Rock – Upstarter

My New Vice – Truth About Lies

Well well well, welcome back, My New Vice.

It’s been a hot minute since Portland Oregon’s My New Vice released any material. Covid had signaled the band’s demise, and the emergence of The Melders seemed to cement that notion, but as it turns out, it was a bit more of a hiatus, or perhaps a long sleep. Here we are though, and 2025 marks the return of My New Vice with 7 new tracks of heavy rock and roll.

This release straddles the space between an EP and an LP, clocking in at about 27 minutes. Songs in the upper 3 to 4 minute range tend to be a bit outside of my fleeting cat-like attention span, but the tone and pace work well for this band.

The material feels darker and more brooding than earlier work, which was in no way short on darkness and brooding. I suppose it’s a sign of the times. It’s not all sludgecore and doomgrind though, tracks like Track 5. Babadook leans hard into thrash metal territory with a bit of Metallica does Diamond Head covers vibe.

Perhaps it’s the sound of the NW coming though, but I can’t help but notice the Red Fang influence on some tracks, especially Track 6. “Witch”. I don’t want to pigeon hole anyone, but to help you identify the sound, there’s also elements of Corrosion of Conformity, and some rather Sound Garden-esque vocal qualities at points.

On the whole it’s a great album, especially for fans of darker heavy rock and metal. Horns up for My New Vice and their new release Truth About Lies.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:

Green River
Postman
Radio
Nine
Babadook
Witch
Dressed in Fire

Three Fingers – Jam Packed

I’m currently rocking Jam Packed, the new release by Three Fingers, a self-described “power pop punk” band from Seattle.

I think the description is apt. The 14 track album immediately hits with a decidedly 90s era 120 Minutes vibe. There’s a bit more Riot grrrl aggression as opposed to a lilting wallflower aesthetic, coupled with taut punk riffs, it makes for a solid mix. The songs are “pretty” but there is an underlying anxiety to them. Hard to not relate to anxiety these days.

The songs are compact and uptempo, relatively. Mostly running around the 2 minute mark. This is definitely in my wheelhouse. (I’m not sure how I listened to so many epic sweeping metal tracks back in the day without losing interest, but I digress.) Production is great. Not overdone, not underdone. Well balanced to fit the vocal forward tunes.

Anyhow, put a little more power pop punk into your jukebox and checkout Jam Packed by Three Fingers.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. Feels Weird
2. Love This Part
3. Moving On
4. Bummer
5. I’m Still Here
6. Glass Houses
7. S.O.S.
8. FAFO
9. Alone Time
10. This is Fine
11. Might Be
12. Blew It
13. Looking 4 Luv
14. Never Again

Gentlemen Rogues – Surface Noise

I received a copy of the new Gentlemen Rogues album, Surface Noise, in the mail the other day. I’ve got it on for a second spin right now. Well, ok, I’ve got it dialed up on their Bandcamp page. Nevertheless, damn! This album has some serious pop hooks.

The new release from the Austin, TX quartet brings ten new tracks of uptempo rock and roll, filled with, as I mentioned, a whole lot of hooks. Vocal hooks, drum hooks, guitar hooks, bass hooks, yup. All hooks, all the time.

I hear hints of Replacements, and Screaming Trees. Some of the guitar work has a Weezer vibe. Perhaps it’s just me, but the vocals sound a bit like Billy Jo Armstrong mixed with Rhett Miller. I don’t mean to be all “name drop”, but I think that gives you a sense of the sounds going on here. It’s basically a veritable amalgam of poppy punk-adjacent sounds across multiple decades.

According to the one-sheet, “Surface Noise is a record full of well-turned guitar pop, complete with roaring chords and propulsive rhythms behind Dunlap’s clever and cultured lyrics” I can’t disagree with that statement..

Surface Noise is a co-release on both Double Helix Records and Shifting Sounds.

If you like your rock kind of punk and a whole lot poppy, by all means check out Surface Noise by Gentlemen Rogues.

-Jerry Actually

Mega Infinity – Chaos Magick

Chaos Magick, the new EP from Mega Infinity is a pop-hook fueled, indie alternative rocker with four tracks of eclectic electric rock and roll. The lyrics are intimate and smart, revealing a scene that is all too often male-centric and misogynistic. While the title track offers up the positive aspects of artistic endeavors and the support of a strong community, Track two, “Dude Poisoning” launches a salvo against the pervasive negative aspects of the scene.

The EP provides four tracks in all, each with their own particular style and charm. The music is very vocally driven, with a range of instrumental support acting to reinforce a strong voice. Crunchy guitars and various electronica are laced throughout. A bonus is the bands take on the Alanis Morrisette track, “You Oughta Know”

Go ahead and diversify your collection and check it out. You can check out the video for Chaos Magick premiering today over on Punk News.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Tracks:
Chaos Magick
Dude Poisoning
Look Alive
You Oughta Know

For fans of: Sonic Boom Six, Rage Against the Machine, Just Friends, Don Broco, 100 Gecs, Flying Raccoon Suit, Nova Twins

Bio:
Mega Infinity are Michi (Turk) and Mike DiGiulio from Long Island NY. The two met while working in a grocery store, far from Michi’s home. They had a feeling that it would be the right move for them as a musician when they were transferred.

In 2014, Michi formed this band with Mike’s friend Andrew. In 2018, Mike stepped in as guitarist and a main songwriter. The band’s sound took a turn towards heavier riffs and the inclusion of more electronic elements fused in with rock.

Mike and Michi, living together, started writing more songs together and hosting a weekly livestream including other musicians. In 2021 Mike proposed to Michi on stream

The stream opened them to meeting bands from all over they wouldn’t have had the chance to meet including Flying Raccoon Suit, Eichlers, Tape Girl, and more who influenced them to take chances musically.

They were inspired to blend genres and styles that are unexpected, with elements of indie, emo, pop, hip-hop, ska, and progressive rock. They try to stay true to taking risks musically while having lyrics which tie together themes of perseverance, standing up for what you believe in and love for each other and their fans who they call the Megababes.

Their debut album Rainbow Heartache came out in December 2021. In 2023, they played for the first time in Texas for SPI Fest and went back into the studio soon after. Chaos Magick is produced by Nicholas Starrantino and Mike DiGiulio. They joined the Ska Punk International Family. Chaos Magick is releasing on Ska Punk International on October 10, 2023.

Duck & Cover – Attention Economy

Rocking the new EP “Attention Economy” from Boston’s Duck & Cover.

Two things:
1. It’s rock.
2. It rocks!

If you’ve read some of my past reviews you may know that I rather liked The Acro-brats, by extension I also like Duck & Cover. This new EP is no exception.

It’s short and sweet with three tracks. Two mid tempo originals and a Tom Petty cover that really answers the question, “What if Tom Petty was sorta punk?” Seriously the only thing this is missing is more tracks. But, well, these are difficult times and I’ll take what I can get.

At any rate, go check this out. You have nothing to lose, and nothing to gain but a good time.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

MethMatics

I flipping love getting mystery vinyl in the mail. Especially right now when I can leave the house. Last week I was blessed with a copy of MethMatics self-titled release. Super cool!

The Columbus, OH quintet brings their brand of rock and roll with an old school 70’s glam vibe, Dolls, Stooges, Dead Boys, Cheap Trick etc. but they also remind me of another Columbus band, The Newbomb Turks. They are definitely energetic. Maybe they’re too energetic if you catch my drift. 😉 … or possibly their name is a play on words. You gotta roll your own dice on that one friend.

The album is oozing with sludge from a thunderous rhythm section and dripping with sex of sultry vocals and wailing guitar. It’s not all David Johanson trying to mind-hump you though. The political leanings of track 7. Dear Leader is juxtaposed with the more 50s crooning of track 9. Precious Love. There’s a critical punk urgency to like track 4. You Bring Me Down, and the straight up rock and roll of track 6. Have A Nice Day.

It’s a good mix of style and theme and overall, a fine piece of debut release from an animated Ohio punk/rock/metal/glam band.

Cheers!

Jerry Actually

Tracks:

1. I’m A Good Boy 02:29

2. Vacation 03:33

3. Let Me Let You Down 03:05

4. You Bring Me Down 01:52

5. All The Time 02:24

6. Have A Nice Day 02:26

7. Russian Bride 02:43

8. Dear Leader 02:54

9. Precious Love 02:38

10. Submoron 02:10

11. Vicious Lie 01:58

12. Love Somebody 03:58

13. Falling Apart 01:51

Slim Wray – Post No Bills

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[rating: 8/10]

slim_wray_cover It’s a rare stormy day here in San Diego. I’m kicking it on the sofa with my headphones on, listening to a new EP by the garage/surf act Slim Wray. If I had to to choose one word to describe this new release, (even a made up word) I’d go with “retrolicious.”

The new EP, eponymously titled “The Slim Wray EP” (As it turns out, this EP is actually entitled “Post No Bills”, but you try telling that to my media player du jour! Never the less, all else applies except where prohibited) provides six tracks of 60s flavored garage rock tinted with pop sensibilities akin to Neil Diamond, Tommy James, and The Monkees. The throwback aside you get modern quality recording (so the garage aspect must be by design) and a sound that is well balanced and engineered.

This release is a bit on the outside of my typical genre spectrum, but if you dig retro 60s pop rock, I suspect you’ll wanna check this one out.

The lightning is cutting through the sky outside my window. I can hear a slight rumble of thunder through the cans and rain hitting the concrete in the space in between the tracks. I’m gonna rock The Slim Wray EP out until the tracks end.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Headspins – Spinister

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[rating:8/10]

Here’s a fun little rocker from the mean streets of Chicago. (or rather maybe the poppy and arty streets) Spinister the debut album by Headspins snaps out 11 quality tracks of really peppy rock and roll in the no-frills necessary manner that only trios seem to be able to muster. This isn’t to say that the music lacks variance or range. The band gets a major boost of sonic diversity by splitting vocal duties between the ⅔ male, ⅓ female cast (in addition to some guests)

The tracks are clearly rock and roll, but there’s an unmistakable punk, surf and alt-rock quality to them all, ranging from Pixies and Primitive vibes to near Tom Waitsesque vocal stylings, all along making me think of the Go-Gos joining forces with The Groovy Ghoulies. The lyrics are clever, “I gave her cash. I gave her more. She spent it all like a drunk sai-lor”, for example. I’m on my second round of listening and I’m damn pleased to say that this release is fun and I’m proabably going to have it one rotation for the next few weeks.

I’m on break from my day job at the moment, so I’m going to keep this brief and say that if you like poppy fun rock and roll, you should take a listen to Spinister by Headspins. I know that I look forward to hearing more of them. headspinsrock.com

–Jerry Actually

Tracks:
1. My Way or the Highway 02:47
2. Fallen Down 02:10
3. Star of the Show 02:53
4. Broken Man 02:46
5. Don’t Worry 01:55
6. Miner 05:36
7. Headspins Go! 02:39
8. Paper Street 02:32
9. Keep It Forever 04:51
10. Problematic Tendencies 02:37
11. Anxiety 04:15

Softie

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I’m rocking out to the new release by Wichita’s own Softie. The self-titled release jam packs 15 tracks of guitar/drum duo garage-core onto a single compact disc. The tracks are diverse in their individual manner of rocking, but all are heavy on the rock and roll and to that end, the sum becomes greater than the combined parts. And folks, you just don’t always get that kind of synergy in a duo.

At any rate, Softie has been an on again, off again band in the Wichita scene for around a decade now and while I don’t have a lot of knowledge of their earlier work, I’m digging into what they are dishing up nowadays. I also am fully aware that some of the newly recorded tracks are, in fact, old tracks.

If I had to categorize, which I often do, I’d go ahead and call the band and raw blend of metal rock with a bit of punk edge, some cattle-core and a smattering of comedy. Honestly, I could do without the latter. It feels like the comedy is thrown in as a compensation measure and frankly it is unnecessary. Don’t get me wrong, some of the songs have a comedic base and that is fine, it is the little end thought false settle that seem out of place.

Jaded perspective aside, the songs do still rock. I had the CD in my car for a few trips to work and back and I didn’t opt for another disc, nor did I switch it over to NPR, so that’s a good indicator of my true feeling. Though I may have a slight bias as I know half the band, I’d still listen to this and stop in for a live show or two if I didn’t. My arbitrary points scale may not reflect it though. I’m not a math guy though. You run the numbers.

Bottom line is a fun disc with a rocking core. Go support your local bands and buy a copy, see a show, get some merch. Hell, do it all. http://www.reverbnation.com/softie

–Jerry Actually

The Smears – Freak Show

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[rating:2.5/5]

I don’t generally review singles, but ok, here’s a go at it. Freak Show by The Smears. This all female punk / rock and roll trio hearkens back to the RIOTGRRL sounds of the 90’s ala L7, 7 Year Bitch and Bratmobile. The difference being that The Smears are from Nottingham (you know, like the sheriff)

The music is solid three chord punk; rhythmically choppy, a bit staccato, if you will. The vocals are of the speak-as-sing variety and production-wise the feel is very garage / lo-fi. It certainly isn’t bad, but I’d really have to listen to more to make a more informed opinion.

–Jerry Actually