News

Oh my! After a 20-year hiatus, post-punk/hardcore darlings Crash Rickshaw are back! The band, comprised of members of Project 86, Innermeans, Rainy Days, Starflyer 59, and more, will release a brand-new EP, entitled Big Sir. The new project will release via Velvet Blue Music on August 1st, and will be the label’s 250th release! In addition to digital downloads, physical media will include blue & yellow haze vinyl, and compact disc. Pre-orders are now live at Velvet Blue Music… Continued →

True Liberty is a true-school punk rock band from Richmond, VA. The band was active for roughly 10 years, from the mid-2000s through the mid-2010s. In that period, they released an impressive collection of four full-length albums, all in the old school punk rock style. “Lost” is the opening track from their sophomore album Brotherhood, released in 2008 via Raging Storm Records. The band also released albums through Wounded Records and Thumper Punk Records. They also contributed tracks to several different Christian punk compilations via labels like Indie Vision Music, Rottweiler Records, Caustic Fallout, SkyBurnsBlack Records, in addition to the aforementioned Thumper Punk.… Continued →

This North Carolina band formed in 1999 & released a couple albums before going dormant. They ended up releasing more music in 2021. One of the original band members Joe Musten has been in a few bands including drumming for The Almost, and was the vocalist for Torn & The Advent which I saw live a few years back. They play what is called post hardcore. Check out this catchy song out. And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.… Continued →

Denison Witmer is a guitarist and vocalist. A classic singer-songwriter in the indie folk style. Witmer grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania attending Lancaster Mennonite School, representing the faith tradition in which he was raised. At some point during his youth, Witmer began taking guitar lessons from Don Peris (The Innocence Mission), and recorded his first album while he was in high school. The project was not marketed to the public, so his true debut came a few years later in 1998, in the form of Safe Away.… Continued →

The Julies was a barely-known indie pop band from Pennsylvania who released one highly-regarded EP for Flying Tart Records in 1996 and then disappeared for roughly 27 years. I caught up with the band recently to discuss their origins, their revival, and their connection to the Christian indie scene. IVM: I’ve been a huge fan since Lovelife. It’s one of my favorite EPs. You guys had some clear influences, but at the same time didn’t sound like anyone in particular. You must have been pretty young when you recorded that.… Continued →

Here is a catchy southern rock song that is currently running through Christian radio. Emerson had her first stint on Christian radio when she sung on Micah Tyler’s People Like Me. Her background is a lacrosse player and a degree in Homeland Security per the New Release Today bio on her. She reminds me of a singer whom I worked her mech booth a year ago now called Anne Wilson. And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST.… Continued →

In completely unexpected news, Noise Ratchet have returned with a NEW (demo) song called “Who We Are” and it sounds darn near perfect song wise for 2025 but also rides on that classic 00’s emo/pop-punk train alongside other classic bands like Saosin, Thrice, Story of the Year, The Used, and Letter Kills. I hope more music like this is on the way soon. Welcome back! Listen to the song below.… Continued →

Long running metal band DEMON HUNTER, surprises the world with the perfect new song for summer titled “I’m Done”. This song from the legendary head bangers is classic Demon Hunter in action and just sounds incredible. Check out the music video below here on our website. Put those love sign hands up and bang those heads to the metal goodness.… Continued →

Rock & Metal… Continued →

I recently had the chance to video chat with Rob Withem, of indie pop outfit Fine China. The band has been active since the late 90s, and recently released the beautiful, sophisticated, elaborate I Felt Called (available on Double LP and CD, as well as digital formats via www.velvetbluemusic.com. IVM: Let’s start on a light note. Cloud has informed me that you’re an aficionado of dad jokes . . . RW: You know, that’s funny. I think he’s making that up to be funny, because I don’t think I’ve ever told a dad joke in my like.… Continued →

The music community lost a great one this week. Sadly for us, Mike Peters of The Alarm has passed from this life and into the next. The Welsh singer/guitarist was 66. Peters had first been diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and fought throughout the better part of 10 years before being diagnosed with yet another form of cancer in 2005. All throughout this time, Peters continued to perform, sometimes with The Alarm, sometimes solo, and at other times collaborating with others. He briefly fronted a version of Big Country, and also collaborated with Billy Duffy of The Cult in a project called Colorsound.… Continued →

I do not know much about this artist, but saw the song on a “Christian” publication of some sort online a few years back. My research has found it came out in 2013 and was a solo artist whose name was Maxwell Lee who also played shows with Blues Traveler. I added it to Youtube as the only version I could find was a live version. There are Bible verses listed on the artists’ Facebook page as well. And no, the Jessika spelling is deliberate as I have seen it listed as with the k and the c.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Fire from Heaven – I Meditate War
• His Kingdom Suffers – Lord Have Mercy
• Lee Bozeman – Collectionism
• Primary Insight – Reparations
• Ravenhill – MIDNIGHT GOLD
• Reform The Resistance – Reform The Resistance [EP]
• Sam Hauge – EXIT 9B [EP]

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Beloved Southern California indie rock legends – The Prayer Chain, have announced 3 reunion shows along with a kickstarter to fund a re-release of the original “Mercury” recording which will be titled “Communion”. This is the 30th anniversary of that ground breaking final album they released all the way back in 1995. They will also be filming these live shows along with the bands playing it like Mortal and Poor Old Lu. Tons of great options so check out that kickstarter here… Continued →

I totally think this pop punk artist is one of the best artists of the past 10 years. His music is so catchy and he plays all the instruments. Every video showcases his musical talent and his lyrics are as real as they get. Be sure to check out his latest EP Exit 9B which released yesterday. And be sure to check out my website www.castingsuchathinshadow.com and my pre-recorded radio show on Ripper Radio aired on Sundays 5-6 pm EST. … Continued →

Adam Nigh who is the lead front-man/bassist/songwriter for Too Bad Eugene and a current (and past) member of Craig’s Brother, has been releasing a steady stream of new acoustic “solo” songs with plenty of guest contributors. Not only are there some new songs but also new acoustic versions of classic (and newer) Too Bad Eugene tracks. These are all available via Bandcamp here and also on your favorite digital networks! What’s the old adage about (music) aging like fine wine? Well, give it a listen and you’ll agree.… Continued →

Shepherd Bridge is a project I found last year sometime through Instagram while browsing and it just struck me, the music and message that is. They just released a brand new song today titled “Daylight”. Like the first single “Armor” which dropped late last year, the music takes you on a ride with its driving guitars, raw but soaring vocals that crescendo all at once with a steady blast of melody and unfiltered emotion. Give this track and “Armor” a listen today. New single can be found below or on your favorite digital networks.… Continued →

A local Southern California singer-songwriter with an incredible & eclectic sound, recently dropped a new single which is a hit in the making, titled “Sunnyside Up”. I’ve known David Di Maria a long time and his music continues to get better and his artistry grows with each subsequent release. Give the song a listen, below.… Continued →

I WANT TO SEE CLEARLY may not release publicly for about another month, but Sower is providing several opportunities to engage with the album. For people simply looking to hear the album, you can get the digital download here for $10. If you’re considering vinyl or want to support Sower in a larger capacity, subscribing for the $25/mo tier will net you a copy of the vinyl with no additional charges (including shipping). Patreon is non-committal and you can cancel at any time if need be.… Continued →

Fat and Frantic was a delightfully quirky indie band from England, active from the mid-80s and into the early 90s. While the band was made up of Christians (at least one of whom later entered full-time ministry in the Church of England, and another who has a decorated career as a choir director), they managed to stay out of the ‘Christian ghetto’ and had lots of mainstream exposure, at least in their home country. When I lived in England, I would come across people who had no connection to the church but had fond memories of seeing Fat and Frantic live.… Continued →

Happy Easter, everyone! He is Risen indeed! To keep the Easter Sunday celebrations going I thought I’d drop news that People of Punk Rock Records are re-releasing the debut Dogwood album “Good Ol’ Daze” from good ol 1996. The album will be available on Vinyl and CD. Preorder here with shipping in June.… Continued →

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. -Matthew 28:6

John Gold, one half of the progressive indie duo, Gr8frt, has emerged with a new solo album after almost a decade of focusing on other projects. Gold begins the album with clear intent for this project: each song was recorded in an hour, keeping in plenty of rough edges and imperfections which contrast his typical nature of overthinking the tracks. The end result is an album of folk-infused indie rock without ornament. Gold’s lyrics are pensive as usual, diving into topics of marital strife and endurance, addiction and recovery, fatherhood and feeling like an orphan, and plenty of other thoughtful contrasts.… Continued →

While there are many bands that might qualify as “Biblical indie rock”, none have been quite so bold to use it regularly – and truly embrace it as their central emphasis for songwriting. Sower, the emo/alternative/post-hardcore project of multi-instrumentalist and evangelist Eric Tuffendsam, first broke into the mainstream last year with TWO EPs and a handful of singles, all encapsulating rich and convicting truths found within the pages of Scripture. This year has likewise seen the release of several singles and collaborations. Tuffendsam’s work ethic has not dulled in the slightest.… Continued →

Death Therapy just released an awesome new song. It’s so different yet catchy and altogether an ear candy pleaser. Even the heavy elements are perfectly placed. It’s titled “Superficial Apparition” and is available now! Click here for the music link.… Continued →

I’m going to take a moment and introduce you all to a new social community and hangout place called “Roster Music Club”. This new concept is explained in detail by the fine folks behind this endeavor, below. This is a unique experience and one I encourage our readers to look into. At Roster Music Club (rostermusic.club ) We want to create a platform in this polarized world where people can connect with team humanity through the art of music. To brothers Jared, Joey, and Jeremy, music isn’t just a hobby. … Continued →

The Julies are back after just 2 short years with another astounding, beautiful single. The song is titled “The Heartbreak Life” and shows the band at their absolute best musically (so far). Ever since this band reunited and reappeared on the music scene, there was just something special about not only them as a collective unit but in the music as well. Check out the single below, on Bandcamp and digital networks now.… Continued →

It’s Holy Week, the most important season in the church calendar, so it’s important to celebrate everything Jesus did for us, displaying his love through the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. When it comes to music, it seems that the metal bands give us the most material when to comes to focusing on the passion events. Sacrament was a super-heavy thrash metal band from Pennsylvania. They formed in 1989, and played a style of thrash that was at times much closer to death metal. One could almost argue they were the first Christian band playing in the death metal style, and they wouldn’t be too far off.… Continued →

Sally Grayson has a new single out as of this week. The American singer-songwriter, living in Germany, has fronted both Black Swift and Standbye in the indie rock field but more recently has turned to dark alternative country. She released a brilliant album called The Darkness in Me (reviewed here). Written from a place of grief and deep empathy, Grayson’s new single “The Empty Place” is a cinematic and haunting tribute to the suffering of Palestinians. Blending intimate, close-mic vocals with walls of atmospheric, distorted guitars and mournful synths, the song evokes the emotional weight of loss and displacement with raw beauty.… Continued →

It seems every few decades, the sounds of older bands resurface in a new light. The reason that complex – kids who grew up listening to their parents’ favorite classics or even just the artist active during their foundational years finally arrive at a point where they’ve developed enough musical aptitude to put a twist on the styles they loved growing up. They borrow and expand on their inspirations. One listen to James Koan III’s debut album, Time, feels like a time machine, no pun intended.… Continued →