New Hampshire Rocks! Robotic Hawks Have Struck Absolute Gold With Latest EP, “New Better Things”

Artwork by David SanAngelo

We recently had the distinct honor and privilege to check out the new EP, “New, Better Things, from Hudson, New Hampshire, alt-rock trio, Robotic Hawks.

You can listen to “New, Better Things “ on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

The greatest feeling in the world as a music blogger, is when you listen to a new record, and at end throw off the headphones, and shout , “That was freaking amazing!” , this is without question , how we feel about “New, Better Things , from Robotic Hawks

Photo Credit: Drae’ the UnDead

Robotic Hawks, have unleash a new full-throttle, four-track EP titled New, Better Things , today , (Thursday, July 24,) ahead of a live appearance and performance later that tonight ( July 24th) on WaveRadio just over the state line in Lowell, their “drunk” swell of creativity arrived last spring. 

The band had just finished participating in the 2024 Rock and Roll Rumble, and fresh off the release of their All Business EP – whose lead single, “High Maintenance,” was spun as one of The Coolest Songs in the World by Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM – banged out a series of successful live gigs around southern New England. Momentum was on their side, and creativity was flowing.  

We stared at the blank page and kept throwing stuff around until we found our spark,” says vocalist and bassist Tyler Pollard. “We always write together in the same room. If one of us likes something, we stop to explore and develop. These three songs all popped out pretty quickly – but the refinement took several months.”   

The “refinementPollard references was another example of Robotic Hawks Pollard joined, as usual, by Shawn Doherty on guitar and Brian Sturk on drums – stepping out of their comfort zone. The band recorded New, Better Things with Benny Grotto at Mad Oak Studios in Allston, Massachusetts, a departure from the practice space self-recordings of prior work, which was then co-produced and mixed by longtime ally and associate Andrew King. The Hawks then took it to be mixed by Paul Q. Kolderie, the iconic producer, engineer, and mixer known for his work with Pixies, Radiohead, Hole, Dinosaur Jr., Juliana Hatfield, Morphine, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and countless others. 

“New, Better Things “ from Robotic Hawks, sounds like a perfectly tuned 1969 MGB roadster, but in record form. We were completely blown away.

In our honest opinion, opening track, “Andale’”, may be Robotic Hawks, at their very best . The sound , the vibe …. Letter perfect.

The record artfully , showcases the band’s pub rock energy, garage-pop smarts, and power-pop urgency over three new original tracks, led by first single “Heartbeat,” a bass-driven number that shines like glass and cuts with the same intensity, and a cover of Crowded House’s 1980s classic “Something So Strong.New Better, Things is teeming with anthemic choruses and sing-along verses, and continues to showcase a band growing more confident in its sonic swagger.  

This EP has all of the standard Robotic Hawks hallmarks, but with more attention to vibe and groove,” Pollard says. “Our mission statement has always been ‘As long as it’s rock and roll, it’s us.’ We always just try to write interesting songs, but this feels more measured and well-paced to reveal the personality of each song. These songs just feel looser, but manage to come across as surefooted.”

Through all the spectacular melodies and perfectly places lyrics throughout “New, Better Things”, what stood out most to our music loving ears, is how “riff-tastic” , “New, Better Things “ is . Every song is chock full of show stopping tasteful guitar goodness that we simply could not get enough of.

Go find your favorite music listening spot, and get lost in the musical goodness of “New, Better Things” from Robotic Hawks.

Curbside Bring It Full Throttle With Thunderous And Melodic New Single “Black & Grey

First Album Since 2012 Coming Soon!

We recently had the excellent opportunity to check out the new single “Black&Grey” from Canadian punk rock band, CURBSIDE. You can listen to the amazing new single, “Black&Grey” Here

As soon as we heard the thunderous and opening on “Black&Grey” from, CURBSIDE, we were absolutely hooked. This is melodic punk at its finest.

Hailing from the snowy north of Canara, its members—veterans of bands like Handheld and Frank Dux—are united by one mission: crafting great punk rock songs. From sneaking into gigs as kids to performing on festival stages alongside their heroes, punk has always been in their DNA. With soaring melodies, driving guitar riffs, and unstoppable energy, CURBSIDE doesn’t just play fast punk—they live it. And for them, outgrowing it isn’t an option.

After 13 years, CURBSIDE comes roaring back with “Black & Grey,” a lightning-fast punk anthem packed with soaring melodies and raw emotion. Fueled by blistering guitars, relentless drums, and powerful vocals, the track explodes with urgency, capturing the chaos of heartbreak and regret. With a chorus that sticks and a pace that never lets up, “Black & Grey” is a high-energy return that proves CURBSIDE hasn’t lost a step—they’ve only gotten faster.

What we love about CURBSIDE, is that this band is the absolute real deal . No smoke and mirrors or silly gimmicks . CURBSIDE, is Melodic punk personified and we freaking love it . We can’t get enough of “Black&Grey. We can’t wait for more !

Curbside:

Pat DietrichVocals/Guitar

Kyle DolsonDrums

Craig RetzlerGuitar

Joel C – Guitar

Rum Bar Records Once Again Raises The Bar With “Second Shot”

Boston independent garage rock and power-pop record label wraps a lively 2024 with free 38-track comp today, (Tuesday, November 26)

You can check out “Second Shots “ on Bandcamp Here

Rum Bar Records brilliantly captures the true heart and soul of the local Boston music scene and beyond and, this is on full vibrant display on “Second Shots”

Lou Mansdorf’s ( an absolute music legend) esteemed and independent Boston-based label, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary, caps a wild and busy 11th year of operation with Second Shot, a free 38-track compilation of garage rock, power-pop, pub rock, indie, punk, and swaggering rock and roll set for digital release and available for download starting today , (Tuesday, November 26. ) Seriously there is something for every music lover on planet on “Second Shots”

Serving as a look back at Rum Bar’s active 2024 – full of both homegrown and national bands and artists – and a peek into what next year may bring, Second Shot drops just ahead of Black Friday, and for good reason: Those who use the discount code niceprice20 at checkout will score 20 percent off all purchases on Rum Bar’s Bandcamp page through December 31, including pre-orders, all physical and digital music purchases, and merchandise.

In addition, the label is donating 20.25% of all profits during the month of December to Planned Parenthood. And Rum Bar is offering a “brown bag special,” where during December fans can get 5 CDs, randomly selected by Mansdorf, as well as a label koozie and sticker, for just $15.   

From day one, this has been a labor of love,” Mansdorf says. “All we want to do is create one fan, one listener, one follower, one customer a day, a week, a month, a year, so we can just keep helping these artists spread their gospel and grow their fanbase.”

The free compilation features music that extends well beyond the Boston scene, rounding up tracks from Slamdinistas, The Hellflowers, Tom Baker, The Glimmer Stars, The Legendary Swagger, The Mochines, The Dogs, The Amplifier Heads, Tim McCoy, J Prozac, The Cretins, The Yum Yums, Boris The Sprinkler, Pavid Vermin, WiMP!, Shaggahs, Rick Barton, Jittery Jack with Amy Griffin on Guitar, Cindy Lawson, Girl with a Hawk, The Wynotts, Hotbox, Joe Jennings MVP’s, The Spackles, The Carnivals, Tony Marsico and the Ugly Thingz, The Hollywood Stars, Junior Varsity, Muck and the Mires, Gene Campagne, Diablogato, The Cornfed Project, The Hi-End, Richard Duguay & The Beautiful Decline, Cheap Cassettes, The Shang Hi Los, The Dogmatics, and Stop Calling Me Frank. 

The songs on “Second Shot” are seriously the finest collection of music around….. hands down. We are talking 38 tracks and not a bad one in the bunch . From the Amplifier Heads , “The Best It’s Gonna Be” , Girl With A Hawk, “Way With Words” , Muck and The Mires, He’s Not The One” – absolutely amazing!

Lou Mansdorf, Rum Bar Records , “Second Shot” and all the artist involved represent all that is good in music today . If you consider yourself self a music fan this is one compilation, you can’t miss”