Category: Blog

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.