On their collaborative debut, Islands’ Nick Thorburn and Ratatat’s Mike Stroud mostly adhere to a conventional pop format and rarely deviate into either artist’s inherent weirdness. Read my full review of The Creem’s A Taste of Cherry at FLOOD.
Creem’s ‘A Taste of Cherry’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Islands, Mike Stroud, Nick Thorburn, Ratatat, The Creem on 07/27/2026 by Kurt OrzeckBlack Drumset’s ‘Friends in Dark Places’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Brian Wiley, The Black Drumset on 07/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
In my second review for Bandcamp Daily, I argue that Brian Wiley (a.k.a. The Black Drumset) proves on Friends in Dark Places that he’s the rare generous solo musician/composer who is careful never to spiral too deep into his own mind and abilities—tempting though it must be—and lose the listener in the process. Instead, he welcomes all to join him for the ride.
Continue readingOf Montreal in Boise on July 26, 2026: Taste the Rainbow
Posted in Concert Reviews, Reviews with tags Of Montreal on 07/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Void of Light, Scotland’s Hottest Post-Rock Band Since Mogwai, Burst With Enthusiasm and Salute Cult of Luna in First-Ever Interview
Posted in Interviews with tags Celeste, Cult of Luna, Mihai Edrisch, Mogwai, post-rock, Void of Light on 07/26/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
The Bad Penny had tallied about two dozen first interviews with bands in recent years, which we consider to be one of our proudest achievements: Getting those bands who are so, so good but don’t have the self-awareness or confidence to leap across the brook, even if they tumble into in the water.
For a group that banded together only about five years ago, Glasgow’s Void of Light are already showing remarkable prowess, adeptness and assuredness, especially considering their “formative” years occurred during COVID. Their debut full-length, Asymmetries (Ripcord), makes wanting to press the “skip” button almost as difficult as picking up a gun in a game of “Russian Roulette”: There’s a better chance than not that the next song on the record will be as good, if not better, than the last one. The irony, though, of course, if that you wouldn’t get to hear it – at least not the whole way through.
Continue readingHappy Birthday to These Sparkling (or Rotting) Famous People!
Posted in Happy Birthday with tags Ed Gein, Joey Jordison, Kate Bekinsale on 07/26/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
It’s a day that ends in “Y,” which means it’s time to wish a happy birthday – two words that also end in “Y” (if you really think about it) to all the people who have made a difference – in some cases, a tremendous, murderous difference – during their time spent on this mortal coil.
There’s a couple of twists here, though. One of the individuals pictured is dead, and two – not necessarily one of the dead ones! – are series killers. Stumped which are which? Ask your kids! That’s what they’re there for, right?
PS: Another famous person celebrated their birthday recently. Can you guess who? Click here if you cry “uncle” – although the person is probably neither an uncle nor ever played one on the small or big screens.
Exclusive: Ex-Queens of the Stone Age Drummer Alfredo Hernández ‘Is Always Ready’ to Rejoin Amigos Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri to Jam – and Even More
Posted in Exclusives, Interviews, News with tags Alfredo Hernández, AVON, Charles Pasarell, James Childs, Josh Homme, Kyuss, Nick Oliveri, Nova, QOTSA, Queens of the Stone Age on 07/26/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
It’s only taken about two decades to clinch an interview with the one, the only, the mighty Alfredo Hernández, former drummer for Queens of the Stone and Kyuss, and one of the originators of the “desert-rock” that continues to catch on across not just the U.S. but, rather peculiarly, Europe.
Not to be overlooked on Hernández’ resume are stints with (Kyuss founding member) Brant Bjork and the Bros and Yawning Man, and his current status in the band Avon. which QOTSA devotees will recall as one of the song names on the band’s first album. (Lesser-known fact: Hernández co-wrote seven of the 11 album tracks with Josh Homme; and joined forces with the band’s leader as well as Monster Magnet guitar and Homme homie John McBrain to craft “Regular John,” still considered one of the prolific band’s best numbers.)
As for these days, Avon just delivered a new album, Black on Sunshine, in mid-April via Go Down Records. Unsurprisingly, promotional materials for the record suggest three RIYLs: Wouldntyaknowit: Kyuss, QOTSA and Monster Magnet. Filling out the lineup are Emmy-winning guitarist, Airbus band member and Geoff Barrow (Portishead) collaborator James Childs. Palm Springs mainstay Charles Pasarell handles bass. Childs’ guitar and vocalist pal in Airbus playing guitar and sang on “Black on Sunshine” and “Strangest Love” too.
The amount of information Hernández shared in his well-considered answers is nothing less than very noteworthy (we’re not prone to hyperbole, even if it’s all the rage these days). Here are a few main points before you dig in:
• The most salient point made in the premise of the story as you’ve read it so far is wrong.
• Hernández and Josh Homme are still on good terms, and while they don’t talk about their current projects, you might see them play together again at some point.
• Same goes for Nick Oliveri, who brought Hernández into his Mondo Generator project twice, and apparently they had a blast.
• Kyuss and perhaps even QOTSA were modeled at least in part after Hernández’s bands.
Pet Sounds #88: Strange Mono’s Strange Dog Product Promo Is the Cat’s Pajamas and the Bees’ Knees
Posted in Esoterica, Features, Pet Sounds with tags Strange Mono on 07/26/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Not entirely sure what this Strange Mono product promo means, or who it’s even trying to reach, but we adore it as much as our lab/hound. We’re pretty sure there’s a reference to the movie Seven in there, and maybe Jules Winnfield one too.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Remembering Frank Kozik, Album Art Illustrator and Antagonist of Authoritarianism
Posted in Features, In Memorium, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags authoritarianism, censorship, fascism, Frank Kozik, Jesus Lizard, Man's Ruin, Melvins, On Tyranny, Queens of the Stone Age, trump, tyranny on 07/25/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
A little over three years ago, unparalleled album art illustrator Frank Kozik – best known for being embraced by the stoner-rock community – or, as The New York Times gently worded it, “graphic artist best known for his posters for alternative rock bands.” While The Bad Penny was not in a position at the time to celebrate his and grieve his passing, now feels as good time as any to do so.
To be clear, Kozik’s widow, Sharon Kozik, is in control of his social media accounts. While she hasn’t posted copiously, she did publish the following in January:
“Frank would often tell me stories about what it was like growing up in Spain under Franco’s fascist dictatorship. He moved to America when he was 15 to escape it. Much of his artwork deals with the themes of rebelling against fascism, mocking it. He fully embraced our right of freedom of expression and open political discourse. Regardless of your political beliefs we must keep America free from government tyranny and police snatching people off the street, from their homes, schools.”
Continue readingFavorite Films: Musicians Who Like the Bad Penny Adore ‘The Thing,’ ‘The Big Lebowski,’ ‘No Country for Old Men’
Posted in Favorite Films, Features, Lists with tags Fireball Ministry, Heavy Heavy Low Low, Kilter, Martin Atkins, Meltt, Napalm Death, No Country for Old Men, Oathbound, The Big Lebowski, The Things on 07/25/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Fourteen editions deep in The Bad Penny‘s probe into movies that musicians enjoy the most – they’re usually watching them on the tour bus – we’ve been utterly blown away by the response. The number of bands eager to participate surprised us at many turns. Hell, some musicians seemed to only wanna talk about a movie in which they appeared as opposing to discussing an album they created.
Because we had amassed enough movie recommendations from the artists with whom we spoke, we took a time-out and compiled the selections of the artists. Participants include Napalm Death, Fireball Ministry’s Emily Burton (catch her here too!), Pigace’s Martin Atkins, Kilter, The New Loud, Meltt, Dez Dare, Oathbound, Dummy, Jacob the Horse, Dying Remains, Heavy Heavy Low Low and Point Break 2 (who had never foreseen this mayhem coming).
Among the 52 repeated picks, there are only three, hard as it may be to believe: The Thing (also Stephen Colbert’s favorite movie ever), The Big Lebowski and Big Trouble in Little China. Even more remarkable is that those films were low-budget and geared to niche audience. Let’s check out what the other band members deduced to be their favorite movies.
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