It’s always interesting when you wake up with a sense of aggression. Then on top of that feeling, somehow a song pops in your head and you feel the sense of catharsis through it. There’s music for every type of feeling and mood. That’s part of why I’m so immersed in it. The song that felt right and was the one in my head when I woke up was Slipknot’s “Disasterpiece” from their album, Iowa. The sheer intensity and ferociousness on this song is uncanny. Lyrically, it’s scathing and rightfully so. Musically, the way the song explodes, retreats a little, then explodes again is sublime. You feel every word as the music pulsates through you. In a strange way with “Disasterpiece,” you can have a bit of an out of body experience depending on your level of frustration and anger! Ross Robinson really brought out the best in Slipknot on this album through all their anger and frustration.
Hi! I’m very excited to bring you episode three of The Audioeclectica Interview Series. On this episode we are joined by Andy Knapp the new singer of Snot as well as the singer of the band Stronger Than Machines. This is Andy’s first interview since becoming the singer for Snot and I couldn’t be happier to present this to you all. Listen to the interview below and be sure to check out Snot and Stronger Than Machines!
I will be at the Snot show at the Glass House on December 5th! Hope You Are Too!
The Audioeclectica Interviews Episode 003: Andy Knapp (Snot/Stronger Than Machines):
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve had A Perfect Circle’s “3 Libras” stuck in my head. I’m not complaing about it, I love this song. It’s crazy too, to realize that it’s been 25 years since their debut album, Mer De Noms was released. As far as debut albums go, it’s definitely one of the best. Interestingly, though “Judith” was the first single, the band actually wanted “3 Libras” to be the first one released. I always find things like that interesting. The video for “3 Libras” is really a beautiful one. Directed by Paul Hunter, who made his name in the HipHop/R&B world with artists like Eminem (“The Way I Am, “Superman”), D’Angelo (“How Does It Feel”), also directed videos for Marilyn Manson (“The Dope Show,” “I Don’t Like The Drugs…”), Hole (“Malibu”), Lenny Kravitz (“Fly Away”). The video for “3 Libras” is dark, haunting, and such a compliment to a great song. The way the cinematography and cameras pull the viewer in at certain moments, to the choice of color used throughout, and the sensuality, all these things make for a great video. I miss when bands would make videos like this. Take a few minutes out of your day and really explore the music video for A Perfect Circle’s “3 Libras,” you’ll really enjoy it!
For the last few years as a part of The Cobalt Presents and putting on shows around the Los Angeles area, I have come across a lot of bands. There are a few that have really left a lasting impression on me. It’s pretty awesome to have booked a band almost 5 years ago and be able to watch them become an absolute powerhouse of a band. With that in mind I’d like to present the band of the week, Minor Strut.
The band formed in 2014 and have been a consistent presence throughout the LA scene since. Over time, the band has worked hard to develop their sound and style and have really grown into great musicians and performers. Their alternative rock sound has roots in the 90’s and early 00’s sound via bands like Paramore, Radiohead, Incubus, Muse and more. I’d even throw the Pixies in that batch. Coryn Cahill (vocals), Ethan Nguyen (guitar), Marquis Miranda (bass), Aiden Kunhardt (drums), and Dylan Warner (rythm guitar) have become a young band to watch out for! Keep your eyes and ears open for what’s to come
I know I’m beyond excited about New Converge! How about you?! That’s right, on February 13, 2026, via Epitaph Records, Converge will be releasing their eleventh (that’s correct 11) studio album, Love Is Not Enough. The first single is the title track, “Love Is Not Enough” and it’s a barnburner right out of the gate. With 35 years under their belts, Converge are set to release an album that according to Jacob Bannon, “Love Is Not Enough is all about momentum. “It does a thing that no other Converge record does—it keeps ramping up,” Bannon says. “And that’s definitely by design. Internally, we passed around dozens of ideas for sequencing because everyone interprets music differently and there’s no right way of doing it. When we do that, we always joke that we all have to be equally unhappy. But this is the one that works.” Personally, I really can’t wait for this record. If you’ve never seen Converge live, you should change that as well. They are one of the most intense live bands you’ll ever see.
If you’ve been reading Audioeclectica for a while now, you know that I’m quite fond of the band Better Lovers. Their debut EP, God Made Me An Animal as well as debut album, Highly Irresponsible, are in constant rotation still. The excitement from listening to them and then the exhilaration of their live show is untamable. The infectiousness of the ferocity has only gotten better now as Better Lovers have released the Deluxe Edition of Highly Irresponsible. On this edition there are 2 new songs added to the record. “Don’t Forget To Say Please” came out a couple months back and now “The Impossible End” has been delivered. I really dig on the twists and turns this song inhabits. If you get a chance to see Better Lovers on this November through Mid December tour they are doing (dates below), GO!!!! If you don’t, you must be allergic to having fun! Really looking forward to what 2026 holds for these gents!
The Impossible End:
Don’t Forget To Say Please:
Better Lovers Tour Dates:
11/13 Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 11/14 Athens, GA – 40 Watt (feat. Atomic Rule) 11/15 Jacksonville, FL – Albatross (feat. Atomic Rule) 11/16 Orlando, FL – Vans Warped Tour (Better Lovers only) 11/18 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall 11/19 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s 11/21 Austin, TX – Come & Take It Live 11/22 Houston, TX – Bad Astronaut 11/23 Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City 11/25 Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep 11/26 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre 11/28 Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s 11/29 Madison, WI – Majestic 11/30 Joliet, IL – The Forge 12/01 Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme 12/03 Columbus, OH – A&R Bar 12/04 Harrisburg, PA – Capital City Music Hall 12/05 Long Island, NY – Amityville Music Hall 12/06 Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s
Better Lovers:
12/13 Buffalo, NY – Riverworks (‘Blissmas‘) (feat. Glassjaw, Saves The Day, Terror, etc.)
For the past couple of weeks, Radiohead has been back on stage for the first time in years. It’s pretty great to have them back again. As much as I was enjoying Thom and Jonny’s other project, The Smile, I’ve been wanting new Radiohead for a long while. If you’ve seen the set lists they have been playing it’s otherworldly. Pulling out so many choice deep cuts as well as songs not played in years, Radiohead fans like myself are pretty ecstatic about it all. So naturally, I went through all their albums the past few days and have an updated ranking of their albums. Granted this is just my personal ranking, I do think I nailed the top five. What would your order be? What’s your favorite album?
It’s with great excitement to bring you the second episode of Audioeclectica Interviews with James Hammontree of the very awesome, Black Magnet! Their album Megamantra, is one of 2025’s best albums and is for sure in my top ten of the year. You can check out the review of this great album HERE! Black Magnet is one of the best industrial bands out today! I very much look forward to what’s to come from Black Magnet! Make sure you put them on your radar! Enjoy this very fun conversation and remember to “Listen Eclectically”
Motörhead! That’s the article! Just kidding! In celebration of the legendary Motörhead’s 50th anniversary in 2025, a new compilation/tribute album has been released featuring 14 punk rock greats to honor the loudest band on Earth with a new tribute album: Killed By Deaf: A Punk Tribute to Motörhead. Motörhead was always one of those bands that could crossover with the punk and metal crowds. So it’s quite fun to hear all these bands pay tribute to one of the bands that really started it all. Classic and newer punk bands like Rancid, Pennywise, The Bronx, Lagwagon, Fear, GBH, The Damned, and Slaughterhouse rightfully put their spin on these seminal tracks. Yes, there are classic songs like “Ace Of Spades” and “Born To Raise Hell” but, the really cool part of this record is the deeper cut song choices. I really have to say Rancid’s version of “Sex & Death” is absolutely superb. Lars Frederickson of Rancid is a giant Motörhead fan and it shows through in a great fashion! Closing out the record is a collaboration between Motörhead and The Damned on the song “Neat Neat Neat.” Take a few minutes and celebrate the awesomeness of Motörhead and dig into these tracks and discover something you might have missed along the way!
Back in 2017 when Converge released their album, The Dusk In Us. It’s quite the album for Converge. It’s one of those albums that really spans their catalog and has become a renowned record. Before the record itself was released, the first single “I Can Tell You About Pain” came out with a b-side. That b-side wound up being the very epic and captivating song “Eve.” Why this wasn’t on the album is beyond me. This actually might be my all time favorite Converge song at this point. When you listen to the seven and a half minute opus, it definitely takes you places. The way the guitars shift from doom/sludge into etherial/atmospheric sounds, to the synths creating waves, while the rhythm drives and then pummels into a colossal explosion. While “Eve” has been in the setlist for a short period of time, and performed thrity-three times, it’s one that should be in rotation a lot more. There’s really something powerful about this song in particular that more people need to experience live. I’ve never seen it performed live and it’s “the one” Converge song I’d probably go absolutely apeshit for if I saw it live. So, let’s put it out into the universe to get “Eve” added more often!!!