High on Stress: Still Here

Minneapolis alternative band High on Stress have the habit of disappearing for a couple of years and remerge again with an album filled with gutsy rockers. It has been six years since the release of Hold Me In, so it makes sense that they named their new one Still Here. Hitting the ground running with the rough-around-the-edger power pop of House of Cards, they barrel through a dozen of energetic tracks, filled with Stonesy riffs, Cheap Tricks licks, and the attitude of Big Star and The Replacements.

Their twin-guitars driven music is tailor-made for driving with the top down. And maybe the officer who pulls you over for being quite a bit over the speed limit will turn a blind eye, after being carefully explained that you were trying to keep up with the band. Can You Feel Me? indeed.

Lehmanski: "NEU NEU NEU" video

Lehmanski has made a video for NEU NEU NEU, a track from his Strandkorb der Gemütlichkeit album: "His slightly hoarse vocals, bass and drums are smack in the middle of the mix most of the time, with the other instruments and backing vocals swirling around them. Listeners who don't speak German will have no trouble understanding what he is singing about. He obviously has had his fair share of ups and downs in life, but he can look back upon those with a mix of humour and resignation.".

» lehmanski.de

HCTF review of Strandkorb der Gemütlichkeit

Thomas Myrmel: shows in Amsterdam w/ Sealf & Fishes, Swords and Trombones

Amsterdam based experimental composer and electronic musician Thomas Myrmel is busy with two of his projects. With Sealf he performs as a duo with bassist and soundsmith Jonathan Nagel - their latest is called Ballad of Minnehaha, inspired by the horrors that swept over Myrmel's former hometown Minneapolis. He is also a member of Fishes, Swords and Trombones, with Anat Spiegel (vocals), Omer Sigler (guitar), Antonis Pratsinakis (vocals) and Wytze Minne de Swart (sax). That band is described as "an emergency blanket, grasping at futility, absurdity and joy", a meeting of neo-classical, free jazz and synth textures.

Both bands have a couple of shows lined up, offering an opportunity to enjoy the vibrant underground in the nation's capital up close.

Honey Blonde: tour dates

Dutch-Cypriot pink-punk band Honey Blonde have a couple of shows lined up to promote their self-titled EP: "Semeli Theodosiou, Jade Bogaart, Valentina Charalampous and Eva Burger have an instant rapport, playing fast and loose, in sync with the second wave of riot grrrl sound."

Fischer-Z: live @ Ancienne Belgique in Brussels

Watch English New Wave band Fischer-Z perform @ Ancienne Belgique in Brussels om May 3, as part of their 50th anniversary tour.

Setlist:

1. Pretty Paracetamol
2. Wax Dolls
3. Remember Russia
4. The Worker
5. Angel of Gardenia
6. Marguerite
7. Well Meaning Ghost
8. So Long (ballad version)
9. The Perfect Day
10. Tightrope
11. Choose
12. Red Skies Over Paradise
13. Cruise Missiles
14. Battalions of Strangers
15. Damascus Disco
16. When Love Goes Wrong
17. One Voice
18. Head On

Encore:

1. Marliese
2. So Long (normal version)

» fischer-z.com