Karate - "Defendants"

Photo by Daniel Bergeron

I think we all have those bands that we know we should be more familiar with, but for some inexplicable reason, we just aren't. One of those bands for me is Karate. The Boston band's initial run was between 1993 and 2005 was my prime for going to shows and hearing new music, but even though I knew the name, I just never got into them.

Well... now's a good time for me to correct that since Karate is about to release their first new album in twenty years. Their latest single, "Defendants," fits right into the post-rock/slowcore/jazz rock sound that make Karate so beloved. It's the kind of single that makes a newbie like me angry for not discovering the beloved band twenty-five years ago when I should have, but at least now it's inspiring me to go into a full fledged deep dive. From the very surface of my dive, a song like "Defendants" and its B-side 'Silence, Sound" fit right in with their classic releases, showing that Karate have not lost a step at all in the past two decades.

You can listen to "Defendants" below. Make It Fit is due out October 18 on Numero Group, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Karate, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Inspector 34 - "Self"

Photo via Facebook

Inspector 34 are one of the more underrated bands of the Boston area music scene, and if you're just discovering them, "Self" is a great place to start. Their most recent single is a noisy and chaotic indie rock song, with melodicaly screamed vocals and clanging guitars. It kind of sounds like it half of At the Drive In decided to write a pop song, and the other half tried to sabotage it, but it all mysteriously worked out so they decided to keep it. The song sounds both angry and upbeat at the same time, just adding to the overall chaos. 

You can watch the video for "Self" below. Squint Your Ears is due out August 16 on Sad Milk Collective, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Inspector 34, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Happy Little Clouds - "Lungs"

Photo by Jac Mestel

The latest from Boston's Happy Little Clouds is a bit more downtempo than their previous songs, but it's no less impactful. "Lungs" is a soulful post-grunge power ballad that gives vocalist/guitarist Jac Mestel's vocals a place to shine. The vocals are the focus of "Lungs," and Mestel has never sounded so powerful before. Their emotions are on full display here, and the song is better for it. The song also adds in some organ along with the usual guitar/bass/drums combination, which adds a bit of levity to the song. As emotional as it is, Happy Little Clouds keep a sense of optimism throughout. 

Jac Mestel says of the band's latest single:

“The listener can really make this song their own. Each verse can be like someone grappling with a major life-shattering event as they go through a whole hero’s journey arc within the span of a 3-minute song. As the song progresses, they deal with their constantly changing feelings or stages of grief, or self acceptance and by the end, they work up the strength to believe in themselves and regain a sense of pride.”

You can listen to "Lungs" below. For more on Happy Little Clouds, check out the band's website.

Sassyhiya - "Kristen Stewart"

Sassyhiya are real life partners Kathy Wright and Helen Skinner, who met at a rollerderby game where Wright was skating for the Ultraviolent Femmes. Their latest single, "Kristen Stewart," was inspired by Skinner seeing the actress and queer icon filming a scene for Spencer at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken. The resulting song is a joyous indie rock song that has the bounciness of punk but with the upbeat sound of indie rock and alt-pop. It's a wonderfully melodic track that still keeps the DIY spirit alive with its unique vibe. Plus, it has the bassline of your favorite post-punk tracks. 

Helen Skinner says of the band's latest single:

“I wanted to do a song about her because I think she’s ace and makes great choices when it comes to roles. She’s grown up in the public eye and has still managed to become the person we absolutely hoped she would - someone proud of her queerness plus she's really cool and fun.”

You can watch the video for "Kristen Stewart" below. Take You Somewhere is due out November 8 on Skep Wax. For more on Sassyhiya, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Doing Anything This Weekend?: July 26-28

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend:

Friday July 26

Rick Rude, Qvickdraw, and Tin Fish at The Dance Hall, Kittery, ME

Nice, a fest featuring Noble Dust, TIFFY, Jake McKelvie, Hannah Mohan, Mallcops, and more at Crystal Ballroom and The Rockwell, Somerville, MA

Eric Gaffney at Shelburne Springs, Shelburne Falls, MA

The Shirts and Shoes, The Ghouls, Dee Tension & The Secrets, and Melt at Thirsty First, Lowell, MA

Freak Pit, Eight Foot Manchild, and Mister Wonderful at The Boiler Room at Wes's Rib House, Providence, RI

One Fall, Super Beef, and Bad Idea USA at Chagall PAC, Salem, MA

Evolution: Rock Garden Records Showcase II featuring Hummingbird Syndicate, Crow Follow, Robin Lane, Adam Sherman, and Little Billy Lost at Warehouse XI, Somerville, MA

Saturday July 27

Nice, a fest featuring Palehound, Pile, Nurse Joy, Pink Slip, Burp., Hell Beach, JVK, and more at Davis Square, Somerville, MA

Honkeyball, White Dynomite, The Welch Boys, Hammered Saint, and Catching Hell at The Middle East, Cambridge, MA

Bird Friend, Wooll, and Highwater Haulers at Auspicious Brew, Dover, NH

Lenny Lashley's Gang of One, Already Dead, and The Graniteers at Thirsty First, Lowell, MA

The Dogmatics, The Grommets, and The Carnivals at The New World Tavern, Plymouth, MA

Summer of Love Block Party featuring O'Mega Red, The Jungle Brothers, Oompa, Kool DJ Red Alert, and Dawn Tallman at Nubian Square, Roxbury, MA

Connor Storms & His Bouquet, Captain Vampire, Wyn and the White Light, and Justin Arena at The Jungle, Somerville, MA

Evolution: Rock Garden Records Showcase II featuring Holy Smoke, Tiger Bomb, Jennifer Tefft & the Strange, Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones, and Mutual Admiration Society at Warehouse XI, Somerville, MA

Sunday July 28

Worcester Punk Rock Flea Market featuring BANGZZ, Dando Fever, and Jonee Earthquake Band at Hotel Vernon, Worcester, MA

Cisco NB Summer Vibes Festival featuring Bim Skala Bim, The NB Rude Boys, and The Rins, Cisco Brewers, New Bedford, MA

Cannibal Ramblers and Highwater Haulers at Askew, Providence, RI

Linnea's Garden, theWorst, Mattias, and CJ Honey at State Park, Cambridge, MA

Nice, a fest featuring Model/Actriz, House of Harm, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Vivid Bloom, The Rupert Selection, and more at The Rockwell and Crystal Ballroom, Somerville, MA

Being Dead - "Van Goes"

Photo by Athen Smith

Being Dead is the musical project of Austin, TX based multi-instrumentalists Falcon Bitch and Shmoofy. Their latest single, "Van Goes," has this interesting mix of upbeat fun and darkness. It's a little bit post-punk and a little bit egg punk. There are some pop elements, but "Van Goes" is an odd little song. Imagine a mixture of DEVO and Beat Happening, and you might come close to what this sounds like. As weird and unusual as the song is, there are strong pop elements throughout. Being Dead certainly won't be for everyone, but if they work for you, welcome to your latest musical obsession!

The band says of their new video:

“Our goal is simple. When you die and your life flashes before your eyes we’d like this video to be included in the reel. (Or at least lay a blueprint for how yours might be). Fast and furious is one's life when betrayed. And in a flash, your whole life before you: everyone you've ever known, everything you've been brave enough to feel – extinguished in a twinkle of clarity."

You can watch the video for "Van Goes" below. EELS is due out September 27 on Bayonet Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Being Dead, check out the artist on Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Sat. July 27 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas
Tue. Aug. 13 - Austin, TX @ Sagebrush
Fri. Sept. 27 - Austin, TX @ Radio East
Sat. Oct. 12 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
Mon. Oct. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 Club
Tue. Oct. 15 - Richmond, VA @ The Camel
Wed. Oct. 16 - Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong
Fri. Oct. 18 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made
Sat. Oct. 19 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Mon. Oct. 21 - Boston, MA @ The Rockwell
Tue. Oct. 22 - Montreal, QC @ L’Esco
Wed. Oct. 23 - Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
Fri. Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Sun. Oct. 27 - Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
Tue. Oct. 29 - Louisville, KY @ The Whirling Tiger
Thu. Oct. 31 - Nashville, TN @ The Blue Room at Third Man Records
Sat. Nov. 2 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada

Fight Dice - "Magic Pact"

Photo by Lucca Bell

Members of The Promise Ring, Braid, Hey Mercedes, and Maritime coming together to make a Dungeons & Dragons themed stoner rock band? You have to at least check it out for the curiosity factor. Turns out the first single from Fight Dice is great enough to surpass the novelty. "Magic Pact" is much more metal-ish than I would have expected, and it lands smack dab right in the stoner rock category. That being said, it does have a surprising punk edge to it. It's a fun song that doubles as a "How To" when it comes to using magic weapons. If you want to hear a bunch of punk and emo musicians rock out about Dungeons & Dragons, Fight Dice are the band for you.

Bassist Todd Bell says of the project:

“During the pandemic, we were immersed in playing ‘D&D’ together online to ward off boredom and stay socially connected. When we could see each other more regularly and safely, as friends, we began practicing as a makeshift ‘band’ — another outlet to stay sane while all other remnants of being in our other bands were still on hold. We set about working on some musical parts we all had lying around, and the next thing you know we were all in a drop D tuning sludging along, having fun with our new project. Satisfied with what we were doing and with loads of ‘D&D’-inspired content for band direction and lyrics, we booked a show when it was okay to do so, settled on a name, and Fight Dice was officially born.”

You can watch the video for "Magic Pact" below. Total Party Kill is due out September 20 on Forge Again Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Fight Dice, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Lutalo - "The Bed" & "Broken Twin"

Photo by Patrick McCormack

Lutalo was born in Minnesota but now calls Vermont home. They just released a pair of singles that showcase the artist's wide range. "The Bed" is an upbeat sounding folk-rock song about war propaganda with a surprisingly funky beat. Lutalo has a slacker style vocal that goes against the music in the track, but still works perfectly. The other single, "Broken Twin," is more of an indie rock goes mainstream style single. It sounds a lot like early 00's British rock, kind of like Travis or Coldplay but with a much stronger edge to it. "Broken Twin" also has a stronger beat than you would typically hear in this style of music, which I'm starting to suspect is Lutalo's calling card. Both singles stand on their own, but together they are great examples of just how diverse of an artist Lutalo is.

Lutalo says that "The Bed" "... is about being educated about American propaganda and war mongering at a young age from my father. ’The Bed’ is referencing how as citizens of the country we have no choice but participate whether directly or indirectly with the dealings of our state, and to be indoctrinated into this mindset that supports its current standing."

You can listen to "The Bed" and "Broken Twin" below. The Academy is out September 20 on Winspear, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Lutalo, check out the artist on Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the songs.

09/28/24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
09/30/24 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/01/24 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
10/02/24 - Boston, MA @ Royale
10/04/24 - Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe
10/05/24 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
10/06/24 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/07/24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/09/24 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East
10/10/24 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
10/11/24 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
10/13/24 - Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
10/15/24 - Denver, CO @ Meow Wolf
10/16/24 - Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room
10/18/24 - Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre
10/19/24 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
10/20/24 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
10/22/24 - San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
10/24/24 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda

Supporting Nilüfer Yanya

First Listen: New Releases for 19 July 2024

Artist: Goodnight, Texas
Album: Signals
Quick Thoughts: Goodnight, Texas has a strong record of quality alt-country efforts, but this one feels like it levels things up a bit. Equal parts rockin' roots and more traditional country, plus some interesting bonuses (like Kirk Hammett of Metallica) make this an excellent mid-summer listen. Don't miss out on this one.
Songs of Note: "Dry Heat," "RUNAWAYS," "Frankie, Where Are You Now?" "Among Tumbleweeds," "The Offer," "The Lightning and the Old Man Todd"

Artist: Salem Wolves
Album: The Psychotron Speaks
Quick Thoughts: We like Salem Wolves quite a bit here. This latest album, however, really hit perfectly for me. It's the sort of punk-adjacent indie I'm looking for in an act, and the songwriting here is so strong and so compelling that I am looking forward to getting back to this as soon as I can. Don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Low Card," "The Psychotron Speaks!" "November," "Stay Strange," "I Don't Think It's Funny"

Artist: Master Peace
Album: How to Make a Master Peace
Quick Thoughts: This is one we missed from earlier this year. In terms of punk-rap British hybrids, Master Peace gives a lot of Bob Vylan energy in their approach while dabbling in some of the UK Grime/Drill fields. The whole thing really worked for me, and I think it's one that deserves a lot more consideration.
Songs of Note: "Los Narcos," "Lodge," "I Might Be Fake," "Loo Song," "Happiness is Love," "I Might Be Fake-Arrr"

Artist: Kiely Connell
Album: My Own Company
Quick Thoughts: Wanted to shout out this pure roots effort from Kiely Connell, which has some gorgeous songwriting and hook-laden songs across this whole record. A great listen that's would be worth your time in a busy week.
Songs of Note: "Through to You," "Hobo's Dream," "Coming Up Empty," "Damn Hands," "On the Mend"

Of note:

* Dylan Patrick Ward - The Porch Collapses (Big early-oughts anti-folk energy.)
* AJ Lee and Blue Summit - City of Glass (Gorgeous bluegrass effort.)
* The Raveonettes - The Raveonettes Sing... (A covers album after a seven year absence.)
* Whose Hat is This? - Ponyboy
* Los Camposinos! - All Hell
* a Lesser Version - She Was Wounded, I Was Terrified!
* W O L F C L U B - Canyons
* Childish Gambino - Bando Stone and The New World
* Yullola - Zen Maiden
* Lava La Rue - STARFACE
* Eliza & The Delusionals - Make It Feel Like the Garden
* Dr. Dog - Dr. Dog
* Oneida - Expensive Air
* L'Orange - The Manipulation
* Photocomfort - Patron Saint
* Jessica Boudroux - The Faster I Run
* Beachwood Sparks - Across the River of Stars
* Molly Nilsson - Un-American Activities
* Orcas - How to Color a Thousand Mistakes
* Total Blue - Total Blue
* Zelienople - Everything is Simple
* Amy Summers - Identitieaze (Original Soundtrack)
* Kyo Itachi - Loop in My Hand

EPs:

* Los Bitchos - Kiki, You Complete Me
* Cathedral Bells - Another Lifetime
* jupiter flynn - villain to my story
* Metronomy - Posse EP Volume 2
* Codename: Rocky - Foundation
* Tank and The Bangas - The Heart
* S3RL - Remix EP 20
* Carson McHone - ODES
* Lame Drivers - This Pattern EP
* NEW YORK - Rapstar* - Side A

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Country Bear Musical Jamboreee (Original Soundtrack)

Glacier - "The old timers said they'd never seen nothin' like that"

It's been five years since the release of No Light Ever, but thankfully Boston's Glacier are back with a new single. "The old timers said they'd never seen nothin' like that" is a nearly ten minute epic instrumental sludgefest that never overstays its welcome. The song starts slowly, with a building intensity that just gets more and more foreboding as it trundles along. But when the song explodes, it makes the wait all the more worth it. It turns into a sludge-filled thrash-soaked masterpiece of giant, heavy metal and noise rock goodness. Even though the song is heavy and dissonant, "The old timers said they'd never seen nothin' like that" has an odd beauty to it, as well.

You can listen to "The old timers said they'd never seen nothin' like that" below. A Distant, Violent Shudder is due out September 6, and is available to pre-order in various bundles via Bandcamp. For more on Glacier, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.