Burbank's punk trio Dustin and the Explosions play whatever they feel like. Sometimes it's abrasive, in-your-face hardcore punk, and other times it's pacific and briney surf rock. Sometimes Mike Trejo and Cindy Sukrattanawong switch instruments between songs. We haven't seen Evan Piehler step off the drums yet, but who knows? It could happen.

One thing is constant about Dustin and the Explosions: in their years of existence they've run non-stop DIY. The group has been actively setting up and playing shows with the locale, usually at The Smell: bands like Kid Cadaver, GRMLN, Post-Life, and WASI. It's no question that the band exists for their love of music, even the production and label aspect — the trio even release friends' records via their startup Bed Weather Records. And yeah, they tend to share a musical connection with Southern California's hardcore punk bands, like The Dead Kennedys, only their lyrics aren't sardonic and politically charged — they're pretty introspective and hit really close to home.

Dustin and the Explosions' newest 7" release Serpents was released last May, nearly two years since their debut album Off-White Noise, and they've just released a music video for their song "I Don't Know Any Kakarot, That's Not My Name" filmed by members of Ghost Noise. Catch them again next month for a live performance at (where else?) The Smell. Maybe you'll see Evan on guitar for a song? - Ryan Mo

Recorded in an impressive five days, ‘Empire’, the debut full length from GRMLN, is set for release on June 4th on Carpark Records. The first single, “Teenage Rhythm” captures the frenetic, impulsive energy of a young man ready to be taken seriously. While still in his sophomore year at UC Santa Cruz, 20 year old Yoodoo Park, made time to write the nine songs that comprise this album, and put together a band to record it. The thread that weaves these songs together is their punk-inspired brevity and intensity, which supports the disillusioned youth storytelling. There’s an upbeat rock-n-roll edge, especially to the single, that adds a layer of hope, as if to further pro-port the claim that while the transition from boy to man can be tumultuous, the audacity to dream stays alive. Stream the track below and catch them for free at Origami Vinyl on March 31. - Jacqueline Caruso