2020, huh. It's been a memorable(?) year, that's for sure. In the years to come we'll probably remember it due to the contested presidential election and the global pandemic, but it turns out there were a couple of other interesting things happening just below the radar. As is SPB tradition, we've passed the mic over to our friends in the music world to tell us how they'll remember 2020, the music they're excited about for 2021, and (if possible) something positive that's come from the Covid-19 lockdown the world has faced this year. Here's some choice quotes:
"We’re just fabulously relieved that Trump lost. We cannot overstate the depths of our hostility toward that fuckface." - Heart & Lung
"I’ve got a mask on, so those little things like smiling in the warehouse when someone makes a dumb joke are fruitless. You’ve got to make me laugh so hard you can see it in my eyes and, bud, I’m a huge bummer, so good luck with that." - Foxfires (Josh Lyford)
"My favorite development from this pandemic is the amount of new interesting collaborations that I’m seeing being done electronically. I almost feel like this pandemic was the show that musicians needed to embrace technology and start to do more remote collaborations." - Secret Fun Club (Sal Gallegos III)
A-F Records / Nightmarathons (Chris Stowe)
photo by Lorien Lamarr
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
John Moreland - LP5
SOUL GLO - Songs to Yeet at the Sun
Spanish Love Songs - Brave Faces Everyone
Ways Away - s/t LP
Somerset Thrower - Paint My Memory
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I got really into Ways Away this spring/summer. I don't know if it was the timing of also when the pandemic was kind of unfolding, but waiting for their new singles really gave me something to look forward to. Every time a new one would come out I would play it into the ground. The chorus of "Everyone I Know (The Optimist)" is perfect.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I guess this was kind of the year without rules. This was the year where nobody got to play a release show unless your record came out in the first three months of the year. Being able to play the music you release in front of other humans is a pretty big piece of the puzzle when you're releasing an album, so it's been a journey working through that with artists. I know for me it's a big part of the emotional payoff that comes at the end of all the work that goes into releasing a record, so it's been painful and disorienting to miss that.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
A-F Records has a ton of cool stuff coming out almost immediately. I've had the chance to work with some artists that I've admired for my entire life this year, so that's been amazing and also very humbling. Nightmarathons also is working on a new full-length and I'm really excited for the direction we're heading. Those dudes have all pushed me musically a lot this year and it's been super rewarding just to discover new ideas and new ways to look at songs. I'm very grateful for that.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I'm just looking forward to maybe being able to be in a room with strangers and loud guitars.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
From a record label point-of-view, I've really enjoyed how freeing it's been to not really be concerned with the normal "release schedule" anymore. It's given us a lot of room to experiment with new ideas, for sure.
Asbestos Worker (Josh Stever)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
This year was a very grind heavy year for me. And coming in #1 is Pig Destroyer's - Octagonal Stairway, next up is Meth Leppard's - Woke, but it wasn't all grindcore because I'd be a fool not to mention the latest offing from Blacklisters - Fantastic Man, then another grind band that I discovered this year is Wake's - Devouring Ruin, and to finish off the list with noise rock and the new USA Nails - Character Stop.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
A little gem I discovered was Sleiveen Hostess and their self-titled release. It was actually released in 2015. I discovered them while going through the Kaos Kontrol label website looking for something new. I've always been a fan of the Finnish noise rock band Throat. But this year I've been listening to them almost obsessively.Their singer/guitarist Jukka Mattias is also the label head at Kaos Kontrol and I figured he'd have equally talented bands on his label. I wasn't wrong.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
So I'm actually working on a solo grindviolence project called endlessXconsumption. I was pissed off this year and I actually needed something a little more vitriolic than noise rock to express my dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. So this year will always be known as the year that pissed me off more than just regular pissed off music could handle.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I currently have about 9 or 10 songs for Asbestos Worker getting finished off by Adam Tucker at Signituretone Recording. Which will probably wind up being an EP and 1 or 2 split releases. I also have about 18 or 19 tracks I'm working on finishing up the recording on for endlessXconsumption. So I will have a release for that as well in 2021.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Honestly I've kind of been a hermit throughout the year so I don't really know what is coming in 2021 for new stuff. Other than some friends from Atlanta in the band Naw are supposed to put out a full-length that I'm looking forward to.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I'm actually working on a long distance collaboration with a few other talented individuals. Which came about as a result of being cooped up because of the pandemic. With two solo projects it's nice to actually work on music with other people for a change.
Attic Salt (Skip Davis)
photo by Caitlin Winterbauer
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
No Dream - Jeff Rosenstock - No Dream
Coriky - S/T
White Denim - World as a Waiting Room
Bottom Bracket - I Don’t Care Enough to Stay
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Drug Church. Their music is raw and energetic, helping to fill the void opened up by isolation from your friends.
Propaghandi. I was aware of this band back in the ‘90s, and a lot of my friends listened to them but they never really caught my ear. For whatever reason, I decided to listen to their back catalogue, post-Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes and that shit fucking screams!
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Weirdly. Many artists made albums separated from their usual process and usual personnel. I think in the years to come we will be able to look back on music released during this year and note a significant difference in form.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Unfortunately, we get to look forward to hundreds of small venues that were once staples in their local scenes to be shuttered for good. This is going to put a dent in the amount of available spaces to play, and prohibit smaller bands from the ability to get shows.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I’m most looking forward to writing and recording a new Attic Salt record.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Like hundreds of other bands, we were supposed to play Fest this year. Being that it was scheduled in the fall, it was fairly late in the pandemic that it was canceled. I really appreciate how Tony set up weekly “Fest from Home” events showcasing different artists from the lineup. Also, with the lack of daytime child care options, I had to take some time off to stay home with my kids which is always an adventure.
Black Dots (Wade Henderson - guitar/yelling)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
1) Ricky (Western Settings) - Palm Trees Very impressive and not like your typical solo album, kudos Ricky! 2) Bud Bronson and the Good Timers - Manifest Fantasy Just, Wow?! 3) Attic Salt - Get Wise Catchy as it gets 4) Worriers - You or Someone You Know Anything Lauren touches is gold. 5) Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud Just really good! 6) DFMK - s/t Great to see a full length from the TJ homies, such good dudes and such great energy.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I'm giving three. Attic Salt are just killer catchy pop-punk, John from Black Dots turned me on to them. Also, Barbara Keith (Stevie Nicks meets Joni Mitchell, she only put out 2 albums in the early '70s) and Ted Hawkins (he put out three records from '82-'94, think Wesley Willis but less weird.)
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
An oddly frustrating year as far as music is concerned: no shows, less practice, lots of legends dying. I get oddly excited when I hear a band next to us in the practice space now. It's definitely strange being forced to change your approach to music but fun to get some time for writing new stuff (lots of it). Definitely sad to see John Prine, Toots Hibbett, Billy Joe Shaver, Kenny Rogers, and Joe Diffie go.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We have a batch of four or five songs ready to record but have had some virus-induced hiccups. I'm really looking forward to getting these tracked and out soon.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I heard Lawsuit Models were just in the studio. I love those guys so much!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I finally had the time to get better at home recording and wrote a song that's kind of about the pandemic that I'm pretty proud of. I'm imagining lots of folks are honing their skills at home recording and so I hope that is something we learn to utilize within the scene. On a side note, it's good to know we got fascism whipped for the moment, but I really hope that we can maintain the momentum of dissent and keep the pressure on the next administration. #closethecamps #universalhealthcare
Body Stuff (Curran Reynolds)
photo by Justina Villanueva
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
BLACKPINK - The Album
Anatomy / Blu Anxxiety - split
Run the Jewels - RTJ4
Ocrilim - Plvence Abrost R Msitloun
Raspberry Bulbs - Before the Age of Mirrors
Essential honorable mentions: Bib, Sial, Napalm Death, Caustic Wound, Mark Lanegan, No Joy.
And as always, some of my favorite artists are the ones I work with as a publicist. This year I had many cool bands on the roster, like Aseitas, Bootblacks, City of Industry... A recap of the year's PR work is posted here.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I discovered Lil Peep and fell in love. Simple, profound songs that stick in your head for weeks. Charisma in every word, backed by real pain. RIP.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Xiu Xiu remixed my song "New York in the Rain" and I wrote and recorded the majority of my 4th EP, Body Stuff 4. I also witnessed my friend Brandon Gallagher make big moves with his awesome solo project, Trace Amount, both musically and with all the great videos he's making to accompany the music.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Body Stuff 4 and some new collabs.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
New albums by Aeviterne, Portrayal of Guilt, TRZTN, Giant Drag... And I will keep an eye out for stuff on labels like Three One G, Synthicide, Faktor Music, Backwoodz Studioz, and Purple Tape Pedigree.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I live in NYC and there's been stress this year but on the other hand it's been a chance to recenter and reprioritize, free of some of the usual noise.
Bootblacks (Barrett Hiatt)
photo by Drew Reynolds
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Atticus Ross, Claudia Sarne, and Leopold Ross - Dispatches from Elsewhere Soundtrack
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts: Together
Houses of Heaven - Silent Places
Deftones - Ohms
Hum - Inlet
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I know Panther would mention Steely Dan here, so I'll give them a shout on his behalf, but for me, I was listening to a lot of Hammock. It's extremely relaxing, and calming, which was needed.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
We were a bit hesitant at first about putting out our record during these times after seeing that it would be tough for us to tour and support it, but in hindsight, we are glad we did.
We've received many kind words from people about the record helping them through, and if we were able to relieve some of the pain and stress of this year, then it was absolutely worth it.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Hopefully lots of touring. We miss it terribly. We've got some surprises in store and won't be taking any breaks.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
New stuff from ACTORS & Leathers. Plus the one we are in the process of making.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I've spent a lot of time on Twitch connecting with some of our favorite DJs. They've done quite a bit as far as raising awareness and funds for artists / clubs / charities. From my perspective, it seems that they've brought the scene as close together as maybe it's ever been and we are happy to have been able to contribute to that community. It has given us somewhere to be social and connect without all the bullshit that comes along with a lot of other social media platforms.
Bothers (John Massel)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
I decided to do 10 because I listened to a lot of great records this year. They are in no particular order, because I think they're all equally great:
Fontaines D.C. - A Hero’s Death
Idles - Ultra Mono
Coriky - Coriky
Metz - Atlas Vending
Thelonius Monk - Palo Alto
Daydream - Mystic Operative
Nick Cave - Idiot Prayer
Microphones - The Microphones In 2020
Dropdead - Dropdead 2020
Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I didn't discover this band in 2020, but they did reissue their most crucial record in the most over the top manner ever. The Stooges' Funhouse LP got the deluxe vinyl treatment for it's 50th anniversary, and of course I had to have it.
It is the entire recording session spread over 15 LPs plus 1 live LP, and two reproduction singles for Down On the Street. It was worth every penny, and I'm never getting rid of it. This is significant because its the Stooges.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
In terms of music I will remember it as the moment all live music ceased to be, and a huge void entered my life.
I will also remember it as a very creative time for us in Bothers, and for many others who either put out fantastic records this year, or started writing more music during this difficult time.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Bothers will have our second LP out hopefully earlier in the new year, and I will continue to do my music themed podcast, Gimme Danger Radio.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what is slated to come out in 2021. I can only imagine that there’s going to be some amazing records created from these weird times.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I was able to focus on creating a podcast that deals with all things for music nerds, and also I feel like as a band Bothers has started to really hone in what we want to get out of the music we make. It's been an interesting year to say the least but I feel that I gained an even deeper relationship with the music that I love, and also realized how much I took live music for granted. I just can't wait to get to go to a show again. At this point I'd go see anything.
Broadway Calls (Ty Vaughn - guitar/vocals)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Broadway Calls - Sad In The City
SPICE - s/t
Lo Tom - LP2
Deftones - Ohms
Wonderly Road - s/t
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I’d never heard Idles before this year. They have some killer songs. Show Me The Body probably had the biggest impact as far as dragging me back into hardcore. They’re everything I want in a hardcore band. Creative and heavy as fuck with really interesting vocals.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I’m going to remember this as the year of Sad In The City. We made my favorite Broadway Calls record, and even though we never got to play the songs at a show, we got together as often as we could to play the record in its entirety in Josh’s garage. We’ve never made a record where we want to play every song on it every time we get together until this one. 2020 sucked but at least we don’t all live across the country from each other.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Really depends on what happens. I fear it will just be a repeat of 2020, but people won’t have Trump to blame everything on, so people will get even more lost and depressed. Hope not!! Hope I’m wrong!! If we can play shows, we will be playing as much as possible.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Please for the love of fuck and all things good can we get a new Dead To Me record?!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Honestly, it’s been incredible to just be home with family. In 2019 I was fucking miserable because I was working 6 days a week at a job I hated. I’ll never work a job like that again, and the perspective of how important it is to spend time at home has been crucial. Oh, and we started a podcast that might get us in a little trouble, so that’s been fun.
Burnt Tapes (Phil LaTour)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
I probably didnt listen to as much music this year weirdly. But big shout out to Spanish Love Songs - Brave Faces Everyone, Hot Mulligan - You'll be Fine, Lawrence Arms - Skeleton Coast, Taylor Swift - Folklore, Touche Amore - Lament.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Late to the party, I know, but I really got into Counterparts (they got me pumped when 2020 left me deflated) and slightly more obscurely, ASMR Whispers -- a cure for insomnia.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
We did put out a new EP that included a tree you could actually plant, which was fun.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We're (Burnt Tapes) going to be recording LP2 in April, which i imagine will be both the best and worst thing we've ever done -- and hopefully, covid allowing, we'll finally get to the US after we didn't make it in 2020.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I'm looking forward to the new Kali Masi record. [We] played a few shows with them in the UK last year, and they are a special band.
Are Wilhelm Scream ever gonna put out another record?
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I read more books this year than I have in a long long time, including bucket list reads: The Stand (Stephen King), and Dune (Frank Herbert). Neither disappointed, but both have live-action adaptations coming out which rarely don't disappoint.
City Of Industry (Ossa Humilata)
photo by Christian Banfield
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Mil-Spec - World House
Touché Amoré - Lament
Code Orange - Underneath
Gag - Still Laughing
Heads - Push
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
A friend of mine from Sweden told me to check out Giver, German hardcore band, and their newest album Sculpture of Violence that came out in February. Man, a few songs in and I was completely blown away. It has been awhile since an album hit me so hard first listen through. The raw emotion, angst, and production of this album is second to none this year. Definitely the biggest highlight of music this year for me.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
The dichotomy of music in 2020 is a strange one. On one hand, with no live shows for most of the year, it's been rough. On the other hand, I've had a lot more time to write music and listen to music. If I had to choose an umbrella statement I'd have to say: I will remember 2020, music-wise, as a year of growth and much needed reflection.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We have another album in the works right now, which is always very exciting. Aside from the constant grind of writing and recording, we are looking to possibly venture across the pond and maybe play shows where shows are being had come summer. High hopes for a great 2021.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I have heard from an industry friend of mine that Gulch is currently working on something, as a follow-up to this year's amazing Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress. If they are, in fact, working on something for 2021, it is going to be a highlight on everyone's end of the year lists for 2021, without a doubt.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I'd have to say that my favorite thing to come of the pandemic was the amount of time I've been able to spend with my family. I had a significant amount of time off throughout this year, and being able to spend a lot of time at home with my wife and daughters has been a huge bright spot.
Cloud Rat (Rorik Brooks)
photo by Noe Loyola (https://www.instagram.com/n.loyolag/)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
MJ Guider - Sour Cherry Bell
TALsounds - Aquiesce
Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin kynsi
Pinkish Black & Yells At Eels - Vanishing Light in the Tunnel of Dreams
Chepang - Chatta
Honorable Mentions (should be in my top 5 but I can't pick lol):
Silver Godling - Ravel
Blessed Sacrifist - Loss of Innocence
Soul Glo - Songs To Yeet At The Sun
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou - May Our Chambers Be Full
Daffodil - i don't know what's wrong
Sial - Tari Pemusnah Kuasa
The Necks - Three
Drew McDowall - Agalma
Gulch - Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress
Of Feather And Bone - Sulfuric Disintegration
clipping. - Visions of Bodies Being Burned
Primitive Man - Immersion
Internal Rot - Grieving Birth
Ripped To Shreds - Luan
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I guess I didn't really discover this year, as I was already an acquaintance with Melissa but I had yet to really listen to MJ Guider yet. Sour Cherry Bell has probably been my most played record recently, I really love it and it helped make isolation much more bearable. I went back and picked up her earlier releases as well, all really incredible work.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I'll remember an unbelievable wealth of incredible sonic gifts being released unto us all, across all genres. Hard to keep up, I'm still years behind as it is lol. I'll remember how many artists, labels, activists, industry folks all came together, even while all were struggling, creating compilations and releases to raise money for legal funds, food drives, disaster relief, healthcare, you name it. And I'll remember how many incredible people supported these causes, especially during such an anxious and dangerous time. I'll also remember that Spotify and other scum like them never stopped fucking artists over while we were all dying and they just kept getting bigger and richer.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We're working on a full-length, no idea when that'll be ready though, probably more like 2022. We have a lot of irons in the fire though, working on a bunch of covers and weirdo soundscapes and special compilation stuff -- hoping we can do this all in a timely manner but, yeah. Also working on remastering and then repressing our entire discography pre-Pollinator, as everything is mostly long out of print. Have some ideas for neat alternate artwork/packaging + additional tracks, etc. That'll all be spread out over the next couple years.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I have no idea what's coming up, still working through billions of great releases over the last few years, ha! I'm sure there will be plenty of awesome shit next year though.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I took a lot of time honing my producing and songwriting skills. I fell back in love with music and am eagerly looking forward to the next time I can play shows and tour -- something that I was becoming pretty jaded about, unfortunately -- lesson learned there, big time. I've grown in many ways, especially when it comes to patience and communication, as helping my five year-old through online school has been deeply challenging but ultimately rewarding. My older child is 16 so handles their own school stuff, although trying to get them out of bed is another story lol. I started a livestream interview series, that's been pretty fun to work on. One other notable thing has been working on long-distance collaboration. I have a few projects going right now, hopefully that stuff will all see release of some kind, at some point.
Primitive Teeth (Christine)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Sweeping Promises - Hunger for a Way Out
Cold Meat - Hot and Flustered
Cold Beat - Mother
Linea Aspera - Linea Aspera II
Subdued - Over the Hills and Far Away
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
The Sweeping Promises album feels like one I'll always return to and think, "That's 2020."
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Spent a lot of the year wondering how many bands would make it through the pandemic. Conversely -- a lot of pretty great new records came out. That surprised me and I've bought more records these last few months than I had in awhile.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Assuming anything goes right with the US's response moving forward, we'd like to get the next recording started. We were able to get together a few times and write some new songs so we're looking forward to continue working on our next release.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I just found out Mujeres Podridas have a new LP coming out so that'll be cool!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I appreciate the stronger bond I’ve formed with the people closest to me in my life. Also, we all got much better at cooking. Bryan got a new dog!!!!!
Days N Daze / Escape from the ZOO / Chad Hates George (Jesse Sendejas)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Chatterbox and the Latter Day Satanists - The Difference Between Thieves and Crooks
Oliver Tree - Ugly is Beautiful
GoldWolf - Not Lost
NOFX/Frank Turner - West Coast vs. Wessex
Less Than Jake - Silver Linings
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I just started jammin' Oliver Tree recently. That new album, Ugly is Beautiful, has been keepin' me motivated to get shit done through this inherently stagnant time. Just nice to have somethin' new to my ears, rowdy, and a bit irreverent, but still well-written and well-crafted to throw in the headphones and get my ass movin' when I wake up.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Haha, I'll remember hearin' alot of great sets through facebook or youtube. The stream shows like Coping With Dystopia, the Fest stream, the Moonrunners stream have all been really awesome, interesting, experiences and a good holdover 'til we can get back to live in person shows.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Hopefully we'll be out on the road playin' some fun shows at some point next year!! Escape from the ZOO should have a new album out early 2021, Days N Daze may release some new stuff, although we'll probably let our last release, Show Me The Blueprints, simmer a while longer as we just released that in May. Our main hope for 2021 is to get back on the road, though, so fingers crossed.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Hm, I guess I don't really keep up with what's primed for release. Usually just stumble across things that have already been kickin' around. Though, I did google upcoming releases out of curiosity and according to wikipedia Rob Zombie is releasing an album called The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy March 12th, so now you know that.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
What an awful handful of months, huh? If any good came outta the shitstorm that has been 2020 I spose I have noticed people makin' the effort to just check in on one another more often. I hope that trend continues even after we get back into the swing if things. Just a little text message or somethin' here and there askin' how someone's feelin' can mean more than ya know. For me, personally, it's been nice to get some time at home with the family. I love bein' on the road, but the road is always gonna be there. The time we get with our loved ones is, unfortunately, fleeting so I'm grateful to have been able to kick it around the house with the folks, my sister, and the animals for a while just watchin' movies and whatnot.
DC-Jam Records (Darron Hemann)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Soviet Machines - s/t
Bob Mould - Blue Hearts
Cro-Mags - In the Beginning
TV Smith - Lockdown Holiday
Descendents - Sufferage
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Whale City - Warmduscher
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Terribly
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Getting artists back on tour.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I think Social Distortion is working on something new for '21. I’d love to hear that.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Releasing the new Soviet Machines album. Like every song on there and think it’s got great potential.
Deaf Club (Brian Amalfitano)
photo by Beck DiGiglio
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Metz - Atlas Vending
Idles - Ultra Mono
Clipping - Visions Of Bodies Being Burned
Thurston Moore - By The Fire
Wasted Shirt - Fungus II
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Party Dozen. As a two piece they just get an incredible sound. I love listening to drummers first and foremost. Drummers make bands for me. I’ve had a lot more time to play the drums this year and watching Jonathan Boulet play (his style/his use of samplers) is inspiring me to think outside of the box a bit more stylistically when playing.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
It’s honestly been a blur. The pandemic seems to have sucked us into a time warp. It’s made making music harder in some ways but also just focused some of us into creating/finishing up those things we always talk about finishing.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Deaf Club is wrapping up some LP stuff, artwork, videos, mixing etc. We did some other things that I can’t really say yet.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
USA/Mexico
Tropical Fuck Storm
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
The bright spot is no one gave up on creating. Everyone I know is still making music. I really dig Tropical Fuck Storm’s cover of Talking Heads “Heaven” and pretty much anything they do. I’m learning the ukulele. Playing drums a lot more. There’s an infinite amount of things to look forward to learning, reading, hearing.
Dirt Cult Records / Low Culture (Chris Mason)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
All Hits - Men and Their Work
Sweeping Promises - Hunger for a Way Out
Run the Jewels - RJT4
Alien Nosejob - Suddenly Everything is Twice as Loud
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I fully embraced being 40 this year by getting into alt-country (or whatever you wanna call it) That pursuit lead me to Drive-By Truckers, a band I always avoided because of their stupid name. It's refreshing to hear a southern rock band with somewhat lefty politics, even if those politics are a little to the right of my own. Lead singer Patterson Hood apparently moved to Portland a few years ago, and the title track of their most recent album is about being tear gassed by federal agents in downtown Portland -- something I can relate to.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I had big plans for 2020. My band Low Culture, who has been scattered across the country for several years, played our first shows together since 2017 in Seattle and Portland in January. We pretty much had a midwest tour booked around the Dirtnap Anniversary show in Madison and had plans to do some Bay Area shows. Obviously, none of that happened. Also, even before the pandemic, the year started with a devastating fire at the Apollo lacquer plant that impacted nearly everyone's ability to press records. So I dunno...I guess what I'll remember about 2020 musically is disappointment and stagnation.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
New LPs are in the works for Neighborhood Brats, Needles/Pins, Bothers, and likely some others. If 2020 has taught me anything, it's that less is more. Gone are the days of releasing up to 20 records a year. I'm pretty content with just releasing a handful a year.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Aside from the above mentioned records (two of which I've heard and absolutely rule), I haven't heard much being announced in the way of new music. I am, however, very curious to see what kind of art is being created in the midst of a pandemic and the biggest civil rights uprising in my lifetime.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I think there are plenty of bright spots both personally and on a more global scale.
Personally, I think living essentially in lockdown has helped me focus more on my family and has forced me to be a bit more intentional in my efforts to cultivate relationships with friends. Also, though there was certainly a time when I was drinking too much and giving over to despair, I feel like this has given me an opportunity to develop more healthy habits and coping mechanisms.
On a more global scale, I think the pandemic has laid bare the inequalities and injustices present in the systems we're living under. It's hard to ignore unless you've given over the right wing conspiracy theories that allow you to live in an alternate reality that's not grounded in any semblance of truth. It's encouraging to see mass movements spring up around the world to fight for economic equality and against authoritarian police states, and beautiful to see theory turned into practice in the form of mutual aid networks.
Divided Heaven (Jeff Berman)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Creeper - Sex, Death & the Infinite Void
Lydia Loveless - Daughter
Sam Russo - Back To The Party
Bad Cop / Bad Cop - The Ride
Mercy Music - Nothing In The Dark
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I immediately fell in love with Creeper from the UK, upon first hearing their new record. Creeper is certainly not new, but they are new to me!
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Not very well, I don't think. There have been some great records this year (see the aforementioned list). However, I usually attribute records to my life in terms of where I hear them, where I'm touring at the time; in a very geographic sense. Seeing as I spent most the year at home, in fear and uninspired... I'll be glad to move on from this year and look forward to making new musical memories in the future.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
New Divided Heaven singles in January and April and a new record on the horizon! New Protagonist single, too!
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
You mean besides my own?!? I'm looking forward to Mike Noegraf's new record and I hope there's a new Tiny Stills record, too (get on that Kailynn!)
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
2020 has been a heavy year for me personally: much bad and good. Most notably, I moved from Los Angeles to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. And, AND, it was sweet to see trump lose, because he is a fucking fascist loser pig. Here's to 2021!
Foxfires (Josh Lyford)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Power Alone - Rather be Alone
Mountain Man - Give Me A Home/Three
Glorious - Unashamed
Clock Out - Life’s Lie
Safe Hands - Highs & Lows
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
For me personally, I’m not sure that 2020 was conducive to discovering a band that would have a lasting, permanent impact. There was music that excited me, but the constant presence of new bullshit coming at you from all directions meant that this year music was just a soundtrack to the chaos and that was more or less exactly what I needed.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Pretty dire. Not the fault of bands or musicians, there have been plenty taking chances and recording great new music, but I don’t think anyone has quite figured out how to make real connections while touring and shows are out of the question.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
New Foxfires EP out on Glue Man Records and, with any luck, we’ll all live long enough to have a better answer next year.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
It’s a lame answer, but we haven’t put new music out in five years and I’m honestly just really excited to see what people think of it. So yeah, I said my own band and I probably wear the band’s shirt to the show, too.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I’m a pretty social person, so it took me a while to figure it out, but it has been liberating not feeling any real pressure to see anyone or do anything that I don’t want to (outside of working). I’ve got a mask on, so those little things like smiling in the warehouse when someone makes a dumb joke are fruitless. You’ve got to make me laugh so hard you can see it in my eyes and, bud, I’m a huge bummer, so good luck with that.
Heart & Lung
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud
The Lawrence Arms - Skeleton Coast
Haim - Women in Music III Pt. 3
Sam Russo - Back to the Party
Strike Anywhere - Nightmares of the West
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Lizzie No is an absolute angel. Her two records -- Hard Won and Vanity -- are the kind of ethereal folk that can get you through a global pandemic. Having one too many whiskies and watching her play harp should be the new national pastime.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 took everything it could from us as a band. It was the IRS, and we were living unaudited like Wesley Snipes. We were joining The Lawrence Arms on the East Coast for some amazing shows, we were recording a new full-length, writing a ton of material, and John and Miles’ softball team actually won a couple games. Then the audit hit. We were truly lucky that none of us lost our jobs during quarantine, but we couldn’t be in the same room with each other. Or play softball. It was torture. 2020 stripped everything back down to our Hobbit-like friendship. The first time we got together to write and rehearse, we barely played; we just talked and drank and joked. 2020 was all about taking care of your loved ones. Luckily for us, that included our bandmates.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We got a new full-length coming out on Red Scare! We spent a couple weekends in Chicago eating tofu wings and recording with a beautiful genius named Ben Ryan. We got the stamp of approval from Toby and BK, and we’re gonna delicately drop it next year, because it is a precious piece of sea glass. If our human sacrifices were performed right, we’ll be able to safely play a show in 2021.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
We just have our fingers crossed for a John Philip Sousa revival.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
We’re just fabulously relieved that Trump lost. We cannot overstate the depths of our hostility toward that fuckface.
Iron Lung Records (Jensen)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Rudimentary Peni - Wilfred Owen The Chances 7" (Sealed)
Morwan - Zola-Zemlya (Feel It)
Volya - It Is Too Early To Thank God (Breathing Problem)
The Cosmic Sand Dollars - Requiem For Kind Dick LP (Old Comet)
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I stumbled on to a cover of "Nowhere To Run" by Tina Harvey a few months back. The production is stripped down to nothing and her voice really carries the whole tune. Doesn't really even need instruments but what is there only adds to the absolutely haunting quality this song has. There is a desperation in there that is almost alien it's so intense yet feels very familiar at the same time. I'm sure being trapped in the house made feelings of no escape especially relevant too.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
For there being a global pandemic keeping most people stuck at home there has been an unprecedented amount of new music released in 2020. I fully expected there to be nothing new except for solo projects and electronic music: you know, shit you can make at home, alone. Not even close. So many good new records out this year. Many more to come. Our label has had its busiest year ever and all of it totally kills.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
In addition to an onslaught of new music from the roster, we have finally nailed down a couple of reissues that we've been working on for ages. INSECT WARFARE - World Extermination (oddly fitting for the times, eh?) is finally getting a proper LP reissue. It has been entirely too long. And we are super, super stoked to be doing a 2xLP of 1982 studio sessions for Iceland's VONBRIGÐI entitled Hanagal, which is the name of the studio they recorded them in. Except for a 4-song EP and a track on a movie soundtrack, none of this stuff has ever been released before and it is amazing music.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Will this be the year that the DEAD BLACK LP finally gets released? That will be an absolute devastator. I have finally heard the GEHENNA - Negative Hardcore album in its entirety and it is, quite simply, the best GEHENNA release there will be. That band defies all logic and expectation.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I ate a lot cookies this year and they tasted really good. Oh, and the sun came out for a couple days this summer. I almost had to wear shorts.
Lamniformes
photo by Richard Gin
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
I pretty much gave up on trying to keep up with the release schedule outside of potential podcast guests for Lamniformes Radio and releases from friends, so the new releases outside of that circle that I have checked out are hardly representative of the music that came out this year. I’m sure I’m missing stuff, but here are some records I really, really liked.
Sawayama by Rina Sawayama
Underneath by Code Orange
Splid by Kvelertak
Ghosts V: Together by Nine Inch Nails
Descendants of Cain by Ka
This is also excluding any artists that I interview on my podcast, conflict of interest, etc.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I didn’t “discover” them this year, but after Neal Peart passed I spent the early part of the year listening to a fuck load of Rush. Did you know that “Subdivisions” rules? You probably did.
But that was back in January when I thought 2020 would be one way. Turns out it was the other way.
When it comes to the pandemic part of 2020, the memory that will stick with me is hearing The Style Council’s Our Favourite Shop for the first time. I woke up hungover, angry as hell, and scrambling to start up my remote desktop to work from home. While throwing together breakfast I picked Our Favourite Shop at random from my list of recommended music. As it turns out leftist sophisti-pop was exactly what I needed. It was just as angry as I was, but had the good sense to dress that anger up in a suit and comb its hair first. Later in the year when the protest movements sprung up around the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor I released a cover of “A Stone’s Throw Away” to raise money for bail funds. Maybe once live shows can happen again I can get a full Lamniformes version of “Walls Come Tumblin’ Down” going.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 will be the year musicians were forced to figure out how to exist in the live streaming ecosystem and how to develop income streams that weren’t relying on touring or playing live indoors. What I’ve seen is a lot more Patreons, shifts towards podcasting and video content, and flashy collaborative work that allows musicians to pool their audiences. The actual music itself hasn’t changed significantly from where I’m standing.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I’m working on a new full-length record and putting the finishing touches on a remix record. Lamniformes Radio will keep chugging along, hopefully at a more consistent pace, and I’ll keep experimenting with Lamniformes Cuneiform on Substack as well. Maybe some live performances if this country gets its act together.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I have no idea what’s coming down the pipe to be honest. Surprise me, 2021!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Hmm. I’m hesitant to say that any of the positives in the year stem from the global pandemic itself, and weighing any of the good things that have happened to me this year against a quarter of a million dead Americans would be tasteless to say the least.
Instead, let’s give credit where it's due. I got really into Thomas Pynchon, re-dedicated myself to working out regularly, sharpened my critical thinking by watching a lot of Rick Roderick lectures and related philosophy video essays, which in turn has had a positive effect on my own writing. I’ve watched a lot more older movies on the Criterion Channel, something I may not have done if I could go to the theater on a regular basis. Again, this is all a hill of beans in the face of mass death. But crucially, and I really want to hammer this home, the pandemic didn’t do this to me, I did this despite the pandemic. The same goes for anything else positive that happened this year. You did it, not the pandemic.
Outside of the personal, I’m very happy that Bandcamp Friday’s seem to have reawakened the music scene’s desire to create consumption models outside of streaming. The icing on the cake is that many musicians have in turn used this resurgence in paying for music to direct funds toward social justice causes. I hope we as a community can keep finding ways to support each other and make music sustainably.
Locrian / The Holy Circle / Axebreaker (Terence Hannum)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Ulcerate - Stare Into Death and Be Still
Armand Hammer - Shrines
Hum - Inlet
Linekraft - Industrialized Criminals History
Cremation Lily - More Songs About Drowning
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
The Wake - it's silly, I collect a lot of Factory records and I just finally got into them. Here Comes Everybody is a really great album - like hello the Captured Tracks sound.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
This is tough. So far for 2020 is how few shows happened, how live music just vanished from my life as something I did as a performance but also as a part of my social life from countless shows and ways I connect with so many friends and see so many new ideas. Just really sad. It has definitely redefined the bands I am in, Locrian and The Holy Circle, but also allowed for me to focus on solo work and Axebreaaker - though with no live component. Just sad. However some great music has come out, great reissues, etc. Just stinks to not have that live component. It definitely has made me assess how important live music is.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
My solo release Dissolving the Bonds is coming out on Flag Day, some new Axebreaker material, Locrian will finally record - we have hours of material demoed from the past four years, and The Holy Circle has a new record almost ready to go.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre OST LP
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I get to spend more time with my family, which is nice. And I get to spend a lot of time in both my art studio and making music.
MakeWar (Edwin)
photo by by Justina Villanueva
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Idles - Ultra Mono
Rotten Mind - Rat City Dog Boy
Muro - Pacificar
DFMK - s/t
Bad Cop/Bad Cop - The Ride
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I want to say Bench Press from Australia. Their riffs sent me on a new music path. I love the interactions between bass and guitar. Also their Fugazi-like vocals.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020: the year live music got replaced by live stream performances.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We are writing a new album now, hopefully it will be out sometime next year.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Shiiiiiiit, I feel like a lot of new music from all my friends is going to be out; it’s hard to pin point any specific band. I just know everyone finally had the time to work on those riffs they had on their voice memos from last year... I’m stoked to hear the new Teenage Bottlerocket because I know they were in the studio a couple of months ago. So was Signals Midwest, and Good Friend.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
It’s hard to think of a positive spin to this global pandemic. But thinking on how this pandemic has affected me personally. I’m grateful for the free time it has given me. It gave the opportunity to be creative, get back into illustration, and write more music. I wrote so many dumb songs just because. Illustrated thoughts, dreams, and conversations just because it was fun. Even built things for my apartment just because I needed something to do. Before the pandemic, I was constantly on the move, working tons, stressed the fuck out, dreaming of the day I’ll have free time to do the things im doing now. And now that I have the “free time card” im trying to enjoy it as much as I can. Because as awesome as free time is, eventually when it’s safe and makes sense, I can’t wait to go on tour and play live music again.
Much love, stay safe, wear a mask and see y’ll soon. Edwin.
Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band (Nato Coles)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Constant Insult - History In Shorthand (perfect Minneapolis power-pop punk)
Painted Zeros - When You Found Forever (cool indie-punk from Brooklyn, NY)
Bob Mould - Blue Hearts (some guy, I don't know much about him, but I hear he's got quite a following!)
And last but certainly not least, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Letter To You.
It's his best record since Magic. Easily. And Magic was his best record since Born In The USA. These are facts and not up for debate.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Two: Keith Secola and Lydia Mendoza.
Lydia Mendoza was a very popular Texan Mexican-American singer, songwriter, and guitar player. She became popular in Tejano music circles in the years preceding World War 2, and remained so with her audience throughout the latter part of the 20th century. For me, her most interesting work is that which she did in the first couple decades of her career, it's Spanish language "cosmic American music," usually just vocal and guitar.
Keith Secola is generally regarded as one of the heavyweights of "Native Americana" music -- his song "NDN Kar" is his signature, and is consistently one of the most-requested songs on Native American radio. He's from Cook, Minnesota, located north of the Iron Range, and is ethnically Ojibwe. To me, he seems very Neil Young & Crazy Horse-influenced. I listened to Circles a lot during the unrest following the murder of George Floyd, and despite the stress of those times, somehow Circles had a soothing, anodyne effect when I would put it on the turntable. I'll never forget that.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
As the year nobody could tour or hardly play shows, especially bands who put out perhaps their best album at the end of 2019 (ahem). And the fourth year of me not hearing much anti-Trump administration "great punk rock" that so many people made mostly-dull jokes about the inevitability of back in 2016 and 2017.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We've been practicing and we've been recording. The new songs are sounding good, we think. In 2021, we'll play them for you! I can't wait to get back to playing shows. Maybe even put them together as a record of some kind. I'm still too old-fashioned to want to release things online only, but perhaps 2021 will be the year I reassess that.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I'm not aware of anybody who's got anything exciting to look for in 2021. I wish I was! I blame the lack of bands touring and playing shows for this, mostly. I think lots of bands aren't even practicing.
I hope some of the other people who answer these questions point me in a cool direction.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I had been going through a terrible writers' block since from the time we recorded Flyover. I don't think I wrote a single complete new song in 2018 or 2019. None worth anything, anyway. Ironically, two weeks before the pandemic lockdown in March began, suddenly the songs began to flow again. There doesn't really seem to be a theme in style or lyrics, either. Writing and inspiration are so mysterious sometimes.
I guess there's one more thing. This past summer, our cat died, my wife Sara had her since before she met me. That was very sad. But then the house seemed too empty without a cat around (despite the fact that we have two dogs), so we got a new cat -- and she's been wonderful. Very vocal, completely unintimidated by the dogs, and always, always hungry. FEED ME!
Neighborhood Brats (George Rager)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Sweeping Promises - Hunger for a Way Out
Cool Jerks - England
Concrete Lawn - Aggregate
Use No Hooks - The Job
Utopian - 2020 Demo
I feel like a lotta 2019 stuff hasn’t had a fair shake, so I’d also like to say that Axe Rash fucking rules.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I can’t remember if it was late 2019 or 2020 when I discovered him, but listening to Mick Trouble endlessly while the world went to shit was pretty awesome.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
We had just finished tracking an album when LA shut down. Mark Rains (engineer/producer) and I listened to a press conference while wrapping cables, and Jenny took off for Long Beach. Over the following weeks, all of our scheduled tours were canceled. I didn’t renew our van registration, and parked it at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles. That’s how 2020 was for me, musically. We got together and jammed last week... happy to report we sounded the same!
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Hopefully getting back on the road by the end of 2021. But we’re definitely releasing a new album on Dirt Cult/Taken By Surprise.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I wanna hear what the kids are doing. Punk as we knew it should be over and done with. The world changed. By the time shows are a reality again, a whole new group of kids will be getting into music for the first time, and there’s a lot to be pissed about. Also, there’s a lot of frustration people are going to need to release.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I taught myself how to play a little bit of ukulele, built a kitchen table w/ wood scraps, fixed-up a bike, and grew some container tomato plants. Being forced to slow down and not travel for the first time in more than a decade made me restless. A few months prior to the election, I began working on dual citizenship with Italy, and studying Italian. Oh, and I started a lemon tree from a seed (see photo). Lots of hikes. The longer, the better.
Netherlands (Timo Ellis)
photo by Walter Wlodarczyk
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
1) Bob Dylan - Murder Most Foul (single)
At this point, IMO Bob has basically become a full on oracle. This epic poem feels effortless in its delivery: brutal, heartbreaking, and feels like a eulogy for humanity. A masterpiece.
2) Oneotrix Point Never - Magic Oneohtrix Point Never
The range of invention, dynamics, varying/textures and moods on this record is just staggering to me -- and even at its darkest still feels good natured, to me anyway. Next level amazing.
3) Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin Kynsi
Another cinematic, adventurous exploration of their unique mood. Relentless, hypnotic...and IMO oddly understated, considering how gnarly they are.
4) Pat Metheny - From This Place
This record is super dense, imaginative, dynamic, and to me sometimes genuinely weird; I find it kind of incredible that music this virtuosic/ masterful can still feel so heartful and unpretentious. IMO bears repeating listening to even get anywhere near the scope of what Pat and his crew are saying here.
5) Horse Lords - The Common Task
Simultaneously ultra-sophisticated, yet also deceptively simple and playful feeling polyrhythmic Kraut/ minimalist rock from the incredible Horse Lords -- evocative, mesmerizing, and satisfying.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I was turned on to, and then obsessively immersed myself in Frank Sinatra’s amazing 1955 In The Wee Small Hours LP. Without being super familiar with the rest of Frank’s catalog (other than the big hits, etc) his performances on this record all seem so personal, poignant, and humble, relative to what usually comes to mind about Frank (plus, Nelson Riddle’s string arrangements are absolutely sublime on this! Nelson Riddle was a fucking boss)
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Eddie Van Halen, Neil Peart, Little Richard, Genesis P-Orrige, Peter Green, Ennio Morricone, Bill Withers, Vern Rumsey...
And this song by Lil’ Baby:
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
@nethrock recorded a full LP with Converge’s Kurt Ballou right before the lockdown, which came out amazing, and which we’ll probably roll out next summer sometime. And during the lockdown, we recorded a blistering new five song no wave-ish @nethrock EP, which within the next month will be mixed and mastered by multiple Grammy-winning producer/ audio ninja Joel Hamilton; I also, over the summer started developing 11 tracks for a full on old-school hip-hop/weirdo funk/ electro solo record, that will feature vocal and instrumental performances by a host of my all-star friends- and of course (hopefully?!)...PLAYING LIVE AGAIN! In other words, 2021 is going to SLAP.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
This list could be incredibly long but I’ll just say anything new from Aphex Twin, the Johan Johansson estate, Mica Levi, Punch Brothers, Wormrot, Eno, Kill Alters and Ellen Allien.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Although I feel like I obviously understand the intent/ spirit of this question, I am also generally wary of what appears to be our culture’s mania for hope/ an almost mandatory injunction to, always “put a positive spin on things”; frankly I am profoundly disturbed and terrified by what appears to be a catastrophic disconnect/ ignorance (on both “sides”) of the real world impact of the ongoing, murderous US imperial project, along with the gravity of the already well underway, environmental mega-catastrophe. I personally have so much to be thankful for, but I still consider it of paramount importance to never forget how dangerously precarious everything is, in this context. IMO these have to remain, “top of mind“ for all of us...for literally the rest of our lives ?? anyway, merry fucking Christmas!! I love you. -TE
Old Ghosts (Derek)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Truth Cult - Off Fire
Bob Mould - Blue Hearts
Be Well - The weight & the cost
Change - Closer Still
X - Alphabetland
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
There are two new hardcore bands that come to mind that put out really cool EPs: Bent Blue & Stalchild.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Despite a lot of the great music being released, I really miss the live show experience. For the music I listen to 80% of the time (hardcore & punk) the live show is as big as recorded output. Music wise 2020 is a disappointment for that reason.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Old Ghosts has been working on a bunch of songs. We’re hoping to get 8-song release out in 2021.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Really looking forward to the next Bent Blue record.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Personally, I was laid off for a few months & afforded me a little more time to check out a ton of music.
Partial Traces (Brad Lokkesmoe)
photo by Brent Porter
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Waxahatchee - St. Cloud
Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways
Worriers - You or Someone You Know
Run the Jewels - RTJ4
Bright Eyes - Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Richmond Fontaine. I'm a sucker for dense, narrative driven lyrics and somehow I had never come across his stuff previously. I randomly discovered his album You Can't Go Back If There's Nothing to Go Back To and it stayed in constant rotation. His other records are great too. It was a good year to get into someone with a lot of material to check out. While his songs are generally pretty dark, there was a comforting escapism in taking a break from the bleak reality of 2020 by sinking into his world of characters and places.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I'll remember leaning into a few albums harder than I can remember doing maybe ever in my life, spending lots of time with headphones on walking around outside and being so fucking thankful for a few new albums by people who's stuff I love.
As far as Partial Traces goes I'll remember it as a strangely productive year. We did a lot of writing and recording in new ways, sending tracks back and forth, figuring out how to be a band in a pandemic like everyone else, I suppose.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We'll be releasing a new full-length we tracked over the summer and hopefully a couple EPs as well. I'd love to think we'll be playing some shows at some point, here's hoping!
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
The Hold Steady have a new album coming out in February. I reliably enjoy everything Craig Finn does so I'm excited about that. I'd love to hear something new from Dark Thoughts but no idea if they actually have anything planned. I'm sure there's a lot more I am unaware of at this point...
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I'd like to think we've all gained a lot of appreciation for all the things we're currently unable to do, everything from hanging out with friends, hugging the people you love, live music and on and on, I know I have.
Quattracenta (Andrea - drums)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Jaime Wyatt - Neon Cross
LA Witch - Play With Fire
Diane Cluck - Common Wealth
Time is Fire - In Pieces
No Stagediving: A Stage Free Baltimore Playlist and Ottobar Fundraiser (vol 1 and 2)
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I discovered country artist Jaime Wyatt sometime in March just as things were shutting down due to COVID. It was perfect timing as she was gearing up to release her record in May so she was performing online a lot and I got to catch a bunch of those performances with what felt like a handful of fans. By the time the new record was released she had also come out which was great to see as I am a queer musician myself. It was interesting to reinterpret the songs on her record through this lens and there was plenty to dig into. It has been really cool to see the positive response she's received and to see her audience grow as the record continues to gain steam. Behind the hooks on Neon Cross are really vulnerable clever lyrics that don't always take themselves super seriously. I think it just is so obvious when an artist has been through life experiences that sort of season their writing. You can hear when that happens and it separates the sort of artist who is a strictly a performer and the artist who is telling their story even when they are not singing about themselves. Jaime Wyatt has this quality and you can hear it on every track. So much time at home with my wife has created opportunities to make an event happen and "let's have a Jaime Wyatt dance party" is one of those things we've done together many times over the past months. This record has created a quarantine soundtrack for us when sitting by a fire, dancing in our basement, and randomly singing lyrics to each other and it'll always remind me of that.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
It's interesting, I think this year has made me discover music on my own since I am not going to shows or really seeing very many people to discuss music with. So, sort of outside the influence of anything else. It reminds me of a pre-internet time when you really had to work to make musical discoveries on your own. I mean, clearly the internet makes these discoveries easier, but it still feels so different without the influence of what bands are coming through town, or what record your friend mentions at a bar which you promptly stick it in the notes of your phone. It almost makes these discoveries over the past few months feel more personal or like more pure to my taste.
I like lots of different kinds of music but when I look back over 2020 I can see I focused on music which was either danceable and upbeat or soothing, which makes sense: New Orleans soul and funk, country funk (which I discovered was a thing this year), bossa nova, bebop, singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Blossom Dearie and I love a funky organ player like Jimmy McGriff, John Patton, Shirley Scott.
I have definitely entered the very cliché middle-aged "I am into jazz now" phase and I am fine with that. You do have permission to make fun of my predictability.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I am really excited to see what Quattracenta comes up with next. We have slowly been writing some new songs and practicing when we can. It's tricky to navigate right now, but continuing to play has been really important for my self-care. The new songs we are writing are continuing to evolve our sound and I am so lucky to be in a band with people who want to grow and experiment.
Not much makes me feel as good as when I am with my band mates and the sounds suddenly come together. It's magical. I can't say enough how important it's been to spend some time out of my head and be forced to be present, which making music forces me to do. There's just nothing else like it.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I am super excited for the reissue of a record I adore. Longstocking released Once Upon A Time Called Now in 1997 and, in my opinion, back in the day it should have blown up. For some reason though, it stayed a little under the radar. This album literally sounds as good now as then and we all know some albums from the '90s just didn't age well. These songs are snarky and poetic. Chaotic and perfectly in order. The whole record is grounded in really interesting angular guitar work. The guitars play off of each other more than with each other, but when they come together the band creates some really memorable sections. They manage to do really difficult things while remaining accessible and super hooky. This is really difficult to do. I am so happy that Jealous Butcher Records has put this together. The album is getting the remaster treatment in addition to new artwork. The vinyl release is coupled with a digital release of singles and demos from 1994-1998 which I can't wait to hear. This album was in my headphones in college all day as I went from class to class trying to avoid teenage human contact. These songs continue to put a smile on my face 23 years later. If you haven't given this a listen, you should definitely check it out.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I am very grateful that Quattracenta was able to release our new record II despite the challenges of this year. In March, we got in contact with Bob Nastanovich, who runs Broker's Tip Records. He offered label support for both a 7" release and co-release of the full-length record.
It couldn't have come at a better time. Things were starting to lock down and we were so scared that our completed record, one which we were really proud of, would just sort of die on the vine. Having the goal of releasing these records over the past several months really kept us going. Especially considering we couldn't practice or play shows or do any of the things a band would normally do to release a record. It gave us all something to work towards and I think that's exactly what we needed to help us through the year. It was extremely satisfying to get those records in our hands in early December.
I feel like this has been a great year for sort of wiping priorities clean and re-writing them. It's definitely highlighted the things I want to participate in and the things I no longer need and was maybe doing out of habit. It's reaffirmed that making music continues to be a really important part of my life and emphasizes the value of the friendships I have formed with my bandmates in Quattracenta. I am so grateful for them and for the oppotunity to make music with them.
Real Numbers (Eli Hansen)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Cutworms - Nobody Lives Here Anymore
Iceblink - Carpet Cocoon
Smokescreens - A Strange Dream
Choux - Super Moon
Aaron M Olson - Lorrie Goulet:Spirit Into Stone
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Roobarb, which isn't actually a band but rather some uncredited studio musicians who made music related to a British cartoon about a green dog named Roobarb and his pink cat nemesis Custard. But "Roobarb's A Star" is one of the most spectacular pop songs ever written, no lie.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 is the year of the new Real Numbers EP: Brighter Then. It will be released in Jan. but we finished it up in March and spent all of 2020 getting everything just right. Very proud of this record: the songs, the performances, the production. I've heard it a 100 times but it still gives me chills.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I've got a bunch of new songs completed but no way to record them or perform them with a full band, so expect some stripped down guitar/keyboard/drum machine music coming your way in 2021.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Oh, wow, I have no idea. It's been hard this year keeping up with music due to there being zero shows. So here's to hoping people can still safely create music at all in 2021.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I have two very positive answers for you: 1) I got really into rum and 2) we adopted a guinea pig. Both great things when you are home.
Red Fiction / Secret Chiefs 3 / Estradasphere (Jason Schimmel)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Mr Bungle - Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo
John Zorn - Baphomet
Imperial Triumphant - Alphaville
Tigran Hamasyan - The Call Within
Igorrr - Spirituality and Distortion
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I’ve played a ton of Secret Chiefs 3 gigs all over the world with my good friend and drummer extraordinaire, Kenny Grohowski. I discovered one of his main projects, Imperial Triumphant this year. They released a killer metal record Alphaville, produced by one of my close friends and frequent music collaborator, Trey Spruance.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 was an extremely brutal year for the survival of independent musicians and creators, but I think this intense struggle has given birth to some of the darkest and most timeless records of our lifetime.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Hopefully lots of live shows with Red Fiction to promote our new album Visions of the Void, which came out in November 2020 on John Zorn’s label, Tzadik Records.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I am mostly looking forward to hearing records from bands that are out of my immediate musical realm. I love being surprised by a new band or collaboration. With that said I’m also psyched to hear upcoming releases by The Melvins, Meshuggah, and Henry Threadgill.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine in 2020 by releasing my new record on John Zorn’s label. He was one of my earliest musical heroes and has been a huge source of inspiration for me throughout my life. To have Zorn embrace my music and stand behind it was definitely a high point for me this year.
Red Scare Industries (Tobias Jeg)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
I think Broadway Calls - Sad In The City was the best punk record of 2020, but we put that out, so I guess that makes us biased. Howzabout 5 cool songs from 2020? Go!
X - “Delta 88 Nightmare”
The Lawrence Arms - “Ghostwriter”
Chubby and the Gang - “Speed Kills”
AC/DC - “Through The Mists Of Time”
Worriers - “End of the World”
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I was living in the West Indies until Covid got us evacuated, and I have been enjoying all the music of the Caribbean. Check out Patrice Roberts, Kes, Mr. Killa, Farmer Nappy, Nadia Batson, Marzville (the list goes on!) if you wanna hear some new school Soca and Jab Jab music. Beats the shit outta Pitchfork-core.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
We talk a big game about how the internet “democratizes” music, but it’s just the same bullshit monkey business it’s always been. Yes, there are a couple people like LJG and Rosenstock who have managed to game the system, but for the most part it’s fake indie labels pushing this new-jack corporate emo, powered by streaming platforms with a soul-less algorithm. 2020 has been great for this model because people can’t go out and discover a good/special band in person. Instead we rely on clicque-y tastemakers and robot playlists.
“Here, take your medicine.”
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We haven’t announced any of this shit yet, but who cares?!
Red Scare is doing stuff with Sludgeworth, The Lillingtons, Elway… hopefully The Copyrights? Maybe The Lippies? Definitely a new one from Cleveland’s Heart & Lung! There’s a split 7” with Sundowner and Sincere Engineer I’m not supposed to talk about. Maybe Arms Aloft will thaw out and make our dreams come true? Speaking of Francophiles, we’re gonna do this wacky 7” with a French Oi! band called Fleau. They dress up like Medieval knights and play brutal streetpunk. Probably gonna freak some people out.
Every year I fantasize about putting out a new record (hell, ANYTHING) from Sweden’s Randy, but nothing comes of it. Do they even read this site?!
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
See above! I mean, what else is there, right? I bet you Jawbreaker puts out a record in 2021. Oh! I know Teenage Bottlerocket is recording, and we like them. I think Glasvegas is doing something new? They're cool.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Positive spin on the Plague, eh? Well, I suppose a lot of these shitty corporate emo pervs got their tours cancelled, so… that’s probably just me being an asshole, huh? If you’re one of the major conglomerates like Live Nation or AEG, you will make great gains in monopolizing the music biz and running the little guys outta town. So they’re stoked. But there’s more! King Amazon made like a billion dollars per day, so there’s another silver lining for people like that. But the rest of us? Be grateful you didn’t die. If there’s anything positive about enduring the Pandemic it’s that we, as citizens, need to get our shit together and revisit our values. Look at the success they’re having in New Zealand and parts of Europe. It’s all the stuff Chomsky and Bernie have been telling us for years, and maybe people finally start paying attention.
Reptoid (Jordan Sobolew)
photo by Christopher Sturm
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
In no specific order:
The Tunnel - Shapeshifter
Metz - Atlas Vending
Idles - Ultra Mono
Blacklisters - Fantastic Man
Wailin Storms - Rattle
Notable mentions:
Vincas - Phantasma
Hum - Inlet
Human Impact - s/t
Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends - Dark Passengers
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Oddly for the first time, I have been getting into Killing Joke. I’ve heard them before but it never really clicked for me. Their output is quite varied but I have been enjoying their more aggressive material, specifically the 2003 s/t album a lot lately. Jaz Coleman’s insane throaty growls really give me something to strive towards with my own voice.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
This has been an interesting year because I’m not discovering new bands every night, either by playing shows or working in live sound. In the interest of keeping my sanity and mental well-being, I’ve reverted to a lot of old favorites and even classical music and Middle Eastern music in order to desperately sooth my mind. I think a lot of great releases came out this year from some of my favorite active bands but obviously, without the live component, the experience of enjoying music this year has been greatly lacking.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
It’s hard to say. I’m probably not going to release another record in isolation. I would love to be able to hit the road to support Worship False Gods as much as possible. Maybe if this vaccine thing works out, we’ll see a little of that but it’s more likely to happen in 2022. The best I can do is to think of some creative ideas to release live session videos. I’m already in process with this as we speak.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Truthfully, I have no idea what is coming down the pipeline. Most of my friends in bands are taking a break, understandably. I thought it was surprising that we had so many great releases in 2020 as it was. I can’t tell if bands have run out of steam by now or if they’re ramping back up. Hopefully the latter.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Well, now that I plugged a bunch of other great bands, I can shamelessly say that by far, my highlight of the year was releasing my debut LP as Reptoid, Worship False Gods. With the world being what it was this year, I expected to put the album up, have a few people buy it and then have it drift into the ether, mostly forgotten. Thankfully, the record was well received and I sold way more copies than I could have even hoped. I am endlessly thankful for all my friends and fans for sticking with me and supporting the record. It came out in a time that I was struggling mentally and in need of something positive to happen in my life. I worked very hard on this record in the midst of health challenges in 2019 so seeing it succeed despite the setbacks and current state of the world really meant a lot to me. Thank you, worthy humans.
Beyond that, I have invested more time into my other, non-music related passion, pizza. I started an underground pizza club called Temple of the Pizza Mason where I serve local friends through isolated takeout orders from my front door. I’m looking forward to expanding into pop-ups and perhaps my own space in 2021.
Salinas Records / Quaker Wedding (Marco Reosti)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Dark Thoughts - Must Be Nice
Goodbye Party - Beautiful Motors
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud
Constant Insult - History In Shorthand
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Phoebe Bridgers. I’m a little late to the game here and I can’t say that this had a particularly profound impact on my life, but both of her records were the soundtrack to a lot of lonely time spent walking aimlessly alone during a pandemic and I can think of fewer more appropriate soundtracks.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
It would be foolish to not answer this by saying that I will remember the moment that live music came to a grinding halt in March. I was actually scheduled to play a show on Friday, March 13th with a bunch of friends and as late as the morning of the 11th we checked in with one another and were still planning on going ahead. By the next morning it was clear that we’d have to cancel. As it has now been nearing nine months, it’s also becoming clear that just practicing is fraught with difficulty and I am curious as to what the future repercussions of this will be.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Calyx - Stay Gone
Vacation - Existential Risks & Returns
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Any records my friends put out… seriously. Many of my friends are unable to even practice regularly, so it’s hard to imagine what comes next. And those who can practice and record are stuck in limbo unable to play shows or tour, so I’ll be happy when my friends start putting out records again. I could use that joy in my life.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I’m hesitant to even answer this. I think in the long run people may come away from this experience having had time to examine the habits and routines they were accustomed to and maybe change the ways they operate as artists, but it’s hard to put any positive spin on a global pandemic that has claimed over a million deaths and created massive instability.
Sam Russo
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
The Lawrence Arms - Skeleton Coast
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Jason Isbel and the 400 Unit - Reunions
John Snodgrass - Tace
Broadway Calls - Sad In The City
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
This year I really sank my teeth into a lot of John Carpenter. The scores to the 2018 Halloween and Prince of Darkness got some heavy rotation in my house through lockdown.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I’ll remember seeing a lot of artists, musicians and bands really make the best of a raw deal. Specifically I’ll never forget Fest at Home! Me, my girlfriend and my buddy Gardz watched it together and played Star Wars Risk. Tony got drunk. It was a blast.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I’m putting together a full band recording of Back To The Party -- maybe that’ll come out! I have a few things up the old wizards sleeve...
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
The new Divided Heaven record! There’s still some good stuff to come this year: Deftones' Black Stallion is out this week, I think...
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Without the time spent at home I never would have discovered "modern" video games. I bought a PS4 and started old man gaming with some friends and it’s kept me sane. Play with me on Dead By Daylight. I’m terrible.
Scuba Cop
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Idles - Ultra Mono
Mr. Bungle - The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo
Run The Jewels - RTJ4
Heart Bones - Hot Dish
Greg Puciato - Child Soldier: Creator of God
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
IDLES for sure, [I] never really got into them until I was blown away by Ultra Mono. The production and riffs are top notch. Plus the added bonus of having David Yow on some tracks.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 will go down in history as the year that burned the villages and broke the back of music culture. There will be a "new normal" after 2020 and I have no idea what that will be.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I have an electronic project called GOTH JOCK that has some new material coming out.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
New Viagra Boys, Dead Cross and hopefully Mind Rider
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
My favorite development was adopting a rescue puppy. We even got the DNA test and he turned out to be 37.5% Mini Poodle 12.5% Cocker Spaniel 12.5% Shih Tzu and 37.5% terrier mix. The pie chart graph looked like a peace sign. "PEACE DOG"
Secret Fun Club (Sal Gallegos III)
photo by Cari Veach
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Planet on a Chain - This Won't Get Any Fucking Better
Carcass - Despicable
Engine Kid - Bear Catching Fish remaster
Fu Manchu - Fu30 pt.1
Bitter Branches - This May Hurt A Bit
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Process Black. I’ve been a huge fan of Tim Singer for many years but somehow this release slipped under my radar until early this year.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I don’t necessarily think 2020 will be remembered as a bright spot in music history, but I think there will be a lot of music released in 2021 that was created in 2020. Lots of musicians I know I’ve been creating and collaborating on new things remotely with other musicians they would normally not.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I guess my answer is sort of intertwined with the previous answer. My band Secret Fun Club has been writing a new record as well as a couple new projects and collaborations I’ve been working on.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I don’t really follow what bands are currently recording new records, but I can definitely see lots of new records being released next year by bands and even solo records by people who are taking full advantage of staying at home and finding new ways to be creative.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I would have to say my favorite development from this pandemic is the amount of new interesting collaborations that I’m seeing being done electronically. I almost feel like this pandemic was the show that musicians needed to embrace technology and start to do more remote collaborations. Almost every musician has or should have some kind of recording software on a computer or even phone handy.
SpiritWorld (Stu Folsom)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Old 97s - Twelfth
Pillars of Ivory - Genesis Demo
AWOLNATION - Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders
Ghostmane - ANTI-ICON
Of Feather and Bone - Sulfuric Disintegration
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
The Moore Family Band! My buddy Randy Moore just put out a record on Asian Man with his little brother and his super talented sister singing her ass off called Missy. The songs are brilliant. It is soooo god damn infectious it had me smiling and humming along immediately! I didn't realize I needed it in my life but it immediately filled a sugary, garage punk void in my soul!!!
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Putting out an album and watching a ton of my favorite songwriters sit on their couches and perform little "Storytellers"-esque versions of some of my favorite albums. Longest I have ever gone in my life without going to a show of some kind so it was cool to see so many artists pivot and still find a way to connect with people. Big shout outs to Hayes Carll, Rhett Miller and Brian Fallon for keeping me entertained on the reg.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
I would like to say playing some killer shows but who knows! I have a new batch of twangy punk rock songs mixed and mastered that will be coming out. I also finished the writing of a new full-length of thrash and death metal songs that I will start recording at some point. Just keeping busy and using songwriting to keep me motivated and inspired.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Lucero has a new record coming out I'm stoked on. Looking forward to the new Susto and Michigan Rattlers albums. Can't wait for the new Languish album and WristMeetRazor record. I'm so impressed with Justin Fornof and company, I can't wait for people to hear their new album!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I used the lockdown to get back on the university horse and knocked out six more classes at UNLV toward my degree. Finished my first collection of fiction stories and put out a record I am really proud of. I am really grateful for all the time I got to spend in my kitchen making food with my honey, listening to the Menzingers. We have never spent so much time indoors kicking it! It was great to hang out and edit a book together, get a crazy-ass new cat, and watch a bunch of great films!
Sutekh Hexen / In Solace Publishing (Kevin Gan Yuen)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Eyvind Kang – Ajaeng Ajaeng
Paysage d'Hiver – Im Wald
Clipping - Visions of Bodies Being Burned
Susan Alcorn – The Heart Sutra (Arranged by Janel Leppin)
Reverorum ib Malacht – Vad Är Inte Sju Huvud?
God is War - ApexPredator
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I rediscovered this minimalist techno project called GAS and his 2nd-4th albums. It is almost a bad cliche to say that something is the soundtrack to your life but Wolfgang Voigt basically became that for me and revisiting his works in 2020 remains true. For me techno was always a fine line between being engaging or cheesy and GAS is totally a gray area: I connected with it immediately. A lot has changed in my personal life since I first heard GAS ages ago: his music still moves me, it's the rhythm/tempo, atmosphere and subtleties.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
That music is still one of the most important things for humanity, whether you're a creator or a fan.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
It is really hard to say, especially right now.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
To be honest I don't have the luxury of time like I used to in actively keeping tabs on bands. I just look forward to making it through life content and healthy right now!
It is very good for us all to be pleasantly surprised every now and again.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I really was not sure how this would all pan out for a lot of people that I know or kind of know who are in much more prolific and successful bands. Obviously it has been stressful for the people who are committed to touring relentlessly and sustaining their vision and lives this way. From my perspective as an American citizen: this all came at a tumultuous time, the climate in the world in general has been tense. Particularly in the States... These last few years have been absolutely fucked, so seeing people continuing to record, promote and release music had made me feel conflicted (I had to stop myself and edit this part of the response, but I'm 100% positive that most of the people I know felt similarly)... The brightest spot without a doubt is knowing people who have the fan base and ability to vocalize and utilize their platform and resources towards doing the right thing. It does not equalize the insanity but certainly tips the scale in a favorable direction. With some of these bands/people, their generous actions actually overshadowed their music for me and that is true power.
The Carvels NYC (Lynne Von Pang)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
The Carvels NYC released an album in 2020, our first full-length release (Live at the Cutting Room on Die Laughing Records)! So that was pretty cool. We're not digging the hierarchy thing though. Not to mention, anyone who managed to release music in the difficult environment of 2020 deserves a first place trophy.
So here are some releases we like, in alphabetical order by artist:
The Chats - High Risk Behavior LP (Bargain Bin Records)
The Idolizers - self-titled CD (Rum Bar Records)
OSO My Brain - "Better Now" single (Elk Records)
Public Enemy - State of the Union (STFU) (Enemy Records)
Vicky Tafoya -"Forever" single (Daptone Records)
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Angel & the Hellraisers are a band I discovered via their single "Do It Again" which came out this year on Die Laughing Records. Something about her voice makes me feel like good times will come once again! This record made me feel significantly better from the first time I heard it, so I guess that would be the "impact."
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
Swim or sink. Create or die. Live in the solution.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We never got to do a proper record release show for our album. We'd like to do a high-quality streaming performance early in the year, and hopefully play again in front of a live audience at some point!
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
The Hives released a live album this year, which was pretty exciting. It would be amazing if touring happens again and they play here in NYC in 2021!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
In 2020 The Carvels NYC released a vinyl EP (Late Night Heart), two videos ("Bitter Pill" and "Stay the Fuck Home"), and a full-length album (Live at the Cutting Room), in addition to producing three live stream peformances. The fact that we managed to stay productive during this time is a bright spot for sure, and our dedication has not gone unnoticed. So that is very nice.
The Path (Jon Berg)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Daufødt - 1000 Island
Bait - Another End of The World is Possible
Jawstruck - Peace through Pain
MS Paint - s/t
Smedja in Smetke - Sme?e da se re?e
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
School Drugs was going to be on my top 10 for 2020 but their records came out in 2019. That band is everything I want from a hardcore punk band. I've had their record on constant rotation for months and I can't wait to have a chance to get them up to Vermont.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 was a great year for discovering new music. Places where people normally would turn to be exposed to new and exciting music aren't available. Show flyers, posters in record stores and stickers all over a venue bathroom have been replaced with online forums, podcasts and bandcamp tags. Losing those passive means of finding new bands has caused me to aggressively search out bands far beyond my area. As a result most of my favorite records this year are from bands outside of the US.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
Since shows have been cancelled we have shifted gears and have been doing a lot of work for 2021. We have recorded for an upcoming split 10" that will be on State of Mind. We have written for another split and a 7" as well. Details for those will come out as they get closer to production. I am really excited to get a chance to collaborate with the bands and labels that we have plans with and I think that people will be excited for those releases when they are ready to drop.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I am dying to get a copy of the next Redbait LP (New Age), the Void Bringer 7" (Blind Rage/625 Thrash) and the Rig Time LP (State of Mind) next year.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
My favorite part of being involved with DIY Punk and Hardcore is being part of a scene. Something larger than myself. Since I can't be in a room with the people that live nearby, I have shifted gears and expanded my scene. I have built new friendships this year that are leading to really exciting collaborations, interesting conversations and a lot of new music to listen to. Despite being wildly isolated I still feel connected to a lot of like-minded folks. Until all of these gross pigs put on masks and wash their hands this will have to scratch the itch. Once this is over though I am certainly ready to fuck up some rooms with some folks I miss a whole lot.
The Pretty Flowers (Noah Green)
photo by Natalie Milazzo
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
The Cribs - Night Network
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today
Hurula - Jehova
The Psychedelic Furs - Made of Rain
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
This year I dove into, say, the 5-½-foot mark of the Guided by Voices Olympic-size swimming pool of music. I’d been a GBV fan before, but with a catalog as big as theirs, there were some major gaps--mostly early GBV, Bob’s solo albums and the final three albums for Matador. Early in 2020 I read Matthew Cutter’s book Closer You Are: The Story of Robert Pollard and Guided by Voices and it helped to put the band into context and perspective, and it gave me something to obsess over for a while to distract from the pandemic. What I really appreciate about Bob is his work ethic and how his approach to lyrics is so similar to his approach to his collage work. I do collage art myself--I’m trying to do more of it this year--and had never made a lyrical connection to it before, but now I definitely see that a relationship exists.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I will fondly remember The Pretty Flowers being super active in January and February, playing shows with Samiam, Cutlass Supreme and Marriage Material. The rest of 2020 I’ll remember as the substitute to live shows of buying virtual tickets to see livestreams from Mr. Bungle, Angel Olsen and The Cribs, and finding ways for my own band to record apart from one another and stay active as a band.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
A new album from The Pretty Flowers. It’s probably 75% done.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I haven’t been paying enough attention to what is coming out in 2021. It feels like an eternity from now. Our friends Near Beer have a debut album coming out next year that I’ve been listening to a lot and is great. I don’t know what it will be called, just that it will rule.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
My favorite development is that The Pretty Flowers have been able to record music in quarantine for comps that are either out or are coming out soon. One that’s already out is a Television Personalities tribute comp called Mummy, Mummy Please Look At Me that came out on cassette on Dandy Boy Records. We contributed a cover of the song “King and Country” for that. Coming soon is The Stowaways Presents Listen Up! A Benefit for Democracy Now! LP, for which we contributed a new song called “Bucket Beach”.
Tibetan Sky Burial
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Ulcerate - Stare Into Death and Be Still
Primitive Man - Immersion
Emma Ruth/THOU - May Our Chambers Be Full
Deftones - Ohms
Irist - Order of The Mind
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Gaerea! A phenomenal band from Portugal, I believe. They were significant for us because of their whole sound and look. Totally ominous and killer music. At the time, TSB was searching for new inspiration, and Unsettling Whispers really hit the mark for us as fans and as musicians.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 was a kick to the groin for all of us. But the one thing I can take away from this year, is that it allowed many of us a chance to slow down and focus back on what's most important. Whether it's personal lives, or our creative outlets. No shows, or tours for bands, so it's back to the woodshed to spend all the extra time and energy working on ourselves and our crafts.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We hope that we can safely play shows in 2021 and tour a bit. But if not, new music, possible split, content, and a physical release of Lamenta on vinyl.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
We're really looking forward to new music from Cult of Luna, Gojira, and Chelsea Wolfe! All three artists are huge wells of inspiration for us.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Bryan: Personally, my newest hobby this year has been cooking more food. I love to use my smoker, and being from Texas...I've been practicing my BBQ and smoking techniques. It's fun and delicious!
Rick: I took up hiking and cycling during the pandemic and made it a point to visit as many Texas state parks as I could. Walking, roadtrips, and being in nature center me. I've been to at least 10 so far in 2020.
To Live A Lie Records / Tired Of Everything (Will Butler)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Gulch
Internal Rot - Grieving Birth
Peace Test EP
Tired Of Everything - Behind The Blade
Dropdead LP
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Spy - very unknown band that really blew up and pushed the label forward. Very Covid-19 hype but with all the chops to back themselves up.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
2020 is the year I focused solely on the label since live music doesn't exist as much.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
2020 feels like landmark year from TLAL. Will continue that momentum with a Bastard Noise/Amps For Christ split LP in 2021, a Deathtoll 80k LP, and represses for both the Coke Bust/Despise You split and the Spy record.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
Had such a busy year I haven't even looked forward to what's ahead!
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
I think there are new opportunities to consume live music via online streams which helps people in smaller towns see bands they might not see otherwise. More collaboration and unity also spawned from it.
Western Addiction (Jason Hall)
photo by Kristen Linney
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I might divide this into two categories. There are new bands I discover and then there are bands I have some kind of awakening too. Having an awakening means that you see them in a new light or your age allows a new perspective.
I like really witchy, chaotic black metal. I also like riffs. This is both. The record is so wild and unnerving that it would make most people want to jump through a wall. This is like your seventh cup of coffee on a turbulent flight. I’m a sensitive person in terms of light and sound but for some reason, this feels right. I have a pretty overactive mind so it’s quite nice when I find something that aligns.
Awakenings:
Idles - Ultra Mono (Partisan Records)
This is the modern Jesus Lizard with great melody, structure and socially conscious lyrics. I’ve listened to a lot of music over the years and it becomes harder to find something that is really fresh. Now I understand why they are so big. This band is exciting.
I had a few other awakenings including Orville Peck, Napalm Death and the Kinks. I also went through a really big Rolling Stones phase. I know that sounds odd and I’ve always liked them but I think I “understand” them now and I understand why the Stones vs. Beatles discussion could lead to a street fight. I love the Beatles too.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
I never have a hard time finding new music and good bands but I can definitely see a bit of a lull towards the end of the year, and rightfully so. The logistics to make music is just tougher right now. The pandemic also completely devoured our new record but when people are suffering, it seems small to even discuss. It was tough to talk about our “rock and roll record” when humans were, and are, dying. I felt a bit conflicted.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We just want to play shows on our new record, Frail Bray, that came out in May. We had big shows lined up with Bad Religion, Propagandhi, European festivals, etc. and that all went away. The best way to tell if you have something in a song is if the audience reacts. If they don’t, you don’t play that song. The first time we played “Utter Despair” and “Frail Bray” off the new record (before it came out) I was really surprised at the reaction of the audience. We will keep those songs in the set. I’ve also been making new songs because I can’t go anywhere.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I’m hoping that the byproduct of so much downtime is that there is a tectonic explosion of new music. That would be joyous.
Belle and Sebastian are in my top 5 bands of all time. I heard they were going to make a new record and it was postponed. I love them. One of the most underrated bands of all time. In an alternate universe, where life makes sense, they would be one of the most popular bands of all time. The president told us to inject bleach and separated parents from their children on the border so until the mothership comes and picks me up, I’m stuck in an alternate reality.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Honestly, and I know this isn’t exciting, but I learned how to sleep like a normal person. That sounds ridiculous but I didn’t know how damaging this was to my lifestyle. I had a bit of a health scare before our record came out and I had to recalibrate my lifestyle. I talked about it on the Scream Therapy podcast. The band always told me that I need to relax or someday it would come back to bite me. They were right.
I am saddened by the impact of the pandemic and our leadership’s abysmal handling of it, but I don’t dislike having more time to do exactly what you want to do. The pandemic made me realize that I do so much for other people and most of it doesn’t matter. It has also turned the radiance up on how much capitalism is destroying this Earth. I sing about this often. I have greatly reduced my spending and I think this should be a national goal. If you have food, money, shelter and health care, that’s all you need.
Strangelight (Nat Coghlan)
photo by Scott Evans
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2020? (In order 1-5)
Oneohtrix Point Never – Magic Oneohtrix Point Never
RMR – Drug Dealing is a Lost Art
Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin kynsi
Madeleine Cocolas – Ithaca
Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
You know it was really hard to pick, and order, just five. There was no shortage of good music this year. Also shout out to everyone who released a bedroom ambient album in 2020. I mean that legitimately, they were all good. Send me your bedroom ambient album. I will absolutely listen to it, and most likely enjoy it.
2. What band did you discover in 2020 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
The threshold for having an impact on my life was pretty low this year. If a song or album made me happy, that was pretty affecting within the broader context of 2020. That being the case, I would probably say Jeff Rosenstock. I had seen his name here and there but never paid much attention because I assumed he was pop-punk or pop-punk adjacent. I'd like to think I'm not snobby about such things, but who I am kidding, I am. Anyway, Jack Shirley, who mastered Adult Themes recorded a Jeff Rosenstock livestream and I dug it. I listened to the new album, No Dream, and was taken by how earnest it was. It's like an alternative universe where Matt Sharp never left Weezer, they progressively became more unhinged, and Beverly Hills was never written. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather live in that world.
3. How will you remember 2020? (In terms of music)
If it's like how I remember anything else in my life, inaccurately. In terms of music, 2020 was actually pretty good. Not so good that it outweighs everything else, but if music is the only measurement, 2020 wasn't half bad. We played some really great shows, recorded, and released an album. The shows were really fun and the time in the studio was a blast. I'm really happy with how Adult Themes came out, and putting the record together was a really fun process. But it's hard to completely compartmentalize, especially since we finished recording days before California' shelter in place order. For better or worse, the album will always have a strong link to the pandemic for me.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2021?
We're writing new songs, so you can look forward to some new music. I doubt we'll have the chance to play any of these songs live before we record them, so if they're no good, don't blame us, blame the nonexistent audiences for not letting us know how bad they were. I think that logic is pretty air tight.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2021?
I'm pretty crap at knowing what albums are on the horizon. I've become too reliant on letting the algorithm tell me what has come out every friday. But, I am excited for the new Viagra Boys album. I really liked Street Worms and that EP they put out.
6. Trying to put a positive spin on things, what is your favorite development from the global pandemic this year? (Is there a new medium you enjoy, a specific song or collaboration, personal news, etc. that was a bright spot?)
Looking for silver linings is not my strong suit, but I've got a lighthearted one. Due to the pandemic I was able to lowball a bunch of blues lawyers, shred dentists, and folks who play in megachurch bands who were selling their gear. It's not like I'm going to do anything with it any time soon, but I'd like to think I saved a bunch of guitars from having to be party to an infinite number of bad interpretations of Layla, and a bunch of amps suffering at the hands of whoever is running the boards at Miracle Springwater Ministries.
Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2020
Series: Year End 2020
Our wrap-up of the best music and more for the year we'll all want to otherwise forget, 2020.
One day, we'll all look back on this year and laugh. Well, maybe not laugh... cry? Despair? Curse? Probably some combination of all the above. But we've tried to look past the dreaded C-word, the Taylor Swift albums and the endless waves of home-studio-concert-streams on YouTube by artists trying to …
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What a year. The (probably apocryphal) curse goes "may you live in interesting times" and we're truly learning what it means to be alive during a period that history will constantly look back on. For all of the struggles the world faced with natural disasters, racial injustice, the global pandemic, …
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Hey folks, Toby here, and the SPB team asked me to provide some insights about some stuff from our catalog now that Red Scare is (you gotta be shittin’ me?!) twenty years old. Specifically a “memory or modern take” on some past releases, and they picked some doozies, so let’s …
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How do you sum up a 3-day weekend where you’ve spent approximately 36 hours watching live music and seen nearly 50 bands -- and also missed another 300? The Fest is a wonderful beast where you venue hop to catch up-and-comers, watch headliners outside on the big stage, and stumble …
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We've rolled out an extra-special feature for this year's Fest: that's right, it's FEST LIBS. You've played it before, but not like this – fill in our interactive form here, then sit back and read your customised FEST LIBS. The results may surprise you. But before you go generate your …
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