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Power-Emo Band Cape Crush Announce Debut Album ‘Place Memory’ With Euphoric New Single “Calm & Delivered”

Eric Alper
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Power-Emo Band Cape Crush Announce Debut Album ‘Place Memory’ With Euphoric New Single “Calm & Delivered”

Cape Crush have been one of New England’s most exciting power-emo outfits since their 2023 debut EP ‘San Souci,’ and “Calm & Delivered” is the clearest signal yet of where their debut album is headed. Out now, the single is a swirling, anthemic rush of emo, post-hardcore, and alt-rock that channels The Get Up Kids and Weakerthans with flourishes of that dog. and The Breeders running through its DNA. Guitar World called the band “a joyously upbeat blend of emo and power pop, cut through with the spirit of punk.” That lands.

Vocalist and guitarist Ali Lipman is direct about the song’s origins and intent. “‘Calm & Delivered’ is about the pressure to be emotionally regulated when everything around you is overstimulating,” she says. “It’s inspired by my journey as a parent, which is often too loud, as well as my journey as a woman, where setting boundaries is often interpreted poorly. It’s really about finding your inner power as a woman and not being afraid of your rage or frustration.” The spark came from a stranger on a porch in Richmond years ago who told Lipman to stop toeing the line and throw her weight around. That advice stuck, and it’s all over this track.

Recorded and produced by Zach Weeks at God City Studio in Salem, with keys from Weeks and Good June’s Walker Bristol, the track was the first song arranged by the full band for their debut album ‘Place Memory,’ due May 1st on Wanna Hear It Records. The lineup features Lipman on vocals and guitar, James Christopher on guitar, Jake Letizia on bass, and Mike O’Toole on drums, with co-founder Cody Rico, who stepped back due to health reasons, remaining an honorary member and contributing drums to this recording. The band’s Boston Music Awards nomination for Punk/Hardcore Artist of the Year and festival appearances at Pouzza Fest and The Fest have only sharpened their momentum heading into this album cycle.

“We’re known for our upbeat power-emo songs, with big leads, big harmonies, and big refrains,” Lipman says. “‘Calm & Delivered’ perfectly encapsulates what we do best. There’s plenty of surprises to come on ‘Place Memory,’ but this is the perfect definition of a Cape Crush anthem.” With the album arriving May 1st and 3 more singles still to come, Cape Crush are ready to go crazy, just like that stranger told them to.

Rock for Ronnie Concert in the Park Returns May 31st With Lita Ford, Dio Disciples, and Eddie Trunk’s All-Star Band

Eric Alper
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Rock for Ronnie Concert in the Park Returns May 31st With Lita Ford, Dio Disciples, and Eddie Trunk’s All-Star Band

The 2026 Rock for Ronnie Concert in the Park is set for Sunday, May 31st from 11am to 6pm at the south lawn of the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, and this year’s lineup is one of the strongest the annual event has put together. Lita Ford headlines alongside her band, joined by Dio Disciples, southern rock outfit Jason Charles Miller, and Led Zepagain returning for a full set after their well-received debut at the event last year. Eddie Trunk’s All-Star Band, which has previously featured Dave Grohl, Doug Aldrich, Steven Adler, Chris Broderick, and Adrian Vandenberg among others, rounds out a day built for rock fans of every generation.

The event benefits the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, now in its 16th year of raising awareness and funding for cancer research. Founded in memory of the legendary singer who lost his life to gastric cancer in 2010, the Fund has raised over $2 million since its inception, committing resources to the T.J. Martell Foundation, the gastric cancer research unit at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and since 2016, Dr. David Wong’s team at UCLA School of Dentistry, who are developing a non-invasive saliva test for early cancer detection. Every dollar of net proceeds from Rock for Ronnie goes directly to the Fund.

Beyond the music, the afternoon includes silent and live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind rock collectibles, food trucks, vendor booths, artist meet and greets, a Garden of Hope, and direct contribution opportunities on site. The event is hosted by Eddie Trunk, heard on SiriusXM’s Faction Talk channel 103, and is designed to be accessible to the entire family. Tickets are on sale now at $35, with VIP seating available for $75.

The annual Bowl for Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Party is also set for November 12th this year, offering another opportunity to support the Fund before the year is out.

Psychedelic Collective Mandrake Handshake Deliver a Stunning Live Session for KEXP at Trans Musicales 2025

Eric Alper
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Psychedelic Collective Mandrake Handshake Deliver a Stunning Live Session for KEXP at Trans Musicales 2025

Mandrake Handshake’s full live session for KEXP at ESMA in Rennes, France during Trans Musicales, is out now and it’s an absolute statement. The 8-piece collective tears through 4 tracks, “King Cnut,” “Lorenzo’s Desk,” “The Change And The Changing,” and “Hypersonic Super-Asterid,” with the kind of sprawling, hypnotic energy that only a band this locked-in can generate. Multiple vocalists, layered guitars, live percussion, KORG, synth, and a rhythm section that holds the whole swirling mass together.

Post-Hardcore Favourites Marmozets Return After 7 Years With New Album ‘CO.WAR.DICE.’ Out May 22nd

Eric Alper
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Post-Hardcore Favourites Marmozets Return After 7 Years With New Album ‘CO.WAR.DICE.’ Out May 22nd

Marmozets are back, and they’ve brought everything that made them essential in the first place. ‘CO.WAR.DICE.,’ their first album in 7 years, arrives May 22nd via Nettwerk, and new single “New York” is the most immediate proof yet that the wait has been worth every second. Becca Bottomley’s vocals remain as ferocious and blood-letting as ever, now channelled into songs with a melodic weight and directness that hit harder for the restraint behind them.

The album’s origin story is genuinely warm. Becca and her husband, guitarist Jack Bottomley, had become parents and settled into a new chapter of life together when an impromptu Friday night jam produced “New York,” their first new song in years. “We reminisced of our first trip over a bottle of red as we recorded ideas,” Becca explains. “We met a police officer smoking a cigar outside JFK airport, got in a cab while ‘Africa’ by Toto blasted out of the radio as we approached Manhattan. We wanted to write something that encapsulated that ’70s punk energy while painting a picture of this wild experience we had playing a show downtown to secure our first record deal.”

The lineup has shifted slightly but powerfully. Drummer brother Josh Macintyre helped shape the demos, while sibling Sam Macintyre moved from guitar to bass following the amicable departure of original member Will Bottomley. The adapted lineup opened up new sonic space, with influences like The Cramps and Devo feeding into sessions primarily produced by Johnathan Gilmore, whose credits include Biffy Clyro and Nothing But Thieves. “CO.WAR.DICE. is an album reflecting on the state of our world and a vow to ourselves to leave this world in a better place,” Becca says. “Like any story, there’s a beginning, middle and end, and we’ve chosen for a happy ending.”

This summer, Marmozets return to major stages, opening for Biffy Clyro at their 45,000-capacity Finsbury Park show on July 3rd. ‘CO.WAR.DICE.’ drops May 22nd, and it sounds like a band who needed every one of those 7 years to arrive at something this assured.

Alt-R&B Artist Michelle Forziati Finds Her Footing Again With Empowering New Single “Once More”

Eric Alper
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Alt-R&B Artist Michelle Forziati Finds Her Footing Again With Empowering New Single “Once More”

Michelle Forziati has a ritual. When the creative urge hits, she lies down on the floor and writes. It’s humble, physical, and entirely her own, and it’s exactly where “Once More” was born. The new single from the Massachusetts singer, actor, and dancer is out now, a hazy, warm blend of alt-R&B and atmospheric pop that wraps its emotional honesty in a production that feels like exhaling after holding your breath too long.

“‘Once More’ is about falling into failure or hard times, and finding the courage to always stand up just once more,” Forziati says. “Life is a dance, and in dance we take steps forward and steps back. As long as we’re moving, that’s the most important thing.” That philosophy runs through every bar of the track, and the delivery backs it up with real vulnerability and warmth. Dylan Gagnon’s guitar work acts as the connective tissue throughout, fluid and soulful, while Monty Dale’s mix and master at Graybeard Recording Studio in Framingham gives the whole thing a magnetic, slow-burn quality.

Forziati is most widely known for portraying Jill Hurley alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the 2017 Boston Marathon bombing biographical drama ‘Stronger,’ but her music has been building its own quiet momentum since 2023. “Once More” follows 2024 singles “Stranger” and “Strings,” both of which earned strong notices from Stereogum and others, and continues her evolution as a songwriter with a deeply personal and distinctly Boston-rooted point of view.

Acting, dance, and music feed each other in Forziati’s creative world in ways that make her output genuinely unlike anything else in her scene. “Acting helps me find the truth in what is,” she explains. “Dance helps me feel and become one with the music.” “Once More” is the sound of all 3 disciplines working in perfect alignment.

The Game Drops ‘The Credits,’ the Deluxe Edition of His Gangsta Grillz Mixtape

Eric Alper
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The Game Drops ‘The Credits,’ the Deluxe Edition of His Gangsta Grillz Mixtape

The Game has been one of hip-hop’s most consistent heavyweights for over 2 decades, and ‘The Credits’ keeps that momentum firmly in place. The 12-track deluxe edition of his DJ Drama Gangsta Grillz mixtape ‘Every Movie Needs A Trailer’ is out now, packed with production from Grammy-nominated Mike and Keys, JasonMartin, Swizz Beatz, and Jake One, alongside guest appearances from 21 Savage, Ty Dolla Sign, Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, Dom Kennedy, and Boosie Badazz.

The Game is direct about the timing: “I’m in the studio putting the finishing touches on The Documentary 3. The response to the Gangsta Grillz tape was so incredible that we wanted to give the fans some more heat to ride to while they wait.” That’s a promise backed by a catalog that includes 8 albums debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Rap Albums chart, 3 of which topped the Billboard 200, and iconic releases like ‘The Documentary,’ ‘Doctor’s Advocate,’ and ‘Drillmatic.’

‘The Credits’ delivers exactly what the title suggests, a final reel of collaborations and production choices that fill out the mixtape’s cinematic framework with real substance. Highlights include “Brick By Brick” featuring Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, “Art Basel” with Swizz Beatz, and “Feel Like Heaven” featuring Dom Kennedy, produced by Jake One. Mike and Keys anchor the majority of the project with the kind of production that suits The Game’s storytelling instincts perfectly.

With ‘The Documentary 3’ on the horizon, ‘The Credits’ is the bridge between what’s already been delivered and what’s coming next. It’s a strong one.

‘The Credits’ Tracklisting:

  1. Whatever
  2. Real N****s ft. 21 Savage
  3. Second Hand Smoke
  4. Art Basel ft. Swizz Beatz
  5. Stefon Digg Her Out
  6. Favorites ft. Ty Dolla Sign
  7. Tricks
  8. Brick By Brick ft. Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher
  9. You A Virgin ft. Boosie Badazz
  10. Something In The Water
  11. Dead Hermes
  12. Feel Like Heaven ft. Dom Kennedy

Dublin Indie Legends Sack Bring ‘Adventura Majestica’ to Vinyl for the First Time on Its 25th Anniversary

Eric Alper
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Dublin Indie Legends Sack Bring ‘Adventura Majestica’ to Vinyl for the First Time on Its 25th Anniversary

Sack have one of the great underappreciated stories in Irish indie rock, and the 25th Anniversary reissue of ‘Adventura Majestica’ is the perfect moment to remind everyone of exactly that. Out April 10th, the band’s 3rd album arrives on vinyl for the very first time in a special edition transparent orange pressing, newly remastered and loaded with extras, including a never-released studio outtake, “Spaghettification,” while the CD edition adds 8 bonus tracks of demos, outtakes, and rare B-sides from the period.

Liner notes come from RTE 2FM’s Dan Hegarty, a lifelong Sack champion who has backed the band at every opportunity throughout his broadcasting career. The album was produced by Sack and Joe Chester, and features “Tag,” the band’s current set closer and one of singer Martin McCann’s most powerful performances on record. It’s the kind of track that reminds you why this band built such a devoted following in the first place.

The backstory is worth knowing. Morrissey once said their track “Laughter Lines” should be “Number One forever,” then invited them to open his 1999 Oye Esteban World Tour across Europe, the UK, Ireland, and the USA, before bringing them back for a European tour in 2002. Their first single was single of the week in both NME and Melody Maker. The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess hosted one of his hugely popular Twitter Listening Parties for the 25th Anniversary reissue of their album ‘Butterfly Effect.’ These are not small moments.

Sack celebrate the release with a show at Dublin’s Button Factory on April 10th, in collaboration with Singular Artists. ‘Adventura Majestica’ will also see a foreign release later in the year through Germany’s GMO-The Label, distributed across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Japan on coloured vinyl, CD, and digital download. Adventura Majestica will be available to stream and download from Friday, April 10th, Pre-order the Vinyl and CD from Bandcamp Here.

Sack Live Dates:

Apr 10 – Dublin @ The Button Factory

Ireland’s Riptide Movement Mark 20 Years Together With Anthemic New Single “Owe You A Lot”

Eric Alper
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Ireland’s Riptide Movement Mark 20 Years Together With Anthemic New Single “Owe You A Lot”

20 years in, The Riptide Movement are still finding new ground. “Owe You A Lot,” out now, is the first taste of the Irish band’s 6th studio album, due later this year, and it arrives with a genuine sense of occasion. Recorded at Orphan Recording Studios in Curracloe, Co. Wexford and co-produced with Gavin Glass, the track has everything the band are known for, big guitars, surging drums, anthemic intensity, and a melodic instinct that’s carried them through 2 decades of serious work.

The most notable shift is a first. Lead guitarist JPR Dalton steps up to lead vocals, marking a real evolution in the band’s creative dynamic. It works. Built on driving rhythms and soaring melodies, the track builds toward a euphoric crescendo that earns every second of its emotional payoff. “Reaching 20 years as a band makes you reflect on everything you’ve shared,” the band says. “It feels familiar but also completely new for us, especially with JPR taking on vocals for the first time. It’s about honouring where we’ve been while still feeling excited about where we’re going.”

Gold-certified and Choice Music Prize-nominated, The Riptide Movement have spent 2 decades building one of Ireland’s most durable rock catalogs, blending indie, folk, blues, and classic rock into something entirely their own. Chart-topping album ‘Getting Through’ and fan favourites like “All Works Out” and “Elephant in the Room” cemented their reputation long before they shared stages with The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, and Neil Young, or collaborated with both the BBC Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

“Owe You A Lot” is the sound of a band that’s earned their 20th anniversary and isn’t remotely done yet.

Multi-Instrumentalist Willie Dowling Closes Out ‘The Simpleton’ Album Cycle With Timely New Video “Under The Gaslight”

Eric Alper
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Multi-Instrumentalist Willie Dowling Closes Out ‘The Simpleton’ Album Cycle With Timely New Video “Under The Gaslight”

Willie Dowling wrote and recorded “Under The Gaslight” in a single day, start to finish at the piano, no studio prep, no safety net. The result is the final single and video from his critically acclaimed album ‘The Simpleton,’ and it arrives with a lyrical directness that feels entirely suited to the moment it was made in.

Dowling doesn’t soften the message: “In a post truth world where social media delivers the headlines and AI manipulates our emotions, none of us can be truly certain if information is 100% reliable, deliberate disinformation, or just plain lies.” The song takes that lived-in frustration and channels it into one of the sharpest pieces on an already strong album. Piano-driven, pointed, and built in a day with the kind of instinct that only comes from decades of serious craft.

The animated video was created by film director Sam Riddlestone, who first brought an animated Dowling to life for ‘The Simpleton’ track “Sadie Goldman.” It’s a fitting visual companion for a song this stripped back and direct. ‘The Simpleton’ was released in November 2024 to widespread critical acclaim, and Dowling has spent the time since touring extensively across the UK, including support slots with The Quireboys, Cats In Space, Luke Morley, and Hillbilly Vegas.

A multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and frontman of Honeycrack, The Grip, Jackdaw4, and The Dowling Poole, Dowling has also recorded and toured with Dr Hook, Midge Ure, Hot Chocolate, The Wildhearts, and Shane McGowan among many others. “Under The Gaslight” is a strong final statement from an album that deserved every bit of praise it received.

UK Hard Rockers Molly Karloff Drop Groove-Heavy New Single “Faceless”

Eric Alper
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UK Hard Rockers Molly Karloff Drop Groove-Heavy New Single “Faceless”

Molly Karloff aren’t interested in excess. “Faceless,” their new single out now, makes that clear from the first riff. Built around thick, hypnotic guitars and a relentless vocal hook, the track sits squarely in the space between modern grunge and desert rock, muscular and focused, letting groove and atmosphere carry the weight rather than reaching for polish or production gloss. It sounds like Queens of the Stone Age and Royal Blood left in a room together with something to prove.

Vocalist Simon Gee is direct about where the song comes from: “The song is about that feeling of being used, dismissed or talked over, when people try to put you down and keep you small. ‘Faceless’ is the moment you decide you’re done being pushed around and written off.” That defiance runs through every bar of the track, and the delivery backs it up with real conviction.

The single arrives with a stark, film-noir style monochrome performance video that mirrors the track’s tension and stripped-back aesthetic perfectly. No distractions. Just the song and the attitude it carries.

For a band operating in one of rock’s most competitive spaces, “Faceless” is a confident, well-aimed statement. Heavy without excess, grooved without losing its edge, and built to move in a live room.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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