California’s sleaziest exports were always gloriously out of step with the times. Here are the cherries on their catalogue cake.

Simon Neil leads a back on top Biffy ...

How a bunch of metal-loving kids from the East Coast changed the hardcore game – and made one of the most influential albums of the 21st century

Buck Meek ★ ★★★ The Mirror 4AD. ...

The month’s best guitar music – a hand-picked selection of the finest fretwork on wax

Big Big Train cofounder Gregory Spawton on the records, artists and gigs that are of lasting significance to him.