Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren|Black Light Burns|Shellac|Nickelback|Daft Punk|Nathanael Larochette|My Epic|Earshot|

Band/Artist: Earshot

Origins: Los Angeles, California

Founded: 1999

Members:

Current Members:

Wil Martin – vocals (1999–2010, 2014–present)

Andy Stafford – guitar (2020–present)

John Novak – bass (2020–present)

Mike Sylvia – drums (2020–present)

Aaron Fink – guitar (2020–present)

Previous Members:

Guy Couturier – bass (1999–2000)

Johnny Sprague – bass (2000–2005)

Billy Blair – bass (2005–2009)

“Rooster” – bass (2009–2010)

Scott Kohler – guitar (1999–2009)

Mike Callahan – guitar (1999–2005)

Travis Arnold – guitar (2005–2009)

Chris Loveless – guitar (2009–2010)

Josh Guinn – guitar (2009–2010)

Todd Wyatt – drums (1999–2003)

Chas Stumbo – drums (2003–2005)

Darren Pfeifer – drums (2005–2010)

Studio albums: 3

Active: Yes

Welcome, denizens, to the fourteenth edition(!) of A diagnosis from a (faux) Doctor. Today’s examination is going to be a bit of a nostalgia trip, walking back into a liminal period where you crippled the family computer downloading music off Limewire after discovering a choice band you discovered playing a video game. In the case of Earshot, like the vast majority of us, I discovered this LA-based rock unit playing the classic Madden game: Madden…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren|Black Light Burns|Shellac|Nickelback|Daft Punk|Nathanael Larochette|My Epic|

Band/Artist: My Epic

Origins: Charlotte, North Carolina

Founded: 2005

Current Members:

Aaron Stone – vocals, guitar

Tanner Morita – bass, guitar, keyboard, backing vocals

Nate Washburn – guitars

Previous Members:

Jeremiah Austin – bass

“Cousin” Matt Doran – drums

Jesse Stone – drums, backing vocals

Studio albums: 4

Active: Yes

Welcome denizens of Sputnik and welcome to the thirteenth edition of A diagnosis from a (faux) Doctor. Today’s medical examination is going to be on Charlotte, North Carolinians, My Epic. I’ve been going through a renaissance of sorts with the band and have been fervently playing their discography on the regular the last couple months now. As such, I thought it would be good to analyse their work as it’s really surprised me. I was always a lover of Behold and thought Yet was a great album, but I didn’t fully grasp the extent of their talents. As we shall touch on, this is primarily down to the fact I don’t gravitate towards extended plays – something the band has solely focused on for the last decade now, until only recently breaking the cycle with their 2024 album, Loriella. However, my eyes are open and I feel My Epic deserve to be in this series where, hopefully, people who…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren|Black Light Burns|Shellac|Nickelback|Daft Punk

Artist: Nathanael Larochette

Origins: Ottawa, Canada

Active: Yes

For people well-versed and passionate about their music, they will understand where I’m coming from and relate to the cathartic kick that comes from supporting your favourite “underground” artists. Hell, it’s this passion for supporting great independent acts that creates terms like “trve” black metal, or having breakout bands having “sellout” hurled their way when they attain wider appeal and success. There is some satisfaction to be had in enjoying and supporting smaller acts as it creates a more intimate relationship between the fan and the artist – like a secret club the Radio One-chomping-masses aren’t privy to. However, in some cases, there is a level of frustration that comes from certain bands and artists not receiving the recognition they rightfully deserve. One such case, in my opinion, is multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, Nathanael Larochette. While he has many amazing achievements and accolades under his belt, and a thriving following for his many projects, when you listen to the sheer quality and lateral thinking that comes from some of the albums he’s produced and been involved with, it’s bewildering to me his name and accomplishments aren’t as well-known as they should be. And so, for this addition of A Diagnosis from a (Faux) Doctor, I thought I’d do something a little bit different and cover…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren|Black Light Burns|Shellac|Nickelback

Band/Artist: Daft Punk

Origins: Paris, France

Founded: 1993

Members:

Thomas Bangalter

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo

Studio albums: 4

Active: No

In a lot of ways, I regard Daft Punk the Tool of their respective field. What I mean by that is, in terms of how they created and released music, it was always an event in the industry – as if the world stopped turning for a brief moment so all eyes could be locked onto what they were doing. That’s because, like Tool, they carved out a venerable reputation for themselves that was known for innovation and quality, with their meagre catalogue of music only adding to the fervent demand for more of it. When they released an album you knew, the wait was worth it. Daft Punk formed in Paris in 1993, however it would take four years before the enigmatic duo would release Homework, a trend that would follow suit for the two albums that succeeded the 1997 debut, followed by an eight year wait for their ambitious final record, Random Access Memories. Similarities in a lean catalogue aside, at one point both acts sold fans an enigmatic mystique that made their image and music all the more alluring.…

Ulver: A Sputnik Guide

This feature is part of a hopefully ongoing series aimed at exploring the discographies of interesting and/or important bands whose wider body of work is often overlooked on this site. There will be lots of words and a few pictures, but the main deal is that if a band features here, they are good and you should listen to them! And if you already jam them, hit up the comments and explain where and why this is wrong! Get going!

Previously covered discographies:

Stereolab・Sweet Trip・Blonde Redhead・Slowdive

The news broke today that Tore Ylwizaker, member of Ulver since 1997, died three days ago on his 54th birthday. Though credited as a ‘keyboardist’, Ylwizaker was absolutely essential to everything the group made since he joined: without his contributions, it’s unthinkable that Ulver would have emerged from their early years as a metal band as a such a stunningly proficient juggling act between IDM and downtempo — and then onto drone, onto classical, onto full-tilt synthpop, and anything they could fold into the margins of their umpteen strong suits. Ulver’s name has practically become a by-word for versatility, but for me this was always underpinned by a rigorous sense of competence, which, in turn, I viewed as practically synonymous with Ylwizaker. His passing marks a great loss for forward-thinking music as a whole, and we are privileged to be able to hear his talent across so many guises.

…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren|Black Light Burns|Shellac

Band/Artist: Nickelback

Origins: Hanna, Alberta, Canada

Founded: 1995

Members:

Current members:

Chad Kroeger – lead vocals, lead guitar (1995–present)

Ryan Peake – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1995–present)

Mike Kroeger – bass (1995–present)

Daniel Adair – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2005–present)

Former members:

Brandon Kroeger – drums (1995–1997)

Mitch Guindon – drums (1997–1998)

Ryan Vikedal – drums, percussion (1998–2005)

Studio albums: 10

Active: Yes

Are Nickelback the Kings of buttrock?

For this edition of the Doctor’s Diagnosis series, I thought I’d give things a little shake up and throw myself out of the comfort zone. Thus far, the artists I’ve covered are both well-respected in their respective fields, and they only have a couple of blunders at worst in their back pocket. With that in mind, I felt it was time to tackle a genre I’m not particularly thrilled about and double down still on a band I have relative ambivalence for. Why? Well Nickelback are a curious case, gaining momentum with their third album Silver Side Up and peaking mainstream success with All the Right Reasons, albeit quickly garnering an ire so intense it became a cultural movement. Was the hatred warranted? That’s what the Doctor is here to find out – so, Nickelback, it’s time to spread ‘em…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren|Black Light Burns

Band/Artist: Shellac

Origins: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Founded: 1992

Members:

Todd Trainer – Drums, Vocals
Bob Weston – Bass, Vocals
Steve Albini – Guitar, Vocals

Studio albums: 5 (soon to be 6)

Active: Yes

Sample: Here

Has there ever been a more distinct guitar tone? Welcome, denizens of Sputnik, to the ninth edition of the Doctor’s ‘Diagnosis Series’, where I go through a band or artist’s catalogue of music and analysis the core strengths and weaknesses found within their recorded works. Shellac recently announced their first new album in ten bloody years, so I felt it was an auspicious time to run through the trio’s work, which sprawls over three decades. So, sit in the waiting room for a minute and grab a coffee while I get my coat, stereoscope and gloves to run through this bitch.

At Action Park (1994)

The Doctor’s rating: 4/5

Analysis: Named after the infamous theme park in Vernon, New Jersey, where at least six people were known to have died as a result of the park’s negligence and failure to follow health and safety regulations, Shellac’s 1994 debut sets the groundwork for their illustrious future. Being that this band is one third Steve Albini, you can only imagine the abrasive…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey|Mc Ren

Good day denizens of Sputnik and welcome to today’s edition of the Doctor’s diagnosis series, where I take on a band or artist’s studio recordings and formulate a comprehensive diagnosis by looking at the artist in question’s simmering highs and disappointing lows. On this eighth instalment, I will be putting on my latex gloves and analysing the mighty Riff Lord Wes Borland and his seminal project, Black Light Burns – a scintillating artistic affirmation that has only spawned three records and a compilation album hitherto, but has left a lasting resonance. So, join me while I grab my stethoscope and go over the Black Light Burns catalogue.

Band/Artist: Black Light Burns

Origins: Los Angeles, California, USA

Founded: 2005

Current Members:

Wes Borland – lead vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, programming (2005-Present)

Previous members:

Nick Annis – guitar, Backing vocals (2005–2013)

Danny Lohner – guitar, programming, sound design, producer (2005–2007)

Josh Eustis – synths, sound design, engineering (2005–2007)

Josh Freese – drums, live percussion (2005–2007)

Sean Fetterman – bass (2007–2008)

Marshall Kilpatric – drums, percussion (2007–2011)

Dennis Sanders – bass, backup vocals (2008–2013)

Dylan Taylor – drums (2012–2013)

Studio albums: 3

Active: Hiatus (?)

Cruel Melody (2007)

The Doctor’s Rating: 4.5/5

Analysis: Though Wes…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH|Dir En Grey

Band/Artist: MC Ren

Origins: Compton, California, USA

Founded: 1992

Studio albums: 4

Active: Yes

Sample: Playlist

Good day denizens of Sputnik, and welcome to the seventh instalment of my diagnosis series. After covering a mixture of rock and metal bands, I thought I’d tap into some hip-hop, and more specifically, highlight an underrated MC in the game: Ren. For my money, Ren is a great rapper – his baritone voice has the same kind of well-rounded warmth and weight to it his peers Ice Cube and Dre have, and his feral attitude and cold-killer bars make his discography a very engaging one. Yet, he’s not really talked about a great deal. Why? Well, being in, arguably, the most important hip-hop act in music history won’t have made his situation any easier, giving that N.W.A was comprised of pedigree talents Ice Cube, Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, all of whom went off to shatter and re-define the genre with their own solo careers. As such, while MC Ren didn’t grapple the zeitgeist as aggressively as Ice Cube say, his music still deserves every hip-hop fan’s attention.

Shock of the Hour (1993)

The Doctor’s rating: 4/5

Analysis: After the success of his debut EP Kizz My Black Azz in 1992, with the aid of Eazy-E, Ren set to work on a…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore|HEALTH

Hello music enthusiast, and welcome to another instalment of Dr.Gonzo’s ‘Diagnosis Series’– where I go through a band or artist’s studio recordings and find their strengths and weaknesses. Today’s edition is on Japanese legends Dir En Grey, so join me while I try and wade through their sprawling and epic work.

Band/Artist: Dir En Grey

Origins: Osaka, Japan

Founded: 1997

Members:

Kyo – vocals

Kaoru – lead guitar

Die – rhythm guitar

Toshiya – bass

Shinya – drums

Studio albums: 11

Active: Yes

Gauze (1999)

 The Doctor’s rating: 4/5

Analysis: As far as debut albums go, Gauze is an excellent entry point for fans looking to listen to some great J-rock music. Tracks like “Yurameki”, “Akuro No Oka”, “Cage” and “Yokan” reveal the raw talent within the band, with a deluge of infectious melodies, fantastic vocal performances and solid playing from every member. “Cage” in particular is a song I hold close to my heart, as I spent A LOT of time trying to play it when I first started playing the bass (the solo is still one of Toshiya’s career highlights). In hindsight though, Gauze’s strongest attribute is setting the stage for the rest of Dir En Grey’s career. The album gives every member the opportunity to shine and show their…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More|Paramore

Good day denizens of Sputnik, and welcome to the fifth instalment of Dr. Gonzo’s “Diagnosis Series”. Today’s issue will be on L.A. trio HEALTH; looking through their mainline LPs, with a couple of recommended supplements for you to check out, just because they’re too good to pass up. So let me put on my gloves and let’s check out what this band is all about.

Band/Artist: HEALTH

Origins: Los Angeles, California U.S.

Founded: 2005

Current Members:
Jake Duzsik: (vocals, guitar)

John Famiglietti: (bass, pedals, electronics)

BJ Miller: (drums) 

Previous members:

Jupiter Keyes (guitar, synths)

Studio albums: 4

Active: Yes

 Health (2007)

The Doctor’s rating: 4/5

Analysis: HEALTH’s 2007 debut is in stark contrast to what the band is producing these days, but in spite of the stylistic differences, the band’s first album is still incredibly enjoyable and displays their promising potential for the future. Since the band’s genesis was founded in the underbelly of the L.A. noise rock scene, their sound here is vastly experimental, albeit, never to the point of being obtuse. The album largely lends its sonic influences from bands like Ex Models’ Zoo Psychology or a mid-noughties Liars album, like They Were Wrong, So We Drowned, but the distinction between these examples and this is that Health…

Slowdive: A Sputnik Guide

This feature is part of a newly-rebooted series aimed at exploring the discographies of interesting and/or important bands whose wider body of work is often overlooked on this site. There will be lots of words and a few pictures, but the main deal is that if a band features here, they are good and you should listen to them! And if you already jam them, hit up the comments and explain where and why I went wrong! Get going!

Previously covered discographies:

Stereolab・Sweet Trip・Blonde Redhead

Everyone loves Slowdive! One of the rare bands to come out of shoegaze and dream pop playing both genres their own while playing them to the best of their potential, their value has gone up and up and up over the last decade, and neither the past decade’s outpouring of soppy bedroom artists through every pore of the internet nor  shoegaze’s TikTok resurgence aren’t entirely to blame for it. Let’s all love Slowdive!

With Souvlaki‘s 30th anniversary back in June and Just for a Day’s 32nd just last week (along with a new LP, Everything is Alive), it is time to remember this greatest of  it is time to dive once into the shoe, to gaze once more at the slow. I’m going to cover every individual release here (no comps!), and I ended up doing it so quickly that I entirely forgot that Frippertronics actually made his own version of this list in 2017 until I was 75% of the way through. Six years and…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus|Faith No More

Good day denizens of Sputnik and welcome to the fourth instalment of Dr. Gonzo’s “Diagnosis Series”. Today I will be looking at Paramore, the Franklin, Tennessee outfit that captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation back in the mid-noughties, with their own brand of pop-punk. So, get out of the waiting room chair and observe the doctor, as I go through all six of their studio albums and conclude if they’re worth half a damn or not. 

Band/Artist: Paramore

Origins: Franklin, Tennessee, U.S.

Founded: 2004

Current Members:
Hayley Williams: (vocals, keyboards)

Zac Farro: (drums, keyboards)

Taylor York: (guitar, keyboards)

Previous members:

Josh Farro (guitar)

Jeremy Davis: (bass)

Jason Bynum: (guitar)

John Hembree: (bass)

Hunter Lamb: (guitar)

Studio albums: 6

Active: Yes

All We Know is Falling (2005)

The Doctor’s rating: 3/5

Analysis: For me, All We Know is Falling is fine. It’s a decent first album that lays down the groundwork for future records. Hayley delivers some great performances on the likes of “Pressure”, “Emergency” and “Conspiracy”, and the music does a decent job of toeing the pop-punk line with some energetic drum work and infectious guitar melodies. Other than that, there’s not much else to say here.…

Previous Diagnoses:

Paradise Lost|Primus 

Hello music enthusiasts and welcome to the third instalment of Dr.Gonzo’s ‘Diagnosis Series’, where I go through a band or artist’s studio recordings and find their strengths and weaknesses, recommending a few things along the way. Today we’ll be looking at San Francisco’s venerable legends Faith No More to unpack their capricious career, which ultimately led to a sublime streak of near-perfect albums, as well as the iffy ones. So grab Bjork’s fish and prepare to gasp in excitement or terror.

Band/Artist: Faith No More

Origins: San Francisco, California, U.S.

Founded: 1979

Current Members:
Mike Bordin (drums)

Billy Gould (bass)

Roddy Bottum (keyboards, rhythm guitar)

Mike Patton (vocals)

Jon Hudson (lead guitar)

Previous members:

Mike Morris (guitar, vocals)

Wade Worthington (keyboards)

Courtney Love (vocals)

Mark Bowen (guitar)

Chuck Mosley (vocals)

Jim Martin (guitar)

Trey Spruance (guitar)

Dean Menta (guitar)

Studio albums: 7

Active: Hiatus(?)

We Care a Lot (1985)

The Doctor’s rating: 2/5

Analysis: I feel like Faith No More’s trajectory was very similar to how Iron Maiden started out their career. Like Iron Maiden, FNM started out with a very different sounding vocalist for their first two albums, and although Di’Anno and Mosley both bring…