This post has already been far too delayed, so let’s just cut to the chase: October is going to be bonkers, y’all. I know it seems like I say something similar every month, but the mix of new blood and established heavy-hitters coming out with records this month is pretty special. Aside from potentially career-defining efforts from the likes of noise rock pugilists Whores., sinister punks Muuy Biien, and doom metal destroyers Order of the Owl, there’s also promising debuts from emerging post-punk foursome Illegal Drugs and dreamy surf rockers the Pellys. Normally, even a truncated list like this would be enough for us to declare October to be one of the best months for local music this year, but as it turns out there’s much more.
This week, two of the city’s finest purveyors of independent and experimental music, Geographic North and Harsh Riddims, unveiled new compilations, unleashing a veritable deluge of must-hear new music on the city, including new cuts from TWINS, Moon Diagrams, and Lyonnais. It’s a lot to take in, to be honest, and what’s crazy is there’s a fair amount of great stuff we have yet to mention (MammaBear, We Roll Like Madmen, the long-delayed LP from the Powder Room). All this is just to say is we have our work cutout for us, so prepare yourselves for a hectic roller coaster of coverage this month.
Trash Panda – Off
Release Date: October 1
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Masterminded by local producer and songwriter Patrick Taylor, Trash Panda is a new indie rock trio that has recently unveiled their debut EP, Off. The six-track effort is available for streaming/download via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. Check Please
02. Giuseppe
03. Invisible Men
04. Off
05. Aging Out of the 20th Century
06. Glossolalia
More Info
Bandcamp: trashpandaatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @Trashpandaatl
Illegal Drugs – Illegal Drugs
Release Date: October 4
Label: Self-released
Release Info
After making a name for themselves with their energetic live shows and feverish post-punk, Illegal Drugs have finally released their long-awaited self-titled debut. The ten-song LP is currently available on digital with vinyl soon to come.
Tracklist
01. Givin Up
02. Hook Line and Sinker
03. Just Like You
04. On Fire
05. One Last Light
06. Why Wait
07. The Way It Falls
08. Not the One
09. Memory Fades
10. I Don’t Sleep Alone
Illegal Drugs will celebrate the release of their self-titled debut on Saturday, November 5 at the Earl. Supporting them will be the Powder Room. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8. 21+ to get in.
More Info
Web: illegaldrugsband.com
Bandcamp: illegaldrugs1.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @illegaldrugs
Instagram: @illegaldrugsband
Twitter: @IllegalDrugsLTD
2MR Presents: Harsh Riddims 2013-2016
Release Date: October 4
Label: Harsh Riddims
Release Info
In celebration of their third anniversary, experimental electronic label Harsh Riddims has released a new compilation featuring an eclectic mix of local and regional acts. The eleven-song comp is available now via Bandcamp.
Tracklist
01. Co/Coaches – Thought of yr Gaze (Calling Me)
02. Cringe Machine – All the Same (Unreleased)
03. Ramzi – Free Houti
04. Divine Interface – A House Divided
05. B L A C K I E – Hot Livin’N Tha South
06. Love Letters – Nag
07. TWINS – No Effort No Reward
08. REKchampa – Rood Style Taped Out
09. ThinkThrice – Around Earth
10. WGM – Turn 01:24
11. Love Letters – Nag (TWINS’s ‘Can We’ Mix) [Unreleased Digital Bonus]
More Info
Bandcamp: harshriddims.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @harshriddims
Twitter: @harshriddims
MammaBear – Chocolate
Release Date: October 7
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Atlanta’s MammaBear have evolved into one of the most prolific and reliably excellent songwriting teams in the city. You never know what to expect from record to record and their new LP appears to be no different. Chocolate is available for streaming or download via Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify and other digital services.
Tracklist
01. Song Scape
02. Fire Fly
03. Wake Up
04. Ice Queen
05. Cruise Control
06. Too Slow
07. Wherever She’s There
08. Show I Care
09. Animal Blood
10. Pursuit of Happiness
More Info
Web: mammabearmusic.com
Bandcamp: mammabearmusic.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @mammabearsounds
Instagram: @mammabearmusic
SoundCloud: @mammabear-4
YouTube: @MammaBearMusic
We Roll Like Madmen – AF
Release Date: October 7
Label: Post-Echo
Release Info
After relocating to Atlanta from Columbia, South Carolina, electronic duo We Roll Like Madmen have unveiled their wide-ranging new LP, AF, via Post-Echo. The record is available on CD and digital.
Tracklist
01. Stressed
02. Young and Desperate
03. Understated
04. Normal
05. Always Late
06. Woke
07. Tru
08. Needy
09. Hammered
More Info
Web: werolllikemadmen.com
Facebook: @werolllikemadmen
Instagram: @werolllikemadmen
SoundCloud: @werolllikemadmen
Twitter: @wrlmadmen
The Pellys – Hail Jake
Release Date: October 7
Label: Bear Kids Recordings
Release Info
Recorded at the Cottage with Damon Moon, Hail Jake is the debut EP from up-and-coming surf-punk band the Pellys. The five-song effort is available for digital download via local imprint Bear Kids Recordings.
Tracklist
01. Shiny Things
02. I Don’t Understand
03. Hail Jake
04. Celestina
05. In the End
The Pellys will celebrate the release of Hail Jake on Friday, October 7 at Under the Couch. Supporting them will be Antarcticats, Pinkest, and Rad-isaurus Rex. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. All ages.
More Info
Bandcamp: thepellys.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @thepellys
SoundCloud: @thepellys
Death on the Hour: Aural Apparitions from the Geographic North
Release Date: October 7
Label: Geographic North
Release Info
Atlanta’s Geographic North has put together a new compilation called Death on the Hour, a collection of Halloween-inspired recordings spanning 11 tracks. The comp features Geographic North mainstays and a healthy dose of new blood weaving through original recordings as well as disfigured renditions of Halloween classics. Available on digital or limited-edition wilted lilac tapes (only 100 produced!).
Tracklist
01. Moon Diagrams – Omegaplex
02. Landing – Halloween 2016
03. M. Sage – I Put a Spell on You
04. Ekin Fil – To Be
05. Leech – Utah
06. Jacober – Elly Kedward
07. Auburn Lull – Uncertain Color
08. TWINS – Show
09. Windy & Carl – Witch & a Cauldron
10. The Flag – Cannibal Nite-Life
11. Lyonnais – SLEEP
More Info
Web: geographic-north.com
Bandcamp: geographicnorth.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @geographicnorth
Instagram: @geographicnorth
SoundCloud: @geonorth
Tumblr: geographic-north.tumblr.com
Twitter: @GeographicNorth
Order of the Owl – We Are Here to Collect Our Crown
Release Date: October 14
Label: Domestic Genocide Records
Release Info
Doom metal fans have been eagerly awaiting Order of the Owl’s follow-up to 2012’s menacing Noon of the After Day since the record was announced last year and next week their patience will finally be rewarded. The upcoming six-track EP promises to be louder, faster, and heavier than its predecessor, and will be available in a variety of formats including an exclusive limited-edition box set courtesy of Orange Amps and Domestic Genocide Records.
Tracklist
01. Brought Below
02. Wolves of True Diamond Hate
03. Hell Ride
04. Wood Valley
05. Resurrection
06. Golden Dawn
Order of the Owl will celebrate the release of We Are Here to Collect Our Crown on Friday, October 14 at 529. Death of Kings, Savagist, and Spore Lord play in support. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: orderoftheowl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @orderoftheowl
Instagram: @orderoftheowl
The Powder Room – Lucky
Release Date: October 14
Label: Learning Curve Records
Release Info
Athens noise mongers The Powder Room are prepping the release of their sophomore LP, Lucky. The 11-song effort will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital via Learning Curve Records.
Tracklist
01. Vanburner
02. Lucky
03. That’s No Way to Live
04. Abort
05. Deep Dish
06. Black Dress
07. Interlude
08. Sycophant
09. Workaround
10. The Elitist
11. Nothing Important Happened Today
More Info
Bandcamp: thepowderroom.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: @thepowderroomathens
Twitter: @thepowderroomga
Weary Heads – Slowest Century
Release Date: October 14
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Combining industrial abrasiveness with ’90s alt-rock tunefulness, Weary Heads create dark, seething songs that are still palatable to more mainstream listeners. Their upcoming LP, Slowest Century, is out October 14 and will be available on cassette and digital.
Tracklist
01. Sick Sick Scum
02. Destruction is Creation
03. Guide
04. When is the Color of Death
05. Crept You
06. GenXTC
07. Hit It!
08. Bloodoath
09. Tension Rising
10. Lake Hali
11. O, Casilda…
Weary Heads will celebrate the release of Slowest Century on Saturday, October 15 at the Highlander when they play in support of Dead Register. Fellow locals Vincas open the show. Doors open at 10 p.m. Admission is FREE. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: wearyheads.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @wearyheads
Ethan Fogus – Southbound
Release Date: October 14
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Recorded live at the Cottage with the help of members of Slow Parade, Grand Vapids, the Dojo Collective, Buzzards of Fuzz, and more, Southbound is the latest work from singer-songwriter Ethan Fogus. The ten-song effort is out October 14.
Tracklist
01. I’ll See You When I See You
02. Come Back Home
03. Lock The Door (Before You Leave)
04. Don’t Ask Why
05. Old Clothes
06. Windowbox Flowers
07. The Other Way
08. Bloodoath
09. Julianne
10. Southbound
Ethan Fogus will celebrate the release of Southbound on Thursday, October 13 at Red Light Cafe. Supporting him will be andi. (Night Driving in Small Towns), Cortez Garza, and Slow Parade. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 DOS.
More Info
Web: ethanfogus.com
Bandcamp: ethanfogus.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @Ethan-Fogus
Instagram: @ethanfogus
SoundCloud: @ethanfogus
Twitter: @EthanFogus
The Carolyn – Keepsake EP
Release Date: October 14
Label: 59 X Records
Release Info
Don’t really know much about this band other than they churn out tight, catchy pop-punk and alt-rock that’s definitely worth checking out if you’re into that sort of thing. Their five-song EP, Keepsake, is out October 14.
Tracklist
01. Novocaine
02. 12 Gauge
03. Chokehold
04. Solace
05. Space Between
More Info
Bandcamp: thecarolyn.bandcamp.com
Iron Whip – Absence of White
Release Date: October 21
Label: Self-released
Release Info
Aggro rockers Iron Whip are set to unveil their new EP, Absence of White, on October 21.
Tracklist
01. Kicking a Hornets Nest
02. Elitist
03. Closure to Death
04. Blood in the Water
05. Dirty Teeth
06. This is the End
More Info
Bandcamp: ironwhip1.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @Iron-Whip-136378939768534
Whores. – GOLD.
Release Date: October 28
Label: eOne Music
Release Info
Recorded by Ryan Boesch (Melvins, Fu Manchu), GOLD. is the much-anticipated first full length from Atlanta’s noise rock kings Whores. The ten-song LP will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital on October 28.
Tracklist
01. Playing Poor
02. Baby Teeth
03. Participation Trophy
04. Mental Illness As mating Ritual
05. Ghost Trash
06. Charlie Chaplin Routine
07. Of Course You Do
08. I See You Also Wearing a Black Shirt
09. Bloody Like the Day You Were Born
10. I Have A Prepared Statement
More Info
Bandcamp: whores.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @whrsband
Instagram: @whoresband
Twitter: @whoresbandatl
Muuy Biien – Age of Uncertainty
Release Date: October 28
Label: Autumn Tone
Release Info
The upcoming LP from Athens post-punks Muuy Biien promises a much darker and sinister sound, which only makes us more eager for Age of Uncertainty to be out in the world. Featuring a dozen tracks, the record will be out October 28.
Tracklist
01. Moral Compass
02. Sike Song
03. The Clocks
04. Bitter Blessings
05. Another Chore
06. Mara
07. The Sound of a Trenchcoat
08. In the Pits
09. Skeleton Tissue
10. Robbed
11. If It Pleased You
12. Age of Uncertainty
Muuy Biien will celebrate the release of Age of Uncertainty on Wednesday, November 2 at the Georgia Theatre. They will be supported by Bambara and Hello Ocho. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $8. 18+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: muuybiien.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @muuybiienofficial
SoundCloud: @muuy-biien
Twitter: @muuybiien