Animal Collective: Tangerine Reef [Album Review]

Animal Collective Tangerine Reef Domino Recording Company [2018] Who: Established experimental electronic rock band. Sound: Aquarium/laser-light-show music. TFN Final Take: It’s an admirable idea. Make a record that benefits the fading presence of the coral reef in our world. And it’s meant to be an audiovisual experience. But as a standalone LP, Tangerine Reef is … Read more

Counting Crows: “25 Years And Counting” Tour 2018 [Concert Review]

Counting Crows w/ Special Guest Live: “25 Years And Counting” Tour 2018; Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH – Saturday, September 1, 2018 It was a hot, muggy night on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend when the Counting Crows brought their 25th anniversary tour to the Ohio River valley. Earlier in the day we’d seen … Read more

Big Bite: Big Bite [Album Review]

Big Bite Big Bite Pop Wig Records [2018] Who: Seattle, Washington based Big Bite have released a stunning debut album. Sound: Big Bite’s debut is a bold and satisfying mix of Wipers and contemporaries such as Pardoner and Baked. TFN Final Take: I have been a Big Bite tear for the past month. Their self-titled … Read more

Deaf Wish – “FFS” [Video]

Melbourne’s Deaf Wish have an official video for “FFS” which was the lead single from Lithium Zion, their newest album that was released in July.

“FFS” was directed by band members Jensen Tjhung and Daniel Twomey and shot in glorious black and white, and stars guitarist/vocalist Sarah Hardiman delivering an intense and engaging performance of the song.

Lithium Zion is available on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide through Sub Pop HERE.

Interpol: Marauder [Album Review]

Interpol Marauder Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Most songs on the new Interpol will fit nicely into a live set. Album Review: New York post-punk rockers Interpol return for a 6th album, this time relying on an outside producer after taking things in-house on the last two. Working with David Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Spoon, … Read more

Wand – “Town Meeting” [Video]

When Wand make music and tour, they do it for everyone, right? But perhaps most of all (yet least noticed), they do it for the kids! And not just the figurative adult kids, but actual factual real ones. That’s why Wand recently partnered with OMG Everywhere, a not-for-profit summercamp for kids, to make a video for “Town Meeting” off their recent EP release, Perfume.

WAND ON TOUR!
10/12-14/2018 Desert Daze Festival Lake Parris, CA
11/8/2018 The Exchange in Bristol, United Kingdom
11/12/2018 The Deaf Institute in Manchester, United Kingdom
11/13/2018 Stereo in Glasgow, United Kingdom
11/14/2018 Hare and Hounds in Birmingham, United Kingdom
11/15/2018 The Haunt in Brighton, United Kingdom
11/16/2018 Village Underground in London, United Kingdom
11/17/2018 Black Box in Brugge, Belgium
11/19/2018 Point Ephémère in Paris, France
11/20/2018 Bitterzoet in Amsterdam, Netherlands
11/21/2018 Zukunft Am Ostkreuz in Berlin, Germany
11/22/2018 Unter Deck in Munich, Germany
11/23/2018 Rote Fabrik in Zurich, Switzerland

The Friday Fire Track: RAYS – “Yesterday’s Faces”

Oakland’s RAYS are back! The follow up to their self-titled debut will be out November 2nd via Trouble In Mind and is titled You Can Get There From Here. Today’s Friday Fire Track, “Yesterday’s Faces,” is from the new album and showcases the band’s newer direction of a more refined and melodic pop that is … Read more

Houndmouth: Golden Age [Album Review]

Houndmouth Golden Age Rough Trade Records [2018] Who: Louisville trio going through a transition. Sound: High energy synth-pop. TFN Final Take: Giving Golden Age its first listen, you may wonder if you’ve got the right album. While Houndmouth’s trademark sound had been loose, guitar-driven, harmony-laden blues and folk, this LP is electric and crackling. That’s … Read more

Track Premiere: Extra Arms – “Why I Run”

Today’s premiere track, “Why I Run,” is from Detroit, Michigan’s Extra Arms! The group is fronted by Ryan Allen of Thunderbirds Are Now! fame and Extra Arms will be releasing their fourth LP, Headacher, on October 12 via Get Party Records. What caught TFN’s ear on this track is its high energy and pure drive. … Read more

The Record Company: All Of This Life [Album Review]

The Record Company All Of This Life Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Rock trio, The Record Company step up with a solid sophomore effort, expanding on their strengths. Album Review: From the earliest days of rock & roll, there’s been a special place for power trios, like Cream, Rush, Nirvana, Husker Du, The Jam, … Read more

Oh Sees: Smote Reverser [Album Review]

Oh Sees Smote Reverser Castle Face Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Oh Sees return with an eclectic serving for their 21st LP Album Review: Oh Sees (Formerly Thee Oh Sees, The Oh Sees, OCS) frontman, John Dwyer, recently gave an interview to Billboard.com in which he speaks on the bands creative ethos and art in … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Ron Gallo – “Always Elsewhere”


Stardust Birthday Party is the follow up to Ron Gallo’s debut album, Heavy Meta, which was a fantastic garage rock album that we missed out on in 2017. Well, we are not missing this one as Gallo storms back with today’s Friday Fire Track, “Always Elsewhere.” The track is from Stardust Birthday Party which is out October 5, 2018 via New West Records.

Gallo’s energy sounds like a modern Talking Heads as the track has a very pop backbone under its excited guitar playing and call out type vocal delivery. The song just has all the components to make your Friday better!

Ron Gallo Website
Ron Gallo Facebook
New West Records

Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis: Wild! Wild! Wild! [Album Review]

Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis Wild! Wild! Wild! Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Together, Lewis & Fulks recall what made that revolutionary music so appealing. Album Review: The collaboration of alt country singer/songwriter Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis, the little sister, piano protégé and touring partner of Jerry Lee “The Killer” Lewis … Read more

Brian Owens: Soul Of Cash [Album Review]

Brian Owens Soul Of Cash Soul Step Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Brian Owens shares his soul with Johnny Cash! Album Review: I think in today’s vast music scene, cover records are merely blown off as a novelty or simply overlooked. Even for established artists, a cover record is typically assumed to just be a … Read more

David Byrne: “American Utopia” Tour 2018 [Concert Review]

David Byrne w/ Special Guest Benjamin Clemetine: “American Utopia” Tour 2018; Rose Music Center, Dayton, OH – Saturday, August 11, 2018 The English language is not particularly helpful when one sets out to describe the music and artistry of David Byrne, words like unique and quirky tend to carry a pejorative connotation, while intended as … Read more

Death Valley Girls – “Disaster (Is What We’re After)” [Video]

Los Angeles punk glam rockers Death Valley Girls have announced their third studio album Darkness Rains, out October 5th via Suicide Squeeze Records. The announcement arrives with this fantastic Iggy Pop-starring video for the new single “Disaster (Is What We’re After).” It really will have you wanting a hamburger!

The band also has a 30-date US tour scheduled this fall which you can see all the dates below.

Death Valley Girls Tour Dates:
08-26 – Long Beach, CA @ Happy Sundays (FREE)
09-13 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriets *
10-03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom **
10-04 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s on Newport **
10-05 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah **
10-18 – Riverside, CA @ Aurea Vista
10-19 – Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse Saloon
10-20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room
10-21 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
10-23 – Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas
10-24 – Dallas, TX @ Regal Room
10-25 – Norman, OK @ Opolis
10-26 – Memphis, TN @ The Hi Tone
10-29 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery #
10-30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie #
11-01 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge #
11-02 – Cleveland, OH @ The Winchester #
11-03 – Detroit, MI @ Deluxx Fluxx #
11-04 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen #
11-05 – Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club #
11-07 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge #
11-08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge #
11-09 – Boise, ID @ The Olympic #
11-11 – Chico, CA @ Duffy’s #
11-13 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios #
11-14 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret #
11-15 – Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown #
11-16 – Seattle, WA @ Freakout Festival
11-17 – Eugene, OR @ Old Nicks #
11-20 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop #

* w/ L.A. Witch
** w/ Roky Erickson
# w/ Gymshorts

Gorillaz: The Now Now [Album Review]

Gorillaz The Now Now Parlophone/Warner Bros. [2018] Fire Note Says: The follow-up to last year’s “Humanz,” finds Gorillaz leaning more on singer Damon Albarn (Blur) than the hip-hop collaborations that drove previous hits up the charts. Album Review: The Gorillaz concept – a virtual band with animated characters drawn by artist Jamie Hewlett with music … Read more

Face To Face: Hold Fast (Acoustic Sessions) [Album Review]

Face To Face Hold Fast (Acoustic Sessions) Fat Wreck Chords [2018] Who: Southern California-based Face to Face have been pumping out catchy punk pop rock for 27 years. Sound: Face to Face have always had a straight forward 90’s punk pop sound that is always filled with hooks surrounded by their grit. Hold Fast is … Read more

Sunflower Bean: Twentytow In Blue [Album Review]

Sunflower Bean Twentytow In Blue Mom + Pop Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Brooklyn-based trio, Sunflower Bean, mix bubblegum and power pop, psychedelia and punk influences for a buoyant sophomore effort. Album Review: Sunflower Beam is a traditional rock trio – bass, drums & guitar – which brings it’s original songs into focus around singer/bassist … Read more

Doffing: Tower Of Ten Thousand Miles [Album Review]

Doffing Tower Of Ten Thousand Miles Self-Released [2018] Who: Montreal’s Doffing may have released one of 2018’s best albums. Tower of Ten Thousand Miles is flying under the radar, but try your best to lock on and engage. Sound: Doffing emulate and honor 90’s indie rock with an entertaining blend of weirdo rock that is … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Art Brut – “Wham! Bang! Pow! Let’s Rock Out!”

Art Brut is back and just released a brand new single and today’s Friday Fire Track, “Wham! Bang! Pow! Let’s Rock Out.” Frontman Eddie Argos says of the track, “This is a song about making new friends, I hope it works out…Watch the fuck out! We’re back and very rejuvenated.” Strong words but the song … Read more