Doing Anything This Weekend?: April 19-21

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. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend:

April 19

Rock & Roll Rumble Semifinals featuring Other Brother Darryl, Roser, Looking Glass War, and The Ghouls at Sonia, Cambridge, MA

Linnea's Garden, Church and Puppets, and Sorry Mister at Koto, Salem, MA

Bodega, Boston Cream, and Big Bliss at The Rockwell, Somerville, MA

The Collect Pond, Perennial, Battlemode at Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA

Monchella featuring Tysk Tysk Task, Neck Dive, Roaches, and The P.A.'s at Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA 

April 20

Hard in the 'Head II featuring The FU's, Cuidado, The Modern Faces, and Couch Sex at Gerry No 5 V.F.A., Marblehead, MA

The Downhauls, Tim McCoy Rock Quartet, The Steamies, and Jay Allen & The Archcriminals at Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA

The Mary Wallopers and Cryin' Caleb Aaron at The Middle East, Cambridge, MA

The Beatnuts, Fabeyon, Konflik, and Brandie Blaze at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, Greenfield, MA

Muck and the Mires, The Cynz, Mach Bell Experience, and The Hi End at The Square Root, Roslindale, MA

Rock & Roll Rumble Semifinals featuring CE Skidmore & The Damn Fine Band, Twig, Wire Lines, and Gut Health at Sonia, Cambridge, MA

April 21

Gustaf, Edy Monica, and Middle at Sonia, Cambridge, MA

Coliseum - "You Might Be Dead"

Hardcore legends Coliseum called it a day back in 2015, but now they are back with their first single in nine years, just in time for this weekend's reunion shows in Louisville, KY. "You Might Be Dead" might be a bit slower than what you normally envision when you hear the description of hardcore, but aren't we all at this point? Coliseum always snuck a lot of melody into their music, and "You Might Be Dead" is no exception. It's probably more similar to Fugazi than Minor Threat or Converge, but it's obviously still punk. This is a great return from a dearly missed band, and we're thrilled to hear what's coming next.

Ryan Patterson (vocals/guitar) says of the new single:

“As we played together and revisited songs from our back catalog that meant so much to us, we were inspired to write a new song that channeled those feelings and that energy. We had an incredible time making our C.L.S.M. side project/offshoot album that was released last year, but ‘You Might Be Dead’ connects directly to the sound and trajectory we forged when we solidified our identity as a band throughout ‘House With A Curse’, ‘Sister Faith’ and ‘Anxiety's Kiss’.”

You can listen to "You Might Be Dead" below. The single is available now via Equal Vision Records, and can be found over at Bandcamp. For more on Coliseum, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Been Stellar - "Sweet"

Photo by Gabe Long

Been Stellar mix up some of their 90's alt-rock influences in their latest single, but we certainly don't mind when these are the results. "Sweet" has that floating dream pop quality that edges at times into shoegaze, especially with some of that guitar work. At other times, the guitar is far more jangly, and others there is almost a post punk beat. But, "Sweet" just straight up rocks in a power ballad sort of way. To me this is sounding like of Catherine Wheel leaned into their sensitivity more than they already did. This is a highly engaging song that latches onto the listener tightly without even hinting at wanting to let go.

Vocalist Sam Slocum says of the band's new single:

“We were all intrigued by the simplicity of the verse, it felt like something we would usually shy away from. I really tried to let the music inform the lyrics, and to not overthink what was coming from the song’s natural feeling. One of the first lines that came to me was “we’re speaking when we don’t know what to say.” I think in close relationships, the most pure moments shouldn’t need to be spoken about. And in life in general, the things that matter the most and bring people together shouldn’t warrant many words, if any. Words complicate feeling sometimes.” 

You can watch the video for "Sweet" below. Scream from New York, NY is due out June 14 on Dirty Hit, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Been Stellar, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

May 4 - Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees

May 15 - Southampton, UK @ Joiners

May 16 - Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape

May 18 - Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling 

May 20 - Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana 

May 22 - Manchester, UK @ YES (basement)

May 23 - London, UK @ The Lexington

July 26 - Sheffield, UK @ Tramlines Fest

July 27 - Oxfordshire, UK @ Truck Fest

July 28 - Suffolk, UK @ Latitude Festival

August 1-4 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza

Hana Vu - "22"

Photo by Andrew Yuyi Truong

Much like her previous single "Hammer," Hana Vu's latest sees the Los Angeles artist straddling the genres of indie rock and pop, and leaning a bit more towards the pop side of things. Despite that, "22" is a rock song, especially since pop doesn't typically have this level of angst. This is a very moody song about losing adolescent hope as you get older. Vu is able to keep the pop sounds and the rock sounds kind of separate throughout "22." The two genres never quite seem to merge and are more at odds throughout the song, which works perfectly for this one. Even Vu's vocals have a unique 90's slacker goes pop sound, which I've never heard anyone pull off before.

Hana Vu says of her latest single:

“Being young, there’s so much that I experience for the first time, all the time. But as I experience more things, I become more desensitized to those things. You get wiser–– I feel quite wiser–– but less fervent, less hopeful. ‘22’ is about how I was paralyzed by grief and memories and by being 22; all at once a baby and the oldest I’ve ever been. But now I'm 23 and I'll probably be 24 by the time I’ll get to perform this song for people.”

You can listen to "22" below. Romanticism is out May 3 on Ghostly International, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Hana Vu, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

Tue. July 9 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
Thu. July 11 - Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall
Fri. July 12 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Sat. July 13 - Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall
Tue. July 16 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
Wed. July 17 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Fri. July 19 - Toronto, ON @ Baby G
Sat. July 20 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz
Mon. July 22 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Tue. July 23 - Cambridge, MA @ Sonia
Thu. July 25 - Washington, DC @ Atlantis
Fri. July 26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Sat. July 27 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
Mon. July 29 - Columbus, OH @ Natalie’s
Tue. July 30 - Nashville, TN @ Row One
Wed. July 31 - Atlanta, GA @ Purgatory
Fri. Aug. 2 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
Sat. Aug. 3 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
Sun. Aug. 4 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Wed. Aug. 7 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Fri. Aug. 9 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room

First Listen: New Releases for 12 April 2024

Artist: Virgins
Album: nothing hurt and everything was beautiful
Quick Thoughts: One of my favorite listens this week. An absolutely stunning shoegazey listen with song after song after song that is a fuzzed-out masterpiece. I didn't know Virgins before this week, but I am absolutely keeping them on my radar - echoes of Field Mouse and Summit Point.
Songs of Note: "softer," "palefire," "sunspots"

Artist: Tusks
Album: Gold
Quick Thoughts: Tusks is similarly an unknown for me, but this is an electronic-adjacent record with a lot going for it. Melodic, hook-laden tracks across the board, but "Wake" and "Artificial Flame" in particular have a lot of staying power. Make time this week.
Songs of Note: "Wake," "Artificial Flame," "The Way," "Strangers"

Artist: Aaron Lee Tasjan
Album: Stellar Evolution
Quick Thoughts: We're big fans of Aaron Lee Tasjan here, and while this album is not quite as relavatory of his previous effort, there is plenty here to love. "Pants" and "Roll Your Windows Down" are up there with his best work, and "I Love America" deftly operates as a protest song of sorts without veering into cringe territory. Definitely give this one a spin.
Songs of Note: "Pants," "Nightmare," "I Love America Better Than You," "Roll Your Windows Down," "Bird"

Artist: Bad Bad Hats
Album: Bad Bad Hats
Quick Thoughts: My other favorite listen this week, Bad Bad Hats has always existed on the fringe for me for whatever reason. I always liked their work, but I always felt it was too off the beaten path sometimes. This self-titled effort, however? A major level up. The group has made a polished, spectacular album that could very well serve as the breakthrough they're looking for. "Bored in the Summer" in particular is what the kids once called a bop, and the whole album is just so enjoyable and bright. The perfect early spring record.
Songs of Note: "Let Me In," "TPA," "My Heart Your Heart," "Bored in the Summer," "Meter Run," "Lime Green"

Artist: Maggie Rogers
Album: Don't Forget Me
Quick Thoughts: Maggie Rogers exploded on the scene with "Alaska," which I perceive to be ages ago but is in fact only five years prior to today. That's how integrated she is into the pop zeitgeist - that a song that first released in 2017 and added to an album in 2019 feels ancient. Don't Forget Me is as polished a pop record can get, with some great and catchy tunes and a real Fleetwood Mac feel to a lot of it, if that makes any sense. Either way, a great listen. Worth the time.
Songs of Note: "It Was Coming All Along," "Drunk," "The Kill," "On & On & On," "Don't Forget Me"

Artist: Leyla McCalla
Album: Sun Without the Heat
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight the latest from blog favorite Leyla McCalla, who has consistently released some great albums over the years. Sun Without the Heat absolutely has a more experimental feel to it than previous work (the car crash of the stellar "Tree" an excellent example of this), but it just makes it more fascinating and mysterious. She's amazing. This album is amazing. Make time.
Songs of Note: "Scaled to Survive," "Tree," "Sun Without the Heat," "Tower," "Love We Had"

Of note:

* Lynks - ABOMINATION (Great danceable pop transgressions.)
* Nicolette & the Nobodies - The Long Way (Country-fried roots rock.)
* Ambient Sol - The Pink Monstera
* Scott Lippitt - Me, You, and the Avenues
* Kira McSpice - The Compartmentalization of Decay
* Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - In Lieu of Flowers
* Clarissa Connelley - World of Work
* Newmoon - Temporary Light
* cabane - Brulee
* Charming Disaster - Time Ghost
* Nia Archives - Silence is Loud
* The Reds, Pinks and Purples - Unwishing Well
* Soft Kill - Escape Forever
* James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg - All Gist
* Mark Knopfler - One Deep River
* Talib Kweli and Madlib - Liberation 2
* Sinkane - We Belong
* Queen Esther - Things are Looking Up
* Midscale - Movements
* Caroline Davis and Wendy Eisenberg - Accept When
* Fred again... - USB
* Maxband - On Ice
* SONIKKU - Whirlwind of Malevolence
* Water Damage - In E
* girl in red - I'M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!
* Ghost in the Tapes - Holidays on Earth
* Louisa Stancioff - When We Were Looking
* Morgan Harper-Jones - Up to the Glass
* Metz - Up on Gravity Hill
* Good Morning - Good Morning Seven
* Castle Rat - Into the Realm
* Oxford Drama - The World is Louder
* English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
* BODEGA - Our Brand Could Be Yr Life
* Chad Crouch - Ramona Falls Soundwalk
* Baby Blue - Of My Window
* Jess Ribeiro - Summer of Love

EPs:

* Say Lou Lou - Dust, Pt. 1
* Amy Dabbs and Coco Bryce - Slightly Involved Vol. 2
* cruush - Nice Things Now, All The Time
* Pet Shop Boys - Dancing star
* The Red Pears - Better Late Than Never
* Baby Rose - Slow Burn
* Raphael Schon - Heart Times
* MYTBE - CAKE
* Speedfossil - Room with a VU, Vol. 1
* Alice Merton - Heron
* Justin Martin - Troves, Vol. 1
* 79.5 - Remixes
* The Ophelias - Ribbon

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* A State of Trance Episode 1168
* Laura Veirs - Laura Veirs and Her Band (Live in Brooklyn)

Also out:

* Shabaka - Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
* Still House Plants - If I don't make it, I love u
* Sunburned Hand of the Man - Nimbus

Hannah Mohan - "Peace Be the Day"

Photo by George Rae Teensma

First the bad news. One of our absolute favorite Western Massachusetts bands, And the Kids, appear to have called it a day. The good news is that Hannah Mohan is still making music, and is set to release her first solo album. (She has previously released music and performed solo under the moniker Topsy.) The first single off that album, "Peace Be the Day," is everything we loved about her previous band. The new single has the same upbeat and highly danceable vibe, but Mohan solo has a little bit more of an organic sound. It's not quite folk, but it's a step towards folk. There are still the tone and tempo changes in "Peace Be the Day" that are a trademark of Mohan's writing. As much as I hate that we lost a band as beloved as And the Kids, "Peace Be the Day" shows that we're in great hands with Mohan's latest musical project.

You can listen to "Peace Be the Day" below. Time Is a Walnut (produced by Alex Toth of Rubblebucket) is due out July 12 on Egghunt Records. For more on Hannah Mohan, check out the artist on Instagram.

Diablogato - "Lost Highway"

Photo by Pat Piasecki

I've been a fan of Diablogato since seeing the Boston rockers play a killer triple bill with Salem Wolves and The Devil's Twins all the way back in 2019. Their sound has evolved since then, but it remains straight up rock and roll heavily inspired by punk and with a touch of rockabilly. Their latest single, "Lost Highway," shows the band at their darkest while still being a fun rock song. This is a heavy version of classic rock and roll and blues, sounding both familiar and completely fresh. As with Diablogato's best songs, "Lost Highway" comes at you full speed without relenting. Any quiet moment is filled with an ominous sense of dread, and it's almost a relief when the volume cranks back up.

Guitarist/vocalist Drew Indignaro says of the band's latest single:

“It’s about the blurred lines between reality and hallucinations, guilt, desire, and the nature of identity. We are inviting the listeners into our world, to enjoy the experience of traveling with us, to change perspective, and to welcome those who are on the same lost highway.”

You can watch the David Lynch inspired video for "Lost Highway" below. The single is available now via Rum Bar Records. For more on Diablogato, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Coral Moons - "Another Woman"

Photo by Justin Bartlett

Coral Moons recently relocated from Boston to Rochester, NY, but we'll try not to hold that against them (too much). Their latest single, "Another Woman," is more of the gorgeous alt-pop we've come to love from them. The single is a lush and kind of soothing sounding song that is nearly dream pop but not quite. Singer Carly Kraft has never sounded so confident and powerful in her vocals as she does on "Another Woman." This is the type of indie pop or alt-pop song that will win you over even if you typically run from pop music. Coral Moons just have a certain charm that is going to be impossible to resist. Pop music doesn't typically feel this organic, and it's the band's true strength.

You can watch the video for "Another Woman" below. The single is out now via Better Company Records. For more on Coral Moons, check out the band's website.

Perennial - "Action Painting"

Photo by Omari Spears

I've been into the artsy, noise punk sound of Perennial since stumbling on "Perennial in a Haunted House" back in 2021. They've always had this exuberant, joyful take on just-barely-in-control punk that appeals to me on a primal level. For their latest single, they're mixing it up quite a bit. "Action Painting" is still the high energy noise punk we've come to love, but this time Perennial is letting their oldies influence take over. As fast and as noisy as this new single is, it's also highly dance friendly and borderline pop at times. This is by far the most melodic we've seen Perennial without losing any of what has made us fans. "Action Painting" is kind of like if The Kinks suddenly decided to invent noise punk.

You can watch the video for "Action Painting" below. Art History is due out June 7 on Earnest Jenning Record Co., and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Perennial, check out the band on Instagram and Twitter.

The Greeting Committee - "How It Goes"

Photo by Tyler Krippaehne

The Greeting Committee are going to give you some serious 90's flashbacks, but not in the way you'll expect. The Kansas City band's latest single, "How It Goes," sounds like late 90's alt-rock just as it started flirting with pop, although we never would have admitted it then. The song is filled with jangly guitars and singer Addie Sartino delivering vocals that are just dripping with Gen-X ambivalence. This may sound like pop in 2024, but thirty years ago and this would have been on 120 Minutes and all over the Buzz Bin. "How It Goes" is a fun indie rock/pop song that kind of sounds like if The Strokes went power pop, or if Letters to Cleo kept making music after Go!

The Greeting Committee say of their new single:

“In typical TGC fashion, the song is met with vulnerable lyrics hiding behind shiny indie pop sonics. ‘How It Goes’ captures the frustration of feeling stuck in a cycle with your own flaws and faults.” 

You can watch the video for "How It Goes" below. Everyone's Gone and I Know I'm the Cause is due out June 21. For more on The Greeting Committee, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

July 9               Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade Hall
July 10             Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
July 12             Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
July 13             New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
July 16             Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
July 17             Boston, MA @ Sinclair
July 19             Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
July 20             Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s
July 21             Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
July 23             Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
July 24             Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
July 26             OKC, OK @ Resonant Head
July 27             Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips FTW
July 28             Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
July 30             Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent
July 31             San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room House of Blues
Aug 2               Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
Aug 3               Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
Aug 4               San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Aug 6               Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
Aug 7               Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore
Aug 8               Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Aug 10             Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
Aug 11             Denver, CO @ Bluebird