Drakulas
Drunk Dial #10
Drunk Dial Records (2022)
My first thought on seeing that Drakulas cover The Jim Carroll Band on this was, “Huh, that’s a weird choice.” But about 10-seconds in, everything clicks. You see, Drakulas is a concept band, set in a dystopian, Warriors-esque world of broken streetlights, shenanigans, violence and smut. And, well, let’s just say that 1970s New York inspired a lot of that genre. For the uninitiated, Drunk Dial Records is also a concept label. They ask bands to play one original song and one cover, both recorded under the influence and pressed on a 7”. We asked the label for the finer details in a recent interview. Anyway, in this case, you get one new Drakulas track and the cover. Things start with original tune “Shame,” a new burner that fits their dark and atmospheric vibes perfectly. While the band has a finely tuned theme going on, their music itself (and the ideas within that theme) are raw and gritty, so it fits Drunk Dial perfectly. “Shame” is melodic r’n’r that wallows in self-loathing, but with some extra piss and vinegar, as they say. It’s no secret to people who follow vocalist Mike Wiebe’s various bands (Riverboat Gamblers) that he utilizes “whoa-oh” … Read more
More Kicks
Punch Drunk
Dirtnap (2022)
I was thrown the first time I listened to this. I came in blind, expecting “the Dirtnap sound.” But what … Read more
Ann Beretta
Rise
Bully Me Now (2022)
I've been sitting on this record since it came out, and I wasn't sure exactly where I was with it … Read more
Night Jobs
Never Happener EP
Independent (2022)
I was introduced to Night Jobs with The Shape of Bummers To Come tape. I liked it overall, but I … Read more
