Christopher Anthony

Christopher Anthony, a passionate supporter of new music, managed a record store and produced alternative video shows in the '90s. Transitioning into the 2000s, he became a prolific music blogger, chronicling the scene with a positive view. His mission: to discover the latest indie releases and share them with you!

Barrence Whitfield & The Savages: Under The Savage Sky [Album Review]

by

Barrence Whitfield & The Savages Under The Savage Sky Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Many of us were not around for the early Barrence Whitfield era back in the 80’s but all you really need to know is that his punk rock soul is pure. On his sophomore release for Bloodshot, Under The … Read more

Say Hi releases new track “It’s A Hunger” + New album ‘Bleeder Digest’ out 9/18

by

Barsuk Records just launched the new track from Say Hi, “It’s A Hunger,” from the forthcoming Bleeders Digest (out September 18th.) Say Hi is Eric Elbogen. He lives in Seattle, WA and has been making records since 2002. His ninth, Bleeders Digest, is a record about vampires and the sequel to Say Hi To Your … Read more

Sugar Ray: Lemonade and Brownies 20th Anniversary Edition

by

Here is one Sugar Ray record that I have always liked. Lemonade and Brownies was released in 1995, and it showcases Sugar Ray in their most youthful and idealistic phase. Their major-label debut is a mixed set of Alternative Funk/Metal, highlighted by “Mean Machine.” The first vinyl release for the album will feature: black wax, … Read more

The Dead Weather: “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)”

by

The Dead Weather have released an explosive live performance video of their first single, “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” from the new record, Dodge and Burn, due out September 25. The clip was shot at Third Man Records and edited by Brad Holland and Jack White.

Dodge and Burn – the band’s third album and first full-length release in five years – is available for pre-order now, with all digital pre-orders receiving an instant grat download of “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles).” The track is also now on sale at digital retailers worldwide.

The Friday Fire Track: Yonatan Gat & Gal Lazer – “0”

by

Typically you will always grab me when you say – “recorded by Steve Albini.” He has such a stellar history in the recording/producer world that his name alone can sell records. So what happens when you put the eclectic Monotonix frontman Yonatan Gat and drummer Gal Lazer together with the legend for an almost 7 … Read more

Lou Barlow: Brace The Wave [Album Review]

by

Lou Barlow Brace The Wave Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Lou gives you plenty of acoustic intensity on his first solo LP in six years. Album Review: Having seen Lou Barlow last month with the very loud Dinosaur Jr., I was ready for some more alt rock from the veteran when I put … Read more

Car Seat Headrest: “Something Soon”

by



Matador Records has announced that it has signed Car Seat Headrest and will release Teens of Style on October 30, with Teens of Denial to follow soon after in 2016. This prolific artist (né Will Toledo) comes to Matador having already crafted an 11-album catalog of staggering depth, all self-released on Bandcamp, which has gained him an obsessive following and over 25,000 downloads.

Car Seat Headrest has also dropped its first-ever official video for single “Something Soon,” directed by Jason Reid. The video features Toledo and his bandmates in an abandoned house on Bainbridge Island, WA, acting out variety of skewed domestic scenes: lightbulb microphones, destruction of household appliances, bathtub nudity, and the burning of a cargo box coffin.

Neko Case: “Truckdriver, Gladiator, Mule” Vinyl Box Set

by

Neko Case and Anti Records have just announced “Truckdriver, Gladiator, Mule”, the complete Neko Case discography on vinyl. Released world-wide on November 13th, 2015, you will be able to get Neko’s out-of-print and hard to find LP’s are together in one box set. Remastered from their original analog tapes, all 8 albums have been pressed … Read more

The Arcs: Yours, Dreamily, [Album Review]

by

The Arcs Yours, Dreamily, Nonesuch Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Black Key Dan Auerbach has found a simmering new full band. Album Review: When he is not producing albums or recording with his buddy Patrick in The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach hangs out with his musical friends and just lays down tracks. Around 75 of … Read more

The Sueves: Liquid Hounds [7″ Inch Review]

by

Here is the debut 7” from Chicago’s thunderous rock n roll rebels The Sueves. The band offers up a very vesical and raw garage punk rock that keeps you going with their electric energy. The group reminds me some of the early material from Spokane, Washington’s, The Makers that were on the great Estrus Records … Read more

Pavement: The Secret History, Vol. 1 [Album Review]

by

Pavement The Secret History, Vol. 1 Matador Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: I am assuming that if you clicked on this review you are already a Pavement fan. This first in the series of Pavement extras is great if you base it on the music alone. The B-sides are necessities for fans and the … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Destroy This Place – “The Bees”

by

The Detroit based quartet, Destroy This Place are ready to hit you in the face with their new track “The Bees.” The dirty rock n roll track is from their forthcoming third record, Animal Rites, which is due out on October 23rd via Forge Again Records. If you are not familiar with Destroy This Place … Read more

The Good Life: Everybody’s Coming Down [Album Review]

by

The Good Life Everybody’s Coming Down Saddle Creek Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: When you talk about Tim Kasher’s work in the indie scene you will always discuss his tormented soul that impacts all of his projects that include his primary band Cursive, his solo work and his other major outlet – The Good … Read more

Big Awesome: Party On [Album Review]

by

Big Awesome Party On Jetsam-Flotsam [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: There is always something to be said for heart on your sleeve rock n roll and that is exactly what you get on Big Awesome’s debut album Party On. John Blanken’s slightly throated vocals never give up or let down in intensity, which keeps pushing … Read more

Royal Headache: High [Album Review]

by

Royal Headache High What’s Your Rupture? Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: So many times bands really screw with their sound following up their debut record. Hence the sophomore slump is a real thing but a true life lesson is knowing that less is sometimes more. For Sydney’s Royal Headache – they get it. High … Read more

of Montreal: Polyvinyl 4-Track Singles Series Vol. 2 [7-Inch Review]

by

Last year, Polyvinyl Records had the cool idea to send around a Tascam 4-Track cassette recorder and capture some unique artists’ recordings with this simple setup. Polyvinyl then released the output as a monthly 7-inch series. Some of the highlights from the 2014 series included 7-inches from Cloud Nothings, Mikal Cronin and Thao & the … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Gold Class – “Life As A Gun”

by

Melbourne-based Gold Class has an instantly memorable sound on this new single from their forthcoming record It’s You. Think Morrissey fronting a post-punk band like Jawbox or even Joy Division. If that catches your interest then you are going to really like “Life As A Gun” from Gold Class. There is a lot to groove … Read more

Dumb Numbers Split Series w/ David Lynch, Melvins, David Yow

by

Dumb Numbers is back with a triple 10″ box set and they brought friends. The split series features new music from Dumb Numbers along with David Lynch, Melvins, and David Yow (Jesus Lizard). The release is limited to a one-time pressing of 975 hand-numbered copies, packaged within a custom wooden box set, with screen-printed art … Read more

Blackheart Honeymoon: Mountains Speak [Album Review]

by

Blackheart Honeymoon Mountains Speak Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: With a sound that goes back n forth between Band of Horses and New Pornographers, Seattle’s Blackheart Honeymoon hit a sonic sweet spot on their debut album Mountains Speak. From the more modern indie jangle found on “Bodies” and “Love It All” to the increased … Read more

Terrible Terrible: Get The New Computer [Album Review]

by

Terrible Terrible Get The New Computer Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Terrible Terrible is a great band name as it sets up low expectations. Of course, that is not the case with this New Jersey quintet which received some positive praise on their 2014 EP, Fail Better. The group’s new four track offering, Get … Read more