Live Shows: Tree, SkyTigers, and Hell Beach, Deep Cuts, Medford, MA 2/11/26

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Last Friday, SkyTigers released their excellent new album Injustice for All. Wednesday night saw their album release show at Deep Cuts. Playing with them were two other bands I never would have expected to see play together, but it ended up working perfectly: Boston hardcore legends Tree and New Hampshire's favorite pop punks Hell Beach.

Opening the show was Hell Beach. This was my first time seeing their new line up, without Megan Simon (Megan from Work) on keytar and vocalist Jordan Hill focusing solely on vocals. This new line up was every bit as killer as the previous one, and has an ever harder edge without keys. That being said, the songs are as catchy as ever, with fans right at the front of the stage shouting out to every word. As expected, Hell Beach were the most fun band on Wednesday night, and the extra edge to the songs ended up being unexpectedly welcome. They closed out the show with my personal favorite "Poison Mind," and I challenge anyone to find a punk song catchier than this one.

Up next were SkyTigers, who played Injustice for All in its entirety. Starting off with the killer and furious "Immortalevision," SkyTigers destroyed the stage for their entire set. "Greenbark" was another highlight, which is about a tragic character in the extended Star Wars universe. The song eerily mirrors current events in this country, and I think we all wish it could stay in science fiction. SkyTigers' entire set kept up the same intensity throughout, and even with some recent line up changes, they were unbelievably tight. If you love thrashy politically charged punk, do yourself a favor and check out their new album and get out to a show. Plus, they closed with a cover of Iron Maiden's "The Trooper," and how many punk bands can pull that off?

Boston hardcore legends Tree closed out the night, and ended up celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of 1996's Downsizing the American Dream by playing the entire album. Songs like "Blind Me" and "X-Communicated" pack the exact same punch they did three decades ago, and a song like the latter unfortunately is more impactful now than it was then. Their energy was matched by the crowd, which broke out in the first mosh pit of the night. (Surprising, considering the average age of Tree fans in 2026, myself included.) That part of their set concluded with their cover of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," including the final verse we never learned in school. After Downsizing the American Dream, they played some newer songs, including "Bye Bye Boston Goodbye." Singer Dave Tree announced that they had ten new songs mastered, so hopefully we'll be bringing you those soon!

On Repeat...

Sean Thomas Gerard - "Bright Side"

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Photo by Heather DeFoggi Gerard For his upcoming album, Sean Thomas Gerard recorded in the corner of his garage which is also a playroom for his two daughters. Somehow, you can hear that vibe in his latest single, "Bright Side." The song just feels like home. It's a laid back indie folk/singer-songwriter track that is overflowing with warmth. The sing is on the mainstream side of its genres, but when you nail a sound like Gerard has, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. This is the type of song that is pleasant and enjoyable when you first start it, and then you end up liking it more and more as it goes. By the time it's over, you're going to want to listen again. By the third or fourth listen, "Bright Side" is going to end up one of your favorite songs of this young year. Sean Thomas Gerard says of his music: “I think about some day when I'm gone, my kids will be able to put on my records and feel like they can spend time with me again....
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DJ Haram featuring Bbymutha, SHA RAY, & August Fanon - "Fishnets"

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Photo by Sultana Garritano Brooklyn's DJ Haram has a new single out that shows off her trademark boom bap sprinkled with Middle Eastern instrumentation sound. "Fishnets" features verses from Bbymutha, SHA RAY, and August Fanon, and has an intense and almost menacing vibe, despite being an absolute banger of a track. It's hypnotic and immediately grabs your attention, and if you're unfamiliar with the trio of rappers on the song, you're sure to start pulling up their bodies of work. "Fishnets" is one of those songs that just feels cool and makes you need to hear more from all of the artists involved.  DJ Haram says of her latest single: "‘Fishnets’ is for the eclectic bad bitches. The people united will never be defeated." You can listen to "Fishnets" below. Beside Myself is due out July 18 on Hyperdub, and is available for pre-order here . For more on DJ Haram, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter . Upcoming tour dates a...
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Yawn Mower - "Rascal"

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Photo by Mary Dorsi Asbury Park's Yawn Mower had two goals for their upcoming album. First, after playing their hometown's Sea.Hear.Now festival, they wanted to write songs that worked on a larger stage. Second, they wanted the album to be their Pinkerton , "A raw, rough around the edges, noisier follow up to [their] debut album." The first song from that album is "Rascal," a song partly about the kids of their friends and family. It's a fun track that includes lines like "Here he comes now what a little asshole." It's a quirky and noisy indie rock track that reminds me of an edgier Fountains of Wayne. As anti-kid as the song may seem, you can tell it's not done seriously and there is a ton of love behind the track. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Chick says of the band's upcoming album: “While Dana Yurcisin (bass), Rudy Meier (guitar),  and Nicole Scorsone (violin) have certainly helped fill out past releases, this was the first time that ...
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