'Skint' by The Dead Bolts

 

First time for everything. 

'Skint' is a new release by the Chicago group, The Dead Bolts from their upcoming, as yet unnamed new album, here available on YouTube only. 

The song will be on streaming platforms from 20 February, 2026, so the next 'New Music Friday'.

As I said on social media:

"Too good, and the video's cool! 

And to friends 'video is deliberately 'amateur' but actually great!'.

Enjoy.

'Tearing the Ticket' by The Paranoid Style

 

 

From the album 'Known Associates' released February 13, 2026.

Another band that has been around for a while that I have only just come across with the release of this the new album.

The Paranoid Style is a Washington, D.C. indie/garage rock band built around songwriter and vocalist Elizabeth Nelson and guitarist husband Timothy Bracy.

The guitar work is fine, although there is a great sax sola towards the end.

For those interested in the lyrics, which can be found via Bandchamp, here is Perplexity AI's interpretation, for what it's worth, which sounds about right.

"Taken as a whole, “Tearing the Ticket” is:

A tribute to fallen guitar heroes and the people who still carry their influence.

A self‑portrait of a lifer in music and politics who refuses to sell out or cross lines, despite fatigue and doubt.

A meditation on commitment: “tearing the ticket” is both the moment you sign on for a ride you can’t fully control and the act of rejecting the easy out, deciding to keep the flame alive when it would be simpler to go home."

'Thrill' by CHEEKY LEASH

 

 

 A single released February 4 2026.

Great lively upbeat song from this Australian Surf Rock group, who are from Wollongong, New South Wales, which is an hour south of Sydney on what is called the South Coast.

Always liked Surf Rock.