The latest album by Craig Prentice’s one-man-band Hermit Convention, Cough Syrup Coffins, is his most experimental record to date—which is to say that it was recorded in an actual studio, with drums, guitar and backing vocals. For a guy whose previous low-fi recordings had him singing to bass guitar loops in his bedroom, this is wacky stuff.
Articles by Aaron Carnes
Moon Eater’s Blues-Infused Punk Rock
At a recent house show, Moon Eater’s heavy-blues punk rock kept getting interrupted by power outages during their performance. When the third one hit, drummer Dustin Roth just decided to keep playing, and vocalist-guitarist Pat Crowley followed along, continuing to sing the verse. The power came back on right at the chorus. Without missing a beat, everyone jumped back in perfectly—as though it were planned.
Tater Famine Bring Punk Energy to Santa Cruz Roots Scene
When people see Santa Cruz’s Tater Famine setting up their instruments, they probably get the wrong idea about what kind of music they’re about to hear.
The Groggs Move Away From Garage Sound
Two years ago, Santa Cruz band the Groggs got rave reviews from garage-rock revival magazines and punk zines all over the world for their ‘3D’ EP. But as they’ve spent the past few years working on their full length debut, they’ve decided to move away from the retro vibe and instead play bare-bones rock and roll.
Turning Parks Into Art
The Byrne-Milliron Forest, which is nestled in the outskirts of Corralitos, is at first glance, a hiking destination like any other. But after a short hike, it’s clear that it’s so much more—a unique melding of park and an art museum. There are works of art—big and small—scattered throughout the trails.
What’s Next for Former Cemex Land?
Santa Cruz’s “Great Park” is finally coming together, but not the way most people expected. Instead, the purchase of 8,532 acres of undeveloped land near Davenport from Cemex, owners of the nearby closed-down cement plant, represents a whole new era of land conservation—one no longer in the hands of the state.
20 Places to Catch a Show in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz and its surrounding areas are lucky enough to have the kind of nightlife usually found only in much larger cities. Week in and week out, the foundation for that scene is the multitude of excellent live music venues catering to fans of every conceivable genre. Here are 20 great spots to find music in Santa Cruz.
The Fresh and Onlys’ New Twist on Garage Rock
The latest “garage rock” movement—led by Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees and the Fresh and Onlys—is proving to be the most diverse, least-retro-sounding group of bands to have the term slapped on them in the last 30 years. The Fresh and Onlys have perhaps strayed the furthest from the garage-rock sound with the release of their fourth album, Long Slow Dance.
Three Mile Pilot at Catalyst Atrium
For a lot of indie rock fans, Three Mile Pilot is just some obscure band from the ’90s that Zach Smith was in before Pinback, and Pall Jenkins before The Black Heart Procession. But they recorded some of the best, least-appreciated indie albums of their time.
Mates of State Grows Up
Mates of State first made a name for itself for being unpolished and incomplete. The duo had only an organist (Kori Gardner) and a drummer (Jason Hammel). They both sang, usually at the same time. Their songs were loosely stitched together, often with one section awkwardly attached to the next. Yet their bubbly songwriting sensibilities and penchant for catchy pop-hooks made them a hit with indie college kids.
