news & press

Reviews for Pureocracy (Sickpay)

“The best part of Devoid (from Pureocracy) is during the verses, when Sickpay hits you with some sort of guitar that doesn’t necessarily sound so much electric as it does full of effects so that it pirouettes, twirls, and sparkles along like a diadem twisting in the sun’s gaze. The singing is certainly unique on this one, although the instrumentation is the real treat.”
-- Breaking & Entering

“So what kind of punk is Sickpay bringing along on this EP? Well, you can actually call it sophisticated pop-punk, as Birnbaum shows that knowing how to really play your instrument well and coming up with more complex melodies actually helps the sound, rather than distracting from it.”
-- Rock at Night

“Sickpay’s broad love of the genre (punk rock) is on full display on his recently released EP Pureocracy. In only 5 songs, Birnbaum takes us on a punk rock journey that shows a diverse love for the genre at large with hints of cow-punk, modern pop-punk, classic alternative, new wave, and more. It’s early in the year yet, but so far this album and the new release from Denzel Curry are neck and neck for best release of 2022.”
--The Farsighted

“Simultaneously muscular and enflamed by grimy, grainy guitars, Pureocracy pumps out brutal textures of punk-laced rock.”
--Tattoo.com

“For anyone who came of age in the Grunge/Post-Grunge era of music, (Pureocracy) is just what the doctor ordered to give you the throwback hit you crave that’s missing from modern artists.”
--Screen Legion

“Certainly, it’s no secret that Mike Birnbaum puts all his influences on display on this record. And running the gamut from Grunge to Punk in only five tracks is quite the impressive feat. Because of this, Pureocracy is a concentrated, condensed listening experience in the best way possible – in that it packs quite the punch in a short span of time. Moreover, whether or not this style of music is in your sonic wheelhouse, Sickpay is most definitely worth a listen."
-- Screen Legion

“Sickpay’s Pureocracy EP is five tracks inspired heavily by the 90’s and 00’s. In other words, it’s an all-around cool EP. Featuring loud guitars, thunderous drumming, and deep-thinking lyrics, what you get out of it is exciting sounds from beginning to end."  

--Movieboozer.com

“Overall, Pureocracy is an EP that surely shows off the songwriting skills of Mike Birnbaum.”
-- Metal Centre

“Like Paul Westerberg, Birnbaum has an understated, deceptive knack for pop, and if one were to remove all of the lo-fi and sludge, any of these songs could be hits. Yet Pureocracy thrives and succeeds because of its production, and although modest, it’s a definite contender for one of the year’s strongest debuts.

The hooks here are huge, and the songs are like arena anthems from an alternate dimension. One of the many projects conceived during the pandemic, this music is not content to wallow in its origins and defiantly escapes from apocalyptic doomsaying.”
-- The Big Takeover

“Listening to Sickpay choke out these songs can be a little tough to take in at times. He just sounds so pained. Nevertheless, his performance approach always serves to make his singing and songs utterly believable. It's heartening to hear an artist so committed to sharing truth. Tortured art is not always pretty art, but here it's undeniably real."
--antimusic.com

Reviews for When You’re Lonely Everybody’s a Celebrity (D. Gookin)

“Glad I Met You” is the first single off D. Gookin’s first EP, When You’re Lonely Everybody’s a Celebrity. This balmy neo-disco song rolls along seamlessly, with twinkles of chime and sweet flute, until some well-placed scratching reminds you that Mike Birnbaum (D. Gookin) is there making it all come together. A high-pitched electrified soloist fades in and out for the chorus, giving way to a shiny group chant on repeat. The retro synths and funky rhythms make this upbeat track one for the good times.”
--xir8r.com

“Mike Birnbaum is D. Gookin, an independent NYC-based producer and deejay who has built up a steady discography over the past several years, creating funky and upbeat music which aims for positivity and good vibes, employing bouncy beats, calming melodies, and a joyous, carefree feel. Listening to some of his tracks tends to set off a bit of nostalgia, as a lot of his music feels like a kaleidoscopic ode to summer, full of endless bright and warm days with friends and loved ones, full of fun, happiness, and memorable times, and several projects deep his skills behind the boards has only gotten better.
Now with summer here in the city, this song feels like a perfect soundtrack. From his debut EP, 2008’s When You’re Lonely, Everybody’s a Celebrity, I’m glad to have met this one (I can hear you groaning). The carefree feel, elastic beat, and chanting vocal samples, along with the stuttery beat and flutes? I can’t get enough of this one! It really does feel like the aural equivalent of the best mid-summer day ever, and you know how much I love those breezy summer getaways.”
--the-wildebeest.com

Reviews for See You Later Boy (D. Gookin)

Low-key East Coast electronica legend D.Gookin is back with his Nina Pop debut release, “See You Later Boy,” four new tracks of wistful, hyper-color electronic pop."
--earcandymusis.biz

“The last time we heard from D. Gookin, the man was tearing it up on the electro pop punk stoner jam “Sneak Out.” Now, as that sound fades into the ether that was 2015, comes See You Later Boy, an EP that continues the singular odyssey of D. Gookin. The EP is the artist’s debut with Nina Pop, run by Baltimore club legend Schwarz, whose work has been featured heavily here on TMT. “Innerspace,” the B-side opener, is a whole new chapter in the Gookin story, “like Owl City ripping it up on hottest current dancehall riddim or a Sugar Ray remix compilation on Ghostly International,” as the label aptly describes it. The EP comes out on cassette January 22 and, for the real heads, Gookin will be selling temporary tattoos of his own design. Embrace 2k16, get wild, and jam on this Gookin tune real hard.”

--Tinymixtapes.com

Reviews for Cheating (D. Gookin)

When we premiered D. Gookin’s new single, ”Retaliation,” I capped the post by writing, “stay tuned for more Gookin related news in the coming week.” Oh, how the time does fly! It’s already a week later, and we have another release from the NYC drummer/producer (real name Mike B). 

As you can see from the track list below, Cheating is a straight-up covers EP. It’s out today (pick it up now), and it features his takes on a diverse array of classic tunes — from Pink Floyd, the Smiths, Q Lazarus, Dinosaur Jr., and Nine Inch Nails — complete with a smattering of clutch guest spots (e.g. Willy D from Dogs in Ecstasy and the Juiceboxxx Thunderzone Band ripping the guitar solo at end of Dinosaur Jr.’s “Feel The Pain,” Alec Lambert from White Rope singing vocals on Nine Inch Nails’s “March Of The Pigs,” and Kylie Lance of Father Finger crooning backing vox on The Smith’s “Ask”). My two current favorites are the Smiths and Dino Jr. jams, but feel free to immerse yourself in the whole set streaming down below and pick your own.”
--tinymixtapes.com

Reviews for Retaliation (D. Gookin)

“By this point in my time as a music journalist/blog boy, it’s about time to get a template going. Think about it, a Mad Libs style write-up that makes it easy to gush about anything? Yes, please. That way I can crank out content, get the social media kudos, and save myself a lot of time for writing Frasier fan fiction. As much as I’d like to get that going, I have a little deadline to make, and unfortunately, I haven’t put the template together, aside from the closing line, “You heard it here first, [insert band name here] will be lighting up the charts in a few months.

"Now that I’m getting back to business, we’ve got a brand new digital single from D. Gookin, whom we’ve covered a couple of times over the years. If you’re still not familiar, D. Gookin is the solo alias of Mike Birnbaum, drummer for Juiceboxxx’ live band and co-founder/drum hitter with NYC shredders 2 Ton Bug. Under the D. Gookin moniker, Mike has been producing off-beat electro/alt/emo/rainbow rock since 2008. Nine years later, Gookin is still rolling, folks. He’s got a brand-new single, “Retaliation,” that’s kind of an emo anthem, but with a little pop punk vibes thrown in for good measure. Even though I’m pushing 30, this brings me back to a time when I was 17 and all, “You can’t tell me what to do, dad!” (note: actually, I was never like that. I ran cross country and got home before curfew every weekend, if I went out at all). But I think you get the idea? Maybe not? Anyway, I’m an idiot. Stream “Retaliation” below and stay tuned for more Gookin related news in the coming week.”

--tinymixedtapes.com

Reviews of How 2 Deal (D. Gookin)

“Rocking his possessed acid-loving pants, D. Gookin (a.k.a. Mike Birnbaum) creates some wild tracks. His LP How 2 Deal features a mind-bending array of influences. With a drum kit, synthesizers, and breathy vocals, this New Haven-based artist channels straight '80s vibes. But between the space-age fades, smooth lady samples, and the '70s flute of disco classics, it's clear D isn't afraid to throw random ingredients in the blender.

"Just when you think you've figured D out, he switches his game up. On the long intro to "Embrace," D interviews his mom about "standard procedures that should be practiced for certain messy situations." From spilling coffee to eating Cheerios out of a bowl, this stain-centric interview drives home an important moral: it's always important to have at least 20 clean rags. As the track fades into a glockenspiel and static crackle, you're left wondering, "Did that just happen?"

--Ctindie.com

Review of Sneak Out single (D. Gookin)

“Sneak Out” is a different beast than the previously mentioned EP, but you’d expect a bit of growth over six years, and the track is definitely more in line with Gookin 2k15. This one’s still got that electro vibe, but here it’s more of a bedroom electronic/pop-punk/stoner anthem sound. On first listen I had my eyebrows up all like The Rock, thinking, what the fuck am I hearing right now, but Gookin’s a man who knows the pop game, and “Sneak Out” flows with a positive energy that’s in line with the anything goes ethos of Juiceboxxx’s Thunderzone operations. So sit back, shotgun an energy drink, and bask in the Friday night vibes of D. Gookin’s newest jam."

--tinymixtapes.com