Cory Graves
Stream New Releases From Parquet Courts, Centro-matic and Mega Drive.
If yesterday's Memorial Day festivities didn't signal the unofficial start of summer, then the glut of new albums slated for release in the next few weeks surely should.
And leading that pack is the latest from Brooklyn-via-Denton outfit Parquet Courts. Yes, between the 100,000 miles of touring the band has logged in the past year, the critical acclaim of last year's Light Up Gold and its televised appearances on places like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers' late night programs, it seemed Parquet Courts has officially been propelled from garage rock hopeful to indie rock savior.
Before the band releases its forthcoming Sunbathing Animal LP at next Tuesday's Club Dada appearance, though, the thing is streaming in full on sites like NPR and Pitchfork. More important? Just about every early review of the disc has been positive and noted the huge step forward the band's taken this time around by slowing things down and flexing more emotional muscle in its still-wordy diatribes. Check it out for yourself:
Similarly, Parquet Courts' fellow Denton ex-pats in Centro-matic will be releasing its 11th LP, Take Pride In Your Long Odds, next Tuesday as well. And the band just offered up a free stream of its second single, “Cross Path,” via American Songwriter, too. Listen to that one below, –and brush up on the album's earlier released single, “Salty Disciple,” here.
Like what you hear? If you pre-order that one from this site, you can also score some additional swag, such as homemade salsa made by the band's Scott Danbom or hand-written lyric sheets courtesy of Will Johnson. The band's next North Texas show will come June 14 at Kessler Theater.
Meanwhile, our favorite '80s-loving, anyonymous area soundscape artist, Mega Drive just released a new one via Subterra Records, too. Check out 198XAD below.
Then there's Caleb Ian Campbell's Moonbather project, which will release its debut EP at Good Records on June 12 after only existing as a band for nine months.
Furthermore, Daniel Markham, Calhoun and Ronnie Fauss are each working on new records at the moment as well. Fauss' new effort will even feature some guest vocals from Rhett Miller, who stopped by Fauss' studio this past weekend for a recording session.
While we're on the upcoming release kick: Fort Worth indie labels Lo-Life and Dreamy Soundz are gearing up to release their second annual Group Therapy compilation. Like last year's version of the tape, this one — set to feature new songs from Son of Stan, War Party, Sealion, Bummer Vacation, Britt Robisheaux, The Road Soda, Doom Ghost, Bitch Bricks, Fogg, Slumberbuzz, The Ape Hangars, Patriot, Year of the Bear, Street Arabs, The Fibs, Vicious Firs, Vacations, The Cush, Andy Picket and Toy Gun — was recorded live at Fort Worth venue The Where House back in December. Lo-Life/War Party head man Cameron Smith tells White Noise that the plan is to periodically offer up new streams from the comp leading up to its July release. As of now, you can check out War Party and Toy Gun's contributions here.
Moving on: Not only have the members of Salt-N-Pepa once again reunited with DJ Spinderella for its current tour, but Cheryl “Salt” James recently publicly cited the Dallas-based DJ as being an official member of the group.
“We just reunited again,” Salt said a recent charity event. “Spinderella was performing sporadically with us and we decided to bring her back full-time. She is the 'N' forever.”
Salt also said the group would be involved in an upcoming Geico commercial.
Speaking of commercials: Air Review has landed itself yet another placement, this time in an advert for Pacifico Beer that's set to run this summer. Check it out:
Elsewhere, this Thursday marks the 28th birthday of local promoter Charlsie Grace, whose The Artist Collective was instrumental in helping revive Crown and Harp's reputation as far as the local music scene goes, and who was recently diagnosed with Huntington's Disease. As such, this Thursday's show at Dada, which'll feature Diamond Age, Eyes, Wings and Many Other Things and Inter Magnetic, will also serve as a fundraiser to help Grace with her medical costs and allow her to see some new specialists. An additional benefit for Grace will be held on June 20 at Lola's.
Meanwhile, Bludded Head has begun to sell a limited amount of “download syringes,” in which download codes to the band's most recent album have been printed on the packaging of needles similar to the ones frontman Nevada Hill used while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Finally this week, Denton garage rock outfit Pink Smoke recently announced that it will soon begin auditioning new drummers. If playing throwback punk is your bag, hit the band up here.
Parquet Courts cover photo by Ben Rayner. Got a tip for White Noise? Email us!
