As the drummer for the Nerves and Breakaways and lead singer of the Beat, Paul Collins helped create the genre of power pop. His songs have been covered by virtually every band with a guitar, from Audacity to Green Day to White Fence to the Muffs to the Exploding Hearts to … me. He will play Friday at Blue Star—win tickets here! This interview by Dan Collins and Kristina Benson.

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Pine Hill Haints attract people that have gone to the dark side and found it uplifting. Alabama’s self-proclaimed punk band makes music that embraces doom and the great lonesomeness of life in order to find everlasting joy. This basically makes Pine Hill Saints a good band for the end of the world. What luck—they’re playing Los Angeles on Judgment Day! Daiana Feuer speaks to singer Jamie Barrier.

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This is an incredibly sophisticated and accessible record—commercial, but in a Brian Wilson kinda way. It takes colossal experience and skill to make something that sounds this effortless and natural. Bespoke is a high-point of Daedelus’ discography—fans will find the sounds they know and love, but this is the record that’ll open the minds of new listeners worldwide.

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As a rule I prefer demos and practice recordings to slick studio finishes, but Hot Tropics may be the exception. This brilliant work showcases the Growlers in their fullest stride, like fancy new boots that make you feel mature and confident.

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This record is ruthless and filled with weather. Sometimes it’s rain-addled, green and gasping; sometimes there’s barren, scorpion-infested desert fire; sometimes you see constellations. The band (really, more a militia) seamlessly oscillates between each microclimate, never at risk for jetlag.

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Black Lips have been to or narrowly avoided jail in more countries than many schoolchildren can even locate on a map and they do a ripping cover of Jacques Dutronc. They meet here between time and space to knock out this abridged print interview. Complete interview coming soon—both by Vanessa Gonzalez.

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The Black Hollies come from the psychedelic state of New Jersey and put chocolate and hot sauce but not crack in their bodies from time to time. They don’t exactly sound like the Shades, the Rovin’ Flames or the Cavemen but they probably have those 45s. Bassist/singer Justin Morey takes a break from the chocolate factory to talk. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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L.A. RECORD interviews Greg Ashley every year we can because he does such vital work in keeping Californian minds alive. His fearsome band the Gris Gris is back playing a few shows, but he’ll be opening for (and backing) the Dutchess and the Duke tonight and Friday for his first local shows since 2007. This interview by Daniel Clodfelter.

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