Tag: Alternative Rock

Begging Dog: Jeff Kleinman’s Gritty Tribute to Everyday Life

Begging Dog shares new single Common Place from forthcoming album. Photo: Photo By Kat Nijmeddin, used with permission.

Begging Dog: Jeff Kleinman’s Raw, Everyday Poetry Finds Its Voice

Begging Dog is the indie-punk project of Los Angeles–based artist and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Kleinman. Known for his work with Choir Boy, Kleinman created Begging Dog as an outlet for songs that embrace the mundane with a raw, homespun sound. The project leans into garage-punk grit and plain-language lyricism, capturing the poetry of everyday life. (another side, 2025)

A Demo That Sparked a Buzz

Kleinman’s debut, DEMO 1, spread quickly through underground circles. Word reached Dais Records, who soon signed Kleinman and announced a wider vinyl release of the original album.

Clocking in at just 26 minutes, DEMO 1 is packed with rolling bass and synth lines, charismatic riffs, and motorik drum beats. Sonically lean but emotionally weighty, the project showcases Kleinman’s distinctive storytelling and ear for melody.

Characters, Scenes, and Lived-In Observations

Lyrically, DEMO 1 drifts through a series of lived-in characters and scenes:

  • a pushy union rep
  • a mailman with a steady federal job
  • a compulsive gambler
  • a beloved neighborhood homeless man

Ex-lovers flicker in and out of several tracks, collaged into sharp, witty free verse. Kleinman cites Bruce Springsteen as an influence, not in genre, but in philosophy. He writes in “plain ink,” opting for direct simplicity over flowery prose.

Loneliness in Plain Sight

Much of DEMO 1 taps into a shared loneliness, universal and uniquely tied to life in Los Angeles. The title track anchors that feeling as Kleinman sings, “no one loves a begging dog.” Borrowed from a friend, the line encapsulates the project’s core: the world can make you feel like a begging dog searching for affection and security, yet there’s beauty in solitude, routine, and the quiet hum of everyday life.

From Solo Recordings to a Seven-Piece Band

Kleinman recorded DEMO 1 almost entirely on his own. But live, Begging Dog expands into a dynamic seven-piece band, giving the songs a new sense of scale and energy.

“No matter how good or not good you have it, you’re kind of like looking for something more,” Kleinman says. He stops short of assigning grand meaning to the work, maintaining a sense of humility that permeates the project. DEMO 1 thrives on this balance of candor, grit, and hook-driven songwriting.

Release Details

DEMO 1 was mixed and mastered by Matt Whitehurst. It’s currently streaming on all major platforms and will be released on vinyl via Dais Records on December 12. It is available for pre-order.

Kleinman’s latest single, “Common Place,” reflects on his five years living in Salt Lake City, another snapshot of everyday life reframed through Begging Dog’s honest, unvarnished lens.

DEMO 1 Tracklist:
01 – Begging Dog
02 – Cave In On Me
03 – Money Tree
04 – The Eel
05 – Laughing Boy
06 – Clamshell Tune
07 – Continuing Education
08 – Tell Me That You Love Me
09 – Common Place
10 – Here For A Good Time

1765537017

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Demo 1 release date

Paz Lenchantin Breaks Free with Triste, a Bold New Chapter in Her Career

Paz Lenchantin’s solo album Triste is set for an October 17 release. Photo: David Alvarado, used with permission.

Paz Lenchantin Steps Into the Spotlight with Debut Solo Album Triste

Paz Lenchantin, the Argentine-American musician best known for her nearly three-decade career as bassist, vocalist, and co-writer for iconic bands like Pixies (2014–2024), A Perfect Circle, Zwan, and The Entrance Band, is now stepping forward on her own. Her debut solo album, Triste, arrives October 17 via her own label, Hideous Human Records. (another side, 2025)

A First Glimpse: “Novela”

Lenchantin recently released Triste’s opening track and recent single, “Novela.”

“The track is a melodramatic story that resolves with accepting that you are the way you are—‘Sos como sos’,” explains Paz.

Drawing from the emotional tradition of Spanish balladry, “Novela” sets the tone for the album with raw, restless compositions. The accompanying video, directed by longtime friend and filmmaker Maximilla Lukacs, is available to watch now.

A Fusion of Roots and Reinvention

The 12-track Triste blends Latin folk textures with American rock structures, placing Paz at the piano and weaving her signature string arrangements around the rock foundations she helped shape in past projects. She performed all instruments before inviting collaborators, including former A Perfect Circle bandmates Josh Freese (drums) and Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar), to add depth to the record’s sonic landscape.

Each song unfolds with both editorial precision and mystical intuition, creating music that feels timeless while firmly rooted in the present.

Written in Mexico, Mixed with Vision

The seeds of Triste were planted in Petatlán, Mexico, where Paz spent much of 2024 writing about faith, doubt, and self-discovery in the wake of her departure from Pixies. The album was later mixed by Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), giving the project a lush yet intimate finish.

A Statement of Independence

For Paz, Triste is more than an album—it’s a declaration of self.

“I had to make this record on my own—not to prove anything, but just to have faith that music can nurture me back. And it did.”

With Triste, Paz Lenchantin opens the first chapter of her solo career: deeply personal, sonically adventurous, and undeniably her own.

✨ Listen to “Novela” now and watch the video, then mark your calendar for the release of Triste on October 17, available for pre-order/pre-save.

Triste tracklist:

01 – Novela
02 – Lows & Highs
03 – Woman Of Nazareth
04 – Hang Tough
05 – Wish I Was There
06 – Si No!
07 – In The Garden With The Devil
08 – Adam
09 – Lucia
10 – Sin Dios
11 – Save It For Hell
12 – Triste

Triste Artwork By Camila Doring

1760694874

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Triste release date

Commoner’s ‘Change of Heart’: A Raw and Reflective Breakthrough

Commoner’s new EP is available now. Photo: Yeshua Flores, used with permission.

Commoner Announces New EP Change of Heart via New Morality Zine

Tucson-based alternative rock band Commoner has announced the release of their new EP, Change of Heart, out now via New Morality Zine. The title track “Change of Heart” delivers a hard-hitting, emotionally raw experience, digging deep into themes of fractured relationships and shifting personal dynamics. The accompanying music video reflects this narrative visually, using fragmented edits of the band’s performance to emphasize the feeling of instability and change. (Big Picture Media, 2025)

A Dynamic, Emotional Sound

Change of Heart blends elements of emo, alternative, and post-hardcore, showcasing Commoner’s ability to strike a balance between cathartic intensity and stripped-back vulnerability. The band’s sound is raw, dynamic, and highly personal—each track moving seamlessly between heavy, driving moments and quiet emotional reflections.

“The process of recording this EP was truly healing for me,” says lead singer Romin Mattison. “We had been sitting on these songs for a while and getting a little stir crazy with listening to them over and over again. It was really awesome to hear the final product and be able to listen back to the memories in real time.”

Produced in collaboration with Zach Tuch (Touche Amore, Knocked Loose, Zulu), the EP leans into what makes Commoner’s sound so compelling: emotive vocals, tight instrumentation, and a gritty, aggressive edge that commands attention. The release features five tracks, each delivering a distinct emotional and sonic punch.

Meet the Band

Commoner is made up of:

  • Romin Mattison – Vocals
  • Matthew Bryant – Bass
  • Jeremy Buck – Guitar
  • Beto Marroquin – Guitar
  • Tyler Casillo – Drums

Together, they create music that invites listeners to lose themselves in the noise, drawing inspiration from early 2000s and 2010s influences like Citizen, Movements, Incubus, and Fuel. Their high-energy performances bring their emotional songwriting to life on stage, leaving a lasting impact on their growing fanbase.

About Commoner

Formed in Tucson, Arizona, Commoner blends emo, alternative, and post-hardcore into a style that feels raw and cathartic. What started as a solo project by Romin Mattison with the track Japanese Apartments eventually evolved into a full band when Matthew Bryant joined on bass. The lineup was completed with the addition of Jeremy Buck, Beto Marroquin, and Tyler Casillo, solidifying the band’s identity and collaborative sound.

In 2023 and 2024, the band released two singles as part of their Winter Promo series—“Misery Mistaken” and “Whatever’s Left is Yours”—exploring themes of abandonment, neglect, and healing. These tracks laid the groundwork for Change of Heart, both in tone and depth.

With plans to tour and keep evolving their sound, Commoner is just getting started—and Change of Heart marks a powerful new chapter in their journey.

Change of Heart tracklist:

1.Test Your Luck

2.Change of Heart

3.Parting Gift B-Sides (Vinyl Only)

4.Misery Mistaken

5.Whatever’s Left Is Yours

Alternative Rock Band Downward Unveils Surprise Album

Downward’s new album Downward (LP2) is available now. Photo: Downward/Audiotree

The Oklahoma-based alternative rock band Downward recently unveiled a surprise LP, Downward (LP2). It’s available to stream and can be purchased through New Morality Zine. (Big Picture Media, 2025)

Formed in 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Downward began as a collaborative project among friends aiming to blend their diverse musical tastes. The band is made up of Drew Richardson on Guitar/Vocals, Tollie Pugh on Drums, Hunter Senft on Guitar, and Severin Olsen on Bass.

Downward’s first self-titled debut LP came out in 2018, laying the foundation for their evolving sound—balancing ethereal melodies with crushing heaviness. They followed up in May 2020 with 2 Songs, a two-track 7″ that further explored the interplay between light and heavy sonic textures. Their 2022 EP, The Brass Tax, marked a significant step forward. Incorporating bold sonic experimentation, the EP saw the band incorporating near pop-like sensibilities while maintaining their signature weight and atmosphere. In 2023, Downward teamed up with Texas-based band Trauma Ray for the release of Split, further expanding their sound while moving beyond their slowcore influences.

In their sophomore self-titled album, Downward (LP2), the band has fully stepped beyond the confines of any singular scene, delivering a rock record that feels undeniably modern. Having refined their signature balance of airy melancholy and crushing weight, LP2 sees Downward embracing a newfound sense of expansiveness. While the influence of post-hardcore and alternative remains, this album is a bold statement of evolution—one that showcases a band no longer bound by expectations. It carries a sonic clarity that enhances its depth, making each moment resonate with intention.

Standouts on the album include the self-reflecting track “Perfect Food,” which blends abstract imagery with emotional vulnerability. The song speaks to a complex relationship where connection and distance intertwine, exploring the push and pull of desire and resistance.

“‘Perfect Food’ is one of the last couple of songs we wrote for the album, and in the grand scheme of the record, it might be the most ‘business as usual’ song for us. In the back of my head I knew we needed a song like this in the tracklist somewhere. We played through it a couple of times, and I just got hit with this “Oh yeah, I’m definitely in the right band” feeling. It really changed my mood and gave me a bit of confidence when we went in to record.”-  Drew Richardson, Downward guitarist and vocalist

Kendal Osborne and the band recorded the new album, and they tapped into collaborators including Dave Collis and Sean Hallock from Slow Mass (IL). LP2 was mixed and mastered by Corey Coffman from Gleemer (CO). It carries a sonic clarity that enhances its depth, making each moment resonate with intention, boasting a total of ten tracks.

Downward (LP2) tracklist:

  1. Request Made
  2. Wind Up
  3. Absolute Value
  4. Line
  5. Darkscreen
  6. Ibex
  7. Out of Luck
  8. Perfect Food
  9. The Waltz
  10. Rival

Downward’s dedication to their craft has cultivated a devoted following, with multiple vinyl pressings selling out and thousands of listeners engaging with their music online. Their commitment to authenticity and quality continues to set them apart, solidifying their place as one of the most compelling forces in modern alternative music.

Behind the Lyrics: The Stories Within robbietheused’s New Album

robbietheused announces debut self titled pop LP. Photo: Ryan Muirhead, used with permission.

New York, New York – The Used’s frontman Bert McCracken has announced his debut full length album under his solo project, robbietheused, out October 25 via Big Noise Records. Following the success of his latest singles, Terrible and The Feels, the LP dips its toes into uncharted territory for Bert, as the famously known Alternative Rock star with a lifelong passion for pop music. (Big Picture Media, 2024)

In general, robbietheused always finds solace in writing and recording new music because this creativity has a positive impact on his mental health. Having these songs was particularly vital, as he started writing during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was unable to travel from his home in Australia. 

Producer John Feldmann came onboard to work on robbietheused material. Given that the two men have known and collaborated with each other for decades, it wasn’t a stretch for them to focus on pop-oriented songs. In fact, this camaraderie led to adventurous sound explorations, such as incorporating heavy bass undertones and effects and vocoders. 

“Any feeling is valid—and to be able to put it to song is incredible. And there’s so much room in this world for positivity. I want this music to show that there’s room for love. There’s room for growth. There’s room for redemption. There’s so many good people—and so many good things happening.” – robbietheused

Fans can listen to robbie’s latest single, Terrible and pre-save the robbietheused album.

robbietheused will be taking these new tracks on the road, on his highly anticipated, limited 5 stop fall tour kicking off on October 30 in Anaheim, CA,followed by shows in major cities: Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City. The tour will wrap up on November 5 in Asbury Park, NJ.

Tickets are now available online for all robbietheused fall tour dates.

2024 Fall Tour Dates
October 30 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Anaheim – The Parish
October 31 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
November 3 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl
November 4 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
November 6 – Asbury, NJ – House of Independents

robbietheused tracklist:

Terrible

Always Gonna Be Like This

Gladiator

The Middle

Just A Little Bit

Wake Up Call

In My Dreams

Blame You

Push Me (ft. Sierra Deaton)

Gold In The Ashes

Something You Can Count On

The Feels

1729853568

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

robbietheused release date

Musical Evolution: The Mysterines’ Bold New Sound in Afraid of Tomorrows

Afraid of Tomorrows is due out June 21 via Fiction Records. Photo: Steve Gullick, used with permission.

Starting over is never easy. It takes guts, determination and will power to move out of the shadows of yesterday. But this is precisely what British rock band The Mysterines has done. Their ferocious new album, Afraid of Tomorrows, out on June 7 via Fiction Records, burns the past to the ground and builds something brand new out of the rubble. (Big Hassle, 2024)

Formed in Liverpool, The Mysterines – frontwoman Lia Metcalfe, drummer Paul Crilly, bassist George Favager and guitarist Callum Thompson – has undergone a radical transformation over the past few years. Fresh with new purpose and reinvigorated from songwriting sessions while secluded away in the countryside, the band is about to release the best music of their career. “We can feel the difference with this album,” Metcalfe says. “These songs show how far we’ve come. We’ve grown up a lot.”

Afraid of Tomorrows is the perfect frame for Metcalfe’s extraordinary voice. Like no one else on the British rock scene, she can switch suddenly from a lascivious purr to a hair-raising yowl, the love-child of Courtney Love and Karen O. The most impressive part of the record is how much it demonstrates the band’s colossal ambition.

This week, the band released their whirring new single “The Last Dance,” the third track to be taken from the highly-anticipated new album Afraid of Tomorrows.  

Bolstered by a blistering guitar solo and thunderous drum beats, “The Last Dance” details finding solace in something that is not real. Frontwoman Lia’s imagination dances wildly through the track, as it tells the tale of a person who falls in love with a porcelain mannequin and longs to dance with them.

“I suppose it’s an analogy for what loneliness can do to you. Once you’ve exhausted all the dark alleyways of drugs and alcohol, you end up reaching for something to connect to that isn’t real.” – Lia Metcalfe

The Mysterines is set to embark on their biggest headline tour to date this fall across Europe and North America. The band will play a string of exciting shows this summer, including at Crystal Palace Park as special guests to Bloc Party for their huge 20th anniversary show on July 7, and numerous festivals including Riot Fest in Chicago. North American tour dates will go on sale this Friday at 12p.m.ET — complete tour info available online.

UPCOMING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
September 10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
September 11- Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit
September 13 – Colorado Springs, CO – Vultures
September 15 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
September 17 – Toronto, ON – The Cave
September 19 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
September 22 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Afraid of Tomorrows track list:

1. The Last Dance

2. Stray

3. Another Another Another

4. Tired Animal

5. Jesse You’re A Superstar

6. Hawkmoon

7. Sink Ya Teeth

8. Junkyard Angel

9. Goodbye Sunshine

10. Inside A Matchbox

11. So Long

12. Afraid of Tomorrows

Forthcoming new album release: I Want It All Right Now – Grouplove

Grouplove announces deluxe version of I Want It All Right Now – out on May 10, 2024. Photo: Brantley Gutierrez, used with permission.

On their new album I Want It All Right Now, Grouplove offers up a body of work built on a raw but incandescent sound that vocalist/keyboardist Hannah Hooper refers to as “resistance pop.” As Hooper reveals, the Atlanta-based band’s sixth full-length album emerged from a period of intense transformation for herself and her husband/bandmate, vocalist/guitarist Christian Zucconi. Over the course of 11 shapeshifting songs, Grouplove’s debut release for Glassnote Records documents that progression from external searching to radical self-discovery, infusing each track with the wildly unbridled spirit the band has always embodied. (Big Hassle, 2024)

I Want It All Right Now fully harnesses the ecstatic energy Grouplove has brought to the stage on multiple international headline tours and at leading festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. In a major leap forward for the band—whose lineup also includes bassist Daniel Gleason, guitarist Andrew Wessen, and drummer Ben Homola—the album explores the deepest tensions of the human psyche with equal parts tenderness, curiosity, and exacting self-revelation. A bold evolution of the defiantly sincere songwriting they first delivered on their 2011 debut Never Trust a Happy Song, I Want It All Right Now ultimately leaves the listener newly awakened to the wisdom and power of their own intuition.

I Want It All Right Now Deluxe will be available everywhere on May 10, 2024.

The deluxe album will feature six new tracks, including the live version of the album’s title track “All” from Madison Square Garden. With Jake Clemons from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band lending his talents on the saxophone, the live rendition sheds any previous confines and swells into something altogether larger than life.

Multifaceted in her approach to artistry, Hannah Hooper has painted all of the band’s artwork. Grouplove’s artwork has become almost as recognizable as their sound over the years, seeing the band work out the tensions of life through all mediums at their disposal.

In February, Grouplove released the first deluxe track “Chances.” The rapturous, overstimulated, hallucinogenic singsong saw the band channeling their ecstatic energy into the deepest tensions of the human psyche, all while playing with the contradictions and complications of existing. I Want It All Right Now, the band’s sixth studio album, was originally released in 2023.

Over the last month, Grouplove has been joined by Bully for the North American Rock And Roll You Won’t Save Me Tour. Fans who missed the tour or simply want more need not despair as the band has upcoming festival performances this summer at Wildflower! Festival, Bonnaroo and Oceans Calling. By popular demand, Grouplove has been added to 9 new dates this fall supporting P!nk.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES
May 17 – Richardson, TX – Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
June 14 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
June 22 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage (with Arkells)
September 28 – Ocean City, MD – Oceans Calling Festival
November 3 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ^
November 6 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field ^
November 8 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center ^
November 11 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena^
November 12 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena^
November 14 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena^
November 16 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at The BJCC^
November 18 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium^
November 20 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena^

^ supporting P!nk

I Want It All Right Now Deluxe track list:
“All”
“Cheese”
“Malachi”
“Hello”
“Eyes”
“Billie”
“Tryin’”
“Cream”
“Francine”
“Climb”
“Wall”
“Chances”
“Can You Feel My Love”
“Fire”
“House”
“Fishbowl”
“All (Live)”

Courtesy photo, used with permission

1715338520

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

I Want It All Right Now release date