If It's Too Loud...

I don't think I'm happier for any band in 2025 as I am for Weakened Friends. We started covering them way back in 2015 when they were pretty much the official opener any time a 90's artist came through Boston, and 2016's EP Crushed was my #10 release of that year. For Feels Like Hell , the Maine band seemed to decide to make a hit album, and they're being rewarded with sold out headlining slots in the same venues they used to open in. It's well deserved, since Feels Like Hell is a great album. It keeps the raw edge that we've always loved about Weakened Friends, and adds even more pop hooks while somehow being louder than their previous releases. "Nosebleed" might be my favorite song of the year, and if you miss the angst of the 90's, Weakened Friends are here for you. They somehow managed to wrangle Buckethead into shredding on "NPC," and the whole thing closes with a grungy cover of "Torn," which is the most fun cover song...

The more singles I hear from Weakened Friends' upcoming album, the more convinced I am that they've levelled up and are about to release a monster album. The Maine band's latest single, "Nosebleed," is everything we've loved about them for years now. It's heavily influenced in 90's mid to late 90's alt-rock with sprinklings of modern pop and vintage emo. The only difference is that this latest single sounds like Weakened Friends decided to write a hit song and nailed it. "Nosebleed" is seriously the kind of song that is indie rock enough for even the snobbiest of purists, but has enough pop appeal that the most mainstream of music fans will adore it if it breaks into their algorithm.  You can watch the video for "Nosebleed" below. Feels Like Hell is due out October 10 on Don Giovanni Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Weakened Friends, check out the band's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the v...

Photo by Justin Labadie When Weakened Friends were joined back in 2017 by J Mascis for "Hate Mail," it made sense. Both are New England based artists, and Mascis ends up at a lot of Amherst/Northampton area shows when he's not on tour. I could see Weakened Friends crossing paths with Mascis and deciding to collaborate. However, for their latest single, "NPC," the Maine indie rock trio join forces with guitar hero Buckethead. Yes, THE Buckethead who has been a member of Primus and Guns n' Roses. It's an unexpected match up, but "NPC" still sounds like a Weakened Friends song. In fact, it might be the most Weakened Friends song of all Weakened Friends songs. It's an epic indie rock song with emo tendencies that mentions mental health issues in the most rocking way possible. Add in an epic Buckethead guitar solo, and everything works perfectly together.  You can watch the video for "NPC" below. Feels Like Hell is due out October 10 o...

We've been fans of Weakened Friends for years now, possibly even a decade. The Maine trio have always made this fantastic blend of indie rock and al-rock mixed with some pop stylings, and have been delving into the pop side of that sound for a little while now. Their latest single, "Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)," is their most pop-laden single yet, but still keeps everything we've always loved about them intact. Many artists we regularly cover have been dabbling more and more into a more pop leaning sound, to various degrees of success (in our opinion, at least). Weakened Friends have completely nailed it with their new single. It adds in the pop focus but keeps all of the alt-rock guitars as it transitions from one sound to another. And, in true Weakened Friends fashion, they've managed to make the line ""Til I'm nothing / Bleed me out" into what is sure to be a shout-a-long chorus. You can listen to "Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)" below. Fe...