Denver’s Jesus Christ Taxi Driver isn’t just a band with one of the best monikers in the music universe – they’re also dead serious about resisting the Trump administration and MAGA’s destruction of American values, the federal government and even the country itself. But as The Bad Penny learned in an interview conducted just two days ago, the punk-rock band believes humor might the best response to America’s transformation into a fascist country.
Continue readingTwo Cent Review: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s ‘Howl [20th Anniversary Edition]’
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on 02/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Garage-psych trio Black Rebel Motorcycle club are honored with a glorious reissue of their under-appreciated third album. Howl gets a second wind with a three-LP set featuring a photo album, handwritten lyrics and more goodies from the era. Read my review of the 20th anniversary reissue of Howl on FLOOD.
Best New Music Videos (January 2026): Crippled Black Phoenix, Gaerea, Crooked Fingers, Puscifer, More
Posted in Lists, Videos with tags Crippled Black Phoenix, Crooked Fingers, Dutch Interior, Earl Sweatshirt, Gaerea, Mitski, Puscifer, Qasu, Sombr, Taroug on 02/05/2026 by Kurt OrzeckWe hear ya here at The Bad Penny: We cover too much metal, not enough metal, etc. One common denominator across all genres is that artists are capable of creating captivating, innovative, original, hilarious and harrowing music videos regardless of genre. With that in mind, here are the clips we enjoyed the most in the month of January, two thousand whatever.
1. Taroug’s “Cicada”
2. Crippled Black Phoenix’s “Ravenettes“
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 Fucked Up 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 Sleaford Mods 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.
On Tyranny: Fuck Money Drummer Tells ICE and Billionaires to Fuck Off
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags Fuck Money on 02/05/2026 by Kurt OrzeckThere 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.
Continue readingPet Sounds #78: Ponte del Diavolo’s ‘Mascot’ Dog Passes Out at Metal Shows, Pees on Pillows
Posted in Features, Interviews, Pet Sounds with tags Erba del diavolo, Krhura Abro, Pet Sounds, Ponte del Diavolo 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.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: South American Post-Punks Pilgrims Worried About Touring US Amid ICE Atrocities
Posted in Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags Pilgrims on 02/03/2026 by Kurt OrzeckImagine 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.
Favorite Films: Dummy Give Thumbs-Up to ‘Psycho Goreman,’ ‘Megan,’ ‘Creep,’ ‘Nosferatu’
Posted in Favorite Films, Features, Interviews with tags Creep, Dummy, Green Room, Megan, Nosferatu, Paranormal Activity, Psycho Goreman, The Cursed, The Northman, The Substance 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.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Anarchist Art Collective INDECLINE’s List of Essential Reads
Posted in Features, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, What You Readin' For? with tags authoritarianism, fascism, Hannah Arendt, Indecline, Jaques Ellul, Marshall McLuhan, Michel Foucault, Naomi Klein, On Tyranny, tyranny 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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