S.M. Wolf: Neon Debris [Album Review]

S.M. Wolf Neon Debris In Store Recordings/Jurassic Pop Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: There is nothing better than when you stumble across an artist that was only supposed to be a one-time recording project but releases material that quickly changes things. That is exactly what we have here with Indianapolis’ S.M. Wolf after a … Read more

Frankie Cosmos: Fit Me In EP [Album Review]

Frankie Cosmos Fit Me In EP Bayonet Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: My only complaint about the new Frankie Cosmos is that it is too short. Sure, I know it is an EP but its eight minutes is just an excellent tease of what is for sure to come from this soon to breakout … Read more

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Paper Mâché Dream Balloon [Album Review]

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Paper Mâché Dream Balloon ATO Records [2015] Fire Note Says: KGATLW goes all flute on you with plenty of quirky and catchy outcomes. Album Review: Hopefully we have featured King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard enough lately that you shouldn’t be scared of the name because they definitely stands … Read more

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Motor Away”

Welcome to the fourth and final installment premiere from Suitcase Four here at The Fire Note. All of the tracks have been fun but I think we have saved the best premiere for last. From the critically hailed Alien Lanes (1995), “Motor Away” is one the most recognizable songs from the GBV library and always … Read more

Kishi Bashi: String Quartet Live! [Album Review]

Kishi Bashi String Quartet Live! Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Several years ago you would have never heard me go on and on about a violin player but K. Ishibashi (aka Kishi Bashi) changed all of that with his genre changing debut 151a (2012). String Quartet Live! features reimagined versions from not … Read more

Martin Courtney: Many Moons [Album Review]

Martin Courtney Many Moons Domino [2015] Fire Note Says: Hear the smooth warm sounds from Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney. Album Review: Several other members of Real Estate have already ventured out with side projects like Ducktails and Alex Bleeker and The Freaks, so the time seems right from frontman Martin Courtney to strut his … Read more

The Yawpers: American Man [Album Review]

The Yawpers American Man Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The Yawpers highlight all that is good with the rowdy bar band vibe as they pull off a Steve Earle fronts Old 97s sound with a blue collar work ethic of Uncle Tupelo. American Man is just that kind of record as the group’s … Read more

Elephant Stone – “The Devil’s Shelter” (Ft. Alex Maas of Black Angels)

Since their creation, Elephant Stone have consistently been a name to drop in the contemporary psychedelic scene. Today, they share their new video, directed by Elba Berganza, for “The Devil’s Shelter” featuring guest vocals by their good friend Alex Maas of The Black Angels. The band begins their west coast tour this week and you can find the dates below.

ELEPHANT STONE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
11/12 – San Diego CA – Whistle Stop
11/13 – Los Angeles CA – Hotel Cafe
11/14 – Santa Ana CA – Constellation Room
11/18 – Seattle WA – LoFi
11/19 – Vancouver BC – The Cobalt
11/20 – Portland OR – Bunk Bar
11/21 – Oakland CA – The New Parish for Echo Fest

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Third Grade Aviator”

Welcome to the third installment premiere from Suitcase Four here at The Fire Note. We rocked you on week one with “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl”, and slowed things down last week on “Lockets Of The Empress,” so for week 3 it only seemed natural to crank the amps back up with “Third Grade Aviator” … Read more

Beach Slang: The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us [Album Review]

Beach Slang The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us Polyvinyl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Did you think Beach Slang was going to slow down on their debut? Think again! Album Review: Beach Slang is for everyone that wants to rock. In the spirit of The Replacements, early Goo Goo Dolls, … Read more

Video Premiere: Moa Holmsten – “You’re Missing”

Here is a twist today for you. A Bruce Springsteen cover from a Swedish recording artist that previously fronted a heavy metal band. Sound interesting? – you bet.

Moa Holmsten is the artist we are talking about and this video premiere for “You’re Missing” is from her recently released record of all Springsteen covers titled Bruised Arms & Broken Rhythm on Fill In The Blank Records. If you know any Springsteen history, this song was actually cut in 1994 and then revived and rewritten after 9/11, for his powerful 2002 album, The Rising.

With the help of Tony (the producer and co-creator of the album) this video pairs with Holmsten’s haunting and delicate vocals with his art project that was made several years ago filming himself when he was heartbroken. The song, the video and voice all connect with a core emotion we all have experienced which pulls you into the track.

With great starting material, “You’re Missing” is a solid representation from the record which features other great takes on “Dancing In The Dark,” “Badlands,” and “Born To Run” to just name a few. I have always been a sucker for covers and this project from Moa Holmsten takes a huge risk tackling Springsteen but I will tell you that she not only succeeds but will have you humming along to her versions in no time.

Moa Holmsten Website
Fill In The Blank Records

SPORTS: All Of Something [Album Review]

SPORTS All Of Something Father/Daughter Records [2015] Fire Note Says: SPORTS pulls out a winner with sophomore record All of Something! Album Review: SPORTS is a basement rock band, started in 2012 at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. The group has had all the normal up and downs of beginning young bands but on its … Read more

Track Premiere: Raiders Of The Lost Art – “Unhinged The Blessings”

The track premiere today is from the Chicago group Raiders Of The Lost Art. Not only is their name memorable but the group mixes in samples from 8 bit Nintendo games. Yes, you heard that right. At the 3:30 mark in the track you can really hear an arcade backdrop take off and create a … Read more

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Lockets Of The Empress”

Hello GBV fan! Ready to get your second taste of Suitcase Four? Last week we rocked you out with “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl” so we thought for week 2 slowing things down might be special. Kicking off the second CD of the four disc compilation is today’s feature, “Lockets Of The Empress,” which is … Read more

Savages – “The Answer”

Savages recently announced that on January 22, 2016 they will release their sophomore album, Adore Life, on Matador Records. You can now watch the first video “The Answer” which is getting us excited to hear the full length. The video was directed by Giorgio Testi at Pulse.

The band will bring their live show to major markets in 2016, kicking off their world tour in Bexhill, UK on February 18th, and culminating in Austin, TX on April 12th. The full list of tour dates can be found below.

Savages – 2016 World Tour Dates:
2/18 – Bexhill, UK – De La Warr Pavilion
2/19 – Cambridge, UK – Junction
2/21 – Glasgow, UK – Art School
2/22 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
2/23 – Leeds, UK – Irish Centre
2/26 – Dijon, FR – Generiq Festival
2/27 – Lyon, FR – Epicerie Moderne
2/28 – Bordeaux, FR – Rockschool Barbey
3/2 – Brussels, BE – Botanique Orangerie
3/5 – Malmo, SE – Babel
3/6 – Stockholm, SE – Kagelbanan
3/7 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega
3/13 – Milan, IT – Magazzini Generali
3/15 – Zurich, CH – Dynamo
3/16 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg
3/17 – London, UK – Roundhouse
3/27 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club
3/28 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
3/29 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
3/31 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
4/1 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
4/2 – Montreal, CAN – Corona Theatre
4/4 – Toronto, CAN – Danforth Music Hall
4/5 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
4/7 – Chicago, IL – Metro
4/8 – St. Louis, MO – The Ready Room
4/9 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
4/11 – Dallas, TX – Trees
4/12 – Austin, TX – Emo’s

Car Seat Headrest: Teens Of Style [Album Review]

Car Seat Headrest Teens Of Style Matador Records [2015] Fire Note Says: This lo-fi pop shows true promise! Album Review: Discovery of new music is a wonderful thing. I can name countless bands that I thought should be huge and just wowed me after I heard their basement tapes. I can also think of a … Read more

The Stops: Nameless Faces [Album Review]

The Stops Nameless Faces Dirt Cult Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Nothing like picking out a killer band from your backyard as the now Portland, Oregon based Dirt Cult Records has released the debut LP from the all-female punk rock group The Stops. The 10 song, 23 minute record, Nameless Faces, wastes no time … Read more

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl”

How about this Guided By Voices fans? We teased you a bit with this track 4 weeks ago and now it is here for real! Plus that is not all – 4 weeks, 4 CDs and 4 Premiere tracks…BOOM! Suitcase 4: Captain Kangaroo Won The War is going to explode! OK – so not really … Read more

The Fresh & Onlys: Early Years Anthology [Album Review]

The Fresh & Onlys Early Years Anthology Castle Face Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: It is crazy to think what gets left on the cutting room floor when a record is released. This early year’s collection from The Fresh & Onlys is a prime example, as I can’t believe none of the 12 tracks … Read more