New EP: Probably Nancy || Probably Nancy

By / / Garage Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Based on the band name and cover art you might expect sweet innocent music, but Probably Nancy screams pretty loud and mean. The Berlin-based queerpunk band featuring Giorgia Job (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Nuria Koala (bass) and Liliana Zieniawa (drums) know how to turn their displeasures into very strong songs. Wedding Killer, with heavy guitar riffs, growling vocals and fierce lyrics (about a horrific crime in which a suitcase with a girl’s body was found), hits the hardest. But if any song had any chance of becoming a hit, it would be Sugar Mommy ♥ $.

Probably Nancy is out now digitally (self-released). Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Various Artists || 14 (Prefect Records Jangle Pop Compilation)

By / / Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / 1 Comment

ICYMI, we are amidst a jangle/indie pop rennaissance. Just click on the jangle pop and indie pop tags on our site and discover how, in the past couple of years, we’ve seen an onslaught of modern classics being released in the global underground pop scene. Well, perhaps onslaught is too brute a word for the sweet and often delicate melodies of bands (and ATW favorites) like Massage, The Telephone Numbers, Chime School, Semi Trucks, Mt Misery and EggS.

Now imagine all of these acts joining forces for a new compilation, how would that sound? UK label Prefect Records provides the answer with a compilation they dubbed as 14, a title I can only assume they chose because of the number of songs/bands on the compilation. Clearly, the 14 acts involved are all about the songs, conscientiously carving them to perfection for easy entrance in our ears and hearts.

In alignment with the best compilations in existence, 14 has unreleased songs by some of the best current bands around, while also acting as an introduction of new bands that make an immediate impression. The Kitchenettes (aka Morgan Stanley of The Umbrellas) particularly makes me curious for the future. Another strength of the 14 comp is its diversity. The 14 bands reveal the many faces of indie pop. From upbeat (Chime School), to punchy (EggS), to new wavish (Massage, New German Cinema), to twee (Kitchenettes, My Teenage Stride), to seductive (Blue Lupin), to percussion free (The Natvral, Cosial). And jangle, of course, as most of these bands have a jangle side to them. At the same time, if these bands show one thing it is that the different sides of indie pop are rather fluid. There is a communcal sense to this compilation, almost like the people involved are siblings from different  mothers and fathers.

Last best, whereas most compilations nowaydays are digital only, you can actually purchase14, on vinyl no less. Limited to 250 copies so best be quick. Trust me, you won’t be skipping songs on this one.





Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Fixtures || Hollywood Dog

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

Fixtures’ new LP Hollywood Dog offers a gentle reminder that horns are the jelly to indie rock’s peanutbutter. There is something about the subtle addition of horns that lifts up indie rock songs from likeable to excellent.

In addition to their excellent use of horns, two things stand out with Fixtures. One, they are a band of six, and two, they don’t seem too attached to a specific style. This allows the band to experiment and expand their sound in any sonic direction they desire. A direct consequence is that Hollywood Dogs is a multilayered record but also has an elusive quality to it. Rather than a distraction, this allows listeners to explore and find distinct and new elements to enjoy with each play. Invite ten random music fans to listen to this record, and they likely all have a different opinion, all identifying different intangibles. And yet, as a whole, Hollywood Dogs is strangely coherent.

If you are looking for a fresh “horn’n’roll” take on indie rock, or if you are fan of bands like Built To Spill, Archers Of Loaf, Bishop Allen and The Shins, lend Fixtures your ears. Out now through Bobo Integral.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: The Haymakers Boston || Round One

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

Are Boston-based rock ‘n’ roll party band The Haymakers testing the mere exposure effect here? By singing 28 times in a row that we are dealing with a Perfect Party, we become more and more convinced of it. Because that’s what Paul Delmonico (vocals, drums), Rob Vassegh (guitar, vocals), Jon Dunclee (guitar, vocals) and Chris Goward (bass, vocals) have been bringing to the stage for years, and that’s what we now hear on their debut album Round One. The four friends enlisted the help of Peter Fernandez (keyboards) and Dave Westner (engineering, mixing, mastering), and together they recorded 7 infectious power pop songs of which they are rightly proud. On to round 2!



Round One is out now digitally (self-released). Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Slander Tongue || Monochrome

By / / Garage Rock, Glam Rock / 2 Comments

Slander Tongue are from Germany (Berlin), but channel the energy of the ’70s music scene of NYC on their new album Monochrome. Slander Tongue’s brand of rock’n’roll is sleazy and glammy, not necessarily frantic, but energetic and lively to the max. Perhaps a little less dirty compared to their debut self-titled LP, but the band traded that for an increase in catchiness. Monochrome showcases the most accessible version of Slander Tongue yet. I can’t help but bop my head to these songs.

Get your rocks on and buy Monochrome at Alien Snatch. And if you think these lads sound good on record, make sure to catch them live sometime soon. Trust me!




Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New single: The Telephone Numbers || Weird Sisters

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

There is something life affirming about the music of The Telephone Numbers. The Ballad Of Doug (2021) arguably is one of the finest jangle pop records of the Roaring Twenties, and with their latest 7″ single the Bay Area band further expand their reputation. Weird Sisters is the definition of a double A-side single. The eponymous track is one of those tracks that’s likeable straight from the opening seconds, with each new part building up the excitement. Its chorus with its glorious harmonies is particularly blissful. Flipside This Job Is Killing Me is a four minute indie pop anthem for the Great Resignation.

We are living in uncertain and dark times, or so they say. The Telephone Numbers are here to lift some weight off your shoulders. Buy the Weird Sisters 7″ at Meritorio or Prefect Records.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New album: Wild Billy Childish & CTMF || Failure Not Success

By / / Garage Rock / 3 Comments

Prolific British all-rounder Wild Billy Childish strikes again. Earlier this month he released the single Full Time Plagiarist, one great song recorded by two of his bands (Thee Headcoats and CTMF). According to the record sleeve it was “a failure not success production” and lo and behold, now there’s a new full-length album with that title. Although Full Time Plagiarist isn’t part of the twelve songs on the Failure Not Success LP, you can’t overlook its theme. The opening song is a raucous version of Richard Hell’s Love Comes in Spurts (covered before by the artist with both Thee Headcoats and The Pop Rivets), and further on there’s a fiery take on the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Fire (you heard the same tune recently also from The Guy Hamper Trio, but completely different), and also new recordings of previous original single Bob Dylan’s Got a Lot to Answer For and a few tracks from The GHT’s All The Poisons In The Mud. Once again all this is inexplicable, but certainly not cases of plagiarism, rather a matter of not remembering how it was played before and then following intuition.

In explaining the album title, Billy Childish states that he considers his projects successful from the outset by doing what he wanted the way he wanted, and while only he himself can decide what success is – “Not a critic, the world, or public opinion” – we can only conclude that this record is anything but a failure. Although the output is hard to keep up with, and the songs here are not all really brand new, this album sounds as raw, enthusiastic and authentic as possible, one that you still want to add to your record collection..


Failure Not Success is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP through Damaged Goods.

Add to wantlist: Damaged Goods

New album: Gina Birch || I Play My Bass Loud

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

If you like the tunes on the Revenge Of The She-Punks and The World Of Keith Haring compilations, you should definitely check out I Play My Bass Loud, the full-length solo debut by London-based musician/filmmaker Gina Birch. Forty-six years may have passed since she started feminist punk band The Raincoats, but the fire hasn’t died down (you can add expletives and exclamation marks to the album title in your mind). A mishmash of styles and influences comes along in the eleven songs here, which feel like a New York house party at night. The lyrics are outspoken or humorous but always direct and heartfelt (listen to the scheming in Big Mouth, or the subtle Dr. Martens promotion in I Will Never Wear Stillettos, and you’ll know what I mean). Electronics predominate and sound effects are not shunned, although guitars are heavily ravaged in a few songs (thank you, Thurston Moore), the loudest in single Wish I Was You (including Cannonball riff). This is anything but a straightforward rock album, but Gina Birch knows how to achieve optimal effect and atmosphere.


I Play My Bass Loud, recorded by Martin “Youth” Glover, is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP through Third Man Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs || Third Man

PS/update: Read a more extensive backstory at Bandcamp Daily: “I like weird noises.”

New album: Moron’s Morons || High-Tension Situation

By / / Punk / 2 Comments

Having released music on Slovenly Recordings and No Front Teeth Records should tell you a lot about what to expect from Polish finest and loudest garagepunks Moron’s Morons. The band’s second LP is out today, this time through Sweet Time Records. It’s another hard hittin’ gritty punk’n’roll sleazefest of a record. High-Tension Situation contains 11 originals and one T.S.O.L cover (Nothin’ For You). Expect a lot of old school punk attitude from a band that doesn’t take themselves to seriously but play their instruments like their lives depend on it.




Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Lemon Pitch || Threat Of Weather

By / / Indie Rock / Leave a Comment

Portland DIY indie rock band Lemon Pitch have three veteran songwriters sharing vocal and writing duties: Brock Ginther (guitar), Alex Merrill (Bass), Galen Richmond (guitar), backed up by Jeff Hamm on drums. Essentially, this means you get three bands for the price of one. In case of Lemon Pitch’s sophomore LP Threat Of Weather it’s one of the reasons why the record remains certified fresh until the end. What keeps the 12 songs glued together is the band’s shared love for classic indie rock. Think of any classic indie rock band and you’ll like find sprinkles of their DNA in Lemon Pitch’s sound. Below you’ll find some of my favorite tracks on the record.

The Threat Of Weather LP is out now through Repeating Cloud, a label launched to release Flat Back Sea, the first Lemon Pitch record in 2020. The new LP has the same unpolished almost live sound to it, but is a bit more constrained and focused. If you are looking for some old school earnest indie rock, Lemon Pitch is here to rock your world.




Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Repeating Cloud

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