Denmark’s MØL hones their tantalizing blend of shoegaze and black metal on their third album, balancing heartfelt passages suitable for airplay with all-out assaults. Read my full review on FLOOD.
Two Cent Review: MØL’s ‘Dreamcrush’
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags MØL on 02/10/2026 by Kurt OrzeckPet Sounds #80: ‘Dogs Are Like Tattoos … You Get One and You’re Hooked,’ Saetia’s Tom Schlatter Says
Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags hardcore, post-hardcore, Saetia, screamo, Tom Schlatter on 02/10/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Welcome to the 80th installment of The Bad Penny‘s Pet Sounds series. We have a very special one for you today, because the pet owner who graciously participated has had such an immense impact on hardcore punk and screamo, the genres might have gone in different directions were it not for him.
The gent in question is one Tom Schlatter, a major character in the proverbial book of hardcore music. Since 1997, he has served as a member of, or otherwise collaborated with, 16 bands as a guitarist, bassist and drummer. His loyalty and integrity were tested when one of those bands, Saetia — which formed in broke up in October 1999 two and a half years after they formed.
Lucky for Schlatter — and the screamo community, Saetia reassembled in 2022 and, last year, released its first song in 26 years, much to the delight of punk-rockers listeners (especially those who were sold on the band in the first place, a quarter-century prior). Two more songs followed, and an EP should be on the way.
So, how did he handle all that turbulence, not to mention the pivotal roles he played in a plethora of other acts? Well, with pets, of course; they make everything better. Schlatter has more than most — two cats and two dogs — but, as he told The Bad Penny, he wouldn’t want it any other way. He explained why (and divulged a whole lot more) in an email we received on Friday.
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Metallica Fans Commemorate Death of Beloved Bassist with Community-Friendly ‘Cliff Burton Day’
Posted in In Memorium, News, The Visionaries, Videos with tags Cliff Burton, Metallica on 02/10/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
For many, today will be somber, sober and sad, as it marks the 40th anniversary of late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. Perhaps the fastest-rising star in the metal community, a bus accident cut his life short in 1986 in Sweden. He was only 24 years old. All metal fans, whether or not they liked Metallica, mourned Burton because of the tragic accident and because of his stunning gift at playing guitar. Burton continues to a hero in his hometown of Castro Valley California, the city holiday has received more attention
The city in which Burton lived is hosting Cliff Burton Day 2026, which will tangentially recognize the 40th anniversary of Metallica’s Damage Inc. tour. It’ll take place at the Chabot Theater. Starting at 7 p.m. PT, Burton’s family members, family members and work pals will share stories and memories about the family member so tragically lost. The event will feature live music too. Check out The Chatbot for more info.
That’s all the news we have right now, so we’ll leave you with three rad videos: the first, with Burton crushing it for 25 minutes; a discussion among haters who eventually came around to recognize Burton’ brilliance; and a pro-cam taping of Metallica playing “Orion,” a song primarily written by Burton.
Two Cent Review: Silversun Pickups’ ‘Tenterhooks’
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Silversun Pickups on 02/09/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Largely eschewing their initial distortion-doused approach of their early material, Silversun Pickups reach for the stars on their dreamy seventh LP,LA rockers’ seventh record is a cohesive body of work rather than a gumball machine for singles. Read my full review courtesy of FLOOD.
Happy 83rd Birthday to ‘Office’ Actor and Folk Musician Creed Bratton!
Posted in Features, Happy Birthday, Interviews with tags Creed Bratton, The Office on 02/08/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Feliz cumpleaños to Office actor and folk musician Creed Bratton, who turns 83 years old today. (Yes, that really is his age.) Creed (real name William Charles Schneider) portrayed a psychologically troubled but hilarious social misfit who occasionally popped his head out from his cubicle to uproarious effect.
The Bad Penny found it fitting to give Creed some love and attention because he’s also an honest-to-God musician. He made his recording debut in 1966, playing guitar for the Grass Roots on their album Were You When I Needed You. Nine years later, after making many more LPs with Grass Roots, he devoted almost his artistic energies on making solo material – and taking a stab ata professional acting. It’s widely considered that Creed was the most bizarre and perhaps side-splitting characters on The Office. His tenure with the series ended when The Office itself closed its doors in 2013.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Parker Woodland Frontwoman Talks About Protesting at Complex That Housed 5-Year-Old ICE Detainee Liam Ramos
Posted in Interviews on 02/07/2026 by Kurt OrzeckIn this edition of On Tyranny, Erin Walter – frontwoman of Austin power-pop punks Parker Woodland – discusses the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to build a slew of new detention centers (some call them concentration camps) across the country. Walter is particularly knowledgable on the subject, having protested at the South Texas Family Residential Center, which recently housed 5-year-old ICE detainee Liam Ramos and his father (they were released earlier this week).
The singer/activist also reveals what led her band to cover the Clash’s “Police on My Back,” which Parker Woodland released as a single roughly a week ago. Proceeds from sales of that song and its B-side, “Get Me to the Show,” are benefitting the Texas Civil Rights Project. The single is available on Parker Woodland’s Bandcamp page, which also contains copious information about the band and its releases.
Continue readingVTB, Which Stands for ‘Very Tubular Band’ (No It Doesn’t), Ready to Rumble in Boise Tonight
Posted in Interviews on 02/07/2026 by Kurt OrzeckIf grungy alt-rock with a smattering of noise and post-punk if your bag – and if you live in Boise, Idaho – you’re in for a helluva treat tonight. A band fitting that aforementioned description, VTB are swinging through the City of Trees to play a set at Realms Arcade as part of their tour. VTB – which was originally a drum and bass project but is now a full-fledged band – are touring in support of their October EP, People Died & Things Exploded, which was issued by Bleakhouse.
On Wednesday, The Bad Penny caught up with VTB members Austin Stewart (lead guitar, vocals), Michael Mendez (synth) and Brennan Stewart (drums) for a lively interview ahead of their gig. It’ll be a special one for VTB, as they’ve never played in Boise before. For more on the group, go to their Bandcamp page.
Tickets for VTB’s concert tonight at Realms Arcade cost only 10 bucks. Chaz’s Corner, underdogs and potentially one more band will handle opening duties. VTB’s set will start around 8:30-8:45, the band told The Bad Penny.
Pet Sounds #79: NORMANS Mastermind Insists ‘You Will Be a Better Person’ for Rescuing a Pooch
Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags Matthew Reid, NORMANS, Pet Sounds, Solid Brass on 02/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Matthew Reid handles vocals and plays guitar and bass for his noise-rock band NORMANS. But as much as he loves music, we’re pretty sure he prefers playing with his two gorgeous dogs. The L.A. band consists of former members of FEELS, Prissy Whip and Blonde Summer and released their self-titled debut through Solid Brass in January 2024. Fans of the Jesus Lizard, Metz and IDLES will appreciate and get hooked on NORMANS’s penchant for creating cacophonies.
A press statement said NORMANS tap into the “terrified animal caged within us all.” But Reid’s limitless love for his dogs ensures they rarely get terrified, if at all – and he’s not the type of dog owner who would coop up his pooches in cages. For this edition of Pet Sounds, Reid answered our questions via email, resulting in the most superb writing of any installment in the series thus far. It’s hard to decide which is more breathtaking, Reid’s superbly poetic writing or the photos he provided. Either way, enjoy this consummately beautiful entry in Pet Sounds.
New Releases 2.6.26: Ratboys, Silversun Pickups, Puscifer, Unsane, Hermano, Puma Blue
Posted in New Releases with tags Hermano, Puma Blue, Puscifer, Ratboys, Robert Deeble, Silversun Pickups, Unsane on 02/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Grace Annabella Anderson – Art, Baby
Big Big Train – Woodcut (InsideOut)
Blossoms Fall – La Alma EP (Eclipse)
Oliver Coates – Pillion OST physical edition (A24)
John Craigie – I Swam Here (Zabriskie Point)
Cyclone – Known Unto God EP (M-Theory)
Robert Deeble – Space Between Us (Mind Bomb Publishing)
• On Tyranny: Singer/Songwriter Robert Deeble Claims ‘Faith-Based Social Justice Work Has Been Lost,’ Creating Power Vacuum for Autocrats
The Bad Penny (beta) 