Track Premiere: Lung – “Hypochondriac”

We are super excited to premiere the new track, “Hypochondriac,” from the Cincinnati band Lung. Comprised of Kate Wakefield (vocals, electric cello) and Daisy Caplan (drums), this duo will take you by surprise with their fierceness, addictive pulsing undertones and honest indie rock n roll. The band formed in early 2016 but neither Kate or … Read more

Temples: Volcano [Album Review]

Temples Volcano Fat Possum Records [2017] Fire Note Says: New sounds erupt on Temples’ second album. Album Review: Temples seemingly came out of nowhere in early 2014 with their debut album Sun Structures. Packed with fully-formed neo-psychedelic pop and cavernous space rock, Sun Structures set the bar high and garnered the band some well-deserved attention … Read more

Jay Som: Everybody Works [Album Review]

Jay Som Everybody Works Polyvinyl Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Jay Som is doing her own thing that results in a fresh proper debut. Album Review: Jay Som was doing her own DIY thing posting music online when Polyvinyl officially released her first batch of songs last year with the excellent introduction album Turn Into. … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Hoops – “Rules”

Bloomington, Indiana four-piece Hoops instantly grabbed my ear with their debut single “Rules.” The Friday Fire Track has the modern flare of DIIV and EZTV but the classic 80’s vibe of The Cleaners From Venus. Basically, a must listen for me with that type of sound. Hidden power-pop chords are the key as this melodic … Read more

Why?: Moh Lhean [Album Review]

Why? Moh Lhean Joyful Noise Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: Well worth the 4 year wait, Moh Lhean is a beautifully-produced, introspective concept LP that begs to be listened to in its entirety, multiple times. Album Review: Brothers Yoni and Josiah Wolf, well known in fringe and art rock circles of Cincinnati, are heavy hitters … Read more

The Proper Ornaments: Foxhole [Album Review]

The Proper Ornaments Foxhole Slumberland Records [2017] Who: The Proper Ornaments is the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy, Pink Flames). Foxhole is the groups sophomore album. Sound: Given the members it should be no surprise that The Proper Ornaments embrace the softer side of indie rock. They have … Read more

The Afghan Whigs – “Demon In Profile” [Video]

The Afghan Whigs are back! In Spades, the group’s new album, will be available worldwide on May 5th from Sub Pop. “Demon In Profile,” is the new video and single from the forthcoming record.

Make sure to head over to Sub Pop if you want the vinyl Loser edition of the album! You can find it HERE.

The Afghan Whigs have also announced their first set of dates in support of In Spades in Europe. The band will visit 14 countries this summer including performances at Primavera Sound and Northside Festival. Ed Harcourt will be supporting on all headline shows.

May 26 – Manchester, UK – Cathedral
May 27 – Glasgow, UK – ABC
May 28 – Dublin, IE – Academy
May 30 – London, UK – Koko
Jun. 01 – Barcelona, ES – Primavera Sound Festival
Jun. 03 – Bologna, IT – Zona Roveri
Jun. 04 – Zagreb, HR – Tvornica Kulture
Jun. 06 – Warsaw, PL – Palladium
Jun. 07 – Berlin, DE – Kesselhaus
Jun. 09 – Aarhus, DK – Northside Festival
Jun.10 – Oslo, NO – Vulkan
Jun.12 – Hamburg, DE – Gruenspan
Jun.13 – Frankfurt, DE – Batschkapp
Jun.14 – Antwerp, BE – Trix
Jun.15 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
Aug. 04 – Vienna, AT – WUK
Aug. 05 – Prague, CZ – Lucerna Music Bar
Aug. 06 – Zurich, CH – Mascotte
Aug. 08 – Munich, DE – Backstage Halle
Aug. 09 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso

Bandcamp Artists: Discover, Support, Share – Volume 34

Everyone has been emailing and asking – when is the Bandcamp feature returning? Well – how about right now! After consistent enquires we are back with the beloved feature! For this outing we have some in your face punk from Melbourne, psych-pop from Sacramento, basement rock out of Cincinnati, post-punk from Oakland, Vancouver power pop … Read more

Meatbodies: Alice [Album Review]

Meatbodies Alice In The Red Records [2017] Who: Meatbodies are a California-based trio with connections to Fuzz and Mikal Cronin . Sound: Alice is a heavy psychedelic stoner rock epic. Fans of Ty Segall, Wand, Fuzz and Mikal Cronin will eat this up. TFN Final Take: Alice is fantastic. Chad Ubovich (Fuzz, Mikal Cronin) Kevin … Read more

Heath Green And The Makeshifters: Heath Green And The Makeshifters [Album Review]

Heath Green And The Makeshifters Heath Green And The Makeshifters Alive Naturalsound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The gritty, soulful delivery of Heath Green and his Makeshifters, deliver well crafted, blues rock performances so ecstatic that they transcend the form. Album Review: Heath Green is a veteran of the Birmingham, Alabama music scene, plying his … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: The Bingers – “Big Operation”

You know we always try to enlighten your music playlist on Friday and today’s Fire Track is another keeper. The featured group today is Chicago’s The Bingers and they have a new record, Stay Satisfied, coming out April 21st via Tall Pat Records. “Big Operation” is the song of the day with its really grooving … Read more

Sleaford Mods: English Tapas [Album Review]

Sleaford Mods English Tapas Rough Trade Records [2017] Who: Ghetto-tech beats fused with punk rock rant/rap from Nottingham, UK. Sound: Sleaford Mods 4th LP sees the UK duo belting out another albums worth of pissed off English banter layered with beats, bass and mixed results. TFN Final Take: English Tapas is very uneven. There is … Read more

Less Than Jake: Sound The Alarm EP [Album Review]

Less Than Jake Sound The Alarm EP Pure Noise Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Less Than Jake, long time punk/pop and ska favorites, doing what they do best. Album Review: In the category of “Do you remember when…” and “I can’t believe they’re still together,” Less Than Jake returns with this seven-song EP, marking their … Read more

Old 97’s: Graveyard Whistling [Album Review]

Old 97’s Graveyard Whistling ATO Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Old 97’s embrace their roots! Album Review: Drinkin’, whiskey, cars, trouble, women, God and Texas – Dallas, Texas that is. That has been the story of the Old 97’s since their first record, Hitchhike To Rome which was released back in 1994. A parallel story … Read more

Eyelids – 2nd LP LTD 300 Copies Transparent with Swirl Inside

The 2nd full length from Eyelids, entitled “Or”, is now available for pre-order. If you remember, Eyelids are John Moen, Chris Slusarenko, Jonathan Drews, Jim Talstra & Paul Pulvirenti which have a resume that includes the Decemberists, Guided By Voices, Stephen Malkmus & Jicks and Boston Spaceships. Their debut, 854, was a winner and we … Read more

Heat: Overnight [Album Review]

Heat Overnight Topshelf Records [2017] Fire Note Says: 80’s sounding Montreal band, Heat produce a winning combination. Album Review: Montreal band Heat, describes itself as “post-punk” on its Facebook page and lists Sonic Youth and Oasis as influences, while those writing about the band compare them generously to Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jesus & … Read more

Kishi Bashi – “Can’t Let Go, Juno” [Video]

Released in September of last year, Kishi Bashi took some chances and expanded their sound three albums in with Sonderlust. Kishi Bashi now has a video for the excellent single “Can’t Let Go, Juno.” You can also soon catch Kishi Bashi on tour – dates are below!

Kishi Bashi on Tour:
3/9: Savannah Stopover Festival
3/25: Treefort Music Fest
3/26: Treefort Music Fest
4/6: Birmingham, AL
4/7: Nashville, TN – Basement East
4/8: Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe
4/9: Iowa City, IA – Mission Creek Fest
4/10: Madison, WI – High Noon
4/11: Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
4/12: Grand Rapids, MI – Calvin College
4/13: Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
4/14: Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theater
4/16: Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
4/18: Northampton, MA – Pearl Street
4/19: Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
4/20: Burlington, VT – Signal Kitchen
4/21: Hamden, CT – The Ballroom
4/22: Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre
4/23: Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
4/25: Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
4/26: Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
4/27: Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle

Circus Devils: Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up) [Album Review]

Circus Devils Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up): Best Of Circus Devils Happy Jack Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils are sent off in fine fashion with this career-spanning double-LP compilation Album Review: Circus Devils has never been for the casual Robert Pollard fan. The “band,” comprising Pollard and brothers Todd and … Read more

Circus Devils: Laughs Last [Album Review]

Circus Devils Laughs Last Happy Jock Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils bow out with grace after a 16-year run. Album Review: For sixteen years, Bob Pollard from Guided By Voices and the Tobias brothers have collaborated to form the Circus Devils. Laughs Last is their official final release as a band. The … Read more

Leeroy Stagger – “I Want It All” [Video]

We have been following Canadian singer/songwriter Leeroy Stagger for some time, both as a solo artist and as part of the excellent collaboration of Easton Stagger Phillips. Stagger’s new solo album, Love Versus, is out April 7 via True North Records and it represents the first recording made at his home studio in Alberta.

Stagger had Pete Thomas from The Attractions play on the album and Colin Stewart (The New Pornographers, Black Mountain, Dan Mangan), produce it. This album may be his best yet! Check out his great new video for “I Want It All.”

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Flying Microtonal Banana [Album Review]

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Flying Microtonal Banana ATO Records [2017] Who: The Fire Note was very lucky to get a jump on story telling psych lords King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Coming from Melbourne, Australia this septet has had us captivated since their acclaimed release I’m In Your Mind Fuzz all the … Read more