Tag Archives: 2023

BEIGE BANQUET.

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I’ll never get why chaotic sounds seems to calm my mind. The louder a band is, the more relaxed I feel. Don’t get me wrong, I love quiet moments but sometimes you need to listen to something that just messes with your head and throws you into another dimension. Finding a band like this is such a thing to treasure and appreciate with all you have, which is why I’m writing about a mighty fine band called Beige Banquet.

They’ve been around for a few years now, and they recently went out on tour with Die Verlierer around the UK. I was meant to be at the Manchester show but I forgot I was still visiting home. There will be other times, I’m sure. Beige Banquet have a solid Post-Punk sound- if you’re into genres. There’s a very slight nod to VERY early Joy Division here. There’s a charming darkness to their sound, and I think their S/T record is such an energising record. You get to know their sound, and you fall in love with it.

Songs like Control, Hotel Room and Welcome To Rock Music are essentials for any music fan. This sound is infectious, and it’s hard to believe that Beige Banquet initially started as a solo project by Tom. Band members were added, a pandemic happened, excellent music was released- that’s all you need to know. With 5 members now in the band, there’s a loudness to the band’s sounds that lures you in. That loudness mixed with how divine the sound is just has you hooked.

There’s a dark 80s feel to their sound, and the debut release Beta nails this. It’s such a strong record and it’ll leave you crawling for more. You’ll be comparing everything you hear to their sound- a mighty fine distinctive sound that will have you dancing like Ian Curtis rugby tackling Iggy Pop. Is there really any other way to move? I hate how I have blips of where I don’t write about music, but bands like Beige Banquet make you want to do something. Anything.

In some respects, you can easily say there is a heavy influence of The Fall on the band, and by that I mean the delivery of lyrics and how you can sense how carefully crafted every element of the songs are. It’s like Mark E Smith joined Kraftwerk- perfect! The Beta record is a dream of a debut release- the level they are at on this record is something else. It’s been nearly 2 years since it was released, but with every listen, you feel like you are hearing it for the time. I also have this feeling that when I listen to the record, I’m not listening to a band from current times. They’re out of this world and in their own league for sure.

There’s heavy Krautrock influences here, and everything in between. The build up on the songs (especially on Cold Yoghurt) have this tension that makes you feel like you’ve walked in on something you probably shouldn’t have done. A truly exceptional record from a band that deserve all the praise possible. You can’t help but get excited for what can potentially happen next for this band and when a band can do this in a short amount of time- that’s when you know you’ve found something to keep very  close to you.

See this band live whenever and wherever you can. Buy their music and become obsessed with them- you won’t be the only one.

BRUISE CONTROL: Useless For Something.

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Ever heard a record and it immediately makes you so excited you just want to run around and tell everyone about it? Course you have! For me, that record is THE DEBUT by Manchester’s finest Punk band- Bruise Control.

Bruise Control blew my mind when I saw them support Amyl & The Sniffers at the Albert Hall. That gig was something else. The crowd went nuts and it felt like a joint headline show to be honest. Let’s bring it up to present day, and talk about why Useless For Something may just be the best Punk record of the year and to be honest, it dicks all over a lot of records and it is such a joy to listen to.

As someone who feels uncomfortable listening to music that is tame/quiet, Bruise Control speak to me on a level I feel I’ve been in search for for what seems like an eternity. I feel like I’ve heard Black Flag and The Birthday Party for the first time when listening to this record. The rage, the passion and the energy this record has it huge. You can’t just play this once and go about your day at all. You have to just keep on listening and by the second listen you’ve nailed down the lyrics and you’re screaming them right back.

What I adore about Bruise Control is that they make their songs so easy to relate to- songs like Taxman are just *chef’s kiss!* perfectly summing up how us working class are constantly being dicked over by scummy Tories and the like. They have such a big sound, and this being their debut is remarkable. It’s a record you’d expect from a band decades into it- they’ve perfected their sound. It was obvious from the jump that Bruise Control were going to be special and Useless For Something goes above and beyond what anyone could ever have expected.

Dead On Arrival may be my favourite at the moment, but the more I listen to this record (yes, it is daily) the more I find different parts to fall in love with and become obsessed with. There’s this really tight sound on the record, and Dead On Arrival smacks you with hints of Fugazi and Jerry’s Kids. Absolute monster of a record and I don’t say that lightly.

The record was produced by Niall (guitarist) and that truly keeps in with that effortless DIY Punk sound that Bruise Control have- every song is a beautiful smack in the kisser. HMRC is a prime example of that, as is Useless and Bottom Feeder. Every song is an anthem and by that I mean- every song is so important and NEEDS to be played as loud as you and your neighbours can stand. If you are looking for something to blow your mind, burst your eardrums- then this is the record you desperately need. You know it is going to be a riot of a record right from the start. Useless is the perfect way for the record to open- Jim’s vocals on this are so snarly and raw. A beautiful and brutal way to start the record. I was listening to it whilst on the tram to work this morning at 7am- it bloody woke me up!

Manchester will always be one of the best cities in the world for music- Bruise Control utterly back this up. Their energy, their message and their talent has an immediate grip on you- a bear hug, a chokehold. Whatever you want to call it. That grip they have is so rare and so enthralling. I just absolutely love them and this record. This band are the future. Our future. The world is theirs and all that’s left to do, is to play the record loud. Then louder. And maybe touch louder just to make sure.

CASUAL DRAG: Revolution Will Eat Itself.

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This should have been written weeks ago but we’re here now and that’s all that matters.

I’ve written about Casual Drag before, and my love for them is ridiculous. Now I get to write about their new one, Revolution Will Eat Itself and it’s a proper DIY Punk work of art. Do you need to play it loud? Yes. Will it make you want to trash your room and throw shit out the window? Absolutely. I wouldn’t expect anything else from them. They are one of the most exciting bands around and they are totally feral with their sound. This beautiful and passionate aggression in the songs is just a delight.

This record is one of those that make you wish you could immediately catch the band live. I know that they are well adored in their city of sweet, sweet Glasgow but the rest of us really need to experience the joy of a Casual Drag show. Until then, we play the songs as loud as we can and on repeat. Is there any other way to do it? Nah.

The record is made up of 5 songs to melt your face and ears- and you’ve got to remember that there’s only 3 of them in the band making this stunning racket. You can’t help but instantly love them with your first listen, and this record was so easy to love. Every single song is an anthem. An anthem for those of us who are fed up- and I’m sure there’s a lot of us out there! This record has a lot of attitude but you cannot compare it to anything else. The only other band I can think of that have the same bite are Bruise Control. Some of the songs you can scream along to, but don’t let that borderline Pop feel fool you at all- this band know exactly how to hit you between the eyes.

When you listen to the record, it’s hard to believe that this is their debut EP. They’ve nailed this sound, they’ve figured out their sound so easily and it just makes you so excited to hear more from them. Every single song on this EP deserves it’s place- no fillers here! Every song will move you and make you want to immediately go to a sweaty Punk show and throw yourself about whilst covered in your own drink and probably someone else’s!

Have a fun fact: Casual Drag were formed over a cigarette break by Richard and Dominic. They share a love for the Amazing Snakeheads (Dale Barclay forever) and IDLES; and you can hear it in their music- there’s this same ferocious sound that others may fear but it sounds SO good. It’s such a comforting sound. See, some people take comfort and safety in quiet and peaceful songs- I can’t do it. I’ve tried, and I can’t. When it’s as loud as Casual Drag- then all is okay. I feel I can focus. The songs are made to be blasted out live- those snarling and gnarly vocals, the slick bass and guitar and drums adding fuel to the fire- pure heaven.

I Like It is the one you probably have to play the loudest- the drums on this are wild. Matt is one incredible drummer, the way they play the drums is so wild. All 3 of them have this raw style and approach and I think I Like It is the song that really shows this. It’s just a perfect record all the way through, and sure you’ll want more- but we’ll get it soon enough!

This is one of the finest and loudest records you’ll hear all year; treasure it and let’s all hope they do a tour soon because lord knows we need it! I know I do!

CROCODILES: Upside Down In Heaven.

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I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for the new Crocodiles record. They always seem to release a record at the right time. This is record number 8, and every record makes you feel like you are listening to the band for the very first time.

Their first record came out in 2009, and if you’ve never listened to their music before- I urge you to spend some time and listen to everything in chronological order. You’ll hear growth but you’ll also fall in love with their distinctive sound. It’s in Brandon’s vocals, it’s in Charlie’s guitar playing- it’s in the bond they have with each other. It’s unlike anything else. 8 records in and there’s nothing and no one quite like them.

Usually when a band I’m a fan of release a few singles before the record comes out, I listen to them over and over. I’ve done it differently with Upside Down In Heaven- prior to the release today, all I had listened to was Degeneration. I wanted everything I heard today to be brand new, and spend my day off work playing it over and over. I’ll be spending many days like this, and just soaking up this record because it’s just unreal.

Could I ever pick my favourite record by Crocodiles? No, but it may depend on the circumstances. I mean, if you threatened to take my cat from me, I definitely could choose. But a passing choice? I have no idea. BUT! Let me tell you, Upside Down In Heaven is a masterpiece. 10 songs and half an hour of unfiltered bliss. The record opens with Love Beyond The Grave and ends with Rock ‘n’ Roll Graveyard- what happens in between is a thing of beauty and pure joy. This record feels like pure joy to me; it’s all I could want and more from a Crocs record. I think Rock ‘n’ Roll Graveyard may be my favourite at the moment, but in a few days’ time I’ll have changed my mind.

I’ve Become What I Fear Most is like a Bukowski novel in song form. It’s lyrically one of my favourite songs ever by Brandon and Charlie, and easily up there with being one of the best songs by them and I could happily play it over and over, all day. This whole record feels like seedy stroll down the backstreets of NYC in the late 70s; it’s incredible. I think it’s one of those records that you’ll turn to for comfort but also, I think these songs are going to absolutely rip when performed live. Every song is just under the 3 and a half minute mark, and of course you’ll want more and more but the wait is definitely worth it with this record and it picks up where Love Is Here left off. That’s something I’ve always loved about the band- every record is a step up from what came before but at the same time you know it’s Crocodiles.

Forever Walk Alone is one of those songs that you’ll play and just instantly connect with; there’s something about Brandon’s vocals on this that you just connect with. They’ve both got this way of making you instantly connect with what you’re hearing. Lovers Of Nothing is a perfect people watching song, then you’ve got this glam rock feel of Magic Trash which reminds me a little of New York Dolls and their gorgeous flamboyant sound. Dead Beat sounds like it could be in a straight to video horror film and you cannot help but become addicted to it.

When a band you love and adore put out a new record it just makes your day, your year. Crocodiles have done it again and I’m just so proud of them and I’m so happy that a label like Lolipop Records have put it out. What I love about Crocodiles is that everything they put out is on their terms- it’s THEIR sound. They don’t compromise or stick with a certain sound in order to be heard. They grow with every record and I hope they continue to put records out when they are pensioners. I can’t imagine them ever stopping. I don’t ever want to.

Upside Down In Heaven is a record that is good for the mind, body and soul. Stick your headphones on, play this record and go for a walk. Absorb every single song and every word, and you’ll hear just how perfect this record is. 10 songs and half an hour of sheer bliss.

THE MEN: New York City.

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I completely forgot that this record came out very recently- I thought it was coming out in the Summer. I am a fool! Anyway.

The Men’s new record- New York City is their best work. Did I ever think I’d say something was better than their debut? Nope. Their debut owns a chunk of me that no other record ever could, but their new record is something else. It’s a Punk record that takes you back to NYC in the 70s. Aptly titled record, right?

Over the past few days this has been the record I’ve been listening to religiously. Every song feels like a time capsule of Punk. At times you feel like you’ve found an old Iggy Pop record that no one else has ever heard. Then you feel like you’ve listened to the New York Dolls for the first time. This is hugely prominent on the record opener Hard Livin’ which has Johnny Thunders style guitar and a real New York Dolls feel to it. Most of The Men’s records have been released via Sacred Bones but this one has been put out by the equally influential Fuzz Club. Both labels have backed so many exceptional bands and the cause of me rarely having any money!

New York City is the bands ninth record, and they’ve been going just over a decade or so. To me, they are one of the most important bands of my generation and they’ve just got this unique style that expands on every record. Sometimes when a band changes labels they can maybe lose who they were or badly flip their sound to fit the style of their new home- The Men don’t do this at all. If you listen to their records in chronological order, you will hear that this is the sound that was destined for record number nine- regardless of which label was to release it.

There are so many wild moments on this record and every song is just a delight to listen to. At the moment, Echo is the one I keep playing the most. I love the raw feel to it and how urgent it sounds. I love how the vocals are so gnarly and rough. There’s nothing delicate about this record- it’s unfiltered carnage and I can’t get enough of it! Every song flows perfectly into the next, and the production on this record is so tight- but they still maintain a strong DIY feel to it. The sound still feels brand new, and that’s one of the many reasons as to why I love this band. I love how they always go a step further and this record shows this in all its glory.

New York City is a record that you need to play in order for the first listen or so; but after that- go whichever way you want. Eye is the slickest song on the record- that’s the one that throws you off because musically it’s tamest on the record but vocally it’s probably the best. Honestly, the vocals on this are snarly as fuck and you can’t get enough of them. This record is the band at their best, and I’ve probably said that about their previous records but, with this one- there’s something truly magical about it. You feel like after being a fan of the band for so long, you’ve been on this journey with them and the journey has finally led to this record. The Punk record the band needed to make. The Punk record we all need. It’s a masterpiece and I could happily spend hours and hours listening to it. It’s a record that with every listen, you find something else to appreciate and fall in love with. Listening to this record, I feel like I’m listening to The Men for this first time but also reinforcing why I love them again and again. Every listen of this record is so precious.

I have no idea if the band will ever tour the UK with this record, but I hope with all my heart that they do because it just HAS to be heard live. And for purely selfish reasons, I’d like to finally be able to see a band I’ve loved for so long live! Every song on this record is full of this energy that you can’t get enough of. Songs like God Bless The USA, Anyway I Find You and Round The Corner are just so intense and honestly, this record will make you feel battered and bruised after hearing it. It’s a fistfight, it’s a riot and it’s so important. If you’ve never listened to The Men before, I’d normally tell you to play their debut, Leave Home first- but I think I’d now tell you to start with this one! It’s incredible, and I feel it just may be one of the best records we will hear this year.

MORON’S MORONS: High-Tension Situation.

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The finest Polish band are back! New record from Moron’s Morons is ridiculous- if you’re wanting a Halloween feel 24/7, regardless of the time of year- buy this record. High-Tension Situation is the name, and it pretty much lives up to its namesake. The songs will have you on edge, but in a good way. The songs are everything you’d want from an eerie Punk band and they are unafraid to be completely and utterly mental on every single song. The songs are live a deep dive into some kind of psychotic lapse of whatever, but don’t let that put you off. The songs would be perfect in some Horror B-Movie that is made very cheap and probably quite questionable too.

The 12 songs on this record were made to creep you out in the best way possible, and they were also made to be played exceptionally loud. They’ll sure wake you up! The record only came out on Friday (24th) but it’s one of those records that you feel you’ve had in your possession for years! There’s this effortlessly weird sound on this record that makes you feel like you’re trapped in Moron’s Morons world and you don’t want to even try escape- why would you want to when it sounds like this?!

The songs are rowdy and hella fast- songs like Nightvisions you can really imagine being played live and the whole place just erupting. They’ve got this energy that makes you wish you could witness every song in a live setting. I’ve written about this band before, and I can’t tell you enough just how exceptional they are. This energy is something else. The songs are all over the place- like mania is kicking in and the band have just thought “Fuck it! Play louder! Play faster!” and what we’ve ended up with is some of their most daring work to date. They’ve got the edge of Misfits and the charisma of The Cramps, and all in between. They’re a band that are known for their fast-paced and rowdy songs, and it works. See, some may try this approach and it sounds forced but with Moron’s Morons it sounds natural.

Psychosis Diagnosis is my favourite so far, and sure the lyrics are questionable but I love that scary feeling the song gives you. The whole record makes you feel like you’re being hunted down by something or someone, like a sea-creature that has no name yet because no one knows what the hell it is. But my god these songs are something else. Is it their best work to date? Completely. I know bands try to improve with every record, but what the band have done here is stay true to their sound but also corrupt the listener in a way that previous releases led to. This is the record they were always meant to make. It’s perfect. It’s odd and it’s loud. It is perfect in every way. I think the cover of the record also sums up what to expect from the record; strange, will burst your eardrums and will blow your mind.

It may only be their second full length record, but it sounds like something a band would make 10 years in. It’s timeless and every single song needs to be witnessed live. I hope someone books them a UK tour because you just feel like they would put on a fantastic show that sticks with you for all kinds of reasons. Fueled By Hate, Free-Time Crimes and Headless Eyes all have this snarly tone to it- wonderfully obnoxious and you can’t get enough of it. Honestly, this band know exactly what they are doing and I can’t wait to hear more and more from them.

Every song on this record needs to be heard as loud as you can stand- but also make you want to push yourself to go louder. It’s one of the most fascinating records of the year, but what else would you expect from Moron’s Morons?!

DIE VERLIERER

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Trying to find anything out about Die Verlierer is virtually impossible- but that’s fine! Most great bands have/had zero online presence- the music does all the talking.

The music is incredible- I feel like I’ve found a band from the past and brought them to 2023; but I haven’t. I’m not that good. They are just such a fascinating band. They have this really slick Post-Punk sound that so many try to copy but can’t grasp. This band do it their way- they sound like no one else. I think the band are from Berlin, and this record makes you want to move to Berlin and get lost in their music scene. I think I’ve carried that feeling around with me for some time if I’m honest!

Their sound is poetic, dark and hypnotising. The photo above looks like they’ve stepped out of the 80s but when you listen to songs like Intrige und Libido you feel like you’re listening to a Hardcore Punk band from the 90s. There’s a lot going on in their sound, but their sound is impeccable. I can’t think of any other band like this right now- there’s elements of Television (Plastic Life nails this) on this record. It came out last year, and it still feels utterly brand new.

Just because I don’t understand what they are singing about (I did a quick Google Translate so…) but from what i got off Google, this band write songs about the frustrations of daily life and also a song about a man in the moon who is spying on us. This one (Mann Im Mond) has that early sound of The Cure on this one. It’s the atmospheric sound that lures you in every single time. The record is about 40 minutes long, and the record ends with a euphoric number lasting around 11 minutes. The whole record is heavenly. Songs like Deadgirl have that perfect Punk sound- they’ve got the recipe nailed down, and honestly; they’ve got what it takes to be one of the greatest bands of all time. In my head, they’re already there. Deadgirl sounds a tiny bit like New York Dolls vocally, so it is pretty fair to say that Die Verlierer are the best. No debate there at all.

Sometimes you hear a record, and you just want to be completely wrapped up by it. You want it to consume every part of you- you want to hear it everywhere you go, and that’s exactly how Die Verlierer make me feel. I kind of feel like I’ve found a home of sorts in this record. On the journey to work this morning, I got a notification that they’re doing some UK shows so I immediately got myself a ticket for their Manchester show. You can just tell a band is going to be sensational live by how the record makes you feel- and this band completely back this up.

Again, this is another band who have a sound that I would aim for if I were musically talented/in a band. I feel like I gave up a bit on writing about music for a bit, but I hear bands like this, and the love comes back again. I just adore the raw sound they have and how raucous it is. This is the kind of noise that brings joy to my ears and makes me feel calm. I know most would settle for a cup of tea and some tranquil sounds- but give me something like Die Verlierer and I’m set.

Die Verlierer will be heading out on their first ever UK tour in May- grab a ticket. Grab all the tickets! The record is out now and was released via the always exceptional- Mangel Records.

PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS: Land Of Sleeper.

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Are you looking for the loudest record of the year? Do you want something that’ll burst your eardrums in the most pleasant way possible? Pigsx7 have gone and done it with their new record, Land Of Sleeper. 8 songs that are sheer delight, absolute carnage and beautifully loud.

Writing about this band brings me so much joy. I just LOVE them. They combine everything I love about music, and everything I want from music and just make something that is effortlessly slick and charming. This morning on the way to work, I had a horrible pain in my chest. I knew what was coming- it was the start of a panic attack. I needed to somehow tame my mind to deter something from happening. I started to listen to some meditation for anxiety on Spotify. I found myself getting wound up over the persons voice and how it felt like they were being patronising. I hated it. I needed something but I didn’t know what. So, I went and found something to listen to. Again, I found myself turning to Pigsx7. I tuned into the new record once more. I don’t know what happened, but I felt almost calm. My brain was tame, the pain in my chest wasn’t as bad. I was alright. It probably seems strange to have something so loud be a calming force- but that’s just what they do. I don’t know if it’s the vocals or the heaviness of the sound. It just feels like a massive grip around me offering reassurance.

It is such an incredible record, and I know I say it every time I write about Newcastle’s finest- but there is something about this band that is so magical and so euphoric. There’s this aggression in the music and vocals that doesn’t make you feel threatened- it makes you feel quite safe. Every time they’ve toured something has gotten in the way of me seeing them but I’m determined to see them this year. I just need to. I have to. They’re the kind of band that you have to really focus on. You can’t just mindlessly play a song and be like, “oh this is nice.” You have to really soak it all in, and I think that’s why listening to them this morning when I felt awful truly helped. I wasn’t aware of anything or anyone around me- just this record. I think it was Big Rig that saved my brain this morning, but if I’m honest- every song on this record is a dream to listen to.

The vibrations in the songs, the way every song moves you in a psychedelic way allowing you to be free with your limbs and screaming the words back at Matt is just insane. You can hear how they poured their everything into this record, and it’s evident in their previous records. This band don’t make shit songs- ever. They don’t have one bad song. They are consistently excellent, and Land Of Sleeper massively shows this. Every song is a call to action and a bolt of reassurance for the soul. Most of the songs on the record last over 5 minutes, and I think for me that’s part of the attraction. I love how their songs feel like stories or a journey. I feel like I’m being taken into a sacred world and Pigsx7 are the leaders. I’ve said it before but when I listen to them- i feel like I’m listening to Melvins and Sleep for the first time. Those two bands are vital and shaped a lot of the music I listen to, and to hear a band like Pigsx7- they complete my holy trinity in a way! I honestly cannot praise this record enough. I’m going back to Big Rig again- the last 2 minutes of this songs turn into some obscure instrumental that will blow your mind. You can’t help but dig it- it’s incredible!

Land Of Sleeper is made up of anthems that need to be heard as loud as possible. There’s this raw energy on this record that has developed from each record they’ve put out- this is THEIR record, and I love how you can tell that they have and always will make music that is for THEM and no one else. It’s how THEY want to sound. Perfection is subjective, but come on now- this is another perfect record by the band. There’s a lot of pent up emotions and rage being released on this record.

For me, a lot of the songs have that same outpouring that’s on Release The Bats by The Birthday Party. I can’t explain it- I just know that there’s a similar link in how it’s poured out. I’m just in awe of this record and how yet again, Pigsx7 have gone and done it with another masterpiece.

SHAWNIS AND THE SHIMMERS.

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Every once in a while I find a band that makes me want to pack up everything I own (including my cat but she probably owns me) and move to the place where a band I’ve fallen in love with are. One listen of Shawnis And The Shimmers and I am hooked and mentally escaping to Richmond, Virginia to follow them around and become their biggest fan. However, I can’t do it so I’ll do it from afar and from my mind.

Shawnis And The Shimmers make the kind of DIY style music that makes you disregard everything you’ve ever heard. There’s this beautiful basement band feel to their sound- this infectious raw style that will just stay with you on a loop for hours on end. I’ve definitely fallen in love here. There’s also the side that makes me wish I had an ounce of musical talent so I could make songs like they do. Instead, I just write about what I love instead because I can just about do that! There’s this slight Rockabilly sound going on, but for me it’s the muffled vocals and that fuzzy sound of theirs that I just adore.

They’ve got a couple of releases up on their Bandcamp page, and of course they leave you wanting more. Every strong band does that. If I was someone who couldn’t get to sleep at night (for the most part I can) I’d be blasting their sounds out through my headphones every night around 2am until my body finally felt like all energy had been zapped out of me, and my brain had calmed down a bit. This band make the kind of music that you just want to have constantly playing- treat ’em like your own personal soundtrack to your daily life- even if you’re doing mundane tasks.

They released the Wasteland Demo a year ago and a few months later in October, they released the Shimmer Shake EP. I love both records, and they both sum up their sound perfectly. Unapologetically loud and the kind of Queer Punk band I can’t get enough of. They make you want to trash your room, trash someone else’s room even! Their sound is so liberating, and in a way reminds me of New York Dolls and how they weren’t afraid to really push themselves with their sound. But there’s also hints of Riot Grrrrl flowing through. In short, this band are where its at! Imagine growing up in a town in the middle of nowhere then all of a sudden you hear this band! It’d change your life wouldn’t it! You’d finally believe there was a way out.

Wasteland Demo record is ridiculous. It’s so good it should be a crime. It’s got a gnarly sound to it that makes you feel like you’re hearing the future of something that’s yet to be named yet. What I love about this record in particular is that they make you fee as if you’re watching them in a garage or basement rehearsing these songs but at the same time- having this unfiltered sound that is so raw that it is already perfect this way. A chaotic noise-fest which is just a delight to the ears. You’ve got songs like Beer Jacket and Don’t Wait Up are underground classics. You can easily imagine every single one of their songs being played in queer dive bars that exude freedom in all ways possible, and everyone just screaming the songs back at the band- covered in sweat and beer. Maybe not even your own but who cares!

There’s hints of bands like Dead Boys in some of their songs like Wasteland, and that’s all you could ever want from your new favourite Punk band, right?! I don’t know if Shawnis And The Shimmers may ever make it to the UK to tour, but in my mind when I listen to them- I am front row singing the songs right back at them. Their sound is pure magic and you just can’t get enough of it.

CROCODILES: Degeneration.

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It has finally happened! Crocodiles have FINALLY dropped some new material which means- a new record is coming! 7th April to be precise kids! It’ll be released via Lolipop records, and the first single from the record- Degeneration is a perfect introduction to their new record.

If you’ve ever read anything I’ve written, you’ll know just how much I love and adore this band. They are a band that have been there for all the good and bad. A band that just know how to constantly create masterpieces. Underrated and exceptional. I just love love them.

Degeneration picks up where 2019’s Love Is Here left off (not including the covers record they put out in 2021!) Their new record will be their 8th full length record (again, not including the covers record but you can if you want!) Even though it picks up from Love Is Here, I can hear some of their early sound in this song- that rugged and distorted sound; the sound that I fell in love with many, many years ago. They have such a distinctive sound and style, and that applies vocally too. They’re a band that just make everything alright. Their poetic lyrics are timeless and their sound is how you’d want your dream band to sound.

The video to Degeneration is simple but you’ll also see Brandon and Charlie’s faces melt. I reckon that’s a strong sign for how great the new record will be- it’ll melt our faces off. I cannot wait! It’s only 2 months to go, but in the meantime- I’ll be keeping Degeneration on repeat.

Check out the video below:

Upside Down In Heaven will be released on the 7th April via Lolipop Records.