Music
Millie and the Moths: The Devil’s in the Details
“We love moths,” says Montag. “I used to play with them as a kid and viewed them as approachable butterflies … We love the strange and unusual.” … read more
From Ohio and Back Again: Hawthorne Heights Return To Warped...
Weathering more than their fair share of hurdles, including label disputes and the unfortunate loss of friend, guitarist and screamer Casey Calvert, nothing has managed to keep Hawthorne Heights from playing the music they love. We caught up with vocalist and guitarist JT Woodruff in-between shows on their way to the tour start in Seattle to talk about their new album and what it’s like being part of Warped Tour. … read more
They Might Be Giants: Conquering With Nanobots, an Interview with...
Coming off their 16th studio album, the alternative indie rock duo They Might Be Giants, have been riding high on a sell-out tour spanning across three continents. SLUG got the opportunity to chat with Linnell over the phone before they come to town this Saturday at The Depot, discussing the tour so far, their new album, Nanobots, and creating music, thoughts on the R&R Hall Of Fame and what people can look forward to at this Saturday’s show. … read more
Eighties Fan: A Conversation With Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell
“I think I’m always optimistic,” says Tracyanne Campbell from her flat in Glasgow. “It might not seem like that, but I think I’m always, ultimately, trying to look on the bright side.” As the leader of the Scottish group Camera Obscura, Tracyanne Campbell needs hardly any introduction at all—she’s one of the brightest-shining indie stars of the last decade. From a diverse body of influences, ranging from classic country to melancholic British indie-pop, Campbell and her bandmates have built a stellar body of work, replete with catchy tunes and supremely bittersweet, sardonic lyrics. … read more
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Written in Random: Parquet Courts
To me, “songwriting” usually evokes an image of deadbeat longhairs dinkin’ around on their instruments and crushing PBR cans one after the other, as any vestiges of the “creative process” dissipate into trite stereotypes of punk or indie musicians. Parquet Courts, however, generate images of notebooks and struggle. Guitarist and vocalist Austin Brown says, “[Andrew Savage (guitar/vocals) and I] both just write a lot … Through the practice of writing, sometimes, on those good days, I can sit down and a song will come out or a lyric will come out that I can feel inspired by later.” … read more
Full of Hell: Beautiful Mutilators
Rudiments of Mutilation, the sophomore album by Full of Hell, to be released on June 11, is not an easy listen. It begins with harsh, piercing noise, slowly followed by wails from vocalist Dylan Walker and shambling, rumbling drums. An explosion of crusty blastbeats and hardcore riffs break the tension before the band delves deep into a downtrodden doom sound, with Walker’s voice channeling chaos all the while. This is intentionally ugly music—music that is designed to make you feel the worst of humanity. “We want to make really harsh, negative music that induces pain,” Walker said in a recent phone interview with SLUG. “It’s kind of beautiful in a way.” … read more
Pink Lightning Strikes Again
I realize that Eli Morrison isn’t like most people, let alone other musicians. He’s someone who doesn’t give a fuck about trying to make music that will be a hit on the radio, or even something that all the hipsters will talk about incessantly over coffee. Morrison’s goal is to push the musical boundaries of genres like blues, punk and rock, to create a unique, brand new sound, which he dubs “avant-retro.” With his band Pink Lightning, Morrison is staying on the same path he’s always been on, where there is no defined path, or as Morrison puts it, “There’s still beach sand that has not been walked on yet.” … read more
Up in Palms: Palms Interview with Aaron Harris
When Deftones singer Chino Moreno’s name becomes attached to your band, the level of anticipation jumps the scale from a niche genre to many worlds of music lovers. Moreno isn’t backed by just any musicians in Palms, though: Three members of the now-defunct ISIS (drummer Aaron Harris, guitarist Cliff Meyer and bassist Jeff Caxide) have the musical chops and experience to make any musical project stand out, and are far from a backdrop to let Moreno’s well-known croon or scream play the keynote. Palms’ self-titled debut album drops on June 25 via Ipecac Recordings, with tour dates in the wings. SLUG caught up on all things Palms with drummer Harris. … read more
Localized: The Insurgency and Hectic Hobo
This month’s Localized, on June 15, showcases two hard-rocking groups of completely different spectrums. Salty old-school punkers The Insurgency and dusty vagabond gypsies Hectic Hobo will share the stage and are sure to generate two sets you can easily jerk your limbs to. To round out the evening, indie-blues cross-pollinators The Red on Black will be opening. Per usual, the event is 21+ at Urban Lounge, free until 10:30 p.m. then $5 at the door. The show is presented by GigViz.com, the ultimate online-viewing tube for you underage babies, child-addled hermits and those in faraway lands. … read more
Interview with Casualties Bassist Rick Lopez
The chaotic punk rock of The Casualties baptized the Salt Valley in sweat on May 25, and SLUG Magazine got the opportunity to speak with Rick Lopez (bassist) before they walked onstage at the Salt Haus. … read more