The Dirty Blondes

Crazy & the Brains playing tons of NYC/NJ shows, one with Night Birds (who topped Punk News' Best of 2015 list)

NJ’s xylophone-fueled punks Crazy & the Brains have a ton of shows coming up in NYC/NJ, as usual. Their NYC shows include Pianos on Friday (1/15) with The Black Clouds, Those Mocking Birds, Dead Stars and Darkwing (tickets); a free show at Pine Box Rock Shop on Saturday (1/16); one at Palisades on January 21 with Larry & the Babes, Bodega Bay and Little Cobweb (tickets); Good Room on January 30 with Philly folk punks Mischief Brew (headlining), The Homewreckers and Out of System Transfer (tickets); a release party for their new video at Le Poisson Rouge on February 6 with comedian Brett Davis (who they’ve played with before) and High Waisted (tickets); back to

Sheer Agony released 'Masterpiece' (stream it), playing Cake Shop in January

Montreal’s Sheer Agony released their long-awaited debut album, Masterpiece, back in October via Couples Skate. While the title is definitely tongue-in-cheek, it isn’t that far off either — 13 witty, exceedingly melodic, instrumentally/lyrically sharp guitar pop nuggets…