Gold Steps Shares Stunning New single + Video “Missing Out”

We recently had the amazing opportunity to check out the new single + video for “Missing Out” from Milwaukee based alternative outfit Gold Steps . You can listen to “Missing Out”Here and you can watch the video below

GOLD STEPS is a vibrant female-fronted alternative band that has a high energy sound and vibe that is absolutely electric. “Missing Out” grabs your attention right from the start, Gold Steps is a band that you need to know about.

The single brings to light the relatable feeling that many people deal with of being enough outside of comparison of the others around us and the struggle that can ensue in one’s mind. When discussing the message behind the track, vocalist Betty Mauritz stated, “Social media is every artist’s cross to bear, and lately I’ve found myself slipping farther down the rabbit hole of comparison, envy, and exhaustion. It’s not enough to keep up with your neighbor; now you have to keep up with peers across the world. I crave the simplicity of shutting out the noise, and being able to be okay with who I am, where I am, without caring what anyone else is up to. Missing Out describes the internal struggle of closing my social media apps and setting down the phone, filled with confidence that I am enough for me…only to return within moments and curse myself for being sucked back into the filtered, cringey, oversharing mess of it all.”

When going through the concept of the music video for “Missing Out,” the band wanted to keep it simple but impactful. “The video features me walking alone through familiar spaces in the city, and though I’m surrounded by people, I don’t interact with them. Am I lonely and hoping to connect with them, confident and comfortable to just exist without anyone else, or wishing I were alone somewhere else? Do they even notice me, or is everyone too concerned with themselves?,” Mauritz shared. “Just like social media, being constantly exposed to other people can be overstimulating, inspire confidence, or leave you feeling incredibly lonely… sometimes all at the same time.”

“Missing Out” is an honest and authentic track that features flawless vocals and strong vibrant melodies. We are all in on Gold Steps , do yourself a favor and check them out, it will most definitely be the highlight of your day

The Dick Cavett Show’ Returns… for Five Minutes… And It Is Brilliant!

We recently had the absolute thrill to check out the magical new video for “Dick Cavett” from Marc Ribler’s Story Road. you can check out the video below

First we want just come out and say that this is probably one of the most creative videos we have seen in quite some time . The “Dick Cavett” video from Wicked Cool Record’s Mark Ribler’s Story Road is absolutely genius.

Renowned Rock n Roll figure Marc Ribler, a multifaceted artist (singer, songwriter, musician, and producer) who has served as the 
longtime musical director for Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
is living proof that dreams can indeed materialize.

Photo credit – Tom Parr

Ribler explains, Like so many of us, I grew up with the Dick Cavett show. In retrospect it is eminently clear that Dick was one of the most important presenters of the rock ‘n’ roll renaissance, not to mention introducing all the key players in every awe-inspiring and earth-shaking event happening in our culture in the 60s, 70s and beyond.

I had a dream that one fine day I wrote a song called “Dick Cavett”, In some 5th dimension magical, mystical reality, Dick heard the song, loved it and asked if I’d like to come to his house to make a music video. Either I’m in a 60s time warp tripping my ass off, or this dream has come true. Many thanks to Dick and his lovely wife Martha – who also appears in the video.”

The “Dick Cavett” video was directed by longtime Cavett collaborator 
Robert Bader and produced by SiriusXM Underground Garage personality 
Rich Russo and Bader.

Ribler and his star-studded entourage — which includes Sopranos actors Maureen Van Zandt (“Gabriella Dante”) and Vincent Pastore (“Big Pussy”) — pay a visit to Cavett’s Connecticut residence, proving the old adage that the show must go on…

Featuring vintage clips of iconic guests like Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Janis Joplin, and many more from The Dick Cavett Show, Ribler’s “Dick Cavett” music video is a nostalgic, affectionate, and irreverent homage to the namesake of the song.

March 4, 2024 will mark 56 years since the culture-defining Dick Cavett Show premiered on ABC. The Emmy award-winning program featured interviews with major figures in pop culture, rock and roll, jazz, politics, art, literature, sports and beyond.

Co-written and co-produced by Ribler and Stevie Van Zandt, “Dick 
Cavett” is the latest single off ‘Armageddon’, the new album from Marc
Ribler’s Story Road.

Marc Ribler’s “Dick Cavett” was recently named one of top 10 “Coolest Songs In The World” by listeners of SiriusXM’s The Underground Garage.

His band Story Road, features Ribler on guitar and vocals, Charley Drayton on Drums and Jack Daley on bass. For the latest album ‘Armageddon‘, the trio hunkered down in a rock n roll bunker called Dug Deep Studios and poured their hearts and souls into Ribler’s songs during the cold dark days of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Buy/Stream the album ‘Armageddon’Here

Buy the “Dick Cavett” 7″ single  Here

We Are So Excited For All The Cool Stuff That The DollyRots Have Planned!!!

Photo by Jen Rosenstein

It’s been a while since we’ve said it but…. Have we mentioned how much we adore The Dollyrots ???

The Dollyrots are pure fun and we are on board for absolutely all of it!

The Dollyrots, Kelly Ogden (bass and vocals), Luis Cabezas (guitar and vocals), with Simon Hancock as their current touring drummer are ready to kick 2024 into high gear as they get set for a January tour run with Bowling For Soup and Lit, tickets available now at https://www.dollyrots.com/tour. In March the band will tour with Gymshorts as support, tickets go on sale on December 8. Full list of dates is below.

If you live even remotely close to any of these tour stops , you owe it to your music loving soul to go see The Dollyrots live .

They also have delivered a spectacular lyric video for “Tonight With You” from their recent album release “Night Owls” you can watch the video below

For our take on wild teenage abandon for this newest album we’re offering up “Tonight With You”. The feel of riding fast in a car with your crush and the tingling sensation of knowing it’s just a little bit naughty. Of all the songs on the new album “Night Owls” it’s the one that sounds most like vintage Dollyrots, and if it does that’s intentional,” shares Ogden

On Night Owls, the Dollyrots once again highlight their ability to craft music that resonates deeply, whether it’s through high-energy punk tracks or introspective ballads. Each track brings its own flair, with subtle tweaks and shifts that keep the listening experience fresh from start to finish. Hear Night Owls at your favorite streaming platform Here

Mark your calendars for “A Dollyrots Valentine’s Day Serenade” on Saturday, February 10th at 1:00 pm pst / 4:00 pm est. Get your ticket for this ‘pay what you can’ show Here

Tour dates:

January with Bowling For Soup and Lit

1/21 at Revolution in Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/23 at Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola, FL

1/24 at Southport Hall in New Orleans, LA

1/25 at Ponte Verde Concert Hall in Ponte Verde, FL

1/26 at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL

1/28 at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, FL

March –

3/7 at X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy, WI with Gymshorts

3/8 at James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW in Minneapolis, MN with Gymshorts

3/9 at Reggie’s in Chicago, IL with Gymshorts

3/10 at Old Rock House in St. Louis, MO with Gymshorts

3/11 at Night Shop in Bloomington, IL with Gymshorts

3/12 at Southgate House in Newport, KY with Gymshorts

3/13 at Melody House in Indianapolis, IN with Gymshorts

3/14 at Rumba Café in Columbus, OH with Gymshorts

3/15 at Sanctuary in Detroit, MI with local support

3/16 at Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH with local support

Be sure to catch The Dollyrots this winter, anyway you can, you won’t regret it!

Jonah Kagen Delivers Stunningly Beautiful New Single “Made Up My Mind” Featuring Lily Meola

We recently had the amazing opportunity to check out the amazing new single “Made Up My Mind” from singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen featuring Lily Meola . Jonah is also announcing today that his new EP The Roads,’ out December 1st on Arista Records. “Made Up My Mind is the final pre-release single before the EP is released it also accompanied with a music video directed by David Od

You can listen to “Made Up My Mind”Here You can also check out the video below

Blending Jonah and Lily’s soothing vocals atop lush, guitar-driven instrumentation, “Made Up My Mind” is a beautiful convergence of Jonah and Lily’s distinct musical styles. “‘Made Up My Mind’ is one of those songs that felt special from day one,” says Jonah. It’s a bit different for me, but I had so much fun experimenting with the sound and working with incredible people like Lily. She really brought the song to life.”

Lily adds, “this song is much darker than anything I’ve done before, but it’s always good to get out of your comfort zone! I really enjoyed working with Jonah, he is talented beyond measure and I’m just so stoked to be a part of this song!”

The 23-year-old singer and songwriter grew up in Savannah, Georgia and took up guitar at the age of six, diving deep into the instrument’s technical aspects after his jazz musician grandfather showed him performance videos. He further found inspiration in the music of guitarist Andy McKee, whose finger-style technique lit a creative fire within.

Already cutting impressive figures with over 200 million global streams, 2.6 million monthly listeners, Jonah is now preparing to share his sophomore EP, ‘The Roads,’ out December 1st. The EP arrives as Jonah wraps up his tour supporting Phillip Phillips, which he joined after concluding his first-ever headline tour.

We have been reviewing music here at The Whole Kameese in some form or another for a long time . However, we never get tired of hearing when two artists bring their unique styles to collaborate on a song- It is simply magical . Jonah Kagen and Lily Meola have given us an absolute musical gem with “Made Up My Mind”

Los Angeles Punk Band Death Lens Sign To Epitaph Records & Share Epic Anthemic Label Debut “Vacant”

Photo : Derek Pearlman

Hailing from East Los Angeles, alt-punk staples Death Lens proudly announce their signing to Epitaph Records. Comprised of Bryan Torres, Matt Silva, Jhon Reyes, and Eduardo Contreras, the foursome has three albums under their belts, a split EP with The Frights, and opened for acts such as Enjoy, Together Pangea, Cherry Glazerr, Militarie Gun and many more. Reflecting on the occasion, the band enthuses,

Coming from absolutely nothing to getting signed by a label we grew up idolizing and always dreaming we’d be on is an incredible honor. We are still in awe that we get to share our name with such a legendary roster. To be a part of this legacy is so insane… we still can’t wrap our heads around it! Hard work pays off and we thank Epitaph for this once in a lifetime chance.”

You can listen to “Vacant” from Death Lens Here and you can watch the video below

I hold Vacant dear to my heart because it tells my everyday story of existing with social anxiety and relying on alcohol to break that since I was young,” Torres discloses. “Growing up with ADHD, I turned to alcohol as a way to slow my mind and feel normal around people, but it became a vice. Now that I’m older I’m trying to break that habit and try sobriety, but with sobriety comes a vacant feeling at times. My new obsession is writing and journaling how I feel to fill those voids, and that’s where the lyrics of Vacant came together.”

On their 2022 album ‘No Luck, Death Lens were inspired by the turmoil and culmination of racial injustice of 2020. They set out to make an honest album that encapsulates the anxieties and hardships of life, while ultimately conveying a positive message that there is light at the end of the tunnel. As living proof of this themselves, the band grew up as minorities in a place with constant harassment by police and heavy gang violence. Their paths could have gone other ways, but they’ve chosen positivity and strive to be a light for their communities, their fans and each other.

We are 100% all in on Death Lens and their killer new single and video “Vacant” Death Lens has a familiar sound ( We hear shades of Rancid with a little bit of grunge . However one is crystal clear about Death Lens they bring a unique and blazing sound that is all their own, and …. We freaking love it.

Since the release of No Luck, Death Lens have been continuously reaching new heights. They performed at Treefort Fest, toured around the country with Militarie Gun and Together Pangea, and are one of the most played bands on SiriusXM Faction Punk. Their songs have been added to huge playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, with confirmed syncs in MTV’s Ridiculousness and EA’s NHL Video Game. After selling out two headline shows at The Echo in their hometown, 2023 is shaping up to be their biggest year yet. And we can’t wait !!!

The Dollyrots Release Official Video For “Night Owl” And… It’s Amazing.

We are beyond excited to check out the official video for “Night Owl” from The Dollyrots . “Night Owl “ will be featured on the new album “Night Owls “ which, will be released via Wicked Cool Records on October 13th

You can watch the video for “Night Owl” below

The video is directed by Steven Shea ( Abyssmal Entertainment)

Photo credit – Jen Rosenstein

We cut the “Night Owl” video in Los Angeles. The streets of the city are the place where we spent so many reckless nights running from rock show to rock show, cutting our teeth in the music scene. We’re a different kind of Night Owl now, making music & allowing creativity to happen after we put the kids to sleep” – says bassist and singer Kelly Ogden.

The song has already been deemed The Coolest Song In The World on Sirius XM’s Underground Garage, garnering a featured spot with heavy rotation. The Night Owls full-length album will be out on October 13 on Wicked Cool Records. You can pre-order it here direct from the band:Here

The album can also be Pre-Saved on all digital platforms Here

For Night Owls, The Dollyrots once again enlisted longtime collaborator John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, All Time Low, Meet Me At the Altar) who is responsible for the bulk of production credit. Every pre-order comes with an instant download of the songs “Night Owl” and “Hey Girl”. Pre-orders made directly from the band’s site will receive additional downloads that include demos and alternative versions that will be delivered in advance of the October 13th release date. In addition, the band is offering one-of-a-kind and limited items with Night Owls pre-orders that include stage gear, custom guitars, phone calls from the band, private acoustic house party performances, band wardrobe, lots of bundles, and more. You can check it out Here

Photo credit- Jen Rosenstein

We are absolutely anxiously awaiting the release of “Night Owls” from the Dollyrots . In the meantime we will keep the “Night Owl” video on repeat.

Tour dates:

With Smoking Popes

8/30 • Space Ballroom • Hamden, CT

With Tsunami Bomb

8/31 • Sonia • Boston, MA

9/1 • Camp Punksylvania • Scranton, PA

9/2 • DC9 • Washington, DC

9/3 • Amityville Music Hall • Amityville, NY

10/11 • Milkboy • Philadelphia, PA

10/12 • Metro Gallery • Baltimore, MD

10/13 • Album Release Party • New York, NY

10/14 • Cafe Nine • New Haven, CT

10/15 • Alchemy • Providence, RI

11/1 • Jack Rabbits • Jacksonville, FL

11/2 • The Earl • Atlanta, GA

11/3 • The Cobra • Nashville, TN

11/4 • The Bark • Tallahassee, FL

11/5 • Crowbar • Tampa, FL

Loved Up Delivers A Melodic Gem With “You Think You Know Somebody “

Photo Credit Alex Buck Cover and Layout-Joseph Calleiro

We recently checked out L.A. based band Loved Up and their latest single “You Think You Know Somebody “

You can check “You Think You Know Somebody” on Spotify Here and on Apple Music Here. You can watch the music video below.

We fell instantly for the melodic sounds of Loved Up . Loved Up has this amazing punk vibe with hard core under tones that we couldn’t get enough of . On their latest single You Think You Know Somebody “ the band is firing on all cylinders. We found ourselves singing along almost immediately.

Catchy and infectious melodies and hooks coupled with flawless vocals, make Loved Up and their amazing tune “You Think You Know Somebody “ a can’t miss

German Hardcore Punks Phantom Bay Release New Single + Video “Airtight”; New EP ‘Underground’ Out September 8th on KROD Records; Playing FEST This Fall

We recently checked out the new single + video for “Airtight” from German hard core punks Phantom Bay . “Airtight” will be featured on the bands new EP “Underground “ which, will be out September 8th on KROD Records.

You can listen to “Airtight” on Spotify Here and on Apple Music Here You can also watch the video for “Airtight” below which , was directed and shot by Phantom Bay guitarist Max Schulz

On their nuanced follow-up EP “Underground”, Phantom Bay delivers infectious and cohesive songwriting, which cuts straight to the chase. From the riff-ladden opener “Airtight”, to the groovy lead single “Ends Meet” and the anthemic closer “Collective Decline”, Phantom Bay demonstrates how versatile and expansive a punk record can sound in 2023.

Phantom Bay are expert level musicians who play with such precision, power and passion.

What makes Phantom Bay stand out, is how they are able to balance a hardcore sound with a melodic sound, without compromise.

We are all in on the latest single “Airtight”

Marc Schulz of Phantom Bay (who shot and directed the video) shares:The video deals with everyday consumption, in particular how we tend to justify our own, often unhealthy consumption patterns and talk ourselves out of criticism. We buy so much stuff we don’t need, don’t care where things come from and who we’re supporting silently. The song and video is a call to think more before you make a purchase.”

Underground” is set for release on September 8th 2023 through Krod Records.

Pre-save the ‘Underground’ EP here: Here

Vinyl and merch bundle pre orders are now available through:Clever Eagle Records (North America )

K rod Records (Europe ,UK)

Bitters And Distractions Deliver Absolute Punk Rock Perfection with Video For “Existentialism In A Car “

When we first heard that Long Island,Ny based duo Jeremy Quitko and Travis Johnides better known as Bitters And Distractions were an acoustic duo who played punk rock , we were instantly intrigued

Bitters And Distractions play real honest to goodness punk rock that because it is done acoustically is perhaps the most organic and genuine form of punk we have ever heard . So we found our favorite music video watching spot and checked out the video for “Existentialism In A Car “ which you can watch for yourself below (Spoiler Alert: It’s freaking amazing)

First things first … “Existentialism In A Car” isn’t just a good song…. It’s a freaking Great song. “Existentialism In A Car “ is a brilliantly crafted smartly written song that has an undeniable energy that you can’t ignore.

Style wise Bitters And Distractions remind us very much of Celtic punk in the vein of bands like The Dropkick Murphys and The Rumjacks . They play music that makes you want to raise pint and dance your heart out .

Bitters And Distractions represent everything that is good about music. It’s two guys who absolutely love making music . The song is so catchy that we can neither confirm nor deny but…we have sung the chorus at the top of our lungs while in drop off line at our kid’s school.

As for the video, we love everything about it especially the DIY spirit of this video . The guys looked like they were having a total blast . It felt like we were getting our own personal performance. If your still looking for your new favorite band of 2023 look no further than Bitters And Distractions you won’t regret it .

You can check Bitter Distraction out on Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Check out the new video for “Little Game “ from Pep Squad

Photo credit : Byrnne Zaniboni

Los Angels based group Pep Squad come charging in 2022 with a new video for “Little Game” The video was directed by Fre Pacheco. The song is available digitally and is a Standalone single .

The video and song are both extremely high energy. You can check out the video Here

We were completely blown away by this video and song can’t wait to see what Pep Squad does next

– The Whole Kameese