An Easter Exultation to Cinema’s Still-Sorely-Missed King of Kings, David Lynch: Watch His ‘Rabbits’ Short Film
Posted in Favorite Films, Features with tags David Lynch, rabbits on 04/05/2026 by Kurt OrzeckBest New Music Videos (March 2026): Portrayal of Guilt, Robyn Hitchcock, Death Lens, Julez and the Rollerz, More
Posted in Lists, Videos with tags Apolaustic, Death Lens, Frēqs, Julez and the Rollerz, Knumears, Nick Flessa, Portrayal of Guilt, Robyn Hitchcock, Siiickbrain, Yelena Eckemoff on 04/04/2026 by Kurt OrzeckEnjoy The Bad Penny‘s latest roundup of the best music videos that caught our eye last month. And be prepared to be both shocked and awed, as the songs and accompanying imagery run the gamut, to put it mildly.
1. Portrayal of Guilt’s “Object of Pain”
2. The Frēqs’ “John Travolta”
Top 10 Most Overplayed (and Overrated) Classic Rock Songs That Deserve to Be Buried Six Feet Under
Posted in Lists with tags AC/DC, Bob Seger, classic rock, Eagles, Journey, Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen, Robert Palmer, Scorption, The Big Lebowski on 04/04/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Presented practically without comment given the irrefutable accuracy of this Top 10 list. Videos not included because we don’t need to hear any of these fucking songs even one more time.
1. Eagles – “Hotel California”
2. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’ “
3. Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Sweet Home Alabama”
4. Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Freebird”
5. Queen – “We Will Rock You”
Top 10 Most Hilarious Louis C.K. Bits Ever (Well, as of 2017)
Posted in Comedy, Lists with tags comedian, Comedy, comic, Louis C.K., Netflix Is a Joke, stand-up on 04/03/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Whether you love or loathe Louis C.K. – a comedic entertainer so polarizing that there isn’t much room in between – no one can dispute his status as one of the biggest comics of the 21st century. For proof, look no further than how he survived a sex scandal that would’ve put the nail in the coffin of just about any other comic’s career.
Supplying more evidence that his equally raunchy and philosophical sense of humor renders him a teflon comedian, Louis C.K. will notch one of the biggest milestones of his career next month. As he notified subscribers to his email newsletter on Thursday, the ultimate comic’s comic will headline the Netflix Is a Joke festival showcase at the 17,500-capacity Hollywood Bowl. His missive also revealed that he has a new comedy special, Louis CK: Ridiculous, coming at a to-be-determined date this summer.
“My show at the Hollywood Bowl on May 5th will be the very last show of this tour which has taken me around the world and will likely be my last full-scale comedy headline type show for a looong time. I hope you can make it,” Louis C.K. said in a rare instance of sincerity devoid of any wise-crackery.
With that in mind, this writer dug up an out-of-print 2017 list of Louis C.K.’s best routines, non sequiturs and one-liners that preceded the controversy that became ubiquitous in conversations about comedy a mere five months after Monsters & Critics published the piece. Today we’re resurrecting it for your amusement – or disgust, in which case you don’t have to click “continue reading.”
Continue readingPuma Blue Walks Us Through ‘Unnatural’ Processes Behind New LP ‘Croak Dream’
Posted in Interviews with tags Croak Dream, Jacob Allen, Puma Blue on 03/28/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Rather than compiling a double album or reimagining material into acoustic form, Puma Blue’s Jacob Allen created two entirely separate albums from the same creative spark. Released a year apart nearly to the day, last February’s antichamber and this past month’s Croak Dream are something of a yin and yang to each other. “antichamber was all about what’s nestled inside you that you’re not ready to look at, whereas Croak Dream feels like an explosion of letting it all hang out and being free—less curated and sheltered with you exposing your soul,” Allen explains.
Read my full interview with the band via FLOOD.
Who’s the Boss of American Experimental Post-Black Metal? Bosse-de-Nage, That’s Who
Posted in Interviews with tags Bosse-de-Nage, Bryan Manning on 03/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
For a band that’s played fewer than 20 gigs in their 15-year existence, scoring an interview with the vocalist for Bosse-de-Nage was quite the get for yours truly. Bryan Manning spoke about the eight-year gap between the experimental black metal band’s last album and their new record Hidden Fires Burn Hottest—and shared what his dream concert would entail. Read my short-but-sweet interview with Manning at FLOOD.
On Tyranny: Dropkick Murphys Headlining Free ‘Abolish ICE’ Concert in Minneapolis Tonight
Posted in Concert Previews, Essays, Features, News, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags authoritarianism, Bruce Springsteen, Dropkick Murphys, fascism, ICE, On Tyranny, protest, trump, tyranny, U2 on 03/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
One of the most curious, foreboding and even alarming trends that arose and continues to metastasize amid the Trump regime’s incalculable atrocities can be summed up in one sentence: Where are all the punk bands?
The bread and butter of punk music is – or at least was – an anti-establishment sentiment shared by young people who galvanized to fight en masse against injustices like racism, sexism and class warfare. In fact, the punk movement was so furious, potent and desperate for social and political change that they almost indisputably played a critical role in the last quarter of the 20th century.
From the Sex Pistols publicly taking the piss out of Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher due to the latter’s ruthless rule to railing against bobbies to figuratively spitting on conservative politicians, punk bands played an integral role in transforming their stomping grounds into a more accepting, and therefore freer, version of itself.
American punks also impacted their own culture around the same time as the Brits were fighting the good fight – look no further than Black Flag, Misfits and Circle Jerks for proof. Instead, look at what’s happening today, during one of the most horrific and terrifying periods in the last decade of American history.
Continue readingTop 10 Songs About Dogs: A Tribute to Kristi Noem
Posted in Comedy, Lists with tags David Bowie, dogs, Elvis Presley, Kristi Noem, Led Zeppelin, Mitski, Modest Mouse, Ozzy Osbourne, Snoop Dogg, Soccer Mommy, Stooges on 03/05/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Have you noticed an extra bounce in your dog’s step today? Chalk it up to them hearing the news about the firing of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The first Trump regime to be fired in his second term is an avowed dog killer, a corruption queen, a cosplay doofus and an all-around nitwit.
The sociopathic Noem also relished joining ICE as they invaded cities and terrorized residents. In honor of her outrageously sickening and shameful acts, here are 10 songs that likely aren’t on her Spotify list and provide a fitting sendoff to Noem:
1. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (Stooges)
The Bad Penny (beta) 