Rexx (aka Rex Osterkamp) is the latest California Future talent to put together a HERO playlist.

The nineteen year old from Orange spends his time bounding about California and playing shows with the freedom of a generation managing themselves on Facebook and setting a discography through Bandcamp. Whilst moonlighting as a Saint Laurent exclusive model discovered (and photographed in Issue 10) by Hedi Slimane. Rexx’s first album, My New Punk Rock Life, was put out through Burger Records whilst his current longplayer, My Last Moment of Teenage Angst is set to be released by Big Joy in December.

Osterkamp recently added a full band to his live set up, his first time in a group since playing as MHV with The Garden’s Wyatt and Fletcher Shears in high school. “Ever since I discovered punk, bands like the Minutemen or Saccharine Trust had a big influence on me,” he explains, “watching interviews of them saying just start your own band and use whatever resources you have to make music happen. Them saying there should be a band on every block in every city was so inspiring to me, you know?”

Hit play for some of Rexx’s favourite tunes, as well as his own make-the-world-your-stage video for Good Times.

Space Junk by Devo
“Perhaps the best/only tragic love song ever written about a girlfriend being killed by fallen scrap metal from outer space.”

Important in Your Life by Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers
“In this song, the most innocent man on earth, Jonathan Richman, just wants to hear from his honey how important he is in her life.”

Follow by DIIV
“Great chill out jam off of DIIV’s debut album Oshin.”

Calyer by Beach Fossils
“Dustin Payseur sings about all the things he doesn’t want to hear about.”

Keep the Light Off by Lumina
“Influenced by Sailor Moon and skulls, Orange County’s Jonny Payne plays this beautiful track about falling in love much too easily.”

Skin by Grimes
“One of the few electronic artists that are actually distinguishable today, Grimes is a must on anyone’s iPod playlist.”

Not About Love by Fiona Apple
“Angry girl Fiona Apple conveys her angst through jazzy chords and melodic piano progressions.”

This Guy’s in Love with You by Herb Alpert
“A simple, classic song about needing the one you love.”

Sugar by Shout Out Louds
“Opening track to Shout Out Louds’ fourth studio album, Optica. This song has been stuck in my head since the minute I put the CD in my car.”

Spit by Big Boys
“Here, the Big Boys confront the problem with music venues never caring about the bands, only wanting to sell their cheap generic beer.”

Heavy Shit by Colleen Green
“So Cal girl, Colleen Green uses simple drum machine tracks, and simple, yet so effective songwriting to tell about all the heavy shit on her mind.”

Easy Easy by King Krule
“This song’s lack of a chorus doesn’t mean it lacks any feeling.”

Shit You Hear at Parties by Minutemen
“The shit you hear at parties, the shit you hear on the news, it’s all the same, similar to the hum coming out of D. Boone’s amplifier.”

It Will All End in Tears by The Drums
“If you’ve ever entered a relationship that you know is destined for doom, this is the soundtrack to your relationship.”

Earplugs by Crisis Arm
“Crisis Arm are from Hemet, Ca, a city where you never quite know what’s going on, and that confusion is well reflected in this shoegaze band’s song EARPLUGS.”

Good Vibes by Rexx

Visit Rexx’s Bandcamp and follow him on Facebook
Follow Big Joy Records on Facebook