[state of the union] New from White Flashes and Nightmare Boyzzz + Hundred Waters and Icky Blossoms coming to town

Welcome to another edition of State of the Union, a weekly recap of 50 Bands 50 States happenings both locally and nationally. In this space every Monday we'll tell you what 50 States bands are in town, releasing new music, or just doing something noteworthy.

-- Iowa darling WHITE FLASHES has finally released a new 7-track album over on Bandcamp, titled White Flashes II. It doesn’t have “Whole Lotta Love” or “Ramble On” on it, but it’s actually a ton better than you remember Zeppelin II being. Give it a shot: these ambient, slightly creepy sounds are perfect for back-to-school moods, mourning the death of one Armstrong and the downfall of another, and enduring life after one of the worst Sox seasons in recent memory.

-- ‘bama sweethearts NIGHTMARE BOYZZZ have put out a new track, “Bad Vibes,” for a new Fuzz City Records cassette compilation called Summer of Fuzz. The brilliant punk-poppy vibrations on this certainly aren’t bad at all, and they’ll get you screaming “ROLL TIDE ROLL” at your office with good ol’ Southern pride. It’s maybe not the best idea you work at the New York Jets, however, because you might make poor Tim Tebow sob a little bit.

-- Or, you know, your insensitive yelling might make Florida’s HUNDRED WATERS cry too, if you’re near by. You can give them a hankie when they come to Great Scott on September 19. It’s 18+, and only $10 in advance. They’ve also just put out an awesome new remix EP as well, all centered around their song “Thistle”, and it’s available for streaming on The Fader and for purchase on iTunes.

-- I never realized that the Faint were still touring, but they’re bringing the sounds of Danse Macabre to the stage of the Paradise, and they’re also bringing Nebraska’s ICKY BLOSSOMS along with them to blow everyone the fuck out of the water before the headliner even plays a fucking song. The fantastic TRST is on the bill too, so you should sit down and mark your calendars right now. This badass meeting of the minds will occur on December 8, it’s 18+, and only $22 if you buy your tickets in advance.

Nick Johnston is the summer music intern here at the Boston Phoenix. We like him so much, we're keeping him around into September.