The first time I saw Slift was at the Levitation Music Festivalin 2022. It was the last show of their U.S. tour, in a small venue, and they held back nothing. It was as if they blasted every drop of rocket fuel they had.
Now I was seeing them in an even smaller venue and with Meatbodies, no less, opening for them.
I’d been keen on seeing Meatbodies since I heard their newest album, Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom. Their live sets are as good as the record – trippy, heavy, and loud. It was a solid set, and the sold-out crowd loved it. The sound quality of their set was top-notch, too.
Slift was in full cosmic-psych mode to the point where they were selling posters at their merch table featuring schematics of the spaceship seen in the videos for their newest album, Ilion.
One thing you need to know about seeing Slift live is that every song sounds like a finale. They pack so much power and energy into their songs that you keep thinking, “It’s going to be tough to match that one,” and then they do it – every time.
They played a wall-shaking set of new and older material that had the whole place buzzing. The galactic nature of their lyrics and sound, and the near relentlessness of it almost becomes an out-of-body experience.
Don’t miss either of these bands. They’re touring all over the place, and will both be at Levitation Music Festival soon.
Keep your mind open.
[Don’t forget to subscribe before you go!]
[Thanks to Kate at Stereo Sanctity, Frank and Bekah at SubPop, and Slift for the press pass!]
Today Finom released a live version of their song “Hungry,” the first in a series of live recordings the band will put out ahead of a busy touring schedule stretching into 2025. This will include upcoming headline shows through the US with support from Moontype and Meg Elsier, and a hometown date at Metro in Chicago with Cabeza De Chivo and Mary Williamson.
You never know what is going to happen when you take a freshly cut album and bring it over to the live space. Almost as soon as Finom started performing their new album Not God—released this past May—“Hungry” emerged as the climax of their new show. “Every time we’ve played it it feels like we’re letting steam out from the chaotic blister of the last five years,” write Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, founding members of Finom. Since the band has transformed into a quartet (with V.V. Lightbody holding down the bass) Stewart and Cunningham now have the ability to turn back towards each other and flex what was the original impulse for this project 10 years ago–fearlessly freaking out on electric guitar together. Spencer Tweedy’s drumming is driving and constant. He is the keeper of the ceiling, slowly raising them all up and letting it smash right at the perfect moment.
“Hungry (Live)” was recorded in May 2024 at the Sultan Room in Brooklyn and is limited to 150 white lathe-cut vinyls, lovingly handcrafted at Joyful Noise HQ. You can find it on the merch table at the “‘Not God’ tour ’24.”
A Place To Bury Strangers release the new single/video, “Fear Of Transformation,” from their forthcoming album, Synthesizer, to be released digitally October 4th and on vinyl October 25th via Dedstrange. Following lead singles “Disgust,” “You Got Me,” and “Bad Idea,” “Fear Of Transformation” is a snarling, gothic techno-punk track that feels like getting body slammed by a wave out at sea. The track delves into the struggle of overcoming internal barriers. As frontman Oliver Ackermann explains, “Sometimes fear builds up and pins you in a cage. A conversation occurs in my head where I have to convince myself to just fucking do something to break out of it.” “Fear Of Transformation” embodies that internal dialogue, capturing the battle between the compulsion to avoid fear and the push to confront it. The song is a raw, intense conversation with the devil within.
The accompanying video was created by Chad Crawford Kinkle, director of Dementor and Jugface. A teenage boy sneaks out from his parent’s house to go to his first Furry party, but he has a secret. He’s actually a werewolf.
Synthesizer is the title of A Place to Bury Strangers’ seventh album. It is also a physical entity, a synthesizer made specifically for you to own, too, if you buy the record on vinyl. You can watch Ackermann demonstrate how to play the circuit board and functional synth album cover here. In an era of making music where so little is DIY and so much is left up to AI, to never setting foot in a practice room or a home studio, making something that feels deliberately chaotic, messy, and human, is entirely the point. Synthesizer very much feels like a record of reinvention. And of course, to ever so slightly reinvent one’s sound, one must also build a new instrument, thus again the synth in question. The resulting record is one that is romantic, colorful, loud as hell, wild, and fucked up just like the instrument itself.
Chicago band Friko — vocalist/guitarist Niko Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger — shares a new video for “Get Numb To It!,” a standout track from their 2024 breakout album Where we’ve been, Where we go from here, out now on ATO Records. Following a summer with performances at Lollapalooza, Newport Folk Festival, and Fuji Rock, spring tours with Water From Your Eyes, WILLIS and Mind’s Eye, Friko begins a North American tour tonight supporting Royel Otis before their first European headline tour in November. The “Get Numb To It!” video, directed by Alec Basse, fittingly includes footage from the band’s recent performances and time on the road.
Where we’ve been, Where we go from here has catapulted Friko into the national spotlight, with glowing reviews from Pitchfork, SPIN, Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Paste, and more, along with placement on several “Best Of 2024” lists including Vulture/New York Magazine, NPR Music, A.V. Club, and Paste, who named “Where We’ve Been” as their #1 song of the year so far. The band has seen radio play on SiriusXMU, WXRT, KUTX, and more, and the album charted in the top 10 on the NACC TOP 200 College Radio chart.
An essential new addition to Chicago’s long lineage of forward-thinking indie rock, Friko transforms every song into a moment of collective catharsis. Known for their high-energy live show, Friko aims to deliver a live experience that’s fantastically disorienting in its emotional arc. Mastered by Heba Kadry (Björk, Big Thief) and engineered by Jack Henry and Scott Tallarida, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here embodies a sonic complexity befitting of a band that names Romantic-era classical music and the more primal edges of art-rock among their inspirations. Friko hopes that their music’s emotional potency might have a galvanizing impact on audiences.
I hadn’t seen King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard in concert for a few years, and I’d never seen one of their three-hour marathon shows, so I jumped on a ticket for this one as soon as they went on sale late last year. That was a wise decision, because it was a sell-out of tens of thousands of Gizz fans. The line to get into the venue went all the way back to the lawn beyond the amphitheater and then doubled back upon itself.
Yes, that guy in the bottom right corner is wearing a Chicago Bears-style “Cocaine Bear” hat.
The line was mostly policed by the fans. There was no one of this far end telling people to turn around and head back for the main gate. Gizz-heads are always a happy bunch, so this camaraderie is par for the course.
As a result of the long line for entry, and the long line for merch, I missed most of the opening set by Geese, who sounded loud and somewhat prog-rock-ish from what I could hear.
The crowd was enjoying the late summer sun mixed with (finally) cooler weather, and KGATLW made sure to keep everyone on good terms by putting up this message.
They came out and fired up that pit right away with a set of tracks from Nonagon Infinity, beginning with “Robot Stomp” and then moving onto “People Vultures” and “Big Fig Wasp.”
Of course, they played some tracks from their new album, Flight b741. In fact, they played the last three tracks, “Sad Pilot,” “Rats in the Sky,” and “Daily Blues” in a row.
Cookie!
“You Can Be Your Silhouette” was a nice touch, and “Iron Lung” was a big crowd favorite. “Crumbling Castle” was around the halfway point of the show. The sun had set, and the wind coming off Lake Michigan was cooling off anyone not in the mosh pit by then.
So, to warm everyone, they unleashed “Hell,” “Predator X,” “Dragon,” and “Flamethrower,” igniting the mosh pit once again.
After that was an extended set of tracks from Murder of the Universe that included “Welcome to an Altered Future,” which they hadn’t played in about six years, and a wild version of “Vomit Coffin.”
Then, to mix it up further, they did a synth-jam (with four members surrounding a table covered in synthesizers, arpeggiators, sequencers, and digital audio workstations) that was supposed to close out the show.
However, they were told they had more time, so they ended with a great version of “Head On / Pill,” which delighted me since it’s from my favorite album of theirs (Float Along, Fill Your Lungs).
This show was like seeing old friends again. I’ve been a fan of theirs since 2014 when I saw them first play in the United States, and I love seeing their success and the massive fan base they’ve built. Long live King Gizz.
This was the first time Mac Sabbath played in Kalamazoo, Michigan, so many people there only had a vague idea of what to expect (My girlfriend among them.).
Thanks to road construction and a detour that took us at least five miles out of the way, we missed the first opening act, Spaceman Bob, but did get there in time to see the second band – Tejon Street Corner Thieves.
They played a fun set of dark country, alt-folk, and psychobilly about subjects like drinking whiskey, unprotected sex, and curses upon enemies.
The buzz for Mac Sabbath was strong by the time they came on stage in tuxedos to celebrate their tenth anniversary as a band.
They soon shed the tuxedos and proceeded to shred through a fun set of “drive-thru metal” including songs like “Chicken for the Slaves” and “Organic Funeral.”
The crowd was instantly in on the jokes (“We’re not going to play anything by Pantera Bread.” / “There is some other drive-thru metal we like. International Bauhaus of Pancakes. They have a song called ‘Taco Bela Lugosi’s Dead.’ It’s pretty good.”) and the rock. I don’t know how many others got the Roy Orbison / BlueVelvet reference, but I love it every time they do it, as well as the Catburglar‘s time to step down from the drum set and sing “Bread” – a riff on KISS‘ “Beth.”
In dreams, Ronny Osborne walks with you.
“I haven’t laughed this hard since I first saw Gwar,” said a man behind me. A lot of people were like him, loving the gags and the constant jokes about Cake. Another fun, new bit was them playing an “Iron Maidenny’s” song about a fish sandwich called “The Grouper” that included lead singer Ronny Osborne having a sword fight with a man in a military uniform and fish mask.
They ended with the powerhouse duo of “Pair-a-Buns” and “Frying Pan,” getting a rousing send-off from the crowd.
Mac Sabbath’s Employee of the Month catches a giant straw after pouring Ronny a (Gasp!) Heineken!
Mac Sabbath’s fun stage show makes it easy to overlook how good they are as musicians. Slayer McCheese can shred a guitar and make it look easy, while Grimalice puts down bass licks that can rumble an entire building.
There’s rumor that Mac Sabbath might be retiring after this tour, so don’t miss out on seeing them while you have the chance.
Keep your mind open.
[Don’t forget to subscribe before you go.]
[Thanks to Annie at Adrenaline PR for the press pass!]
Making Time ∞ proudly returns to Philadelphia’s Fort Mifflin this fall, Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 22, for its fourth and most transcendental year yet. Once again, Making Time ∞ has pulled out all the stops with a distinct curatorial bent that makes the Philly event totally unique. Topping the bill are two UK duos that have changed the game – Optimo (Espacio) and Bicep – who will unite for a rare back-to-back set. Additional headliners include legends Floating Points and Theo Parrish. Friend of Making Time ∞, Daniel Avery, will back-to-back with the blistering Detroit electro icon DJ Stingray while 2manydjs’ anticipated set will focus on the New Beat music from their native Belgium.
This year, the full scope of Making Time ∞ comes to the fore—Los Angeles folk royalty Jessica Pratt plays a day time live set. Hotly tipped Mexican ambient jazz artist Mabe Fratti also plays live, as will Caterina Barbieri, post-punk innovators Model/Actriz, UK star John Glacier, and experimentalist live acts of all stripes including Pavel Milyakov, UK percussionist Valentina Magaletti, and the powerful saxophonist Bendik Giske.
The bread and butter of Making Time ∞ is electronic music, but even here, the approach is full spectrum and gathers the best of the best from the current international dance scene, including Skee Mask, Laurel Halo,Nia Archives, Wata Igarashi,Paranoid London, Simo Cell, Djrum, Leon Vynehall, Kia, CCL, Aurora Halal, Scott Zacharias, Kieran Laveaux, Nosedrip, Purelink, Time Is Away, Death Is Not The End, Blazer Sound System, Paula Tape, and Nick León, to name a few.
With over 25 years of experience throwing parties, the legendary Philadelphia promoter and Making Time ∞ founder Dave P. has developed familial bonds with a number of artists who serve as regulars or “residents” of sorts. Avalon Emerson and John Talabot make their triumphant return, as do key Philly artists Universal Cave, JEWELSSEA, Zillas On Acid, King Britt, Rich Medina (playing an all 45’s DJ set) along with crews Great Circles and Subsurface. Brooklyn community music hub The Lot Radio will return to host a livestream stage.
Fort Mifflin is particularly well-suited for different speeds. The “casemates,” used for storage during wartime, serve as historic chill-out rooms or small indoor venues. The sprawling, mildly vertiginous fields can host outdoor live sets during the day before turning into Orbital-like outdoor raves at night, with longtime Making Time ∞ collaborators Klip Collective projecting visuals on various buildings whose colonial builders never could have imagined their modern repurposing.
As last year’s attendees discovered, when you’re at Fort Mifflin, you’re family. Making Time ∞ is about banding together to transcend inclement weather, by-numbers lineups, and corporate overlords of all persuasions. This is what makes Making Time ∞ totally unique and totally unforgettable. Each year, we come to Making Time ∞ for something different, something ambitious, abnormal and, yes, transcendent.
Three-day passes for Making Time ∞ 2024 are available to purchase now for $225 (plus taxes and fees). Tickets with no service charges are available at the following locations: The Lot Radio in Brooklyn, Middle Child & Middle Child Clubhouse in Philadelphia.
Last Rites, Live Wire Lounge and Pabst Blue Ribbon are excited to bring back Heavy Chicago this year for its “Second Edition.”
Heavy Chicago II November 1, 2 and 3 at Avondale Music Hall, which Time Out says is located in one of the buzziest neighborhoods in the world.
There are three levels of 3 day ticketing, a limit of 50 tickets at each level. When the first level $99 all in pricing tickets sell out, the next level tickets kicks in. The second level 3 day ticketing price is $109 and when that sells out, the third level price of $125 kicks in. Take advantage of the advance purchase discount and get your tickets early.
First level for 3 day tickets are $99 all fees and taxes included.
2 day tickets start at $89 all fees and taxes included.
Single day tickets: Friday $40 plus fees – Saturday & Sunday $50 plus fees
Sean Duffy, owner of Last Rites Promotions and Management companies says “Our inaugural edition last year was a great success! Once again we are in the hip hood of Avondale, which Time Out says is one of the buzziest neighborhoods in the world. We are over the moon to welcome our headliners this year: Friday night is Chicago doom band Bongripper with a co-headline by a local band that will be unveiled on September 8th! Support comes from Wraith (record in the Billboard top 200), Avernus (first show in nine years and a new record) and Motherless (Atlas Moth).
Saturday’s headline rips with the almighty Earth Crisis with special guests Jasta & Legions Of Doom,Grindcore supergroup, EarthBurner, plusThe Crosses will be doing a special all “Die Kreuzen” set with the incredible Dan Kubinski on vocals (the only act we brought back from last year), a must see! Usurper are playing their first show in five years!
Sunday finishes strong with Cynic making their long awaited return for Chicago with special guests Toxic Holocaust! I promoted Cynic’s first several Chicago show’s back in the 90’s. It has come full circle for us. Black metal masters, Profanatica, play a rare set in the city. In October we will unveil a special guest that is buzzing right now and becoming local heroes! The Skull also return with a rare appearance and a special set for Trouble fans!
Dave Hornyak and I are the poster guys for “indie” people in the industry. ..the antithesis of Live Nation/AEG/JAM…two indie guys doing it for the passion and fun and to support the metal community. I started 40 years ago doing shows under Last Rites. This is the beginning of my 40th year. Over 4,700 shows booked and promoted here! Indie guy the whole time!! First Nirvana show, first six White Zombie shows, first five Pantera shows, first two Stone Temple Pilot shows, first three Type O Negative shows, Ministry, Machine Head, Helmet, Fear Factory, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Candlemass, plus shows with Anthrax, Misfits, Testament, Exodus, Dark Angel and many, many more. Dave Hornyak, creator of Live Wire Lounge, has been involved in the metal scene for 30+ years as both a drummer in numerous metal bands as well as hosting countless local and national acts at Live Wire since 2011. Over 70 years combined for the two of us!”
+ Don’t Miss The After Show Partyat Live Wire Lounge3394 N. Milwaukee Avenue!
Austin trio Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol today announce even more US tour dates to close out 2024, adding December shows with King Buffalo. The band continues domestic dates this Fall supporting their new album BIG DUMB RIFFS ahead of their performances at Austin City Limits‘ prestigious ACL Fest and Levitation 2024 with The Sword and Pentagram. See all dates below.
Ticket pre-sales start tomorrow, August 7th at 10am local time (password: MAMMOTH) All tickets on sale Friday, August 9th HERE.
The band has also recently joined the roster of Doomstar Bookings for EU & UK touring beginning in Spring 2025.
BIG DUMB RIFFS is available on digital, LP and cassette, released May 10th, 2024. Order/stream the album on all formats HERE.
The band-curated second annual Rickshaw Billie’s BIG DUMB FEST in Austin, TX on June 1st SOLD OUT at Mohawk Austin. This follows a string of sold out dates throughout Texas, Denver, Los Angeles, Brooklyn and more.
“Our catalog has never been short on big dumb riffs, but the idea on this record was to really turn the screw,” says RBBP bassist Aaron Metzdorf. On Big Dumb Riffs, that screw is cranked incredibly tight.
“We just wanted ‘the part’: The opening of Pantera’s ‘Primal Concrete Sledge’, the breakdown in Primus‘ ‘Pudding Time’ — the shit that makes you move and lose your mind. Just that part the whole time.”
Across 11 concise, taut songs — most clocking in around 2 minutes or less — Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol demonstrates their skillful ability to blend the merciless low end of Leo Lydon’s 8-string guitar, Aaron Metzdorf’s masterful chordwork on the bass, and Sean St.Germain’s driving drumming.
Hot on the heels of their breakout 5th studio release Doom Wop (2023), Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol returns with Big Dumb Riffs: A whole new variant of the fuzzed out, overdriven, melodic, groovy music they have been making since 2016. While Big Dumb Riffs is decidedly more aggressive and rhythmic, it still retains the overtly melodic feel of Doom Wop. But Leo Lydon’s vocals are considerably more angry and negative (song titles like “1-800-EAT-SHIT” and “Body Bag” should be a clue).
“The whole writing process was, ‘what if we just played two notes the whole song’,” Metzdorf says. “‘What if we tuned down to almost unusable string tension?’, ‘what if we write a record that will make everyone say ‘wow that is dumb’? Leo and I really move around on stage a lot. Being a dingus is crucial to the groove. All these riffs were designed to allow us to act bigger and dumber on stage.”
Big Dumb Riffs is available on vinyl LP, cassette, download and streaming, released on May 10, 2024. Orders are available HERE.
