We are quite pleased to welcome superb Los Angeles band Moaning to the label, who will release their debut album in the spring of 2018 on Sub Pop. Until then, we suggest you watch the group’s video for this here earworm “The Same.”
Stereogum had this to say of the video: “There’s something innately appealing about watching something get destroyed....Moaning wreck a house in the video for their catchy as hell new song “The Same,” and it’s captivating to see them irreversibly tear things down while they sing about not knowing what’s coming next. Change comes in fits and starts — sometimes it feels like putting a sledgehammer through a wall, but more often than not it feels like nothing is happening at all.”
More on Moaning: Los Angeles-band Moaning is the abrasive post-punk trio comprised of Sean Solomon, Pascal Stevenson, and Andrew MacKelvie. The three initially met as teenagers while growing up in the San Fernando Valley, and immediately developed a kinship through Los Angeles’s local music scene. The three began regularly frequenting DIY institutions like The Smell and Pehrspace, eventually selling out dozens of their shows at both venues with their first few bands.
From the sentimental to catastrophic, hiding meek and introspective lyrics within powerful droning dance songs, the music Moaning makes also gives sonic nods to some of the band’s musical heroes like New Order, Broadcast, and Slowdive.
Moaning’s fervent songs are born out of the member’s experiences with love and distress, creating a sound uniquely dark and sincere. This is evidenced in the band’s early version (and video) of their track, “The Same.” The three went into their home studio to record the song and subsequently decided to shoot a music video for the track. Moaning was tipped off about a house that was about to be demolished nearby, and had quickly assembled a group of friends and filmed them taking turns destroying the estate. Meanwhile, Solomon, Stevenson, and MacKelvie tried their best to perform the song amongst the chaos. The video’s budget was limited to the sledgehammers, spray paint, and a case of beer they provided for the friends who were invited to cause havoc, which emphasizes Moaning’s desire to make as much impact with as few resources as possible. The track’s skidding percussion and toned back vocals gave merely a glimmer of the target Moaning aimed to hit with their sound.
Moaning is currently at work on their debut full-length, which will be released sometime the spring of 2018.
Moaning Tour Dates
Moaning have also scheduled tour dates beginning December 7th in Seattle at Neumos and ending December 19th in Phoenix at LBX. During this run, the band will act as support for label mates METZ (December 7th-16th).
Dec. 07 - Seattle, WA - Neumo’s * Dec. 08 - Vancouver, BC - Cobalt * Dec. 09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir * Dec. 11 - San Francisco, CA - Independent * Dec. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom* Dec. 13 - San Diego, CA - Casbah * Dec. 15 - Austin, TX - Mohawk * Dec. 16 - Houston, TX - Studio at Warehouse Live * Dec. 17 - Dallas, TX - Transit Bicycle Co. Dec. 19 - Phoenix, AZ - LBX
Plus the band have a Reddit / Indieheads AMA on Friday, October 6th aka Cry Cry Cry Release Day
[Photo Credit: Shane McCauley]
Wolf Parade’s Cry Cry Cry the band’s excellent fourth album, is currently streaming in its entirety at NPR Music’s “First Listen” [listen here].
NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson says of Cry Cry Cry, “Befitting the creative ambition of the group’s previous LPs, it serves as a full-throated burst of musical and thematic ideas. Goth-streaked album opener “Lazarus Online” pleads for survival and resiliency — “Let’s fight / Let’s rage against the night” — as its protagonists struggle to coexist with the darkness in their lives. “Valley Boy” storms and booms with glammy drama, referencing Leonard Cohen’s death as it waxes weary about the state of the world, while “Incantation” builds from a moody murmur to climactic cacophony. Cry Cry Cry is a big swing, artistically speaking, but it also dodges many of the pitfalls that face artists who try to chronicle an age of uncertainty and resistance without sounding ham-handed. Wolf Parade taps into the sound of modern disconcertment on Cry Cry Cry, but the album’s grandiosity is mostly restricted to the music itself — rousing, urgent, and always seeking out slivers of hope.”
Ask Wolf Parade anything during their Reddit Indieheads AMA, currently set for Friday, October 6th at 1pm PT.
Wolf Parade’s thunderous Cry Cry Cry will be available on CD / 2xLP / DL / CS worldwide from Sub Pop on Friday, October 6th, 2017, and pre-order is on now worldwide from Sub Pop and in Canada from Universal Records via Wolf Parade’s webstore right here. LP pre-orders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in the U.S. will receive the limited loser edition on creme colored vinyl (while supplies last). There’s also a brand new t-shirt design available for your bundling pleasure.
Cry Cry Cry is already one of the best-reviewed albums of the year, seeing praise from outlets on both sides of the Atlantic:
Uncut says of the album, “Cry Cry Cry is 21st century rock at its most delectably omnivorous [8/10].”
“Wolf Parade have always stood apart from their peers: always weirder, more complex and artier than the others with their dissonant punchy pop and gnarled edges,” says London in Stereo.
Stereogum raves that Cry Cry Cry “is packed to the brim with stray melodies locked between the foreground and background that brighten the surroundings without stealing attention from the main action. Every note is meticulously functional, but displayed with a style of craft that rings miraculous rather than mechanical....The band plays it sharper and straighter than when we last left them, emphasizing economy in their experimentation and a professionalism in their power. It’s a cleaner, clearer direction after those previous albums. Importantly, it feels like a sustainable start to something new, hopefully something that’s here to stay — something this band can hold onto now that they seem ready to charge against everything that at one time had them on the run.”
Meanwhile, Q Magazine says Cry Cry Cry is “A colourful and melodic musical expansiveness… it finds them in rejuvenated form [4/5].”
Slant notes that “Wolf Parade’s latest effort re-emphasizes the contrast between Boeckner’s raspy, emphatic vocal and Krug’s forlorn warble. Nearly every track on Cry Cry Cry starts simply with guitar, piano, or organ and layers in additional textures—horn blasts here, a flurry of electronic effects there—until the songs swell to kinetic, instrumentally dense climaxes [4/5].”
And MOJO offers this, “This quartet’s first material in six years is a shimmering, bombastic blast.”
Wolf Parade’s headlining international tour schedule, which resumes October 12th in Guelph, Ontario at Peter Clark Hall, has been extended through January 24th in Phoenix at The Van Buren. Barsuk Records act Charly Bliss, who are supporting the October 13th-27th shows (select dates), will also act as direct support, January 12th-24th (select dates).
2017 dates Oct. 12 - Guelph, ON - Peter Clark Hall Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre** Oct. 15 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom** Oct. 16 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues Oct. 19 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer** Oct. 20 - Boston, MA - Royale** Oct. 21 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel Oct. 22 - Washington, DC - Black Cat** Oct. 24 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall Oct. 25 - South Saginaw, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom Oct. 26 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall** Oct. 27 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue** Nov. 15 - Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg Nov. 17- Paris, FR - Petit Bain Nov. 18 - Bristol, UK - Thekla Nov. 20 - Dublin, IE - Button Factory Nov. 21 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla Nov. 22 - London, UK - O2 Forum Nov. 24 - Brussels, BE - Botanique (Orangerie) Nov. 25 - Nancy, FR - L’ autre Canal Nov. 26 - Basel, CH - Kaserne Nov. 27 - Munich, DE - Hansa 39 Nov. 29 - Berlin, DE - Bi Nuu Nov. 30 - Hamburg, DE - Gruenspan Dec. 01 - Copenhagen, DK - Loppen Dec. 02 - Stockholm, SE - Strand
2018 Jan. 12 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore Ballroom ** Jan. 13 - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market ** Jan. 14 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom ** Jan. 16 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore ** Jan. 17 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre ** Jan. 20 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre Jan. 21 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory ** Jan. 23 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park ** Jan. 24 - Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren **
Bully’s Sub Pop debut is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases for the fall, with early reviews and critics raving about the record’s explosive power and sharp, potent lyrics. Losing will be released worldwide on October 20th, and today the band released another track from the album: “Kills to Be Resistant”. The song deals with the emotional conflict of unrequited love and the feeling of restraint and pushing your feelings aside out of respect for the situation.
Due to popular demand Bully have added more shows both for North America and the rest of the world as anticipation grows around the album’s release.
Tour Dates:
11/02/17- St Louis MO - Off Broadway
11/03/17 - Iowa City IA - The Mill
11/04/17 - Minneapolis MN - Fine Line Music Cafe
11/06/17 - Madison WI - High Noon Saloon
11/07/17 - Chicago IL - Thalia Hall
11/08/17 - Detroit MI - Marble Bar
11/09/17 - Toronto ON - Lee’s Palace
11/10/17 - Montreal QC - Bar le Ritz
11/12/17 - Boston MA - Great Scott (SOLD OUT)
11/13/17 - Brooklyn NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/14/17 - Philadelphia PA - First Unitarian Church
11/15/17 - Washington DC - U Street Music Hall
11/17/17 - Charlottesville VA - The Southern
11/18/17 - Durham NC - Motorco Music Hall
11/19/17 - Asheville NC - The Mothlight
12/06/17 - Little Rock AR - Stickyz
12/07/17 - Dallas TX - Club Dada
12/08/17 - Austin TX - Emo’s
12/09/17 - Houston TX - Walter’s
12/10/17 - New Orleans LA - Gasa Gasa
12/12/17 - Birmingham AL - Saturn
12/13/17 - Atlanta GA - Terminal West
12/14/17 - Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge
12/15/17 - Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge
12/16/17 - Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge
2/16/18 - Norman OK - The Opolis
2/17/18 - Santa Fe NM - Meow Wolf
2/18/18 - Phoenix AZ - Valley Bar
2/24/18 - Eugene OR - Hi-Fi Music Lounge
2/26/18 - Vancouver BC - Biltmore Cabaret
2/28/18 - Seattle WA - Neumos
3/1/18 - Spokane WA - The Bartlett
3/2/18 - Boise ID - Neurolux
3/3/18 - Salt Lake City UT - Kilby Court
3/5/18 - Denver CO - Larimer Lounge
3/6/18 - Kansas City MO - Record Bar
5/30/18 - London, UK - Moth Club
Losing is available for pre-order now from Sub Pop Records and from Bully’s webstore. LP pre-orders of the album from Sub Pop and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on clear vinyl with black swirls (while supplies last).
Losing was engineered and mixed by lead-singer Alicia Bognanno in Chicago at Electrical Audio.
U-Men available worldwide November 3rd, 2017 from Sub Pop
You can now listen to “Gila” and “The Fumes,” two tracks from the U-Men’s forthcoming, self-titled anthology, available worldwide on Friday, November 3rd, 2017 from Sub Pop.
U-Men is a comprehensive and remastered collection, which compiles the entire studio-recorded output of The U-Men, plus five unreleased songs, with a 16-page book of photos, liner notes, and interviews with the band. The U-Men anthology was executive produced by Jack Endino.
“Gila” [listen here] was initially available on the group’s first EP, released by Bruce Pavitt on Bombshelter Records. The track would reappear years later on the Sub Pop 100 compilation, and a split single with the Melvins for Amphetamine Reptile’s Sugar Daddy Live! series. Meanwhile, “The Fumes” [listen here] was found on the tracklisting for Stop Spinning, the group’s second EP originally released by Homestead Records.
U-Men is now available for preorder from Sub Pop right here, and is available in the following formats:
3xLP box set housed in a cardboard slipcase with printed inner sleeves + 16-page booklet
2xCD digipack with custom dust sleeves + 16-page booklet
Digitally
[Photo Credit: Cam Garrett]
More on the U-Men from Mudhoney’s Mark Arm:
The U-Men are one of the best bands I’ve ever seen. They were hypnotic, frenetic, powerful and compelling. It was impossible to resist getting sucked into their weird, darkly absurd world. They effortlessly blended The Sonics, Link Wray, Pere Ubu, and Captain Beefheart. Their shows were loose-limbed, drunken dance parties and no two shows were alike. The U-Men were avant garage explorers and, most importantly, they fucking rocked. I was lucky enough to live in their hometown and I saw them every chance I could.
From 1983 to 1987, the U-Men were the undisputed kings of the Seattle Underground. No one else came close. They ruled a bleak backwater landscape populated by maybe 200 people. They were the only band that could unify the disparate sub-subcultures and get all 200 of those people to fill a room. Anglophilic, dress-dark Goths; neo-psych MDA acolytes; skate punks who shit in bathtubs at parties; Mod vigilantes who tormented the homeless with pellet guns; college kids who thought college kids were lame; Industrial Artistes; some random guy with a moustache; and eccentrics who insisted that they couldn’t be pigeonholed: all coalesced around the U-Men (read more at Sub Pop).
The U-Men were… Tom Price – Guitar John Bigley – Vocals Charlie Ryan – Drums Jim Tillman – Bass (1982-86) And Robin Buchan – Bass (1980-82) Tom Hazelmyer – Bass (1987) Tony Ransom – Bass (1987-89)
Today our masterfully noisy friends METZ shared their official video for debut single “Cellophane.” As described by director Shayne Ehman, the visual depicts a sphere where “consciousness is split, and a world of contrast unfolds. The resulting disembodiment disperses one’s spatial awareness and new kinds of empathy develop. Two become three, and it’s only half the story.”
As previously shared, NPR Music is streaming METZ’s Strange Peace in its entirety via “First Listen” hear it here]. NPR Music’s Jason Heller says of Strange Peace, “Recorded with Shellac’s mastermind Steve Albini, Strange Peace is an album that doesn’t need to be explicitly political to make a statement about our current chaotic climate. The opening track, “Mess of Wires,” gallops out of the gate like a malfunctioning industrial robot, a tangle of mechanical riffs and Edkins’ oddly infectious chants. The band’s ability to inject melody into the weirdest of places is most striking on “Cellophane.” Slightly more laidback than the usual METZ song, it’s closer to a garage-rock anthem than a skin-peeling punk rager, and Edkins’ refrain of “How will I know? / How will I know?” is designed to lodge itself in the brain of the listener like some insidious implant....cathartic rather than hopeless — an exorcism of nervous energy at a time when it’s direly needed.”
Strange Peace is available from both Sub Pop and Royal Mountain Records. -> Canadian fans can pre-order the new record here.
LP pre-orders of the Sub Pop album from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on clear vinyl with red and green swirls (while supplies last).
METZ resume their international tour schedule in support of Strange Peace tomorrow night, Friday, September 22nd at Detroit’s Princess Riverboat. The tour currently runs through December 16th in Hosuton at Warehouse Live. In the midst of that run, METZ will serve as direct support for Modest Mouse on October 10th and 11th. Additionally, METZ will play shows with Suuns (September 29th-30th), Uniform (October 2nd-8th), Protomartyr (Sept. 22nd and November 2nd-8th), Brian Case (November 9th), Drahla (November 12th-24th), and Cherubs (December 15th). All of their current tour dates follow.
2017 METZ Tour Dates: Sep. 22 - Detroit, MI - Detroit Princess Riverboat ! Sep. 23 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre Sep. 25 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall Sep. 29 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace * Sep. 30 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace * Oct. 02 - Boston, MA - Sinclair # Oct. 03 - Philadelphia, PA - The First Unitarian Church # Oct. 04 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg # Oct. 05 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom # Oct. 06 - Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel # Oct. 07 - Hamden, CT - The Ballroom Oct. 08 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rosa Oct. 10 - Providence, RI - Lupo’s ** Oct. 11 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom ** Oct. 18 - Halifax, NS - The Marquee (Halifax Pop Explosion) Nov. 02 - Prague, Czech Republic - Futurum ! Nov. 03 - Wroclaw, Poland - Klub Firlej ! Nov. 04 - Warsaw, Poland - Klub Hydrozagadka ! Nov. 06 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu ! Nov. 07 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen ! Nov. 08 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust ! Nov. 09 - Zwolle, Netherlands - Poppodium Hedon ^ Nov. 10 - Kortrijk, Belgium - De Kruen (Sonic City Festival) Nov. 11 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Le Guess Who? Festival Nov. 12 - Le Havre, France - Le Tetris % Nov. 14 - Nimes, France - La Paloma % Nov. 15 - Bordeaux, France - Theatre Barbey % Nov. 16 - Toulouse, France - Club Metronum % Nov. 17 - Barcelona, Spain - La (2) De Apolo % Nov. 18 - Madrid, Spain - Moby Dick % Nov. 20 - Nantes, France - Pole Etudiant % Nov. 21 - Paris, France - Le Trabendo % Nov. 22 - London, UK - The Garage % Nov. 23 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece % Nov. 24 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club % Nov. 25 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt Dec. 07 - Seattle, WA - Neumos Dec. 08 - Vancouver, BC - Cobalt Dec. 09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Dec. 11 - San Francisco, CA - Independent Dec. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom Dec. 13 - San Diego, CA - Casbah Dec. 15 - Austin, TX - Mohawk & Dec. 16 - Houston, TX - Studio @ Warehouse Live
