I think Matt Perri caught a case of catchiness. The guitarist, singer, and songwriter of Periscope writes riffs and licks that entice and entrance, but still make room for you to drop in. The guitar, keys, bass and drums weave in and out with unassuming intricacy, recognizing that above all we’ve got to leave space for Matt Perri’s sturdy vocal cords. Their EP “Memories” showcases all of this in an economical four tracks that both rock and indeed roll.

First song “Any Other Way” is a kaleidoscopic drone flight, an establishing shot setting up the sky level view we get to witness. It’s got a Strokes meets Rooney feel with a loftier air: “stopping at the vista point looking at the road that brought me where I stand/I’ve learned so much about the journey.” The guitars chime and then get chunky, as we go from gliding to nose dive on our flight simulator. “Your Piece” gets some Incubus in there, letting us surf on their groove for about 40 seconds before throwing their first curveball at us. The chorus slows down and deepens, pushing us beneath the waves to marvel at the universe we drift over. The payoff is near the end, when Matt finally gives a full throated yell. I didn’t see it coming, it’s awesome. I don’t know what he’s singing there, it sounds sort of like “our bulldog takes it away!” which I’m totally on board for.

“Confession” is the full on rocker of the bunch. The riffs are heavier and the drums keep you moving while Matt’s voice gives his all. It’s music to get you to the top of that climb, for which we are rewarded with some huge yowls across the mountaintops. They end with the titular “Memories,” and the memories I had during this were 2000s emo breakdowns and classic rock guitar solos. And I’m a sucker for a left in hot mic cheer at the end.

Periscope are a good time, and these songs come alive at shows. I’ve been lucky enough to play with them not twice but thrice (oh wait I think it’s 4 times? Matt?) and they always slay. Go see them! 5/5 🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️ 

Have you ever wondered what a musical that roaches would put on after hours in a black box theater would sound like? Welcome to Juicebumps. Self described as “the Bay Area’s favorite hard to listen to spank-rock band, they excrete a signature blend of hot garbage & vaseline that goes down thick and leaves you hankering for less.” Opening song “Scatterbrain” sets the expectation: “My scatterbrain is in a million little pieces.” Juicebumps make it super clear from the start: this music is Weird with a capital W! It’s a radio show from the otherworld and it’s a great time.

The album feels like the muppets took over public access on Mars. “Supercool” sounds like a video game made by someone who got fired for putting inappropriate jokes in Metroid. “Dead Asleep” features gutter philosophizing, where tin foil hats are the height of fashion. Lasers fire “Supercool” into uncharted regions of electromagnetism. Music theory nerds get plenty to chew on (and probably spit out), with piles of dissonance, abrasive timbres, and collage like rhythms.

No vocal is un-affected, either by actual audio effects or general attitude. Voices and characters chime in on the Adult-Swim-core “Soopermart,” finally concluding “put me in the freezer looking for a good time one of us will die here.” The lyrics all come from whatever substation their cosmic antenna is tuned to. A bludgeoned Devo riff spines “Monosodium Glutamate” (I definitely already knew what that title means, I totally didn’t have to google it.)

They end with the banger-ballad-banger that is “Kanker.” As a whole this is fusion from smart minded bad students who didn’t respond to that book learnin’ but liked the creepy man who followed them to class. There’s some Primus, some Slint, some Ty Segall in his off kilter moods. It’s angular, it’s sharp, it’s dense, it’s playful, and it’s silly. There’s lots to love. Pairs well with Scary Scare, Nina Durango, and Gumby’s Junk. 5/5 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖