After developing their confidence and honing their sound over the course of a decade, Kentucky hardcore quintet Knocked Loose push boundaries in a big way on their third full-length. Read my full review on FLOOD‘s website.
Knocked Loose’s ‘You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Knocked Loose on 08/06/2024 by Kurt OrzeckDeafheaven, Whores, Elder, Intronaut Share Tips For Saving Money
Posted in Interviews with tags Deafheaven, Elder, Intronaut, Whores on 08/06/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
My series on how bands can break through without breaking the bank continues with clever, resourceful and amusing advice from rad bands including Deafheaven, Whores, Elder and Intronaut. Go to New Noise and get schooled.
Live Review From The Vaults: Shellac Are Not Your Friend
Posted in Interviews with tags Bob Weston, Shellac, Steve Albini, Todd Trainer, Touch and Go on 08/04/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Go to New Noise to read my live review, previously published on MTV News’ now-shuttered website, of Shellac’s caustic concert at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood on January 28, 2001.
For the sake of good measure and posterity, here’s an email that largely media-averse Shellac guitarist/vocalist Steve Albini sent me before his deeply sad passing on May 7:
“I’d be happy to talk to you. I’m traveling at the moment but I’ll be back on May 6th. I can do a conversation any morning prior to my normal sessions starting at 10 am (Central) or I can answer questions by email, where I will likely be more eloquent.”
The Bad Penny, named after one of Albini’s creations, already misses him more sorely than words can express.
‘Weird Al’ Proved He’s The ‘Weirdest’ Of Them All
Posted in Concert Reviews, Reviews with tags weird, Weird Al, Weird Al Yankovic on 08/03/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Speaking of “weird,” everyone’s favorite costume-wearing musician, “Weird Al” Yankovic, proved he’s the weirdest one of all at a Hollywood Bowl concert in mid-2016. Check out my FLOOD review of the show.
Take that, politicos.
A ‘Bizarre’ Coincidence. No, Wait: A ‘Weird’ Coincidence …
Posted in Sound Off with tags 2024, bizarre, trump, weird on 08/03/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Should’ve gone with “weird” instead of “bizarre” when I did a little 2024 prognosticating in this FLOOD article from seven months ago. Came this close.
Cursive Say ‘Easy Hangs Over Zoom’ Led To Run For Cover Signing
Posted in Interviews with tags Cursive, Mike Mogis, Tim Kasher on 08/03/2024 by Kurt OrzeckFor their 10th album overall and first in five years, Omaha indie-rock stalwarts Cursive didn’t opt to release Devourer through their own label, 15 Passenger – or Omaha-based Saddle Creek Records, for that matter – but rather Run for Cover Records. Read the full story in Music Connection‘s print edition or on its website.
Rick Froberg’s Handwritten List Of His Favorite LPs
Posted in Features, Mementos with tags Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, Obits, Rick Froberg on 08/03/2024 by Kurt OrzeckIt’s unlikely we’ll again witness an underground rock musician quite like Rick Froberg, whose original, speedy and catchy post-punk stylings amounted to pure fun. The singer/guitarist and – for all intents and purposes – frontman for Drive Live Jehu, Hot Snakes, Obits and other esteemed bands tragically passed away from a heart condition around this time last year. In memory of the sweaty, spastic, singular musician, here’s a handwritten list of Froberg’s favorite albums that he sent yours truly 14 years ago:
… And You Will Know Us by the Trail Of Dead, Sigh, Black Anvil Offer Priceless Tips To Broke Bands
Posted in Interviews on 07/22/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Check out my new series on New Noise in which veteran musicians offer advice to young and financially struggling bands on how to tour without breaking the bank. … And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Sigh and Black Anvil divulge their money-saving methods in the first installment.
Milly’s ‘Your Own Becoming’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Milly on 07/21/2024 by Kurt OrzeckWith Milly frontman Brendan Dyer’s gentle vocals contrasting with crunchy guitars, each of the 10 songs on their second album sound like wanna-be Silversun Pickups tunes—albeit ones that never would’ve made the cut on one of that vastly superior band’s records. Read my complete review via New Noise.
Los Campesinos!’s ‘All Hell’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Los Campesinos! on 07/21/2024 by Kurt Orzeck
Cardiff seven-piece Los Campesinos! are more comfortable with their identity than ever before on their seventh LP, a culmination of all the band’s genre experimentation over the past two decades. Read my full review of All Hell via FLOOD.
The Bad Penny (beta) 