DC Larson's JUKEBOX JURY: March 2026

Hola Ghost

"The End of the Road" b/w "Iron Reich" 7" vinyl

(Svart Records / Hola Pete Records)

Bone-visaged leder Peter Sandorff knows an infernal agent need not break measured pace. Hence, "End of the Road's" enigmatic narrative gains from his chilling steadiness. The one-time Necromantix guitar menace executes passages and slicing punctuations with preciseness born from a career of taboo toils. Associated scoundrels Jeppe B. Jessen and Kristian Sandorff (Psycho Mariachis from a skewed, eerie dimension) build intensity - their formidability rivets - and spicy, sombreroed accompanists the Haunted Horns augment with poltergiest harmonies from ebony ether. Flip "Iron Reich" (a "lockdown" document) appeared in different form on a previous Hola Ghost waxing; here, it assumes acoustic constitution. And Sandorff's humanity-wrenched strains are emphasized all the more by starkness.

This 7" disc portends a full-length one due later in 2026. The single was initially available as either black & white swirl or clear/black smoke. But in a January Facebook note, Svart advised "All 7” versions are sold out from Svart’s webstore, even the test pressings! Ask your local well-equipped record store if they have a copy or grab one from the band."

Videos "The End of the Road" (live) "Iron Reich"

The Monokids

s/t

(Self-issued)

Italy's Monokids are the whole package: a second skin, cat-style look; Neo-Rockabilly (plus sundry other bents) so tight and energetically tossed out that neophyte competitors likely grind molars enviously; and such apparent affection for the bop that drives cats and gators into lava-blooded paroxysms, that sound systems tremble at resultant roar.

Recommended: "Always Do the Bop," "Real Gone Daddy," "40 Days in a County Jail," "The Last Goodbye," "My Blues," "Blazing"

Videos: "Always Do the Bop" "Real Gone Daddy" (clip) "40 Days in a County Jail" (clip)

Trouble Bound

"Paranoia" digital track

(Work Whorse Records)

Rage comes via roundhouse. Knuckly chords bash away and drumsticks besiege, as amphetemine basslines ricochet off pretty much every available surface. "They want your mind they want your life they want to poison you!," Dan Szeli yowls in splenetic alarm. Hostile agents abound from inner and outer frontiers. Rather than withdrawing in defense, though, best one stand tall with fists to the fore.

Video

The Dillards

Songs That Made Charlene Cry - A Tribute

(DillardSong Records)

At 83, singer/guitarist Rodney Dillard is the final breathing member of the famed Bluegrass combo. Notable among his and fellow Dillards' accomplishments were their 1960s portrayals of deadpan boonies pickers the Darlin family boys. Those Andy Griffith Show characters livened six episodes of that immortal sitcom, with dust-raising romps.

Last summer, as Bluegrass Unlimited previewed, a contemporary Dillards iteration was slated to treat Kentucky ROMP festival attendees to old-ways musicalizing. Rodney himself joined in a Country Music Hall of Fame "featured artist exhibit." And he delivered a University of Missouri college commencement; that school also bestowed an honorary degree upon the stringin' instrument icon.

"Got time to breathe, got time for music!"

In 2026, sit back in a rough-hewn rocker (assuming you're not itchin' to caper about the cabin), close eyes, and let regular-folks melody makin' put your mind at satisfied ease. This sprightly joyfulness roused overalled generations of stump jumpers and sod busters to whoop in celebration of plain livin' joys. It's chargin' up the room and happy footin' 'cross the Robert E. Lee natural bridge.

Players pooling talents here with Rodney and wife Beverly (banjo and vocals), were Maddie Denton (fiddler from East Nash Grass) and Jarrod Walker (mandolin, also a Billy Strange sideman). Other contributors included Gary Smith, Tony Wray, Tyler Walker, and Cory Walker.

In the mind's panoramic imagery, the Darlin boys build fire 'neath the still like all get-out, whiskered pa Briscoe grabs up his jug, and blond Miss Charlene holds off heatin' up Fish Muddle to whirl skirts, a toothy grin all over her fetching features.

Andy takes up a five-stringed acoustic, lets his thumb hang free, and dives in. Barney couldn't get the grin off his face if he wanted to. And outside, even rock-heaver Ernest T. is cuttin' a mountain jig.

Recommended: "Dirty Me Dirty Me I'm Disgusted with Myself," "Don't Hit Your Gramma with a Great Big Stick," "Will You Love Me When I'm Old and Ugly," "Wet Shoes in the Sunset," "Dance 'Til Your Socks are Hot and Ravlin'," "Towsack Full of Love," "Tearin' Up Your Old Clothes for Rags," "Keep Your Money in Your Shoes and It Won't Get Wet," "Slimy River Bottom," "Briscoe's Dream," "There is a Time"

Videos: "Dirty Me Dirty Me I'm Disgusted with Myself" "Wet Shoes in the Sunset" "Dance 'Til Your Socks are Hot and Ravlin'" "Keep Your Money in Your Shoes and it Won't Get Wet" "There is a Time"

Site (Rodney Dillard)