The Simcoe Scene

Pop-punk can be criticised up and down, left and right, but only one question really matters: Is it good enough to be on a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater playlist?  Without a doubt, Hey Slugger’s upcoming EP entitled I Don’t Recall Saying Good Luck would be a more-than-welcome addition to such a hallowed grindfest.  Capturing the genuine essence of the pop-punk superwave that dominated the 2000s, Hey Slugger have added a modern depth to the genre. All 4 new tracks blend that feeling of comfortable nostalgia with crackling anticipation. I Don’t Recall Saying Good Luck is a testament to how far and how deep pop-punk can go when approached by musicians who have an earnest love for the genre, and the talent to elevate the beloved sound.  Preceded by the single “So Far, So Good”, an honest, melodic, and dynamic track, the rest of the EP infuses humour and heart in equal measure. The guitar styling hits all the hallmarks of the genre - catchy and slick. The bass and drums drive each...

  Big Fist are masters of packing in an ungodly amount of sound and substance into a short run time. Previously releasing 2 jam-packed studio EPs and a monstrous split with QWAN, Big Fist might give themselves time to breathe on their upcoming full-length debut LP…but that’s not their style. The Correct Way To Make Art explodes from the very moment track 1 starts and maximizes every second with a force that is unmatched. Self-described as ‘Hardcore Punch Punk’, there really is no better way to describe the Big Fist experience.  Since the release of the Play With Me EP last year, it is evident that Big Fist have doubled-down on their energetic, relentless, and unabashedly raw approach to writing material that hits all the right spots to produce this killer debut. Without losing an ounce of the formidable foundation they have laid with their previous EPs, The Correct Way To Make Art showcases the band’s power which hits even harder with their increased attention to production....

  Space and the worlds beyond our own have been a subject for many musical odysseys. David Bowie, Sun-Ra, Parliament, Hawkwind, Afrika Bambaata, and many artists spanning all genres have looked up and beyond the confines of planet Earth for inspiration. What lies beyond our atmosphere is a grand mystery, but one thing is certain - it ends. And there can be beauty in it. Afteglades, the third LP from Mappe Of (project of multi-instrumentalist Tom Meikle), explores the complicated emotional journey in the face of an extraplanetary reckoning. Against the backdrop of a world ending event, Meikle maintains a genuine essence of humanity and vulnerability. Afterglades is less of a concept album and unravels more as a meditation on how we as individuals would approach our distinct end with the people we love most.  The end of the world is an overwhelming theme, but the ethereal vocals and masterfully layered instrumentals feels like someone is holding your hand - leading you through ...