New album: Los Intrusos || Delirium Tremens

Ferocious first LP full of feedback, fuzz, and freakouts

By / / Garage Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Let’s teleport ourselves to Ixtapaluca, just outside of Mexico City. As we move towards the distorted noise, we’ll find Los Intrusos playing loud garage rock madness. Ozmar Moreno (vocals, organ), Joshua Lambert (guitar), Alan Vazquez (guitar), Ulises Torales (bass) and William Medina (drums) celebrate their 10th anniversary (and the pioneers of 60 years ago) with their debut full-length, entitled Delirium Tremens. You’ll hear ten raw and raucous tracks, driven by a runaway organ that competes for enthrallment with burning guitars, a stomping rhythm section, and passionate screams—in Spanish. It’s a fuzz-soaked frenzy with psychedelic fire and punk fury, worth the trip, right?



Delirium Tremens is out now digitally and on limited vinyl LP through Mandinga Records, Strycknine Records, Sunnyboy 66 Records and Wild Cave Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Sweet Grooves

Festival report || Stardumb 25 (Day 2)

By / / Garage Rock, Power Pop, Punk, Surf Music / 2 Comments


Missed our report for day 1? Read that one first.

Day 2 started with a 7:00 AM alarm clock and a rainy 3-2 away game football loss for my eleven-year-old. I missed most of the free shows in Rotown that afternoon (Local Drags, Heavy Kevi, Kepi), but heard they were well-attended and well-received. Late in the afternoon I walked into a crowd of old and new friends socializing, arriving just in time to see Dan Vapid (Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, The Mopes, Dan Vapid and the Cheats, etc.) delivering a 50/50 acoustic/electric solo set. A very welcoming crowd gathered in front of the stage—a recurring theme this festival—aware of Dan Vapid’s reputation as one of pop punk’s influential heroes. In what appeared to be a setlist-less set, Vapid played from memory and whatever the vibe was, embracing tiny screwups and forgotten lines as part of the battle. The crowd often chimed in with his solo renditions of Methadones songs that didn’t make the setlist of the full band performance later in the evening, plus a Billy Bragg cover (“This is the first time I’ve played this song,” Vapid explained his version of A New England, surprising himself most, it seemed). My favorite part was him doing the Riverdales classic I Don’t Wanna Go To The Party Tonight—the response the song got suggested the crowd was actually very much willing to attend the party tonight.

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Festival report || Stardumb 25 (Day 1)

By / / Indie Rock, Power Pop, Punk / 1 Comment


Has it really been 25 years of Stardumb Records? What a run this label has had since its start in 2000! While several legendary Rotterdam venues that staged Stardumb shows (Waterfront! De Vlerk!) have long since disappeared, the label stuck around and became a constant presence—or should I say lifeline—in the pop punk scene. Cherished not just in Rotterdam but beloved globally, Stardumb’s reputation rivals Lookout! Records. They never had their Green Day moment, but they proved durable, run with heart and integrity by head honcho Stefan Tijs. In recent years he’s expanded the sonic landscape of the roster without straying too far from the blueprint. Dare I say the label has released some of its finest material in the past five years?

To mark the occasion, the label set up a celebratory festival featuring many of the fine bands and artists who’ve released music on Stardumb over the years. I immediately bought a ticket upon announcement—partly for nostalgic reasons (remember how much fun those Stardumb Rumbles of the ’00s were?), but also because the lineup was stellar, including old favorites, reunion shows, and contemporary acts I’m a huge fan of but haven’t seen live yet (The Speedways! Local Drags!).

This past Friday and Saturday I attended the sold-out festival, and honestly, I had a blast—and I wasn’t the only one. With ticket buyers from 15 countries, Kepi called it a “Rock’n’roll Summit,” which is exactly what it turned out to be. This festival reminded me how much fun it is to experience catchy rock’n’roll in a sold-out venue with likeminded souls, how the energy between band and audience can build off each other. Loads of smiles and singalongs at this fest! Here are my thoughts and experiences from the weekend.

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New album: Lùlù || Lùlù

A debut that teaches you how to switch off your brain and embrace pure rock joy

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

Never underestimate the power of rock-’n’-roll. Give me a high-energy, super catchy tune with a strong beat and a bit of flair, and I’m fully recharged. Take the opening track of Lùlù’s self-titled debut LP—out today through Howlin’ Banana Records, Taken By Surprise Records, and Dangerhouse Skylab. That chorus? Still gets me every time. The aaa-dwahdawahdoo/chowachowadoo hook bouncing off crisp French phrasing tickles the part of the brain that likes to be tickled. It’s downright addictive, super fun video included.

Across ten tracks, Lùlù—featuring members of AVIONS, Irnini Mons, Edgar Suit, and Pogy et les Kéfars—delivers a shot of joy. You don’t need the press sheet to know what they’re about: reconnecting with the belief that rock-’n’-roll should be fun. And in our recent feature, frontman Luc Simone laid it out clearly: Lùlù was built on a back-to-basics spirit—to-the-point songs, big hooks, and no filler. His musical inspirations are a patchwork of pop instincts and punk attitude—French power pop, Scandinavian punk, ’60s girl groups, Motown, and yes, even hardcore. What links them all? Soul.

And Lùlù has soul to spare. From the wistful ballad Sogni d’Oro to the throwback power pop hits Sonic, Lyon and Terres Basses, and from the riff heavy Ma Si Ma Lo to the bouncy garage rock of Pugni in Tasca,  these songs hit with raw urgency and heartfelt melody. It’s a record you don’t analyze—you feel it. The joy is infectious, the hooks hypeworthy, the energy sincere.

A must-listen. A must-own. Lùlù is here to light you up.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Howlin’ Banana || Taken By Surprise

New album: Smug Brothers || Stuck On Beta

Even a dying recording device won't slow down these veteran masters of lo-fi guitar pop

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

Smug Brothers are messing with the natural order of things. Aren’t bands supposed to peak early and ride the nostalgia wave from there? Apparently not. While most groups flame out or fade away, these Dayton veterans are only getting sharper, stranger, and better with age. Their latest, Stuck on Beta (out now on Anyway Records), follows two of their strongest efforts to date — In the Book of Bad Ideas and Another Bar Behind the Night — and somehow still levels up.

The songs on Stuck on Beta share a kinship to Big Star, The Lemon Twigs and Guided By Voices. But more than anything, this album feels like the product of a veteran band brimming with inspiration and drive. Even setbacks in the recording process—like the motor on their trusted 4-track dying—were turned into assets, lending the album its wobbly, lo-fi charm and a great title.

Smug Brothers’ knack for jangly classic power pop is at full display on Stuck on Beta, and if you arrive expecting timeless melodies and sharp hooks, you won’t be disappointed, There are surprises as well, with Smug Brothers expanding their musical landscape with cello, violin and saxaphone. It makes for a highly durable listening experience. Start with the strong opening sequence, and you’ll find it hard to stop listening to this modern guitar pop classic in disguise.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: The King Teen || Us Ugly Guys Got Style

"I know that you're excited from the sparkle in your eyes"

By / / Country & Folk, Punk / Leave a Comment

Us Ugly Guys Got Style is the genre-defying debut EP from Durham, North Carolina-based punk rock veteran The King Teen (formerly of The Smokejumpers, Wankin’ Teens). Building blocks of folk-punk, power pop, alt-country, and garage rock form an acoustic foundation upon which highly entertaining, witty stories take center stage. Songs like Dream Not Found (jangly adventures from the San Francisco dive bar Specs’), Thunderbird Motel (gritty vocals on comforts of uncomfortable places), the title track (a catchy comparison with those other guys: “Their shirts are filled with muscles and their heads are filled with air”), and The Human Touch (a rock solid dream about destroying a chatbot) give a good idea of ​​how this sounds live, and it turns out to be very worthwhile.


Us Ugly Guys Got Style, recorded by James Phillips, is out now digitally (self -released). Featuring The King Teen (vocals, guitars, bass), James Phillips (drums, piano, clarinet), Eric Sommer (lead guitar), and Mimi Kramer (vocals), with additional vocals from Jane Paris, Buster Paris-Kaufman, Daisy Paris-Kaufman, Lori Howell, Erika Carlos, Mimi Kramer, Eric Sommer, and James Phillips on select tracks.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Brendan Bonsack || All Quiet in the Laundromats

Dreamy folk-pop that paints with words and sound

By / / Indie Pop / Leave a Comment

It’s an understatement to say that Melbourne’s Brendan Bonsack is a prolific and versatile artist—continued high-quality output as a singer-songwriter, poet, filmmaker, photographer, podcaster, sampler. His senses are acutely tuned, and he uses them with striking effect. The nine songs on his latest music production, All Quiet in the Laundromats, are filled with sharp observations and imaginative illustrations that linger in the mind. As if that isn’t enough, he sets it to elegant folk-pop with dreamy melodies and characterful vocals.

Phrase after phrase engages the listener’s consciousness—like “In the old textiles factory // Above the door where the sign says ‘Dance’ // They show films you’ve never heard of” (from Ladderism) or “In a photo // The sun was in my father’s eyes // I remember that place // But my father was only five” (Bee in Every Dream)—with beautiful music as a fitting backdrop. These are cinematic vignettes, intimate and expansive all at once.




All Quiet in the Laundromats is out now digitally (self-released).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Xray Xeroxx || Johnny Rotten Is A Fascist Pig

Sloppy punk catchiness from L.A.

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I totally missed Bored and Loving It, the debut EP from LA-based Xray Xeroxx that came out last April. Then Richter Scale picked up the EP for a UK tape release, changing the title to Johnny Rotten Is A Fascist Pig—a deft marketing power move!

It’s easy to see why Richter Scale wanted to release this EP. Xray Xeroxx plays super poppy and sloppy garage punk that’s likeable from the get-go. It’s uncomplicated fun really, waahoo-ooohs included (Bored and Loving It), as well as delightfully moronic choruses (“static cling//clinging to that thing//static cling//clinging to that thing” in Static Cling), Ramones vibes (Radio), and classic late ’70s punk jabs (the title track: “i just wanna be anarchy//yeah right”).

Love it.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: MFC Chicken || Milk Chicken

More undeniable riffs from the underground fryer

By / / Garage Rock / Leave a Comment

It’s been a five-year wait, but it totally was worth it. London-based rock ‘n’ roll quartet MFC Chicken have launched the Milk Chicken LP, their sixth full-length album in their fifteen-year career. You know what’s on the menu: more spirited rhythm and blues with raw energy and a garage-punk feel, guitars playing the lead as easy as the saxophone, and lyrics dealing with fast food as easily as heartbreak—it doesn’t matter what year it is, fun first. These fourteen gritty tracks are a delicious soundtrack to a wild night and a greasy morning.



Milk Chicken—recorded by Ed Deegan—is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Folc Records. Featuring Spencer Evoy (lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica, keys), Dan Criscuolo (guitar, vocals, keys), Zig Criscuolo (bass, backing vocals) and Ravi Low-Beer (drums, percussion), with Reverend Parsley (organ, backing vocals) and Rob Gathercole (piano, trumpet) on select tracks.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Folc

New EP: The Mail Manipulators || The Mail Manipulators

Straight from Madison with loud amps

By / / Garage Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Self-describe as “a scrappy rock-’n’-roll band” and you’re bound to grab the attention of the blogging brothers at Add to Wantlist. Actually back it up with six ripping tracks? Now you’re on the wantlist.

The Mail Manipulators—three punks from Madison, Wisconsin—wrote these songs during the pandemic and recorded them over the years since. The result sounds like a garage band that’s been understudying for some of your favorite ’60s and ’70s punk icons, waiting for their moment to sneak on stage and steal the show.

The sound is raw, the attitude dialed up, the hooks scrappy and immediate. It’s the kind of no-frills rock-’n’-roll that lives and dies by energy, and The Mail Manipulators have it in spades.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

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