The artful dynamics of trio Shit Giver leave an indelible impact. On their debut full-length, entitled ...Life, the band's knotty guitar lines and undulating bass grooves propel forward with an urgency that sounds like a more refined take on hardcore punk. Led by Preston Mendell's mirthless sing-speak, there's an assaulting intensity to their cutting fury that does seek to modernize the post-collegiate malaise of early to mid-nineties post-punk. It's a remarkable step forward from their promising demo recordings, as it perfectly exemplifies how they direct that raw vitriol with a trenchant intelligence that cannot be ignored.

...Life is out now on their official bandcamp page. Though they're currently touring the Pacific Northwest, Shit Giver will be back soon to play a hometown show at the Bootleg on July 15. 

From the subzero depths of the Diamond Valley Lake, Shojo Winter premieres the title track to their upcoming EP release, "Somewhere Else", the first sign of life since their summer debut "Eternal Snow". Kevin McVey and Patrick Capinding, commonly associated with the ear-rending, emotionally destructive shoegaze band Crisis Arm, started on a new project to embrace glacial bleakness of coldwave and ethereal dreampop. Teaming up with Patricio Bautista, the three reimagine the glossolalic verve of Cocteau Twins and Lowlife in the wake of a post-Third Impact world.

Shojo Winter are holding a two-part release show, details below. - Ryan Mo

Dec. 18 — The dA Center for the Arts (Pomona) with The Victoriana, Shit Giver, The Lowered

Dec. 19 — House show (Lawndale) with Cruelty Code, Chikochikorita, and C. Kiten (Brittany Scheffler).