Dakin Hardwick – Page 37 – Spinning Platters

Single Of The Week: “nothing (in my head)” by Pinkshift

I wasn’t sure I was onboard with this whole Pop-Punk / 00’s Emo resurgance… This coming from someone that has seen blink-182 an unhealthy number of times. That being said, Hopeless Records is using this to fuel a really healthy modern roster, first picking up Destroy Boys who are definitely destroy. Now they are blessing us with Pinkshift! This Baltimore-based trio are on the heavier end of this scene, bordering on metalcore. Really, this song as about as effective as a triple espresso chased with a liter of Jolt Cola for getting your heart rate up.

“nothing (in my head)” is out now in all the usual places. I don’t know when preorders for a full length begin, but I’m definitely ready for more of this band.

Single of the Week: No Song. Let’s just do something about guns?

I was going through press releases on Wednesday, listening to some tracks in order to pick a single of the week. There were some good songs. Then my partner says to me, “I don’t know if our kid will ever go to school at this point.” I thought it was COVID exasperation. I made a comment along the lines of, “not at this rate.” And then she said, “Um. Do you not know what happened?” I did not. But every knows now that somebody went on a rampage killing half a classroom full of 4th graders and their teacher while the cops literally hung out outside doing nothing. Fuckers.

So, I have the “Jeremy” video up there. Because back when this song came out we had an assault weapons ban and never really expected this to be something that happens ON THE REGULAR. I’ve been sick of it for a decade. You probably are, too. I can say with 100% certainty that, until we get 60 Senators that haven’t been bought out by the NRA, freezing them from doing anything right, this will never happen. But there is something that CAN happen, and quickly, too.

We haven’t had a Director of the Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms since 2015. This is the arm of the government dedicated to regulating and enforcing firearm laws. Biden keeps submitting names and they keep getting axed. However, there is a man named Steven Dettelbach that is in confirmation hearings RIGHT NOW. He is pro-gun control and will have the power to do something without getting 60% of the senate on board. Right now, it’s time to contact your local senator to let them know that you need him confirmed. Word on the street is that Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) are the Dems that are on the fence, so kindly encouraging them to confirm Dettelbach will get us far. Oh, and donating to Everytown is a good move, too.

Single of the Week: “Watina” by Calypso Rose (featuring Carlos Santana & The Garifuna Collective)

Early in the pandemic, I went down a rabbit hole of surveys of music genres and scenes. One of the most captivating books I encountered was SKA: the Rhythm of Liberation by Heather Augustyn. It was a fantastic book the traced the evolution of Calypso and Ska music and how it came from the songs of enslaved people in the Carribean. “Watina” is a song that may not have been from this period, tells the story of the Garifuna people, a people that were forced into slavery and many of which were forced to migrate to the Americas. It’s performed by Calypso Rose, the 82 year old Calypso music legend that has been steadily releasing records since 1969!

You can enjoy “Watina” in all the usual places here. It’s the first single off Forever, which is due out on August 26th!

BONUS SINGLE: “Doomscroller” by Metric

It’s looking like the new Metric album is going to be a winner. We are on the second single, “Doomscroller,” and its a 10 1/2 minute epic of jittery emotions that’s an epic dance song, a boombastic rocker, and dark piano ballad. The song is a journey that’s over before you realize it started, much like actual doomscrolling. Only this song won’t send you into a dark depression that fills you with a deep distrust of the universe.

Formentera is coming your way on July 8th. Preorders are happening right now, including a “natural” vinyl pressing and some super cute shirts! (Seriously. I may have to buy that one myself…)

Outside Lands 2022 Daily Lineups / Single Day Tickets

Daily Lineups for Outside Lands 2022 dropped today! If you are like me and prefer to plan your August in May (No sarcasm there! Making plans months in advance is comforting for me), it’s a great time to figure out what you are doing. And if only one or two days appeal to you, Single Day GA / VIP / Golden Gate Club are on sale tomorrow at 10am! Continue reading “Outside Lands 2022 Daily Lineups / Single Day Tickets”

Single Of The Week: “Dreamt I Talk To Horses” by Katie Alice Greer

On my first listen to “Dreamt I Talk To Horses,” my initial impression was “this song is uncomfortable.” Upon further listens, the vocals- both intensly human and clearly manipulated by digital sources, move from uncomfortable to deeply warm and inviting. This is clearly a pop song, but coming from someone that knows her way around the Throbbing Gristle catalog. This song is the kinda track that forces relistens because there are so many layers and sounds sneaking up on you that you can’t take it in all at once.

“Dreamt I Talk To Horses” is the second single from Barbarism, due out into the world digitally on June 24th and physically on October 1st. Preorders on her Bandcamp are ongoing!

Single of the Week: “All Comes Crashing” by Metric

There are few songwriters that really understand how to convey the feelings of anxiety, desperation, and fear quite like Emily Haines. I’ve been waiting eagerly for the first pandemic-era release from Metric, because I was pretty sure we would get a track that would clearly validate the feelings of being stuck in a madness that’s out of our control. and they delivered tenfold. “All Comes Crashing” in a lot ways is classic Metric- pure, emotive vocals, post-punk guitars appearing out of nowhere beneath warm synths, and danceable beats to help ease the burden of the anxiety and provide just a little bit of optimism.

“All Comes Crashing” is the first single off their upcoming release, Formentera, which is due to be in your hands and ears July 8th. Preorder details coming soon. Also, there are few nights more cathartic than a Metric concert, and their 2022 North American Tour goes on sale TODAY at 10am local time. Check tour dates out here!

Thee Stork Club Hath Returned

One night, maybe about a decade ago, I found myself bar hopping with a group of friends and, somehow, my high school girlfriend. It was already a weird night, and we landed on The Stork Club. I had heard about this place for years, but, somehow never entered it’s hallowed halls. There was a real drunken haze to the night already, but I am pretty sure there was a burlesque show happening when we arrived at like 11pm. Then at midnight it turned into an 80’s goth dance party. Then at 1am, I’m pretty sure a jam band started setting up. It was a very weird night. But it brought me much joy, too… So I was gutted when they ended up shutting in 2020.

Fast forward to 2022, and the folks behind Mosswood Meltdown, Eli’s Mile High Club, and Hemlock Tavern have gotten together to reopen the place. Only with an extra “e”, so it’s now Thee Stork Club! And there will be a retro cocktail bar, a live performance space, and what is especially vital in this day and age- THEY ARE OPENING UP IT’S BACK YARD!!! So you might actually be able to enjoy a drink with a limited threat of COVID!

Opening night is July 1st, and it will be a special show with John Waters, Shannon Shaw, and Budget Rock’s DJ Chris Owen. Sadly tickets are sold out, but there will be plenty more fun where that came from!

Sing It Hasselhoff: Chris Jericho’s Band Fozzy

So, we haven’t posted a “Sing It Hasselhoff” in like a decade on this site. However, I’ve finally forced myself to sample legendary wrestler Chris Jericho’s band, Fozzy. Their latest record, Boombox, is out tomorrow, and it’s filled with giant, anthemic metal suitable for, well, kicking off a wrestling match? Check it out for yourself! And on Sunday Night they are bringing the “Save The World” Tour to Great American Music Hall, and, by golly, we really need it right now. Seriously, Mr. Jericho, please save us!

Stern Grove 2022 Season Has Been Announced

GOOD NEWS! We weren’t sure it was going to happen after the crappy thing that happened just before the last show of the 2021 season… But it looks like the Stern Grove Festival will be returning for it’s 85th year! Like last year, they will be doing reservations to ensure the safety and security of attendees. The Oakland-powered Tower Of Power & Too $hort show originally scheduled to close last year will be opening this year on June 12th! So be prepared to blow the whistle and get FREE tickets! The entire schedule, including Spinning Platters favorites Liz Phair, Cat Power, Amythyst Kiah, Monophonics and more! Reservations will become available on staggered dates throughout the Spring and Summer right here! Continue reading “Stern Grove 2022 Season Has Been Announced”