REVIEWS

Mala Vista’s “Fun Time” is a blistering return to raw, unfiltered punk rock, capturing the essence of New York City’s gritty underground scene. Reminiscent of The Ramones and Les Lullies, this four-piece band channels their energy into a collection of explosive tracks with its high-octane riffs, snarling vocals, and relentless rhythm. 

The album thrives on its no-frills approach, packing attitude and urgency into every second while maintaining an irresistible sense of fun. It’s a masterclass in punk minimalism, showing that sometimes the simplest approach leaves the strongest impact.

Each song on Fun Time offers its own unique punch. “Don't Owe You” opens with a defiant roar, a fast-paced anthem of independence. “I Don't Wanna” is a furious, 1:43 refusal to conform, brimming with infectious energy. “In The Dark” slows things down for a couple of seconds then leaps into shadowy introspection with a scorching melody.

“Cabron” is a fiery, bilingual burst of rage and wit, underscored by razor-sharp guitar work. Closing the album, “Riot” is an adrenaline-fueled call to arms, perfectly capturing the chaos of collective rebellion. With Fun Time, Mala Vista cements themselves as a vital force in the modern punk rock landscape.

The High LowDowns’ “Honey Moonshine” is a collision of power pop hooks, alt-country soul and Americana grit that's a testament to great songwriting and seamless vocals.

I’m currently flipping out on the jangly “All Twisted,” “Turn This Thing Around” and “Can't Shake You Out.” Super stoked as to how well this genre-blending album appeals to my inner love of The BoDeans, Lucinda Williams and The Jayhawks. It’s a must listen!

The Peawees’ “One Ride” (released September 6, 2024) from Spaghetty Town Records, features “Lost In The Middle,” “Banana Tree,” “Who’s The Enemy,” Drive,” “Plastic Bullets,” “Spell On Me,” “One Ride,” and “You'll Never Be Mine Again.”

The band presented their eagerly awaited seventh album, “One Ride.” It was a lengthy wait, marked by lineup changes, divorces, lost loved ones, and job troubles. Yet, “One Ride” showcases how these challenges have only made The Peawees stronger.

This album brims with the rock ’n’ roll swagger reminiscent of a bygone era, demonstrating the band’s rare ability to wear their influences proudly while maintaining a distinctive sound. The mix of rock ’n’ roll, soul, punk, and garage spins on the record like a concoction blended to perfection and served with an unapologetic and rollicking punch.

The lineup includes founding frontman and songwriter Hervé Peroncini, drummer and Texan transplant Tommy Gonzalez, guitarist Dario Persi, and bassist Fabio Clemente.

“Well, it was a long process full of ups and downs, with the pandemic, a lineup change, and some obstacles to overcome. But we worked our butts off, and everyone gave their absolute best. I wrote most of the songs in 2020 while I was on a Canary Island, and I’d send the recordings to the guys as I went along. 

When everything restarted after the pandemic, Carlo (ex-guitarist) moved to Berlin, and Dario joined us. We decided to do a bit of touring with him to get the band warmed up, both musically and personally, and once we felt the songs were really coming together, we headed into the studio.” (Hervé Peroncini)

The Nervous Eaters’ “Rock n Roll Your Heart Away” (August 23, 2024) from Wicked Cool Records, features “Rock n Roll Your Heart Away,” “Vampire,” “Don't Need To Make You Mine,” “Inside Out,” “Scream,” and “In The Shadows.”

“Rock n Roll Your Heart Away is a collection of tunes that seemed to be a natural progression from our previous release on Wicked Cool Records, “Monsters & Angels.” Some tunes are true to the band’s roots while others are more eclectic. We are grateful for all the support we have received for this effort!”  Steve Cataldo

Rock and roll legends from Boston continue their successful collab with Steven Van Zandt and Wicked Cool Records with a 10-song sonic blast that delivers. Songwriter and lead vocalist Steve Cataldo stamps his propensity for snarling punk ‘n roll, garage and power pop on a gritty canvas most evident on the title track. 

The song is his heartfelt tribute not only to the legendary Boston club “The Rat’ and its owner Jimmy Harold but renews that invigorating local music ascension for all those who were part of or witness to it.

The players are at the top of their game and the production immerses you within the sonic landscape accented by heavy hooks and muscular melodies. Check out the Adam Sherman penned “In The Shadows,” an exquisite gem remarkable in its contemplative depth. Kudos for the cover capturing the essence of that burgeoning scene of energy, enthusiasm and innocence with Linda S. Viens.

Steve Cataldo - Vocals, Guitar, Percussion 

Brad Hallen - Bass, Vocals, Percussion 

Adam Sherman - Guitar, Vocals 

David McLean - Drums 

Brooks Milgate - Piano, Organ 

Stevie Van Zandt - Executive Producer 

Steve Cataldo, Brad Hallen - Producers

Recorded At – Lakewest Recording Studio

Recorded By – Jack Gauthier

Mastered At – Bongo Beach Productions

Mastered By – John Mailloux

Mixed By – Patrick DiCenso

Album Cover Photo - Wayne Viens 

The Courettes’ “The Soul Of...The Fabulous Courettes” (September 27, 2024) from Damaged Goods Records is hands down one of the best albums of 2024. 

Featuring “Boom Boom Boom,” “California,” “Don't Want You Back,” “For Your Love,” “Lies,” “Run Run Runaway,” “Stop! Doing That,” “Wall Of Pain,” and “Shake!” 

She’s from Brazil, he’s from Denmark, and together Flavia Couri and Martin Couri aka The Courettes present a 13 track cross pollination sensation that flicks and dances with fuzzy garage vibes, 60's girl group glam and surf pounding sassafras.

Their fifth album is a genre-bending joyride and to those of you not acquainted, this may be the best album you’ll listen to today… Check out La La Brooks from The Crystals lending her otherworldly vocals on "California" and "Run Run Runaway". Magic!

Standout tracks?  All of ‘em! 

Flavia Couri - vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, piano

Martin Couri - drums, vocals, timpani, castanets, tambourine

Soren Christensen - mellotron, organ, piano, vocals

La La Brooks - backing vocals ("California", "Run Run Runaway")

Peter Kehl, Kasper Wagner - horns ("Shake")

Soren Christensen, C.T. Levine - producers

Valentin Kruse - mastering

Recorded at StarrSound Recording Studio

Stupidity, ”AI (Alternative Intelligence),” released November 9, 2024. Black & Red Records 13 songs/38 minutes.

Featuring “A Monkey In A Suit (Is Still A Monkey),” “Cold, Cold Shoes (ft The Fleshtones),” “Cheap Thrills,” “Omaha,” “Mindless (Beyond Stupidity),” “The Murder of Love,” “Fortune Teller,” “Guilt,” “Used To,” and “Darkness Is My Friend.”

Stupidity is Erniz Lundqvist (vox, percussion), Ulrika Wennström (bass, vox), Janne Vierth (guitar, vox), Tommy Boy Sjöström (drums, percussion), Keith Streng (guitar, vox, percussion)

"This album was originally planned to be released on Red On Red Records this year, but sadly the owner and our dear friend Justine Covault passed away last year. So now we have released the album on our own Black & Red label during our US tour during November 2024.

Justine wanted the designer Nicole Anguish to do the cover, so we carried on with her wish, and had her do that, and we also dedicated the album to Justine Covault. On this album everyone in the band has contributed both with music and lyrics and we are also very happy to have our friends The Fleshtones singing on the first single from the album "Cold, Cold Shoes" which is a Fleshtones cover that we have always loved and wanted to record"   Tommy Sjöström

This four-piece outfit hailing from Stockholm, Sweden features gritty garage rock that packs a wallop. The vocals, crafted in a cast iron forge, are delivered with remarkable instinct and dare you not to pay strict attention. The band performs as if they've truly lived every lyric, emphasizing life's lessons with a buzz-saw crunch, all propelled by a high-energy, no-nonsense four-pronged attack.

Get ready to dive deep into 13 tracks of pure garage punk chaos from a band that’s riding the success wave with this killer release. The mayhem, further conjured by the band and their consortium including Keith Streng and the amazing Fleshtones, hits like a lightning bolt! The passion behind it? Electric! 

The lyrics and the fervor with which they’re delivered stand out as a major highlight and the melodies become entrenched with each play. I love this band, and I believe you should too! 

Perka Lindblom – Keyboards

Johan Paju – Trombone

Dag Strömberg – Saxophone

Tobias Ed – Trumpet

Zelda Wennström - Backing vocals

Peter Zaremba - Backing vocals and harmonica

Ken Fox - Backing vocals

Bill Milhizer - Backing vocals

Michael Giblin - Lap slide guitar

Recorded at Dustward Studio in Stockholm 2021 - 2024 by Stefan Brändström

Mixed and produced by Stefan Brändström and Stupidity

Mastered and re-mastered by Michael Giblin 2024 at Red Chuck Studio, Mechanicsburg PA, US