultimately, it offers a more diverse rush that likely is healthier in the longer term for mind, body and soul. This is one hell of an album.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New album: Bambies || Summer Soon

By / / Garage Rock, Power Pop / 1 Comment

My summer was pretty good, but right now my return to work and blogging feels like one giant game of catchup and I am getting no way close. This may explain why Summer Soon by Canadian three piece Bambies is such a welcome record. Uncomplicated and upbeat, Bambies play the kind of garage pop punk’n’roll that mixes bubblegum goodness with Heartbreakers swagger. From the one-two opening punch of Dirty Taint and Summer Soon, through the glam hit Tear Off My Face, it’s clear that Bambies is a band that sounds fun because they are having fun. It’s exactly what I need right now. Add Bambies to an already long list of cool Canadian bands. There was a time I associated Canada with its beautiful nature. Nowadays, my first association with Canada is great garage and power pop.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Wanda (EU) || Spaghetty Town

Gimme 5! Natalie Sweet Shares Her 5 Favorite Go-Go’s songs

By / / Indie Pop, Power Pop / 3 Comments

With ‘Gimme 5!’ we take a peek into the collections of artists we admire. The premise is simple: artists WE like share 5 records THEY love.

The Go-Go’s arguably are one of the most succesful all-girl bands of all time. It’s kinda crazy how quickly the band catapulted from the LA punk scene into having a #1 record. By writing their own music and unapologetically rockin’ out on stage, The Go-Go’s inspired kids around the globe to pick up an instrument and get at it themselves. To celebrate the LA band, Sympathy For The Record Industry will soon release a massive 24-track tribute called If You Gotta Go-Go, Go-Go Now. Featured on the album are powerpop royalty (Paul Collins, Josie Cotton, Holly & The Italians, Fastbacks, Nikki Corvette & Mike Skill of The Romantics), and contemporary pop punk and power pop legends (and Add To Wantlist faves) like The Yum Yums, The Suitesixteen, Pale Lips, Baby Shakes, Juniper and Natalie Sweet – this Facebook page offers the full track list and artist profiles.

In anticipation of the album we reached out to massive Go-Go’s aficionado Natalie Sweet. Natalie, whose contribution to the tribute (He’s So Strange) we cannot wait to hear, was kind enough to to share her favorite five six Go-Go’s songs with us. Not an easy task: “There are just so many classics as far as I’m concerned and I’m a Libra….but I’ll give it my best shot anyways!” Read and listen below for a countdown of the songs. Natalie’s explanations reveal a love for the band that is contagious and we hope you get as excited about revisiting these songs as we did.  [post continues below]

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New single: Sister Suzie || Don’t Want To

By / / Garage Rock, Glam Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Straight from a garage in Edmonton (Canada) to your heart, here’s the latest single by Sister Suzie. Sister Suzie plays the kind of music that rocks and roll hard. The short and sweet Claws, with its Donnas/Runaways vibe, is my favorite track on the single. But the remaining pair of tracks  are from fillers. Don’t Want To and Are You Gonna (Give Me A Kiss) have a decidedly more bluesy and glammy sound, and plenty of swagger to get you head boppin’ and your foot stompin’.

Another strong joint release by Reta Records and Surfin’ Ki! Pre-order now to get the vinyl color and cover variant of your liking.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp ||| Discogs || Surfin’ Ki

New album: Eric Stephen Martin || Dreamlike

By / / Country & Folk / Leave a Comment

Eric Stephen Martin is a multi-talented artist from Dartmouth (Canada). I recently wrote about his side project Rick The Loser. Under that moniker he plays timeless pop songs disguised as slack indie rock and garage pop. Dreamlike is his first full length under his own name, and the record has a more traditional sound, somewhere between singer songwriter and folk. It’s the kind of music I seldom get excited about. Dreamlike is an exception to that rule. These songs are gorgeous in all their heartbreaking glory. Above all, they sound heartfelt and real and a strong support cast, including Joel Plaskett, Mo Kenney, and Bill Stevenson (the award- winning jazz and blues pianist, not the drummer of Descendents), take the songs to another level.

Unsurprisingly, Eric Stephen Martin describes the record the most meaningful and personal collection of songs he’s written in his life. I, for one, am grateful for Martin’s willingness to share these songs with the world.



Add the wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: L.A. Exes || Get Some

By / / Indie Pop, Power Pop / Leave a Comment

I recently stumbled upon a performance of Best Coast on Letterman from ten years ago. L.A. Exes, a new band from L.A. (duh), made me think of that video. Not only because L.A. Exes play a similar brand of sunshine powerpop, but also because the songs on their debut Get Some are so insanely well crafted and infectious, I wouldn’t be surprised to see L.A. Exes touring late night television sooner than later. What makes L.A. Exes stand out from Best Coast though is how they incorporate ’60s girl group influences in their songs. Add in some cool harmonies and, in alignment with their name, snarky/cheeky lyrics about their exes, and you get a winning concept.

Get Some is the kind of record that could appeal to a broad audience. Songs like Skinny Dipping, Baby Let’s Pretend will steal the hearts of punks and power poppers whereas songs like West Keys and Get Some are full blown pop. And while the former are instant hits for me, I must admit I’m falling fall for the pop side as well.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp 

New single: Alvilda || Négatif

By / / Jangle Pop, Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

Nina, Eva, Sandra and Melanie make up Alvilda, a new jangly powerpop sensation from Paris, France. The press release namedrops The Shangri Las and Protex and that is spot on, because this four song EP is a perfect mix of both bands. Their bouncy songs are full of energy and a lot of fun, but also really well executed and sound strikingly authentic like this is some long lost late seventies gem. Alvilda mix ’60s girl group with ’70s Good Vibrations pop punk influences and je t’aime it a lot. It’s insane that these are the first recordings of the band. What a find by Alien Snatch! Let’s hope it’s the start of a prolific career.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New album: Mystery Girl || Mystery Girl

By / / Garage Rock, Glam Rock, Power Pop, Punk / Leave a Comment

What better way to return from a short summer break with a record that is fun, catchy and rocks like crazy. Albany’s (NY) finest garagepoppers Mystery Girl recently released their first full length LP, which offers eleven glammy garagepop’n’roll nuggets. The record is the highly anticipated follow up to the band’s 2019 killer single Heartbreaker. The music of Mystery Girl is like a death match between sleazy guitars in one corner and pop hooks in the opposite, with one clear winner from the fight: the audience. I bet fans of Dirty Fences, Tough Shits and Barreracudas will go crazy for this one. Out now on Boulevard Trash (US) and No Front Teeth (UK).



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New single: Spells & Hooper || Rock N Roll Swap Meet: Day 1

By / / Indie Rock, Punk / 1 Comment

Snappy Little Numbers is a record label that is so productive, it’s almost impossible to keep up with their releases. And, because the label’s roster is so diverse it’ll depend on your taste pallet how much of these releases are for you. Here is a split single that definitely is for me. Two rockin’ punkrock bands, Hooper and Spells, cooperate for the first installment of a new single series from the label. The idea? Two bands cover eachother’s songs, and they also write a song for the other band to record.

Does it work? In this case: yes! Two songs stand out particularly for me. The first is Hooper’s version of Forget About Virgina, a Spells original that fits the band like a glove. The second highlight is the song Hooper wrote for Spells. Corporate Welfare Queen is a short anthem that wastes no time in winning you over, and reminds me in a good way of Avail. Snappy Little Numbers is off to a strong start of what looks to be a fun single series.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

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