Check out the latest installment in my ongoing series on musicians talking about their pets on New Noise, this time focusing on Coathangers leader Julia Kugel’s other project.
Julia, Julia Has Cats, Cats, Cats
Posted in Interviews with tags Coathangers, Julia Julia, Julia Kugel on 03/17/2025 by Kurt OrzeckSOM: ‘There’s Enough Doom and Gloom. We Don’t Need to Contribute to It’
Posted in Interviews with tags SOM on 03/17/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Delve into my deep conversation with SOM, a shoegaze/ post-rock squad featuring former members of Caspian, Junius and Constants, courtesy of Treble.
Unto Others, Ramones and the Best Stephen King Rock Song Ever
Posted in Essays with tags Gabriel Franco, Pet Sematary, Stephen King, the Ramones, Unto Others on 03/16/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
There’s a very strong case to be made that so-called “dark rock” band Unto Others out of Portland is one the most exciting underground bands of the past 10 years. For those of us who hated the prevailing clean production style that dominated the 1980s, Unto Others have found a way to revisit that sound and plaster it with emotionally charged, melodically masterful licks.
That fact should’ve shone through in our extensive interview with frontman Gabriel Franco and The Bad Penny’s review of an Unto Others concert almost three years ago.
But both articles neglected to underscore the writing acumen of Franco, the lyrical brilliance he injects into songs that are – yes, catchy as hell – but challenge the listeners attracted to them with easily overlooked wit.
Take “Pet Sematary,” a Ramones song that references the Stephen King novel of 1983 and, presumably, the schlocky, same-titled film that followed. For most heavy-rock bands, shouting out the story about a graveyard where the dead are reanimated would be sufficient to establish or reiterate their (often faux-) “dangerous” cred.
But Franco, as he does with his remarkably smart handle on songwriting, takes the metaphor a step further. Rather than suggesting he wouldn’t want to be brought back to life for the obvious reasons on paper–one’s skin would be falling off, they probably wouldn’t want to be seen in public, etc.–he takes it a step further. Instead, Franco posits that the reason he wouldn’t want to be buried in a so-called pet cemetery is because that would force him to live his miserable life all over again:
“I don’t wanna be buried in a pet sematary/ I don’t want to live my life again/ I don’t want to live my life/ Oh, not again/ I don’t want to live my life/ Not again.”
A tip of the cap to Franco and his woefully underrated Unto Others. Stay tuned for a longer conversation with him very soon.
Two Cent Review: Tim Hecker’s ‘Shards’
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews on 03/16/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Tim Hecker’s ephemeral EP feels like a placid segue from 2023’s No Highs, even if it largely just serves to chronicle the ambient composer’s recent film and TV work. Go here to read my review for FLOOD.
Dez Dare Never Gets Led Astray. His Pets, on the Other Hand …
Posted in Interviews with tags Darren Smallman, Dez Dare on 03/15/2025 by Kurt OrzeckOne of the most genuinely lovable and universally adored figures in independent music across the world, Dez Dare (a.k.a. Darren Smallman) recently humbled The Bad Penny by participating in the latest installment of our Pet Sounds series on New Noise‘s website. Check out the bulk of our conversation here:
Sanhedrin’s ‘Heat Lightning’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Sanhedrin on 03/15/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Don’t miss my Treble take on Sanhedrin’s latest LP, Heat Lightning, which captures the band in all its trad-metal splendor.
Courting’s ‘Lust for Life’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Courting on 03/15/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Check out my review of the third record by electro-fied Liverpool trio courtesy of Treble.
Lo-Pan: ‘We Play at the Audience. We Do Not Play for an Audience’
Posted in Favorite Films, Features, Interviews with tags Big Trouble in Little China, Lo-Pan, Magnetic Eye on 03/01/2025 by Kurt OrzeckHeavy-hitters Lo-Pan give New Noise an early preview of their fifth record ahead of its April release–and, to The Bad Penny‘s particular delight, geek out about Big Trouble in Little China.
Video Interview: Watch 37 Houses’ Husband and Wife Play Ad Hoc ‘Newlywed Game’
Posted in Comedy, Exclusives, Fun And Games, Interviews with tags 37 Houses on 02/28/2025 by Kurt OrzeckThank you, New Noise, for publishing a video I’ve wanted to create for a while: “The Newlywed Game,” as played by rock-music spouses or significant others. Watch the husband and wife duo of 37 Houses take part in our inaugural edition of what we hope will be an ongoing series. Artist interviews are sorely in need of more levity these days, amirite?
Catch 37 Houses perform at Prototype on Mar. 15 in Paterson, NJ; and at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY, on the following day.
Go to 37 Houses’ Bandcamp page for much more on the lovable lovers.
