Goblin Daycare – Business is Business
Similar artists: DEVO, Snõõper, Crack Cloud, The Dead Milkmen
Genre: Post-Punk
Making music in the modern era is usually a pretty dirty way to try and earn a living. But make no mistake about it – we’re all guilty of the state it’s in. We’ve gladly paid, we’ve built into and industry, and we’ve helped make fortunes for people who’ll do anything to hold on to their riches at this stage in the game. It’s hilarious when you think about it.
Almost everyone is in on the take. And the few musicians who aren’t are chuckling their lives away. The stiff suits in the music industry, wearing every cheaper suit, are a subject of ridicule to them. The fact that they no longer need to make 3-minute pop songs but switch to 30-second TikTok videos is hilarious.
Some of the best punk bands have managed to raise expectations, play with them, and never try to meet them. Goblin Daycare do this on the initiation tape that is “Business is Business.” Heavily inspired by Devo, out there for the kicks and able but unwilling to play rock grooves, Goblin Daycare know their part in tearing the current institution of pop music down.
The Riggs – Stand Alone
Similar artists: The Hellacopters, The Hives, Danko Jones
Genre: Punk, Garage Rock
Inventing things is great. Let me count the ways. The inventor is constantly challenged creatively. With a bit of luck, the inventor will be greeted by future generations as a maverick. And, in the future, people will want to plaster his face all over T-shirts.
Just look at ol’ Nikola Tesla. In between being disputed by Serbia, Croatia, an 80s pop-metal band, and a crazy billionaire, he’s done good for himself. If only Mr. Tesla could still cash in checks every time someone has a business idea and decides his name would be ideal…
And while innovation is cool, improving a formula is even better. For one thing, it takes a lot less time. Another thing – you can make a lot more people happier.
Swedish bands have a knack for taking musical ideas started by American, British, or German groups and improving upon them naturally. The Riggs’ “Stand Alone” is a mighty convincing garage-rock number. It’s powerful. It’s hooky. And it’ll make you want to order drinks for everyone. It sounds like fellow Swedes, The Hives, hearing Iggy & The Stooges for the first time.
Swedish bands have a knack for taking musical ideas started by American, British, or German groups and improving upon them naturally. The Riggs’ “Stand Alone” is a mighty convincing garage-rock number.
