Beaters

Joining the seemingly endless stream of ace new bands from San Diego, along with Crocodiles, Dum Dum Girls (who now play live) and Wavves, Beaters are self-described mutant punks. They're a bit Liars, a bit E.S.G., a bit early New Order and a whole lot better than The Beatings (remember them?). Singer Jeremy and drummer Andrew used to play in garage-punks The Sess and Ale Mania. - Vice

Even though their first concert wasn’t more than six months ago, it already feels like Beaters have become San Diego’s most impressive young band. OK, so there’s probably some residual excitement left over following the dissolution of great garage-punk hopes The Sess (of which three Beaters were members), but now there’s a recorded document for us to fawn over. That’s right, this is a release party for Beaters’ debut 7-inch, “Fishage,” and, holy shit, is it good. - San Diego City Beat

Volar Records is the new San Diego-based imprint of Christmas Island/Spirit Photography's Craig Oliver. His first release, a split with Single Screen Records, is the Beaters' debut "Fishage" 7". The shadowy "mutant punk" quartet includes 3/5 of garage-imploders the Sess and will see their upcoming "White Hate" 7" released by Zoo Music, the label co-run by Brandon Welchez of Crocodiles and Kristin Gundred of Dum Dum Girls. As you'll hear on the jittery, darkly atmospheric "Fishage," there's reason for the interest. The song -- which hits like a caffeinated Liars no wave anthem -- has been floating around a little bit, but not in take-away form. - Stereogum