SONG PREMIERE: Blair Gun Navigate Toxic Situations with Urgent Folk-punk Sounds on “Don’t Think”
It’s a timeless slice of transgression, confession, self-reliance, and self-expression. It’s the perfect punk-power-pop-dance record to confront our peculiar moment. There Are No Rival Clones Here, the sophomore LP from San Diego’s Blair Gun (due out June 7th via Enabler No. 6), marks a multi-dimensional leap for the funny, focused, and fiercely intelligent group. Blair […]
SONG PREMIERE: The Lost Weekend Band Inject a Little Hope into Financial Dispair with Big Country Rocker “Pay The Rent”
What is The Lost Weekend Band and One Hell of a Time? It’s a guy named Hardcore Dave fronting a country band. It’s Paul Fig who has worked with Slipknot and Alice in Chains producing a country record. It’s a country rock n’ roll blues band with a frontman who likes to jump off things […]
Manic Monday – Big Black (Steve Albini) Full Show Seattle 8/9/87
With the untimely death of Steve Albini still weighing heavily on hearts and minds, we’re dedicating this week’s Manic Monday to his most notorious band, noise-rock pioneers Big Black. The below clip captures their legendary last gig in Seattle way back in 1987, which features the likes of Soundgarden‘s Kim Thayil, Mudhoney/Green River‘s Mark Arm, […]
Swans Keep It Unpredictable At Densely Experimental Metro Chicago Show (SHOW REVIEW)
Many people regard particularly compelling live shows as not merely great performances but great “experiences.” If you happened to witness Swans’ performance at The Metro in Chicago on May 11th, chances are you can now relate to that sentiment wholeheartedly. Granted, Michael Gira and company have been decimating audiences in one form or fashion for […]
Chris Milam Taps Into Nostalgia Alt-rock Eras with Impressive LP ‘Orchid South’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
There is a much-welcomed current fascination with music from the 1990s thanks to a current crop of new bands. An appreciation of Shoegaze from a slew of young bands that were not even born by the time My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain and Ride had already broken up the first time, has […]
Ghostface Killah Shows No Mercy On Distinct ‘Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) (ALBUM REVIEW)
We haven’t heard from the mighty Ghostface Killah since the release of his 2019 LP. With little to no warning, the Wu-Tang member announced the release of Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) earlier this week. Today (May 10), we are reintroduced to Ghostface’s legacy. These 19 songs sound like a proper continuation of a […]
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Dehd, Ghostface Killah, Les Savy Fav, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Amen Dunes & More
The work week is soon behind us, folks, and we all need some fantastic releases to relax. Whether you had the most fabulous week of your life or a stressful clashing of days that made time feel extinct, this week’s Caustic will bring you back to reality. We have a buffet of releases that range […]
LISTEN: Lonely Benson Rejuvenates With Bedroom Bossa Track “My Happiness”
Under the moniker Lonely Benson, originally from Australia, Dan Young has built a unique musical identity that blends early Bossa Nova, vintage jazz, and ’60s rock. After releasing hits like “Strawberry Afternoons” and his self-titled album, he faced personal challenges, including mental health and substance use issues. His 2022 song “The Old Days” reflected personal […]
LISTEN: Nicho Daww Keeps It Gritty On Raw Sleaford Mods Styled “Masquerade”
Nicho Daww stands out for his raw authenticity and impassioned delivery. Nicho Daww is a post-punk songwriter from the South of England, known for gritty, indie-infused tracks and distinctive accented vocals. “Masquerade” is a neck-breaking and murky anthem for anyone who has felt out of place. Emphasized by the off-kilter melodies and a hypnotic arrangement, […]
30 Years Ago Today – Sunny Day Real Estate Releases Debut Album ‘Diary’
Deep Friday Blues: John Lee Hooker “Boom Boom” Live 1969
In contrast to his often (always?) irascible peer Howlin’ Wolf (a/k/a Chester Burnett), John Lee Hooker was most amenable to collaborations. Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, Carlos Santana, and Charlie Musselwhite, among others, appeared on his 1989 album The Healer, produced by guitarist extraordinaire Roy Rogers (more about him in a later installment). Meanwhile, the boogie-blues […]
30 Years Later: Weezer Debuts With Unrivaled ‘Blue Album’
In hindsight, the success of the Weezer seemed inevitable—four young musicians from Los Angeles with impeccable chemistry and a natural knack for crafting infectious melodies. Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell, and Matt Sharp had it all on paper. There was only one problem for the four-piece when they formed in 1992: Grunge music. The […]
Stevie Nicks Grasps St. Louis’ Enterprise Center With Enchanting Performance (SHOW REVIEW)
“I have my own life, and I am stronger than you know.” Those are lyrics from “Leather and Lace,” a song from Stevie Nicks’ solo debut in 1981, which she performed near the end of her show at Enterprise Center in St. Louis on May 7th. There was no Don Henley to sing with Nicks, but […]
Rupert Angeleyes on ‘Pillow Talk’, Costumes, and the Kindness of Music Fans (INTERVIEW)
Minneapolis-based Psych and Dream Pop artist Rupert Angeleyes released his third album Pillow Talk, on April 20th and played a special release show with his live band. The songs on the new album have a strongly atmospheric quality and the layering of instrumentation was all devised by Rupert. Thematically, the songs loosely follow ideas of […]
Peter Cat Recording Co. Announces New Album ‘BETA’ – Out 8/9
The ever-evolving genre-bending India based project Peter Cat Recording Co. has announced a new album, BETA set for release August 9th via Muddy Water. Each release thus far has served as a temporal snapshot, capturing the members’ personal evolution since their last offering, a painting of the living and the lived. With their third installment, the group’s familial landscape expanded […]
Animal Collective Reveal Anniversary Edition of ‘Sung Tongs’ + 2018 Live Concert Release
Animal Collective will release a Canary Yellow and Ruby Red colored 2xLP vinyl repress of their beloved fifth studio LP, 2004’s Sung Tongs, in honor of the album’s 20 year anniversary. The new edition marks the first time the album has been available on color vinyl. Also available digitally and on color vinyl will be the new live album Sung […]
SONG PREMIERE: Rob Marshall Melts Old Timey Blues & Breezy Folk On Picturesque “Honey Bear”
While Americana has been embraced by a relentless stream of country-turned-folk lately, it’s now rare to see an artist turning the A word into rustic blues and folk that spares us of the honky-tonk. With a strummy vibe and welcoming vocals evoking earthy joy, singer-songwriter Rob Marshall sounds like a by-the-way artist on a dusty […]
VIDEO PREMIERE: Beta Radio Reflect on Duality with Poignant Folk-rock Tune “The Grief Of”
After nearly over a decade, four albums, and hundreds of millions of streams across various platforms, Beta Radio’s Ben Mabry and Brent Holloman decided to see other people. The duo’s new album Waiting for the End to Come marks the first time they’ve worked with other songwriters. It was during a weeklong writing retreat in […]
VIDEO PREMIERE: Gangstagrass Unload Lyrical Swagger and Musical Chops on “Obligatory Braggadocio”
Conceived as a studio endeavor 15 years ago by Rench, a Brooklyn-based producer handling vocals, guitar, and beats, Gangstagrass has evolved into a vibrant and improvisational band, forging camaraderie from the most unexpected of origins. The group harmonizes the unwavering array of skills from Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), and Dolio the Sleuth […]
