Dig ‘in: Downtown Boys, Office Dog, The Hobknobs
Check out what the No Wristbands team is listening to and what’s in our show calendars this month on our latest Dig ‘in.
INCOMING
Downtown Boys - Public Luxury (Sub Pop Records LP)
When Downtown Boys’ last album, Cost of Living, surfaced in 2017, the Trump regime was just starting their dismantlement of democracy, prompting the band to resoundingly resist—starting with its opening track “A Wall.” That makes their return with Public Luxury particularly timely considering the deteriorating conditions. Again, the opening number, “No Me Jodas” (Don’t Fuck With Me), proves that they’re up for the task.
True to their union organizing origins, Downtown Boys are in pursuit of the common good; the album’s title references the sentiment of “everything for everyone.” Victoria Marie’s bilingual vocal delivery reinforces their push for inclusivity at a time where racism is masked as patriotism and deportations are used as a tool to quell dissent. “Talk talk a brutal game / But still didn’t ask to enter” she intones on “You’re a Ghost.” With its persistent thrust and clamoring sound, the song rails against ethnic profiling and the police state manifested by ICE operations.
“Albuterol” serves as a call for intervention when the atmosphere turns stifling and catching one’s breath turns into a life/death challenge. On Downtown Boys’ most poignant effort to date, the anthemic “Yellow Sun,” Marie champions the resistance fighters who return to battle day after day—taking inspiration from the regenerative power of nature that resets the clock on those who want to drag us back in time. Public Luxury heralds a welcome return for Downtown Boys at a time when staying on the sidelines is no longer an option that we can afford to live with. -Bruce Novak
Office Dog - Prime Corner (Flying Nun Records LP)
Prior to forming Office Dog out of Auckland, New Zealand with bassist Rassani Tolovaa and drummer Mitchell Innes, Kane Strang was a solo artist who often obsessed over his musical creations to the point of exhaustion. On the trio’s third LP, Prime Corner, Strang appears to be more settled and the record ebbs and flows with an unforced pace. Noting that Prime Corner “contains both Office Dog’s heaviest and softest tracks to date,” it provides a well-rounded view of Strang’s songwriting depth.
“Front Row Seat” and “Gold Things” represent the weightier compositions with added crunch and elevated tempos. Strang opts for acoustic guitar accompaniment on the luminous-sounding tracks of “Permanent Day” and “Prime Corner.” On “Reins” he’s no longer compelled to be in total control (“You take the reins / I’ve never had ‘em anyhow”), letting his partner guide him to a better place. Prime Corner’s title refers to situating oneself in the most advantageous landing spot, and on that account Office Dog readily succeeds. -Bruce Novak
The Hobknobs - Helmets Off (12XU LP)
After Rotterdam band Lewsberg drew to a close in 2024 following their lauded fourth album, Out And About, guitarist and vocalist Arie van Vliet teamed with fellow Dutch artist Yaël Dekker, vocalist for The Klittens, to form The Hobnobs. The duo craft a stripped-back minimalist brand of music that’s drawn comparisons to The Velvet Underground’s self-titled third album and Young Marble Giants’ Colossal Youth debut LP.
The majority of songs on Helmets Off feature duets from the pair with van Vliet’s droll delivery contrasted with Dekker’s dulcet tones. The result is often endearing like on the charming coupling on “Dictionary” and the absurdity of the back and forth spoken word volley of “The Extra Mile.” “My Conditions” and “Are You Looking For Something?” are among the most robust tracks to be found with van Vliet’s guitar strum kicking up a notch in elevated tempo. The spry “Easier Listening” explores a dumbing-down mentality as a trade-off for a less acrimonious existence. Dekker and van Vliet never try to force feed their messaging on Helmets Off, allowing the simple joys of their music to consistently shine through. -Bruce Novak
UPCOMING
Suitor at Empty Bottle - July 8, 9:00 PM
Tapped to open a gig for Sweeping Promises in their hometown of Cleveland led to an offer from Caufield Schnug to record Suitor’s debut album at his home studio in Lawrence, Kansas. The resulting record, Saw You Out with the Weeds, dropped this spring on Feel It Records. Suitor’s post-punk shades darker than Sweeping Promises’ kinetic take, driven by the slashing guitars of Chris Corsi and Stephen Ovak, and Emma Shepard’s unsettled vocal delivery. Lira Mondal, Schnug’s partner in Sweeping Promises, pairs with Shepard on a couple of tracks to provide a compelling contrast in singing textures. Suitor’s progression from their 2021 EP, Communion, represents a sizable leap in dynamism and provides an intriguing pathway for further exploration. —Bruce Novak
Cola at Empty Bottle - July 10, 9:00 PM
Expectations were heightened when Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy formed Cola with drummer Evan Cartwright (U.S. Girls) after moving on from their previous band Ought. Three albums in, those expectations are being met with their latest release, Cost of Living Adjustment. Despite multiple misgivings regarding modern capitalist society, Darcy sounds lively and engaged when checking out would be understandable. His acerbic observations set the tone while the punchy thrust of Stidworthy and Cartwright’s rhythm section pushes the pace. Cola have always proved capable of delivering a dose of heady rock’n’roll, and are now backing it up with a head full of steam. -Bruce Novak
Trash Kickers at Martyrs’ - July 16, 8:00 PM
Trash Kickers are a local Chicago quartet and they released their debut record, Way Out, Somehow, in May. Their record release party was a sold-out show at Schubas Tavern. Now they are back with a headlining show at Martyrs’. The band is made up of Tyler Franklin (guitar & vocals), Stas Gunkel (guitar & vocals), Danny Stankus (bass) and John Herrin (drums & vocals). They are big fans of The Replacements (you can definitely hear that influence on the new album) and also list bands like The Clash, Uncle Tupelo and Townes Van Zandt among other faves. For their live show, you’ll be hearing a guitar-driven blend of rock / punk / country. And if you are listening to the new album, be sure to check out “Angel” with No Wristbands fave, Elizabeth Moen, dueting on vocals! -Tom Novak
UNCOVERED
Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth (Rough Trade Records LP)
Coming on the heels of the punk movement that aimed to destroy the staid conventions of contemporary music, Young Marble Giants’ 1980 debut album Colossal Youth was an unanticipated outlier that accomplished the same goal. The embrace of minimalism by Alison Stratton (vocals) and brothers Stuart (guitar, organ) and Philip Moxham (bass) broke precedent. The trio gestated off the musical map, hailing from Cardiff, Wales, with a fondness for eclectic forebears like Kraftwerk, Eno and Devo. Their singular sound was a deliberate decision by Stuart Moxham to cut against the prevailing grain with hopes of escaping Cardiff’s blue-collar mentality.
Stratton’s soothing, slightly-detached vocal style proved to be a good pairing with Stuart Moxham’s angst-ridden songs. Pete Joyce, a cousin of the Moxham brothers, built the basic drum machine that Young Marble Giants used for their crude percussion backing. When the trio went to record Colossal Youth the beats they used were tape recordings of the drum machine that they had selected beforehand—a process that they would also employ when playing live shows. Philip’s elastic bass lines and Stuart’s scratchy guitar technique supplemented the beats with a rhythmic thrust that can be heard on tracks like “Searching For Mr Right,” “Include Me Out” and “Credit In The Straight World.” The title track and “N.I.T.A” illustrate how the band effectively colored their limited palette with rudimentary organ accompaniment. One of the last tracks written for the record, “Salad Days,” perhaps sums up the whole endeavor best: “Think of salad days / They were folly and fun / They were good, they were young.” -Bruce Novak
We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: