Tag: muncie girls

Here Comes The Wave

Happy Holidays! Welcome to December, the last month of the year. Life opens up for time with friends, family, and just some general leisure. I’m looking forward to kicking up my feet more than usual and sleeping in some more before another year dawns upon us.

As New Year’s Eves approaches we take stock of the last twelve months and what’s ahead next year. So many new faces launched incredible debut albums and promising starts to their young careers.

Below are my favorite new bands I found this years. Some have a few years under their belts while others formed and emerged simultaneously this year. Hopefully some of these artists grab hold and find their way into your library.

Fiends

From: Sarasota, FL | Album: Me Time

Dubbed a love child of Tool and Lamb of God, Fiends really impressed me with their first single “Keep Me in The Dark” at the beginning of the year. It’s rare for new bands to show technical and subtle song writing proficiency. Fiends display those traits from go. Much like Tool their songs don’t boast virtuoso playing but rather meticulous structuring and seamless knitting from one aura to another. Take the transformative turn in “700 Club” from cursing the gods type of metal to dark and mysterious. Very uncommon and as far as I know exclusive to them, and that’s what we want in new bands.

This Curse

From: Northern NJ | Album: From the Darkest of Places

I’m a sucker for New Jersey bands. Whether it’s Geoff Rickly’s basement or some dive in Asbury Park the state is fertile grounds for poetizing the every man struggle(s). This Curse continue that tradition with a bit of a twist. Lyrically they’re Jersey yet it’s hard to pin down one genre for them. “Waiting” blasts primarily post-hardcore parts and sneaks in a bouncy metalcore breakdown. They teeter on all these different styles picking the most satiating elements from each throwing in djenty progressions, emo choruses, and timely breakdowns. Their debut album also earns points with me for having only a few songs yet they’re all exceptional.

Muncie Girls

From: Exeter, UK | Album: Fixed Ideals

Muncie Girls almost made my top 10 list this year and get the honorable mention here. Women have established themselves in punk and underground music but in recent years they’ve really surged more than ever. Lande Hekt possesses nuanced understanding for clean and melodic with loud and grungy punk. Take the best of everything. “Locked Up” exemplifies the ideal mixture of unforgettable riffing and the verse/chorus/verse formula. Her singing and guitar playing maintain pop while ripping gigantic riffs. It’s great she’s a woman and bringing something new to me; however, she just fucking rocks. That’s really what matters most to me.

Jesus Piece

From: Philadelphia, PA | Album: Only Self

I didn’t discovered Jesus Piece but they stepped up to another level with their first full length. Classic hardcore band paying their duos playing any slummy concrete floor finally paid off with Only Self. They remind me of more straight ahead Code Orange trimming industrial and poppy elements. “Curse of the Serpent” wastes no time. Two minutes of ceaseless slaughter yet so digestible. A outsider can appreciate its energy. They can play “Punish” until the end of their careers and detonate every venue in its wake. The incredible album production allows a clear and coherent experience, very uncommon in this scene.

Frontside

From: Wilson, NC | Album: Essentially, Eventually

We Are Triumphant Records and I share similar tastes in bands. They’re known (and infamous) for signing diamonds in the rough like Neck Deep, Sworn In, and now Frontside. Walter Stanley sings like Patrick Stump and strums with an impressive repertoire of slick hooks and quietly intricate riffs. “Almost There” showcases palatable mathy guitar and insanely catchy sing along vocals. Infectious. This three piece got together almost ten years ago now and few are paying attention to them. I wouldn’t be shocked if that changes. Maybe Blue Swan records should snag them. I’d like to see them open for Dance Gavin Dance.

Puppy

From: London, UK | Album: The Goat

I don’t know if it’s just age or what but slower, throwback, metal really allures me now. Ghost were perhaps the first to draw me in. Puppy take that fascination to another level. Vocalist Jack Norton acknowledge his love for both metal and MTV’s 120 Minutes growing up. Someone else who also likes Hum! “World Stands Still” in its foundation has NWOBHM structure with a ton of modern day groove metal bridging between. Their best song to date “Black Hole” combines the majesty of Ghost and the stoner riffs of Kyuss. Undeniably bewitching. Mark the release of their debut album The Goat in your calendar.

Music Wire #8

Summer and hopefully its heat wave are coming to a close. We’re approaching the end of the year at light speed with only a few weeks until Christmas. The music industry at all levels traditionally packs the final fiscal quarter with high profile releases in time for the holidays; however, the streaming era modernized the album cycle. Artists and labels possess the autonomy release projects on their terms.

Last century Drake’s Scorpion would have come out closer to Christmas or after the new year. Today he’s the king of summer. There’s an abundance of newly released and imminent records ready across most platforms.

Nearing My God by Foxing

Release: August 10, 2018

Highly regarded in the OG emo community, Foxing’s Nearing My God shows their evolution as musicians beyond a subculture. The arrangements exercise more synths with doubled high octave vocals, much like Mew’s And the Glass Handed Kites, especially the album titled track.

“Slapstick” gazes into the night stars too with tender guitar tones followed by detuned twangy rhythms. There’s a reminder of Brand New’s most recent work Science Fiction on “Grand Paradise” and “Gameshark” but again with a Jonas Bjerre or Jónsi (Sigur Rós) type singer.

When we look back in December this one will make many indie publication’s end of the year lists. More than any of their previous albums Near My God will take their live show to another level as well. See them if they come through.

USGS by USGS

Release: August 14, 2018

Since Roomrunner hung it up I’ve followed along with whatever projects each member pursued next. Earlier this year Bret Lanahan’s band Bested put out their first album. Denny Bowen has since played with Future Islands, Retired, and recently uploaded this electro album.

In his own words it “sounds like a car alarm with a Baltimore club beat.” I’m not as familiar with this type of music however there’s still recognizable troupes from a Bowen project. Many of the beats and samples sound like a track from an MS DOS game. Bowen litters each song with noisy bits and high pitch screeches.

I’m brought back to scrolling through some annoying level while “BaseMap” bumping along. The latter half of “NAD 1983” will get you boogieing if you’re brave enough with yourself.

Belmont by Belmont

Release: August 17, 2018

Young, brash, and stacked with talented musicians it’s surprising Belmont only formed 4 years ago. It takes most bands years of touring and trials in the studio to understand how to make a coherent record. Yet they mostly articulated their debut well, excluding one odd Post-Malonish interlude

Personally, songs should strike their purpose quickly and pounce the money riff/melody often. These songs flow smoothly together, don’t overstay their welcome, and offer heaps of diverse song structures in brief bursts of 3 minutes or less. Belmont hit most of the marks that would earn them high scores on some imaginary report card.

“Hollowed Out” engages classically infectious pop-punk chorus with sprinkles of busy guitar fretting. Even deep cuts like “Convalescence” rock catchy licks and “BMC” slam down creative breakdowns. Steller debut from a band just finding its stride.

Be the Cowboy by Mitski

Release: August 17, 2018

Mitski continues to produce gloriously anomalous records for sad and lonely people everywhere. Be the Cowboy is her most accessible album yet, sure to invite new fans onto the growing bandwagon. This is best enjoyed start to finish. Yes there are singles to pick and choose; however, I encourage you just to press play.

There’s a such a cohesion between each track sounding like one movement rather than a single song. Mitski builds upon each song strategically to climax into a moment like on “Nobody” with its beautiful disco funk section and abruptly retires into a dreary bedroom recording.

Be the Cowboy arrives at these peaks in such a fashion the record has already sadly ended. It’s one of the best records you’ll hear the rest of the year.

Boy from My Dream by Field Medic

Release: August 21, 2018

Fiercely independent and uncompromising, Kevin Sullivan calls his music freak folk and post-country (we’re inventing sub-genres everyday). Sullivan started out in 2009 recording on his Radioshack CTR-111 and amassed a massive archive over last decade.

Run For Cover Records signed him last years and released his new EP this week. Despite being recorded in a studio “Retail Therapy” retains its airy cassette tape noise while melting Sullivan’s malaise over you.

The title track caresses with warmth until the lyrics turn gloomy. Like most dreams this EP starts off adventurous and ends abruptly leaving you wanting more. Follow Sullivan on most social media platforms.

We Can Pretend Like by Ogikubo Station

Release: October 24, 2018

Asian Man Records owner Mike Park and Mixtapes’ Laura Weaver teamed up a few years ago to form Ogikubo Station. Comparably very similar to The Evens in it’s sound and ethics. “We have no hype machine, no publicist, no radio, no booking agent. This is 100% DIY and that’s the way it should be” say Park and Weaver.

We Can Pretend Like shines gingerly like a morning sunrise. It’s a nice break from the serious albums I’m usually drawn to. My favorite track “Rest Before We Go to War” has these tender sing-along moments that remind me of this Headroom song. I can imagine repeating back the lyrics back if I see them live.

There are echos of R.E.M. on “Weak Souls Walk Around Here” through its low end tone. It’s one of the few tracks Park duels a bit with Weaver. The pair work so well together in bringing their joy through the album. Such a mellow listening experience sure to brighten up your day.

Fixed Ideals by Muncie Girls

Release: August 31, 2018

There’s a new surge in female lead punk bands coming to the forefront in recent years. In the states, Downtown Boys, Sheer Mag, and Kim and The Created represent us well. It’s not just their added diversity that’s exciting but also their ideas about good song writing and how to conceive them.

All of this leads up to the Muncie Girls from across the pond who bring serious heat on their new record Fixed Ideals. “Locked Up” is as perfect a punk song comes with its shredding intro, push up bra jabs, and a contagious chorus. I wish they’d play that intro some more, damn that’s a hook!

“Picture of Health” follows a robust dose of catchy verses leading into a feverish choruses, which I aggressive yell in my car. Look out for Fixed Ideals out on the usual services via Specialist Subject Records. Check out label mates Fresh who post a solid debut last year alongside Caves.

Dark Skies by Fit for a King

Release: September 14, 2018

I’ve been eagerly anticipating Fit for a King’s follow-up to Deathgrip since “Tower of Pain” dropped earlier this year. They’ve always had a pinch of accessibility with their cleans and on Dark Skies I’m anticipating an interstellar jump from mid-sized metalcore band to seizing the world’s biggest stages.

Watch the above video yourself. Those are huge riffs, hinged with an epic solo, book ended by their bread and butter breakdown. If “The Price of Agony” isn’t mainstream friendly metal then it’s just hopeless man. It can’t just be the Keystone Light of metal Five Finger Kitty Punch on the radio.

Dark Skies will demonstrate the group’s progression as song writers too. “Every record we focused so hard on parts but this time we’re focusing on the whole of the song” says vocalist Ryan Kirby. “When Everything Means Nothing” proves their new prowess in utilizing a super heavy “part” repeatedly in a calculated coordination with the song.

Million Dollars to Kill Me by Joyce Manor

Release: September 21, 2018

It’s been an interesting ride with Joyce Manor over the last seven years. They started like most punk bands in LA County playing DIY house shows methodically climbing to big clubs and festivals like Coachella. Since signing with Epitaph Records four years ago their music began reflecting this trajectory too.

Like many before them, see Japandroids, punks don’t die they just kind of… Go to bed at a more reasonable time. Joyce similarly to the aforementioned band slowly morphed into a rock band. Less distorting feedback, fast chords, and yelping. You’re probably waiting for the “they suck now” take. Yeah no, in my So Cal voice.

Instead Joyce developed more bombastically anthemic songs with gigantic riffs and rousing vocals choruses. “Think I’m Still in Love with You” utilizes all of these ingredients: easy call and response lyrics, a memorable guitar motif, done in nimbly timely fashion. I expect more of the same with the rest of Million Dollars to Kill Me.

Photo Credit: Bao Ngo and Joey Tobin