Authors: Ricky Vigil
Local Reviews: Huldra
Clocking in at nearly 45 minutes, this might be the longest EP I’ve ever heard—but I’m totally okay with that. Huldra’s sound is firmly cemented in the spacey, weighty grounds of post-metal where ISIS and Neurosis trod before them, their songs building and crashing over striking keyboard passages, and punctuated by bellowing howls. … read more
Local Reviews: Budnick
I was immediately drawn to this local pop-punk EP for three reasons: 1. The band is named after the red-mulleted prankster from the classic kids’ TV series, Salute Your Shorts, 2. Closing track “Who Wrote Holden McNeil?” is a reference to both Screeching Weasel and Chasing Amy, 3. The cover art by notable punk artist Cristy Road is pretty rad. … read more
Local Reviews: Dustbloom/Huldra
Ah, the split album—it’s a perfect way to showcase new bands and display the diversity of a musical community. This split features three songs apiece and a collaborative track from two of Salt Lake’s most exciting bands in the world of aggressive music. … read more
Local Review: Problem Daughter
Problem Daughter has been cranking out solid punk rock tunes since 2008, and this self-titled release proves that punks can still progress. The opening trio of songs (particularly “Church Bitch”) channels the melodic style of punk rock championed by bands from the Bay Area and/or Gainseville and eaten up by frequenters of punknews.org. … read more
Kristy Kruger
Regardless of political affiliation or personal ideology, I think most people can agree on one thing: War sucks. War ultimately leads to the deaths of good, honest people, and the loss of those people often has a profound effect on those who love them. … read more
Gaslight Anthem Show Review
Salt Lake City, I’m mighty disappointed in you. At the Gaslight Anthem’s first ever show in our fine city, they were greeted by a grand total of 10 people, four of whom were members of opening band Signal to Noise. … read more
Less Than Jake Show Review
Going to ska-punk shows does two things to me: 1. They make me feel old and 2. They make me feel relatively attractive. Ska-punk is an inherently dorky genre of music, and sad though it may be, the dorky tend to be less attractive than the non-dorky. Now I’m not saying that I’m a prime cut of 100% American Male myself, but goddamn those ugly kids sure made me feel good about myself (operative word being “kids”). … read more