The Wimps Make Austin Debut at Cheer Up Charlies
“We wimpin’?!” yelled Cameron Bina of Strange Mother during the band’s opening set at Cheer Up Charlies last weekend. He was referring to Seattle-based touring band the Wimps, who headlined the show. The…
Wimps Play Cheer Up Charlies Sunday 6/18
Masters of awkward pop. Purveyors of no-frills punk. Ambassadors of lo-fi rock. However you want to describe Seattle band Wimps, there’s a lot to love about this trio. Carrying the torch of the style…
Big Bill Host Second Friday Residency at Electric Church Tomorrow
It’s no secret that we love weird rock saviors Big Bill here at Pop Press International. We’re not alone, as East Austin venue Electric Church has invited the band to host a residency every…
Petty Interpretations: Kyle Schlesinger Interviews Michael Pierce About Tom Petty Covers Project
In this interview, Kyle Schlesinger, published poet and proprietor of Cuneiform Press, talks with Michael Pierce, who recently released a solo cassette tape entitled Petty Interpretations, containing six covers of Tom Petty songs. Pierce is also the…
Big Bill Crashes Punk Rock Prom at Swan Dive
Ain’t no party like a Big Bill party, cuz a Big Bill party gets weird AF. Frontman Eric “Bill” Braden wandering into the crowd and inciting slam dancing among a rowdy bunch of…
Ought Performs at The Sidewinder May 20th (ATX)
A friend once argued that all bands ultimately despise being compared to other artists. But I think if someone’s calling you a punk rock Talking Heads there’s just not much room to feel slighted….
Reflecting on the Slack Capital Release Party at Barracuda
The compilation has long been a go t0 method of cross promoting and getting the word out about a cadre of like-minded artists in an environment where they might otherwise fly under the…
Show Preview: Austin Comp Slack Capital Release Party at Barracuda
Is there a more time-honored underground music tradition than the comp? Compilations have of course been utilized to collect music of all kinds, but underground, indie, and punk labels and artists seem to…
Austin Punk Mainstays OBN III’s Share Politically Charged New Songs
Someone recently quipped that one benefit of a Donald Trump presidency is the massive volume of punk songs sure to erupt from such a catastrophe. Austin punk mainstays OBN III’s perspective: why wait? The…
Big Bill Played the First and Best SXSW Show We Saw
The day before SXSW 2016 began, I wrote, “I can’t think of another current Austin band more iconic or resonant,” regarding weirdo punk rockers Big Bill. The band evidenced their vitality the next day…
Hear Weird Punk Heroes Big Bill’s Latest: “Weird Walk” & “Mainly Manly”
Big Bill represents everything punk should be. Sure, you’ll find drums played at breakneck speed, distorted guitars, and sneering vocals, but that’s not what I mean. Big Bill’s songs and performances push against…
Protomartyr Triumphs at Sidewinder, Returns for SXSW
A week ago, lauded post-punk outfit Protomartyr performed at The Sidewinder, an Austin venue still in its infancy. The event marked the first sold-out show I’ve seen in the space, since Red Eyed…
Upcoming: Protomartyr Brings Post-Punk to Sidewinder (ATX)
This Friday, post punk outfit Protomartyr brings their live show to The Sidewinder, touring behind their newest effort, The Agent Intellect, out now on Hardly Art. While the band has the ability to dissolve…
Ty Segall Emotionally Mugs Mohawk: Live Review
I can’t tell you who said it first, but articles comparing Ty Segall’s latest artistic development to the combined influence of David Bowie and Iggy Pop abound as of late. When everyone’s saying the same…
Show Preview: Building a Better Robot
Tonight! Tonight! is the latest “Building a Better Robot” benefit show for one of Pittsburgh’s punkest institutions, the Mr. Roboto Project. In their own words: “With the 2016 version of ‘Building A Better…
The Sonics Prove They’ve Still Got It: Live Review
The Sonics are not a reunion band. Yes, since 2007 they’ve been periodically reunited for tours. And yes, they recently released their first album of new original material in 49 years. But the…
Hear New Track “Cherry Picking” from Duo Girlpool
I caught Girlpool at this year’s Fader Fort during SXSW and was convinced by the duo’s plodding, simple, pop that blends elements of late 90’s punk with the aesthetic of lo-fi acoustic pop. “Cherry Picking,” the…
Girls to the Stage: Sleater-Kinney Live at Stubb’s
Sleater-Kinney’s incredible performance at ACL’s Moody Theater proved to be only a warmup for the energy they brought to Stubbs’ outdoor stage last Friday night. Rain nor hail nor gloom of night (seriously, it…
Sleater-Kinney’s ACL Taping Melted My Face and Warmed My Heart
Sleaker-Kinney’s performance for their ACL taping (and live stream) last night was unlike any other I’ve seen in the history of the revered television program. One of music’s most appealing qualities lies in…
New Scenarios with Yonatan Gat at Hotel Vegas
After being converted by the gospel of Yonatan Gat last summer, I’ve been telling everyone I know that they’re the best band touring. There might be some caveats for bands with huge, entertaining…
12XU’s Punk Rock Values Demand Recognition
As a local music fan, I probably haven’t spent enough time at Beerland. As a music writer, I definitely haven’t spent enough time at Beerland. Luckily, 12XU exists as a shining beacon to…
Album Review: Iceage – Plowing Into the Field of Love (Pop Press Pick)
Danish punk band Iceage’s new album Plowing Into the Field of Love moves the band into more structured sonic terrain and showcases increasingly complex arrangements while holding onto a sense of chaos and raw energy….
Lower’s Mean Spirited New Video for “Daft Persuasion”
Spitting venom at one anonymous, despicable individual, Lower’s Adrian Toubro seems especially ready to persuade the viewer to feel his animosity. A hooded figure lightly drapes his arms across Toubro’s chest, as if…
Album Review: Terry Malts — Insides EP
Garage-punk trio, Terry Malts releases new material this week via Slumberland Records with a 7” entitled Insides EP. The story of Terry Malts’ formation isn’t one that you’ll hear from the direct source, rather the…
Upcoming: Spray Paint at Hotel Vegas 9/19
Friday the 19th welcomes Austin’s premier scum-rockers back to Hotel Vegas. The no-wave trio will be celebrating the release of their new LP Clean Blood, Regular Acid. A set of their noisiest, dark-humored…
Blood, Sweat, and Cheers with Night Beats at Red Bull Sound Select Showcase
More than once, I’ve written about Red Bull Sound Select‘s ability to book killer shows. The corporate-backed music series refuses to stick to one venue, one city, or even one genre. Red Bull…
Dub Thompson with Ought at Holy Mountain: Live Review
I’ve spent the last week completely in awe of Montreal-based post punk band Ought. The post-punk outfit channels Joy Division and Television with angular guitar riffs, but retains their own voice with ambling,…
Basketball Shorts Release Song from Split Cassette on Fleeting Youth
Austin garage punk band Basketball Shorts will release a split in digital and cassette formats with Surfin’ Mutants Pizza Party on July 22nd via Fleeting Youth Records. The release will contain six songs…
Album Review: White Reaper – White Reaper
Louisville, Kentucky’s latest band spawn doesn’t carry the slightest whiff of bluegrass or the faintest whisper of country charm. White Reaper leaves the acoustic ramblings in the dust with their self-titled debut EP…
Album Review: Protomartyr – Under Color of Official Right
Moving between new wave and post punk, Protomartyr’s newest effort Under Color of Official Right consists of propulsive percussion, catchy guitars, and detached coolness. The group has managed to take all the best tendencies of New Order and Gang…
Parquet Courts Feature Sunbathing Animal in Video for “Sunbathing Animal”
Rambling punk rockers Parquet Courts have released a new video for “Sunbathing Animal,” a track that will appear on their forthcoming effort of the same name, set for a June 3rd release date…
Album Review: The Men – Tomorrow’s Hits (Pop Press Pick)
Unlike other varieties of bears, polar bears are nomadic, moving from food source to food source, forsaking territory in favor of satiating their appetite. The Men are like that, and they still aren’t…
The Pixies at Austin Music Hall with Best Coast: Live Review
The Pixies played “Cactus” third. “Bone Machine,” “Wave of Mutilation,” and then “Cactus.” If that fact means nothing to you, it’s likely you were never as completely obsessed and dedicated to the music…
Perfect Pussy Share Convulsive New Track “Interference Fits”
“Interference Fits,” the new track from punk band Perfect Pussy is aptly titled. Almost melodic, crunchy guitar opens the song before it drifts into sputtering drums and swirling loops of feedback and distortion….
Coathangers Release Track From Forthcoming Suicide Squeeze LP
On March 18th, The Coathangers will release Suck My Shirt on Suicide Squeeze. “Springfield Cannonball,” the first track to be release from the album, is a crunchy pop tune built around jilted female vocals. The…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Spotlight: Merchandise
See Merchandise. You’re going to see Merchandise. Why are you going to see Merchandise? They absolutely slay. Seriously. We saw them at NXNE this summer at one of the best shows of the festival. Tons of…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Spotlight: Interview with Audacity
Fun Fun Fun Fest’s Nites programming has become increasingly substantial over the years and this year will feature artists as notable as Twin Shadow as well as up and coming bands such as…
Audacity Share Songs Ahead of Album, Play Fun Fun Fun Fest
Maybe it’s because we can never escape that part of us that (somewhere hidden deep inside) loved high school. Or maybe it’s just because our youth was fraught with as much repressed joy…
K Records Shares Neo Boys Track “Give Me the Message”
It’s impossible to quantify K Records’ contribution to independent and underground music. It’s impossible to quantify K’s vital role in the celebration and encouragement of women’s artistic expression within music. If you’re asking…
New Track: Hunx and His Punx – “You Think You’re Tough”
Hardly Art Records garage punk rockers Hunx and His Punx have released a new track from the forthcoming album Street Punk, out July 23rd. The track delivers all the punk rock crunch we’ve come…
Album Review: GRMLN – Empire
GRMLN’s Empire is a refreshing reminder that rock and roll can be fun. Yoodoo Park draws influences from Kyoto, his birthplace, and southern California, where the 20 year-old currently lives. Throw in 90’s…
Album Review: Free Time – Free Time
The self-titled debut album from New York indie-garage group Free Time, headed by Melbourne transplant Dion Nania and out this week via Underwater Peoples, strives for an unhurried, unworried charm with easy melodies…
Mikal Cronin Releases Video for “Change”
If you read our review of MCII, you know that we are huge fans of Mikal Cronin’s recently released effort on Merge Records. The album is full of perfectly balanced and gorgeously distorted power…
Bob Mould and Ringo Deathstarr at Mohawk Live Review
Punk pioneer and indie-rock veteran Bob Mould brought a blistering performance to the Mohawk Saturday night. A packed house chanted along with almost every song, pumping their fists as Mould plowed with reckless…
Album Review: Odonis Odonis – Better
Better, the latest EP from Toronto-based lo-fi band Odonis Odonis, is a complex and interesting integration of raging punk-rock and noisy shoegaze-surf wrapped in a steely fold of dark, industrial garage sound. Caked…
Bleached w/ Hunters and Fleshlights at Mohawk Live Review
Friday night at a sold-out Mohawk proved to be nothing short of an old-fashioned punk rock show with headliners Bleach supported by opening acts Hunters and local favorites Fleshlights. The crowd came early…
The Men Release Blistering Track “B-minor”
Recording during sessions for their outstanding and recently released New Moon, “B-minor” is an outtake by The Men. The track can be found on the third installment of the Todo Muere series, compilations…
Iceage Release “Morals” Video Featuring Piano, Tour U.S.
Iceage’s praised punk album You’re Nothing dropped earlier this year in February, and the band has just released a video of album track “Morals,” performed live and with the addition of a piano….
The Zoltars Play a Birthday Party in New Video “All My Friends”
Lo-fi punk outfit The Zoltars play a children’s birthday party in the fun and colorful new video for their song “All My Friends.” The song is a single that precedes the release of…
Album Review: Beach Fossils – Clash the Truth
Ah, the sophomore album—so many expectations riding on the success of your first album. So many voices clamoring about what your sound should be and where it should go. So many inimical hands…
The Men Share Live Video Performance of New Single “Electric”
We wrote previously about the new album and single from The Men. Now, a live video featuring the single “Electric” as well as carnage and mayhem at a show in London in June…
Album Review: Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold
Brooklyn-based indie-basement group Parquet Courts develops a fresh and winning take on slacker punk-rock over the course of their debut album, Light Up Gold. With lazy thrills reigning in their voices and aggressive,…
