Ought w/Moaning and Butthole

I met Sean Solomon in 2010 when he was on tour with his first band, folky, punky — but not folk-punk, don’t get it twisted — L.A. crew Moses Campbell. I remember the then-teenager sharing with me a personal credo: “No matter what, you’ve always gotta have your punk band.” Fast-forward a bit, and Solomon’s kept his word. The eponymous 2018 Sub Pop debut from his follow-up group Moaning, rounded out by fellow Moses Campbell alums Pascal Stevenson (bass) and Andrew MacKelvie (drums), is punk in all the right places. Moaning might brood, but it doesn’t wallow. There’s melody, optimism and tons of cool musical interplay in its 10 taut, propulsive songs, and Moaning’s players’ tight-knit nature is palpable in its jam-econo execution. Sub Pop has signed so much good stuff lately it feels like some of it’s getting lost in the shuffle. Case in point: The anemic turnout back in June for Vancouver’s Jo Passed, whose set of virtuosic prog-pop left all 10 of us in attendance at The End picking our jaws up off the floor. That scenario shouldn’t repeat for Moaning, because they’re opening for established Montrealers Ought, but this writer and West Coast transplant strongly implores showing up early to show the kids some love regardless. CHARLIE ZAILLIAN