Monday, July 28, 2025
now I'm growling at a stranger, i am biting at their knees
And Gouge Away were great again last week.
They front loaded their set with the more melodic songs in the catalogue, but things really picked up in the back half. They sort of sound like Celebrity Skin era Hole a lot of the time to me, except all the songs are about "I have a crush on you" (complimentary). And we got a ton of that in the first 40-minutes or so. But the back half of the set was all of the songs where they just sound like a no frills 80s hardcore band. And while I enjoy both of the bands personalities on record, it was rad to see and hear them just rock out once everyone was good and warmed up.
now I'm growling at a stranger, i am biting at their knees
I made it down to the Commodore on Thursday night to see Mannequin Pussy and Gouge Away.
If you had asked me on Wednesday, I would've told you that I like Mannequin Pussy alright, but my big motivation for getting tickets was because of how great Gouge Away were opening for Chat Pile in February.
The friend I was with mentioned that they reminded him of Nirvana and he's right: they sound like they're just trying write "Tourette's" over and over again and it fucking rocks.
I wasn't ready for Mannequin Pussy.
It certainly helped that the crowd were absolutely amped, but the band took all that energy and redirected it back tenfold and it was one of those rare shows nowadays where I see a band I've never seen before and end up absolutely blown away.
They front loaded their set with the more melodic songs in the catalogue, but things really picked up in the back half. They sort of sound like Celebrity Skin era Hole a lot of the time to me, except all the songs are about "I have a crush on you" (complimentary). And we got a ton of that in the first 40-minutes or so. But the back half of the set was all of the songs where they just sound like a no frills 80s hardcore band. And while I enjoy both of the bands personalities on record, it was rad to see and hear them just rock out once everyone was good and warmed up.
Missy Dabice injected a lot of politics into her stage banter (Colins Regisford did too), but there was a full on pause for a political rant near the end of the main set. And like, I share a lot of politics with a lot of bands I end up seeing, but generally that's a bit eye roll inducing for me.
This was different though. She hit all of the same beats that you'd expect (all good things: fuck Trump, free Palestine, capitalism sucks), but she also tied it all up with this quiet call to arms, encouraging people to just do something, no matter how small, to push against **gestures wildly** everything. Make music, even if it's just in your room. Give something to or do something for someone else. Do anything to carve out a little bit of beauty in this ugly world we're all stuck in.
It might seem insignificant, but it all helps.
I didn't really think that was something I needed to hear, but turns out I did.
Album of the week
Folk Bitch Trio - Now Would Be a Good Time
I spent Friday morning re-writing a bunch of ChatGPT generated garbage that someone decided to spit out at work and this stopped me from quitting my job and driving across the continent to kidnap Sam Altman and throw him off of a bridge.
Song of the week
Flock of Dimes - Long After Midnight
Sometimes songs sound effortless.
Maybe it actually takes Jenn Wasner (who you might already know from Wye Oak) ages to craft melodies, but this one feels like it appeared fully formed--like this perfect little song about deep friendship and desperation has always just been there waiting to be heard.
"Long After Midnight" is the lead single off of The Life You Save, out on October 10th on Sub Pop.
Classic of the week
The Hold Steady - We Can Get Together
Heaven is whenever we can get together
Sit down on your floor, and listen to your records
Heaven is whenever we can get together
Lock your bedroom door, and listen to your records
Yeah, it still is.
More heat
Madi Diaz - Feel Something
Every Madi Diaz song is a break up song. And look, I haven't broken up with anyone in a long time, but I still love most of them. She's at the Biltmore on November 15th.
Wednesday - Pick Up That Knife
"Elderberry Wine" let us know we're going to get some "How Can You Live If You Can't Love How Can You Live If You Do" Wednesday on this forthcoming record and this one let us know we're going to sprawling noise band Wednesday too and I'm here for both.
Tyler, the Creator - Don't You Worry Baby
I kinda wish I still went out dancing, cause I bet this one's gonna get everyone in the club moving.
Nation of Language - Under the Water
I'm not sure if I mixed this band up with a different band or if they just finally wrote a song I like, but for some reason I thought I fucking hated them and turns out I was wrong. Real New Order vibes on this one.
now playing: Elastica - Stutter
