If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Jeff Pitcher Cambridge, England punks The Baby Seals have a new single out that anyone in their 30's and above can relate to. "ID'd at Aldi" is a punk rager with heavy guitars and pop hooks about the bizarre joy you get when someone tells you that you don't look your age. It's the kind of punk song that has an anger and edge, but also a sense of joy. "ID'd at Aldi" is a ridiculously fun song that also makes a strong point about aging in a fuzzed out, noisy punk song about being asked for your ID. Sonically, it's kind of a mix of L7 and that dog. Plus, it's always great to hear punk rock that doesn't make you feel ancient, as much of the punk rock that the kids are making does.  Kerry Devine says of the band's new single: “ getting ID'd - last time it happened to me was at Aldi, my response was to take it as a compliment - but then as I walked out I thought to myself, how weird is that? What's wrong with looking yo...

Photo by Jeff Pitcher Ok, we're now fully on board with The Baby Seals. The Cambridgeshire based punks blew us away last month with "Mild Misogynist," and we couldn't wait to hear more from them. Their latest single, "Vibrator," was just released and is already in heavy rotation here at If It's Too Loud... It's nearly impossible to have a song be intensely biting and in your face punk, but still be celebratory and fun. For this one, The Baby Seals kind of sound like if The Donnas decided to make noise punk. It has that old school power pop goes punk sound, but with a much harder side to it. But... I mean... a song called "Vibrator" should be one of the more fun songs of the year for obvious reasons. Kerry Devine (guitar and lead vocals) says of the band's latest song: “ it's not only the fact that it still seems to be taboo for women to talk about, which is ridiculous, but we're also shamed out of feeling we should be doing it. ...

Cambridgeshire based punks The Baby Seals have a new single out that needs to be heard. "Mild Misogynist" hits this fantastic middle ground between a more classic punk style and the more newfangled dance-friendly punk. The song grooves insanely hard and is layered in fuzz, but it's just a song that makes you want to bop around. It's a biting and aggressive song, but does so with a great mocking sense of humor. You know that feeling you get when you hear something great and truly special? That's how I felt the first time I listened to "Mild Misogynist." The Baby Seals have tapped into something here, and we can't wait to hear more. The Baby Seals say of their new single: " Misogyny. Still a thing! As with all our songs, we sing from our own personal experiences, yet these experiences are pretty universal. Undoubtedly, many people can relate to this song in terms of situations in which they've felt vulnerable or threatened, verbally or physica...

Photo by Tiny Studio Indonesia's Grrrl Gang are becoming masters of the melodic pop song with a punk edge. Their latest, "Blue-Stained Lips," sounds like it would have fit right in on the glory days of Lookout Records. It's a fun and upbeat punk rock song that is just bursting with melodies and catchy pop hooks. Plus, it's a gushing love song, and those are always better when there's a bit more of an attitude to keep the gushiness in check a bit. If anything, "Blue-Stained Lips" might be a bit too much fun, but we'll let Grrrl Gang get away with it because they're just that endearing. Angeeta Sentana says of her band's new song: “We were at a party one night, and I drank this blue cocktail, and it left a stain on my lips, making them blue. I thought I looked super ugly, but my boyfriend still thought I was perfect and kissed me, regardless. The line ‘Kiss me on my blue-stained lips’ is a metaphor for him liking me and accepting me for who...

Indonesia's Grrrl Gang have released a brand new single that follows May's "Spunky!" "Rude Awakening" is much more pop and melodic than the previous single. It doesn't quite have the punk edge, but it makes up for that in just pure melody and joy. Both songs are a ton of fun to listen to, and both show off two sides of the band. As tuneful and bouncy as "Rude Awakening" is, the guitar work is what keeps the punk edge here.  Angeeta Sentana says of her band's new single: “I just hate feeling left behind, you know? And I hate it when I’m desperate for a listening ear, people just don’t care. But, on the flip side, I guess, I just didn’t realize that maybe my friends were just fed up with my sh*t. Maybe they’ve tried their best to handle me and be there for me, but I just took that for granted. So, this song is basically my point of view at that time, of thinking that no one cared about me—when, probably, they actually did.” You can watch the ...

Photo by Tiny Studio When a band calls themselves Grrrl Gang, you can basically guess what they sound like, and you would not be wrong. The Jakarta based band might add a little more pop into their blend of riot grrrl based punk, but I can't imagine anyone who loves punk isn't going to like "Spunky!" It's a fast paced punk rocker that still has a melodic edge to it that keeps the song surprisingly fun. It sounds more like if The Beths decided to go more punk, and if that doesn't appeal to you, I have no idea what you're even doing here. The song describes singer Angeeta Sentana's experiences during a manic episode. She explains: “I feel like I’m on top of the world, untouchable. I do things without thinking, always chasing after that feeling of instant gratification. I feel extra confident in myself—to a point of grandiose thinking—and that I could do anything." You can watch the video for "Spunky!" below. The album Spunky! is due out Se...