CUIR - Un air de Mexico

 

1. Who are CUIR? 

CUIR are a one man synth-punk band by Doug Zilla. Fighting out of Lorient, France, he has been making music since 2019. Un air de Mexico (August, 2024) is the third single from his second album Album Album (April, 2024). 

2. What kind of tune is Un air de Mexico? 

It's a street punk song that charges out of the gates and hits the finish line without an anthemic chorus or any flourishes. This is a lean mean punk machine.

3. Who does CUIR sound like? 

The Ramones if they forgot the chorus, Béton Armé, and Syndrome 81. 

4. Which bands have inspired CUIR? 

I don't know. But I bet he likes The Ramones, Syndrome 81, and RIXE. 

5. What have people said about CUIR's music? 

"Meaty and efficient, ripping it up in record time with no fat whatsoever" - Maximum Rock'n'Roll. 

"As catchy as ever and the music just as danceable" - Sorry State Records. 

"Combining hard hitting punk rock with super catchy synth-pop" - Genius.

"I dream of warm sand, 

To the tune of Mexico City"

Fountain - Invisible Wasp

1. Who are Fountain? 

A band in need of a better fucking name and an alternative rock band/duo from Northampton, England. They have been making noise together since 2023 and Invisible Wasp (Feb, 2024) is the first single from their debut E.P. Stolen Flowers Bring Sickness (March, 2024). 

2. What is Invisible Wasp got going for it?  

Invisible Wasp has a retro riff that reminds me of Sisters Of Mercy (Vision Thing era) others are feeling late 2000's early 2010's alternative British rock; but really it just has back-in-the-day British alternative rock vibes. It's propelled forward by skating-down-a-steep-as-fuck-road-and-you-have-the-speed-wobbles-and-if-you-start-to-think-about-it-you-will-stack-it drums. 

3. Who do Fountain sound like? 

Well having listened to this and the E.P. I'm feeling bands like Rival Sons, Sisters of Mercy (you know which album), and Wolf Mother. 

4. Which bands have influenced Fountain? 

I'd love to be able to tell you. Do some press you pricks. But I'm guessing they don't hate The Ramones, Royal Blood, or Beware of Darkness. 

5. What have the press said about Invisible Wasp? 

"Energetic band, good rock" - Skiddle.

"All out punk-tinged headbanger" - Northampton Chronicle.

"A maniacal riff, harmoniously paired with pulsating drums" - Occulate.

Chubby and The Gang - Coming Up Tough

 

1. Who are Chubby and The Gang?

Chubby and The Gang are a punk rock band from West London, England, and formed in 2019. The band members have played in hardcore punk bands and Chubby and The Gang have Oi and pub rock sensibilities to boot. Coming Up Tough (June, 2021) is the third single from their second album The Mutt's Nuts (August, 2021). 

2. What has Coming Up Tough got?

Coming Up Tough has a rock riff that wouldn't embarrass an early Acca Dacca (AC/DC) album and hardcore vocals that are furious about the brutal injustice of the prison system. A relentless rhythm reminiscent of a street beating pounds the message home but it's far from one dimensional. This is apex Chubby and The Gang.

3. Who do Chubby and The Gang sound like?

The Chisel of course (Chubby and The Gang singer Charles "Chubby Charles" Walker is the guitarist in The Chisel) but also Motörhead, Blitz, Conservative Military Image, and The Chats.

4. Which bands have influenced Chubby and The Gang?

The Ramones, Dr. Feelgood, Coloured Balls.

5. What have other people said about Coming Up Tough?

“A fist-pumping punk rager” – Louder Sound.

“A prickly take on the older, more melodic genres that punk derives from”- Tune Of The Day.

“A ripper”- Stereogum. 

"They sent you down for far too long"

8. Anything else?

Listening to Chubby and The Gang and The Chisel remind me of this Australian punk gem by Royal Headache. Royal Headache were a garage punk band from Sydney, Australia. They were critical darlings and released two albums, Royal Headache (2011) and High (2015). The band remind me of Cloud Nothings. But Royal Headache never achieved any mainstream success and imploded in 2017. Little Star is a low-fi scuzzy song that has gained punk anthem status among some and has remained one of my all time favorites if only for the lyric...

"What's the point of living if we can't understand the truth?

Not worth it!"

The Chisel - Cry Your Eyes Out

 

1. Who are they?

The Chisel are are one of the finest punk rock bands to ever come out of London, England. Born out of fire and ash in 2020 and with two long players to their roll of honour, Cry Your Eyes Out has two versions, an early 2021 one, and the May, 2023, one from their second album What A Fucking Nightmare (Feb, 2024).

2. What have they got?

The sound of furious punk from the streets and the only thing that matters to me since I put a needle down on Motown Junk in 1991. Cry Your Eyes Out bursts out of the traps like a steroid and cocaine soaked Conor McGregor in a fight ready to to punch a local drunk for disrespecting the pish he calls whiskey or break his own leg in the ring and then call you and ya ma a pussy. It also doesn't spare the rod having a harsh word for anyone who gets handsy with their missus and that's God's work right there. It's Oi but it's melodic and with an earworm of a gang vocal chorus. Done and dusted in two minutes and leaves you wanting more. It's the song I hum when I wake up every morning looking for my jocks and socks and regretting my life choices.

3. Who do The Chisel sound like?

Chubby and The Gang for sure, Cock Sparrer, Booze & Glory (maybe), even a bit of hardcore like Big Cheese or Conservative Military Image if you're feeling it.

4. Who have influenced The Chisel?

The Angelic Upstarts, The Ramones and The Exploited for starters.

5. What have other people said?

"An even catchier version of their already appealing sound, without losing any of their gritty aggression"- Brooklyn Vegan.

"The bands whole sound remains fast, direct, and catchy" - Stereogum. 

"Shards of glorious melody amidst all the the broken glass" - Kerrang.

"Sitting there with your head in your hands,

And you wonder where it went wrong,

After all the shit you put her through,

You wonder why she's gone?"

SWMRS - Berekely's On Fire

1.    Who are they? 

SWMRS are a pop punk band from Oakland, California. 


2. What have they got?

Berkeley’s On Fire (Aug’18) is a standalone single at the moment. SWMRS are three albums deep. 


3. Who are SWMRS similar to? 

The Frights, FIDLAR, and WAAVES. 


4. What have the press said? 

“Social commentary wrapped in churning guitars” – Paste Magazine. 

“Vibrant song” – Alt Press. 

“Thundering drums and wailing guitars” – We Are The Guard. 

5. Which bands influenced SWMRS?

Some of SWMRS main influences are The Ramones, The Beach Boys, The Clash, Public Enemy, and Weezer. 

6. Why should I give Berkeley's On Fire a listen?

The song has a word to say about far-right politics, the propaganda machine and outrage culture. They aren’t in favor of any of them! And vitriol is the best sauce for cooking pop punk songs in. Berkeley's On Fire is angry and catchy (in a Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right To Party kind of way) in equal measure. 

7. What are SWMRS best songs? 

Figuring It Out and Miley are the best SWMRS bangers. 

8. Any more words? 

The drummer is Billie Joe Armstrong's (Green Day) son.

Black Lips - Can't Hold On

1.    Who are the Black Lips?

Black Lips are a garage rock band, with a side of bluesy psychedelia, from Atlanta, Georgia. Can’t Hold On (April’17) is the lead single from their eighth album Satan’s Graffiti or Gods Art? (May’17). 

2. What kind of tune is Can't Hold On?

Can't Hold On is a foot to the floor retro-rock song without any frills.

3. Who do the Black Lips sound like? 

Night Beats, The Orwells, and King Tuff.

4. What have the cut and paste jackals said about Can't Hold On? 

“Snarling” – Paste Magazine. 

“As chaotically cathartic as ever” – Stereogum. 

“Shambolic take on garage rock” – Consequence Of Sound.

5. Which bands inspired the Black Lips?

The Black Lips main influences are 13^th Floor Elevators, Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, and Bo Diddley. 


6. Why should I give Can't Hold On a spin? 

Because you like punky garage bands like The Orwells. Because you love retro-rock'n'roll like The Growlers.


7. What are the Black Lips best songs? 

Throw It Away, Take My Heart, and Can't Dance. 


8. Any more words you charlatan?

Satan’s Graffiti or Gods Art? is produced by Sean Lennon (Fat White Family). 

Freedom Fry are a light indie pop duo from Los Angeles, California. Playing together since 2011 they have released a string of E.P.'s and singles. Freedom Fry sound something like Katie Herzig, Blondfire, and STRFKR. Their main influences are Beach House, The Surfaris, and The Ventures. Wild Child (April'17) is a stand alone single and is commercial indie pop with a hint of desert Americana and nostalgic melancholy. Hard not to like though and that's the point.

“Woah, well bless my soul,

Living on love & rock’n’roll”

3108 - The Shining

1.    Who are 3108? 

3108 are a lo-fi, garage pop band from London, England.  The Shining is from their second album BLU (Feb’17). 

2. What kind of song is The Shining? 

An eclectic, melodic, garage-pop tune with organ and a sense of humor. Great phrasing, a choppy, dancefloor-filling, rhythm, and God honest, hard cranking, garage guitar elevate The Shining into a sparkling pop gem. 

3. Who do 3108 sound like? 

BRONCHO, The Clean and Kissing Is A Crime.

4. What have the press said about 3108? 

“Thrilling homemade pop” – All Music.

     “The work of a lo-fi master” – All Music. 

      “Brilliant future pop” – All Music.

 5. Who are 3108's influences?

The main influences are Joy Division, The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, Pere Ubu and Monks. There's also love for The Stone Roses, The Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, James and The Wedding Present too.


6. Why should I give The Shining a listen? 

Because you appreciate under-appreciated indie pop rock gems. Because you need to feel the rush of discovering music with a genuine heart. Because of the spectacular sound of the relentless guitaring in the background.


7. What are 3108's best songs? 

One Of The Ceased is sweet garage pop with guitar cranking hard in the background. Ease Up does anything but; careening forward at breakneck pace, barely lasting two furious minutes. Neon Crush is bubbling synth and bouncy frenetic rhythms.


8. Any more words?  

Kyle Hill writes and records all the music on his albums.

 The Shining was featured on Jonathan Hunt and Cloudy Sc's Indie Rock Playlist (March'17). 

“Breaking plates, kicking through doors,

Effing, blinding, shaking the floor”

The Growlers are a surf-garage rock band from Dana Point, California. They have been playing since 2006 and have six long players. The Growlers sound like together PANGEA, The Night Beats and The Allah La's. They are influenced by The Beach Boys, Lee Scratch Perry and Johnny Cash. Humdrum Blues is a song from their E.P. Not. Psych! (2013). Humdrum Blues is an off-kilter sixties pop song with a genuine heart.

“She wants something tangible, like a ring on her hand”

SWMRS- Hannah

1.    Who are the lads?

SWMRS are are a surf/pop/punk band from Oakland, California. Drive North (Feb'16) is their third album, albeit the first two came under the name Emily's Army. Hannah (Feb'16) is an album track that got a video in October.

2. What's this Hannah like then?

Like an indulgent Ramones song on Valium, banged out on a lazy Sunday with Pro Tools. Sleepy but catchy. The lyrics hit the spot. About indulgence. 

3. Who do SWMRS sound like? 

FIDLAR, The Ramones, Wavves, The Frights and Twin Peaks. 

4. What have the press said about Hannah? 

“A slow, dreamy song” – Cryptic Rock.

“A very odd song” – Rattle Mag.

“More mellow” – Michigan Daily.

5. Which bands have influenced SWMRS?

The Ramones, The Clash, The Beach Boys, Public Enemy and Weezer are a few of their influences.


6. Why should I give Hannah a lash? 

Because the lyrics are vaguely amusing and the tune doesn't suck balls.


7. Do SWMRS have any other notable efforts?

Sure they do! Figuring It Out is top of the pops, rocks as hard as a prison rapist's hard-on and has gang vocals. Miley is punk rock done proper. Proper, proper.


8. Any more words Bozo?

Drive North was produced by FIDLAR singer Zac Carper. 

“My eyes look like diamonds, the boys all be trying,

But those boys don’t understand me”

Havana 3 am were a British/American rockabilly band with a heavy Latino influence formed by The Clash bass player Paul Simonon. They recorded two long players from 1986 - 1996. Havana 3am's first self-titled album Havana 3am (1991) was the essential album that All Music said, "has a tense pumping energy.” Reach The Rock was a minor radio hit and the best tune on the album. The initial spaghetti-Western sound settles into a lovely ska bounce before cracking into a straight rock song. It's worthy.

“One bad move leads to another”

Cage The Elephant - Cry Baby

1.    Who are these trippers?

Cage The Elephant are one of the most popular and influential indie rock bands at the minute. Making exciting and eclectic genre hopping anthems since 2006 and hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky, they have four long players on their roll of majestic honor. Cry Baby is the second single whipped off Tell Me I'm Pretty (Dec'15).


2. What have Cage The Elephant trotted out for your deliction?

Cry Baby is like seventies classic rock. A psych tinged, roiling, and yet ultimately relaxed, indie rocker.


3. Who do Cage The Elephant approximate?

Cry Baby is reminiscent of a Tame Impala tune with a sense of purpose. Black Keys are an obvious reference and so are Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Family Rain.


4. What pearls of wisdom have the fourth estate dropped about Cry Baby?

“Tambourine-flecked rollicking fuzz” – NME.

“Brooding chord progression and slightly melancholic vocal” – Ultimate Guitar.

“Striking indie punk style” – Red Brick.

5. Which bands have lent a hand in shaping the epic fashion of Cage The Elephant?

The main Cage The Elephant influences are The Ramones, The Stooges, Violent Femmes, Chuck Berry and The Rolling Stones.


6. Why should I bring Cry Baby out to trot?

Cry Baby is a cranky serve at some lady and all the better for it. Stewing in niggle Cry Baby isn't a flight of fancy, it is classic, taint punchingly honest, rock'n'roll. Right here, right now, Cry Baby is a glorious and victorious battle won in Cage The Elephant's campaign to attain rock'n'roll immortality.


7. Do Cage The Elephant have any more bangers?

Jesse James is the hidden nugget and then more standard issue fare Mess Around, the first single from Tell Me I'm Pretty, won't leave the people hanging. Ain't No Rest For The Wicked is an indie anthem from an extensive roll of rock hard genius.


8. Any more words fool?

The cut and paste bandits had a circle jerk over the fact that Dan Auerbach, singer and guitarist for The Black Keys, produced and played on the new album Tell Me I'm Pretty.

Dave Grohl drummed on tour for Cage The Elephant in 2011 when their drummer had an illness.

“You say that I’m insane,

I say you are probably right”

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Awake are a melodic punk rock band from South Sydney, Australia. The men have been on the job since 2012, influenced by Millencolin, The Flat Liners, No Use For A Name and Blink-182. Departure Lounge (Sept'15) is the lead single from The Great Awake's debut album Reasons For Leaving (Feb'16). AAA Back Stage said Departure Lounge has “a full throttle, standout chorus full of great singalong potential,” and another Ocker thought it’s “a good ‘n honest slug of Australian punk rock.”

“We sang along to the drunken songs,

And the strangers that shared the streets”