On Tyranny: Lucid Express Singer Says Hong Kong Band’s Parents Are ‘Worried’ About Them Touring U.S.

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , on 02/17/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

We’re now at a point in American history when we’re no longer wondering if authoritarianism might take hold in the U.S. It already has. Thusly, the conversation is beginning to shift to how our authoritarian government measures up to others around the world in terms of stifling free speech, quelling protests and hijacking the voting process.

Remarkably, The Bad Penny had the unique privilege of interviewing Kim Ho, vocalist and synth player for Hong Kong dream-pop band Lucid Express, to shed some light on those matters and more.

Watch this clip from our recent conversation with the first musician from the Chinese musician to take part in The Bad Penny‘s On Tyranny series and decide for yourself which country is treating its artists better: “democratic” America or China, which is ruled by an authoritarian dictatorship.

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On Tyranny: Minneapolis Still ‘Under Violent Occupation’ Despite ICE Drawdown, Taxpayers Singer Says

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , , , , on 02/16/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

In The Bad Penny‘s first interview with a Minneapolis band since ICE, CBP and other feds invaded their city, we touch base with Rob Taxpayer, a multi-instrumentalist for Minneapolis punk-rock band the Taxpayers. He insists the Trump regime, the media and bad actors on social media are deceiving the general public into thinking the city is back to normal. But in reality, the city looks so much like a war zone that Rob has to frequently remind himself that he is indeed still living in America, he says.

“This federal government is more willing to do stuff without worrying about the consequences of it,” he says. “That’s the difference between the first Trump administration and this one: [Now] They say, ‘Fuck you, we’re going to do this anyway. Fuck the courts. Fuck public opinion. Fuck America. We’re gonna do what we fucking want.'”

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Favorite Films: Did You Catch These Easter Eggs in ‘One Battle After Another’?

Posted in Essays, Favorite Films with tags , , , , on 02/15/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Do we still have to say “spoiler alert”? Then fine: spoiler alert.

Here are observations from someone who has watched the best movie of 2025 too many times:

1. Let’s start with the obvious: Leonardo DiCaprio has said in interviews that he loosely based his character, nicknamed “Ghetto Pat,” after “The Dude” – or “El Duderino,” if you’re not into that whole brevity thing – from The Big Lebowski. For one, both Pat and Jeffrey Lebowski are essentially confused throughout the duration of each movie.

2. Both characters have goatees, occasionally tie back their hair and dress similarly with bathrobes, flannel and sunglasses. (HalloweenCostumes.com actually sells a “Big Lebowski The Dude Bathrobe Costume for Men.”)

The Big Lebowski The Dude Bathrobe
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Pet Sounds #83: Dandy Warhols Keyboardist Saved 6-Month-Old Mutt From Gang of Chihuahuas’ Bullying

Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags , , on 02/15/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

The Dandy Warhols surely had a blast creating PIN UPS, a collection of cover songs they’ve recorded over the years. Coming March 20 via Beat the World Records and Little Cloud Records, the reputed psych-rock band take on The Beatles, The Cure, Gang of Four, The Clash, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Runaways and more.

That said, one member of the Dandy Warhols – keyboardist Zia McCabe – is equally if not more passionate about spending time with her dog than making music. The exuberance she feels when with 6-year-old Alice is clearly evident in the above photo. Those emotions are probably heightened due to the fact that McCabe recently lost her pet cat.

We dare you not to smile at the words and photos McCabe generously gave to us for this joyous entry in Pet Sounds.

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On Tyranny: Abronia Guitarist Urges Americans to Take Action as U.S. Faces ‘Last Gasp’ of Democracy

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags on 02/15/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

ICE is building “detention centers” (synonymous with concentration camps) across the U.S. this year thanks to an influx of $38 billion. ICE, CBP and other federal agencies are snatching kids from classrooms to the horror of their classmates. The same crew recently executed two U.S. citizens in broad daylight, onlookers be damned.

These horrors and others committed by the Trump Administration are enough to cause fear, resignation and paralysis among the populace. But while those feelings are understandable, history will not look kindly upon U.S. citizens who opted to stay on the sidelines, kept their head buried in the sand, denied reality and/or waited for democracy to naturally restore itself post-Trump.

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Pet Sounds #82: Products Band’s Drummer Has a ‘Freakishly Fast’ Cat That Can Maybe Talk, Too

Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags , , on 02/14/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

In the 82nd edition of Pet Sounds, we learned a little bit about the music that Products Band produces – and we learned an awful lot about bassist/vocalist Wooley’s two cats: Casper and Disney. There are more pets in Products Band, and one of them, Lucy, got a bit jealous and felt she wasn’t getting the attention she deserves.

That stare you see in the photo above is Lucy saying, “Can I please be in Pet Sounds too?”

Lucy belongs to Konner Johnson, who handles drums, percussion and synths for the Minneapolis art-rock band that is signed to Solid Brass.

Products Band consists of Johnson, Woolsey, Jo Kellen (guitar, vocals, synths) and Alex Hanson (guitars, vocals, piano). Woolsey and Johnson jumped at the opportunity to participate in the one and only – or at least extensive – online series in which musicians gush over their pets.

And boy did Johnson gush. Here’s our email conversation about Lucy, Products Band and … lots more Lucy. Enjoy one of the most tender entries so far in Pet Sounds.

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Favorite Films: Oathbound Swear ‘Alien,’ ‘Big Lebowski,’ ‘Interstellar,’ ‘Cabin in the Woods’ Are the Bomb

Posted in Favorite Films, Interviews, Videos with tags , , , , , , on 02/14/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Oathbound, Seattle’s most promising progressive-metalcore band, are ready to finally make their big smash with the March 6 release of Colors in Grey (Eclipse), their debut LP. Three of the band members – Taylor Harper (guitar), Steve Schwarz (bass) and Travis Morlan (drums) – generously devoted a chunk of their Friday night to participate in the latest edition of Favorite Films, one of The Bad Penny‘s ongoing series.

And we couldn’t have had more fun with the spirited, genuinely good fellas. For proof, watch the video of our lively and loose conversation.

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On Tyranny: Low Cut Connie’s Crystal-Clear Analysis of Authoritarian America And How to Fight Back

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny with tags on 02/14/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

If you watch only one installment among the 112 we’ve published so far in this series about artists responding to fascism, make sure it’s this one featuring Low Cut Connie. The rock musician’s impressive intelligence, history of engaging in protests and fearless bravery in speaking truth to power raise him to oracle status. Most Americans are confused, afraid and paralyzed by the federal government’s unconscionable, vicious and deadly assaults by a paramilitary force that answers only to Donald Trump. Low Cut Connie is calm, focused and clear-eyed about fighting fascism with unflinching strength and unwavering compassion simultaneously.

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New Releases 2.13.26: Converge, Black Heart Procession, Angel Du$t, Nude Party, Pilgrims

Posted in New Releases with tags , , , on 02/13/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

We double-dog dare you to find a more thorough list of releases made available today …

2.13.26

jason voorhees GIF

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – Before Artistry EP (Highbridge the Label/300)

Abrasive Trees – Carved Skull single (Argonauta)

Actors – CTRL single (Artoffact)

Ana Sky – King of Hearts single (Black Box)

Ásgeir – Julia (One Little Independent)

Angel Du$t – Cold 2 the Touch (Run for Cover) 
 • Father John Misty, Drug Church, Angel Du$t, White Reaper, Mclusky Confirmed for Boise’s Treefort Music Fest

Paul Anka – Inspirations of Life and Love (Green Hill/ Sun Label)

B2K – TBA (BPC)

Black Heart Procession – 1 reissue (Solid Brass)
• Black Heart Procession’s ‘Hearts & Tanks’ EP: Two Cent Reviewearts & Tanks EP review

Boy Golden – Best of Our Possible Lives (feat. Pino Palladino) (Six Shooter)

Chet Faker – Love for Strangers (BMG)

Clay Street Unit – Sin & Squalor (Leo33)

Converge – Love Is Not Enough (Deathwish/Epitaph)

Cuco – Cucombia single (Interscope)

Damage Control with Leather Strip – Rage single (Metropolis)

Dog Bless – Nothings Going Well single (self-release)

Earth Tongue – Dungeon Vision (produced by Ty Segall) (In the Red)

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On Tyranny: Crippled Black Phoenix Say U.K, U.S. Colonialism ‘Has Come Back to Bite Us in the Ass’

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags , , , , , , , , on 02/12/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

With all the horrifying, nauseating, apocalypse-seeming terrors the Trump administration and U.S. federal government is unleashing on not only the rest of the world but its own citizens, we often forget that actions and developments that occur in America reverberate an radiate far beyond our shores.

To that end, we touched base with our friends Justin Greaves and Belinda Kordic from self-described “macabre rock” band Crippled Black Phoenix to discuss the political, cultural and moral rot that is corroding the U.S., the U.K. and even Sweden. thanks in part, although not exclusively, a certain president of a certain country trying to shape.

“It’s Handmaid’s fucking Tale, isn’t it?” an understandably upset Kordic remarks as we begin discussing the loaded subject (which, by the way, is no longer about political disagreements between left and right but rather a moral battle between right and wrong).

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