Green/BlueOfferingHoZac Records [2022] The sophomore album from Minneapolis’ Green/Blue will instantly pull you into the band’s world with its tight as hell guitar play, fuzzy lo-fi vocals and foot pumping rhythmic drums. Offering feels and sounds urgent with each track having the potential to erupt given that its 10 tracks have a total runtime of … Read more
The Rubs Impossible Dream HoZac Records [2017] Who: The Rubs hail from Chicago and Impossible Dream is their sophomore album. Sound: Impossible Dream is a solid power pop album that has classic recording vibes that will remind you of Big Star while singer Joey Rubbish floats out some Elvis Costello type chops. The modern roll … Read more
Buck Biloxi And The Fucks Streets Of Rage HoZac Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Streets of Rage, the new album from Buck Biloxi and The Fucks, will wrestle you to the ground, hold you there and dangle a loogie over your face, and there’s nothing you can do about it. It will either land … Read more
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
Nun Nun HoZac Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Nun are from Australia, and as I am sure many of you know, there has never been a bad band from Australia. They are never not good…period. Think I’m kidding, go ahead try and name one. Add Nun to the roll call of great Australian bands, … Read more
Connections keeps the material rolling as this end of the year EP followed three LPs released over the last two years. The Guided By Voices comparison is impossible not to notice as this Columbus, Ohio band embraces the lo-fi sound but you will also hear their very Replacement like rock that helps make each recording … Read more
COZY Button By Button HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Give COZY 31 minutes and they will make you believe they are the best band in the world! Album Review: Two things you need to know right off the bat about COZY, they play loud, catchy power pop punk with attitude and they are on … Read more
Straight Arrows Rising HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Australian garage rockers with plenty of fuzz and lots of actual tunes! Album Review: This Australian based band led by Own Penglis is guaranteed to jump to the head of the garage rock class with their sophomore album, Rising. Rising is kind of album that jumps … Read more
Cretin Stompers Looking Forward To Being Attacked HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cretin Stompers bring both the rock and the weird on their debut album. Album Review: Cretin Stompers have quite an impressive pedigree, featuring ex members of Jay Reatard’s band, Wavves, Barbaras, and the one and only Big Muff Radio, (who I am … Read more
Nones Midwestern Family Values HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Unhinged and chaotic, Midwestern Family Values delivers the goods. Album Review: Nones are rock. Let me repeat that just a little bit louder, NONES ARE ROCK! This Chicago band is the music you play when you are in a bad mood and you want to … Read more
The People’s Temple Musical Garden HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The new album from The People’s Temple is a fertile Musical Garden. Album Review: The People’s Temple has been one of my go to bands for whenever I want a 60’s garage rock fix. Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, these guys bring the psychedelic leanings … Read more
Ruined Fortune Ruined Fortune HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ruined Fortune sets the bar high on their experimental/lo-fi/scuzz debut! Album Review: Hailing from Australia, though it sounds like the bowels of NYC circa 1977, Ruined Fortune are a duo consisting of Nic Warnock and Angie Garrick, that specialize in the sort of lo-fi garage … Read more
HoZac records has just announced The People’s Temple third LP Musical Garden pressing informaiton. The first 199 copies will part of the Gold Edition with a remaining 550 on standard black. This band picked up a lot of steam on their last record so this might go rather quickly. It also comes with a free … Read more
Epicycle You’re Not Gonna Get It HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Chicago area powerpop/punk band get the anthology treatment. Album Review: File under: could have been big. Or three years of bratty suburban mayhem distilled into one really cool record. During their original incarnation Epicycle put out one LP and a handful of 7″ … Read more
First Base First Base HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: No down time with the upbeat and energetic debut from First Base. Album Review: Most of the time I like music when it is presented in its most simple form. No frills, no effects, no layers, no slick production – just raw instruments, snappy songs … Read more
Cop City/Chill Pillars Gift Shop b/w Brand New Neighbor HoZac Records [2013] Cop City / Chill Pillars last record Hosed (2012), on Florida’s Dying, was a full length that challenged all pop music with its repetitive singing and tunnel indie rock sound that made you listen again. This new 7-inch on HoZac is another good … Read more
Heavy Times Fix It Alone HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Heavy Times deliver a knockout blow with new album, Fix It Alone. Album Review: HoZac Records has built up quite an impressive stable of artists, releasing albums in the past few years from the likes of Radar Eyes, GAMES and Idle Times to name … Read more
Shocked Minds Shocked Minds HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The debut album from Shocked Minds is as grimy and sleazy as 1970’s NYC! Album Review: This may be a debut lp from Atlanta’s Shocked Minds, but these guys are anything but rookies. Featuring members of The Carbonas, Gentleman Jesse and His Men, and GAMES, … Read more
Georgiana Starlington Paper Moon HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Georgiana Starlington’s debut Paper Moon is a solid taste of western mysticism. Album Review: Siblings Julie and Jack Hines (Jack, former Black Lips member and both members of K-Holes) have created Neko Case’s “Prison Girls” the album, review over…Of course it’s not over, but when … Read more
Black Bug Reflecting The Light HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Equal parts garage and experimental rock, Reflecting the Light is a giant kick in the ass! Album Review: Reflecting the Light is the sonic equivalent of turbo charged truck stop coffee that has been sitting on the warmer for a few hours. It’s dense, … Read more
GAMES GAMES HoZac Records [2012] Fire Note Says: GAMES is PURE GOLD! Album Review: If I had to pick my top 5 current record labels, Chicago’s HoZac would be in the running for the top spot. The label has created a brand if you will; it’s the home of some of the finest psychedelic/power pop/punk/garage … Read more