Tuesday, August 4, 2026

punk rock

OpinionRobert Dean

Thank you Lou Koller and Sick of It All

Unfortunately, that September, it was back. He kept going anyway, through what would have been the band’s 40th year together, the band he’d started with his brother in Queens back in 1986. He died on July 24, 2026, at 59, the disease finally outrunning him after two years of him refusing to let it define the band or the music. His bandmates put it simply: his fight was over, and he could finally rest.

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Case CockrellLive MusicPhotos

Photo Gallery: Hot Summer Nights 2026 brought the heat to Austin’s Red River District

The annual sweat-fest, Hot Summer Nights returned to the Red River Cultural District last weekend, marking another successful year of cover-free showcases that benefit local businesses throughout downtown Austin. The RRCD neighborhood non-profit presents the free showcases to keep venues and other establishments busy during the summer slow period in both the service and music industries for employees and musicians until the things pick back up in the Fall.

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Live MusicReviewRobert Dean

Live music review: Hardcore music festival The Rumble featured Hatebreed, Turmoil and more

On Friday, July 17 as part of the annual festival The Rumble, Turmoil made their way back to Chicago for a triumphant return, playing songs from The Process Of and giving it everything they had in the process. I felt like a kid again, bobbing to the riffs of “Let It Die” while screaming along to the opening salvo of the hardest intro of all time, yelling “what the fuck?” alongside frontman John Gula.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music preview: Hot Summer Nights promises Austin music discovery this weekend

The annual Hot Summer Nights in the Red River Cultural District of Austin is a RRCD-sponsored event that features hundreds

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Five bands to see at The DLC’s first Pogo Fest

One of the cooler spots to check out live music in Salt Lake City is The DLC, a small-capacity live music venue situated inside Quarters Arcade Bar downtown in the heart of SLC’s nascent live music corridor.  The room is intimate, cool and you can battle your homie at Mortal Kombat after the show. This Saturday, June 20 the venue is hosting their first ever Pogo Fest to highlight the great psych-rock and similar acts the venue is booking. Aside from The DLC the area includes venues; International Artists Bar, and SLC Pub . Those locations along with a an outdoor stage at Exchange Place will serve as the four stages for Pogo Fest which is highlighting psych-rock and psych adjacent acts from Salt Lake City for the most part. We picked out five bands to see from the 20-plus artists line-up for SLC concertgoers. The mini-fest is an ideal way for local fans to get to know some of the better up and coming acts playing the growing Salt Lake music scene. Advance tickets are available via 24 Tix.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Rickshaw Billy’s Big Dumb Fest Four invaded Mohawk again

Annual traditions by Austin bands make the city unique. The Black Angels have Levitation, Big Bill hosts the Big Bill Ball, and Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol runs Big Dumb Fest. For its fourth year, the band  curated a heavy lineup across both Mohawk stages in the Red River Cultural District. Along with booking standout bands, Rickshaw ensures fans arrive early and stay late by collaborating with local food spots like Bad Larry Burger Club, Epic Jerk, and Busty’s to keep energy high. After returning from a tour with American Sharks (also on Saturday’s bill), Rickshaw kicked off another successful year of Big Dumb Fest, channeling undeniable energy in their tribute to their hometown.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Day one at Kilby Block Party 2026 featured Turnstile with up and coming acts

It was a picture perfect day in Salt Lake City at the Utah State Fairplex on Friday as Kilby Block Party geared up for its seventh edition of the mid-tier sized music festival with a lineup heavy on up and coming acts. Ireland’s Newdad, Austin’s Die Spitz and L.A. via Boise artist, Gelli Haha all turned in impressive performances as the schedule moved towards red-hot, melodic hardcore rock band Turnstile’s incredible main stage set to close night one of KBP.  Fans enjoyed a silent disco featuring local DJs, art installations and came dressed for fun.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Fourth Austin Psych Fest at Far Out Lounge hosted Congressman Greg Casar

Austin Psych Fest 2026 marked another festival at far S. Congress Avenue mega-backyard, The Far Out Lounge and Stage. It brought the fourth spring edition since the brand’s 2023 return, featuring a star-studded lineup and a two-stage, no-overlapping performances setup. The Cosmic Clash team was on-site all weekend and highlighted what stood out over the three-day stint in South Austin and the satellite showcases in the Red River Cultural District. APF had a special guest on Friday as progressive Congressman Greg Casar joined the party to watch Wayne Coyne and company do their Flaming Lips party for the psych rock faithful. Who doesn’t like the fun, positive vibe of the Lips? Turns out even Austin politicians do.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Six bands to see at Kilby Block Party 2026

Utah’s most exciting music festival, Kilby Block Party is entering its seventh year in 2026 with its most ambitious lineup to date. The fest runs May 15-17 at Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City.  It feels like this unassuming fest which began on a closed-off road behind Kilby Court, the beloved DIY venue it’s named for has become something else entirely with a lineup featuring a pop star (Lorde), a rocker turned pop star (Hayley Williams) and a melodic hardcore act (Turnstile) which shows just how far this independent music fest has come in a relatively short time. Rather than focus on the obvious headlining sets to profile, we’ve selected seven bands to see at KBP 2026. Before we dive in, fans should know some ticket options are already sold-out or nearing sold-out. If you’re considering attending, grab tickets here.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Ty Segall played Metro Music Hall with Primitive Ring

When Los Angeles supergroup Primitive Ring reached out via their PR rep to premiere their new single and video, we quickly realized this power trio touring with Ty Segall signaled the veteran garage rocker’s return to power rock n roll after touring acoustic, solo material on recently. Thus was the case at Metro Music Hall April 17 when Segall and his band brought their tour to Salt Lake City. Fans were there to rock out and Segall delivered with a career-spanning setlist that seemed to please everyone in the room with punk, psych and garage rock themes throughout the performance. Segall’s full range was on display.

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Greg AckermanMusic VideoPremiere

Video premiere: supergroup Primitive Ring drop new single and video today – play Metro in SLC Friday

If you’re a garage or punk rock music fan then you likely know who Ty Segall is. The prolific musician is known for releasing a wide range of music under various names that all stem from the same punk rock ethos. One of Segal’s longtime collaborators, Charles Moothart (Fuzz) launched a new project in 2024 with Bert Hoover (Hoover III) and Jon Modaff (Frankie and the Witch Fingers) called Primitive Ring. Today the band premieres their latest single and video, “Lies from the Other Side.” in advance of their new self-titled LP, due out May 15. Fans can pre-order vinyl of the forthcoming album via In the Red Records.

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