Author: Mason Baker

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A Streetcar Named Locals Only!

Post author By Mason Baker
Post date March 12, 2025

Locals Only! WKNC’s collaborative project with Neptunes to showcase local talent returns once more on Thursday, March 13th with an all-star lineup of punk bands for your listening pleasure. Without further ado, lets introduce our wonderful musical guests.

MR. PISS

The Mission Representatives of the Peoples Institute for Social Struggle, colloquially known as MR. PISS (my personal favorite name we have ever showcased here at Locals Only!), is a band from right here in the heart of Raleigh bringing you the innuendo-laden punk of your dreams.

Although the group only has two tracks under their belt, what they lack in seniority they more than make up for in, pun somewhat intended, passion. Their two tracks, “Put My Gun In Your Mouth” and “Mink Jock” both expertly interweave prevalent social commentary with a distinct tongue-in-cheek humor that make both tracks delectably addictive. Judging by their current catalogue, MR. PISS is certainly one to watch if noise rock is on your radar.

Favorite Track: Put My Gun In Your Mouth

Franky and the Slight Incline

Keeping with the punk theming from MR. PISS, Franky and the Slight Incline takes a distinctly more classic approach to the genre. Harkening back to the early days of punk in the 70s, Franky and the Slight Incline combines enticing melodies and a series of biting lyrics into a beautifully cacophonous harmony.

Although I am not as well-versed with the history of punk as I might ought to be, there is quite a bit to love about Franky and the Slight Incline for new school and old school fans of the genre alike. For newer fans, the social commentary laced within each track hits just as hard now as it would have in the past. For older fans, Franky and the Slight Incline has a large smattering of sub-two-minute tracks that exude the same raw emotion as the greats of the genre.

Favorite Track: Cleaver of an Evil Man

Psychic Scream

Rounding out the evening is Psychic Scream, yet another Raleigh based punk band, this time with (unsurprisingly given their name) a distinctive psych twist.

With one EP to their name, Psychic Scream masterfully blends a number of genres into one ultimately very cohesive mass of punk excellence. Although this is a spoiler for our favorite track section, the track “Fairweather Friends” takes the best parts of psych and punk, mixes in a dash of shoegaze, and wraps everything up in a nice sludgy bow for your listening pleasure.

Aside from the music, Psychic Scream seems to have a very distinct brand carved out for themself. While my bias towards black t-shirts with white print on them may be showing, their Crawlout from the Fallout t-shirt design (with art from local tattoo artist Nick Osetek) may be one of my favorite merch items to cross Locals Only’s stage (aside from our very lovely WKNC-brand merch, of course~)

Favorite Track: Fairweather Friends

Closing Thoughts

As always, the party kicks off at 8 PM sharp over at Neptunes here in Raleigh. Admission is free for anyone 21+ with a $5 cost for anyone over 18. I certainly hope to see you come out to support these local bands, because I know I sure will enjoy them.

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Close Encounters of The Locals Only!

Post author By Mason Baker
Post date January 8, 2025

What better way to ring in the New Year than with some spectacular local music? Locals Only! returns this Thursday, January 9th at its usual 8 PM timeslot at Neptunes in Raleigh. As always, admission is free for anyone 21+! We have an extra special line up this month so without further ado, lets go ahead and introduce them!

Bedrumor

Hailing from Greenville, this duo has made quite a name for themselves on social media for their intimate covers of popular songs, ranking in almost 3 million likes on their TikTok account alone.

However, their cover roots are only the tip of the iceberg for this group, as their jazz-influenced instrumentation and vocals have recently led to the release of their debut original single “Mother’s Hand.”

The song itself takes all of the best parts of their stripped back covers and charges it with a very palpable melancholy that sticks with you long after you finish listening. Although the duo only has one original track under their belt for the time being, I am very excited to see how their musical style evolves given their very promising start!

Favorite Track: Mother’s Hand

Newspaper Taxis

Hailing right here from Raleigh, Newspaper Taxis have made quite a name for themselves over the past three years they have been active in the Triangle music scene.

By their own admission, Newspaper Taxis’ music defies a singular categorization. As they describe their sound, their music is “A bit of British Invasion, a dash of post-punk, and a little power pop” that all comes together to make a very exciting musical cocktail.

The band has two albums under their belt, with their most recent being something we here at WKNC are always fond of, a live album! Although it didn’t quite beat out one of their other offerings for my favorite track, the live recording of Your Cowboy shows off lead vocalist Ben Armstrong’s crooning vocals mixed with some tastefully retro instrumentation that Locals Only! attendees are sure to enjoy.

Favorite Track: Digging A Hole

Closing Thoughts

If this Locals Only! lineup is any indication, the future looks bright for North Carolina’s blossoming music scene as this night is sure to have something for everyone. As always, doors open at 8 PM at Neptunes in Raleigh. I hope to see you there!

Tags Bedrumor, college radio, local, Locals Only, Newspaper Taxis, Raleigh, WKNC, WKNC 88.1

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Locals Only! or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love Local Music

Post author By Mason Baker
Post date December 10, 2024

Locals Only! returns for its sixth installment just in time to help you get into the holiday spirit. Bundle up and head over to Neptunes this Thursday, December 12th for a rock-fueled extravaganza that is sure to wipe away all of your winter blues. Remember that doors open at 8 PM sharp with free admission for anyone 21+

Electric Lady Man

Our first act for the evening is Electric Lady Man, a hard rock group hailing from right here in Raleigh. The group’s musical stylings are self-described as “heavy, absurd and gleefully irate” and I couldn’t think of a more apt description if I tried.

Their most recently released EP “Wired” calls to mind a classic hard rock sound with its bouncy instrumentation that energizes you like an adrenaline shot to the heart. Along with its fun instrumentation, vocalists Chris Pilione and Steve Graham are certain to get your blood pumping with their hard-hitting performances.

Favorite Track: Rally!

Booster Club

Our second act for the evening is Booster Club, a Raleigh based alternative rock band formed in 2021. Despite their relatively recent foray into music, Booster Club already has an impressive three EPs under their belt with their most recent outing “Year Of The Draggin'” coming out earlier this year.

“Year Of The Draggin'” is chock full of fun and lively instrumentation that would sound right at home with the art rock classics of our time. It wears its classic influences proudly on its sleeve while still offering something new and fresh to the scene.

Favorite Track: Delphina

Closing Thoughts

Although this year is quickly drawing to a close, the future of Raleigh’s music scene is bright as ever and I cannot wait to explore more of it through Locals Only! each and every month. Remember to stay warm and as always, I hope to see you there this Thursday, December 12th!

Tags local, Locals Only, Raleigh, WKNC, WKNC 88.1

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Locals Only!: Episode V – Neptunes Strikes Back

Post author By Mason Baker
Post date November 12, 2024

Locals Only!, WKNC’s collaboration event with Neptunes, is back and better than ever for its fifth monthly installment on November 14th. Doors open at 8 PM, and remember that if you’re 21+ you get free admission. Otherwise, admission is only $5.

Fake Jr.

As a Raleigh-based power pop artist, Fake Jr. brings peppy and, at times, retro harmonies together with crooning vocals that feel right at home with the greats of the genre.

Their latest EP “Wildflower Blooms” recalls other heavy hitters in pop/rock fusion, such as The Cowboys and Cheap Trick, while still putting an interesting and unique spin on the genre. My personal favorite from the EP, “Altered State of Mind” feels delightfully vintage with the zing of modern instrumentation.

Favorite Track: Altered State of Mind

Boy Named Sue

Keeping with the vintage theme from Fake Jr., Boy Named Sue harkens back to classic Rock ‘n’ roll icons of American history with a modern twist. The group effortlessly blends more traditional elements of the genre with indie and blues sensibilities to create an enticing and fresh take on classic sounds.

Their newest EP, “Finer Things,” doubles down on the rock ‘n’ roll instrumentals with almost grunge-tinged vocal stylings, as encapsulated by my personal favorite song off of the EP, the self-titled “FINER THINGS”

Favorite Track: FINER THINGS

Galloway

Galloway shirks the vintage rock stylings of our previous two artists in exchange for modern alternative pop excellence. With lovingly crafted lyrics and equally intricate instrumentals, Galloway’s breezy sound feels plucked straight from a classic summer coming-of-age film soundtrack.

Although their most recent release, the EP “Attention”, is sonically captivating, I found myself drawn to the lyrical storytelling of their earlier EP “Think It Over.” It calls to mind a certain unexplainable nostalgia while still keeping things fresh and interesting.

Favorite Track: Boys Like You

Closing Thoughts

You can catch all of these bands on Thursday, November 14th at Neptunes in Raleigh. The show begins at 8 PM and ends at 11 PM, so I hope to see you there!

Tags Boy Named Sue, Fake Jr, Galloway, local, Locals Only, Raleigh, WKNC, WKNC 88.1

Concert Preview

Locals Only! Returns In Support Of Western NC

Post author By Mason Baker
Post date October 8, 2024

Locals Only! is set to return with a new and spectacular lineup on Oct. 10 at Neptunes. In addition to hosting some amazing artists, this Locals Only! is also in support of Western North Carolina and those affected by Hurricane Helene, with a $5-$10 sliding cover charge depending on how much attendees would like to donate.

QWILT

Qwilt is a self-described supergroup from the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. The band blends airy dream-pop vocals with plenty of shoegaze and post-rock instrumentation for a wonderfully unique sound.

Although they don’t have many songs out, their first two singles indicate a promising future for the group.

Favorite Song: “Play Dead”

RAVINE

Likewise, Ravine is sure to bring up the energy at this Locals Only! As a pop-rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, their hard-hitting lyricism calls back to mind icons of the genre such as Nightly and The 1975 while still carving out their own special niche.

Favorite Song: “love me / let go”

VERITY DEN

Verity Den, another North Carolina native, comes straight from Carrboro. Much like Qwilt, Verity Den brings some unique shoe-gaze and pop influences with melodies that flow straight off the track and into your hearts.

Although they certainly know how to amp it up, Verity Den is equally talented at stripping the instrumentation back and letting their vocals shine, much like on my personal favorite track of theirs “prudence.” Their versatility will certainly be the perfect way to round out our sets for this upcoming Locals Only!

Favorite Song: “prudence”

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Remember, you can catch all of these wonderful bands at 8 p.m. sharp at Neptunes on Oct. 10. We here at WKNC hope you can come out and support both these artists and those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Tags Locals Only, neptunes, Qwilt, Ravine, Verity Den, Western North Carolina