Last March, we had the pleasure of catching up with L.A.-based psych-pop band Dummy ahead of their set at Treefort Music Fest in Boise. In addition to talking about their second album, Free Energy, and accompanying remix LP, Bubbelibrium DLC, Alex Ewell and Joe Trainor – each of whom plays multiple instruments – talked about their favorite movies. We present you with that portion of our conversation, if you’re looking for something worth watching this weekend.
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Earlier this week, we brought you an epic conversation with anarchist art collective INDECLINE, who have collaborated with Sleater-Kinney, Cursive, Deaf Club, Rise Against and many more indie luminaries. In addition to chatting us up, INDECLINE shared a list of essential reads for those currently fighting fascism or are curious about the war being waged across the globe.
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Dark Green is certainly a suitable title for a stoner-rock record, but as it so happens, the fourth effort by Tumbleweed Dealer captures them maturing into more complex, philosophical territory. Read my review of Dark Green on Treble. (And go here to find out where to get a free Tumbleweed Dealer album.)
“Born out of and in homage to the necessity of irrational purposive activity, the still-pregnant and inadequately mapped labyrinths of absolute idealism, the tragic potential of human Dasein, and the Promethean flame inherent in all acts of creativity.”
That’s a lofty way to describe Serpent Column’s Aion of Strife, a statement presented on the Detroit-are project’s Bandcamp page. But it’s well-earned, as anyone with two functioning ears will discover upon listening to the record, which is equal parts transcendent and terrifying. (Fun fact: Snakes don’t have ears!) The ringleader of the black metal band, who goes by “JH,” has honed his music and writing skills over the course of Serpent Column’s nine-year existence.
The group’s vocalist, Mike Tibbits, has a great deal to say, as evidenced by today‘s release of Aion of Strife. Turns out so does JH, with whom The Bad Penny had the good fortune to converse about a month ago. He says Serpent Column on the whole addressed “an ancient brain creature in a modern civilization.”
Here’s The Bad Penny‘s full interview with Serpent Column:
For more info on Serpent Column, and to get yerself a copy of Aion of Strife, go to its Bandcamp page.
Barry Adamson – Scala!!! OST
Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore – Tragic Magic (InFiné)
Sylvia Black – Shadowtime
Blanket – True Blue (Adventure Cat)
Carrion Vael – Slay Utterly (Unique Leader)
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Sometimes we forget how big of a sound just three musicians can make. Skyjoggers remind us of the boundless possibilities of psychedelic music with the thought-provokingly titled 12021: Post-Electric Apocalypse. Read my full review at Treble.
The Bad Penny‘s friends at Veil of Sound have assembled a nifty 2025 recap that encompasses the records, concerts and other highlights that the German website’s 10 contributors enjoyed the most last year. Check it out here.
1. Be Nothing – Be All the Nothing You Can Be EP (September 2023)
“This follow up to the trio’s 2020 self-titled album offers more of their signature riff heavy, sarcastic punk,” label Strange Mono said in a statement.
2. Gridfailure – Live Improv at the Kingsland – Brooklyn, NYC – 09/07/2024 (March 2025)
“Entire improvisational set from The Kingsland (RIP) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY on September 7th, 2024,” label Strange Mono said.
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The eminently likable Mike Boyd isn’t just the Director of Publicity at arguably Chicago’s strongest indie-rock label, Thrill Jockey, founded in 1992. Nor is he only the vocalist/guitarist for heavy trio Stander. He also plays guitar at live performances by experimental black metal band Genital Shame. Oh, and he two cats and a dog to boot.
Drilling into the nuts and bolts, Nikola is a gray and white tabby, whereas Mugen is an orange tabby.
“They’re brothers, and they’ll be turning 14 this year,” Boyd told The Bad Penny. “My dog, Saoirse, is a pit bull, and I am unsure about her actual age. But. based on the estimates from when I rescued her, I would guess she’s about 9 years old.
Without further ado, let’s take a gander at Boyd’s three adorable amigos.
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In early September, we presented part of an extensive interview with Eugene S. Robinson, one of the most uncompromising, forthright and no-bullshit rock musicians around. That piece mostly revolved around his decision to leave the United States for Spain; if you want to know the reasons why, go here.
But today, Post-Trash published the conversation in virtually its entirety, covering Robinson’s plethora of music projects, his strict adherence to a set of principles and practices, and how he envisions his future unfolding. Read the lengthy interview with Robinson – whose credits include Buñuel, Oxbow and Whipping Boy – here.
The Bad Penny (beta) 