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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Skyjoggers’ ‘12021: Post-Electric Apocalypse’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 01/16/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Sometimes we forget how big of a sound just three musicians can make. Skyjoggers remind us of the boundless possibilities of psychedelic music with the thought-provokingly titled 12021: Post-Electric Apocalypse. Read my full review at Treble.

Veil of Sound Shares Bad Penny’s Favorite LPs, Gigs, More From 2025

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

The Bad Penny‘s friends at Veil of Sound have assembled a nifty 2025 recap that encompasses the records, concerts and other highlights that the German website’s 10 contributors enjoyed the most last year. Check it out here.

10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #8: Gridfailure, Glorious Depravity, Be Nothing

Posted in Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 01/15/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

1. Be Nothing – Be All the Nothing You Can Be EP (September 2023)

“This follow up to the trio’s 2020 self-titled album offers more of their signature riff heavy, sarcastic punk,” label Strange Mono said in a statement.

2. Gridfailure – Live Improv at the Kingsland – Brooklyn, NYC – 09/07/2024 (March 2025)

“Entire improvisational set from The Kingsland (RIP) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY on September 7th, 2024,” label Strange Mono said.

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