OFFICE DOG
BAND DISCOVERED
With their debut album Spiel from 2024, the New Zealand band Office Dog quickly became a hot topic almost everywhere. Tracks like Antidot and Big Air, along with outstanding songs such as Shade, Warmer, In The Red, and The Crater, were in heavy rotation for me throughout 2024.
In October 2024, I caught Office Dog live as the opening act for Nada Surf at the The Crocodile in Seattle. I was genuinely impressed. Following an interim EP, a new track is now out. A full album is on the way, along with their very first European tour.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
The song carries a beautiful ’90s drive and strongly evokes everything that was once labeled Independent back then. I especially like the minor-key shift at the end of the chorus—it works really well.
BESIDES THAT
At Plattenstreit & Bier, the album Spiel was introduced by myself back then. It’s where I meet up with friends and we share new music as well as old gems with each other.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
post-punk | melancholic | introspective
ROCKET
RECORD: R Is For Rocket
RELEASED: 10|03|2025
LABEL: Transgressive Records
COLOUR | EDITION: Black, No additional information
FAVORITE TRACKS: Crossing Fingers, One Million, Another Second Chance, Wide Awake, R Is For Rocket
PURCHASED: Underdog Recordstore
BAND DISCOVERED
It was back in September 2022 when two of my absolute favorite bands at the time, Milly and Waveform, announced a show – or rather a small tour – in the US. They brought along a band called Rocket, who had literally just two songs online and hadn’t released an EP or album yet. I followed them right away because their tracks Sugarcoated and On Your Heels hit instantly. Since then, Rocket has been a regular in my playlists. They unfortunately had to cancel their Outbreak Festival appearance in Manchester in summer 2025, but in February 2026 they finally made it over to Europe mainland. I got to catch and enjoy their show at Bumann & Sohn in Cologne. Their live set didn’t just include the “older” songs, but of course also tracks from their debut album R Is For Rocket.
WISH
Many more records.
MINUS THE BEAR
RECORD: Menos el Oso
RELEASED: 08|23|2005
LABEL: Suicide Squeeze
COLOUR | EDITION: No information
FAVORITE TRACKS: The Game Needed Me, Memphis & 53rd, Drilling, The Fix, Pachuca Sunrise, This Ain’t A Surfin‘ Movie
PURCHASED: Local record store, Düsseldorf
BAND DISCOVERED
I most likely discovered Minus the Bear through my activity in the forum of the German music magazine Intro, which unfortunately ceased to exist in 2018. In the 2000s, Intro had evolved into a major German pop culture network. Without it, I would have missed out on so much. Drilling and Pachuca Sunrise grabbed me instantly. Minus the Bear became one of my favorite bands. On the occasion of the album’s 20th anniversary and the band’s return to the stage, I dug out my old version from back then. Nothing special—but full of memories.
BESIDES THAT
All three Minus the Bear concerts I had the chance to attend were unique. What incredibly great musicians.
AVERY TUCKER
ARTIST DISCOVERED
I’ve been following Avery Tucker’s music-output since the early Girlpool records. The duo split up a few years ago. Last year, Avery released a handful of solo songs for the first time, followed by a wonderful album titled Paws. The record feels fragile, heartwarming, and deeply meaningful—yet at the same time, it carries a sense of anger and a striking, powerful intensity. Through Diggers Factory, the vinyl was available for pre-order, which I immediately placed after hearing the first notes of Like I’m Young, Malibu, and Big Drops. Today, I received the news that the vinyl production via Diggers Factory will not be happening after all. For me, that’s the moment to finally write about the digital release instead. Let’s hope there will be another solution for a vinyl pressing. What a truly great record.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
Like I’m Young – when thesong erupts around the 2:30 mark, it hits with a massive emotional force. I wouldn’t say I fully understand Avery, but what he’s going through (or have gone through) is portrayed with striking intimacy right from the very first track.
Big Drops – the final minute from around 3:40 is just incredible. An overwhelmingly catchy chorus, with the song already being carried by that melody long before it fully unfolds.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
emotional | indie pop | raw | intimate
WISH
Hopefully, the vinyl release will still work out somehow.
311
RECORD: Grassroots
RELEASED: 08|24|2024
LABEL: Volcano / Legacy
COLOUR | EDITION: Clear With Brown Swirls, 2LP Special 30th Anniversary Edition
FAVORITE TRACKS: Homebrew, Lucky, Omaha Stylee, Applied Science, Taiyed, Lose
PURCHASED: jpc
BAND DISCOVERED
Happy 311 Day! Traditionally, March 11 has been celebrated as 311 Day ever since the band from Omaha, Nebraska came into existence. To mark the occasion, I pulled out my first 311 record, which was released in 2024 as a 30th Anniversary Edition.
Back in 1994, I was sitting in the basement room of my friend Sven’s place — it smelled of weed, and thanks to tracks like 8:16 A.M., Taiyed, or Lose, we were in absolute 311 heaven. Songs like Homebrew, Omaha Stylee, or Applied Science were pioneers of the crossover scene, which was just starting to gain serious momentum at the time.
BESIDES THAT
Due to the band’s relatively limited success in Europe, touring on the old continent has always been rather sparse. After more than 20 years, I was finally able to experience my second 311 concert — after a brief appearance at the Bizarre Festival in 2001, this time in Berlin.
SATURDAYS AT YOUR PLACE
Live at The Crofoot on November 21st 2025, Pontiac, Michigan.
01:20 Welcome
02:11 Cross My Heart
03:40 Pourover
06:06 Forrest Bubbles
08:31 Future
10:43 Fetch
14:37 I’d Rather Be In Michigan
17:24 Strawberry
19:55 Loon Mobile Pt 3
23:39 Forever
28:18 Hospital Bed
31:40 It’s Always Cloudy In Kalamazoo
35:04 Eat Me Alive
42:53 Stay
45:22 What Am I Supposed To Do?
48:45 First of All
49:57 Coffee Cups
53:27 Waste Away
57:36 Tarot Cards
61:31 I Give In
