Dillinger Four, Night Birds, TBA

Dillinger Four are from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They formed in 1994. C I V I L W A R is their fourth full-length record (preceded by Midwestern Songs of the Americas, Versus God, and Situationist Comedy). In terms of importance, they are to the ‘90s and ’00s what Black Flag was to the ’80s (without the Grateful Dead worship). It’s not only what they are, a great band, it’s what they’ve helped inspire, build, and represent. They’re an earthquake. They’re the Redd Foxx- mixed with the Chalmers Johnson of punk rock. In the time between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865, starting at Fort Sumter and ending at Appomattox, 600,000 Americans died in the American Civil War. That took almost four full years. Substitute beer and distilled spirits and add the constant distraction called life. Tack on two extra years. That equals D4’s Civil War. Another way to think about it is this: Have you heard the new Scared Of Chaka record? No you haven’t. They broke up. Dillinger Four didn’t. Celebrate that math. A third way to think about this: If this album were a child, it would be six years old and entering kindergarten. Get that kid real drunk and fit him into some smart pants, and that equals D4.


Night Birds is comprised of four thoroughly modern morons from the New Jersey shore and Brooklyn, NY. After one listen it will only seem right that these guys spawn from the same state that brought you such class acts as the Misfits and Adrenalin OD. This high-octane surf-inspired punk rock band formed in the spring of 2009 following the demise of bassist Joe Keller's band, The Ergs! While they take cues from the greats of 1980's hardcore/punk bands like the Circle Jerks, Zero Boys, Adolescents, and Dead Kennedys, they still manage to keep it new and fresh and consistently take it to that next level. To date, the band has released three 7" EPs as well as their 2011 debut album, The Other Side of Darkness on Grave Mistake Records, as well as playing nearly 200 shows all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. If you like Seinfeld, pizza, horror movies, or any combination of the three, Night Birds may be your new favorite band.