AltCtrlToob Video Premiere: THE SWAGGERLIES, “Pretty Good at Being Bad”

There comes a time in every young punk’s life that they become… An old punk. Having entered that phase of my life, I’m happy to share the new and hilarious video from fellow old punks The Swaggerlies, for the song “Pretty Good at Being Bad.” As the Seattle band puts it, “This is a song… Continue reading AltCtrlToob Video Premiere: THE SWAGGERLIES, “Pretty Good at Being Bad”

Album Premiere: WORLD WITHOUT END, AN UNDERGROUND TRIBUTE TO SAMHAIN

Ah, Danzig. What can you say about one of heavy music’s most recognizable voices and curious characters? Welp, Black Donut Records says that Danzig’s mid-80s band Samhain is seriously underrated — and sought out to amplify this band with the twelve-track album World Without End: An Underground Tribute to Samhain. Formed in 1983 after Danzig… Continue reading Album Premiere: WORLD WITHOUT END, AN UNDERGROUND TRIBUTE TO SAMHAIN

Album Review: Tomahawk’s Tonic Immobility

Tomahawk have come and gone at various points over the past two decades. In fact, the press release contends that they “show up just when we just need them.” A kind of alt-rock supergroup, their current lineup includes the legendary Mike Patton (of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle) on vocals and sampler alongside guitarist… Continue reading Album Review: Tomahawk’s Tonic Immobility

Album Review: Djork by NOPES (Magnetic Eye)

On their third album, these self-proclaimed “weirdo punks” from Oakland, unleash a torrent of off-kilter, discordant riffs, drenched in feedback and bolstered by a slamming rhythm section, that rarely plays in normal time signatures. In addition, the band finds the time throw in the odd shredding guitar solo from time to time. It’s all seasoned… Continue reading Album Review: Djork by NOPES (Magnetic Eye)

Inbox Gems: Belushi Speed Ball, Boozewa, and Black TarPoon

Let’s take a little stroll through Alternative Control history…  The Listening Lately column series started back in 2017 and had entries as recently as September 2020.  But with the new year, it’s time for a new column series, or at least slapping a new title on an old one: Inbox Gems. This series is thusly… Continue reading Inbox Gems: Belushi Speed Ball, Boozewa, and Black TarPoon

Album Review: Loud Night’s Mindnumbing Pleasure

Loud Night are a new band from Richmond, Virginia that feature former members of underground heroes Ramming Speed. Their mission this time is playing a d-beaten version of heavy metal, that would make Lemmy smile from beyond and make Cronos pay attention, because you can definitely hear both Motorhead and Venom in their sound. You’ll… Continue reading Album Review: Loud Night’s Mindnumbing Pleasure

Single Review: X-Ray Love’s “Sha La Love”

Speculation and debate about the death of rock ’n’ roll has been rife for decades now. Whenever we feel certain that it is time to close the lid on the casket, another set of bands arrives to show us that rock ’n’ roll his in fact very much alive. New York City’s X-Ray Love are… Continue reading Single Review: X-Ray Love’s “Sha La Love”