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Olympic Deth

Olympic Deth | Peace Album | 3hive.com
Olympic Deth | Peace Album | 3hive.com

I’m going to begin by addressing some biases that I have coming into this review: 

  1. As a Utah native, I’ll advocate for damn near anyone/anything coming out of the Beehive State (within reason, of course, because fuck Mike Lee),
  2. The sounds that this record reminded me of upon first listen have been some of my favorite tracks, records, and bands in recent times, and
  3. Anything that’s locally released that SOUNDS like it’s not locally released makes me unreasonably excited because Utah genuinely has a really diverse and talented music scene if you’re willing to look, participate and support it. And that’s what it’s all about y’all.

Now, with all of that said, let me tell you why Olympic Deth’s newest record Peace Album is not only one of my most anticipated local releases this year but one that I’m sure will stand among the best of what Utah offers this year, musically speaking. 

Peace Album clocks in at 36 minutes across 16 tracks and doesn’t waste any time grabbing listeners attention. The album’s opener “Rehab For Weed” is a vaporwave-esc opener with layered synths, looping electronics and water sounds? It’s a super diverse instrumental that’s engaging for the active listening experience while also being something that could be on in the background. The album transitions expertly from track to track, again making either the active or passive listening experience both rewarding and pleasant as you move through the track list. Standout songs such as lead single “Oklahoma PEACE”. Full of moody, looping electronics and strong guitars from the best slacker-rock or post-punk records you could name, this track is just one of many personal highlights for me that’ve found their way onto playlists of mine. I’ll shout out “Diamond Dozen”, “Ada County” and the album’s closing track “Trout Mask Replica on Accident” as well.

If you took the best parts of Geordie Greep’s solo debut“The New Sound”, King Krule’s 2017 record “The OOZ” and added Geese and some Death Grips – Olympic Deth is the emulsifier that combines all of it together into something new that I encourage damn near anyone to give a listen.

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Artificial Go

Artificial Go | Musical Chairs | 3hive.com
Artificial Go | Musical Chairs | 3hive.com

Cincinnati trio Artificial Go are back with 10 new tracks of razor-sharp, jangly post-punk with their latest and greatest LP, Musical Chairs.

Musical Chairs’ songs are masterfully written and arranged, with Angie Willcut’s—mostly—deadpan vocal delivery tying it all together. Check out “Circles,” “Red Convertible,” and the incredible—mostly instrumental—”Sky Burial” (below) for a taste

Musical Chairs is out today via Feel It Records; I highly recommend it. I highly, highly recommend it for fans of bands like Suburban Lawns, Lithics, ESG, and the like. Enjoy.

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Motorbike

Motorbike | Kick It Over | 3hive.com
Motorbike | Kick It Over | 3hive.com

Cincinnati bruisers Motorbike are back with their sophomore LP, Kick It Over. We’re pleased as punch to premiere the second single from this ferocious garage punk album, “Afraid of Guns.”

At just two minutes, “Afraid of Guns” is a pummeling of razor-sharp guitar, machine-gun snare, driving bass, and snarling vocals. Check it out below and prepare to be blown away.

Kick It Over drops on March 21 via Feel It Records. You can get it from us too. Either way, you should get it. Enjoy.

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Slippers

Slippers | So You Like Slippers? | 3hive.com
Slippers | So You Like Slippers? | 3hive.com

Slippers is the new project of Los Angeles-based artist and musician Madeline BB. Her debut LP, So You Like Slippers?, is ten charmingly (thanks Sam) snappy, jangly, twee-as-fu** power-pop tunes that only get better with each and every spin. Check out “XTC 1000” and “The Bus” (below) for a sample.

So You Like Slippers? is out now via Lame-O Records. You should get it! I love Slippers the band, I hate slippers the slippers. Enjoy.

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Sasha Bolof

Sasha Bolof | Tabitha | 3hive.com
Sasha Bolof | Tabitha | 3hive.com

Sasha Bolof’s new album, Tabitha, is 10 tracks of fuzzed-out, warm, guitar-driven tunes based on the lives of ten fictional (or are they) characters. It’s like a dream-pop / shoegaze / post-punk / art-rock hodgepodge, but unlike the definition of a hodgepodge, Sasha blends these styles seamlessly, like they all belong together.

Check out “June,” “Jane,” and “Michelle” (below) for a sample of how rad this album is. It’s the perfect album to close the summer with.

Tabitha is out now via Cruisin Records. Go get it. Enjoy.

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Teenage Tom Petties

Teenage Tom Petties | Teenage Tom Petties | 3hive.com
Teenage Tom Petties | Teenage Tom Petties | 3hive.com

Teenage Tom Petties’ set out to “make a 90’s-era power-pop record” on their third album in as many years (and only 9 months after their sophomore release, Hotbox Daydreams, and second self-titled album). I say they achieved that goal (and then some), as much of the guitar work and vocal harmonies throughout the record remind me a lot of 90’s-era Flaming Lips and Fountains of Wayne.

TTP is highly addictive, like Pringles. It’s a head-bobber from start to finish, that’s for sure, featuring eleven melodic, power-pop bangers. Check out “Tuff Top” and “Dumb Enough” (below) for a taste.

Teenage Tom Petties is out now via Safe Suburban Home. Enjoy.

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What’s Important

What's Important | bloodsoaked castle | 3hive.com
What's Important | bloodsoaked castle | 3hive.com

Oakland band What’s Important are releasing their latest album, bloodsoaked castle, today. Their PR refers to their sound as “mutant pop,” and their Bandcamp page calls it “castle pop.” I don’t know what either of those genres / sub-genres mean. What I do know is that bloodsoaked castle contains some glitchy, pop punk meets electro pop goodness. Check out “i think about it a lot” (below) for a taste.

bloodsoaked castle is out now via Cherub Dream Records. Get it. Enjoy.

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Trash Fiasco

Trash Fiasco | Exist As Instructed |3hive.com
Trash Fiasco | Exist As Instructed |3hive.com

Chicago band Trash Fiasco’s new album Exist As Instructed is my new favorite thing!

The singer sounds like H.R., Jello, Elvis, Ian Curtis, Peter Murphy and Corey Glover. Crazy!

I love the mix–kick and bass to the front–forcing the guitar to fight it’s way through the muck.

I love that the vocals sound like they were recorded in a bathroom.

HELL! Even the album cover is incredible. Put that shit on a t-shirt!

This is magical, sludgy, garage-core punk rock!

Check out “Rat Brains”, “Chimney Smoke”, and “Turned To Prey” below. Do it!

Exist As Instructed is out now and available digitally from Trash Fiasco’s Bandcamp page. Go there and buy this right now.

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Bermuda Squares

Bermuda Squares | Car Accident | 3hive.com
Bermuda Squares | Car Accident | 3hive.com

Featuring members of Sinks, Neo Neos, Citric Dummies, Color Tv, green/blue, Retainers, Dummy, the Soviettes, IV, and Awesome Snakes, the new single (below) “Car Accident” from Bermuda Squares could only kick ass—and it does!

Their debut LP Outsider hits the streets in May via Feel It Records and judging by the first single it’s going to be a doozy. Enjoy.

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CIRCLE JERKS x DESCENDENTS

Circle Jerks | Descendents | Split 7" | 3hive.com
Circle Jerks | Descendents | Split 7" | 3hive.com

When you’re scrolling through many emails trying to get caught up but also not miss anything and you come across “CIRCLE JERKS x DESCENDENTS release split cover EP today…” you stop everything you are doing and buy it and immediately, anxiously anticipate its arrival.

The split EP is in honor of their co-headlining tour that starts on March 15 in Tempe, AZ (you can find the rest of the tour dates below). It’s just as amazing as you can imagine it to be. It has Descendents doing the Circle Jerks’ “Red Tape,” “I Want Some Skank,” and “Beverly Hills.” As well as Circle Jerks doing Descendents’ “Kabuki Girl” and “Hope.”

You can get this from the bands during the tour and online via Trust Records. It is not available in any other way. GO GET THIS NOW!

Circle Jerks + Descendents Live Dates: 

March 15 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre (SOLD OUT)
March 16 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater (SOLD OUT)
March 17 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
March 19 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
March 20 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center
March 22 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s (SOLD OUT)
March 23 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues (SOLD OUT)
March 24 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom (SOLD OUT)
March 26 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live
March 27 – New Orleans, LA – Civic Theatre
March 29 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live (SOLD OUT)
March 30 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live (SOLD OUT)
March 31 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues (SOLD OUT)
April 2 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Heaven (SOLD OUT)
April 3 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl (SOLD OUT)
April 5 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz (SOLD OUT)
April 6 – Richmond, VA – The National (SOLD OUT)
April 7 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live (SOLD OUT)
April 9 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place (SOLD OUT)
April 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
April 12 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom (SOLD OUT)
April 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount (SOLD OUT)

w/ Adolescents