In early 2014, Expert Alterations self-released a self-titled cassette EP. Now they've teamed up with Slumberland Records for a limited edition vinyl release. It's as solid a collection of contemporary post-punk as you can hope to hear. It's got jangle and drone, energetic guitars and lackadaisical vocals. The low-fi sound and vocal delivery are reminiscent of Sebadoh, but the songs are quick, their structure and the rhythm section, alternately bouncy and insistent, channel punk like Minutemen and Wire. They jam econo, and the EP is over much too fast, prompting repeated listens.  

You can pre-order now for a June 1st release. In the meantime, Expert Alterations are going on a short tour, starting April 18th at Baltimore Soundstage (where they will be opening for The Buzzcocks--Yes!). You can also catch them April 21st at Metro Gallery (w/ Peach Kelli Pop--also Yes!--along with Baltimore's Boy Spit and Moist--mmmmm), before they head to the boroughs of NY for some Fests.  --Natan Press

In the days just leadin' up to South By this year, Alex Napping, that band with a sound as cute as its name, gave the internet a new single called "Trembles Part I," which is already making a bit of a stir. In the vein of last year's This Is Not a Bedroom, which we suggested you get into back in October, "Trembles Part I" is another jubilant nod to the glory days of jangly, sunshine-set 90s indiepop. It starts all Pavement-esque guitar and crashing cymbals, and then bounces into something akin to a much less difficult Deerhoofish (that word right there, that was fun to type) experimental, bright and exciting guitar pop sound. This is just a very well balanced song, from band namesake Alex Cohen's lovely light, pretention-less voice to the interest-grabbing tempo changes to the on-spot instrumentation, and it shows just how true it is that Alex Napping is one of Austin's top indiepop bands to watch in 2015. Get on into it.

Their website is eerily black with their band name Chastity scratched across the top. I thought my screen was actually scratched I had to look closer...It wasn’t …but by now I’m listening to “Lash Out” from their Soundcloud page. The same spooky senses came over me as the song began with creepy guitars and drawn out vocals, then enters a catchy chorus that kicks in and gives the track a cool dynamic. The solo and 3rd verse build up nicely to the final chorus; which yourself excited to hear one more time. Solid tune! “Manning Hill” is more of a straight ripper! 2 minutes of energy! 2 minute energy is way stronger than a 5 Hour Energy! So if you need a boost I’d suggest you listen to Chastity. See them Saturday @ Silver Dollar with other our friends The Effens.-Kris “Big City” Gies

New England seems to have the whole lo-fi garage rock thing on lockdown recently. Burlington, VT’s Apartment 3 have added further evidence to that statement with their recent EP, Porch View. Heavily soaked in 90s indie rock sound (think Pavement or Built to Spill), these guys pump some insane energy through your headphones. I thought the vocals on these tracks were great--screams, shouts and everything in between. Most of the time it sounds like the singer drank a six pack and started belting out whatever immediately came to mind.

For more info about Apartment 3, check out their Facebook page.

 -Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Upon first listening to Ripped by Future Spa, I was immediately faced with two questions: why the hell did this band wait until now to send this to The Deli (it was released in June of 2014) and why the hell have I not heard these songs before? Surf-punk, lo-fi garage rock--I could list more random sub-genres, but no one would be interested in reading them anyway. These guys have a great sound--wicked loud, wicked fast rock n’ roll. If Raw Power isn’t a collective band favorite of theirs, I would be very surprised. They’ve got a show coming up at Club Bohemia on April 25, which will probably be pretty rad. They'll be accompanied by Miami Doritos, Greasy Hearts and Dinoczar. You can check out the details here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)