Punks, Drunks, and STUPID Good Fun: A Review of TNT Fest, 8/29/2014

By Matt Mullarkey For those not already in the know, TNT Fest has taken place at the Webster Theater in Hartford Connecticut every Labor Day weekend since 2011, showcasing on multiple stages the best punk, Oi!, and hardcore bands from all over the country and the world. I haven’t been able to attend since the… Continue reading Punks, Drunks, and STUPID Good Fun: A Review of TNT Fest, 8/29/2014

Baldwin’s August Review Trilogy Part 3: A Review of Goat Herder’s Foundations Once Thought Strong

When I agree to a review, it’s always refreshing when I don’t feel pressured to be genre specific. Goat Herder took that stress away, because honestly, I don’t feel confident in pigeonholing them into a set musical placement. Okay, it’s definitely abrasive music. But damn, there’s just enough melodious treatment in their licks not to… Continue reading Baldwin’s August Review Trilogy Part 3: A Review of Goat Herder’s Foundations Once Thought Strong

Kick Out the Jams: An Interview with the Lost Riots’ Jeffrey Thunders

As lead singer/rhythm guitarist for The Lost Riots, Jeffrey Thunders fronts one of the best punk bands in the state, though he would never say that. Their heartfelt and sincere mixture of hardcore punk and garage rock, makes them one exciting proposition whether on the stage or on wax. The Lost Riots have won the… Continue reading Kick Out the Jams: An Interview with the Lost Riots’ Jeffrey Thunders

Three Days in a Row of Shows You Need to Know About: Cherry Fest, Cherry Fest, and Eyehategod

  “Man, there are never any good shows in Connecticut!”  Uh… We here at Alternative Control respectfully disagree.  In fact, there’s already a warning out from the Department of Heavy Metal Awareness for some major activity mid-month…. 7/12 — Cherry Fest, Day One at Cherry Street Station in Wallingford The second annual local band extravaganza… Continue reading Three Days in a Row of Shows You Need to Know About: Cherry Fest, Cherry Fest, and Eyehategod

BARREN WOMB – The Sun’s Not Yellow, It’s Chicken (Spartan)

There is strange kind of loud rock happening in Norway these days. I’m not talking about black metal, which is what most people think of when they think of music from this Scandinavian country. Just look at the type of punk music that has come out of here in the past few years. There is… Continue reading BARREN WOMB – The Sun’s Not Yellow, It’s Chicken (Spartan)

Payday Downloads: The Best Things in Life are Free, ft. Kali Ma, Jimmy Junk Bird, and Some Comp Albums

Didn’t really need to wait for the check this time around – everything in today’s column is free! The first selection comes from the only local instrumental metal band I know of, Kali Ma.  They released the track “Boomslang” from their upcoming album The Devil Knows Your Dead. “Boomslang” is a great example of why… Continue reading Payday Downloads: The Best Things in Life are Free, ft. Kali Ma, Jimmy Junk Bird, and Some Comp Albums

My Totally Biased Top Ten Albums +1 Of 2013

By Thomas Pizzola It was quite a year for heavy music, as many bands released many great albums — so many in fact, that it was impossible to cut this list just down to ten.  This list reflects nothing but my own personal tastes and what I kept going back for multiple listens throughout the… Continue reading My Totally Biased Top Ten Albums +1 Of 2013