News wrapup for the week of April 30, 2018

Here is a wrapup of a few news items from the last week or so in the Chicago area punk scene. Pop punk group Bad Sons released their EP Cry Tough. It includes four songs of catchy, shouty fast-paced jams. Stream Cry Tough now at Bad Sons' Bandcamp page. It will also be released as a 7-inch record, limited to 200 copies. Bad Sons next play on May 13 at Emporium with MAMA, Mystery Actions and Atomic Love. More info on that show here.

Emo/pop punk trio Retirement Party announced their debut album, Somewhat Literate. The album comes out on May 25 via Counter Intuitive Records. Preorders for the vinyl are available at Counter Intuitive's site. Listen to the first single from the album, "Passion Fruit Tea" at Stereogum. The record release show for Somewhat Literate will be at Beat Kitchen on June 15 with What Gives, Dead Sun and Lettering. More info on that show here.

Noise rock group Melkbelly released a cover of the Basement Jaxx song "Where's Your Head At". It is an unexpected choice, to say the least, but they do their own thing with the song. Listen to the cover at Stereogum. Melkbelly is currently on tour with the Breeders (a much more obvious sonic match). The tour stops in Chicago on May 8 at the Vic Theatre. More info on that show here. Melkbelly will also play at the Pitchfork Music Festival this summer.