New Things from QWAM and Russian Baths

QWAM celebrate the release of their debut EP this very night.

An EP, a Single, and a Coupla Shows

QWAM, Feed Me

This past Friday, Brooklyn punk quartet QWAM released their debut EP, Feed Me. The five-song collection finds the band experimenting with more sounds than straight-up punk rock. Opener "Feed Me" and second track "Glitter Paint" do both feature buzzsaw, punk guitars and Felicia Lobo's snarling vocals. The latter even brings in some shouted whoa-ohs. But things change up a bit on the final three tracks. "Crazier Than Me" is a 90s-inflected alt-rock slow build. The previously-released poser takedown, "Doggie Door," brings back the gang vocals; but, this time, things are a bit poppier. "Dirty Feet" is my favorite track on the EP. It's a fuzzy, kind of epic, take on making your way in the big city.

Feed Me works best for me when QWAM expand their palette into influences beyond punk rock, but the entire EP is an adrenaline rush that sounds like it will translate into something pretty insane live. Speaking of live, QWAM celebrate the release of Feed Me tonight, January 24th, at Knitting Factory Brooklyn with help from Dead Stars and Jigsaw Youth.

Feed Me is out now.



Russian Baths, "Slenderman"

Russian Baths' debut EP, Penance, is due on February 23rd from Good Eye Records. To this point, the band's only recorded output has been 2016 single "Ambulance" / "Ghost." Last week, Russian Baths gave us a taste of Penance in the form of "Slenderman."

Combining shoegaze and post-punk with some relentless drumming from Jeff Widner, "Slenderman" plays like a dark, fitful dream. Jess Rees's vocals are disconcertingly beautiful when contrasted with the noise that surrounds them. Kind of like when you're watching a horror movie, and the small, stoic child is the scariest thing about it.

Anyway.

Check out "Slenderman" below.

Good Eye Records have partnered with CoolDad Music to present Russian Baths' Penance release party on February 22nd at The Saint in Asbury Park. Joining Russian Baths for that one will be Dentist, The Black Clouds, Baked, and Grace Vonderkuhn. See ya there.