My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Live at the Music Box, San Diego, California, 04/17/2026

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Truth be told, I wasn’t even planning on writing a review of tonight’s show. By the time I arrived, I had already missed the opening acts and I was in a bad mood. Long story.

All Photos: Patrick Dickson

Besides, I had already seen TKK many moons ago back in the 90s. Twice. From the minimalist twin drummer assault to the sexy/sleazy cabaret, every TKK performance was different. And even though my memory from those free-spirited days during the Clinton Administration may suffer from, shall we say, substance-altered recollection, TKK brings back a great sense of nostalgia.

So my question was: How does the band hold up after 30 plus years? How much have they changed? How much have I changed? These are the things running through my mind as I walked into the Music Box on this Friday night.

My concerns were for naught. 

Not only does TKK still deliver the goods, but this was by far the best I’ve seen them live! 

The lineup is stripped down to the quartet of Groovie Mann, Buzz McCoy, Mimi Star and Justin Bennett. Simplicity works well for TKK in this straightforward approach. 

The set was comprised of career highlights that kept the crowd pleased, but this was no crusty nostalgic stroll down memory lane as much as a showcase of why the band has indeed endured for so long. There was nothing schmaltzy about this. Nothing over the hill. Not even the crowd, as many younger faces mixed in with the more obvious longtime fans.

Fresh energy was brought to long-standing classics with power and enthusiasm that newer bands could stand to take heed. 

Zuckerpuppe by :Wumpscut:

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You have to love the way Rudy Ratzinger keeps cranking them out. Since its 1991 debut, Ratzinger’s passion project :Wumpscut: has been on a prolific tear, cranking out albums and EPs at a pace that makes some artists green with envy. And it continues with Zuckerpuppe, the latest EP.

Now don’t get it twisted… just because :W: is prolific in output doesn’t mean that quality has been sacrificed. Far from it. Over these four songs, the listener will get the feel of a classic electro-industrial act from back in the day that simply has never lost its mojo.

Spoken word samples, vocals processed to an unintelligible degree, and hard-hitting dance beats all create a classic formula that – in the right hands – never gets old.

Additionally, each song is accompanied by an instrumental counterpart, which indeed allows for a different take and feel for the songs.

Long-standing :Wumpscut: should be satisfied with Zuckerpuppe, comfortable with the knowledge that there is more to come.

https://wumpscut.bandcamp.com/album/zuckerpuppe-bandcamp-edition

Null Device – I Don’t Want To Say Goodbye

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Brand new single from Madison WI trio Null Device. It has a banging beat and an emotional concept being dedicated to their beloved Winston and All proceeds from the sale of this track go to the Iowa County Humane Society. To anyone who has lost a furry family member and knows the hard choices made near the end, this one hit hard. I always love the way Eric and Jill’s voices mesh. This time with a sorrowful tone and delivery. The beat has a bouncy impact heavy style that makes me want to dance in celebration of the positive memories while processing the pain.

Null Device

I Don’t Want To Say Goodbye | Null Device

Eric Oehler – Synths, vocals, music
Jill Sheridan – Vocals, lyrics

Where to Purchase

This is dedicated to Winston, who attended every live rehearsal, every mix session, every recording session, and was always there waiting when we got back from being on the road. This was the last track he helped mix. Thanks for everything, buddy, we miss ya.

Bellhead – The The Empty

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Brand new cover single from our favorite Chicago Bass duo. I love when you look at instrumentation and it is listed as “High Bass” and “Low Bass”. Always loved this record from alt thrash band Le Tigre. The dueling bass guitars definitely make the tone feel weightier while maintaining the blistering pace. The vocals are spewed with the perfect amount of vitriol and it surfs the pipeline between nostalgia and modern.

BELLHEAD

The The Empty | BELLHEAD

In case you have never heard the original 🙂

released February 14, 2026
BELLHEAD
Karen Righeimer ~ Low Bass / Vocals
Ivan Russia ~ High Bass / Vocals / Drum Programming

Le Tigre “The The Empty” written by Johanna Fateman / Kathleen Hanna

Management Consulting David Schock

Recorded & Mixed by Neil Strauch
Mastered by Carl Saff
Artwork by Karen Righeimer / Design by Igloo Vacuum

A must see live band with lots of exciting shows coming up

Rohn – Lederman – “Volcano”

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Brand new release on Les Disques De La Pantoufle from one of my favorite collaborations, legendary Belgian composer Jean- Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer, The The, Fad Gadget, Gene Loves Jezebel) and Detroit vocalist/producer Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) who are always pushing the boundaries of modern emotional electronica. I love the bravery of Emileigh’s lyrical style, a flowing beat poetry of gushing ideas without pretense. Effortlessly matching the sonic composition between human experience and visual imagery. I just don’t get enough songs that make the hairs on my arms stand up, locked in a perfect moment like “There’s So Much to Share”

Rohn – Lederman – Volcano

released March 6, 2026

Artwork by Erica Hinyot

I’m always amazed when hearing a new Rohn-Lederman album by the level of craft. How following every tone, each decision, the level of thought and precision. It is important to follow the heart and create a mood when making music. Jean-Marc and Emileigh certainly make something beautiful and emotive. What really sets it apart in the modern landscape is their dedication and experience creating forms and move the listener. The lyrics are some of the darkest Emileigh has ever written, but with a glimmer of hope, which is maybe the best we can hope for in this tragic timeline.

Favorite Track: Paper Plane – Rolling waves and splashing dissonance in sounds of endless motion. There is something about this track that transports me to a youthful blur of imagination. Emileigh’s wispy fantastical vocals are captivating and pure. I love where this song transports my mind.