There are several things I am getting excited for in the next few months.

1. Hockey season starts. Even though most games are on digital cable (which I do not have) and I can only watch games on the weekends (when I'm in Tulsa), the start of hockey season is always an exciting time for me. I'm always anxious to see how the new talent will do, and the Red Wings have plenty of new talent this year.

2. New album releases

• The Last Slice, a Claremore, OK ska band have finished recording and will be working on mastering the album soon. This one is years in the making, and is one of my most anticipated local albums coming out this year.
  



• Hoots and Hellmouth are an americana group from Philadelphia. Their new album, Salt, will be out on my birthday. They are an unusual favorite band of mine, but are such great players with an amazing sense of what sounds good. They have posted several new songs from the album, including this one:






Lay Low by hootsandhellmouth



• Night Birds just came out with a new album, and thanks to Grave Mistake Records, I have a copy for radio. They bring a unique style to modern punk, combining the surfy fast punk of Agent Orange, Dead Kennedys and Adolescents with the slickness of today's punk rock. You can stream the entire album, "The Other Side of Darkness" here.
  



• Sir Reg are a European celtic punk band along the lines of Flogging Molly. I am lucky enough to have heard a sneak preview of their upcoming single, and it is amazing. I can't share it yet, but I will be getting the album soon!

3. Local music fests

• October 29th is Mugfest in Porter, OK. Started by Wagner punk band The Dirty Mugs, this festival is usually a crazy one from what I've heard. Held in the warehouse behind Baker's fish restaurant, there is plenty of room in there to tear stuff up. This year features The Dirty Mugs as well as some great local punk and ska bands.
  



• OcTurbofest is a metal fest put on by metal radio DJ and good friend of mine, Turbo. It is October 30th at the Marquee in Tulsa. The first time fest will feature plenty of local and regional metal acts, costume contests and jello wrestling.
  



• Although not quite a festival, The Toasters will be making their way to Oklahoma City for their 30th Anniversary Tour on Halloween at the Conservatory. Local bands The Last Slice, Sunny Side up and Classy San Diego will provide the support for the show.

Plenty of great stuff coming up when it comes to music. More updates soon.