Fire Note Staff

With his four acclaimed solo albums and myriad records of various collaboration, Kevin Morby has become a true musical auteur. Each record possesses its own unique persona and explores intriguing themes and fertile terrain through shifting, focused textures and dexterous, dedicated skill. And now, with the lavish, resplendent, career-best double LP Oh My God (out April 26th via Dead Oceans), Morby delivers a grandiose director’s cut of his biggest statement to date, epic in scope as well as sound. Additionally, today Kevin shares the video for the album’s first single, “No Halo,” directed by Chris Good.

Kevin Morby’s new record, Oh My God, is available for pre-order today on LP, CD, cassette, and digital HERE. Limited sky blue opaque vinyl is available via the Dead Oceans store + your local indie retailer. A limited pre-order bundle is available that includes the LP on sky blue vinyl, CD, a limited edition 24-page Oh My God hymnal (with sheet music for “No Halo,” “Nothing Sacred / All Things Wild,” “Savannah” and “Congratulations” as well as photos & lyrics), and a bonus 7” with two unreleased songs, “Gift Horses” and “I Was On Time.”

Additionally, Vinyl Me Please will offer a limited number of LPs via their online store on Opaque Yellow Vinyl.

Kevin Morby’s world tour launches in May with an expanded band uniquely assembled to present Kevin’s live vision of Oh My God, featuring current members Nick Kinsey on drums and Cyrus Gengras on bass, and adding frequent Morby producer Sam Cohen on guitar, Alecia Chakour and Lauren Balthrop on vocals, Jared Samuel on keys, and Cochemea Gastelum on saxophone. Additionally, Kevin is announcing European solo tour dates later this summer.

KEVIN MORBY TOUR DATES
Sat. Mar. 2, 2019 – Phoenix, AZ @ M3F Fest
Wed. May 8, 2019 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Theatre at Ace Hotel *
Fri. May 10, 2019 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst (Live in the Atrium) *
Sat. May 11, 2019 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
Mon. May 13, 2019 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom *
Tue. May 14, 2019 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox *
Wed. May 15, 2019 – Vancouver, BC @ Imperial Vancouver *
Fri. May 17, 2019 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room *
Sat. May 18, 2019 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater *
Fri. May 31, 2019 – New York, NY @ Town Hall *
Sat. June 1, 2019 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *
Sun. June 2, 2019 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *
Mon. June 3, 2019 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair *
Wed. June 5, 2019 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House *
Thu. June 6, 2019 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark *
Fri. June 7, 2019 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *
Sat. June 8, 2019 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *
Fri. June 14 – Brussels, BE @ AB *
Sat. June 15 – Berlin, DE @ Festsaal Kreuzberg *
Sun. June 16 – Mannheim, DE @ Maifield Derby *
Mon. June 17 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso *
Wed. June 19 – London, UK @ O2 Sheperds Bush Empire *
Thu. June 20 – Paris, FR @ Le Cabaret Sauvage *
Sat. June 22 – Hamburg, DE @ Knust *
Sun. June 23 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega *
Mon. June 24 – Aarhus, DK @ Voxhall *
Wed. June 26 – Helsinki, FI @ Tavastia *
Fri. Jun 28, 2019 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser/Bar Brooklyn (solo)
Sat. Jun 29, 2019 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Pustervik (solo)
Sun. Jun 30, 2019 – Oslo, Norway @ John Dee (solo)
Mon. Jul 1, 2019 – Tromsø, Norway @ Blårock Café (solo)
Tue. Jul 2, 2019 – Bergen, Norway @ Landmark (solo)
Wed Jul 3, 2019 – Malmö, Sweden @ Babel (solo)
Fri. Jul 5, 2019 – Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain @ Vida Festival (solo)
Sat. Jul 6, 2019 – Madrid, Spain @ Copérnico (solo)
Sun. Jul 7, 2019 – Lisbon, Portugal @ São Luiz Teatro Municipal (solo)
Mon. Jul 8, 2019 – Braga, Portugal @ Gnration (solo)
Wed. Jul 10, 2019 – Biarritz, France @ La Côte des Basques (solo)
Thu. Jul 11, 2019 – Bordeaux, France @ Rock School Barbey (solo)
Fri. Jul 12, 2019 – Toulouse, France @ Le Théatre de Garonne (solo)
Sun. Jul 14, 2019 – Roubaix, France @ La Cave aux Poetes (solo)
Wed. Jul 17, 2019 – Istanbul, Turkey @ IKSV (solo)
Fri. Jul 19, 2019 – Dublin, Ireland @ The Grand Social (solo)

* w/ Sam Cohen

Ben Kweller has released his first new song in five years, “Heart Attack Kid,” and is now available via a video he made in collaboration with Robert Strange of Superorganism.

“Making the Heart Attack Kid music video with Ben Kweller was the first big project I’ve done outside of my band, Superorganism,” says Strange. “Stylistically, I wanted to take a step in a new direction while making the video true to who Ben is and the world he lives in. Ben shot the live action stuff on his ranch in Texas and I meshed that together with the story of a claymation rattlesnake who hears Heart Attack Kid floating on the breeze and sets off on a mission to find the source. It was great collaborating with Ben — he’s got so much energy and has a really special thing going on at his label The Noise Company. We were chatting pretty much every day, passing ideas back and forth and fine-tuning the video. I learned a lot making this video and together we ended up making a piece of art that I’ll always be extremely proud of.”

Kweller has been on tour this past week and will continue through the end of the month. The remaining dates are below. Information on his new album will be released soon.

Ben Kweller 2019 Tour Dates:
02/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel *
02/20 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
02/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *
02/22 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater *
02/23 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle *
02/25 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement
02/26 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
* = w/ Houndmouth

Clark’s powerful new video “This Land” was filmed in Clark’s hometown of Austin and directed by Savanah Leaf. The headline-grabbing short film has already exceeded over one million YouTube views. Gary Clark Jr’s new album of the same title is due out this Friday February 22nd via Warner Bros. Records.

Helenor, the project of David DiAngelis, has just released a new video for “Artifact.” With its artful synchronized swimming and subjects that blend in with their surroundings, the video and bright indie rock juxtapose well with frigid winter temperatures. DiAngelis both stars and co-directed the video for “Artifact,” bringing his talents and passion for visual arts to his newfound musical project.

London trio Yak have shared the video for “Fried” from their their sophomore album Pursuit of Momentary Happiness, which is out tomorrow via Third Man Records / Virgin EMI. The video, which features frontman Oli Burslem as the co-host of a demented faux cooking show. In fact, we may not be able to eat fried chicken for awhile after this show!

The creation of Pursuit of Momentary Happiness saw frontman Oli Burslem stand on the precipice between obsession and self-destruction. He sacrificed everything for his artistic vision, including his own financial security and mental health. Who invests every last penny into recording, to the point where they become homeless?

Yak had blazed a trail through the indie rock scene with their debut album Alas Salvation and ended that era of their career with a landmark show at London’s Scala. Burslem and drummer Elliot Rawson were eager to make a second record, but bassist Andy Jones departed for a new life in Australia. A chance meeting with Jay Watson from Tame Impala’s touring band resulted in Burslem hatching a plan to rehearse together in Melbourne before quickly recording the album at Tame mainman Kevin Parker’s studio in Perth — with Burslem stopping in Tokyo to focus on writing.

It didn’t work out. Burslem returned to the UK with no home, no money and no album. 18 hazy months passed, during which Yak found their new bassist Vinny Davies and then a fresh focus. Yak were introduced to Spiritualized chief Jason Pierce through his bandmate John Coxon, and Pierce encouraged them that they still had something worth pursuing. That resulted in new deals with Third Man Records and Virgin EMI, and Burslem committed to sorting out his personal situation… just as soon as he’d finished the album.

NYC’s Charly Bliss return with their sophomore album, Young Enough, out May 10 via Barsuk Records. This video for its lead single “Capacity” is the first taste of new material.

Charly Bliss’ Eva Hendricks says “‘Capacity’ is a song about wanting to kill your inner people-pleaser, and Michelle beautifully presented a parallel concept, which warns of the perils of getting swept up in other people’s bullshit.”

Video director Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, says: “Charly Bliss has always made great narrative music videos, so I wanted to stay in line with that tradition and take advantage of working with a band that are all such great, funny actors individually. I was watching a lot of heist movies at the time, and I thought a sort of post-heist fall out between friends was the perfect setting for this song about reaching your limit with someone. Eva had an amazing mood board she brought to the table with references to Paris, Texas, Five Easy Pieces and Badlands so it was important for us to showcase a warm, 70’s colour palette.”

Additionally, Charly Bliss has announced some tour dates including an east coast run in March and a European run in May. All dates below.

TOUR DATES:
2/22 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
2/23 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
2/24 – Burtlington, VT @Higher Ground
3/7 – Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
3/8 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Wonder Bar
3/9 – Norfolk, VA @ Toast
3/10 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
3/13-16 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
5/3 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Cinetol
5/4 – Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang
5/5 – Berlin, Germany @ Cassiopeia
5/7 – Paris, France @ La Boule Noire
5/9 – Manchester, UK @ Night People
5/10 – Leeds, UK @ Headrow House
5/13 – London, UK @ Oslo
7/26 – Montreal, QC @ Montreal 77

After their stunning feat of releasing 5 albums in 2017, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard kept the lid on new material last year but have now returned with new music today! Enjoy the “Cyboogie!”

We can only assume a new album containing this single will be announced in the near future. Stay tuned!

Martha have announced details of their brand new album Love Keeps Kicking, out April 5th via Dirtnap Records in North America and Big Scary Monsters across the pond. The third full-length is considered by the band a celebration in the face of heartache, told through 11 career best anthems.

Along with the album announcement, Martha has a new tongue-in-cheek video for the title track which is
a homage to 50s alien invasion movies.

Of the video, directors Ben Epstein and David Combs said: “We wanted to do an old sci-fi alien invasion pastiche and create a threat that no one can outrun, because as the song implies, at some point or another, we all feel the harsh sting of heartbreak. And what better metaphor is there for the inevitability of a broken heart than the swift kick of a giant disembodied foot? It basically wrote itself.”

Martha will celebrate the release of Love Keeps Kicking with an extensive European tour, kicking of at Madrid’s Popfest on 22nd March. The tour will see the band play some of their biggest headline shows today, including a date at The Garage, London on 16th April. Full dates below. You can pre-order the Dirtnap release HERE.

Love Keeps Kicking tracklisting:
1. Heart Is Healing
2. Sight For Sore Eyes
3. Into This
4. Wrestlemania VIII
5. Mini Was A Preteen Arsonist
6. Love Keeps Kicking
7. Brutalism By The River (Arrythmia)
8. Orange Juice
9. The Void
10. Lucy Shone A Light On You
11. The Only Letter That You Kept

Tour dates:
22 – 23 March – ES – Madrid Popfest
07 April – BEL – Antwerp, Trix
08 April – DE – Bochum, Rotunde
09 April – DE – Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
10 April – DE -Köln, Sonic Ballroom
12 April – CZ – Prague – Klub 007 Strahow
13 April – DE- Alte Mälzerei, Heimspiel Festival
16 April – UK – London – The Garage
20 April – UK – Manchester – Manchester Punk Fest
26 April – UK – Bristol – Exchange
27 April – UK – Brighton – West Hill Hall
28 April – UK -Birmingham – Hare & Hounds
3 May – UK – Glasgow – Mono
5 May – UK – Leicester – Handmade Festival

Los Angeles-based artist, Hand Habits has shared “can’t calm down,” the latest single from their upcoming album, placeholder. Of the song, Meg Duffy says “this song took the longest lyrically for me to finish. i started it about 3 years ago and kept it in progress throughout different cycles of feeling. ‘ancestral damage’ and learned behaviors and conditioning to react/hold and place certain emotions are patterns i’m interested in taking part and understanding better. what can one do with rage? with pain? with sadness? and is it is possible to learn how to wipe away completely the knee jerk reactions to situations that are buried deep in one’s dna? and the role models that taught us how to behave, whether directly or residually…are they the ones who should be held responsible or is memory partially to blame?” The song features vocal contributions from Elizabeth Powell of Land of Talk.

Duffy, who you might recognize as a long-time member of Kevin Morby’s touring band, sounds more assured and confident than ever on their new album, placeholder, available for pre-order now HERE and due out March 1st, 2019 via Saddle Creek. Additionally, Hand Habits has announced a 2019 spring tour in support of placeholder that kicks off its US leg in March, and its European one in May. All dates below.

TOUR DATES:
3/22 – Bolinas, CA @ Bolinas Community Center >
3/23 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall < $ 3/25 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios % 3/26 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern % 3/29 - Salt Lake City @ Kilby Court 3/30 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge 4/1 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown * 4/2 - Eau Claire, WI @ The Gallery at The Oxbow Hotel * 4/3 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry * 4/4 - Chicago, IL @ Hideout * + 4/8 - Troy, NY @ Post Contemporary Church # 4/9 - Hudson, NY @ The Half Moon Hudson # 4/10 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^ 4/11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's ^ 4/12 - Washington, DC @ Songbyrd DC Vinyl Lounge ^ 4/13 - Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight ^ 4/14 - Nashville, TN @ The End ^ 4/15 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl ^ 4/16 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa ^ 4/18 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk (Inside) ^ 4/20 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sanitary Tortilla Factory ^ 4/21 - Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress ^ 4/22 - Long Beach @ Living Room LBC ^ 4/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bootleg ^ 5/3 - Vlieland, NL @ Here Comes The Summer Festival 5/7 - Bristol, UK @ Crofters Rights 5/8 - London, UK @ The Lexington 5/9 - Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape Festival 5/11 - Leeds, UK @ Gold Sounds Festival 5/12 - Manchester, UK @ YES 5/14 - Lille, FR @ La Bulle Cafe 5/15 - Paris, FR @ Supersonic 5/17 - Nyon, CH @ La Paranthese 5/18 - Zürich, CH @ Lauter Festival 5/20 - München, DE @ Hauskonzerte 5/21 - Jena, DE @ Trafo 5/22 - Berlin, DE @ Kantine am Berghain 5/24 - Brugge, BE Cactus Club 5/25 - Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling

> w/ Alex Bleeker
< w/ Wizard Apprentice $ w/ Stephen Steinbrink % w/ Mega Bog * w/ Tomberlin + w/ Gia Margaret # w/ Eleanor Friedberger (solo) ^ w/ Tasha

Durand Jones & The Indications will release their sophomore album, American Love Call, on March 1st via Dead Oceans/Colemine Records. After sharing lead single, “Don’t You Know”, the band returns with the follow-up cut: the poignant, politically charged album opener, “Morning In America”. “It’s a fraught moment in our history. ‘Morning in America’ is a song for this moment,” says the band. Penned by drummer Aaron Frazer, the band has this to say regarding the track:

The lyrics speak to how many of us feel every day in this time of political and environmental uncertainty— flitting between anger, despair, anxiety but ever returning to a sliver of hope that there’s still a path forward.

We so often divide ourselves by our differences. Acknowledging those differences is crucial; listening to those different from us is crucial. But viewed solely through that lens, we are fragmented and few. When we look at the country along economic lines, however, a different picture emerges. Suddenly people of all of colors, in every part of this country, can find themselves on the same side, united by a shared struggle to simply survive in the richest nation to ever exist.

This song was inspired by The Poor People’s Campaign, a movement started by Martin Luther King Jr. shortly before his assassination. It functions today as a nonpartisan organization that promotes intersectionality and inter-movement unity as a tool of addressing systemic injustices.

It’s accompanying video, directed by Ellie Foumbi, find’s immense inspiration in the song’s message. “It’s impossible to hear this song and not connect its message to the current political climate in America,” says Foumbi. “It makes you stop and question the ways in which our country has changed and whether we’re as far along as we should be. The themes of inequality, social and economic oppression, and the disparity between the haves and the have-nots jumped out at me. The juxtaposition between past and present, rich and poor, black and white are so prevalent in our society that it only felt right to highlight them in the video.”

You can pre-order the new album HERE. Catch the band live at the dates below!

Durand Jones & The Indications’ Tour Dates:
Wed. Jan. 23 – Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie
Fri. Jan. 25 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso-Noord
Sun. Jan. 27 – Cologne, DE @ Artheater
Mon. Jan. 28 – Berlin, DE @ Lido
Mon. March 18 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
Tue. March 19 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Thu. March 21 – Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroots
Fri. March 22 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
Sat. March 23 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah — SOLD OUT
Mon. March 25 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s On Newport — SOLD OUT
Tue. March 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT
Wed. March 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT
Thu. March 28 – Santa Barbara, CA @ SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
Fri. March 29 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish — SOLD OUT
Sat. March 30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent — SOLD OUT
Mon. April 1 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Tue. April 2 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Thu. April 4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
Fri. April 5 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
Sat. April 6 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar
Sun. April 7 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
Tue. April 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Wed. April 10 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Thu. April 11 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Fri. April 12 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
Sat. April 13 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Sun. April 14 – North Charleston, SC @ High Water Festival
Tue. April 16 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
Wed. April 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Fri. April 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Sat. April 20 – Uncasville, CT @ Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Resort
Sun. April 21 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Mon. April 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Wed. April 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Woodward Theater
Fri. April 26 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
Sat. April 27 – Oxford, MS @ Double Decker Arts Festival
Sun. April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
Sat. May 11 – Bloomington, IN @ Indiana University w/ Neko Case
Sun. Sep. 15 – Telluride, CO @ Blues & Brews Festival

Today, Mozes and the Firstborn have released a new music video for their latest single “Blow Up.” The psychedelic glitch-y inspired visuals were co-created by bassist Corto Blommaert.

The worldwide release of their third full-length album, Dadcore, is on Jan 25th via Burger Records. The band has an extensive US tour planned along with a newly announced EU tour which can all be found below.

Mozes US Tour Dates:
WED 23 JAN Soda Bar, San Diego
THU 24 JAN The Wayfarer, Costa Mesa
FRI 25 JAN Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles
SAT 26 JAN Bottom of the Hill, San Fran
MON 28 JAN Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
TUE 29 JAN The Sunset Tavern, Seattle
WED 30 JAN The Bartlett, Spokane
THU 31 JAN Neurolux, Boise
FRI 01 FEB Kilby Court, Salt Lake City
SAT 02 FEB Larimer Lounge, Denver
MON 04 FEB The Riot Room, KCMO
TUE 05 FEB Triple Crown Whiskey Bar & Raccoon Motel, Davenport
WED 06 FEB First Avenue, Minneapolis
THU 07 FEB Cactus Club, Milwaukee
FRI 08 FEB The Ready Room, St. Louis
SAT 09 FEB Schubas Tavern, Chicago
SUN 10 FEB Ace of Cups, Columbus
TUE 12 FEB The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub, Cambridge
WED 13 FEB Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia
THU 14 FEB DC9 Nightclub, Washington
FRI 15 FEB Rough Trade NYC, NY
SAT 16 FEB Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro
SUN 17 FEB The EARL, Atlanta
MON 18 FEB The Basement, Nashville
TUE 19 FEB The Hi Tone, Memphis
WED 20 FEB Gasa Gasa, New Orleans
THU 21 FEB White Oak Music Hall, Houston
FRI 22 FEB The Independent Bar & Kitchen, Dallas
SAT 23 FEB HOTEL VEGAS, Austin
MON 25 FEB Valley Bar, Phoenix

Mozes and the Firstborn European Tour Dates:
27th Feb – Berlin, Lido
28th Feb – Hamburg, Knust
1st March – Frankfurt, Das Bett
2nd March – Osnabrück, Rosenhof
7th March – Amsterdam, Bitterzoet
11th March – Paris, Supersonic
12th March – London, Shacklewell Arms
13th March – Hasselt, Muziekodroom
14th March – Utrecht, EKKO
16th March – Amsterdam, AFAS Live

Los Angeles four-piece FEELS today shared the new video for “Awful Need,” the second song released off their forthcoming new album, Post Earth, produced by Tim Green (the former guitarist of punk iconoclasts Nation of Ulysses, who has worked with Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Joanna Newsom, and Jawbreaker, among others) and directed by Shane McKenzie and the band.

Talking about the track, the band’s Shannon Lay said: “’Awful Need’ is about our search for identity, it is a journey we will be on all our lives; but it is also a reminder that we do not have to be defined by those things. We are always learning to shed what no longer benefits us, we are building on the grave of useless thought. Who you are does not need a title, a label, you are simply and perfectly you.”

Post Earth will be released on February 22, 2019 via Wichita Recordings and is now available for pre-order on all formats, including a limited edition red vinyl, HERE. FEELS are also confirmed to support Ex Hex on a run of April and May North American tour dates, following a lengthy UK and EU tour that includes dates with Screaming Females. All dates are below.

FEELS tour dates:
2/19 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (record release show)
3/07 Brighton, UK @ The Hope & Ruin
3/08 Manchester, UK @ Yes
3/09 Glasgow, UK @ Nice & Sleazy
3/10 Leeds, UK @ Headrow House
3/11 London, UK @ Moth Club
3/12 Margate, UK @ Elsewhere
3/13 Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
3/14 Hamburg, DE @ Hafenklang
3/15 Offenbach, DE @ Hafen 2
3/16 Halle, DE @ Huhnermanhattan
3/17 Berlin, DE @ Westgermany
3/18 Aarhus, DK @ Tape
3/19 Malmo, SE @ Plan B
3/20 Stockholm, SE @ Hus 7*
3/21 Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen*
3/22 Groningen, NL @ Vera*
3/23 Rotterdam, NL @ Rotown*
3/24 Gent, BE @ De Aap
3/25 Liege, BE @ La Zone
3/26 Lille, FR @ DIY Cafe
3/27 Rennes, FR @ Mondo Bizarro
3/28 Paris, FR @ Mains D’oeuvre
3/29 Vevey, CH @ Rocking Chair
3/30 Zurich, CH @ Gonzo Club
3/31 Lugano, CH @ Lido San Domenico
4/02 Oviedo, ES @ Lata De Zinc
4/03 Madrid, ES @ Wurlitzer Ballroom
4/04 Valencia, ES @ 16 Toneladas
4/05 Barcelona, ES @ Barcelona Psych Fest
4/06 Bordeaux, FR @ Void
4/07 Le Havre, FR @ Mc Daids
4/17 Boise, ID @ Neurolux**
4/18 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre**
4/19 Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore**
4/20 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile**
4/23 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall**
4/24 Fresno, CA @ Strummer’s**
4/26 Tustin, CA @ Marty’s On Newport**
4/27 Phoenix, CA @ Rebel Lounge**
4/28 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress**
4/30 Austin, TX @ Barracuda**
5/01 Dallas, TX @ Curtain Club**
5/03 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In**
5/04 Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle**
* with Screaming Females
** with Ex Hex

In anticipation of his US tour beginning this Friday in Philadelphia (see all dates below), Jon Spencer and his band, the Hitmakers, have launched the video for their latest “Beetle Boots.” The track appears on Spencer’s debut solo album, Spencer Sings The Hits!, which is out now via In The Red Records.

01/11/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s (w/ Taiwan Housing Project
01/12/19 – Washington, DC – Black Cat (w/ The Ar-Kaics)
01/13/19 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall (w/ The Ar-Kaics)
01/14/19 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall (w/ Dex Romweber Duo)
01/15/19 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle (w/ Uncle Kurtis)
01/16/19 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl (w/ Subsonics)
01/17/19 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn (w/ Dan Sartain)
01/18/19 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks (w/ Chicken Snake)
01/19/19 – Houston, TX – House of Blues – Bronze Peacock (w/ Poizen)
01/20/19 – Austin, TX – 3TEN ACL (w/ Hey Jellie)
01/21/19 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger (w/ Rocket 808)
01/22/19 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada (w/ Mind Spiders)
01/23/19 – Little Rock, AR – Stickyz
01/24/19 – Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone Café (w/ NOTS)
01/25/19 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In (w/ NOTS)
01/26/19 – Knoxville, TN – Pilot Light (w/ NOTS)
01/27/19 – Charlotte, NC – Side Stage at the Neighborhood Theatre (w/ Dex Romweber Duo)
01/28/19 – Virginia Beach, VA – Bunker Brewpub & Cadence Hall (w/ Des Demonas)
01/29/19 – Harrisonburg, VA – The Golden Pony (w/ Shagwuf, Des Demonas)
01/30/19 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club (w/ Des Demonas)
01/31/19 – Brooklyn, NY – Rough Trade (w/ Bodega)
02/01/19 – Allston, MA – Great Scott (w/ Bodega)
02/02/19 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met (w/ Bodega)
2/20/19 – Toyko, Japan – Liquid Room
2/21/19 – Osaka, Japan – Shangri –La (w/ King Brothers)
2/23/19 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
2/24/19 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
2/26/19 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
2/27/19 – Portland, OR – Dante’s

RAT BOY have a new album titled Internationally Unknown, coming on January 25, 2019 via Hellcat Records. The album was produced by Rancid’s Tim Armstrong and the band were just confirmed to perform at Coachella.

“Don’t Hesitate” is the primer for what to expect from Internationally Unknown. RAT BOY blends an anthemic aggro punk with boisterous hip-hop beats, all the while maintain the personality and attitude that first earned him attention. Meanwhile, the lyrics explore a conflict between outlaws and the police during a post-apocalyptic disorder.

RAT BOY first found Tim Armstrong’s punk/hip-hop band Transplants in his father’s record collection, and subsequently delved into his back catalogue with Rancid and Operation Ivy. RAT BOY had repeatedly mentioned his admiration of Armstrong in interviews, which led to the L.A. punk veteran discovering the young Essex upstart.

Separated by 30 years of age and the Atlantic Ocean, RAT BOY and Armstrong sound like the very definition of an odd couple. But they immediately connected on their first phone call, through a shared love for mixing the visceral energy of punk with hip-hop beats. In many ways, it’s hardly surprising: both musicians share similar influences and often reflect on their upbringing in their lyrics.

The pair met at Armstrong’s Shiprec Studios where he had just finished producing The Interrupters’ latest album and immediately captured three demos on their first day together, with members of The Interrupters backing them on bass and drums. Not only did they have chemistry but they had a wealth of unorthodox creative ideas, such as chopping up live drums before filtering them through an old tape machine or RAT BOY playing Armstrong’s left-handed guitar upside down.

The momentum was such that the project was entirely written and recorded during three visits, which amounted to a total of two months’ work. RAT BOY’s live band joined him in Los Angeles, while other collaborators include former Aggrolites bassist J Bonner and The Interrupters’ vocalist Aimee Interrupter. John King of The Dust Brothers (Beastie Boys, Beck) also contributed production. The result is twelve tracks which amplify RAT ROY’s rabble-rousing riot act to a new level.