Posted in Whathaveyou on August 17th, 2026 by JJ Koczan
About a month ago, Washington heavy post-punk rockers Constance Tomb let it be known that the basic tracks for their new album, which is revealed to be called Exploding Head in the tour announcement that follows here, were done. Band founder/principal songwriter Tony Reed (Mos Generator, late of Pentagram, etc.) had already assembled a live trio and they’ve been doing local shows, and to celebrate the release, they’ll head to Europe for the first time, supporting Daily Thompson, whose last two albums Reed has produced and who are now labelmates on Noisolution.
Last I saw, Exploding Head is slated for an October release and the tour begins Nov. 5, takes place mostly in Germany with dates in Austria and the Czech Republic, so not the most elaborate Euro run, but it’s still got to be a trip for Reed, who started this band in 198X and had kept it in his back pocket for a few decades while working on other projects. The signing to Noisolution was announced earlier this year and was preceded by the demo cover posted below; the band’s only actual release to-date is the reissued-in-2020 1988 demo, MCMLXXXVIII (discussed here).
The band announced the tour on socials and the routing follows here:
We are headed to Europe in November to support the new album coming out on Noisolution called “Exploding Head”. We will be support our friends Daily Thompson.
11/5 – GER Düsseldorf 11/6 – GER Oldenburg 11/7 – GER Flensburg 11/8 – GER Hamburg 11/10 – GER Hannover 11/11 – GER Berlin 11/12 – GER Dresden 11/13 – AT Wien 11/14 – CZ Prague 11/16 – GER Bamberg 11/17 – GER München 11/18 – GER Karlsruhe 11/19 – GER Mainz 11/20 – GER Bielefeld 11/21 – GER Köln
Constance Tomb: Christian Roney (Triceros, The Edison Cabinet): Drums Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Hot Spring Water, Pentagram): Guitar, Vocals Bo McConaghie (Hot Spring Water, Sower): Bass
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 16th, 2026 by JJ Koczan
Bookended by two yet-to-be-announced shows in Germany and one stop in the Netherlands at the start on their way from Berlin, Samavayo‘s UK tour is set for this October, taking place around an appearance at the Ramsgate Rock Festival and featuring Son of Boar on most of the shows (the fest aside).
True, Samavayo did a similar run in the UK this past October, but the announcement of their return comes on the heels of their released-June-5 split, Embers of Belief (review here), with Birmingham veterans Alunah, who in addition to celebrating 20 years this year, further made an occasion of it by introducing their third vocalist. Samavayo, meanwhile, branched out their sound the heady desert jam “California Sky,” written in homage to their early-2025 stint on the US West Coast, which also included a stop at Planet Desert Rock Weekend, where I was lucky enough to see them.
That split and video are both below, along with Samavayo‘s 2022 album, Pāyān (review here), which brought them roaring back from the pandemic in top form. I guess that’s a lot, but it was all around while I was grabbing links from old posts (yes, that’s a thing I do when I can), and I figured the more the merrier. If you hit one of these shows you can see why for yourself.
From social media:
We’re happy to announce that the we will be back in the UK in October with tour support from Bradfords sludge metallers Son Of Boar! Huge thanks to Buried In Smoke Promotions! 💥
17.10.25 | Eindhoven | Café The Jack * 18.10.26 | London | The Dev 19.10.26 | Oxford | The Wheatsheaf 20.10.26 | Coventry | The Tin Music and Arts 21.10.26 | Edinburgh | Bannerman’s Bar 22.10.26 | Bradford | The Underground BFD 23.10.26 | Ramsgate | Margate Rock Festival * 24.10.26 | Bristol | The Gryphon * Samavayo only
Buried In Smoke Promotions | Sound of Liberation
Poster by the great Dan Deutsch
Samavayo is: Stephan Voland (Drums, Vocals) Andreas Voland (Bass, Vocals) Behrang Alavi (Vocals, Guitar)
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 13th, 2026 by JJ Koczan
Maybe you caught wind of Constance Tomb‘s MCMLXXXVIII (discussed here) when the project/band spearheaded by Tony Reed — also of Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere, Hot Spring Water, Pentagram, etc. — released the collection of rerecorded ’80s-era demos through DHU Records in 2020. Not like you were going anywhere at that point, mind you. There was a lot of sitting around and looking at phones that summer, as I recall.
Reed is always plenty busy between his sundry bands and recording others like Germany’s Daily Thompson with whom Constance Tomb are set to tour in Europe and are now labelmates on Noisolution. The imprint has stepped forward to release the first LP-proper from Constance Tomb and Reed, bassist Bo McConaghie and drummer Christian Roney have been playing shows in the Pacific Northwest, presumably to get their feet under them as a band for the first time.
Heavy post-punk? Riffy proto-goth? I can get down with that. I’m not sure if the version of “The Seed” listed below is the one that will be on the record or not — it says it’s a rehearsal room demo on the Bandcamp page, so I’m thinking no — but either way, it will serve as the first single ahead of a to-be-announced release date. The tour with Daily Thompson is happening in November, if that gives you any idea.
From social media:
Welcome to Noisolution: CONSTANCE TOMB.
Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Pentagram, Big Scenic Nowhere) has landet at our Noiso Airport and together we’re going to release the first studio album by his band, which he started back in the ’90s. On Tour with Daily Thompson.
First Single “The Seed” (a cover from the legendary THE BIG BOYS) coming soon. presave link: https://noisolution.lnk.to/Seed
Constance Tomb: Christian Roney (Triceros, The Edison Cabinet): Drums Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Hot Spring Water, Pentagram): Guitar, Vocals Bo McConaghie (Hot Spring Water, Sower): Bass
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 13th, 2026 by JJ Koczan
I like that Daily Thompson‘s new album, Glue, isn’t coming out until August and they’re already talking about it and plugging the Fall tour they’ll undertake to support it. Of course, in September, the German three-piece return to the US to play Ripplefest Texas 2026. The release will once again be through Noisolution and like 2024’s Chuparosa (review here), it was recorded with Tony Reed, though I’m not sure what ‘recording across the Pacific Northwest’ means, if it was done live or what that process might’ve been. But, you know, the record’s not released for four months. There’s time to find these things out.
The band posted the following details on socials, and after that you’ll find the previously announced dates for their Fall European run. Have at you:
It is with the greatest of pleasures that we can finally announce our new album “GLUE” is coming out August 21st, 2026 via Noisolution
this album took shape back in 2025 and then this January we reunited with our dear friend Tony Reed in Port Orchard, Washington USA to produce the album together across the Pacific Northwest. over the course of two weeks we made this record and not a second feels wasted.
This record feels like the most complete thing that we`ve ever made, it came outa lots of little jams and blasting the ideas we had in our mind but mostly it is the result of the three of us hanging out with no big plan just a good feeling making music together.
can`t wait to share more soon – in the meantime grab a ticket to a gig at the link in our bio and thanks very much for your ongoing support & for being here
“GLUE” produced by Daily Thompson engineered at APL Recordings mixed and mastered by Tony Reed album cover and layout by Jonas Wenz
GLUE will be released via Noisolution on CD, cassette, limited green vinyl, black vinyl and there is also an exclusive “Club 100” edition available one month before the release
Daily Thompson – Glue Release Tour:
05.11. GER Düsseldorf – @pitcherrocknrollhq 06.11. GER Oldenburg – @cadillacoldenburg 07.11. GER Flensburg – @kulturwerkstatt_kuehlhaus 08.11. GER Hamburg – @hafenklanghamburg 10.11. GER Hannover – @cafe_glocksee 11.11. GER Berlin – @badehaus_berlin 12.11. GER Dresden – @chemiefabrik_dresden 13.11. AT Wien – @arenawien 14.11. CZ Prague – @subzero.prague 16.11. GER Bamberg – @liveclub.bbg 17.11. GER München – @backstagemunich 18.11. GER Karlsruhe – @altehackerei 19.11. GER Mainz – @kulturclub_schon_schoen 20.11. GER Bielefeld – @forum_bielefeld 21.11. GER Köln – @helios.37 04.12. GER Dortmund – @musiktheaterpiano
Can`t wait to rip the gigs with our very special guest @constance_tomb with our friend @tony_reed2112 (@mosgenerator @bigscenicnowhere @pentagram_the_band )
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 2nd, 2026 by JJ Koczan
Just because Daily Thompson are having a good time doesn’t mean they’re screwing around. The Dortmund trio traveled to Washington State for a second time to record their upcoming album, Glue, having also worked with producer Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere, Constance Tomb, Pentagram, etc.) for their 2024 LP, Chuparosa (review here), and thereby written a loveletter to heavy rock of various eras while refining the band’s own processes.
Producer and band were a match that worked well, as you can hear in the mellow grunge of the title-track or the shove in “Pizza Boy,” or any of the other tracks, and while Daily Thompson have maintained a pretty straight-ahead, sans-pretense persona in their songwriting, the energy of their delivery is as infectious as any of their hooks could hope to be. Not overly simple, but good vibes consistently.
All of which is to say that I’m looking forward to hearing what’s in store for the next full-length, for which they’re already putting out tour dates as you can see here. I’m fairly sure the release will be through Noisolution, but obviously the exact date is still TBA. Note that Reed‘s Constance Tomb is going over to Europe for the tour:
We’re finally ermerging from the shadows! This year we will go on a headline tour in November presenting you our new album ⚡️⚡️ GLUE ⚡️⚡️ More kool news about it very soon! we’ve asked if you are ready for a new chapter? WE ARE!!!
It`s all about the music which keeps us together in times of hate! Music is our GLUE – are you joining us?
05.11. GER Düsseldorf – @pitcherrocknrollhq 06.11. GER Oldenburg – @cadillacoldenburg 07.11. GER Flensburg – @kulturwerkstatt_kuehlhaus 08.11. GER Hamburg – @hafenklanghamburg 10.11. GER Hannover – @cafe_glocksee 11.11. GER Berlin – @badehaus_berlin 12.11. GER Dresden – @chemiefabrik_dresden 13.11. AT Wien – @arenawien 14.11. CZ Prague – @subzero.prague 16.11. GER Bamberg – @liveclub.bbg 17.11. GER München – @backstagemunich 18.11. GER Karlsruhe – @altehackerei 19.11. GER Mainz – @kulturclub_schon_schoen 20.11. GER Bielefeld – @forum_bielefeld 21.11. GER Köln – @helios.37 04.12. GER Dortmund – @musiktheaterpiano
Can`t wait to rip the gigs with our very special guest @constance_tomb with our friend @tony_reed2112 (@mosgenerator @bigscenicnowhere @pentagram_the_band )
Posted in Whathaveyou on November 20th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
I had the good fortune to be there earlier this year when Germany’s Samavayo and Slovenia’s Omega Sun met up at Planet Desert Rock Weekend V in Las Vegas. It’s amazing how much that trip set the tone for me this year, but while I muse and reflect, concern yourself instead with the tour dates below, as the two groups will reunite to make a run into Eastern Europe next February.
The lesson here is not a new one: one thing leads into the next. One day you’re in Vegas doing your first US appearance, the next you’re booking dates with new friends you happened to make on that stop. One thing into the next. This is what I mean when I say a band has momentum.
Both bands are due for albums, if you believe in due, but I haven’t heard anything concrete about new releases. I guess we’ll see what the New Year brings, apart from this tour, the announcement for which came down the PR wire:
Samavayo (DE) and Omega Sun (SLO) are hitting the road together!
After their first encounter in January 2025 in Phoenix/Tempe, USA… where else :) … the massive double pack returns to the stage. This time, they embark on a special tour across Eastern and Central Europe, featuring several first-time stops for both bands!
Friday, 30 January 2026 – DE – Dresden – HD Saturday, 31 January 2026 – CZ – Prague – Klubovna Saturday, 1 February 2026 – CZ – Brno – Sibir Monday, 2 February 2026 – HUN – Budapest – Riff Club Tuesday, 3 February 2026 – AT – Vienna – Kramladen Wednesday, 4 February 2026 – IT – Padua – Grind House Club Thursday, 5 February 2026 – SLO – Ljubljana – Channel Zero Friday, 6 February 2026 – SLO – Nova Gorica – Mostovna Saturday, 7 February 2026 – AT – Wolfsberg – JUZ
Expect a full blast of heavy rock, crushing stoner grooves, and high-energy live shows, where Samavayo’s raw intensity and Omega Sun’s massive riffs lock in seamlessly. Two bands that instantly clicked & now are hitting the road together to shake venues night after night.
Samavayo is: Stephan Voland (Drums, Vocals) Andreas Voland (Bass, Vocals) Behrang Alavi (Vocals, Guitar)
Omega Sun consists of: Igor Kukanja – Vocals and Bass Aris Demirović – Guitars Sebastian Vrbnjak – Drums
Berlin-by-way-of-Brazilian heavy rock trio Red Mess will release their third long-player, Hi Tech Starvation, on Aug. 1 through Noisolution. From its early-Mastodonic call to arms at the start of “Huntress” to the elephantine tonality that ensues from there, turns grunge on “Inexistent Color,” and finds an expression that’s born of desert rock at its heart and has — like the genre itself — grown outward from there.
The band’s last album was 2022’s Breathtaker, which was similarly brash if perhaps not as efficient about it as on this seven-song/31-minute collection, wherein the three-piece of bassist/vocalist Lucas Klepa, guitarist Thiago Franzim and drummer Douglas Labigalini embrace proggier grooveriding on “Intravenous” (premiering below) and with the two-minute “Xenon,” they remember the oft-forgotten punk rock underlying the desert crunch of Kyuss-influenced anything. The swagger there is a recurring theme, not only that carries into the penultimate “Kind Villain” and the start-stops of the closer “Uncanny Valley” with its due push to the finish, but that underscores the growth of craft in the first place, as well as the band’s confidence, chemistry and individuality.
The centerpiece and longest track, “Intravenous” — did I mention that it’s premiering below? oh good — runs 5:28, but apart from the aforementioned “Xenon,” everything else is in the four-to-five-minute span. But where sometimes that can signal a kind of structural uniformity, Red Mess avoid sounding staid with a vital execution as well as in-genre creative range. The reach of “Ransomware,” for example, feels like a patient, atmospheric precursor to “Uncanny Valley” especially in its more lumbering second half, where “Inexistent Color” takes a riff that could’ve been on Spirit Caravan‘s Jug Fulla Sun and rolls it out with all due warmth of tone.
There are hints of drift and of scorch — a relative spaceout in the back end of “Ransomware” and a bit of I’m-burning-this-bridge-and-I-don’t-care arrogance in “Kind Villain,” and so on — but Red Mess are more refined as songwriters, and so able to evoke these ideas without letting their purposes get lost in them. Maybe that’s not shocking for a band who’ve been around more than a decade and relocated across an ocean to full-commit to what they do, but if it wasn’t in the character of the material, it would be missing, and it’s not missing. That is to say, Red Mess‘ songs aren’t lacking scope in balance with the rampant cohesion in their work.
At the same time, they don’t come across as trying to be all things to all people, just perhaps continuing to see the places they can make their sound go. Hi Tech Starvation is nothing if not topical as humans watch other humans get murdered on food lines and do nothing about it, but if it’s heavy sounds for heavy times, they are multifaceted enough in their take to bring their listener through without being bogged down. Momentum is a factor very much on their side.
“Intravenous” is a little rougher-edged in the vocals than some of the fare Red Mess have on offer, and that gives a turn-of-the-century-style sludge rock impression to the nod as it unfurls that’s a standout from a lot of what surrounds, but the truth of the record is there isn’t one track that really encapsulates it all, so if you’re picking singles you might as well just go with a banger, as they did.
Preorder links and PR wire info follows the video on the player below.
Please enjoy:
Red Mess, “Intravenous” video premiere
“Intravenous” is one of the two singles released for the album “Hi-Tech Starvation” out on August 1st by Noisolution Records.
Directed and produced by Lucas Klepa; Song composed and performed by Red Mess.
The extremely likeable band combines the raw sounds of 90s grunge with the heaviness of stoner rock and the experimental spirit of progressive rock. Their distinctive, distinctive voice remains recognizable, conveying a haunting and emotional account of their inner selves. The band’s musical finesse, skill, and energy are equally impressive.
Seattle meets Palm Springs and Brazil’s third-largest city, Londrina, where singer and bassist Lucas Klepa, guitarist Thiago Franzim, and drummer Douglas Labigalini hail from and, ten years after the band’s founding, ventured to Berlin together.
Their sound palette has gradually expanded; heavy guitar walls, flowing psychedelic passages, and doom overtones blend with the wild emotionality and soundscape of the early Sub Pop era. RED MESS occupy a niche and can bring a pleasant breath of fresh air to the dusty desert rock scene.
Tracklist: 1. Huntress 2. Inexistent Color 3. Ransomware 4. Intravenous 5. Xenon 6. Kind Villain 7. Uncanny Valley
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 23rd, 2025 by JJ Koczan
I had the sincere pleasure of watching Samavayo play early this year at Planet Desert Rock Weekend V in Las Vegas (review here), as well as the sincere pleasure of meeting them and spending some actual human, not-at-show time together, which for me is both rare and awesome. They’ve never been the biggest band, never had the hype, but the truth is that they’re 20 years on from their debut album, Death.March.Melodies, and are continuing to explore new spaces not only geographically, but stylistically. A group that has grown as the people who comprise it have grown. Human, only, you know, without the awfulness pervading the species generally.
Samavayo will follow their first US run this past winter with their first UK run this coming Fall. Yes, they’ve done London — they’ll be at The Black Heart again on this run, which is a place of which I retain fond memories — but this will be their first time (keep on) rollin’ through more of the country, and the dates are below. Note that next month they’re at the legendary Stoned From the Underground in Germany, for I believe not at all the first time.
The band sent the dates down the PR wire:
SAMAVAYO – HEAVY TRIP TO BRIT – UK TOUR ’25
We’re back – and 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of firsts!
After our first-ever US tour this past January, we’re beyond excited to announce our very first UK tour coming this October!
Huge thanks to Sound of Liberation, Buried in Smoke, and Jake Cook from the Margate Rock Festival for the support and for making this amazing tour happen.
After many one-off shows in London over the years, it feels incredible to finally spend several days touring the UK – and to explore cities beyond the capital.
Meanwhile, we’re deep into writing new material for our next album – and we’ve already got a bunch of heavy riffs brewing.
But right now, all eyes are on “Stoned From the Underground”, where we’ll hit the stage on July 12. This festival has always been – and always will be – a true highlight for us.
September will bring us to Switzerland for two shows, including the Sixteentimes Music Jubilee in Winterthur on September 6 – another big moment for us this year!
OCTOBER – UK Tour 19.10. – TBA 20.10. – Bridgwater – Cobblestones 21.10. – Oxford – The Jericho 22.10. – Bristol – The Gryphon 23.10. – London – The Black Heart 24.10. – Bournemouth – Anvil 25.10. – Margate – Margate Rock Festival 26.10. – Düsseldorf (DE) – Pitcher
NOVEMBER 14.11. – Eberswalde (DE) – Haus Schwärzetal 15.11. – Plauen (DE) – Malzhaus
Samavayo is: Stephan Voland (Drums, Vocals) Andreas Voland (Bass, Vocals) Behrang Alavi (Vocals, Guitar)
