In my humble opinion, The Decline of Western Civilization is the greatest film ever made about youth counter-culture movements. Director Penelope Spheeris later directed Wayne’s World, another impressive depiction of youth culture that captured the much-maligned and misunderstood 80’s LA punk scene. The NYC and UK scenes were the “important” scenes. LA was overly aggressive and lacked artistic credibility in the eyes of music critics. This is where hardcore was born, which often marked the “end” of punk for many folks. Continue reading “Show Review: Descendents, The Circle Jerks, Fake Fruit at The UC Theatre, 8/26/22”
Author: Dakin Hardwick
Single of the Week: “Mushroom Punch” by Zella Day
I feel like I’ve slept on Zella Day. Or maybe it was the right time for me to find her. “Mushroom Punch” is my first introduction to her, despite her name floating around for ages, and this song is great. It’s a part of a bigger trend of singer/songwriters turning pop songs into dramatic journeys while still keeping concise (see Ashe, Mitski) This song is either about a lover that experiments with psychedelics, or it’s comparing the stress of a relationship to that of psychedelic drugs. Either way, this song is “heady.” (God, I hate that word because it makes me think of someone that smells like patchouli and is wearing flip-flops and is trying to convince my vaccines are the government controlling our brains.)
I digress… “Mushroom Punch” is Zella Day’s latest single off her forthcoming record Sunday In Heaven, in stores and on your favorite DSP on October 14th!
Single Of The Week: “Tres Hermanos” by Hermanos Gutierrez (featuring Dan Auerbach)
This one is specifically for my fellow Latinxes whose parents were born in the 50’s and made sure that the music of Santo & Johnny was always in rotation at home. I forgot how much my soul needed some lazy Sunday morning, reverb drenched guitar instrumentals. Enter Hermanos Gutierrez! This track, produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, is the exact soundtrack for making pancakes and staying in your pajamas until 2pm.
“Tres Hermanos” is the lead single off their upcoming full-length El Buen y El Malo. It’s coming your way on October 28th, the day after my birthday, and you can preorder/presave here!
Outside Lands 2022: 20 Instant Gig Reviews
My last Outside Lands was in 2019. I’ve gone nearly every year up until that point, only missing the third year. I had tickets for 2021. Lizzo, The Strokes, and Hinds are all on my “never miss” list, but by October, Delta was rearing its ugly head, and I just couldn’t do it. This year, I was still on the fence until the week beforehand. With BA.5, the virus has become more contagious, and outdoor transmission is more prevalent. However, with wastewater tracking showing a downward trend, toddler vaccines FINALLY seeing the light of day, and studies seem to indicate that N95s and a good breeze are still very effective at thwarting the virus, I decided to give it a go. I packed like ten masks, two packs of antibacterial wipes (which made me the most popular guy at the festival at times. One woman actually proposed marriage when I gave her the end of one of my packs!), an empty water bottle, and several layers of clothing, and decided to make a solid go of it. Continue reading “Outside Lands 2022: 20 Instant Gig Reviews”
Single Of The Week: “atonement” by Winter featuring Hatchie
One of the craziest things about kids these days is how much they seem to LOVE classic 4AD releases and early 90’s shoegaze in general. “atonement” is the latest single from Samira Winter, who performs under her last name, Winter. Which is also the PERFECT name for a shoegaze artist. For this track she teamed up with Hatchie, another modern shoegaze artist. So, yeah, if you need some slow and loud, here’s some excellent slow and loud.
“atonement” is the lead track from Winter’s upcoming full length, What Kind Of Blue Are You?, which will be spreading joy to your eardrums on October 14th.
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Broken Clover Records is donating 100% of proceeds to charity in August
Our dear friends at Broken Clover Records are doing something lovely this month: They are donating all label revenue to a slew of different charities, including the ACLU, Muttville, SFUSD, and many, many more. Just head over to their Bandcamp page, and you can pick up many exemplary records, including Zones by Enablers.
Or another Spinning Platters’ Favorite, Gold Country – Country Gold by Secret Emchy Society!
Or Orpheo_Nebula by Switzerland’s torpedo, which doesn’t have a YouTube link, but this record is out in September, and the first single, “HELL,” is excellent.
Single Of The Week: “Shower With My Clothes On” by Ashe
We are exactly one week out from Outside Lands, and the schedule is LIVE! I noticed that I had a gap on Friday late afternoon, and I stumbled across this gem of a track. I’ve listened to “Shower With My Clothes On” like ten times today. The gentle acoustic guitar strum over Ashe’s heartbreak vocals builds up gently, with banjos and horns building up in a smooth wash of joy. This track feels like a cross between Morcheeba and Sea Change-era Beck and is glorious.
Ashe is playing the Twin Peaks stage at 3:45 on Friday (a week from today!) at Outside Lands. “Shower With My Clothes On” is the 4th single off her upcoming release, RAE, coming your way on October 14th! You can prepare for its arrival in whatever way you prefer here!
Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands Poster 2022
It’s as if the last Outside Lands was only 9 1/2 months ago… But it’s time for ANOTHER Top 10 from the bottom half of the Outside Lands poster. There is so much good stuff on here that you’ll be mad you slept in. Tickets are *somehow* still available here!
Continue reading “Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands Poster 2022”
Single of the Week: “Cardinal Feather” by Julie Odell
For those of you following this column every week, you’ll notice that I find myself veering towards anxious music. “Cardinal Feather” by New Orlean’s Julie Odell drew me in immediately, but I didn’t pick up on the anxiety at first. Then I read her bio and she said, “Cardinal Feather was born out of a panic attack.” However, this song does not wallow in the anxiety. It’s really a song of optimism and finding your way through the anxiety. Sonically, Odell sounds like the record that Jenny Lewis never did with fellow Louisianans, Givers.
“Cardinal Feather” can be enjoyed in all the usual places. It’s the second single off Odell’s debut album, Autumn Eve, due to your local DSP and/or turntable on September 30th, and can be reserved here.
Halloween Meltdown 2022 Line Up Announcement!
Good news! Halloween Meltdown is BACK for a second year! And it’s bigger than ever! John Waters and the $500 Costume Contest are back, but we will also get to see the historic Mosswood House turn into a Haunted Mansion!!! And the lineup? It’s pretty much magic. We see the triumphant return of Demolition Doll Rods. We have rare appearances from The Spits and Josie Cotton. Living legends Lydia Lunch and Kid Congo Powers will be there, too! Plus Amyl & The Sniffers, Shannon & The Clams, FUZZ, Sheer Mag, Body Double, NIIS, and more to come! VIP & GA tickets are on sale now, and you should buy them soon because I’m scared they will sell out. (Get it? Halloween? Scared?)