Nashville-based heavy duo Friendship Commanders are gearing up for the release of their new album BEAR, arriving October 10 via Magnetic Eye Records.

The record was co-produced by band members Buick Audra (guitars, vocals) and Jerry Roe (drums, bass), alongside their longtime collaborator Kurt Ballou, who also tracked the instrumentals and mixed the album. At its core, BEARexplores the elusive concept of belonging—where it exists, and where it doesn’t.

New Dual Single: “X / MIDHEAVEN”

Today, the band unveils their second dual single, “X / MIDHEAVEN,” paired with a brand-new music video for “X,” directed and edited by Jerry Roe and shot by Jarad Clement. The premiere launched via Everything Is Noise, and both tracks are now streaming across all major platforms.

Just like their earlier dual single “KEEPING SCORE / MELT,” these new tracks represent opposite ends of BEAR’s sonic spectrum—one leaning heavier, the other more spacious and melodic—each tackling themes of identity and influence.

On “X”

Written in June 2024, just weeks after the passing of Steve Albini, Buick Audra reflects:

“I was grieving, but I was also watching a generation grieve in ways I’d observed my whole life—stoically, strongly, sentimentally, and somewhat individually. This song is a loving send-up to that lost generation. We wanted the track and visuals to honor some of the artists who raised us creatively, including Steve. The camera I’m holding in the second verse was his. Very moving to have and include it here. He was a young Boomer, but the absolute King of Gen X. Missed and loved.”

On “MIDHEAVEN”

Audra continues:

“‘MIDHEAVEN’ goes wider; it gets into this idea of being born under a certain set of stars, and whether or not that has anything to do with who we are. As a person who feels like a lifelong misfit with a nature I can’t seem to change, I’m curious about where that starts. Is it written from the start? I’m willing to believe anything at this point. Some days, it’s tempting to blame it all on the sky.”

Drummer/bassist Jerry Roe also weighed in on the creative process:

“I wanted the video for ‘X’ to have the vibe and look of those by our favorite bands from the Gen X/Grunge era while still being its own thing. Everyone wanted to appear tough and cool while also not seeming to take what they were doing too seriously. There’s such a particular mood of the era that no one has captured since. It was the best time for the medium of music videos, honestly, and it was a lot of fun to try and channel it. I find it moving to watch in a way that surprises me.”

“‘MIDHEAVEN’ stands out in our discography for being so instrumentally driven. The vocals and melody are just as integral a part of the song as any in our repertoire, but large portions of this track are just the two of us ripping at each other—and it’s an absolute blast to listen to and play.”

What’s Next

With BEAR on the horizon and a growing catalog of dual singles, Friendship Commanders are shaping a body of work that’s as emotionally raw as it is sonically powerful. Stay tuned for more ahead of the album’s October 10 release.

Kittenhead is a five-piece powerhouse of veteran musicians, based across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Oakland, California. Using modern tech to collaborate remotely, the band fuses their ideas before coming together in person to add that unmistakable secret sauce—creating music that’s poignant, inclusive, and undeniably fun.

Over time, Kittenhead has sharpened their edge, crafting a darker and bigger sound filled with gender-bending swagger, hip-gyrating grooves, driving rhythms, and hooks that stick. Their lyrics cut straight to the core, blending rebellion with raw emotion.

The band’s lineup is stacked with experience, featuring members who have played in notable acts like Green Jelly, The Generators, Butt Trumpet, The White Trash Debutantes, Blackjack Betty, The Dirty, and Lisafer. Some members have even been playing together since junior high, giving Kittenhead a rare chemistry that shines through their music.

Meet the Band

• Kivi – Lead vocals, cowbell

• dd – Guitar, backing vocals

• Erin – Bass, backing vocals

• Mike – Guitar, attitude

• O-Face – Drums, more cowbell

On Stage and Beyond

Kittenhead has built a reputation as a high-energy live act, with standout performances on the main stage at Oakland Pride and Folsom Street Fair, as well as roller derby events nationwide. Their hit single “Derby Girl” has become a roller derby anthem, still blasted during team warmups.

Their music has reached international radio audiences, earning spins on Rodney on the ROQ, 93.1 Random Radio SF, XXXX Brooklyn Radio, and more. Beyond the stage, Kittenhead has never shied away from giving back. They’ve headlined Reno’s Marianarchy Festival, a charity event raising funds for medical expenses, and their philanthropy has earned them support from both a Colorado radio producer and an Orange County nonprofit.

What sets Kittenhead apart is their focus on authenticity. This isn’t a band chasing image or glam—it’s about raw rock and roll energy, rebellion, and inclusivity.

With their fourth release, #Authentic on the horizon, Kittenhead is gearing up for another bold chapter. You can stream their music on all major platforms, but to really experience Kittenhead, catch them live and see why they’re one of the most dynamic underground rock bands today.

With pulsing beats, untamed vocals, and raw intensity, “Live Long, Fen Tiger” drops on streaming platforms today, capturing the fierce independence of the legendary Fen Tigers — a people who stood their ground, lived off the land, and made themselves heard against all odds.

This isn’t just a song. It’s a celebration of survival and wildness — not only in nature but in spirit. An unorthodox anthem for anyone who’s ever felt the need to reclaim their voice in a world that tries to silence it. Channel your inner primal spirit — this track wants you to roar.

A New Era for the Band

Following the release of their powerful single “Glorious” back in May, the band is turning up the heat in 2025. “Live Long, Fen Tiger” arrives August 22nd, marking a pivotal moment in their journey.

To celebrate, the band will play their first-ever headline show on the same day, featuring a double-sided release:

• The fierce new single “Live Long, Fen Tiger”

• Their bold reimagining of The Troggs’ classic “Wild Thing”

Building Momentum

Fresh from storming revered East Anglian venues such as The Portland Arms, Louis Marchesi, and St Stephen’s Church, the band has also earned spins on Radio X and Louder Than War Radio.

The energy is undeniable. The Eels! Eels! Eels! wave is only just beginning.

About EELS! EELS! EELS!

EELS! EELS! EELS! are a rock ‘n’ roll/heavy blues band delivering raw, riff-driven songs steeped in East Anglian folklore, the beauty of wild landscapes, and the thunderous urgency of climate change.

Their sound fuses primal energy with storytelling — mixing lust-fuelled swagger, earworm hooks, and a shimmer of nostalgia. The result? A powerful cocktail that defines the essence of EELS! EELS! EELS!.

“Talking to Myself” is a New Wave-infused indie rock track that turns the noise of

modern life — and the constant internal monologue we all carry — into a driving, synth-

and sax-laced anthem. The song was written after frontman Matt Rhea noticed people

talking to themselves on the street and reflected on how most of us do the same thing

internally — we just hide it better.

The song blends pulsing synths, tight guitar lines, stacked vocals, and brassy sax hooks

from John Roy (Smoke & Mirrors Sound System and Escape Hatch Records), with a

sound that nods to quirky icons like Oingo Boingo and Devo. The end result is

energetic, theatrical, and strangely relatable — a high-energy meditation on everyday

madness.

Recording Details

• Recorded & Mixed by: Ben Moore

• Studio: Singing Serpent, San Diego, CA

• Saxophone Hooks: John Roy

• Produced by: Manganista & Ben Moore

About Manganista

Manganista is a long-running indie band from San Diego, California, known for their

theatrical live shows, shape-shifting sound, and genre-blurring approach that mixes

rock, ska, and New Wave. Over the past 20 years, the band has built a cult following

with their quirky musical mashups and high-energy performances.

They’ve shared stages with acts like Flock of Seagulls, The Aggrolites, When in

Rome, and Unsteady, and have played iconic local venues like The Casbah and BellyUp Tavern. Their ever-evolving sound has earned praise from 91X’s Tim Pyles, who

dubbed them “San Diego’s answer to Oingo Boingo.”

Manganista recently released a 7” vinyl box set on Escape Hatch Records, and

“Talking to Myself” marks their return with a fresh but nostalgic take on mental clutter,

self-awareness, and pop weirdness.

Independent artist neurocrush has released their debut mastered single, Silhouettes and State Lines — an evocative track that weaves together lush synth textures, cinematic soundscapes, and hauntingly melodic vocals. Rooted in synthpop, dream pop, and ambient electronica, the single marks a bold and personal step into original music for founding songwriter Jay, who previously spent over a decade performing in live cover bands.

The song’s story is as intimate as its sound. The lyrics were penned during a long road trip by Jay’s close friend Skye, who captured themes of distance, memory, and movement with poignant clarity. Inspired by her words, Jay revisited a melodic stem he had quietly composed months earlier on a winter night in January — and began crafting a full arrangement to bring her writing to life.

To shape the track’s final form, Jay collaborated with a vocalist and producer he connected with through SoundBetter. Working in Logic Pro, the team refined and mastered the song, achieving a polished production that balances emotional depth with technical precision. Skye also contributed the hand-drawn cover artwork, adding another personal layer to the release.

“This track is about human connection — the ache of memory and movement,” says Jay. “It’s not about chasing commercial trends. I just want to share music that resonates with people who live for this kind of atmosphere and storytelling.”

Silhouettes and State Lines is now available on streaming platforms — a cinematic, heartfelt debut for listeners who crave atmospheric, story-driven music.

Based in Leeds, The Dulakes have been making waves with their distinctive brand of alternative rock, taking their sound to venues across the North of England.

Formed in 2024, the four-piece met while at university and consists of:

• Ramsay Irwin – vocals, rhythm guitar

• Joe Rainbow – lead guitar

• James Gavin – bass

• Nat Dowding – drums

Their live shows are a sonic rollercoaster – sometimes aggressive, sometimes melancholic, but always loud. Each gig moves seamlessly from one track to the next, often linked by atmospheric instrumental interludes.

To round off their first year of live performances, The Dulakes dropped their debut single No Clue on April 4th, 2025. It’s just the beginning – with a steady flow of singles lined up for release throughout the year, each track promises something fresh, defying easy genre labels and shifting effortlessly from mood to mood.

The Dulakes have already played both support and headline slots for various promoters across the country, while also organising their own shows in Leeds, often featuring other rising local acts.

With their bold sound and restless energy, The Dulakes are quickly becoming a band to watch in the UK’s alternative scene.