Three Track Week #5
- Editorial Staff
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
New Waves in Psych Rock and Punk: Kewl Haze, Peppermint Moon, and The Poor Luckies
If you’re on the lookout for fresh sounds that blend psych rock, indie vibes, and punk energy, you’re in for a treat. Three bands are making waves with new releases and upcoming albums that promise to shake up the scene. Philly’s Kewl Haze, Northern California’s Peppermint Moon, and San Francisco’s The Poor Luckies are all gearing up to drop some seriously cool tunes. Let’s dive into what makes each of these acts stand out and why you should keep them on your radar.
Kewl Haze: Philly Psych Rock with a Party Twist
Kewl Haze is a duo from Philadelphia that’s been cooking up a psych-rock storm with their debut album Suburban Sherpa. The band’s sound is a delicious mix of danceable beats, dreamy synths, and fuzzy guitars that can make you forget your adulting woes in an instant. Dan Scott Forreal and Derek Sheehan, the masterminds behind Kewl Haze, have spent four years perfecting this album, blending their multi-instrumentalist talents with a laid-back, fun-loving approach.Their latest single, Stereo Junkie, is out now and it’s a sugar rush of classic rock riffs and dance beats. Imagine the vibe of Manchester’s Hacienda club in the late 80s, but with a modern twist that’s all their own. The song cleverly explores the idea of music as a drug, with a wink to the highs and lows that come with it. It’s catchy, it’s clever, and it might just become your new anthem. What’s really cool about Kewl Haze is how they mix introspection with party energy. Their track "Used to Have It All" started as a lo-fi jam with a quirky working title but evolved into a lush psych-pop gem reminiscent of Tame Impala and MGMT. It’s proof that sometimes the best music comes from a place of openness and a few beers before the session.
Why this matters:
With “Stereo Junkie,” Kewl Haze sharpen the focus ahead of their debut full-length Suburban Sherpa, arriving via PaperCup Music. What began as beers before studio sessions and loose conversations about life evolved into a four-year creative odyssey. The result is not just genre-hopping psych-rock escapism, but a document of lived experience: chaos, humor, friendship, and survival folded into something danceable. Behind the playful surface, there’s reflection. The album channels excess and introspection in equal measure; not glorifying overindulgence, but acknowledging its cost.
Sound / Mood:
“Stereo Junkie” is a sugar rush of classic-rock riffage, driving dance beats, soaring harmonies, fuzzed-out guitars, and breathy vocals. It feels like a transmission from late-’80s Manchester club culture reimagined through modern psych-pop maximalism.
There’s euphoria in the hooks, but also self-awareness. The track plays with the idea of music as a drug, intoxicating, obsessive, communal, while subtly nodding to the fine line between thrill and burnout.
Context:
The Philly-based duo - multi-instrumentalists, producers, writers, and mix engineers - built Suburban Sherpa across home and professional studios, refining its 11 tracks over four years. Earlier single “Used to Have It All” signaled their chemistry with shimmering shoegaze textures and analog synth glow; “Stereo Junkie” doubles down on immediacy and anthem energy. Together, they preview a debut that balances miasmic psych atmospheres with punchy, dance-ready momentum.
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Website / Linktree
Peppermint Moon: Northern California’s Psychedelic Rock Revival
Moving over to Northern California, Peppermint Moon is ready to drop their sophomore album The Flipside. This project has an interesting backstory. Colin Schlitt, the creative force behind Peppermint Moon, initially released a version of this album years ago but wasn’t happy with it. Now, with a fresh distribution deal through Revolver UK Music, he’s reimagined and re-recorded the album to better reflect his vision.
The result? An eight-track collection that’s a perfect blend of psychedelic rock, jangly guitars, and cosmic vibes. The lead single Get Off Your Knees is a riff-heavy rocker with a garage edge and a chorus that sticks in your head. The lyrics balance a sense of dread with humor, capturing that feeling of trying to stay positive when things get tough.
Colin’s honesty about his creative process is refreshing. He admits rushing the first version but now feels this album truly does justice to his best songs. If you’re into bands like Cage The Elephant or Father John Misty, Peppermint Moon’s new work is definitely worth a listen.
Why this matters:
With “Get Off Your Knees”, Peppermint Moon confront the so-called sophomore curse head-on. What could have been a rushed follow-up instead became a complete reset.
After quietly releasing, and later pulling, an earlier version of the album, Colin Schlitt reworked the material from the ground up. Now officially reintroduced under a new distribution deal, The Flipside stands as a deliberate reclamation: refined production, sharpened songwriting, and a second chance done right. Rather than collapsing under pressure, the project turned revision into evolution.
Sound / Mood:
“Get Off Your Knees” balances heavy riff-rock punch with psychedelic shimmer. Jangly guitars collide with a garage-rock chorus that feels both defiant and hook-driven, while cosmic leads swirl around the edges. Lyrically, the track walks a tightrope between dread and dry humor: existential tension undercut by wit. There’s paranoia in the atmosphere, but also resilience. The message is clear: don’t sink into cynicism - stand up.
Context:
Based in Point Reyes Station, California, Schlitt handles vocals, songwriting, production, and multiple instruments, shaping Peppermint Moon into a fully realized psych-pop vehicle.
The Flipside compiles reimagined earlier material alongside new songs that showcase his most cohesive work to date. The single sets the tone for an album that feels intentional rather than reactive, proof that revisiting the past can sharpen the future.
Upcoming Shows:
02/21 – San Francisco, CA | Make-Out Room
04/11 – San Francisco, CA | The Knockout
05/16 – Fairfax, CA | Peri’s
Spotify / Apple Music / Website / Bandcamp
The Poor Luckies: San Francisco Punk’s Gritty New Chapter
Last but not least, The Poor Luckies are bringing their raw punk energy from San Francisco with a new album announcement and the release of their first single Running the Street. Known for their gritty sound and relentless drive, they channel influences like Murder City Devils and The Bronx, delivering music that’s both aggressive and deeply authentic.
Their new material promises to keep that punk spirit alive while exploring fresh themes and sounds. The band’s ability to connect with listeners through honest storytelling and high-energy performances makes them a standout in the punk scene.
If you want to catch their vibe live, they have some upcoming shows lined up in San Francisco and Fairfax, CA, including gigs at the Make-Out Room and The Knockout. These are perfect opportunities to experience their music in an intimate setting.
Why this matters:
With “Running the Street”, The Poor Luckies finally step into full-length territory after 15 years of scraping through the San Francisco underground. Frontman Danny Cuts turns personal run-ins and street-level observations into something confrontational but purposeful. This isn’t nostalgia-driven punk; it’s documentation. Wrong Way signals a band sharpening its edge rather than softening it: louder, tighter, and fully committed to its vision.
Sound / Mood:
Fast, gritty, and built like a back-alley car chase, “Running the Street” runs on distorted guitars, punchy rhythms, and raw-throated urgency. There’s an ACAB-laced tension simmering underneath the hooks, while the pacing mirrors the chaos of traffic, sirens, and city noise. It’s pogo-ready street punk with a West Coast bite - direct, unpolished, and unafraid to provoke.
Context:
Formed in 2008, the band weathered lineup shifts and long pauses. In 2025, they headed to L.A. to record Wrong Way with Ruddy Cullers at Hollywood Playpen Recorders, resulting in a 10-track debut that channels faith, rebellion, misfortune, and San Francisco mythology. “Running the Street” sets the tone for an album shaped by basements, backyards, and survival - not industry polish.
Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / Facebook
Why These Bands Matter in Today’s Indie Scene
Across psych-pop haze, garage shimmer, and street-level punk, Kewl Haze, Peppermint Moon, and The Poor Luckies remind us why independent scenes still matter. Different cities, different backgrounds, different sonic textures - yet all driven by the same instinct to create on their own terms. None of these projects lean on nostalgia or trend-chasing. Instead, they refine their sound, revisit their foundations, and push forward with clarity and intent. That tension between evolution and identity is where things stay interesting, and where this week’s selections truly connect.
Spin the singles, get lost in the sounds, and keep an eye out. Next week’s edition of Three Track Week will feature more artists that won’t leave your speakers alone.
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