HUM

RECORD: You’d Prefer An Astronaut

RELEASED: 12|08|2023

LABEL: Earth Analog Records

COLOUR | EDITION: Green Translucent , 2LP, 45rpm

FAVORITE TRACKS: Stars, Suicide Machine, Why I Like The Robins, I Hate It Too

PURCHASED: Underdog Recordstore

BAND DISCOVERED
The first time I discovered HUM was probably around 1995 during their original release of You’d Be An Astronaut and their presence at several MTV shows, mostly at 120 Minutes. The song Stars is, up to today, a hit. Until now, I had never owned a physical release. After an album hiatus of over 20 years, HUM released in 2020 the album Inlet, which catapulted the band back on my map.

BESIDES THAT
Because they aired at night, I recorded some MTV shows on VHS, like 120 Minutes or Headbangers Ball. Since I was still going to school, it was often impossible to fit into my daily schedule. Next day, I rewatched the videos, hooked up the video recorder to my tape deck, and made some mixtapes for my Walkman. HUM was one of the bands which I copied over.

GLARE

RECORD: Sunset Funeral

RELEASED: 04|04|2025

LABEL: Sunday Drive Records | Deathwish Inc.

COLOUR | EDITION: Funeral Haze, Indie-Store-Exclusive, limited to 700

FAVORITE TRACKS: Morning Glaze, Saudade, Nü Burn, Guts, Sungrave

PURCHASED: Deathwish Inc. Europe

BAND DISCOVERED
Early on, Deathwish Records promoted Glare throughout their social media channels. And if Deathwish tells you to listen to something, you have to do it at least once. Morning Glaze and Guts were the first singles from their first album, Sunset Funeral, I guess. Enough for me to follow their future output. My heart and soul are touched by the blend of post-punk, alternative, and shoegaze.

BESIDES THAT
I kinda felt it is time to write about Glare, because this band is on tour in a few weeks in Europe. So, I can’t wait to see them live.

I CAN MAKE A MESS

RECORD: I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business

RELEASED: 04|25|2025

LABEL: Drive-Thru Records

COLOUR | EDITION: Tri-Colour, Pink, Green & Blue Vinyl, 2x LP (US-Import)

FAVORITE TRACKS: So I Finally Decided To Give Myself A Reason, Timshel, The Best Happiness Money Can Buy, An Oak Tree Stand Besides A Linden, Salvy

PURCHASED: Devil Dog Distro

BAND DISCOVERED
This was too long ago. The internet was just open to the public, but no one thought about music websites, blogs, social media, etc. I guess it was the German print magazine Visions with a story or a review for Ace Enders‘ (The Early November) debut solo record under the moniker I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business, which turned a few years later just into I Can Make A Mess. That CD was played on heavy rotation. And many songs went on mixtapes and burned CDs. In April 2025, this record was released for the first time on vinyl. I didn’t hesitate a second and bought this one at Devil Dog Distro.

BUNNY TONIGHT

LP
Season Five

RELEASED (DIGITAL & TAPE)
09|10|2024

FAVORITE TRACKS
Effigy, Duped, Tourniquet

STREAM
Bandcamp | Spotify

BAND DISCOVERED
I discovered Bunny tonight via an IG Story post from the band Glaring Orchid. Often the best source is simply to trust the musicians you like and who cater to your bubble of taste. No promotion pulled out of your fingers can compete with that.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
noisey | experimental | diy | independent | distorted | melancholy

HELMET

RECORD: Betty

RELEASED: 06|01|2024

LABEL: Interscope Records

COLOUR | EDITION: Gray, Interscope Vinyl Collective Edition – 30th anniversary vinyl release, 2LP with Derek Hess illustration etched side D, Limited to 3.000 units

FAVORITE TRACKS: Wilma’s Rainbow, Biscuits For Smut, Milquetoast, Tic, Vaccination, Speechless, Overrated

PURCHASED: Interscope Vinyl Shop

STREAM: Spotify

BAND DISCOVERED
It was in the summer of 1992 when I was 15. We hung out in a friend’s room and were listening to various bands when somebody put a disc into the player, which was unknown to me. I was still in my „getting to know all of these grunge and noise bands-time“. Most of the 1980s I was listening to pop and mainstream sounds. The northwest rock explosion and MTV shows like 120 Minutes, Headbanger’s Ball or Alternative Nation converted me into a more focused and introverted listener. My friend played us Helmet’s Meantime, which was their second album and first big deal. Songs like In The Meantime, Unsung, You Borrowed or FBLA II were kicking instantly. And when Betty, their third record, arrived in 1994, Helmet played an immense role regardless of the party or mixtape. Therefore, the release of this reissue thirty years after I first learned about noise rock was a unique purchase for me. What a record.

SHELTER

RECORD: Beyond Planet Earth

RELEASED: 08|08|2025

LABEL: Music On Vinyl | Roadrunner Records | Supersoul Recordings

COLOUR | EDITION: Purple, 180g Music On Vinyl Reissue, Limited to 1000

FAVORITE TRACKS: Revealed In Reflection, I Know So Little (So Well), Hated To Love, Whole Wide World, Beyond Planet Earth

PURCHASED: JPC

BAND DISCOVERED
It was a long time ago. Original released in 1997. Probably it was the same group of friends who hang out when I first discovered Helmet. On one side there was noise and metal, and on the other side there was hardcore, punk and skate-punk. With all those bands like 59 Times The Pain, Gorilla Biscuits, CIV, Refused, Pennywise, Lag Wagon, Satanic Surfers and so on. When Shelter’s biggest hit, Here We Go, received a lot of MTV airplay and became a party classic in 1995, I joined the mainstream wave, bypassing their first three albums and their background from bands like Youth Of Today and Judge. I always liked the melodic pop-punk. Ray Cappo and John Procelly transported an atmosphere way much cooler than some other mainstream punk acts. I was never into Krishnacore or Straight Edge. I just liked the melodies and the message.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

EP
Sick And Tired

DIGITAL RELEASED
02|07|2025

OTHER FORMATS
12″ Single Sided EP, Etched B-Side

FAVORTIE TRACKS
DNA, Sick And Tired, Whips And Chains

STREAM
BandcampSpotify

BAND DISCOVERED
Every once in a while I save IG posts about music content. This time it was a reminder to read some music advice from Punknews.org’s music editor, Em Moore. Upon clicking and listening to a variety of new bands and artists, I stumbled upon the review of the Sick And Tired EP by the Californian band Slaughterhouse. After some more listens and watching a few videos, I’m really enjoying what the band‘ output is. The EP has been ordered, and the songs will be on my playlists from now on.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
raw | rebellious | fast | directly | punky

GREET DEATH

RECORD: Die In Love

RELEASED: 06|27|2025

LABEL: Deathwish Inc.

COLOUR | EDITION: Candied Heart, Limited Edition – Deathwish Exclusive

FAVORITE TRACKS: Same But Different Now, Country Girl, Red Rocket, Emptiness Is Everywhere, August Underground, Small Town Cemetery

PURCHASED: Devil Dog Distro

BAND DISCOVERED
I noticed Greet Death via Deathwish newsletter. The first song was probably Do You Feel Nothing from the Deathwish debut New Hell. During Covid I fell in love with the melancholy acoustic ballad Your Love Is Alcohol and sadly but true, alcohol was a thing during Covid. This band could be very versatile and has multiple facets. It’s a recommendation from the heart – go get the album.

BESIDES THAT
The song Country Girl has such a monotonously beautiful groove that I couldn’t stop listen.

WISH
Hopefully they will play Europe someday.