No Sleep Roundup: Misfits, Vale, Willie Nelson

By Robert Dean

Howdy jerks, 

What’s good? I’m about to head up to Chicago to see The Misfits, and I’m peeing my pants with excitement. I’ve waited 28 years for this show, and you best believe that I’m going to howl my ass off when I hear some “Skulls” or “Hybrid Moments.” I wonder if Doyle will be there to bitch about having to meet people when he doesn’t get to play Rockstar for a night. 

In other non-Danzig news: 

Helms Alee is about to go on tour with Earth and are also dropping a new record, which is described by this wild shit, “Named for a bioluminescent marine algae that glows when excited, the Puget Sound trio’s forthcoming album Noctiluca bears a radiancy all its own.” 

Watch the music video for “Spider Jar” here:

A few weeks ago, I talked about Vale, the black metal band from Oakland that sound pissed as fuck. They’re going on tour. If you feel like coming to Austin, come hang out. I’ll be at the show. 

VALE - ON TOUR

June 21  Colorado Springs, CO @ Triple Nickel

June 22  Denver, CO @ Hi Dive

June 24  Minneapolis, MN @ Hexagon

June 25  Milwaukee, WI @ Walkers Point Music Hall

June 26  Chicago, IL @ Subterranean 

June 27  Detroit, MI @ TBA

June 28  Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck

June 29  Ottawa, ON @ TBA

June 30  Montreal, QC @ Brasserie Beaubien

July 1  Quebec City, QC @ L’Anti

July 2  Manchester, NM @ Ohmen DIY

July 3  Portland, ME @ Gino’s

July 6  Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland

July 7  Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie

July 8  Boston, MA @ O'Brien's

July 9  Baltimore, MD @ Sidebar

July 10  Richmond, VA @ Wonderland

July 11  Chapel Hill, SC @ Local 506

July 12  Atlanta, GA @ 529

July 13  Jacksonville, FL @ Nighthawks

July 14  Miami, FL @ Las Rosas

July 15  Orlando, FL @ Uncle Lou’s

July 16  New Orleans, LA @ Santos Bar

July 17  Austin, TX @ Lost Well

July 18  Dallas, TX @ Regal Room

July 19  Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar

July 20  Phoenix, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room

July 21  Los Angeles, CA @ Lexington

Sharkmuffin, has a new record, Gamma Gardening and it’s a fun cocktail of glam, punk, shoegaze, and indie rock. If you’re looking for some old school Riot Grrrl stuff to get powerful to, check these ladies out. I love them, this is fun rock and roll in at a time when people are being way too serious. 

Don’t forget to check out Karly Driftwood’s banger, Too Mean To Die – I wrote about it and it’s still awesome. 

Billy Ray Cyrus is on some Soundcloud rapper’s song, fuck that noise. 

Willie’s annual 4th of July show has been announced. If you’re anywhere near Austin, this is a yearly thing and has been going on for 50 years. Check out who’s playing along with our living legend:

• Nathaniel Hawthorne & The Night Sweats

• Alison Krauss

• Jamey Johnson

• Luke Combs 

• Ray Wylie Hubbard

• Johnny Bush

• Billy Joe Shaver 

• Colter Wall

• The Casey Kristofferson Band 

• Gene Watson

No Sleep Roundup: Motley Crue, Vale, Sharkmuffin, Brooks & Dunn

By Robert Dean

YO. Is it me or is everyone crazy busy right now? It’s probably that we’re all bursting at the seams with that warm weather optimism, thinking about living in shorts for a few months, drinking in the garage, summer shows, tubing, the smell of the grill. All the best things about life happen in the warm weather. 

Anyhow, in the spirit of spring officially here, let’s get y’all up to speed on some of the rad shit happening around and in the world of music, shall we? Let’s Roundup. 

Ok, so first off, The Dirt dropped last week. People who love the Crüe are happy while everyone else with two eyeballs says it sucks. [Editor’s note: (insert eyeroll emoji)] I was going to review it, but my best friend likes to remind me that I hate the band and everything 1980’s cock rock. So, I have nothing to add to this except, while I like rock and roll stories, seeing Tommy Lee in a thong doesn’t interest me in the least. Shit is so wack. 

ANYHOW, 

Jerry Lee Lewis suffered a stroke and has effectively canceled his New Orleans Jazzfest appearance. Big up’s to The Killer and hopefully, he’ll have a speedy recovery. 

If you’re into Chelsea Wolfe’s brooding, check out Louise Lemón’s new record, “A Broken Heart, is An Open Heart.” It’s got all of the doomy witch vibes one needs. It’s a little spooky and moody, but ultimately, solidly evil. Listen to it here. 

Another female-fronted kick to the neck, Low Dose is dropping a raging new album that feels like a mix of the Big Business + Melvins era, but approachably singy, sprinkled with a touch of the riot grrrl sound. Featuring ex-members of Fight Amp, Lose Dose is an easy winner if you’re looking for something that’s heavy but 100% relatable if you’ve ever had to deal with adult emotional problems. 

Brooks and Dunn are nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and honestly, if you haven’t had a lonely night to “Neon Moon,” you’re not doing it right.

Vale is a new death metal + black metal band that’s doing some seriously grim shit. If you need something KVLT as FUCK, this will whet your appetite. Check out Vale here.

Three new records you need in your life are dropping within the next week or so:

• Yawpers - Human Question 
• Mekons - Deserted 
• Vandoliers - Forever (out now)

Don’t sleep on any of these, I’ve covered all three and they’re all bangers. 

Sharkmuffin’s new jammer “Fate” is straight up sick. If you’ve got a love for My Bloody Valentine, get on this ASAP. I wish I’d of caught their SXSW sets because apparently, they kicked the shit out of everyone and I had no idea. 

Dick Dale, the King of Surf Rock died. Mad respect to the man who wrote “Misirlou” aka the best tune to ever open a movie. 

ALBERICH UNVEILS “CHILSONG CHAMBER” - I don’t really know what to make of this, other than it reminds me of living with my friend Mike in my early 20’s. He was on all of this stuff. Took me to see KMFDM, Venetian Snares, all kinds of good stuff. I was hanging with dudes in black boots and shorts and saw folks headbang to synthesizers. So, get on this if that’s your speed. 

And finally, Full of Hell is back. If you’re looking to get your teeth kicked in. Look no further. They’re easily one of the best new pissed off, heavy bands in the game. Watch their new one here.