While You Were Away: New Music From NOFX And Sleater-Kinney, OU’s New Album, And More
After a vacation break, While You Were Away returns with another week of music news you don’t want to miss. This time we’re checking out new music from NOFX and Sleater-Kinney, geeking out over OU’s upcoming album, getting hyped for this week’s new tours, and more.
NOFX announce ‘Half Album,’ share new single
NOFX have announced a new five-song collection dubbed Half Album, out April 19th via Fat Wreck Chords.
Fat Mike describes the upcoming record as the fifth side of a double album also combining their previous releases, Single Album and Double Album. “These songs were all recorded at the same time,” he explained. “It just takes me a while to finish shit. So, this is me tying up loose ends, which is very good for the soul.”
The band have also shared new single “I’m a Rat,” which contains 54 chords and was first recorded by Japanese punk band Hi-Standard. The accompanying video includes a twisted take on Steamboat Willy dubbed Steamboat Fatty. Watch it below.
Pre-order Half Album here.
Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg joins Suicidal Tendencies
Jay Weinberg, former Slipknot drummer, has joined the veteran punk band Suicidal Tendencies. He will start playing shows with them this week.
Weinberg announced the news on Instagram in a post saying:
“When I think of the culture and community of heavy music that I’ve loved and considered my creative home for 20 years, I think of Suicidal Tendencies: a foundational pillar and source of inspiration ever since I fell in love with punk, metal, and hardcore. Having toured and played shows together all over the world, I’ve been so fortunate to become friends with my musical heroes who have been a part of this band’s incredible history. It’s an absolute honor and privilege to play with Suicidal Tendencies, and I can’t wait to start this incredibly exciting new chapter in just one week! See you all in the pit!”
Weinberg will make his live debut with the band with two shows in Japan on March 14th in Osaka and March 16th in Chiba.
See Weinberg’s announcement below.
OU announce new album ‘蘇醒 II: Frailty’
Chinese prog metallars OU are back with their second album, 蘇醒 II: Frailty, which arrives on April 26th via InsideOutMusic. For the new album, the band called upon Devin Townsend to handle production, mixing, and add contributions to the record.
“We are very excited to present our forthcoming album OU – 蘇醒 II: Frailty, due for an April 26th release via InsideOutMusic, ” says the band. “We were honoured to have the privilege on working with the mighty Devin Townsend to produce this album in order to further explore and enhance our sound, working to provide a sonic adventure for you all.”
As a preview of the record, the band shared lead single “蘇醒 Frailty.” Listen to it below.
Speaking about the new song, the band says, “OU is back! Life unfolds, drop by drop, a fleeting thread in the ticking dance of time. A brief bloom, a withered leaf, breathing in the rhythm of day and night. The river of life, a pale countdown, flowing soil beneath the dreamy sky. Pieces fall, growing without words, returning to the dust. The flower of life bears its fruit, lost in the vast expanse. A poignant journey, from bloom to disappearance, echoing the eternal tick tock of existence. The debut offering 蘇醒 Frailty from our new album OU – 蘇醒 II: Frailty has arrived, and we’re excited to share it with you all.”
Pre-order the new album here.
Sleater-Kinney share new EP ‘Frayed Rope Sessions’
Sleater-Kinney have recently released their new EP Frayed Rope Sessions. The three-track EP features reimagined versions of Little Rope tracks “Say It Like You Mean It,” “Hunt You Down,” and “Untidy Creature.”
The release arrived just in time for International Women’s Day on March 8th. Proceeds from the Sleater-Kinney’s Bandcamp sales will benefit the reproductive justice organization Noise for Now.
Addtionally, the band have shared the video series “Little Rope Unraveled,” where they break down each track that appears on the new EP. “We wanted to step back into these songs, reimagine and revisit them, both for ourselves and for the listener,” the duo said in a statement. “The different arrangements expose the songs anew, getting at their core or the outer edges. Frayed Rope was a way for us to travel through the songs and perhaps arrive at a different destination.”
Stream the EP below.
Tours on sale this week
Halestorm and I Prevail are teaming up for a 2024 co-headlining North American tour. The trek starts on July 9th in Raleigh, California and wraps up on August 17th with a show in Las Vegas. See all the details here.
Cage the Elephant will return this year with their new album, Neon Pill. In support of the record, they’ll embark on a 45-date North American tour starting June 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tickets are on sale now.
Garbage recently announced a big UK/European summer tour that kicks off June 26th in Milan and wraps up July 26th in London. See all the dates here.
Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme will hold a star-studded benefit concert in support of his Sweet Stuff Foundation in Los Angeles on March 20th. The show will feature Dave Grohl, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, St. Vincent, Beck, Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys, and Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal. Comedians Bill Burr and Sarah Silverman, The Kills, Tyler Parkford, Vivant, and Justin Willman will also appear. Get all the details here.
