Garage Rock

New EP: Liquid Cross || Hateful

The revolution may not be televised, but it might sound like this

By / / Garage Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Let’s make a quick stop in Eugene, Oregon, for a band that isn’t interested in escaping political turmoil so much as staring it directly in the face. Liquid Cross have just released their rippin’ second EP, following a 2025 debut that earned the stamp of approval from Henry Rollins.

Featuring members of Ball Pythons, Cool Piss, End Time, Milked, and Geronimo!, Liquid Cross are not your average punk band. It makes perfect sense that names like Wipers and The Saints come up when discussing them. One minute they’re firing off a straight-line missile like This World, the next they’re stretching out on the five-minute The New One / Low Lesson, a two-part centerpiece that showcases just how much range and firepower this trio possesses.

There is a hard-rocking edge to Liquid Cross that occasionally reminds me of Australia’s Split System. The songs are urgent, angry, and politically charged without ever feeling predictable or preachy.

I’m not saying that playing music this loud will change the political system. But listening to Hateful, it certainly feels like somebody is trying.

Tape available through Strange Mono.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Strange Mono

New single: The Mourning After || Let The Love-In Begin

Rogue Records strikes again

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We recently catched them on Chaputa!’s awesome Still Primitive compilation, and now Sheffield garage rock lifers The Mourning After return with another killer 45 on Rogue Records, pairing two raucous tracks that showcase the band’s enduring knack for blending raw energy with psychedelic flair.

The band made their debut in 1988 and reportedly wrote the A-side Let The Love-In Begin sometime back then. It’s great that it’s finally seeing the light of day, because it’s a must-hear song that digs deep into 1960s freakbeat, riding a heavy groove alongside a rich arrangement. B-side Take Love Then She’s Gone is even catchier, a should-be hit that sets the dance floor on fire.

Let The Love-In Begin b/w Take Love Then She’s Gone is out digitally and on vinyl 7″ through Rogue Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Domenic Marcantonio || Earthbound Spaceman

A charming blend of acoustic warmth and finely crafted songwriting, with hooks hiding in plain sight

By / / Blues & Roots, Country & Folk, Garage Rock / Leave a Comment

Domenic Marcantonio is the gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Green Bay, Wisconsin-based power pop band Beach Patrol, but solo he draws from a different well. His new album, titled Earthbound Spaceman, can be found in the lo-fi layer of the garage pop corner, but on the rootsy side, where a door is left ajar to let other influences seep in. If you try to imagine Dead Moon basking in the afternoon sun rather than prowling after midnight, you’ll have a rough idea of ​​what awaits here.

Across these ten tracks, acoustic guitars do most of the heavy lifting, paired with distinctive vocals that give every song its own personality. What starts as a pleasant listen—despite or thanks to the DIY feel—gradually reveals itself to be surprisingly addictive, with hooks and rhythms that burrow into your subconscious, and you catch yourself reaching for the repeat button. The lyrics are clever and accessible, while the choruses practically dare you not to join in. Even when you’re not singing along, chances are you’ll be whistling the melodies (especially in Strange Transformation), nodding your head, tapping your foot, or more likely, all three at once.




Earthbound Spaceman is out digitally and on CD. Also featuring Mirra Laes (vocals) on two tracks.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

Album review: The Scaners || 0 (Zero)

No lost transmissions, but seventeen reasons to join the mothership

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Once The Scaners beamed us aboard for their III LP, we were fully converted to the cause. By that point, the French-based (though almost certainly extraterrestrial) synth-punk outfit had already logged two successful missions, simply titled I and II. The fact that album number four is called 0 (Zero) suggests we’re dealing with some kind of prequel.

In reality, 0 (Zero) is a collection assembled from various corners of the band’s history on Earth. Across 17 tracks, The Scaners gather B-sides from long sold-out singles, hidden compilation cuts, alternate versions, unreleased demos, a cover of The Fall’s Sparta FC, and a pair of brand-new transmissions exclusive to this release.

The thing is, even when working with odds and ends, The Scaners rarely miss. What could have been a stopgap release instead feels like further proof that this band has been operating at a remarkably high level for years. The synths still sound like they’re powered by stolen alien technology, and the energy remains delightfully unhinged.

This isn’t just one for the faithful. 0 (Zero) is potent enough to recruit an entirely new batch of enthusiasts to the mothership.

LP available through Wap Shoo Wap Records (NL) and Dangerhouse Skylab (FR). Cassette available via Idiotape Records (AUS/EU).



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Wap Shoo Wap || Idiotape

Single review: Roberta Lips || Coup de Bluff

The Eiffel Tower is nice, but have you heard Roberta Lips?

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

Some people visit Paris for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, or a romantic stroll along the Seine. Personally, my favorite thing to come out of the city is Roberta Lips, a bilingual quartet with an almost supernatural ability to write freakishly catchy garage power-pop tunes.

Last year’s debut EP was so sticky that I still find myself singing the theme song whenever I come across the band’s name. Ro-ber-ta Lips! I even try to mimic the accent. Sorry, not sorry.

Their new 7″ only contains two songs, but quantity has never been the issue. Coup de Bluff is a burst of energy, sweetness, and playful charm, while Como Tu reveals an extra level of songwriting sophistication that makes me even more excited about where this band might go next. And that closing singalong? Como, como, como, como tu! Good luck not immediately flipping the record over for another spin.

Two songs. Two hits. Paris does it again.

7″ out now on on Les Disques Mauvais Garcons (the label affiliated with Born Bad record store in Paris).


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Les Disques Mauvais Garcons

Single review: The Circulators || Pointless Games

Certified filthy. Certified catchy. Certified Total Punk.

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Perhaps I missed the announcement, but I don’t think Total Punk made much noise about this new Circulators release. Which is odd, because The Circulators are one of the most hypeworthy bands currently flying the flag for classic punk. Their demo landed in my top 10 releases of 2023, and their official debut cracked my top 5 of 2024. So naturally, I was pretty excited to discover this new 7″ on my doorstep.

Pointless Games delivers two brand-new Circulators originals, both excellent, alongside a rippin’ cover of Teengenerate’s My G.T.O., which is about as solid a song choice as punk rock gets. The whole thing scratches a very particular itch. You know the one. The spot on your back you can never quite reach until suddenly, somehow, you can. Maybe that’s a gross analogy, but The Circulators make punk that is both filthy and ridiculously catchy, so it feels appropriate enough.

The label promises a perfect snot-to-pop ratio and carries the full Total Punk seal of approval.

I’ve tested the product. The label isn’t lying.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Total Punk

New EP: Hook / Angry Adults || Split

Negative budget, positive results

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Hook and Angry Adults are two familiar names from the Finnish punk underground, and both have earned a spot on the wantlist before. They’re clearly kindred spirits too. Having already shared plenty of stages, they’ve now teamed up for a split lathe-cut 7″ on Negative Budget Records.

Both bands contribute an original song, a Descendents cover, and a cover of each other’s material. And yes, they somehow managed to pick two of the shortest Descendents songs imaginable. IYKYK. Hook take on Angry Adults’ I’ll Be Here For You, while Angry Adults return the favor with their version of Hook’s Head Full of Hair.

The whole thing embodies what makes DIY punk so much fun. Lo-fi, unpretentious, and packed with more charm than its modest budget has any right to contain.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: The Mosfets || The Mosfets

A live-wire blast of distorted melody and defiant energy

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Amsterdam-based neo-psychedelic garage rockers The Mosfets have been around for a while, but their latest release has the raw energy that is often limited to a debut. The five tracks on this self-titled EP value sweat, spontaneity, and melody over studio perfection, with self-deprecating humor and infectious hooks that make up thirteen minutes that feel loud and alive.

Opener Fargo is a noisy, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the cult film (and honestly not knowing which US state it is in), followed by danceable singalongs that are possibly even catchier—they could actually all be hit singles. The charismatic vocals, fuzzed-out guitars, bouncing bass, and thunderous drums keep the tension high before exploding into anthemic choruses. Gloriously ragged, effortlessly cool.



The Mosfets’ eponymous EP is out digitally (self-released). Featuring Keith Moffat (vocals, guitar), Ilari Oinonen (bass, backing vocals), and Maarten Dink (drums).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Chico Detour || Wash It Down

From Soft Eyes to Snake Pit

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Seattle’s Chico Detour bottle the reckless spirit of vintage garage rock and shake it hard on their new EP Wash It Down, although shifting in pace and intensity. Led by Sebastian Felipé, the band has fun with surf riffs, psych-fuzz energy, and classic R&B bravado, held together by undeniable chemistry and unfiltered electricity.

The six crunching tracks here break into three distinct phases: loud and raucous at the start (I Want It / Corrido Note), laidback and exotic in the middle (Soft Eyes / Crying at My Party), then back to full-throttle bangers by the end (Christo’s Ghost / Snake Pit). Intuition and hooks are more important than polish or perfection, but it works like crazy.



Wash It Down—recorded, mixed, and mastered by Erik Takuichi Wallace—is out digitally and on cassette through Den Tapes. Featuring Sebastian (guitar, vocals), Christopher (lead guitar)
Brennan (bass, harmonies), Michelle (keys, organ, harmonies), and Jacob (drums, percussion).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: The Jack Cades || Fade In

Jangling guitars, soaring harmonies, and timeless pop craft

By / / Garage Rock, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

Three years and two days after their year-end list-worthy Something New LP, The Jack Cades return with their fourth full-length album, Fade In. The British garage pop band, led by Elsa and Mike Whittaker, features a refreshed rhythm section and has been expanded with keyboards, but it is still the characteristic jangly guitars and warm harmonies that take center stage.

The twelve new, original songs are packed with sun-drenched melodies and rich vintage textures, wrapped in effortless style and timeless charm. What keeps the record so compelling is its steady stream of fresh ideas, delivered with a familiar touch that’s tough and tender in equal measure.



Fade In—engineered by Ed Deegan—is out digitally and vinyl LP through Beluga Records and Dangerhouse Skylab. Featuring Mike Whittaker (vocals, lead guitar), Elsa Whittaker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Dan Rowe (bass), Hayden O’Dell (mellotron, organ), and Nathan Sandford (drums).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

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