The Prize – ‘Wrong Side Of Town’ (Anti Fade Records) The Prize is Melbourne’s hottest new addition, Forming in early 2021 and figuring out a way to jam and write songs in between rules and restrictions, The Prize landed on a blend of power pop and rock and roll that’s equal parts the finest melodies of the likes of The Boys and Buzzcocks and the muscle of hard rockers like Thin Lizzy mashed up with some Ramones for good measure.  This five-piece brings three guitars and five voices that harmonise together for a fuller sound than you’d imagine but the melodies are sumptuous and the music roars. Fantastic introduction to what looks like being Australia’s next big thing.

Buy Here

The Hi Ends – ‘Scene Queen’ (Rum Bar Records) There’s a big heavy chunk of DC running through this bad boy, especially on the understated solo. It’s a smoldering slab of rock n roll. IT’s nonsense-free, ego-free, bullshit-free, loud overdriven Rock n Roll kids and thats got to be championed. Name your price digital singles never ever sounded so good but then it is on Rum Bar so with the seal of quality I shouldn’t have tell you to get on the link and turn it up! pick it up Here

Jesse Malin – ‘Keep On Burning’ (Wicked Cool Records) Malin just gets better and better no matter what he does be it acoustic troubadour or rock n rolla or something in between. ‘Keep On Burning’ is radio-friendly mid-paced with some superb musicianship and arrangments and I guess the high quality you’ve come to expect theres even a cameo from his old mentor and colleague Ryan Adams. Flip it over and you have a sumptuous cover of ‘Oh Oh I Love Her So’ sure Malin being a Noo Yawker just gets it and can spin it however he likes it, punk it up or turn it on its head and countrify it. Single of the week? Too right it is. Buy Here

Demonio – ‘Black Dawn’ (Self Release) Some things can’t be unseen and can’t be ignored so hey look at that artwork – Zero Fucks Given right there. The song is born in a haze of early Sabbath meets some licking of a certain lizard back or is it a toad? Who knows but these guys are far out and the epic tune goes on for eternity if you’re off your tits as it hits a breakdown and then gets the fuzz out. Garage Fuzzed Rock n Roll is indeed the ‘Eye Of Evil’ the fuzz continues, as ‘Bring You Down’ is mega overdriven fuzz on another level. but hey hold on the third offering is a seven-minute fuzz-out that would give Hendrix and Cream a run for their money and I’m sure no illegal substances were used in the writing or recording of this beast. Get on it even if your name isn’t Cheech or Chong or Jimi. They’ve got a fuzzbox and Wah and by golly, they’re going to use it! Buy Here

Dub War – ‘Art Of War’ (Earache Records) Pre order the album that Art Of War is lifted from here

Spirit In The Room- ‘Flamingo’ (Housecore Records) Spirit In The Room will fuck with your head. In 2022 whilst the world wakes up from itcoma of the past few years a band releases an EP that embraces the edges of electronic music like a throbing dark NiN and throws in some sharp electric guitars over a whole headfuck of time changes and melodies.

It’s like some heaving Depeche Mode mixed with 80s Bowie as the opening tune will testify ‘If You Must’. ‘Body’ is an altogether more punky spikey slice of Fuck You attitude. What a raging banger of a tune. Sure there are parallels to NiN especially on ‘The Bird Of Paradise’ but theres more going on here it’s the sound of a headful of ideas just spilling over and capturing whatever comes out. The final track on this EP is the headfuck of ‘I Used To Be A Machine’ which sounds like your worst nightmare captured using the most brutal instrument attack possible, It’s blunt forced trauma with distorted guitars and a twisted melody.

I like it a lot and the more I played it the better it sounded it was causing tenstion at the same time it was calming like listeing to david Sylvian in one speaker and Mutation in the other with Depeche Mode in the background for good measure. A real cathartic experience palet cleaning using the medium of music. Perfect. Buy SITR Here

The Chats – ‘I’ve Been Drunk In Every Pub In Brisbane’ (Bargain Bin Records) Lifted from the new album ‘Get Fucked’ out in August. The Chats go from strength to strength but of course it wouldn’t be fair if they didn’t hydrate properly so fill yer boots ya fuckin bellends and go knock yourself out to this banger.

Andy Guttercat – ‘UTurn’ (Self Release)  the third Solo Single from Andy is Available on all Streaming and Digital services 29/7/22. It’s again recorded by Dave Draper and sees Andy pen his best song to date. Andy calls in some mates to record this slice of power pop yob rock. It’s like a collision between early Tigertailz and The Babysiitters but then again I might change my mind. Had this been the late 80s or early 90s and came on in the Hippodrome Leicester Sq or the Marquee club the beer would have been everywhere. Good effort

Rowsie – ‘Searching’ (Ivy Records) Radio friendly Rock n Roll is whats on offer here. ‘Searching For A Home’ is the lead track and its a sprightly tune with its crisp guitar break over some well blended harmonies. ‘Love So Clear’ is a well worked beat holding down some tasty guitar parts that is a song that has equal parts latter day Dylan and some Tom Petty with a good duet of the male/female vocals makes for a really decet tune.

‘Gaslight’ sees the band look back at Jan 6th and what went down on capitol hill and a reflective mid paced song builds nicely to reach an excellent lead guitar break. Wrapping up this EP is something of a countrified ballad with a chiming lead break that sets the song on fire. For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/rowsieband

The Right Here – ‘Reckless Kind’ (i94 Recordings) New single from Minneapolis’ The Right Here out on the Detroit label I-94 Recordings. “Reckless Kind” is an uptempo song that harks back to the roots of Minneapolis rockers The Replacements and some of the spirit of Husker Du as well as subtle shades of Green On Red when they cut loose. This is the 4th installment in the “B” side Detroit covers series. They put their spin on the ’90s classic“Molly” (Sixteen Candles Down the Drain) from Sponge. In a thoroughly enjoyable slab of foot stomping heartfelt honest to God rock n roll. what’s better? Not a lot when it’s played with this much gusto and spirit, excellent tunes.