Tony Molina Confront The Truth Slumberland Records [2016] Who: Since 2002, veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina has played in several bands including Dystrophy, Ovens, Lifetime Problems, and Caged Animal but his recent solo work has really spotlighted his indie talent especially with the release of his excellent Dissed And Dismissed (2013) record. Sound: Molina … Read more
Real Numbers Wordless Wonder Slumberland Records [2016] Who: Minneapolis band Real Numbers follows up several popular 12” EPs and a single with their debut full length, Wordless Wonder. Sound: DIY production with quick guitar melodies and an English twitch that is a throwback to the post-punk of the Television Personalities. TFN Final Take: Real Numbers … Read more
It is about damn time that Tony Molina hits us with some new music. His 2013 full length, Dissed And Dismissed, was a favorite here at TFN, so just the word “Molina” makes this Friday already better! The good news is that on October 28, Tony Molina is releasing a new 8-song EP titled Confront … Read more
The Mantles All Odds End Slumberland Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Bay area band tighten up their sound – just a bit – on their third LP. Album Review: If treading water made a sound (and I’m quite sure that it does) The Mantles may have nailed it on their third proper full-length, All Odds … Read more
The Mantles third album, All Odds End, is due out October 16th on Slumberland Records. Like most Slumberland releases, it has a limited color first pressing. All Odds End is on a great looking beer+blue splatter vinyl, or you can get black vinyl direct from the label. You can pick up a copy HERE. The … Read more
Linden Rest And Be Thankful Slumberland Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Linden is the new project from Joe McAlinden, formerly of the band Superstars. The Scotsman’s sophomore LP under the Linden moniker is a fine listen. Decidedly low-key but with layers of sound, McAlinden warmly invites you to enter his abode and feel at … Read more
Evans The Death Expect Delays Slumberland Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Evans the Death enthralls with Expect Delays. Album Review: London’s Evans The Death has returned with their second album, Expect Delays, following up their 2012 eponymous debut. Band members include Katherine Whitaker (vocals and keys), Dan Moss (guitar), Olly Moss (bass), and James Burkitt … Read more
Allo Darlin’ We Come From The Same Place Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Allo Darlin’ return with another smooth indie pop record that just might be their best! Album Review: Allo Darlin’ are a London-based four piece that is fronted by the silky smooth pop vocals of Australian Elizabeth Morris. With their third record, … Read more
The Proper Ornaments Wooden Head Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Anglo-Argentine pair wears influences on sleeves – and scores. Album Review: The Proper Ornaments album Wooden Head seems, at first blush, just a fun way to play a game of Spot the Idiom: Mary Chain/BRMC black-leather-jacket Spector-pop here, “Eight Miles High” jangle there. But … Read more
Gold-Bears Dalliance Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Gold-Bears revive an old formula for modern results. Album Review: Noisy feedback guitars, buried pop song structures, and plenty of big sing along moments makes the sophomore album from Gold-Bears an indie treat. Dalliance finds main band guy Jeremy Underwood joined by an almost entirely new group … Read more
Atlanta-based noise pop band Gold-Bears have just announced the follow up to 2011’s Are You Falling In Love?. Their sophomore album Dalliance will be released on June 3 via Slumberland Records. “For You” begins with main bear and singer Jeremy Underwood bluntly calling out “You’re a mistake.” It is the start of this direct message … Read more
Tony Molina Dissed And Dismissed Melters/Slumberland Records [2013/2014] Fire Note Says: Tony Molina only needs 12 minutes to win you over! Album Review: Veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina released a limited run record last year that I guarantee not enough people heard. His twelve minute album, Dissed And Dismissed, came out on the small … Read more
Have you checked out veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina yet? Since 2002, Molina has played in several bands including Dystrophy, Ovens, Lifetime Problems, Caged Animal, Violent Change and his current solo work. Most recently, he released the “Six Tracks EP” through Matador Records’ Singles Going Home Alone series and his first solo album, Dissed … Read more
Terry Malts Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: San Francisco scuzz-punks return with a short reminder of why punk still matters. Album Review: With the demise of Brit-pop sound-a-likes Magic Bullets (from which all three members of Terry Malts sprang) vocalist Phil Benson, guitarist Corey Cunningham and drummer Nathan Sweatt … Read more
Joanna Gruesome Weird Sister Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Debut from Joanna Gruesome is packed with high energy and loud guitars. Album Review: Boy/girl vocals, teenage angst, noise pop, loud guitars, high energy, feedback and double time drums are just some of the great rock n roll moments you will hear on the debut … Read more
Weekend Jinx Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Brooklyn via San Francisco band add some New Wave flavor to their second album. Album Review: Weekend’s 2010 debut, Sports, was a loud, distorted and uncompromising affair. It was also almost unlistenable. Even front man Shaun Durkan has admitted to having difficulty sitting through it in its … Read more
Cardiff-based noisepop five-piece Joanna Gruesome has their debut album Wierd Sister up for pre-order over at Slumberland Records. The album is due out on September 10 and the limited mail order vinyl is on pink + white swirl. You also will get a free poster and sticker while supplies last. You can pick up a … Read more
You can now pre-order Terry Malts new album Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere from Slumberland Records, which is being released on September 10, 2013. Initial vinyl LP orders pressed on limited edition bone color vinyl and include a FREE flexi of the band covering Altered Images classic “I Could Be Happy.” The LP comes with … Read more
Spectrals Sob Story Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Spectrals’ Sob Story successfully skirts sophomore slump! Album Review: Diversity is one of those prized musical qualities that many artists strive for; if you can pull it off, having a wide-ranging, eclectic sound is a major plus—it’s why we all love the Beatles so much. But … Read more
The Mantles Long Enough To Leave Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Mantles wear their influences on their sleeves but don’t call this a revival. Album Review: The San Francisco garage scene is alive and well. Yes indeed. With The Fresh & Onlys, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, White Fence, etc. there seems to … Read more
Weekend spent most of 2012 writing, recording, and painstakingly mixing the 10 songs that comprise Jinx, once again with Monte Vallier at Ruminator. During this time, Weekend relocated cross-country to the already heavily saturated Brooklyn music scene. The trio had collectively grown weary of the trappings of home. Durkan states, “Feeling at home is evidence … Read more
Sob Story sees Spectrals back and better than ever, brimming with confidence and the best songs of the Jones brothers’ careers so far. It’s an album that begs to be played again as soon as it finishes and one that will also create excitement at what is to come next from this band, whether Louis … Read more
San Francisco/Oakland’s The Mantles have been charting a unique path through the Bay Area’s storied garage/pop scene since 2007. The early shows were loose & loud Velvets/Nuggets-bashing, always with weirdly catchy songs & oddball chord changes. Their first singles saw them honing their sound, building towards their excellent 2009 self-titled debut album (on Siltbreeze) and … Read more
Oakland-based post-punk outfit Wax Idols have shared their video for “When It Happens,” directed by Hayden Shiebler. The group’s new album Discipline & Desire is out now, and you can read our review HERE. The band will celebrate the album’s release with a full US tour in April. All tour dates listed below. 04/20 Chicago, … Read more
Roommates Winnifred 7″ Slumberland Records [2012] Ben Cook Aka Young Guv (Fucked Up, Marvelous Darlings, The Bitters) and Marvelous Mark Fosco (Marvelous Darlings) lived together as roommates for 4 years. This 7-inch compiles the groups previous available cassette releases and presents their stylish dirty power-pop to a bigger audience. These songs fall right in line … Read more