The way the younger generation has been inspired and influenced by what came about during the previous generation has been very interesting to see come to life. The bands that have been able to create music that feels like a throwback but, also put the right spin on it, are the ones to watch. Which brings us to the band of the week.
A few weeks ago at part three of The Cobalt Presents 5 Year Anniversary show, there was a band that played and really turned up the volume and that band is Gerbil. Don’t let the name fool you, this band has teeth. While the 90’s alternative/indie rock is prevalent, the way Gerbil injects a bit of funk, rock, pop and a scoop of ska into their songs is the part that gets you.
The youthful fun energy Gerbil has is infectious when you see them live. Each member brings their own influence to the fold and its plays out in such a great way.
Scoring films and John Carpenter are a match made in film and scoring delight. For years now, John has not only written and directed some of the coolest and best horror and Sci-fi films. His score work has long been regarded and influential to so many.
Currently, John Carpenter is releasing his first original graphic novel entitled, Cathedral. And since it’s John Carpenter it’s more than just that, it’s an audio/visual companion project. The album’s soundtrack finds John Carpenter and longtime band mates Cody Carpenter (synths) and Daniel Davies (guitar) providing the soundtrack for an elevated, spine tingling, dark and ominous experience. Each track on the album aligns with a chapter of the graphic novel, with liner notes guiding listeners through the story.
The soundtrack is signature Carpenter with a more metal leaning sound and tone. “Revenge” hits at both and includes a few fun twists that peaks your interest.
Cathedral is out now and the soundtrack is out on August 07, 2026!
Discovering a new band that you don’t expect is one of the best things. It could be a riff, melody, lyric, or random part that connects. No matter what it is, the feeling of finding a new band to enjoy is something else. With that in mind let me introduce you to, Ocean Sleeper.
Hailing from Australia, the home of the one and only Silverchair (yes, I know there are plenty of other Aussie bands. Silverchair was fucking awesome)! Ocean Sleeper formed in 2016 and have been honing their metalcore meets post-hardcore sound since. Now on their second album, Peace When I’m Dead, Ocean Sleeper have upped the stakes.
Armed with songs that evoke emotion, a heaviness that makes you bang your head and a crisp melodic sensibility, Ocean Sleeper will keep you awake and demand your attention. The most recent single “My Forever Drug” is addictive as it’s catchy but deep. When the chorus hits, it soars. You just have to listen. The title track “Peace When I’m Dead” screams urgency right out of the gate. “Break The Cycle” hits like broken glass against the wall. The impact of this song really gets your blood pumping.
Peace When I’m Dead arrives August 21 via Rise Records. Be on the lookout for Ocean Sleeper!
The thought of experimentation and exploration within music swings like a pendulum. Each side has its own distinct sound and feel just like Machinekit’s new EP, Body Without Organs. In a fun metaphorical sense, perhaps each organ that is missing represents the style of the music.
Across five intense and almost primitive songs, Machinekit mastermind, John Rojas, emits a mixture of electro-punk, jazz, industrial, doom, and darkwave all in a raw nature. This is where the primitive sense comes in. The vocals tear through skin and pull at your own organs. The way the songs have a visual impact gives the EP an even darker and tortured feel. The instrumentation here is direct and given a clear mission to teeter the line of precision and avant-garde.
When a release like Body Without Organs arrives, it might take a minute to fully grasp what is happening. Go with it! As each song pulls you in a twist, there’s more to uncover with each listen.
For quite a while now, The Pretty Reckless have been a really great rock band. One of those bands that has not gotten the due they deserve. Now five albums deep and showing all the signs of a well oiled rock band, they arrived in Los Angeles on sizzling Friday July 31, 2006 to a sold out Wiltern Theater.
At 9:00 the lights went down and a roaring crowd got louder and louder as Logan Nickolic (guitar), Jaime Perkins (drums), Mark Damon (bass) and the absolutely underrated Ben Phillips (lead guitar) took the stage. Then one of the loudest indoor audience pops I’ve heard in a long time exploded as singer Taylor Momsen hit the stage. Without a second more to wait, The Pretty Reckless stormed into a stirring performance of “Death By Rock And Roll.” The next batch of songs went back to their first two albums and upped the stakes of the evening. Just as you thought it was going to hit a more mellow tone in the set, the fantastic and heavy “For I Am Death” made the walls of the Wiltern seem like they were shaking. The onslaught of great rock continued with bangers “When I Wake Up” and Love Me” both and the former from the new album, Dear God.
Then came the moment when the show went for a more solemn tone as “Devil In Disguise (Michelle’s Song)” was played. It’s one of those songs that when you know what it’s about, really hits different. Then the vibe picked up with the title track off the record as well as two more songs from the new album. Then came a trifecta of absolute unbridled rock with “Make Me Wanna Die,” Heaven Knows,” and “Going To Hell.” Each of these songs had the crowd eating out of the bands hands. The fun jamming during the songs really helped to showcase the band as great players and how damn good they are. The way the crowd sang back at the right moments was astounding. For the encore the very melodic rocking song “About You” was played with special guest guitarist Pat Smear.
The Pretty Reckless are truly a great band that deserve more recognition for being a great rock band. They have a no frills approach to their music and songs that makes the music speak for itself. Taylor Momsen has a terrific rock n roll voice and can wail like the best of them! The band definitely needs more recognition as well. One of the tightest bands I’ve heard and seen. Each plays with a vigor that emits heavy rock. Ben Phillips especially needs to be on the lists for rock guitar players!! The Pretty Reckless are here and are guaranteed to put on one hell of a great rock show!
Overall Rating: 9/10
Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
The Pretty Reckless Setlist:
01) Death By Rock And Roll 02) Since You’re Gone 03) Follow Me Down 04) Miss Nothing 05) For I Am Death 06) When I Wake Up 07) Love Me 08) Devil In Disguise (Michelle’s Song) 09) Dear God 10) Dark Days 11) Spell On You 12) Make Me Wanna Die 13) Heaven Knows 14) Going To Hell ENCORE: 15) About You (with Pat Smear on Guitar)
