New quartet helmed by the local punk scene’s mom and pop, CJ and Rich Atrain (moonlighting from Animal Train), Sugar Pill coats an angsty, mostly midtempo proposition. Singer snarling like a PiL-era John Lydon plopped into a 1981 Orange County act, tunes highlighted by “Monsters” are thick-toned, moody soundtracks for picking psychic scabs. The title cut throws in a touch of hardcore speediness here and there, but Out of the Gate stays in third gear.

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This article appears in April 13 • 2018.

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Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.