Pop-punk/garage trio LUNCH recently dropped the single "Forget Everything," which is also accompanied by a music video (produced by Ian Kelly). The narrative of the track hovers between the idealism of a relationship versus the reality of a breakup. A joyous, enthusiastic, backend rumble sets a locked-in yet loose approach; however, there’s a realization of a cycle with unproductive behavior that may suggest moving on is the best course of action. The alternative of starting over and/or pressing the pause button temporarily seems like a more pleasant idea, but it could just result in delaying the inevitable.

 The next few days will be marked by Portland punx Piss Test, who are playing two shows within the next three days. Tomorrow they'll be hitting up High Water Mark for a Mississippi Studios and Do503 curated show with Memphis riot grrrl revivalists Nots and locals Patsy's Rats. On Saturday, they'll be taking the stage again with garage post-punk acts Lunch, Petite and the Bellicose Minds as part of celebrating the latter's Incision EP release.

Pumping us up for all the upcoming Piss Test punkness, we've been repeatedly playing their boisterous love song "Vegan Coffee," coming off their third self titled EP. It's got an addicting rhythm and enough energy to serve as sonic caffeine itself, making it hard to not want more and more of.

 Echos of the UK's '80s, goth-tinged post-punk are everywhere on "Let Us Have Madness Openly," the full-length debut from Portland's Lunch. The post-punk quintet channel the likes of Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Cure into a splendidly dark record that offers ten well-crafted and impressively produced tracks. Replete with chillingly bright guitars, brooding and passionate vocals, and a generally haunting air, the album is a compelling debut, and an excellent compilation of post-punk compositions. The band doesn't shy away from their punk roots either, including short and punchy tracks such as "Bad Cut" and "Brand New Shirt" as well as driving bass lines. Lunch will be performing at The Know on September 24th, and you can check out their track "Not An Ocean" below. - Patrick Wolff

Resurrection Records is showcasing three of their forthcoming VIBs at a FREE show this Sunday July 6 at Rontoms. And get this: the first 20 people on the patio get a free Resurrection release.

As if you need more convincing, the actual bands performing will ensure the quality of the night. We got The Verner Pantons, a 60s influenced bubble-gum psych pop outfit whose jangly, candy-sweet guitar hooks will get your feet tapping and heart swelling. They keep their The Byrds influence on their sleeves and aren’t above a G-C-D chord progression, but I’ll be gosh danged if they don’t seamlessly slip into the pocket and add a spunky flair of their own to boot. Lunch are one of the premiere Portland post-punk bands, venturing into darker sounding, hard-edged musical stylings. Their driving Wipers and deathrock influenced brand of punk will get you out of your seat, wired and ready to shake your head around. Jollapin Jasper are another garage-psych band conducive to The Verner Pantons’s sound, but a little heavier on the psych aspect. Where The VPs funnel their creativity into sunshiney melodies, Jollapin Jasper channels their energy into fashioning more spacey hooks akin to Au Dunes or Still Caves.

- Bryce Woodcock

Lunch are starting off 2014 right this week with the release of their first 7” record, Johnny Pineapple. The four tracks within, originally off of Quinn Touched the Sun, were remastered for the new release and together display the low-fi, garage-punk sound that encapsulates Lunch’s style. Dirty guitar tones, tight rhythms and shouting vocals color the songs with an frenzied energy that overlaps their addictive hooks. Celebrating the release with Lunch will be L.A. Drugs (from Los Angeles, of course), Wounds and Dark Light, get to the show and pick up one of these awesome green records for yourself. - Benjamin Toledo