Les Diggers - Terre à la Lune

 

1. Who are Les Diggers? 

Les Diggers are a French surf/punk rock band from Hossegor, France, formed in 2019.  Terre à la Lune rolls off their second album Atmosphérique (March, 2024). 

2. What kind of song is Terre à la Lune? 

Terre à la Lune is the kind of playful, simple yet catchy punk that bands like The Ramones or FIDLAR set the bar for. Four to the floor, no surprises all smiles, sweet pop punk.

3. Who do Les Diggers sound like? 

Teen Mortgage, Bad Nerves, and The Ramones. 

4. Which bands have influenced Les Diggers? 

I don't know but they are chesting Nirvana and Stupeflip while sounding like The Ramones so that's a start. 

5. What have people said about Terre à la Lune?

"It's a fucking banger" - YouTube Comments.

"We want more guys" - YouTube Comments.

"Go, go, go" - YouTube Comments.

Scuff Up - Something In The Middle

 

1. Who are Scuff Up? 

Scuff Up are an alternative rock band from Austin, Texas. They have been playing together since at least 2021 and have one EP and a hand-full of single releases to their name. Something In The Middle (Aug, 2024) is one of those singles. 

2. What's up with Something In The Middle? 

Something In The Middle has an early-Weezer sound, although lighter, and the singers voice has been compared to both Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction) and Rivers Cuomo (Weezer). The oh oh's in the big fat chorus are pure nostalgia but the verses crank up the speed and rage. Something In The Middle has a lot going for it.

3. Who do Scuff Up sound like? 

FIDLAR, PUP, WAAVES, and Weezer. 

4. Which bands have influenced Scuff Up? 

I don't know. Someone in the band likes Rush, other than that faux pas I'm guessing someone's been listening to Nirvana, Collective Soul, Jane's Addiction, or Everclear.

5. What have people said about Something In The Middle? 

"Pretty fucking rad" - YouTube Comments.

"Another banger" - YouTube Comments.

"That bassist is as whacky as fuck" - YouTube Comments.

"I've been denied at pawnshops,

Been fucked off,

Need to rinse off"

Teen Mortgage - Tuning In

 

1. Who are Teen Mortgage? 

Teen Mortgage are a punk duo from Washington D.C. Their music ranges from surf punk to hardcore, they have been playing together since 2017 and collected their singles and E.P's into a debut self-titled album Teen Mortgage (Jan, 2024). Tuning In (August, 2022) is their most popular song. 

2. What kind of song is Tuning In? 

Tuning In is a tight two minute garage rock song that bops and has a catchy chorus not entirely dissimilar to The Ramones or FIDLAR. The tune is dismissive of corporate media and its effect on society.

3. Which bands have Teen Mortgage been compared to? 

Comparisons have been made to Death From Above 1979, Bad Nerves and Wine Lips. 

4. Which bands have influenced Teen Mortgage? 

They have expressed some love for White Stripes, Dead Kennedys, Fu Manchu, The Cramps and their contemporaries Meth Rats. 

5. What have people said about Tuning In? 

"Big hooks, gritty guitars and raw garage/punk" - Havoc Underground.

"A steady percussive pulse ...complement a steady punk-friendly vocal" - Obscure Sound.

"A lot of intensity, attitude and a fundamental freshness" - Metal Junkbox. 

"Corporations own em and tell em what to say,

Telling all of us to keep our hatred away,

From the billionaires that cause the real glooming" 

Backseat Vinyl - Die Cool

1. Who are they?

Backseat Vinyl are an indie rock/pop punk band from Denver, Colorado. Die Cool (October, 2018) is the lead single from their debut album Sad Frenzy (January, 2019).

2. What have they got?

Die Cool blends goofy 2000's pop punk with a leaner Californian contemporary punk sound. Don't grow up to be your father. 

3. Who do Backseat Vinyl sound like?

There’s a bit of Blink-182, FIDLAR and WAVVES in there.

4. Which bands have influenced Backseat Vinyl?

Their major influences are SWMRS, The Frights, The Story So Far, and Blink-182.

5. What have the press said?

“Polished punk”- The Kollection.

“Blending all sorts of alt, indie, punk, grunge, and more”- The Sound Won’t Stop.

“Music from the soul”- Buzz Music.

"I don't wanna end up like a rerun of my dad,

That style is just way too sad"

The Frights - Over It

The Frights are a surf-punk/garage-rock band from San Diego, California. Over It (Nov'18) is the third single from their third album Hypochondriac (Aug'18) The Frights sound similar to SWMRS and FIDLAR. They are influenced by Rancid and Offspring. Zac Carper (FIDLAR) produced. Over It is the sound of a band that has hit it's stride.It sits on top of a fat, lazy riff and milks the loud/quiet dynamic until the cow is dry. Close to radio-friendly, while spiky enough not to alienate their punk fans, Over It is the best thing The Frights have done.

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.

The Frights - Crutch

1. Who?

The Frights are a garage band from San Diego, California. Crutch (May'18) is the first single from their third album.

2. What?

Standard issue surf punk noise. Mixes melodic, suspenseful, verses with full-tit, rock out choruses; with a modicum of expertise.

3. Who do The Frights sound like?

SWMRS, WAVVES, and FIDLAR.

4. What have the rags said about Crutch? 

“A pummeling, high energy track” – DIY. 

“Chugging guitars come head to head with cymbal smashing percussion” – The Line Of Best Fit. 

“Incendiary first excerpt” – Son Of Marketing. 

5. Which bands influenced The Frights?

The Frights were influenced by bands like Rancid, The Offspring, Black Flag, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Social Distortion.


6. Why should I listen to The Frights?

Because you don't have enough surf punk in your life. Because you like your punk hey diddle, diddle, straight down the middle.


7. Do The Frights have any other good tunes?

Hell yeah. Kids is basement punk with a rockabilly side done right.


8. Anything else?

Nah.

For better or worse State Champs are a popular version of American pop-punk. They are from Albany, New York, and have been playing together since 2010. Bands typically associated with State Champs are All Time Low, 5 Seconds of Summer, and The Wonder Years. Their influences are Jimmy Eat World and Fall Out Boy. Dead and Gone (April'18) is the lead single from the State Champs' third album Living Proof (June'18). Dead and Gone is the type of cotton candy State Champs have teased in the past but, now they have gone all-in. It's bombastic, meaningless, vacuous, trite, shite. As contagious as a hobos foreskin in summer though. A guilty pleasure (the song not hobos foreskins Charlie Chaplin).

WAVVES - You're Welcome

1. Who are WAVVES? 

WAVVES are a surf-punk band from San Diego, California. Making noise since 2008 they have six albums in the vault. You’re Welcome (March’17) is one of two lead singles from their sixth album You’re Welcome (May’17). 

2. What's the skinny on You're Welcome? 

You're Welcome is slacker punk with Beck-esque verses that suck you in but ultimately have fuck all to say. Theirs a Pro Tools simplicity to it, a lovely, grimey, under-stated riff and a catchy Peter Pan chorus. It'll do.

3. Which bands do WAVVES sound like? 

SWMRS, FIDLAR and Best Coast. 

4. What have the press said about You're Welcome? 

“Ebullient slices of basement punk” – Noisey Vice.

“Decidedly more psychedelic and offbeat” – Clrvynt

“A heavier, brooding track until the chorus comes around” – The Line Of Best Fit. 

5. Which bands inspired WAVVES?

Some of their main influences are Nirvana, The Ramones, The Beach Boys, Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer. 

6. Why should I listen to You're Welcome? 

Because you like indulgent West Coast punk rock. 

7. What are WAVVES best songs? 

Demon To Lean On, Flamezesz and Way Too Much are the ones you want.

8. Any more words? 

WAVVES  and Cloud Nothings put out a collaborative album in 2016 (No Life For Me).

WAAVES and Weezer put out a split 7" Fake Smiles and Nervous Laughter (2016) with a WAVVES cover of You Gave Your Love To Me Softly. 

“Low life, your life”

Radkey are a garage punk band from St. Joseph, Missouri. They are three brothers.Radkey sound similar to The Bots, Drenge and Bass Drum Of Death. They are influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Misfits and Wolfmother.  Dark Black Makeup is off their debut album Dark Black Makeup (2015) (re-released in 2016 as Delicious Rock Noise). NME thought the album was “one of the strongest punk debuts of 2015.” Dark Black Makeup features nun cunt tight playing under an exquisite glam vocal. 

“Kids these days, they want it all,

They just trip, trip and fall”

SKEGSS - Spring Has Sprung

1.    Who are these happy few? 

SKEGGS are a surf/garage/punk band from Byron Bay, Australia. Spring Has Sprung (Dec’16) is the first single from their third E.P. Holiday Food (Feb’17). 

2. What kind of song is it? 

Spring Has Sprung is a bubbly, low-fi, garage-rock song with cruisy melodies and surfy harmonies all wrapped up in a sun warmed towel. A sweet flower of a song.

3. Who do SKEGSS sound like? 

FIDLAR, Hockey Dad and PAWS.

4. What is the word from the press about Spring Has Sprung?

 “Rock’n’roll for the laid back and carefree” – The AU Review.

“A raw DIY punk anthem” – The Music.

“An energetic cut” – Under The Radar.

5. Which bands have influenced SKEGSS? 

FIDLAR, Dune Rats, Hockey Dad or DMA's maybe. The cunts aren't talking.

6. Why should I give Spring Has Sprung a lash? 

The song is a cute, whistle along tune that embodies the essence of making fresh, joyous, discoveries. 

7. What are SKEGSS best songs? 

Spring Has Sprung is the best but L.S.D. isn't too shabby.

8. Any more words?

SKEGSS were the first band signed by Ratbag Records, the label started by the iconic Brisbane band Dune Rats. 

“Spring has sprung in the summer,

All the girls take their clothes off”

Dune Rats are a garage punk band from Brisbane, Australia. They have been playing together since 2011 and have recorded the two albums. The Dune Rats are similar to FIDLAR, Violent Soho, WAVVES and SWMRS. They are influenced by FIDLAR, The Ramones and Cloud Nothings. Bullshit (May'16) was a stand alone single and a banging, singalong, punk party anthem.

“Everything you say is bullshit”

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”