Reviews

Jeff Cost

The Dogs Total Dogshit LP

The Total Dogshit 12″ from the DOGS is a ten-song platter of raw Welsh street punk. The singer sounds like he’s about to smash a bottle over your head, snarling and bellowing through tracks that will definitely scare your parents. A drum machine keeps the barely-constructed songs together while the recording quality teeters just above “unlistenable,” but maybe that’s part of the charm. Tracks like “Shut Up” and “Hate Chu” had me tapping my toe while wondering what I’d done to piss this guy off. They even throw in a scrappy cover of the VELVET UNDERGROUND’s “Rock & Roll” for good measure. Check out the song “We Are the Dogs” or don’t—they don’t give a fuck.

Chilton Chilton LP

The self-titled sophomore album from Brooklyn-based CHILTON, a five-piece (super?) group, strikes a balance between honoring its members’ pedigrees and carving its own space. Founded by Josh Carothers (I FARM, EARWORMS), this album sees a couple lineup changes since their debut, including Abe Brennan (DEAD PIONEERS, MY NAME) stepping in for Bill Stevenson (DESCENDENTS/ALL/BLACK FLAG) on guitar. The recording sounds great and the songs lean toward an ALL-inspired vibe, featuring some sharp musicianship with minimal wank. The tracks “Mouth to Ear” and “One More to Go” bring to mind NOMEANSNO, and that might be the highest praise I can imagine. Propulsive, fun, and recommended.

Frank Dux Product of Our Youth CD

Cambridge, Ontario’s FRANK DUX comes swinging with their debut full-length, Product of Our Youth. Named after the guy from Bloodsport, this four-piece has been at it since 2015, cranking out slick, fast-paced melodic pop punk with a singer who can actually sing. Despite their deceptively youthful sound, most of the themes in their lyrics are all grown-up, tackling grief, loss, and the uselessness of “thoughts and prayers.” If you’re nostalgic for that ’90s-era STRUNG OUT or LAGWAGON and love those emo-boy singers from bands like TAKING BACK SUNDAY or SAVES THE DAY, you’ll want to give this a spin.

Ortega Fashionista LP

Self-described “DC hardcore art punk lo-fi sweethearts,” ORTEGA throws a lot of chaotic energy into Fashionista, and there are definitely some fun, aggressive moments throughout. However, whatever the band gets right is overshadowed by their singer’s relentless caterwauling. At times he sounds a bit like that guy from MÅNESKIN, but more often it sounds like he’s just yelling to be heard over the noise in the most grating way possible. I’m all for abrasive vocalists—raspy, screechy, ranty, whatever—but this feels less like an artistic choice and more like the rest of the band had to let him join in because his mom owns the practice space. This would be way better as an instrumental. Check out, “Flicker,” if you’re intrigued.

Dizzy Daze Glitchy Masterpiece CD

Glitchy Masterpiece, the debut full-length from Tokyo’s DIZZY DAZE, mixes five new tracks with five remixed or re-recorded favorites, delivering a noisy, ’90s garage rock vibe that sneaks up on you with repeated listens. Drawing clear inspiration from DRIVE LIKE JEHU (though without the late Rick Froberg’s vocal assets), the album really hits its stride for me with songs that muscle-in a bit of ’70s proto-punk, like “Evidence.” Despite the band’s cutesy name, the energy here is gritty and fun, even if it eventually had me itching to revisit the classics that sparked it. Available on CD or cassette for your nostalgic pleasure. Check out “Proto-Being.”

Merked / V.V.M. split cassette

This split release from MERKED and V.V.M. is a wild ride from start to finish. On the MERKED side, the Oakland-based three-piece brings their self-described “hardcore-influenced sludge-violence,” which is definitely music with a thick neck. The tunes and sound clips are a chaotic mix with screaming and croaking vocals delivered with production that makes it feel like you’re hearing this madness being played live in a large cement room. As for V.V.M., this San Francisco thrashcore four-piece brings the noise with a cowbell, and it’s some of the best shit I’ve heard this month. Tracks like “Fuck You, I Quit” and “I Used to Mosh” really hit a sweet spot in my middle-aged soul. Strong recommend for people who aren’t assholes.

Chien Flic Wouf? cassette

Wouf? by CHIEN FLIC is a blast of fastcore energy from Western France, brought to you by a five-piece with not one but two vocalists—both named Claire, because why not? This tape delivers ten whirlwind tracks, each averaging about a minute, with a charming blend of aggression and humor. Its English and French lyrics tackle topics like physical fitness, good hygiene, consent, and telling you to get off your damn phone. There’s also a song that is most of a recipe for apple pie, which is definitely a first in my experience. Limited to just 150 copies, the physical release has already sold out, but it remains a standout for its cute, fun, and intense energy. Check out the song “Macron Pouflasse.”

The In-Fuzzed Fuzz Out!! LP

Fuzz Out!! is the second LP from the IN-FUZZED, coming at us from Perpignan, France and a band that’s clearly deep into this ’60s fuzz-worshipping garage rock nostalgia trip, much like FORD’S FUZZ INFERNO. This album isn’t exactly my vibe—it sounds like ’60s music through and through, and I’m probably missing the finer details that fans of this genre would appreciate. It’s mostly inoffensive, but I can’t see myself sitting down to listen to it for fun. Maybe it’s better as party or club music, or as the soundtrack to a scene in a movie. The track “Sex Sex Sex,” despite the promising title, is basically five minutes of improvisational nonsense that sounds like something they recorded during a band practice. If you’re into music that’s all vibe and no bite, this might be your jam.

The Circulators Insufficient Fun LP

Insufficient Fun, the debut LP from San Francisco’s the CIRCULATORS, delivers some seriously impressive punk’n’roll barn-burners. Channeling the energy of bands like the DEVIL DOGS in my favorite tracks, they also incorporate a mix of ’60s pop and RAMONES-inspired rawness. The album has the gritty, rock’n’roll sound that could easily fit into the Crypt Records catalog from the ’90s, but somehow it doesn’t come across as a tired nostalgia act. These guys have serious potential, and I’m interested to hear what they throw at us next. Check out the TEENGENERATE-inspired “On the Loose.”

Edgar Places We Live, Places We Die LP

Formed in 1994 and breaking up just a couple of years later, Long Island screamo band EDGAR, with members who went on to play in the STATE SECEDES and LAST DAYS OF AUGUST, reunited in 2019 before settling down to write a new album during the pandemic. The result, Places We Live, Places We Die, feels like a time capsule from 30 years ago, firmly mid-tempo and blending discordant and harmonic guitar lines reflecting the influence of ‘90s post-hardcore from D.C. Bob English alternates between intense scream-singing and…something I don’t know how else to describe other than “musical talking.” While his vocal highs aren’t as sweet as they were on the TETSUO split, he still delivers a strong performance, supported by interesting songwriting and solid musicianship from the band. The result is a satisfying, nostalgic listen for fans of ’90s-era screamo with a D.C. twist. Check out “Failing as Humans.”

Ford’s Fuzz Inferno Electrofuzzification LP

Electrofuzzification, the latest 45rpm 12″ from FORD’S FUZZ INFERNO, features four new tracks along with six selections from their earlier 2024 release Fuzz Up Your Electric Chair, Baby! Comprised of ex-members of Dutch ’80s punk bands SCOUNDRELS and WASTE, this prolific duo-turned-trio (two guitarists and a drummer, no bass) leans hard into their fuzz-drenched garage rock aesthetic. The new songs? Straight-up rock’n’roll that wouldn’t feel out of place in a sticky-floored New Jersey dive bar, while the earlier songs, recorded live-in-studio, feel harder-edged, probably because of how they were recorded. Props to these aging punks for keeping the fire alive. Check out “Body Functions.”

Frvits The Great Internet EP

FRVITS’ The Great Internet EP is a garage rock whirlwind from this Montreal-based four-piece, cranking out five multilingual tracks with samples and spastic synthesizer noises like it’s a party you’re barely keeping up with. The energy is relentless and unapologetically wild, driving the whole thing forward at breakneck speed. Their thrashy cover of “Wipe Out” by the STUPIDS doesn’t mess with the original’s raw energy—it just adds to the frenzy. This whole damn EP is an absolute riot.

Squishers Evenin’ All Over the World LP

This twelve-song LP from SQUISHERS feels a little like a back-porch jam session with a bunch of over-the-hill punks, and I mean that in the best possible way. Featuring Ryan Modee and Teddy Helmick of THIS BIKE IS A PIPE BOMB, Marie Davenport of the BANANAS, and Daniel Westcott of ADD/C, this folk-punk-meets-country mashup isn’t what I’d normally reach for, but it  grew on me with repeated listens. Rymodee’s vocals flirt with just enough twang to keep you on your toes, while Marie Davenport’s bass lines hold it all together with style. Perfect for fans of THIS BIKE IS A PIPE BOMB and punks who can handle turning it down without losing their edge. Check out the song “Wavicle.”

Prevail Prevail cassette

This limited cassette re-release of the second 7″ from this late ’90s South Carolina screamo hardcore band is a gritty blast from the past. The scooped-mids production, crunchy guitars, and boomy bass nail the era’s vibe, while the vocalist’s high-pitched and raspy scream-sing style makes them a perfect match for a bill with REVERSAL OF MAN or FORCE FED GLASS. It’s an aggressively raw recording that definitely sparks my nostalgia for the ’90s hardcore scene that is worlds apart from that shit they’re calling screamo nowadays. All of these songs are on their discography Curtain Call, but if you don’t have that already and you need something to play on your Walkman, you should jump fast to snatch this up.

Strangelight Material Conditions LP

The Oakland-based four-piece STRANGELIGHT features a lineup of veterans from bands like ALL YOU CAN EAT, KOWLOON WALLED CITY, TRANSISTOR TRANSISTOR, TRAP THEM, SWINGIN’ UTTERS, the NEW TRUST, and WESTERN ADDICTION, among others. Their latest effort Material Conditions is a tightly composed collection of nine songs and an intro track clocking in at twenty-three minutes, blending post-punk, post-hardcore, and indie rock influences. The mid-tempo songs channel ’90s DC vibes and sprinkle in some atmospheric interludes reminiscent of bands like MOGWAI or EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY. The recording quality is good and highlights the strong musicianship, but honestly? It just wasn’t my thing. Check out “Two Masters” if your interest is piqued.

The Dumpies Gay Boredom LP

The DUMPIES’ Gay Boredom is a raw, energetic garage punk album that moves back and forth between mid-tempo melodic pop and fast, chaotic bursts of sound. Formed in Austin, Texas in 2017 and now based in Astoria, Oregon, this five-piece blasts out nineteen tracks in just over nineteen minutes, keeping things short and punchy. Produced by music legend Tim Kerr, the album sounds cohesive while covering a range of styles, with the title track’s vocals serving a Richard Butler (the PSYCHEDELIC FURS) vibe while “Ol’ Pal” has a chaotic, FAT DAY-like energy. The double-time cover of YOUNGER LOVERS’ “Ballad of Two Stubborn Men” is a tasty standout. I enjoyed the shit out of this album.

Still Animals Still Animals LP

STILL ANIMALS’ self-titled album offers ten tracks of mid-tempo garage rock over twenty-six minutes, delivering an inoffensive, straightforward sound that might be more engaging in a live setting. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, the four-piece plays with energy, but I kept hoping they would eventually turn it up to eleven and they never even got close. By the fourth track, the lack of variation makes the LP feel a bit monotonous. It’s fine, there just aren’t any memorable moments to be found here other than the song title “Here’s a Song,” which I thought was hilarious.

Completed Exposition / Maxxpower split LP

Osaka’s COMPLETED EXPOSITION teams up with Montreal’s MAXXPOWER to deliver a blistering platter of fastcore that hits like a series of rabbit punches to the face. COMPLETED EXPOSITION’s side showcases dual vocals and includes a few longer tracks with mosh parts to drive your circle pits. MAXXPOWER lives up to their name, blasting through fourteen tracks, half of which clock in at thirty seconds or less, clearly drawing inspiration from the Slap-a-Ham roster. Their songs feature plenty of starts and stops with the occasional mosh part, all powered by drumming that seems almost impossibly fast. This split is highly recommended for fans of classic powerviolence played at utterly insane speeds. Check out the whole split. It’ll only take you a few minutes.

Poison Idea Blank Blackout Vacant 2xLP reissue

The legendary POISON IDEA from Portland, Oregon sees their fourth studio album, 1992’s Blank Blackout Vacant, reissued by TKO Records and their own label, American Leather Records (again) in this newly remastered and remixed version of the 2020 deluxe reissue. This double-LP gatefold includes an extra LP’s worth of B-sides, rarities, covers, and four songs recorded live on KBOO. The covers include tracks originally by DEAD BOYS, the WHO, and BOOKER T. & THE MG’S. While this doesn’t quite pack the same punch as their earlier releases, it stands above most soundalike bands playing this type of punk/hard rock with metal influences. Recommended for fans of the band and collectors who need every damn version. Check out: “Smack Attack.”

V/A Locked in the Basement, Collection 1 LP

Locked in the Basement: Collection 1 is a gritty vinyl compilation that rips through 20 tracks from 20 underground bands in Bethlehem, PA and the surrounding area’s scenes. Born out of the pandemic and fueled by DIY ethos, this project is raw to the bone. The recordings are rough and unapologetic, capturing everything from crust to street punk, post-punk, and grindcore—so don’t expect polish, but get ready for a jolt of unfiltered energy. Standout cuts from ONE SIDED, ALEMENT, CHISELED LILLIES, RA!D, BRAZEN HELL, and PALE FANG tear through the noise, proving this collection isn’t about perfection, it’s about power. Pressed on blood-red vinyl with black splatters, the album also includes a booklet packed with fun stories from the bands’ sessions. Recommended for people who give no shits about recording quality and are interested in checking out what seems to be kind of a cool document of the bands playing in and around this scene since 2020.

Compulsion / Wrong War split LP

This split LP from Chicago’s COMPULSION and WRONG WAR, released by Council Records, features five tracks from each band. WRONG WAR, featuring former members from CURRENT, OTTAWA, and the PHENOMS, delivers energetic and driving songs that incorporate spacious arrangements and interesting guitar work. Their songwriting, paired with Matthias Weeks’ powerful vocals, harkens back to some of those late-’80s/early-’90s Dischord bands while retaining that classic Chicago hardcore drive. This is some great shit. COMPULSION’s side maintains a lot of the energy found in WRONG WAR’s tracks but sacrifices the refinement. Their gritty, mid-tempo hardcore is punctuated by Ebro Virumbrales’ bellowing vocals and an abundance of self-indulgent guitar licks. This side is recommended for fans of BLACK FLAG. Check out: “Profit Net” by WRONG WAR.

Upright Forms Blurred Wires CD

UPRIGHT FORMS’ album Blurred Wires showcases a more accessible side of Nick Sakes, the singer/guitarist formerly of DAZZLING KILLMEN, COLOSSAMITE, and XADDAX. The Minneapolis-based trio offers a blend of bass-heavy, dynamic noise rock tracks that are tempered with softer, more indie rock moments, as heard on songs like “Drive at Night,” “Long Shadow,” and “Animositine.” The album walks a line between angular rock aggression and a mellower approach, reminiscent of some of those old Amphetamine Reptile bands in one moment and indie rock bands like the PIXIES in the next. It’s perfect for fans of discordant, energetic rock who have mellowed slightly with time and don’t always need the intensity cranked up. It’s good stuff.

H,K, Now is the Time to Change the Earth (1989–2024 Best of H,K,) CD

H,K, from Shizuoka, Japan formed in 1989, and this is a collection of tracks drawn from various tapes, compilations, and splits recorded between 1991 and 2005. Unlike some of their contemporaries, H,K,’s brand of hardcore doesn’t rely so heavily on speed or thrash elements; instead, they weave a melodic thread through many of their songs that softens their sound. Kili’s wavering vocals frequently evoke the spirit of Jello Biafra, and I enjoyed their use of gang/backing vocals. Many of the tracks tend to run longer than typical hardcore offerings, with ten out of twenty-four songs exceeding three minutes. While the sound quality starts off a bit rough in the earliest recordings, it notably improves in the later tracks. The entire collection grew on me over time, but I think my favorite songs come from the Shuzuoka Hardcore comp. Check out: “Discrimination Violence.”

Zulu A New Tomorrow LP

L.A.-based hardcore band ZULU delivered an explosive and genre-expanding experience with their 2023 release, A New Tomorrow. Clocking in at under thirty minutes, the fifteen-track album intersperses metallic hardcore and powerviolence with unexpected yet cohesive elements like soul-jazz instrumentals, spoken word poetry, violin and piano, and clips of classic reggae and soul songs that act as musical interludes and add layers of political and cultural commentary. This isn’t just a hardcore album. It is a love letter to the exultation of Black culture, identity, resilience, and joy, balancing both anger and hope in its sound and message. The record is filled with plenty of heavy riffs and spinkick-inducing breakdowns, but it’s also deeply thoughtful and it might challenge some listeners to open their minds to some new sounds and ideas. Recommended for fans of the heavy and fast who are open to a blend of genres and a strongly underrepresented point-of-view in extreme music. A New Tomorrow stands out as a vital record in today’s expanding scene. Check out: “Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did).”

Ann Beretta DCxPC Live Presents, Vol. 21: The Last Songs Live LP

This recording of ANN BERETTA’s final show at Richmond Music Hall in 2023 marks the end of a nearly 30-year run for the band. Spanning thirteen tracks, it’s a tour through their catalog of mid-tempo rock’n’roll that draws inspiration from bands like RANCID, GREEN DAY, and ONE MAN ARMY. Instead of any middle-finger-waving theatrics, these guys give the impression of being very earnest players in a long-running band that never really made it big. While the performance lacks the raw energy of the group in their prime, the sound quality is pretty good and the band’s heart is on full display. One high point is when STRIKE ANYWHERE singer Thomas Barnett joins the band for “The Real America.” This album may not be the best introduction to their music, but it’s probably a great memento for long-time fans.

Red Cross 1981–1982 No Message LP

Richmond, Virginia’s RED CROSS serves up a potent dose of early ’80s hardcore punk with their album 1981–1982 No Message. Originally intended as their debut LP in 1982, the album was shelved when the band broke up before its release. It later appeared in a very limited cassette run, but this marks its first appearance on vinyl after over 40 years. The fourteen tracks, clocking in at about twenty-five minutes, are a straight-up blast of early hardcore energy, with some songs sounding like they could have been missing tracks from This is Boston, Not L.A. The singer’s voice sometimes carries a bit of a Tesco Vee snarl. The album kicks off strong and fast, but the momentum stutters a bit on Side B. It wraps up with a live track and a humorous radio spot, providing a touch of nostalgia. Members went on to form the mighty WHITE CROSS, making this release an interesting document of Richmond’s hardcore lineage.

Pure Intention Faults and Fallacies cassette

Chicago three-piece PURE INTENTION brings a high-energy jolt of punk-infused rock with their tape Faults and Fallacies, delivering six tracks that range from one to three minutes while channeling a strong Scando influence. It’s a pretty good time, but the tape loses momentum with “Fallacy,” which meanders a bit and incorporates George-fucking-W. Bush samples that I found more confusing than effective. Despite this, the tape is a spirited listen that made me feel like it would be hella fun to watch them play while throwing back some beers at a dive bar. The standout track, “No Control,” is a pedal-to-the-metal romp with fun gang vocals.

 

Psyop Dare to Live EP

PSYOP’s Dare to Live, recorded in West Liberty, Iowa in 2022 and released through Iowa City’s DIY label Pokeys Recordz, is a blistering, no-frills hardcore attack from the Midwest. This four-piece band puts speed above precision with these eight guitar-driven songs, each never crossing the two-minute mark. While most of these songs would fit right in on an ’80s hardcore comp, at times they also veer into noise rock territory, like in “State Violence,” which echoes the dissonant weirdness of Goo-era SONIC YOUTH. Singer Dolly Sperry (also of BOOTCAMP) sing-talks lyrics tackling topics like war apathy and police brutality, rejecting meat consumption and finding solidarity in an anti-authoritarian tribe. It’s raw, urgent, and unpolished in the best possible way. I hope they lean further into the weird without sacrificing the energy. Check out the track “Dare to Live.”

Mènage Dètroit I’m a Fool / Would You Say (I’m in Love) cassette

This Detroit-based guitar-and-drums duo delivers two tracks, “I’m a Fool” and “Would You Say (I’m in Love),” firmly rooted in ’60s/garage rock influences. The playing is loose and raw, with a gritty, unpolished energy that fits their sound but the muddy production doesn’t do them any favors. Lyrically, the tracks delve into themes of love, loneliness, and heartache, capturing a classic melancholic vibe. If you’re into the rough edges of rock, this pair would be right at home opening for any number of bands from the Crypt label from the ’90s. I’d love to hear them revved up to eleven, but they’re currently at about four.

Chelsea Radio Active Tapes LP

The UK.’s CHELSEA may be best known as the starting point for a young William Broad (a.k.a. BILLY IDOL, who quit with most of the band to form GENERATION X), and for being contemporaries with bands like the SEX PISTOLS, the DAMNED, and the BUZZCOCKS. But this collection of outtakes and demos from their 1977–1980 period captures the raw energy of a young scene channeled through music that sits somewhere between rock’n’roll and new wave. The playing is solid and frontman Gene October can really sing. By today’s standards, this music is more pop than abrasive, and it wouldn’t be difficult to find this band’s DNA mixed in with a lot of Lookout!-style pop punk from the ’90s. Versions of these songs are already in circulation, but this collection has been remastered and it sounds great. They might not be your next favorite band, but there are plenty of worthy tracks here for your next mixtape. Check out the song, “I’m on Fire.”

The Dark Sinking Into Madness LP

This L.A. four-piece, featuring members of bands like TOZCOS, STRANGERS, SADICOS, and PERSONAL DAMAGE, excels when they’re playing at full throttle. Their sound is like a collision of deathrock and thrashy ’80s metal, with the chugga-chugga guitar and even a handful of solos. Comparisons abound to bands like G.B.H. and Japanese punk/metal acts like G-ZET. The production quality is good, and a delay effect on the vocals adds an extra layer of menace to singer Irvin Kim’s wails and snarls. Everything on this album seems deliberate. It’s effective, but for me it gets a little monotonous after a few songs. For a taste of what they do best, check out the track “Nightmare.”

Fazed Humanization Now cassette

Collecting four previously released songs from these Belgian punks, the music on this cassette reminded me of metal-inflected hardcore from the ’80s with its crunchy guitar sound. The songs are fast-paced and engaging, with dynamic intros and tempo shifts that keep things interesting—none of the tracks exceed two minutes. Vocalist Kevin Hellbuyck alternates between singing and sing-talking, reminding me a bit of Shawn Knight from CHILD BITE. The band says, “FAZED as a band favors kindness over cruelty, tolerance over intolerance, altruism over egotism, cooperation over authority, communication over frustration,” and those all seem like worthwhile causes to champion. This is good shit. Check out “Go for Broke.”

Dead and Gone The Beautician LP reissue

This remastered reissue of the Bay Area quartet’s third and final album, originally released in 2002, balances mid-tempo hardcore with noise rock, covering 28 minutes across 13 tracks. The pacing shifts from quiet moments to explosive outbursts, all delivered with a quivering intensity powered by their tight rhythm section and Shane Baker’s gravelly vocals. As a precursor to contemporary bands like ILS and drawing well-earned comparisons to JESUS LIZARD and NEUROSIS, this album fucking rips. I’m bummed that I never got a chance to see them live. Highlights: “Smile” and “Rats the Size of Rats.”

Celebrity Handshake Earth Last LP

This newest recording from Portland, Maine’s prolific skronk-blues outfit CELEBRITY HANDSHAKE is definitely an acquired taste. Imagine BIRTHDAY PARTY stripped of any sense of songwriting or musical prowess, leaving only raw, chaotic energy. Layered on top are vocals that meander between stream-of-consciousness jazz poetry and the unfiltered oddity of WESLEY WILLIS. Most people are just going to hate this, but if you appreciate the truly weird, give them a shot. Highlights for me: these songs all blur together, so feel free to dive in anywhere.