Psychological Badlands: Henchpersons Instrumentals is the sixth new release from Gridfailure in 2019.

While Gridfailure has already released five records this year, Psychological Badlands: Henchpersons Instrumentals stands out as an illustration of what makes the Dave Brenner experimental project so unique.

Get a first taste via our exclusive stream, here:

Recorded, designed, and mixed by Brenner at The Compound in Rockland County, NY, this project was pieced together from several sessions dating back to 2016 when Gridfailure first got underway. The record features a number of musicians, including Benjamin Levitt (Megalophobe, Gridfailure live), Pete Tsakiris, Richard Muller (The Third Kind, Vise Massacre, Gridfailure live), BJ Allen (Full Scale Riot), Lane Oliver (Feel Happiness), Steve Truglio (Jean-Luc Ponty Band, King Dead), and Joe D'acci, It’s a collaborative, often spontaneous, lo-fi musical mutant.

Brenner explains:

With GRIDFAILURE, virtually everything is an experiment or amalgamation of recordings in one way or another, unless it’s performed live… then everything is an experiment/improvised attack. Everything recorded in the project is somewhat of a free-range feeling or mode, rather than a song, whether I’m putting together a specific song, riff, or beat for a conceptual recording, or I’m completely freestylilng lyrics live at a show. Everything is meant to embody a tone or mood; there’s a lot of duality in the lyrics and concepts, and I think in a “genre-free” way.

GRIDFAILURE’s records are rooted in feelings of catastrophe, paranoia, confusion; themes are ecological collapse, revenge, horror. Even the most melodic or mellow movements are usually doused in scathing noise or feelings.

While the majority of what I record and release is of my own performance and DIY/untrained self-recording, much of the music on some of these releases are rooted in working with friends; this is one of those albums. I created this from random recordings made with random jams with friends – Henchpersons – here at my abode, aka, The Compound. Most of the tracks have an improvised core with one or more of my cohorts and I recording random jams together, some of the songs have several of these sessions intertwined, and some even have outside help. Some recordings were captured at parties or random gatherings, some were recorded at 4am with windows open, some with three folks sending a signal to one track, some simply captured on a recording from a simple hand-held recorder or device. With extra instrumentation from an outside source or two, some field recordings, and a wealth of editing later, this is a lighthearted record in comparison to most of GRIDFAILURE’s material, but it holds a wealth of personal value above all else, and I plan on getting back together with some of these folks to rebuild/some of these tracks at some point.

Psychological Badlands: Henchpersons Instrumentals is available on Oct. 31 with two tracks available now for a Misfits-inspired price of just $1.38. 

Chicago's Nequient are currently on the road, playing dates with Oxx including a stopover in Valdosta, GA, tonight. Both bands are on Nefarious Industries label.

In addition to this week's tour, the band is also planning to record a new album for release in 2020. 

Nequient last released Wolves At The Door.

Rad Girlfriend Records has announced release 100, a 36 song double LP compilation that comes with a 38-page zine. The comp includes new and unreleased tracks from The Dopamines, The Ranging Nathans, Jon Cougar Concentration Camp, Wonk Unit, Capitalist Kids, Steve Adamyk, Todd Congelliere, The Brokedowns, Vacation, and a bunch more (full listing below). Limited to 500 copies.

In addition to release 100, the label followed-up this announcement of records 101-105 as well:

• RGF-101 Starter Jackets - F’d It Up For Everyone EP
• RGF-102 Faux Replika - Presenting LP
• RGF-103 Big Sad - Send Help LP
• RGF-104 Howardian - Are You A Frienda Brenda LP
• RGF-105 SPELLS - Stimulants And Sedatives LP

The first three Deerhoof albums are being reissued in honor of the band's 25th anniversary. Originally on CD, Holdypaws (Kill Rock Stars), The Man, the King, the Girl (Polyvinvyl Record Co.), and Halfbird (Joyful Noise Recordings) will be released for the first time on vinyl. Preorders for Holdypaws are available now (releasing officially on Nov. 22).

On Nov. 15, Recess Records and Water Under the Bridge Records will release the debut record from Wish Granters. The new project features Mike Watt, plus members of Pale Angels, Toys That Kill, and Atomic Sherpas. The group will release a self-titled, 5-song 12".

The band was formed when Watt, on tour in London with Il Sogno del Marinaio, suggested a project to Jamie Morrison (Pale Angels). Later on, Reza Mireshan (also of Pale Angels) and Morrison came up with ideas that were shared with the rest of Wish Granters, who reheased and fleshed out the material.

On January 10, Curran Reynolds and Ryan Jones will release Body Stuff 3. The duo features former members of Today Is The Day, with Reynolds as primary songwriter and vocalist. 

Following the release of EPs 1 and 2, 3 completes a trilogy and will be released via The Chain. Describing the new EP, Body Stuff notes a few surprises, includinh synthesizer, acoustic guitar, death metal vocals more akin to Jones' work with Mutilation Rites, and a guitar solo by KMFDM's Andee Blacksugar.

Featuring the former Ducky Boys frontman Mark Lind, the aptly dubbed Mark Lind and The Unloved have announced they will relase a new album named The Last Bastion on Nov. 8.

The Last Bastion will release on Lind's State Line Records, with guest musical appearances from Jeff Morris (The Bruisers) and Paul Christian and Steve Neary (Far From Finished).

The song "Out Of The Blackout" is out now.

The Locust have announced six live dates this October-November, playing in Texas, Colorado, and California, including one date with Big Business.

The band went on hiatus in following the 2007 relase of New Erections, with limited activity in the decade since.

Comprised of Bobby Bray, Joseph Karam, Justin Pearson, and Gabe Serbian, the members have also played with Dead Cross, Le Butcherettes, Some Girls,  Head Wound City, Retox, and a whole bunch more. Pearson contributed a guest column for SPB about his multiple projects in 2016.

After releasing the MPLS covers EP earlier this year, Beach Slang has announced a new record in early 2020 featuring guest bassist Tommy Stinson (The Replacements).

To be titled The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City, the new LP drops on Jan. 10 on Bridge Nine Records.

A lead single, “Bam Rang Rang,” is out now to whet fans' appetites. Beach Slang will be on tour this fall opening for Goo Goo Dolls. Check out the new song after the bump.