Album Review: Super Cell by Xombie

New York City rapcore band Xombie is set to release their fourth album this June, entitled Super Cell.  Don’t tell these guys the genre died at least fifteen years ago — they’re still reppin’ it with conviction. The single “Might as Well” sets out to channel Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine.  It’s is available… Continue reading Album Review: Super Cell by Xombie

Baldwin’s Choice: Ozric Tentacles

I was a huge fan of Ozric Tentacles in my younger years. Their sound was true, escapist wonderment. No message or moral or artistic stance other than epic and tripped out music for its own sake. Progressive rock aspects of the band harmonized with my musical interests at the time in bands like Yes and… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: Ozric Tentacles

Album Review: Broken Bottles, Broken Bones by The Ratz

By Jeff McCarthy The album Broken Bottles, Broken Bones is completely raw jams, with definitive tones of the presumed-dead punk rock of the early 80s. In these uninhibited short anthems, I can taste a little Bad Brains, a touch of Ramones and a slathering Sex Pistols. Fuck you Johnny London, Donald Trump sucks!! The Ratz… Continue reading Album Review: Broken Bottles, Broken Bones by The Ratz

Band Interview: Mineva

In our effort to provide our readers coverage of the best new local music, we present to you Mineva, a fiery and passionate post-hardcore band.  On their debut EP, Precious, Endless, Kevin Covill (vocals), Jason Moriarty (guitar, vocals), Sean Prior (guitar), Peter Stroczkowski (bass, vocals) and Anthony Buck (drums) deliver four songs of jagged, sincere… Continue reading Band Interview: Mineva

EP Review: The Long Dark Road (Self-Titled)

Ontario band The Long Dark Road takes a unique approach to to the adjective “blackened” on their self-titled EP, which is scheduled for release on April 8th.  Teaser track “Tragedy of the Commons” starts off sounding like blackened Gaslight Anthem, then veers into heavier, angular riffs about halfway through the song — which then lead… Continue reading EP Review: The Long Dark Road (Self-Titled)

Album Review: Electric Ray and The Shockers’ California Torpedo

Proving the universality of music, Austrian band Electric Ray and The Shockers has released a slice of punky surf rock that sounds like it was hewn from San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs.  California Torpedo is funky and irreverent enough to stand out in a familiar genre.  Check out their video for “T.R.O.U.B.L.E.”: If the balloon-bathroom-acid-trip doesn’t sell… Continue reading Album Review: Electric Ray and The Shockers’ California Torpedo

EP Review: Downward Spiral

My buddy Marco G has been sending Alternative Control albums to review for a couple years, and Downward Spiral’s self-titled debut EP is my favorite so far.  It builds on the musical ideas from his previous group Stikpin and the production is radio-ready. Marco plays guitar in the current incarnation, joined by Stikpin vocalist Chris… Continue reading EP Review: Downward Spiral