The infrequently-updated site blog, featuring a range of content including show reviews, musical musings and off-color ramblings on other varied topics.
The second iteration of Caterwaul festival took place in Minneapolis, MN over Memorial Day weekend, spanning two venues and three days/nights. The lineup is too big too list thoroughly but you can read about it here.
Headliners included Flipper (with Shannon Selberg), Chat Pile, Child Bite, VAZ, and Tongue Party. While Scene Point Blank was unable to personally attend, we did the next best thing -- we got a guest contributor to supply us with some original photos from the festival.
A thousand thank yous to the talented John Oakes for taking these shots.
For the past month, Greg Puciato of Killer Be Killed, Black Queen, Dillinger Escape Plan, and now Better Lovers, has been touring North America for his first solo tour after finishing a stint with Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell. With the release of Mirrorcell in 2022, Puciato had 2 full-lengths under his belt to fill his set but still managed to throw in a few surprises.
Deaf Club - Photo Credit AMH
Opening the show was solo Industrial act, Trace Amount-- a pseudonym for producer/vocalist, Brandon Gallagher. Despite people still filing in, Trace Amount still delivered a lively set to warm up the crowd. Following Trace Amount was Justin Pearson's (The Locust) latest project, Deaf Club. The band blasted into the room before the curtain covering the stage was done opening. After all these years, Pearson is as wild as ever. He never took a second to slow down between constantly jumping to the barricade to rile up the audience to even running to the back of the dance floor to shout from the sound booth. Deaf Club played a tight set which even included a cover of Nirvana's "Tourette's."
Escuela Grind - Photo Credit AMH
Rounding out Greg Puciato's support for the tour was power violence group, Escuela Grind. Katerina Economou's impeccable growl never wavered as they bounced around the stage to drummer, Jesse Fuente's blast beats. The band ended up running through an entire new EP they plan to record later this year as well ended the set with a cover of Hatebreed's, "Filth."
Photo Credit AMH
Greg took to the stage for his last show of the tour, opening with the combo of "In This Hell You Find Yourself" and "Reality Spiral." Throughout the night, he continued to play through tracks from his newest album,Mirrorcell, and tracks like "Deep Set Eyes" and "Roach Hiss" from Child Soldier -- the latter of which had Converge'sBen Koller on drums. Throughout the set, he would jump up to the crowd to sing along. When he came out for his encore, he proclaimed that they'd be doing a bunch of extra songs and some more special guests would be joining him. The first of the surprises were a couple of Black Queen songs, including "Secret Scream" and "The End Where We Start" with special guest, Billy Howerdel of A Perfect Circle. Next up were Gil Sharone and Tyler Bates to join in on their song "Now You've Really Done It" from the Dark Knights: Death Metal soundtrack. Greg ended the night with Dillinger Escape Plan's 'One of Us is the Killer." He'd been teasing the song throughout the tour, but tonight was the first night he and the band performed the entire song. Greg threw his face into the crowd for support on the vocals, spending much of the track at the barricade. The song ended and so does Greg's first solo tour. He delivered a strong performance and continues to be one of the greatest frontmen in the business. Not for one moment was he not giving his all.
I wasn't the only one to catch Greg on this tour. Be sure to check out Kevin's blog too!
Sleaford Mods
Opera House
Sydney, Australia
02 June 2023
photo courtesy of @k.a.vv
When I first encountered Sleaford Mods many moons ago, their abrasive, electronically charged minimalist punk-hop that framed their rants about the austerity of a deeply divided, modern day England and the trials of working class life felt like an indulgent lecture about the futility of modern day life.
In other words, it was irresistibly appealing.
photo courtesy of @k.a.vv
With Sleaford Mods’ idiosyncratic post-everything melange comprised in equal parts of social commentary, rapid-fire stream of consciousness vocal delivery, rowdy Northern piss-taking and all out advocacy for letting yourself go, there is something to be found for anyone who harbours a modicum of interest in punk or hip hop.
Carried by pulsating, repetitive productions of bass and drums as the main instrumental elements and set in scene by a bank of bright, flickering lights serving as an entrancing torrent of visual stimuli intensifying every angle, the rawness, intensity and immediacy of the duo incarnating within the confines of Sydney’s Opera House still feels as intact as it was when I first encountered them in an art café in London.
Much more popular but still retaining purpose by remaining politically engaged and visceral, the woefully vitriolic emissions and ostrich-esque demeanour of inimitable vocalist Jason Williamson, who manages to embody a different personality with each barked lyric as he paces the stage tweaking and contorting, flanked by beatmaker Andrew Fearn, who after pushing play on his laptop indulges in frantically flailing his arms and legs for the duration of the show, result in a seamless, endlessly energetic and engaging show that musically sits comfortably between Anarcho-punk, Britpop, Grime and dancehall, which translates effortlessly and resonates with the definingly middle-aged crowd.
photo courtesy of @k.a.vvphoto courtesy of @k.a.vvphoto courtesy of @k.a.vv
Mamma Mia! – The Musical
Lyric Theatre
Sydney, Australia
27 May 2023
photo courtesy of Sam Bisso
Memory tends to work either through the reverberation of strong emotions or through repetition, which is something that the Swedish supergroup ABBA had perfectioned ever since the quartet first incarnated more than five decades ago in Stockholm.
The fact that ABBA split up in 1982 has not changed their status as one of pop’s most triumphant acts with a sheer endless catalogue of ridiculously catchy wall-to-wall hits, proving that music is just as good a medium for all the significant feelings as written, metrical composition.
With no shortage of ABBA tributes, ABBAtars and the omnipresence of their tunes, the global musical phenomenon MAMMA MIA! has established itself as one of their more successful franchises centred around twenty-two of the most iconic and uplifting songs of the pop juggernaut.
Tonight’s Australian production features Donna Sheridan, known from her role as Miss Honey in the Australian production of Matilda The Musical, and the emerging Australian actor Sarah Krndija, who supported by an illustrious cast of talent are set in scene by Director Gary Young, sharp acrobatic choreography acts courtesy of Tom Hodgson and Michael Waters’ excellent bright sound design.
The result is an immensely contagious fun night of danceable rhythms with the storyline and symmetrical narrative being mere vessels for the music with the atmosphere that ensues being not a welcome side-effect but an integral component of the equation that provides a light-hearted forum for audiences to let their hair down.
Post-Punk pioneers, Gang of Four recently had a short run of shows leading up to their performance at Cruel World Fest in Pasadena, CA. I managed to catch the show as they rolled through The Glass House where they ran through a powerful set primarily focused on their 1979 debut, Entertainment!, with a smattering of tracks from their subsequent records through the 80s. Filling in for the late Andy Gill was David Pajo of Slint, while Sara Lee returned to take up bass duties. The chemistry between the band was great and was one of the best shows I've seen this year so far. You can check out the gallery below:
Jared Hart just debuted "Bridges," the debut single from a new album out this August. Hart will release The Midnight Hotel on August 28 via Mt. Crushmore Records. The record from the New Jersey singer-songwriter includes guest appearances from Ben Nichols (Lucero), Mark Masefield (Dave Hause), Matt Olsson, and more. …
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Toronto, ON band Wine Lips just shared "Projector," the first single from the band's new Stomp Records released album TV Dinner. Think punk rock meets psych rock meets garage rock -- coming out on August 28. Read more
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Catalog number DER-654 if coming out on July 10: I, Supernova's Asterisms, Vol. 2. The post-rock project features J Foster (Cast Before The Break, Accents) and was put together over 10 years. The 16-song collection explores the universe at large and follows Asterisms, Vol. 1, released on June 12. "Where …
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Andy Blade (Eater) and Bob "Derwood" Andrews (Generation X) have teamed up for their second collaboration. The two came together in 2023 for "You're Strange," now adding "Cat In The Bag/ Junk Shop Saddle" single to their discographies. The double single comes out on August 21 on Velvet Trap Discs …
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Death in the Family, the latest full-length of Living Weapon, comes out in August/September -- setting a release date of August 14 for digital versions, followed by an LP/CD in September via Closed Casket Activities. There's also a new video which we've posted below. Read more Death in the Family …
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Dutch grindcore band Suffering Quota has announced their four full-length, the new Sisyphean Life, coming out on Sept. 25 via 7 Degrees Records and Tartarus Records. Read more
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Fresh off releasing new album Jenkem at the start of the month, the Dwarves will support the record with dates throughout North American and Europe this year -- all listed right below. Read more 2026 Tour Dates Europe 07/01 – Trutnov, CZ – Obscene Extreme Festival 07/02 – Brno, CZ …
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Members of Upon Stone and Human Garbage have teamed up for a new project, a heavy hardcore band named Bloodshed. After a 2025 demo, the band is back with a new single "Abhorrence" as they officially join with DAZE. The band builds of metallic riffs and a strong '90s influence. …
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Still touring in support of new album Foundations of Burden, Pallbearer has scheduled a final run of dates for 2026, spanning August and September. Slowhole and Ordh will join this latest leg. Read more Pallbearer Foundations of Burden tour: Aug 20 Shreveport, LA — Bear's * Aug 21 Houston, TX …
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The Sleights will release the new Don't Worry! It Will All Be Over Soon on August 7, a new LP from the Colorado Springs, CO based punk band, has released two LPs, two EPs, and a split up until this point -- most recently This One's Gonna Hurt in 2025. …
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Irish post-hardcore band DazGak has a new EP out next month with 6 songs in 18 miutes. The record is called Stimpy, out on Floodlit Recordings in the UK and Smithsfoodgroup DIY in the Netherlands. Members of the band also play in God Alone. Calling themselves "math pop," Stimpy marks …
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Agriculture is set to take last year's The Spiritual Sound album on the road this fall on a month-long journey with Uniform and Pure Hex. Dates below. Read more Agriculture on tour: Oct 29 San Diego, CA — The Casbah ^ Oct 31 Pioneertown, CA — Pappy & Harriet's ^ …
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PJ Harvey shared a single called "Voyager," available as a 7" from Partisan Records now. Meant for her next album, English physicist Professor Brian Cox invited Harvey to write a song for his "Emergence Tour." Accordingly, she put the song to tape, recording with a full orchestra. Harvey adds: I …
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Squid Pisser just announced the August 29 release of a new "full-length EP" called Throat Slave, coming via SKiN GRAFT/Sweatband Records. Read more A single is out now:
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Indie rock hitmaker Phoebe Bridgers is back, sharing "Lost Boys" from a new album out on Dead Oceans this August, Lost Weekend. It's the first new material from Bridgers since 2022 and her third album overall. Read more The Lost Tour Dates: September: 09.14.26 — Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse* …
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Celebrating 10 years since the release of Fever Dream, Greg Puciatio's The Black Queen has added a second run of tour dates to the project's 2026 schedule. Following previously announced summer dates, new stops have been added in September-October. The toru features Fever Dream played in full, plus other select …
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Faith Coloccia + Tashi Dorji haved teamed up for a new 7-track collaborative record called And Their Power Was Alive, out Sept. 25 on Whited Sepulchre Records. Faith Coloccia is known for work with Mamiffer, Everlovely Lightningheart, and Pyramids and Tashi Dorji is similairly known for textural and noisy experimentation. …
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Belgian band 30,000 Monkies has a new album on the way, a record called Super Rebound, out on Sept. 18. The band also shared a video for the title track, which fits it's punchy tones. Read more
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Dutch doom outfit Svjetlost, a solo project from Jamie Kobić (Gavran), will release a debut album called The Forever Silent on July 24. The new record, coming via Shadow of Sorrow Records, draws influence from staples Sleep, OM, and High on Fire, plus the artist's own Bosnian musican heritage. Read …
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Canadian punk band PUP shared a new video today for "Concrete," a one-year-in-the-making video from last year's Who Will Look After The Dogs? album. “About a year ago, on our way to Australia, we decided to stop over in Vancouver, visit our pal Sterling, and shoot a video for ‘Concrete,’ …
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