The stream of fantastic band’s coming at us from Vancouver seems to be never ending. That stream turns into more like a raging river when listening to Nervous Talk. They ride these rapids hard hanging onto a raft inflated with influences ranging from 1970’s style power pop like Cheap Trick, or even catchy pub rock like Rockpile. Throw in some 1990’s garage punk that you might have heard exploding out of Fink or Jack Oblivion’s amplifiers back in their prime and this might get a bit closer to describing their full range of sound. Nervous Talk just released their debut 7” on Mammoth Cave Recordings and it very much reflects this broad range of influence. It’s a bit hard to describe it all accurately, but once you listen to this record you’ll sink right into it just like in your favorite pair of black Converse All Stars. This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on January 30th, 2014 Interview by Jay Castro Shock Treatment: Please introduce yourself (or selves) and how you co...

The Mandates are a pressure packed Rock n’ Roll powerhouse blasting out of the streets of Calgary. Some of the other press the band has received describes their sound as very “New York” and I couldn’t agree more. The songs drip with Ramones heart and glow with Dead Boys power. The best testament to this lies in the band’s debut full length, which they released in March of 2013. The album will make you want to fight that fancy dressed jerk that keeps hittin’ on your best lady friend. Then steal that same douche bag’s car and drive it really fast right through the front doors of that convenience store that humiliated and kicked you out earlier for trying to buy cigarettes and beer with your fake I.D. Every impulse a great Rock n’ Roll record should bring out of you. This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on January 30th, 2014 Interview by Jay Castro Shock Treatment: Please introduce yourself and how do you contribute to the Mandates Rock n’ Roll machine? My name is Brady ...

In 2010, Kurt Baker released an EP called Got It Covered where he introduced the world to his greatest influences by covering their music. This didn’t feel like a covers album though. Kurt turned the volume to 11 and cranked out tunes by power pop titans The Nerves, Joe Jackson, The Vapors and many more. He played those songs with such gusto and gumption I had to hear more of his songs. That same energy continues to electrify piece of music he puts out. I often ask the people I interview if there’s a certain song or album they put on to help them get out of a bad mood. For me, Kurt’s LP Brand New Beat has been permanently added to that list. This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on January 8th, 2014 Interview by Jay Castro Shock Treatment: You were born in Portland, Maine, where you still live today. What was it like growing up there? I live in Arizona and Maine is a place I really want to visit before I croak. I imagine rocky shorelines, foggy cold breeze, ...

These record reviews originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on December 30th, 2013 Jail Weddings - Meltdown: A Declaration of Unpopular Emotion LP (Neurotic Yell Records) You’re on a serene train ride at night through the mountains and wilderness of the west. Now imagine the train suddenly being robbed by Butch Cassidy and The Hole in The Wall Gang. That’s what I see when I listen to this album. A mixture of beautiful dark songs peppered with some dynamite explosions that at times are off in the distance and move gradually closer and even sometimes explode in your face. It does sound Nick Cave-y mixed with some Spanish Bolero type undertones which blend quite well together, adding to the mystique. Why Butch Cassidy? I don’t know I just love that movie. – Jay Castro Steve Adamyk Band – Monterrey 7” (Hosehead Records) Superb melodic punk and dare I say “poppy” punk. I think this band has so much more to offer than a lot of other groups that fall into this category though. The hooks a...

Cool is a word that in my opinion is thrown around far too much and has lost a lot of its meaning. Miles Davis, David Bowie, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen that’s what I think of when I hear the word “cool.” Battered Suitcases exhibit a similar saunter and confidence that is necessary to pull off a complete rock n’ roll package well. The music if power packed with brazen lyrics peppered with references to old Beatnik verse, brazen guitars, and drums that crash and explode like an avalanche falling on your face. While all of this is going on simultaneously, the band still manage to keep that particular “cool. ” This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on December 11th, 2013 Interview by Jay Castro Shock Treatment: Please introduce yourselves and how you contribute to the Battered Suitcases rock n roll machine? Sharon Case – Songwriter, poet, singer, bass, keyboards Jessica Case – Drums, backing vocals Sue T. Case – Rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals Frank Case – Lead g...

Brooklyn, New York’s The Recordettes play a unique brand of loud, campy, blown out, fuzzed up bubblegum rock. The music is played with such fun and fury; I can only imagine how amusing seeing them live would be. Their debut 7” just came out earlier this year on the No Front Teeth recording label out of the U.K. This label, in case you are unaware, is usually reserved for acid spewing 77-style punk rock like The Gaggers or Ricky C. Quartet. So the fact that someone at NFT recognizes the inimitable talents of the Recordettes makes their debut record that much more fascinating. Why do those Brits always seem to recognize good American music before America does! This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on December 11th, 2013 Interviewed by Jay Castro Shock Treatment: Please introduce yourselves and how do you contribute to The Recordettes Rock ‘N’ Roll machine? TONY: I am Tony Lofi, amazing singer and guitar player for The Recordettes. Also, a huge liar. ANNA: Anna Anabo...