If It's Too Loud...

I've been following Tysk Tysk Task for roughly six or seven years as they've morphed their sound from more of an indie folk sound to woodland grunge to a punk inflected shoegaze. With their latest single, the Lowell band has found a sound that fits their aesthetic perfectly. "Unhappy" is heavy and discordant, with the song dripping with guitar fuzz, while still being gorgeous in its own way. It's certainly not a pop song by any means, but it also sees the band reveling in their more pop oriented influences more than they have in years. It's a powerful song that spreads into grunge, shoegaze, punk, and alt-pop, and has some of the best guitar work Tysk Tysk Task have ever released. Time will tell, but "Unhappy" may end up being my favorite song these folks have released. You can listen to "Unhappy" below. The song is available now via Bandcamp . For more on Tysk Tysk Task, check out the band on Instagram . Unhappy EP by Tysk Tysk Task

Photo by Asher Thomas As Tysk Tysk Task's sound continues to evolve, we've been loving how they pair beauty with dissonance. Typically, the dissonance is in the forefront of their music with the beauty to be revealed upon further, closer listens. With their latest single, the Lowell indie grunge band focuses more on the beautiful aspects of their sound. "Picture Perfect" is more of a ballad than anything we've heard from Tysk Tysk Task in quite a while. Although, it's a ballad performed by Tysk Tysk Task, so there is still plenty of noise, particularly in the interplay between Samantha Hartsel and Rick Martel's guitar. There is also some synth in the song, which may be a first for the band. "Picture Perfect" might end up having the opposite effect of most of their songs, with more noise revealing itself with repeated listens. As with every Tysk Tysk Task song, it leaves us wondering what they'll end up doing next. You can listen to "Pict...

I've been meaning to see Foxtails live since I heard them in a Music League round a little over two years ago. Even though they play the Boston area fairly frequently, it has just never quite worked out. Luckily, everything aligned Saturday night, and I finally got to check them out. Also, Tysk Tysk Task was opening the show, and I'll obviously head out any time I can see them. The first band on stage was Tysk Tysk Task, a longtime favorite here at If It's Too Loud... It also happened to be drummer Matt Graber's last show with the band, so I'm glad to have gotten the chance to make this one. The band has firmly settled into their indie grunge meets shoegaze sound and it continues to evolve even with more familiar songs. A song like "Colors" has truly found new life with this style and is still slightly changed each time I've seen them, going on roughly three years now. Longtime closer "Flies" was replaced by the new song "Toadstool,...

I'm the type of person that tries to get up to Salem, MA as much as possible, and I'll find any excuse to make the long trek up to the historical city I can. Friday night I had many reasons to go. Gut Health and Tysk Tysk Task were playing a show together, and I could check out Moon Base One, a new venue that opened in Salem earlier this month. (And then of course wander around an empty downtown Salem at night and grab a post-show snack from Goodnight Fatty.) Fat Randy opened the show Friday night. According to their Bandcamp profile, they are "Boston's worst noise rock band" and/or "Connecticut's best Hoobastank tribute band." I can't verify on the latter, but I can assure you Boston has much worse noise rock bands than Fat Randy. They play an intense and scream filled version of noise rock that incorporates sludgy metal riffs and pounding drums. It was loud, it was obnoxious at times, and they were impossible to ignore. Not that you'd want ...

Photo by Collin Heroux If you've seen Tysk Tysk Task recently, you've most likely heard their song "Shrine." It's been blowing me away at their shows, and I'm thrilled we have a studio version of the song. It has all of the indie grunge sound we've come to love from the Lowell band, with the addition of their somewhat recent forays into the world of shoegaze. What sets "Shrine" apart from other Tysk Tysk Task songs is how gorgeous the song is. It's rare for a song to pack this much noise and volume while still being lovely, but they pull it off with "Shrine." The song is only three minutes long, but it's epic scope makes it feel much longer. It might be the journey it brings you on, from the anxiety inducing opening chords to the massive catharsis at the end. Tysk Tysk Task are one of those bands that keep getting exponentially better with every release. You can listen to "Shrine" below. The single is available now via...

One thing that's great about the Boston music scene is how persistent it is. Small venues do unfortunately close, but places to see live music keep popping up. Breweries seem to be the heroes of this story, and thankfully they keep finding spaces to host live bands. Dorchester Brewing Company is the latest, and on Saturday night they hosted the quadruple bill of Nicoteens, Tysk Tysk Task, Nectarine Girl, and Wulfer in what appeared to be their brewing/storage room. It was unheated, so it was quite chilly, but still kind of better than sweating in a cramped, small club. Nicoteens played first. They're a band that I knew more by name, and since I kept seeing their name on bills with bands I love, I knew I'd end up seeing them sooner than later. They play a unique mix of pop punk that delves into emo, but they also had a bit of a nu-metal thing going on, but more of the Incubus side of the genre. A song like "Wallace and Vomit," a name I both love and hate, had a bit...

Photo by Collin Heroux If you've gone to see Tysk Tysk Task in the past few months, you've probably heard their song "City Lights." It's become a personal favorite of mine, so I'm thrilled that the Lowell based band has officially released it as a single. "City Lights" marks a bit of a change for Tysk Tysk Task. It's their most mainstream song to date, and even though "mainstream" can be used negatively, that's not the case here. There is still all of the edge and pure guitar fury we've come to love and expect from Tysk Tysk Task, just in a package that has a bit more beauty to it. "City Lights" is a heavy, dissonant song, but it's also strangely beautiful. Samantha Hartsel and Rick Martel's guitars are at a next level with this song, and the two intertwine and co-mingle together perfectly. Plus, Hartsel's vocals are also hitting a new level with "City Lights," as she croons in a way that seems to...

As much as I love curated shows, I also love shows that ignore all genres and throw three completely unrelated bands on a bill together. An all ska band show can get boring, same as four or more punk bands. Saturday night was one of the most wildly diverse three band shows I've ever seen, featuring Haasan Barclay, Tysk Tysk Task, and Regals.  According to their Facebook profile, Regals are "New England's finest Country Rock band." Even if they are not the very finest, they are certainly up there. They land smack dab right in the middle of country and rock, which makes them one of the better examples of alt-country in the region. Their sound is between The Deslondes and early Deer Tick. They seem to specialize in mid-tempo ballads that are just a showcase for their sound. It's a great combination of gruff vocals, pedal steel guitar, and rock guitar solos. Seriously, check out their song "Fresh Pack," and you won't be disappointed. Coming up next was t...

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 August 30 The Sheila Divine, Arto Vaun, and Dyr Faser at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Cakeswagg and DJ Whysham at Sonia, Cambridge, MA The Rock Dwellers, Modern Fools, and Noble Dust at Auspicious Brew, Dover, NH Highwater Haulers, Brightwire, and Wyn & The White Light at Askew, Providence, RI Coral Moons, Talk Chalk, and Lady Pills at The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA Smif-N-Wesson, STL GLD, and Tem Blessed & Blessed Energy at Off the Common, Greenfield, MA Burp, SuckerPunch, ...

Photo via Instagram New Hampshire's Chainlacing first came to our attention since the project features Tysk Tysk Task's Rick Martel and Lauren Crosser self-described as "lo fi experimental gloom." Their first single, "Time Away," is an absolutely gorgeous track that is layered with haze before the guitars erupt into an intense crush. The whole thing sounds like a cross between Mazzy Star and Confusion is Sex era Sonic Youth. Not many artists can pull off the melding of beauty and intensity, but "Time Away" is a perfect blend of both. You know the feeling of hearing a new band's debut single and you instantly need to hear more? That's how hearing Chainlacing is. You can listen to "Time Away" below. For more on Chainlacing, check out the band on Instagram . Time Away by chainlacing

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 August 16 Me in Capris, Sailor Down, John Galm, and Cape Crush at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Worshipper, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Mother Iron Horse, and dropbear at The Middle East, Cambridge, MA Savoir Faire at The Galactic Theater, Warren, RI Lions and Lavender, Tysk Tysk Task, Red Ledger, and The Fool's Agenda at Bit Bar, Salem, MA The Ghouls, MOLD, The P.A.'s, and Ralph n' Sean at Sparetime Recreation, Whitinsville, MA Saturday August 17 Save Ferris and Kings of the W...

Sometimes it's nice to see a show that's not in the Boston area. I tend to see shows at the same clubs regularly, and make pretty much the exact same drive once or twice a week. Portsmouth is one of my favorite towns to go to for shows, since it's just nice to walk around. When I saw that Tysk Tysk Task and Hell Beach were playing together at the new and improved Press Room, I knew I had to make the trek up to the seacoast. Plus, I had been meaning to check out Grub Lord for a while, so that was just a bonus. Opening the show was the virtually un-Googleable 2000s. Hailing from South Berwick, ME, they brought a group of diehard fans who were energetic and pumped for the show. I'm going to guarantee that every write up about them is going to include a line that they sound more like the 90's than the 2000's, which is accurate. They had a sound like if Nirvana had decided to go with a more mainstream sound after the success of Nevermind. It was a solid set that was ...

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: August 9 Tysk Tysk Task, Grub Lord, Hell Beach, and 2000s at The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH The Devil's Twins, The Anti Queens, and Oh the Humanity! at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA The Wolff Sisters and Ali McGuirk at The Cut, Gloucester, MA Barrence Whitfield and Sal Baglio's Giant Rock and Roll Show at The Bull Run, Shirley, MA Annabel and Perennial at Faces Brewing Co., Medford, MA Snowbeasts, Ex-Hyena, and SWRM at Myrtle, East Providence, RI The Promised End, In the Meantime...

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 5 Bella's Bartok at Gallery Walk, Brattleboro, VT The Downhauls, Hammered Saint, Stars Like Ours, and Lonely Leesa and The Lost Cowboys at Koto, Salem, MA Fresh, Ogbert the Nerd, Mint Green, and Oldsoul at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Saturday July 6 Happy Little Clouds, Lovina Falls, and Parlour Bells at The Rockwell, Somerville, MA Tysk Tysk Task, Tetchy, Gross Girls, and Wildfeuer at Taffeta, Lowell, MA Kimaya Diggs at Antenna Cloud Farm, Gill, MA Brainstory at The St...

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 June 28 Emily Grogan Band, Crow Follow, CATWOLF, and Galaxy Cake at The Jungle Community Music Club, Somerville, MA Dry Cleaning and Frog at The Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA Buffalo Nichols and The Glass Hours at Askew, Providence, RI Cathedral Bells, Video Days, Middle Part, and Ex-Hyena at O'Brien's Pub, Allston, MA TELL, The Daylillies, and Church & Puppets at Warp and Weft, Lowell, MA Saturday June 29 Wes' Rib House Block Party with Sage Francis, Provi...

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 June 7 Tysk Tysk Task, Dog 8 Dog, and The Shirt and Shoes at The Overlook at Mill No. 5, Lowell, MA Swansea Sound, Jeanines, and Zowy at O'Brien's, Allston, MA Hand of the Tribe, Catching Hell, Circus Trees, and Cosmic Triumph at Thirsty First, Lowell, MA Saturday June 8 Forever Lager Fest featuring Pronoun, Valleyheart, Grace Givertz, Oldsoul, Cape Crush, Rusty Mullet, and Lee Zangari at Notch Brewing, Brighton, MA A Rock-n-Roll Benefit for Mark Erdody (Afternoon ...

Tysk Tysk Task Photo by Ken Sears Friday and Saturday night were one thing, but Sunday was an entirely different animal. The trains heading into Harvard Square were completely packed, and the areas in front of the Red and Green stages were full before a single note was played. The quadruple threat of The Killers, Hozier, Meghan Thee Stallion, and Chappell Roan were the reason. I'm typically great at weaseling my way through crowds without being too obnoxious about it. Friday night I was able to get relatively close to Leon Bridges halfway through his set, and Saturday I ended up about five people back for Frank Turner about twenty minutes before he went on. However, Sunday it was nearly impossible to get near either of the main stages unless you got there hours early. There was still a lot to see and enjoy, and here are my highlights of the day! Tysk Tysk Task I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I loved Tysk Tysk Task's set opening up the Orange stage for the day. The Low...

Photo by Samm Scho Tysk Tysk Task's recent singles have all felt like a collective unit of music, despite sounding quite different from each other. Their latest is "Spiral," which goes in an opposite direction from the previous single, "My Side." While "My Side" was a two minute punk track, "Spiral" is a minute minute epic ballad. Singer/guitarist Samantha Hartsel has never sounded better than she does here, despite how dark the song feels. As the song starts, there is an intense feeling of foreboding that just builds and builds. Once the vocals kick in, the heaviness of the song begins to weigh on you. The song is absolutely gorgeous, possibly because of the darkness and emotion it conveys. And then the guitar solo eases its way in, and somehow the mood seems to lift. If a guitar solo can be uplifting, Tysk Tysk Task pull it off. You can listen to "Spiral" below. Helium Dreams is out now. For more on Tysk Tysk Task, check out the b...

Photo by Samm Scho Artist: Tysk Tysk Task When and where: Sunday 2:50-3:20, Orange Stage Just when we planned to profile Tysk Tysk Task for their upcoming performance at Boston Calling, the band goes and releases a brand new single. We had thought we knew what their current sound was as they moved from the indie grunge of You're Sorry More to a more heavy shoegaze based sound. But then they go and release "My Side," which is the most punk we've heard them sound to date. Clocking in at just over two minutes, "My Side" is reminiscent of Confusion is Sex and Bad Moon Rising era Sonic Youth. It still has that indie grunge goes shoegaze sound we've been loving from Tysk Tysk Task, but in a faster, more aggressive package.

This past weekend saw the return of The Town and The City Festival to downtown Lowell over Friday and Saturday. With such a stacked line up and so many bands to see, it was impossible to see them all, or even every band you wanted to see. I tried to take in as much as possible, had to make some tough decisions (or had some made for me), and had a fantastic two nights of music. I started off my night at Smokehouse Tavern to see The Only Things, , Muck and the Mires, and Linnea's Garden. I've been listening to The Only Things for years now, but this was my first time finally seeing the Lowell band live. I missed a few songs of their set, but from what I saw they out on a great show. Just some solid punk and garage rock and roll played by a group of guys just having fun with it. They closed with a cover of The Replacements' "Bastard of Young," which fit right in with their own songs. Next up for me was Muck and the Mires. I'm always shocked that the Boston garage...