Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, and grew up in Dyess, where his family worked the land in a New Deal agricultural community. The hardship, faith, labor, and family ties of those years became permanent elements of his worldview and songwriting voice. After graduating from Dyess High School, Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. He served as a radio intercept operator in Germany, played music with fellow servicemen, and continued developing songs before returning to the United States in 1954. Cash settled in Memphis, worked as a door-to-door salesman, and approached Sam Phillips at Sun
Japanese metallers Sigh just shared “Unputenpu”, the first single to be taken from their upcoming new studio album Goh-Ka (coming out on 4th September via Peaceville Records) alongside a new music video created by Costin Chioreanu. The song features Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth. Read more…
Billy Strings, arena-packing bluegrass virtuoso and giant metalhead, is a few weeks away from headlining his own Ionia Freak Fair festival and releasing So Much For Goodbyes, the new album that he co-produced with T Bone Burnett. We’ve already posted lead single “Burn The Other End,” and now he’s sharing a tragic new story-song lament called “Mill Town Flood.”
The Goths Lacrimas Profundere have some news about their forthcoming record. It was announced that their 14th album, Lay Me Down O Silent Fear, will be out on September 25th, 2026 via Steamhammer. The German band has also released the first single called “O Silent Fear” and a video to go with it. Read more…
Back in 2017, two different teenage Vallejo, California rap duos joined forces to form the group SOB x RBE, and they took off quickly with a hard, energetic style that felt like a fresh take on classic Bay Area sounds. By 2018, they were showing up on Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther soundtrack. But the group’s run was chaotic, and they always seemed to be on the verge of breaking up before it really happened after the release of the 2019 album Strictly Only Brothers. That same year, former member Lul G was arrested for murder. In 2023, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Today, the remaining SOB x RBE members reunite for their first new single in seven years.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this gravel-pop track that came out earlier this week, and therefore I must blog. “Escalators” is the newest track from Leeds quartet Vehicle. It’s fuzzy garage rock that recalls ? and the Mysterians or the 13th Floor Elevators. Vehicle are honing a sound from the ’60s, similar to nostalgia-pop time travelers Sharp Pins. In fact, they’re about to open for Sharp Pins at a show in Manchester next month.
A few days ago, Boy George admitted to using “AI for good.” That “good” was a new reggae song in support of Israel’s genocidal regime. Now, that “good” is having some repercussions. Boy George’s manager announced that George is no longer participating in the production of Jesus Christ Superstar at London Palladium.
2026 has been Slayyyter’s breakout year. The St. Louis pop star released WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA her third studio album, and first for Columbia, which we dubbed the best album of the year so far. It’s thrilling hedonistic pop, where the red rhinestones and fresh blood complement each other, that reminisces about the lost iPod era. Her stardom continues to expand, as does the album’s own hellish universe.
Eric Steckel has announced his new studio album, Sandstorm, which will be released on September 11 via OPEN / SPV Recordings. Along with the announcement, Steckel has released the album’s new single, “She’s A Golddigger,” a Ronnie Baker Brooks cover, which is available now on streaming platforms.
Steckel shared the news on social media, calling the new single “just plain fun.”
“‘She’s a Golddigger’ is just plain fun,” Steckel said. “It was one of the songs that I just couldn’t wait to record for this album and I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. The lyrics are just hilarious, very relatable, especially to those who are musicians or in the arts. But even if you’re not, I think you’ll get a kick out of this song.”
The guitarist also reflected on the recording process for Sandstorm, describing it as the most enjoyable album of his career.
“My forthcoming new album, ‘Sandstorm’ is the most fun I’ve had making a record in my career thus far,” Steckel said. “The incredible vibe in the studio brought forth tons of new and spontaneous material such as the title track ‘Sandstorm’ which instantly became my favorite track on this album and a perfect representation of this body of work.”
In support of the new release, Steckel will embark on an extensive international tour beginning August 6 in Switzerland. The run includes festival appearances and club dates across Switzerland, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States before wrapping up October 24 in Phoenix, Arizona.
TRACK LISTING
When It Rains, It Pours
The Other Guy
Blues for the Lonely
What I Wanna Believe
Sandstorm
Empty Promises
El Paso Sugar
Axe to Grind
She’s a Golddigger
Back to Life
Eric Steckel 2026 Tour Dates
Aug. 6 – Maggia, Switzerland – Vallemaggia Magic Blues Aug. 8 – Monthey, Switzerland – Chablues Festival Aug. 20 – Schopfheim, Germany – Dreyland Bluesfestival Aug. 21 – Dărmănești, Romania – Blues in the Garden Festival Sept. 10 – Dordrecht, Netherlands – Bibelot Sept. 13 – Raismes, France – Raismes Fest Sept. 16 – Haarlem, Netherlands – Patronaat Sept. 17 – Heerlen, Netherlands – Poppodium Nieuwe Nor Sept. 20 – Hamburg, Germany – Nochtspeicher Sept. 21 – Berlin, Germany – Mikropol Sept. 22 – Hannover, Germany – Lux Club Linden Sept. 23 – Frankfurt am Main, Germany – The Bed: Live Music Club Sept. 25 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Konzertfabrik Sept. 26 – Mannheim, Germany – Guitar Summit Sept. 27 – Vienna, Austria – Chelsea Sept. 28 – Milan, Italy – Legend Club Sept. 29 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Oct. 2 – Edinburgh, Scotland – Sneaky Pete’s Oct. 3 – Manchester, England – Gullivers Oct. 4 – Nottingham, England – Rough Trade Nottingham Oct. 5 – London, England – Colours Hoxton Oct. 6 – Dublin, Ireland – Whelan’s Oct. 24 – Phoenix, Arizona – The Rhythm Room
