As a consumer of content (as communications specialists like to refer to you), you have a plethora of choices. Yes, el Hefe, I know what a plethora means. I also know that not all options are equal. We know Spotify is the most prevalent, Apple Music is an option also....Tidal, Amazon, Deezer, Idagio, IHeartRadio, GooglePlay, Pandora, Anghami, and so on, and so on, and so on. And it feels good to support your favorite artists that are out there doing it themselves. But you know what? Streaming isn't actually supporting. To be able to focus on making the music you want to soundtrack your rebellion, performers need to be able to pay for things...it's not selling out, it's keeping going and prioritizing their passion. Your favorite local or regional band makes less than a penny whenever you stream them on those channels. And by less than a penny, I mean .0033 for each Spotify stream. .008 for YouTube Music. At the most, Tidal offers .013 per stream.
But what about buying music? 10-25% if they're on a label. 60-80% if not. That doesn't include distribution fees paid upfront. Granted you can buy their music in person at shows and in many cases, that helps get the money directly into the band's hands...if the venue doesn't try to take a cut, which happens more and more.
Enter Bandcamp. Bandcamp has been the most direct channel to purchase music offering independent artists 80-90%. And they do one more special thing...on most first Fridays, they offer Bandcamp Friday which means 100% of music purchases go DIRECTLY to the artist making it the absolute best way to support a band you love.
The team met up and put some recos together for the Sid Vicious Day installment of Bandcamp Friday. Check em out!
Preston White (Editor) - Lazer Bullet - Spirit Suck Shit EP
Black Water and Convulse Records understood the magnitude of their release. "Spirit Suck Shit" is hardcore punk served exactly as you like it — fast, furious, and unapologetically in-your-face.
Chas Roberts (Director of Creative and Content) - Yesterday & Today: DC Does Dischord
is a brand spankin new tribute to Dischord Records put out by For Love of Records. Some surprising covers (Pietasters braising up Minor Threat), some true to form covers (Roscoe Trip doing a dead-on Faraquet), and some balls-out hits (supergroup Rise Defy bringing Marginal Man to life). One of my highlights is the Goons slaying Vile Cherubs. Buy it digital or grab limited edition vinyl that comes WITH A COLORING BOOK.
Marie Kiil (Indie/Punk Contributor)- Fugitive Bubble S/T
Dirty, proggy, emotional, wonderful. Always on the road, never growing moss, and if they did, I bet that moss would be still be fantastic.
Jean Mendoza (Hardcore/Metal Contributor)- Dry Socket Sorry for your Loss
Catharsis looks like different things to different people. Sorry for Your Loss is how catharsis looks for Dry Socket- it’s violent and powerful and loud and angry. It’s relishing the scraped knee from a fall, not because it’s a reminder of life, but a reminder of the crack in the sidewalk and that you’ll be back later with a grinder to show that crack what for. This album is that grinder. Which isn’t to say that there are not also times where the scraped knee feels self inflicted and there becomes that reminder of life and the shades of emotion.
Scoville Soucy (Contributor) - Dead Pioneers S/T
Dead Pioneers' debut album is more than punk—it's a rebel yell against societal BS. Led by Gregg Deal, this DIY masterpiece blends Indigenous identity, punk ethos, and the Minutemen's spirit. From humor to rage, it's a musical riot demanding change.
Zahra Abadi (From the Underground/Intern) - Manic Pixie Dream Boat S/T EP
I love love love this EP. Chas tossed it my way one day and it only left my steady rotation for other reviews. It's a little post-punk, a little new wave, all raw energy.
Other gems:
PRE-ORDERS:
Gouge Away - Deep Sage