Muskrat Princess Zine #3 Out Now!

December 26th, 2023:

Issue 3 of the music zine "Muskrat Princess" is complete! It's a small DIY magazine based out of the suburbs west of Chicago (and into Chicago). Featuring interviews with members of the bands Spliff, King Sans (formerly known as bussing), Sick Day, Early Autumn Station, and also with Matt from the house venue The Core Cottage! Some other cool art stuff as well, like a new 2 page comic. $6 each (includes shipping), email me at hypnobraincomics @ gmail for a copy!

Nativity Zero has Three New Tracks!

December 1st, 2023:

The bass-and-drum violence of Nativity Zero is back with three new tracks! Check out Nervus Lafter Records' new compilation "Survival", benefiting victims of mass shootings. The comp spans several genres of extreme punk, metal, and electronic music (and closes with an emo song).

Listen to Nativity Zero's new tracks "Relentless Massacre", "Matter of Fact", and "Vivid Dream" on Nervus Lafter Records' Bandcamp page!

Ten Years of Hypno Brain

September 5th, 2023:

This year marks two special anniversaries for me personally.

Ten years ago in September 2013, my brother and I started Hypno Brain as an indie comic book label. We sold our own books at small conventions, just doing our own thing. Life happens, and over time Hypno Brain morphed into what it is today, mostly just me doing music-related things. It’s been a weird 10 years. Obsessed with creating things, cranking out whatever I feel like for a decade in my free time. Thanks to everyone who’s ever checked out my stuff, and to those who have collabed with me on projects. Special thanks to the world’s greatest brother.

Me at Hypno Brain's first comic convention appearance, February 22nd, 2014.

Twenty years ago in 2003, I started drawing comic books about a silly masked guy fighting crime and doing random shenanigans. I made over 200 comic books featuring this character, filled with nonsense that seemed funny to me at the time. These comics were never published and I doubt they ever will be, though a toy doll of him makes random appearances throughout my published works. This silly dude still holds a special place in my heart.

- Tom

"Muskrat Princess Zine" issue 2 now available!

August 14th, 2023:

"Muskrat Princess Zine" issue 2 is finally here! A local music zine based out of the suburbs west of Chicago. Featuring interviews with members of Whüzy, The Daisy Heaves, Yard Waste, Swimshirt, and Our Century In Pictures! Some other cool art stuff as well. $6 each (includes shipping), contact us for a copy!

Huge thanks to the talented peeps that took the time to answer my questions, and also to @hiraoka_morgan and @zachariahs_life on Instagram for providing additional photos!

Making new merch and replenishing old merch

July 25th, 2023:

I finally got a button maker! No one can stop us now, it's over for y'all! At last, we have pins for Soaking Up Sandcastles (logo and a fun Grimace Shake one), Nativity Zero, and Strawberry Cinder Block! For now these will only be available at shows, I don't feel like shipping them.

In addition to that, I've been replenishing my stock of some of the items I've been getting low on. More S^S, Nativity Zero, and Lace Meadow cassettes, plus more copies of the first Muskrat Princess zine.

And lastly, the Soaking Up Sandcastles skateboards (that I decorated back in 2020!) will finally be up for sale at the Pushing Together Battle of the Bands at Fargo Skatepark in DeKalb, IL on July 28th, 2023!