On Tyranny: Fuck Money Drummer Tells ICE and Billionaires to Fuck Off

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags on 02/05/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

There are three types of artists in this world. A small minority refuse to talk about current events, politics and social matters altogether. Another set acknowledges crises and problems happening in their immediate vicinity and/or in other countries. And then there are those who speak out vociferously and take action against clear injustices, especially when they’re occurring locally.

Take a wild guess as to which bracket Austin, Texas’ extreme, iconoclastic, loud-as-hell, 10-on-the-Richter scale band Fuck Money falls into. The four-piece band formed in October 2021, less than a year after Trump’s thugs committed insurrection against our country, and immediately declared their opposition to oppression, fascism and capitalism. For that reason alone, Three One G artists Fuck Money should be lauded at time when American musicians are more cowardly than ever to speak out against the atrocities that the federal government is committing against even its own citizens. After all, taking a position could alienate some of their fans and hurt sales of their concert tickets, records and merch, right?

Fuck Money don’t give a fuck about that shit and are ardent fighters in the resistance. For proof, watch the above interview that The Bad Penny conducted with Fuck Money drummer Alton Jenkins on Monday.

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Fucked Up’s ‘Year of the Dog’ vs. ‘Grass Can Move Stones Part One: Year of the Goat’: An Analysis

Posted in Album Reviews, Essays, Reviews with tags on 02/05/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Even though Canadian hardcore-punk band Fucked Up had proven its punk prowess, capability and credibility by releasing two demo tapes, nearly 20 7-inches — yes, you read that right — and an EP in the five ensuing years since they formed in 2001, their ambitious plan for a long series of releases inspired by the Chinese Zodiac was still met with the typical, cynical guffawing. Was the criticism justified? Read my take in an essay published by The Line of Best Fit, to which I am now proudly contributing.

Two Cent Review: Sleaford Mods’ ‘The Demise of Planet X’

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 02/05/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

In an era during which anger seems to be the most commonly felt emotion, Sleaford Mods are finally at the right place at the right time. Read my review of the band’s new record, The Demise of Planet X, on Treble.

Pet Sounds #78: Ponte del Diavolo’s ‘Mascot’ Dog Passes Out at Metal Shows, Pees on Pillows

Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags , , , on 02/05/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Doom/black metal band Ponte del Diavolo are about to gift the world with their second full-length, De Venom Natura, a week from tomorrow. But perhaps even more meaningful to the Italian crew is their beloved English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Spettro. As a spokesperson for the band who is part of the Season of Mist family, Spettro’s hobbies include sleeping in bed with his human parents, running in the mountains, shaking his butt, eating cat food, Harry Potter, cooking and supervising Ponte del Diavolo’s load-ins at venues.

We caught up with Krhura Abro, one of the band’s bassists, to discuss the big bugger.

How did Ponte del Diavolo cross paths with Spettro?

Spettro (translated “Ghost”) came into our lives about 10 years ago. He belonged to a guitarist friend of ours (who currently plays with the metal band Strega) and is part of a litter of six. He was adopted by our singer Erba del diavolo, who I was living with at the time. After almost five years, when I moved into another flat, he came to live with me. Shortly after, we formed the band and from the very beginning Spettro became our rightful mascot.

Given Spettro’s human-esque hobbies and preoccupations, does he pay rent?

Absolutely yes, payment in kisses.

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On Tyranny: South American Post-Punks Pilgrims Worried About Touring US Amid ICE Atrocities

Posted in Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags on 02/03/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Imagine emigrating with your partner from Chile to Boston, only to witness fascist horrors unfolding in the U.S. similar to those implemented by Augusto Pinochet, the dictator who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990. In the latest installment of The Bad Penny’s ongoing series On Tyranny, we talk with the impossibly kind and commendably upbeat Juls Garat and Claudio Marcio of post-punk band Pilgrims (formerly Pilgrims of Yearning) about why they’re unsure touring the States would be safe for them, their new album Gemini (due Feb. 13) and getting a thumbs-up from Robert Smith of The Cure.

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Favorite Films: Dummy Give Thumbs-Up to ‘Psycho Goreman,’ ‘Megan,’ ‘Creep,’ ‘Nosferatu’

Posted in Favorite Films, Features, Interviews with tags , , , , , , , , , on 01/17/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

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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On Tyranny: Anarchist Art Collective INDECLINE’s List of Essential Reads

Posted in Features, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, What You Readin' For? with tags , , , , , , , , , on 01/17/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

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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Two Cent Review: Tumbleweed Dealer’s ‘Dark Green’

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 01/17/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

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.)

Serpent Column Commander Almost Ended Band Due to Injury, Now Recoils at Idea of Quitting

Posted in Interviews with tags on 01/16/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

“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.

New Releases 1.16.26: Eternal, Gluecifer, Madison Beer, Gylt, Sleaford Mods, Wormy, Void Monuments

Posted in New Releases with tags , , , , , , on 01/16/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

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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