If It's Too Loud...

Photo via Facebook Punk supergroup Beach Rats was founded by Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Government Issue, Bad Religion) and includes Ari Katz (Lifetime), Bryan Keinlen and Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls), and Danny Windas (Let it Burn). The Asbury Park based band's latest single, "Heavy Conversation," is just pure classic fast and heavy punk rock. Beach Rats aren't breaking new ground with this song, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you're a fan of any of the members' previous or other current bands, "Heavy Conversation" is for you. This is making me long for the Warped Tours of my youth, back when they just put up a bunch of stages in a field somewhere. You can listen to "Heavy Conversation" below. Rat Beat is due out July 29 on Epitaph Records, and can be pre-ordered here . For more on Beach Rats, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram .

Photo by Matthew Gere We throw the term "supergroup" around here a lot, but Beach Rats are a bona fide supergroup... in the right circles. Brian Baker was a founding member of Minor Threat, founded Dag Nasty, has played with The Meatmen and Government Issue, and has been a member of Bad Religion since 1994. He's basically a supergroup on his own. While living in Asbury Park, NJ a few years ago, he founded Beach Rats with Lifetime frontman Ari Katz, Bryan Keinlen and Pete Steinkopf of Bouncing Souls, and Let It Burn's Danny Windas. The band's new single, "Rat Beat," is a minute and a half punk explosion. Is loud and fast and leans strongly into the emotional hardcore range you'd expect from a group consisting of members of these bands. Beach Rats aren't breaking new ground with this one, but if you think a supergroup made up of members of these bands is going to be great, you're correct, and you're going to love this one. You can watch the...

It's been a few months since we last brought you new music from Space Cadet. The band (which features Matt Hock and Dave Walsh of The Explosion) has a new single out. "Start Running Away" is more of the jangly, reverb heavy rock that we loved in their last single, but this new one shows off a little more of the punk edge of the duo's other band. It could just be the gang (of two) vocals on the chorus, or the appearance of Brian Baker (Bad Religion, Minor Threat) on guitar, but "Start Running Away" is more of a rock song. It almost has a Mission of Burma goes New Wave and straight up rock vibe. You can watch the video for "Start Running Away" below. Lion on a Leash  is due out March 26 on Wiretap Records. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Space Cadet, check out the band's Facebook .

Photo by Rachel Demy In today's bizarre cover song news, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service) has covered Minor Threat's "Filler." Personally I'd like to hear a completely faithful Gibbard cover of the straight edge hardcore classic. That's not what this is at all, and it's one of the more interesting covers of the year. The first clue that Gibbard's version of "Filler" is very different is the three minute length, which would be a Grateful Dead level epic for a Minor Threat song. Instead of a blistering hardcore song, it's completely redone as a piano ballad. Does it work as more than a curiosity or novelty? Unsure, but it's certainly interesting. You can listen to Ben Gibbard cover "Filler" below. For more on Ben Gibbard, check out his website .