Share Track “In The Misery”
+ Visualizer — Watch HERE

Finnish rock band THE 69 EYES is thrilled to announce the release of the new EP ‘I Survive,’ out now via BLKIIBLK.

The previously unreleased track “In The Misery,” along with an official visualizer, is also available now.

Jyrki 69 commented:

“That is biker rock by The 69 Eyes! Sons Of Anarchy was the biggest tv show those days when we recorded that track, and naturally inspired us a lot too. That was recorded with Slayer & Megadeth producer Matt Hyde in LA in 2009”.

Watch the Visualizer for “In The Misery” HERE

Once you’ve survived the 80’s rock scene, you become unstoppable – and THE 69 EYES are living proof. Formed in Helsinki in 1989 and still going strong with the same line-up some four decades later, the Helsinki Vampires have earned their legendary status.

In a world with fewer and fewer true believers in leather jackets, midnight sunglasses, and low-slung guitars, THE 69 EYES keep the Johnny Thunders flame burning like an endless sleazy club night back in the days.

Their biggest hit, “Lost Boys” from 2005, was made into an iconic music video by MTV’s Jackass star and skater Bam Margera and remains on annual Halloween rock playlists.

One foot on glam, another one on goth, THE 69 EYES have released thirteen albums, reaching gold and platinum and a mainstream status in their native Finland, where they are signed to Gabi Hakanen’s Vallila Music House. Their previous studio album, ‘Death Of Darkness,’ was released in 2023, and they have been touring without any notable breaks all over the world for the last twenty years.

Vocals, a lead and a rhythm guitar, a bass, and drums are the classic rock band line-up. THE 69 EYES have that magic on stage that is needed for these elements to carry on beyond the rock’n’roll dreams, theirs and their cult following.

Order ‘I Survive’ HERE

‘I Survive’ Track List:

1. I Survive (ft. Steve Stevens)
2. Cold Sweat
3. In The Misery
4. Devil’s Rose (ft. Ed Mundell)

THE 69 EYES are:
Jyrki 69 – Vocals
Bazie – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Timo-Timo – Guitar
Archzie – Bass, Backing Vocals
Jussi 69 – Drums

The post THE 69 EYES’ New EP ‘I Survive’ is OUT NOW via BLKIIBLK appeared first on MediaMikes.

ABORTED, SIGNS OF THE SWARM, + PARTY CANNON TO SUPPORT

THE BOILING SEA EP OUT NOW

Goblin metal’s least likely legends NEKROGOBLIKON are celebrating two decades of chaos, cult stardom, and viral mayhem with a Fall 2026 headline tour. The Goblin horde will hit the road with Aborted, Signs of the Swarm, and Party Cannon for a U.S. trek that kicks off October 16 in Phoenix and wraps on November 15 in Los Angeles.

Various pre-sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday, June 9 at 10am local time and run through 10pm local time on Thursday, June 11. Regular on-sales are set for Friday, June 12 at 10am local time. All dates are below. Get tickets here.

“20 years of Nekrogoblikon Tour, what’s next? 21!? Drinks on me! See you filthy humans on the road,” says John Goblikon.

Nekrogoblikon’s The Boiling Sea EP is out now.

NEKROGOBLIKON ON TOUR:
WITH ABORTED, SIGNS OF THE SWARM, + PARTY CANNON:

10/16 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
10/17 — Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine
10/19 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Event Center
10/20 — Dallas, TX — The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
10/21 — Houston, TX — House of Blues
10/23 — Orlando, FL — Beacham
10/24 — Tampa, FL — Ritz Ybor
10/25 — Atlanta, GA — Buckhead Theatre
10/26 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
10/28 — Philadelphia, PA — Brooklyn Bowl
10/29 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Bowl
10/30 — Boston, MA — Paradise Rock Club
10/31 — Norwalk, CT — District Music Hall
11/1 — Toronto, ON — The Opera House
11/3 — Detroit, MI — St. Andrew’s Hall
11/4 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
11/5 — Indianapolis, IN — Deluxe @ Old National Centre
11/7 — Denver, CO — Oriental Theater
11/8 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot
11/10 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
11/11 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom
11/12 — Seattle, WA — The Crocodile
11/14 — Ventura, CA — Ventura Theater
11/15 — Los Angeles, CA — The Belasco

The post Goblin Metal Ikons NEKROGOBLIKON Announce Fall 2026 Tour appeared first on MediaMikes.

TOUR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3RD WITH SPECIAL GUESTS PLAGUE VENDOR

ALL TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM VENUES AND VIA WWW.PILOFFICIAL.COM

John Lydon’s iconoclastic band, Public Image Ltd (PiL), have just added a new date to their extensive fall tour; an appearance at this year’s Riot Fest. Billed as ‘This Is Not…The Final PiL Tour’, the first leg begins September 3rd in Pioneertown, and includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, New York, Detroit, Toronto, Boston, and other major cities, concluding October 9th in Nashville, with a second leg confirmed for February of next year. Plague Vendor will be special guests on all dates. Tickets for all shows are on sale from the venues and via www.pilofficial.com.

This year’s tour dates follow the momentum gained in 2025, when the band played a string of shows and festival appearances in the UK and Europe. Following the passing of his wife, Nora, and lifelong friend and manager, John Rambo Stevens, both in 2023, Lydon thought he might retire from touring. However, he was overwhelmed by the response, love, and support of fans and this year is set to be an important one for the band.

A new live album, ‘Alive’, recorded during last year’s tour, is available via A Way With Media, and the band are working on an album of new material for release in early 2027.

Currently on tour in Europe, Lydon said: “After losing Nora, and Rambo, I couldn’t see a way through. The thing is, people were so overwhelmingly positive, they really showed me a lot of love, and they asked me to tour PiL again. With so many people asking and with the band meaning so much to them, I couldn’t just stay on my sofa and not tour – tempting though that obviously is.”

“We’re looking forward to playing to our friends in North America. It feels like it’s been a long time and we’re pleased to be coming back. We’ve just been into the studio for four weeks to start work on our new record. You’ll be hearing a lot more from PiL.“

After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed post-punk originators Public Image Ltd (PiL). Widely regarded as one of the most innovative bands of all time, their music and vision earned them 5 UK Top 20 Singles and 5 UK Top 20 Albums.

With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album ‘First Issue’ in 1978 through to 1992’s ‘That What Is Not’, before a 17-year hiatus.

Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively and releasing three critically acclaimed albums, ‘This is PiL’ (2012), ‘What The World Needs Now…’ (2015) and ‘End of World’ (2023).

Following the departure of long-serving drummer Bruce Smith at the end of 2023, his replacement, Mark Roberts, joins John Lydon (vocals), Lu Edmonds (guitar) and Scott Firth (bass).

The full list of PiL’s dates is as follows:

September 3 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s LOW TICKETS
September 4 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater
September 5 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
September 8 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory LOW TICKETS
September 10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
September 11 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
September 12 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore LOW TICKETS
September 14 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
September 15 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
September 16 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall
September 18 – 20 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest
September 22 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
September 23 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
September 25 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
September 26 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall LOW TICKETS
September 28 – New York, NY – Webster Hall LOW TICKETS
September 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
October 1 – Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
October 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
October 3 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live LOW TICKETS
October 5 – Richmond, VA – The National
October 6 — Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
October 8 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
October 9 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

2027
February 17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Grand At The Complex
February 18 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
February 20 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
February 21 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre
February 23 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
February 24 – Dallas, TX – Echo Lounge & Music Hall
February 25 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
February 27 – March 6 – New Orleans, LA – The 80’s Cruise 2027
March 8 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
March 9 – Fort Myers, FL – The Ranch
March 10 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
March 12 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
March 13 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
March 14 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
March 16 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
March 17 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
March 19 – St. Louis, MO – The Sovereign
March 21 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
March 23 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
March 24 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron

w/ special guests Plague Vendor on all dates

The post Public Image Ltd (PiL) Add Riot Fest To North American Dates / Tour Begins September 3rd appeared first on MediaMikes.

Stream / Listen HERE
Watch the music Video HERE

New Album ‘Negligent Discharge’
Set for Release on June 19th
Pre-Order HERE

U.S. BASTARDS, spearheaded by Brent Purgason (ex-GWAR), proudly launch their new single, “Scenester Deceiver,” taken from their upcoming new album, ‘Negligent Discharge,’ set for release on June 19th. The new track arrives alongside an official no budget video, available below.

On the new track, Brent shares:

“This song is about coming up in a scene where you feel like an outsider no matter what you do or how many dues you’ve paid. I’m not the only one in Richmond who feels that way and I’m sure we’re not the only town that has a music scene with severe and unspoken gatekeeping problems. This is an anthem for the outcasts among the outcasts and for anyone that’s never going to be accepted by the cool kids crowd. You’re welcome in our gang, we are in this together.”

Watch the Music Video for “Scenester Deceiver” HERE

In a world full of pleasantries and kiss-assing, U.S. BASTARDS are neither. A four-piece hardcore punk criminal enterprise from Virginia, the band has re-formed after a chance meeting in county lockup. Brent and Robby knew the four members didn’t land in the same cell for no reason. It was fate calling them back to life on the road; back to sleepless trips, dungeon whips, gas station speed, and canned meat. Doug agreed fate was calling them back to teach the masses what a truly bad time could be. … and Brendan just happened to be in the room.

“I’ve been doing so much hard time lately, it’s time to be hard on the road.” – Brent

“…[two middle fingers]…” – Doug

Ran-when-parked, the outlaws took straight to the van to get the message out. After a ten-year hiatus, they have agreed to utilize their newfound freedom from the state to write harder, catchier, faster, harder-er, hell-raising songs glorifying their exploits and shine a light on the gatekeeping tendencies in the music scene that has never accepted them.

When the rest of the world goes quiet, the BASTARDS get loud and angry, blazing across the country with a wall of cranked Marshall stacks. This is the way punk rock should be: loud, unapologetic, pandering to no one, and having no qualms with being the bad guy.

Stream / Listen to “Scenester Deceiver” HERE

U.S. BASTARDS new album ‘Negligent Discharge’ is set for release June 19th featuring bonus track covers of Judas Priest and Motorhead songs. 13 tracks of hard and fast music that kicks the door off its hinges. Best to listen with a shotgun in one and a 40oz duct taped to the other, these are anthems for the outcasts among the outcasts. Skip work! Give your neighbors kid a cig! This is full throttle, no brakes, speed-rocking crime metal. Full stacks and gun racks packed, these delinquents are coming to your town. Clutch your pearls! U.S. BASTARDS are back.

Pre-Order ‘Negligent Discharge’ HERE

‘Negligent Discharge’ Track List:

1. Ripsnorter
2. Wasted Life
3. Piss Boner
4. Knife Crime
5. Scenester Deceiver
6. Everybody Sucks
7. Heading Out to the Highway
8. Put the Gun in Your Mouth
9. Bad Deeds
10. Police Violence
11. Informant
12. I Don’t Like You
13. Killed by Death

U.S. BASTARDS are:
Brent Purgason – Guitar & Vocals
Doug Fines – Guitar
Brendan Artz – Bass
Robby Scarce – Drums

The post Hardcore Punk Criminal Enterprise U.S. BASTARDS (Ex-GWAR) Launch New Single “Scenester Deceiver” + Music Video appeared first on MediaMikes.

DAYSEEKER, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, + DARK DIVINE SET TO APPEAR

FIRST LEG KICKS OFF JULY 14 + FEATURES SUPPORT FROM LORNA SHORE, FIT FOR A KING, + A STATIC DRESS

NEW ALBUM DECADES ARRIVES JULY 17 VIA ROADRUNNER RECORDS — PRE-ORDER HERE

Platinum-selling, Scranton, PA powerhouse MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, who will release their new album DECADES on July 17 via Roadrunner Records, are pleased to announce the second leg of The Sweat and Blood Tour. Dayseeker will serve as direct support. The Devil Wears Prada and Dark Divine will also appear. This leg fittingly kicks off the night before Halloween in Worcester and runs through November 20 in Pittsburgh. Tickets will be available starting with an Artist and Citi presale (details below) beginning on Tuesday, June 2 at 12pm ET. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday, June 5 at 10 am local time here.

PRESALE: Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, June 2 at 12pm ET until Thursday, June 4 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details, visit here.

All tickets are available here.

The previously announced first leg of the tour kicks off on July 14. Lorna Shore, Fit For A King, and Static Dress will serve as support. The North American tour is the band’s first American headlining tour in nearly three years, with stops in Charlotte, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, and more before wrapping up on August 15 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. It also includes a stop at Red Rocks, the band’s first time headlining the venue.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE ON TOUR:
WITH LORNA SHORE, FIT FOR A KING, + STATIC DRESS:
SUMMER 2026:

7/14 — Bridgeport, CT — Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
7/16 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion
7/18 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
7/19 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration*
7/21 — Charlotte, NC — Truliant Amphitheater
7/22 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheater
7/24 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
7/25 — Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/26 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater
7/28 — Albuquerque, NM — First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
7/29 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
7/31 — Los Angeles, CA — The Kia Forum
8/1 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre
8/4 — Portland, OR — Theater of the Clouds
8/5 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
8/7 — Sandy, UT — Beddy’s Plaza at America First Field
8/9 — Morrison, CO — Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8/11 — Oklahoma City, OK — Zoo Amphitheatre
8/12 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
8/14 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
8/15 — Sterling Heights, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
*Festival

WITH DAYSEEKER, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, + DARK DIVINE:
FALL 2026:

10/30 — Worcester, MA — DCU Center
10/31 — Philadelphia, PA — Xfinity Mobile Arena
11/3 — Raleigh, NC — Lenovo Center
11/4 — Savannah, GA — VyStar Pavilion
11/5 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center
11/7 — Nashville, TN — The Truth
11/8 — Peoria, IL — Peoria Civic Center Arena
11/10 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
11/11 — Omaha, NE — CHI Health Center
11/13 — Milwaukee, WI — Fiserv Forum
11/15 — Albany, NY — MVP Arena
11/18 — Portland, ME — Cross Insurance Arena
11/19 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
11/20 — Pittsburgh, PA — PPG Paints Arena

Motionless In White are at home in the dark. For over 20 years, the quintet — Chris Motionless [vocals], Ricky Olson [guitar], Ryan Sitkowski [guitar], Vinny Mauro [drums], and Justin Morrow [bass] — have resided in their own shadowy corner of alternative music and culture. The group’s uncanny alchemy of metal, hardcore, goth, industrial, and electronic has magnetically attracted an ardent audience, fueling a quiet rise out of the Rust Belt and into arenas as a headlining force of nature. Their D.I.Y. work ethic drives the evolution of an immersive world where stunning visuals match the scope of the sound. The collective comes full circle on their seventh full-length offering Decades. For as much as it conjures their signature style, the LP sees them continue to confidently cut a path through uncharted territory, spreading a little darkness in their wake.

Decades features several high-profile and eclectic guest appearances. In addition to Taylor, Sklyar Grey, and Dark Divine’s Anthony Martinez also feature on the album. The band recorded Decades in Upstate New York and Los Angeles with co-producers Drew Fulk and Justin “JD” deBlieck and ultimately incorporated their past, present, and future sounds into one cohesive sound. This is Motionless at their very best.

“We were never afraid to take risks,” observes Chris. “This band has not only lasted two decades, but we’ve also outlasted all of the obstacles we’ve faced. We’re still grinding. No matter how far we expand the universe that is Motionless In White, we’re going to preserve the heart, soul, and roots of where we came from. We are never going to abandon heartfelt, emotional, and heavy songs. We are never going to abandon what mattered to us the most when we started. We’re finding new ways to emphasize those stories with exciting sounds and looks, but the vision is the same. It’s always been this grand, dramatic, and theatrical entity. I’m proud we haven’t gotten comfortable.”

He finishes, “Decades is definitely heavier than some of our past albums. Our current world bred more aggressive energy, anger, and resistance.”

The post Motionless In White Announce Second Leg of “The Sweat and BloodTour” Set for Fall 2026 appeared first on MediaMikes.

Stream / Listen HERE
Watch the Official Music Video HERE

CRO-MAGS, the iconic New York hardcore outfit fronted by Harley Flanagan, proudly make their BLKIIBLK debut with the new single, “Wired for Chaos.” The new track marks CRO-MAGS’ first new music in six years, giving fans a taste of what’s to come.

“Wired for Chaos,” which shares its name with last year’s documentary about Harley, was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Code Orange, Cavalera Conspiracy). It was produced by Harley and Arthur and features drum phenom Greyson Nekrutman. The new single arrives alongside an official music video, available below.

Watch the Music Video for “Wired

On the new single “Wired for Chaos,” Harley Flanagan comments:

“The new video for ‘Wired for Chaos’ reminds me of our first video, ‘We Gotta Know,’ which came out 40 years ago, except that it shows where the band is at now. I am proud to say that we are one of those few bands that have a multigenerational audience and bridge the gap between hard-core kids, metalheads, punks, skinheads, and more, as seen in the audience of this video, which was filmed at our shows on the past few tours. Not many bands have such a blended fan base besides Motörhead, and I am proud to say that we are following in that tradition.”

Harley continues, “The song title ‘Wired for Chaos’ was taken directly from the recent documentary of the same name. It comes in with an aggressive metal intro befitting a UFC walk-in or a video game, then bursts into a more traditional HC thrash vibe before returning to a heavy beatdown at the end in an unmistakable CRO-MAGS style. The song is literally about being programmed and wired for chaos from birth, not just by environment, but by parents, trauma, childhood experiences, and the resulting PTSD that I personally struggle with as a result.”

Stream / Listen to “Wired for Chaos” HERE

CRO-MAGS Live:

Europe:
June 6 — Emmen, Netherlands @ Pitfest
June 7 — Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang
June 8 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ Beta
June 9 — Berlin, Germany @ Neue Zukunft
June 10 — Schwerin, Germany @ Club Zenit
June 12 — Venlo, Netherlands @ Grenswerk
June 13 — Bergen Op Zoom, Netherlands @ Gebouw-T
June 14 — Hoofddorp, Netherlands @ C-Punt
June 15 — Heidelberg, Germany @ Halle02
June 16 — Essen, Germany @ Turock
June 17 — Saabrucken, Germany with Sepultura @ Garage
June 18 — Luzern, Switzerland @ Sedel
June 20 — Clisson, France @ Hellfest
July 20 — Gdansk, Poland with Biohazard @ B90
July 21, 2026 — Warsaw, Poland with Biohazard @ Progresja
July 22, 2026 — Wroclaw, Poland with Biohazard @ Zaklete Rewiry
July 24 — Debrecen, Hungary @ Campus Festival
July 25 — Martinska, Croatia @ Punk + Zestoka Festa
August 5 — Vagos, Portugal @ Vagos Metalfest 2026
August 7 — London, UK @ United and Strong Fest
August 8 — Newport, UK @ Corn Exchange
August 9 — Blackpool, UK @ Rebellion Festival

USA:
September 26 — Daytona Beach, FL @ Party Weekend
October 4 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival

More Dates TBA!

The history of Harley Flanagan and his band CRO-MAGS is integral not just to the history of hardcore, but to modern metal, rock, and punk itself. With roots stretching from the shadow of Warhol and the Velvets to CBGB’s hardcore matinees and L’Amour Brooklyn thrash-a-thons, all the way through current generations of punk and extreme metal, CRO-MAGS are the connective tissue. Just ask the likes of Dave Grohl, Green Day, and Turnstile. CRO-MAGS stand side by side with Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Metallica as both an influence and a gamechanger.

The brainchild of a 14-year-old Harley Flanagan, CRO-MAGS began in 1981 while Flanagan was playing drums for The Stimulators. By 1982/83, he had recorded the primal CRO-MAGS demos — four songs that would become the blueprint for the seminal 1986 release, ‘Age of Quarrel.’ Initially a solo vision, Flanagan wrote and played all of the music himself. In 1985, alongside guitarist Parris Mayhew, vocalist John Joseph McGowan, and drummer Mackie Jayson, the genre-defining ‘Age of Quarrel’ demo was recorded. The full-length album followed in 1986, with Doug Holland of Kraut joining on second guitar.

Explosive both on and offstage, CRO-MAGS have had a tumultuous history, to put it mildly. Through multiple lineups, six studio albums beyond the original demos, and more than four decades of worldwide touring, CRO-MAGS remain one of the most iconic bands in American hardcore and metal. Today, the band is led by Flanagan on bass and vocals — a role he has held since ‘Best Wishes’ (1989). He remains the only member to appear on every CRO-MAGS release since the band’s founding.

The post NYHC Crossover Pioneers CRO-MAGS Unleash New Single “Wired for Chaos” + Official Music Video appeared first on MediaMikes.

People spend a lot of time on their phones now without really thinking about it. Watching videos, checking social media, replying to messages, opening games for a few minutes and then moving on to something else. Entertainment has become much more casual and spread out during the day instead of sitting down for hours in one place.

Mobile gaming grew alongside those habits because it works well in shorter sessions. Games that are quick to open and easy to understand tend to fit naturally into the way people already use their phones. Many players are looking for something simple they can jump into quickly without needing to focus on complicated controls or long introductions first.

Why Fast Play Still Works

A big reason slot games still work well on phones is speed. Most players can open a game and start almost immediately without long tutorials or complicated controls slowing things down first. That matters more on mobile because people are rarely giving a game their full attention for hours at a time. Someone might scroll social media for ten minutes, watch a few videos, answer messages, then open a game for a short break before moving on again.

Statista still reports mobile gaming as the biggest part of the gaming market globally, which says a lot about where people now spend their gaming time. Slot games suit those habits because the gameplay stays straightforward. Players do not need to remember complicated systems or spend ages learning mechanics before they can enjoy it. Some people want that depth from games, but plenty just want something quick that works straight away. That style of gaming also fits people who only play casually rather than spending large amounts of time gaming every week.

Why Familiar Slot Games Still Appeal

Even newer slot games still rely on ideas most players already recognize. Reels, symbols, bonus icons and direct gameplay have stayed around for years because people already understand how they work. That familiarity helps a lot on mobile, where attention disappears quickly. If a game feels confusing within the first minute, many players will probably leave and open something else instead.

Other entertainment platforms work similarly. Streaming apps update designs over time, though they rarely change everything completely because users do not want to relearn where things are every few months. Slot games follow much of the same thinking. The themes and graphics change constantly, but the core gameplay usually stays familiar enough that players can jump straight in without needing much explanation.

Some people enjoy games packed with features and long bonus rounds. Others prefer simpler slot games that feel more direct from the start. Both styles exist because mobile entertainment habits vary depending on the player and how much time they want to spend in a session. Familiar layouts also help players switch between different slot games without needing to relearn basic controls each time.

Phones Changed How Slot Games Are Played

Phones changed gaming habits across the board. People now play games while traveling, sitting on the couch, waiting for food, or scrolling through apps late at night. Slot games became much easier to fit into everyday routines once mobile gaming took over because players no longer needed to sit at a desktop computer to open a game for a few minutes.

The GSMA Mobile Economy Report continues showing smartphone access growing around the world, which keeps mobile entertainment growing with it. Not everyone uses the newest phones or fastest internet either and that still affects how games perform. Simpler slot games usually run more smoothly across older devices because they do not rely on huge downloads or demanding graphics in the same way some larger mobile games do.

Browser gaming helped change habits too. Players can open games quickly without downloading massive files first, which suits the stop-start nature of mobile entertainment much better than longer installation processes. That convenience helped mobile gaming feel more casual and easier to access for players who may not normally spend much time gaming. It also made it easier for people to fit short gaming sessions into parts of the day where they previously would not have bothered opening a game at all.

Simple Entertainment Still Has A Place

Not every game needs to be huge or complicated to keep people interested. Quick-play games still hold attention because they fit naturally into daily life and do not ask for much time upfront. Slot games stayed popular partly for the same reason. Most players already understand the basics within seconds, which makes them easy to come back to after stepping away for a while.

Big console games, streaming platforms and social media all compete for attention now, but simple games still hold their place because they are easy to jump into without much effort. Mobile habits changed how people spend time online and slot games adapted to those habits better than a lot of older gaming formats did.

The post How Slot Games Adapted To Mobile Entertainment Habits appeared first on MediaMikes.

• REMARKEDLY BRIGHT CREATURES
• Starring:  Sally Field, Coln Meany and Lewis Pullman
• Directed by:  Olivia Newman
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  1 hr 51 mins
• NETFLIX

Our score:  4 out of 5

I don’t know what it is about the Octopus.  Beautiful creatures that rather swim along then bother people.  Ringo Starr knows what I’m talking about.  So does the new film, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures,” which is narrated by an octopus named Marcellus.

Tova (Field) spends her nights alone, cleaning the local aquarium.  It’s a boring job but it gives her quiet time to think.  When not scraping gum off the floor, she is constantly tracking down Marcellus, an octopus who has found a way to get out of his tank and explore the dark corners of the museum.  Though she hasn’t told her friends, Tova is considering selling her home and moving to a retirement community.

Cameron (Pullman) is a musician on the road.  When his van breaks down he finds himself needing a job to pay for the repairs.  The town mechanic (Meany) suggest the museum and soon Cameron finds himself being trained by Tova, who insists that things be done the right way.  No shortcuts.  Both Tova and Cameron are dealing with personal tragedies and as their story intertwines they discover more about each other then either one knew was possible.

Full of charm, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” is a film about life, loss and the power of love.  Field must deal daily with the whispers of townspeople who gossip about her loss while Cameron, a young man with low self-esteem, finds himself kicked out of his band, really the only family he has.  Like Tova, Cameron shares his thoughts with Marcellus, who turns out to be a great listener!  Like the title character in “My Octopus Teacher,” we are drawn to Marcellus and upset him as a true member of the cast.  The scrip, by director Newman, John Whittington and Shelby van Pelt, is sharp and captures the small town feel necessary to embrace the story.  Field is her usual strong/spunky self, making you imagine what Norma Rae would have been like in her later years.  Pullman, the son of Bill, plays well off of Field, giving the two a genuine friendly chemistry.  And I must give kudos to Alfred Molina, who provides the “voice” of Marcellus.  He handles each moment beautifully, making what could have been standard narration come alive.

On a scale of zero to five, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” receives ★★★★   

The post Film Review: “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” appeared first on MediaMikes.

• MARTY:  LIFE IS SHORT
• Starring:  Martin Short, Steve Martin and Eugene Lelvy
• Directed by:  Lawrence Kasdan
• Rated:  TV-14
• Running time:  1 hr 39 mins
• Amazon Studios

Our score:  5 out of 5

As a generation we have been blessed to have been introduced to some truly wonderful people.  People that are not only extremely talented but radiate goodness.  One of those people is Martin Short and director Lawrence Kasdan sat down with the important people in Shot’s life to document the man and his life.

My first memory of Martin Short was on the television series “SCTV.”  It used to run on PBS every Sunday night when I was growing up and made up an amazing block of television when it was coupled with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”  It was on “SCTV” that now-legendary characters like Ed Grimley took shape.  After leaving the show Short was asked to join “Saturday Night Live,” where he quickly became a star.  Films followed.  Then Broadway.  But despite all of his successes, Short quietly and with dignity had to deal with tragedy.  And that is the heart of this film.

Through interviews with family members, and such long time friends as Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, John Mulaney, Paul Shafer and others, we learn that, to Short, his best accomplishment was his family.  Through archived interviews with his late wife, Nancy, we learn that the only spotlight Short relishes is that of husband and father.  Though not mentioned in the film, Short’s compassion for others shone brightly in 2012 when, not realizing that Nancy had passed away two years earlier, Kathy Lee Gifford asked Short about the strength of his marriage.  Rather then embarrass Gifford, Short replied that they were still madly in love!

Sadly, tragedy has once again recently found Short as both his dear friend, Catherine O’Hara and his daughter, Katherine.  The film is lovingly dedicated to them both.

On a scale of zero to five, “Marty:  Life is Short” receives ★★★★★   

The post Film Review: “Marty: Life is Short” appeared first on MediaMikes.

• THE STRANGER
• Satarring:  Benjamin Voison, Rebecca Marder, Pierre Lottin, Denis Lavant
• Directed by:   François Ozon
• Not Rated
• Running time:  2 hrs 2 mins
• Music Box Films

Our score:  4 out of 5

If you go through life with an air of indifference when you see people around you acting contemptibly, is it all that surprising when you do commit murder?

That’s the setup behind Albert Camus’ 1942 novella The Stranger. When I devoured the book in college, I was stuck by how a book with such an uncaring protagonist could be so engrossing.

Veteran French director François Ozon (Swimming Pool) and co-screenwriter Philippe Piazzo follow Camus’ storyline faithfully but also look at the story from a post-colonial perspective.

As Meursault (Benjamin Voisin) goes through the motions in colonial Algiers, there’s a sense that the native population have a justified feeling of resentment toward French occupation. The tensions that would lead to the the Algerian war for independence a decade later are seething in the background. As a side note, this movie would make a great double feature with The Battle of Algiers.

Even among the French, Meursault leaves an uncomfortable impression. When his mother dies, he sheds no tears and treats her passing as a mere nuisance. When one of her mourners collapses in the heat, he simply marches on while others tend to the fallen man.

He spots his foul-tempered neighbor Salamano (the redoubtable Denis Lavant) beating his dog, while Raymond (Pierre Lottin) another resident of his apartment complex gets into scuffles with Algerians in the street and treats his sex worker girlfriend terribly.

One wonders how an automaton like Meursault has managed to attract the vibrant Marie (Rebecca Marder). She has the energy and passion he lacks, but she seems drawn to the fact that he avoids glib declarations of love. She might be attracted to the lack of phony airs. Then again it could be because there isn’t much behind his blandly handsome exterior.

Before you can say “banality of evil,” he gradually gets involved with activities a wise person would avoid. Raymond isn’t much of a writer, Meursault happily polishes his prose for a letter of ill intent.

We know where this is going because Ozun begins with the Meursault being jailed for his eventual crime. There is still plenty of tension and curiosity because Voisin imbues Meursault with just enough hints of possible humanity to keep viewers from sharing his disregard for what’s happening around him. The novel is told in first person, and the protagonist never asks for sympathy. Without resorting to voiceover, Voisin and Ozun subtly hint there might be some inner life to the undemonstrative Meursault.

Marder’s passionate Marie is a welcome complement, and Manu Dacosse’s stark black-and-white photography effortlessly recounts the period and gives the performers plenty of room to work. You can more easily spot small changes in expression or hints at danger to come.

Ozun clearly loves his source material, but he thankfully treats it as something to bring alive instead of preserve in amber.

On a scale of zero to five, “The Stranger” receives ★★★★   

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