An outlier from the Burger Records' roster, normally home to garagey and surfy bands, Cosmonauts harness British rock from the '80s and '90s, and repackage those groovy sounds full of attitude in their most recent album A-OK. Citing the Kinks and Sonic Youth as their influences, the bands describes its sound as “drug-punk.” That sounds misleading, since A-OK is too clean to be punk, and too controlled to be "drug music." But it's certainly excellent party music, which - with the summer on the horizon - is all we care about. Cosmonauts will play the Constellation Room, tonight (June 13th), check out the video for their ballad "Party at Sunday,' streaming below. - Simone Gabrielli 

For a high school band that's grown out of its garage roots, Hin Du (fka The Hindu Pirates) have come a long way in their six-year search for a definitive sound. While peeling off the surf-rock tag, the band has opened for Delta Spirit, Froth, Avid Dancer, and The Growlers and played fests from Beach Goth and Burgerama in OC to Noise Pop in SF.

Their newest self-released album When You Come In leads a straight departure from the band's blues-tinged surf-rock Pelican Daze and the rosy-eyed pop of their recent "Hurley" EP. Austin Green's synths and noise manipulation add grandiosity to the band's sonic presence, now focused on towering soundscapes than dirtbox licks. The voice of Austin Ferreira, once barenaked, orates in cavernous reverb as the glassy guitars refract in songs like "December" and "In Hell". Fans of orange-swirl psych pop bands Deep Fields and Cosmonauts might have found themselves a new trip buddy.

Listen to "Wind Song" from the album below. - Ryan Mo

Seasides, DJ Andy Human and Cosmonauts are playing the first night of Sprindrift's two Bay Area shows this weekend. The first show will take place TONIGHT at the Night Light in Oakland. Seasides is a Bay Area-based band highly influenced by '70s glam rock with a little bit of garage rock attitude thrown in. Also playing along Spindrift is Burger Records band, Cosmonauts. This band rejoices in reverb-heavy, trance influenced musical stylings.

The second show, occuring on January 26th at San Francisco’s Brick and Mortar Music Hall features the Cosmonauts, California Raga Association, Cool Ghouls and DJs, Tony the Tyger and Jodie Artichoke. The first band to perform will be San Francisco-based band, Cool Ghouls. Hot off their self titled album release last year, the band is known for crafting catchy psych rock tunes loaded to the brim with harmonies. Next is California Raga Association. If you’re looking for a deeply spiritual experience with psych music thrown in, this may be the band for you. According to the group, California Raga Association is a “musical magickal spell that energetically aligns any computer or stereo it is being played through.”

Los Angeles based, Spindrift can now properly be considered an institution of sorts. Seeking to combine elements of psych rock and spaghetti westerns, they have cultivated a sound all their own. Influenced by bands such as The Doors, My Bloody Valentine and Hawkind from the start, the band has gone above and beyond in their creative endeavors. Nearly 20 years later they have two films under their belt - “The Legend of God’s Gun” (2008) and “Spindrift – Ghost of the West,” which is said to be released this year. By marrying film and music together, Spndrift has proven time and time again their importance in the independent music scene.

That said, be sure to see them live in the Bay Area. You have ample opportunities!  -Erin Dage

Harvard & Stone will be serving up a super-sized menu this January. It’s fitting for a month with five Tuesdays; each one carefully curated to feature some of the best local bands in the lo-fi, garage, surf and punk oeuvres. The headliner for each night will be newbies, Cotillon, who have very recently released their first EP, Votive Flower. A potpourri, if you will, of delicate pop melodies straight from the heart, poured out over gritty guitar riffs, and an almost early Beatles-esque frenzy. The heartbroken longings of frontman, Jordan Corso, are tinged with the kind of teenage angst fit for the soundtrack of a John Hughes movie. They will be joined by acts such as Colleen Green, The Abigails, Dirt Dress, Cosmonauts, and Criminal Hygeine, with DJ sets from the likes of Este Haim. Check out the facebook invite for all the specifics - and if you’re looking for an extra incentive, each night is Free. That’s right, everyone’s favorite price. - Jacqueline Caruso