Author: Dakin Hardwick

Single of the Week: “Last Girls At The Party” by The Beaches

Howdy! It’s another week in hell in the United States, and I’m forever stuck on the story of the US citizen that was sent to a labor camp in El Salvador “accidentally,” and “Ooops! We can’t do anything about it!” and fuck. So, yeah, The Beaches from our friendly neighbors to the north have gifted us something purely fun. “Last Girls At The Party” is a bubbly little dance-rock number here to show us that Canada will probably win in all this nonsense. 

“Last Girls At The Party” is the first single off The Beaches upcoming record, No Hard Feelings. I can’t wait. But I’ll have to because it’s coming out August 29th! And if you presave, you can enjoy The Beaches on their DJ-set tour (Yup! I’m surprised too): 

April 16 – Los Angeles 

May 17 – London, UK

May 20 – Amsterdam

May 21 – Brussels

May 23 – Berlin

June 7 – NYC 

August 2 – Montréal 

WET LEG ARE BACK!!! “catch these fists” out now! New Album Out July 11th!!

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.

It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for new Wet Leg. It’s only been three years since their epic debut album became, well, MY most listened to record of 2022 AND 2023. But we finally have a new single, “catch these fists,” and you can find it here. The new album, moisturizer, is out July 11th and can be preordered here!  We’ve also got a Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon appearance on April 2nd, and so many EU tour dates that I’m worried they won’t have time to visit us in the ‘ol USA. (Please, please, please pay us a visit?)

 

Show Review: Franz Ferdinand with Telescreens at The Warfield, 3/28/25

The last time I saw Franz Ferdinand live was in 2013, and they played a last-minute gig to raise money for a fan who lost everything in a fire. It was in the basement of the clothing store Vacation in the Tenderloin and admission was “Five Lotto Scratchers.” It was pretty damn magical. Like, in my top 10 show experiences ever. The problem with seeing a “peak magic” show is that it’s hard to go back.
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Single of the Week: “Pants” by Samia

6:56 is the song length. In a different era, this one wouldn’t work as a single because radio wouldn’t play it. And usually I HATE long songs. But this one requires every moment of those nearly seven minutes. I’ve listened to it several times, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around what it’s actually about. But it’s such a sweet and tender and emotionally naked song. It takes turns several unpredictable turns, and I adore it. 

“Pants” is off Samia’s upcoming record, Bloodless, in stores and on your computer on April 25th. Prepare accordingly. 

OUTSIDE LANDS DROPPED IT’S AMAZING 2025 LINE UP

I walked out the door this morning to experience the sun on my face for the first time in what feels like years. This last winter was one of the coldest, dreariest ones in memory. I enjoyed a gentle breeze while serotonin made its first real return to my brain in a while. Then I opened up my phone (a thing that has brought the opposite of joy lately) to see Outside Lands drop its lineup, and now I’ve moved from joyful to glowing! 

Highlights include a triple shot of the best live acts in modern hip hop: Tyler, The Creator, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, and Doechii,  the unclassifiable Doja Cat, the insane bass stylings of Thundercat, the inventive and brilliant Jorja Smith, and for those looking for a touch of proper nostalgia, there’s Ludacris! Lower on the bill and there are some insane Easter Eggs like Big Freedia & The SF Gay Men’s Chorus, whatever “Vampire Weekend ?? /? ” means, the reinvented Rebecca Black, and for those who need a little mosh in their weekend, Oakland’s Destroy Boys are playing as well as the amazing Mannequin Pussy. 

Tickets are on sale TOMORROW! Yes, that’s 3/26 at 10 a.m. at SFOutsidelands.com. 3-Day GA tickets start at $499 ALL IN, and Payment Plans start at $99 down. The full lineup is below! 

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Show Review: The Linda Lindas with Be Your Own Pet at The UC Theatre, 3/20/25

It’s been about six years since Spinning Platters first encountered The Linda Lindas. They were all in middle school at the time but managed to score the opening slot for Bikini Kill’s second show in 20 years. They played 30 minutes worth of classic punk covers with the skill of players twice their age but with the enthusiasm and curiosity of, well, pre-teens. Fast forward six years, and they have three albums worth of critically acclaimed original material and have risen to be the band effectively leading Gen Alpha to rock ‘n roll. 

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Single of the Week: “I Found God” by Cera Gibson

Man, I love a good, sexy video where everyone looks, well, normal. “I Found God” is good old-fashioned, sexy, and groovy, along the lines of Erotica-era Madonna. The hooks are hooking, and the lyrics are just naughty enough. It’s a great way to kick off the first weekend of Spring. 

“I Found Love” is the latest single from Cera Gibson’s pinksoak, which is available now all across the internet. 

How Did Kathy Foster Get Here?

Photo by Jason Quigley

Odds are that you don’t know the name Kathy Foster, but you’ve probably seen her live a few dozen times. She’s probably best known as the bassist for Portland punks The Thermals. Or as a member of the supergroup All Girl Summer Fun Band. Or any of the 8,565,233 other bands she’s been a part of. Alas, after decades of backing up other acts, she’s released her debut solo record under the alias Roseblood. We talked about her pathway to rock, with some adventures and misadventures along the way. We even touched on the time she played “Faith” and “Rebel Rebel” with Sleater-Kinney, where her band Hurry Up got their name from, and spent a LOT of time talking about how amazing Maggie Vail is.

Roseblood’s self-titled debut is out now on Bandcamp or wherever you stream music.

Single of the Week: “Money & Power” by Ally Venable

Some weeks, I go through literally hundreds of tracks for this column, and nothing grabs me right away. And as it goes on, it gets HARDER to bring me in, not easier. This week was one of those weeks. And then this blistering, 70’s hard rock stomp, guitar virtuosity, and full-on braggadocio reinvigorated me within moments. “Money & Power” brings to mind late-era Donnas- combining elements of blues rock, British metal, and feminism in one intense punch. 

“Money & Power” is the first single from Ally Venable’s upcoming album of the same name. It’s coming our way on April 18th. Click here to presave the digital or preorder the physical.