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Does Riot Fest Have The Best Lineup Of 2022?
Features, Music

Does Riot Fest Have The Best Lineup Of 2022?

The Riot Fest lineup is here and it's a doozy. They are heading into the 17th year of the annual event with an undeniably strong collection of artists. Punk, hip hop, indie rock, industrial and other genres are all well represented on the bill. My Chemical Romance will headline Friday. The Original Misfits are on top of the bill Saturday and Nine Inch Nails will close out Sunday. Yeah Yeah Yeahs will perform for the first time at Riot Fest. As far as reunions go, Yellowcard will be getting back together as is The Academy Is... and Midtown. Riot Fest maintains its independent spirit to this day. The three-day event will return to Douglass Park in Chicago this September. Tickets are officially on sale and are available in a variety of packages. Spread out over five stages, expect mor...
New Osaka Popstar Music Video For “Lost & Found” Stars Fred Armisen
Music

New Osaka Popstar Music Video For “Lost & Found” Stars Fred Armisen

The infectious new single from Osaka Popstar "Lost & Found" is out now. The animated music video for the track features the band and other special animated guests along with actor/comedian/musician Fred Armisen in the starring role. Album Art: Josh Howard The high-energy tune is featured on Osaka Popstar's latest release. Ear Candy is available now on all your favorite streaming platforms. Fans who prefer vinyl will be pleased to note that it's available in Limited Edition Candy Swirl form. The CD includes deluxe gatefold packaging and a free 2-sided poster. Both versions include digital access to the new Sweetie Candy Vigilante comic book. Osaka Popstar was founded by longtime Misfits and Ramones collaborator John Cafiero in 2006. The anime meets NY punk-rock collective fea...
RRGH Vol 4: Celebrating Women & Femmes in Music
Music

RRGH Vol 4: Celebrating Women & Femmes in Music

My dear readers, it's time for me be completely honest with you: It's a bit embarrassing to admit this, but when it came to International Women's Month, I froze. I thought I'd be able to put together a piece celebrating women & femmes in music in no time, but here we are. In May. Don't get me wrong--I immediately had an idea as to who I wanted to write about. Like, when I asked myself, "OK, Women's Month-- woohoo! Time to write. Best chick in music right now, go." I did have a name pop up in my head. But it felt too easy. Too immediate. So, I sat with that thought for a moment. "Why did my mind immediately jump to her?" Because her music is bomb, of course. There was no lie there. She wasn't a cop-out. I absolutely wanted to celebrate her during women's month, I...
Redlight King Drop New Single, Plan Fall Album Release
Music

Redlight King Drop New Single, Plan Fall Album Release

Melodic rockers Redlight King are back on the scene with a big agenda. "In Our Blood" is the uplifting new single that's set to be included on their fourth studio album set for release this fall. To prepare they've got a series of festival shows lined up with more concert dates in the works. Photo Credit: David Harris Redlight King broke out in 2011 with their debut album Something For The Pain. Their single "Bullet In My Hand" made it to #3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and made waves with the reimagined version of Neil Young's "Old Man". Young himself approved of the sample in the song. Irons In The Fire and Moonshine followed. The band has had songs featured in the movies Avengers, Iron Man 3, and TVs Malcolm In The Middle. For the new full-length album, they've sign...
Ghost Woman’s “Clockwork” Single Hits Just The Right Spot
Music

Ghost Woman’s “Clockwork” Single Hits Just The Right Spot

Ghost Woman's "Clockwork" single is a refreshing new song that taps into something special. The project is the brainchild of talented multi-instrumentalist Evan Uschenko. He spent time on the road internationally with songwriter/producer Michael Rault. He found inspiration after sharing the bill with artists like Jacco Gardiner and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. He's channeled that innovative spirit into his new self-titled album set for release on July 1st. Influenced by the likes of Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, and others, "Clockwork" takes the listener on a psychedelic journey through the desert. I just rewatched Natural Born Killers for the 100th (rough estimate) time and this song could fit right in on the soundtrack. While the song does have a psychedelic feel a...
Breaking Waves: Just Connor & “Hyperstrike”
Features, Interviews, Music

Breaking Waves: Just Connor & “Hyperstrike”

Considering it has been almost exactly a year to the day since I first spoke with Just Connor about his music, I think it's only right to do this first issue of Breaking Waves about him... Especially since today is the day that the first Just Connor track of 2022 drops! Please go ahead and stream "Hyperstrike"-- I promise you, it will send you on a gorgeous sonic journey. It's what I've had on repeat all morning. By the time you reach the second drop, you will realize that no one does wave music quite like JC. That's what I realized a year ago, and have realized time and time again, on my "journey through wave". I say it like that because that's what this has felt like--a journey. Ever since that first conversation with JC, it has felt like I've been on a journey to discover wh...
Poll: Where Do You Discover New Music?
Features, Music

Poll: Where Do You Discover New Music?

Listening habits have evolved over the past few decades. Today, there are far more options when it comes to discovering new music. Take the MendoWerks poll below and let us know where you're finding tasty new jams. But first, let's look at some recently-released numbers for 2021. According to statistics from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), recorded music revenue in the United State grew a whopping 23% percent to $15 billion last year (retail value). All major formats experienced growth with the exception of digital downloads. Paid subscriptions continued to be the largest driver of growth. RIAA research shows that 84 million people belonged to a subscription service in 2021, up from 75.5 million the previous year. The news wasn't so promising when it came to d...
AWOLNATION Tour Announced, Covers Album Drops Friday
Events, Features, Music

AWOLNATION Tour Announced, Covers Album Drops Friday

AWOLNATION is hitting the road and tickets go on sale Friday. Not-so-coincidentally, the highly anticipated covers and compilation album will be released the same day. My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me features appearances by Beck, Jewel, Brandon Boyd (Incubus), Taylor Hanson (yes, that Hanson), and many others. Photo Credit: Credit: Kari Rowe Joining AWOLNATION on tour are Badflower and The Mysterines. Dubbed the 'Falling Forward' tour, it'll kick off October 6th in Utah and run through November 18th in Seattle. Highlights include stops in New York City, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Tickets are on sale to the general public Friday at 10 am local time and can be found here. There is a special pre-sale underway for members of the AWOLNATION fan club through Thursday. ...
Five New May Album Releases That Should Be On Your Radar
Music

Five New May Album Releases That Should Be On Your Radar

Here are five new May album releases that caught our attention. Just for the record, Coheed and Cambria's new LP was on the list until we found out it had been pushed back until June. It never hurts to throw some fresh material onto your playlists so hopefully, you'll find a tasty nugget or two here. And before we get into it, honorable mentions include Warpaint's Radiate Like This on May 6th, Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers on May 13th, and Harry Styles' Harry's House on May 20th. 1. Arcade Fire WE Release Date: May 6th What you should know: This will be the first new album from Arcade Fire in nearly five years. Their latest single "The Lightning I, II" debuted in mid-March. Around that time multi-instrumentalist Will Butler announced that while he play...
James And The Cold Gun Drop Debut EP False Start
Features, Music

James And The Cold Gun Drop Debut EP False Start

James and the Cold Gun are everything that's great about rock and roll. Soaring choruses meet edgy riffs and a little unpredictability on their debut EP False Start. It's been released on Venn Records in the UK and Loosegroove Records out of Seattle in the US. Loosegroove is owned by Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog) and Regan Hagar (Malfunkshun, Brad). False Start EP The band caught the Pearl Jam guitarists' attention after he heard "Long Way Home" getting airplay on KEXP last year. The False Start EP is just the beginning of this new partnership between the iconic indie label and James and the Cold Gun with Gossard stating, 'This new track, "It's Mutual" takes it to another level. Totally unhinged and letting it all hang out. Loosegroove Records is thrilled to be workin...