REVIEWS,
RANTS & RAVES
NO - Author, Boyd Rice BOOK (Heartworm)
For those of you who need a quick study, Boyd Rice, mostly under
the name NON, has been a pioneer of experimental and noise music since the mid-70s.
In the mid-80s he became friends with Anton LaVey (becoming a member of the
Church of Satan), Charles Manson, and began writing on topics that were little
known even in the underground (strange music, movies and the like). In the late-80s,
he started hanging out with members of the Right, such as James Mason (of American
National Socialists, and founder of the Universal Order), as well as Bob Heick
(founder of the neo-Nazi skinhead movement American Front). Soon he began preaching
the gospel of Social Darwinism, and has since become the bogeyman of the neofolk
and goth music scenes. In my opinion, he was, at one time, a controversial figure,
but today is only seen in this light by members of groups like Antifa - who
strangely enough are more detrimental to free speech than any black-clad member
of the Third Position. Anyhow, Boyd has never claimed to be a part of any group
(except the CoS and the Partridge Temple) or ideology (besides Social Darwinism),
so it might be this ambiguity that scares most everyone - from the far Left
to the extreme Right. What he has claimed to be is a bit of a sociopath, a fan
of girl groups and bubblegum pop, a lover of bad cinema, a modern drunkard,
and an admirer of good company. Hell, who in their right mind doesn't love wine,
women and song (and film)? Anyhow, NO is an all new collection of Boyd's
observations. Though it has been jokingly called 'the new Bible', it's
more pragmatism, than dogmatism. Boyd Rice tackles issues and topics ranging
in scope... equality, peace, capitalism, rights, the status quo, idealism, fame,
information, and meaning; giving the reader his subjective takes on each, and
then some. The book is filled with Boyd Rice's dark humor and sarcasm, not to
mention his infamous wit. Call him what you will, but the man is not only a
good musician, he's one hell of a writer. (Dec
27,
2009)
MAYHEM - Pure Fucking Mayhem
DVD + CD (Index)
Black metal seems to be the new thing to document, as can be
seen by the recently released film Until the Light Takes Us, as well
as the upcoming one based on the book, Lords of Chaos. This, on the other
hand, doesn't focus on black metal, per say, but on the band that put it on
the map, Mayhem, not to mention the man who helped spread its dark gospel, Euronymous.
This 80 minute feature interviews every living member, and includes clips from
a handful of shows, and a ton of photos. It goes into a lot of what's already
known by many - thanks to the controversy - like the suicide of their early
vocalist (known as Dead), the church burnings, the murder of Euronymous by Burzum's
Varg Vikernes, and the release of the classic 1994 album, De Mysteriis Dom
Sathanas. I hate to say it, but I thought the story of Mayhem ended there.
I didn't get back into black metal until 2001, and even then it was newer bands
I got into - like Twilight, Nachtmystium, etc - so I didn't know Mayhem released
three LPs since (Grand Declaration of War [2000], Chimera [2004],
and Ordo Ad Chao [2007]). It was great to be filled in on what I missed,
and it looks like I have a few records I need to pick up. Now, I do have one
complaint about the DVD: no extras! An old show would have been nice. Hell,
even a new one would have been great. A picture gallery. Full interviews. Something!
Well, they do somewhat make up for it by the inclusion of a CD, which contains
eight songs of somber and eerie piano tracks that are based on numbers by Mayhem.
The packaging is pretty damn good, too. It's a gatefold with a panel for the
CD and one for the DVD, and displaying quality art production. Um... what's
up with writing 'fucking' on the cover as 'f*cking'? Trust me, Walmart isn't
going to carry this, and the distros that will do not fucking care. Am I right,
fuckers? (Dec
27,
2009)
LAST / DROWNING THE VIRGIN
SILENCE - s/t CASSETTE (Last
/ Drowning
the Virgin Silence) It's rare to come across a cassette
nowadays. Still, I do enjoy these plastic compartments of cogs and magnetic
tape. The sound quality leaves much to be desired on 'em, but I've always liked
how they fit in your pocket - possibly their only endearing quality. Absolutely
no information is given in the layout, so I'll have to take guesses on what
this release contains, besides the two listed bands. Side A is (what I believe,
due to my relative familiarity with DtVS) the project known as Last. It's one
track, seemingly recorded live. Last, at least in this recording, are an ear-shattering
feedback with distorted, howling vocals the likes of Masonna or a vocaled Merzbow.
The recording leaves a lot to be desired, as it's pretty muddy, and the intensity
of what should be even more ear-piercing is toned down. Side B is Drowning the
Virgin Silence, and this project is about the best experimental band from south
Florida (next to early-80s seminal act Slap)! One track; quite and droning,
lulling the listener into a dreamlike state. A must for fans of Dadaist compositions,
Brian Eno, the softer sides of DJ
Spooky, the later works of Ulver, or even Future Sounds of London. I'm
not sure, but this release may only be available in limited quantity, so check
out either band's page for further info. (Dec
27,
2009)
ANDUIN - Abandoned In Sleep CD (SMTG
Limited) Abandoned in Sleep is the second LP
by Richmond, VA's Jonathan Lee (of Souvenir's Young America), and his project
Anduin (taken from the name for a river in Tolkien's literary works). His newest
outing as a solo artist is a year's worth of work, which contains studio pieces,
live performances and collaborations galore. Ten musical structures of dark
ambient and atmospheric illbient. Sometimes quite and lulling, sometimes pulsing
and driving, but always soft on the ear and playful for the mind. I mean, who
would have thought anyone could pull off the use of harmonica ("A Light
in the Darkness") in ambient music? The larger part of Anduin's sophomore
disc are unreleased tracks, though "Filed Away" was originally used
for an art installation in the UK, and the collaboration with Svarte Greiner,
"Black River" appeared on a 7" earlier this year (also on SMTG
Limited). Other guest artist this time around include Xela's John Twells, SYA
bandmate Noah Saval, Dag Rosenqvist of Jasper TX, Stephen Vitello, Tara Morand
and many more. This wonderful slice of electronic soundscapes is also available
as a 12". Now, the CD has two extra tracks and extended mixes, but, if
you decide to order the vinyl, you get the CD as well - free. (Dec
27,
2009)
SECRETS OF THE MOON - Privilegivm
CD (Lupus Lounge)
Secrets of the Moon is a black metal band from Germany, which
formed in 1995. After two demos (Unearthed Arcana and Vanitas,
'95 and '97 respectively), they released their first LP in 2001 (Stronghold
of the Inviolables on Sombre Records). After a slew of split EPs - with
Lunar Aurora, Dark Storm, Armagedda and Averse Sefira - came two more albums,
2004's Carved in Stigmata Wounds and Antithesis in 2006. While
no original members are left, the current trio has revamped their sound, and
they've given the world a new disc. It's still the blackest of metal, but a
little more has been added to the sound to show us all that the 'new and improved'
SotM can belt it out better. The drums are crisp, clean, yet have a deep dooming
sound. The guitars are much cleaner than one would expect on a black metal release,
but I have no problem with that, as the riffs are awesomely punishing. Also,
I like that they don't use keyboards to provide atmosphere like a lot of newer
bands do. While the disc starts out well enough, it just keeps getting better
and better as the tracks go on. "Harvest" and "For They Know
Not" (numbers five and six) are amazing songs! The packaging is top notch
with it's glossy and slick, black foldout digipak. If you're looking into some
epic, guitar-heavy, doom-ladened black metal, this is the new album for you.
(Dec
27,
2009)
ACIREMA - American Nightmare
CD (Indianola)
North Carolina fans of extreme metal rejoice! You have one of
the better acts in that music school right in your own backyard. This quintet
formed in the Willmington area around 2003, toured almost nonstop, and self-released
their debut LP, With Deepest Regrets in 2005. Oh yeah... and please don't
confuse them with the neo-Nazi band out of Tucson, AZ with the same name. American
Nightmare was a total dream come true for me, as I really needed some new
metalcore in my life lately. With punishing riffs, a mix of screeching black
metal / growling metalcore vocals, and crushing drum play they bring to mind
At the Gates, Black Dahlia Murder, Dead to Fall, Darkest Hour, or, if you're
a douche that knows nothing except the current trends, Dethkolk (not that I
ain't a fan of Metalocalypse, but I would hate to know nothing about
a genre of music aside from a cartoon band). There are breakdowns, blastbeats,
a touch of doom and NWoBHM - all in huge doses. No weak-ass crabcore here, folks.
Just plain ol' brutal metalcore - the way the gods intended it to be. (Dec
27,
2009)
CONFUSED AS EVER - Don't
Panic CD EP (Confused
As Ever) Confused As Ever is a south Florida act that
began as an acoustic project, formed by Ray Sousa (of Good Life Cycle) and Elana
Meair. Within no time they picked up another male / female duo to add bass and
drums (Scott Hanzlik and Danielle Galletta, respectively), and started to add
a boatload of melodic rock to their sound. Don't Panic is a self-produced,
six song EP of heavy guitar, pop hooks, and stylish female vocals that is emotionally
powerful. With a blend of styles that are hard to peg, I don't have much to
compare them to besides Xtian pop-rock outfit Evanescence, or a female-fronted
Tool - especially on the closing track, "Septic Federation". While
I'm not a huge fan of this type of music, this disc not only held my attention,
and kept me interested throughout, it made me want to hear more! I guess, so
long as it isn't teenie-bop Top 40, I can get into it, but in all reality, if
these guys and gals keep this up, that is where they might be found soon enough.
(Dec
27,
2009)
MICRO BIONIC - Author, Thomas Bey William Bailey BOOK (Creation)
Though there are not many books out there on the subject of noise
music, Micro Bionic is, hands down, the best book on the subject. Admittedly,
the book doesn't cover all of the noise music scene, especially newer acts,
but either way, TBW Bailey does offer an encyclopedic knowledge of the genre.
The book begins with the modern era of electronic and organic noise with Throbbing
Gristle, though the author does cover the the 1920s Futurist Luigi Russolo and
other pioneers. Of course, what would a book on noise be complete without an
entry on Whitehouse, Coil and Merzbow, so they have chapters all to themselves
(which also cover murder, magick, and vegetarianism). Other subjects include
the pop-art samplers Negitivland and their culture jamming activities, the computer
music of Mego (not to mention the Vienna Aktionist Movement), and lesser known
artists like Sweden's The Kingdoms of Elgaland and Vargaland (and the political
party Carl Michael von Hausswolff tried to form out of it), Francisco López,
John Duncan and his 'confessional' artwork, The Halfer Trio and their dislike
of the de-evolution of sound (via CDs and mp3s), as well as chapters discussing
topics like the use of silence in music, the politics of noise, and the use
of other forms of media in noise (film, writing, and performance art). While
I listed what the book mainly goes into, each chapter also delves into philosophy,
sociology, history, the use of instruments and computers and so much more. If
you're into this form of music, Micro Bionic is a must for your reading
pleasure, and especially your book collection. (Aug
21,
2009)
CASSIE J. SNEIDER - Two
Stories CD-R (Cassie
J. Sneider) Cassie J. Sneider is a writer from Ronkonkoma,
NY. Her work has appeared in a number of magazines, fanzines and websites, as
well as attempting to be the queen of self-publishing (comics, 'zines and other
miscellaneous insanity). She
has also done videos for The Dwarves - check out their FEFU DVD for it,
available from Music Video Distributors. Honestly,
I'm a huge fan of her work, as her stories of growing up 'white trash' and such
has made me roll with laughter, not to mention sympathize (yes, Spaniards like
me can be raised quite white trashy). This self-released CD-R is Cassie telling
two tales from her youth ("Homegrown"
and "Picture Book"), both of which are
outright hilarious. When I first received this I had no clue as what the picture
on the cover had to do with anything (a monkey with a stick in its hands), but
was soon let in upon listening what the hell was going on there. Write to her,
ask nicely, and she may just tell you how to obtain this bizarre childhood memory.
Just don't tell her I sent you... lord knows what you may get in return. (Aug
21,
2009)
MALACHI + THE BASTARD NOISE
- The Immortals CD (Hear
More! / Housepig
/ 200 mg)
This isn't a standard split release where you have a group of
songs by one band then another, but four tracks where one band is presented,
then the other, then back to the first and so on. First up is the Milwaukee
quintet Malachi (exmembers of Artimus Pyle, What
Happens Next? and Fuck Face) with "Pain Trails", and it's a crusty,
doom crusher that goes from punishing riffs to drearily enchanting violins seamlessly.
The Bastard Noise (featuring newest
member Leila Rauf of Ion Channel and AmberAsylum) are
up next with "Post Conflict Dream". Their track is a little less noisy
than I expected, as it consisted heavily of field recordings - though not entirely
- including insects and birds, but it was beautiful nonetheless, especially
the haunting vocals. Malachi return on track four with an instrumental titled
"Five" that is much different from their first track, as it's a feedback-drenched
droner. The Bastard Noise return to close things off with "Elemental Decay",
a piece - similar to their previous track - that is lullful, ambient and hypnotic.
The Immortals is presented in a three panel fold-out, color-shifting
paper sleeve by Thumbprint Press, with various insectoid robots along the layout.
I'm not certain if this is limited in quantity (though certainly not in quality),
but as many other Housepig Record items are, I wouldn't hold out to pick one
up. (Aug
21,
2009)
JEROME DEPPE AND GENTLEMEN
OBSCURA - Showtunes for the Damned CD + BOOK (Press
Subterranean) Jerome Deppe is a Baltimore,
MD painter, as well as photographer and songwriter. One
of the few people I've found to not only know what cyanotypes are (invented
by Sir John Herschel in 1842), but also collects their images - not to mention
produces works using the process. He began working in a performance troupe in
the late 80s, and in 1999 he started writing music, as Showtunes for the
Damned is his fourth solo outing. He has since worked with Philadelphia
artist David E. Williams, and Christian Death's Rozz Williams. The music on
Showtunes for the Damned is a near-droning Joy Division, that almost
falls into the world of neo-folk, sometimes even goth rock. While the music
is great, what is really amazing is the packaging. This disc is presented with
a large graphic novel of over 70+ pages. High quality, brightly colored psychedelic
artwork with a dark tinge towards our shadow nature, where the quote bubbles
contain the LP's lyrics. I'm extremely impressed with both the creativity behind
the music and the layout. Guest appearances from Lloyd James (from Naevus),
the aforementioned D. E. Williams, Thomas Nola (of Thomas Nola et
son Orchestre) and others. I'm not certain if this is a limited release,
but I wouldn't wait to find out if I were you. (Aug
21,
2009)
KAWABATA MAKOTO - The Tales of the Dream Planet CD (Housepig)
Kawabata Makoto is the founding member of Acid Mothers Temple
(who formed in 1995), as well as member of close to a dozen other projects.
He has been doing solo work since his Private Tapes series in 1999. His
solo material is quite interesting as it, like his band AMT, fluctuates between
genres and music worlds, and he believes he does not create it, but is a sort
of 'radio tuner' that picks up sounds and songs from the ether. This release
for Housepig Records is, I believe, his sixth official solo release. The
Tales of the Dream Planet is two tracks of guitar atmospherics and ambient
bliss that run over an hour. Both tracks are done by Makoto himself, and consist
of overlapping guitar tracks, which ebb and flow from a lighthearted drone to
lush symphonics. How he sometimes gets his guitar to do what it does is beyond
me, but I definitely don't mind if he keeps on doing it. It's almost as if there
are keyboards involved in "She Came from the Shining Sea" , but I
doubt KM is bullshiting us by using them uncredited. The second number, "Kiss
On the Dream Planet", is more of what Acid Mothers Temple fans may be used
to, with its feedback loops, but still a little different. This release is limited
to only 500 copies, so get a move on before his ship takes off back to the dream-planet
without you. (Aug
21,
2009)
ELSUPREMO - s/t (Elsupremo)
No bio or band info accompanied this disc, so I have to wonder
where this outfit is from, and if their name is a reference to a character in
C.S. Forester's novel, The
Happy Return, about Horatio Hornblower. Well,
their MySpace page states their from Fargo, ND, but they could be from anywhere
(the layout states that these tracks were recorded in Minnesota), so who knows
but them and their friends. Anyhow, the band is the brainchild of one Chad Heille,
and though he had some help from a trio of guests, you can blame him for the
damage caused by your constant head-banging. The music is all instrumental blues
doom and stoneresque dirge rock. The tracks laid down on this self-titled, self-released,
seven track CD remind me of a vocal-less Church of Misery, or maybe even early
Electric Wizard. Heavy on the fuzz, light on melody (though a touch is there),
and wall-to-wall riffage. This is great for fans of Kyuss, Earthride, Lowrider
or anything on the old Man's Ruin, Tee Pee or TMC labels. Grab a beer, or a
bong, and begin the blasting of your speakers. (Aug
21,
2009)
ANDUIN + JASPER TX - The
Bending of Light CD (SMTG
Limited) I could not
be listening to this on a better day. It's raining like hell outside, and the
one I want to be near more than anything is 1200 miles away. Will this make
my critical ear biased? I doubt it. First some backstory... Anduin is Jonathan
Lee of Souvenir's Young America from Richmond, Virginia, while Jasper TX is
Gothenburg, Sweden's Dag Rosenqvist. As you may have already guessed, The
Bending of Light is a collaboration between the two. The music is a vocal-less
swirl of ambient electronics and hypnotic guitar tones. Most often than not,
this half-hour of instrumentals are heart-wrenching bits of aural sadness that
bring to mind the emptiness of space, black hole vortexes that destroy star
systems, and galaxies without light. A great listen for a rainy day or Sunday
evening to bring a long weekend to a close. Interestingly enough, the six song
titles make up a paragraph, quoted from scientist and skeptic Carl Sagan. There
is a vinyl version of this disc, but it's been pressed at only 300 copies. Good
luck finding any, I'm sure. (Aug
21,
2009)
SWAMP THING - In Shame CD
(6131)
Thirteen tracks
in twenty minutes? Yeah! Formed around the middle
of this decade in Richmond, VA, this quintet launch themselves into the hardcore-thrash
mix with a vengeance. They released a demo in 2006 (which is available to download
for free), and later pummeled the world with their debut 7", The Youth
Is Sick (also available on 6131 Records). The music is often fast-paced
80s hardcore, with a bit of catchy mosh parts thrown in, similar to Outbreak,
Down to Nothing, Bracewar, or - to go back a bit - Negative Approach. The vocals
are reminiscent of Converge's J. Bannon, and the lyrics deal a negative attitude
towards religion and the corporate state... and I'm all for that. Also, the
vinyl-freaks don't have to settle for the 5" version as In Shame
can be obtained in 12" LP format. Fuckin' punk, right?! (Aug
21,
2009)
APOCALYPSE JUKEBOX: THE END OF THE WORLD IN AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC - Authors,
David Janssen and Edward Whitelock BOOK (Soft
Skull) I've read a few books on music, Rip It Up
and Start Again (on the history of post-punk), Unknown Legends of Rock-N-Roll
(self-explanatory), etc. They're always a good read in that they were concise
histories. What writers David Janssen and Edward Whitelock have done in Apocalypse
Jukebox is throw a bit of info at you, then hit you with the deeper meanings.
Separated by chapters on musical artists - some I find interesting (Harry Smith's
collection of Americana music, John Coltrane, Leonard Cohen, Love and Devo),
there are others I couldn't care for (Green Day, R.E.M., Bob Dylan). Anyhow,
each chapter delves into a particular recording by a certain artist, as well
as the band's history, while also going into several fields of psychology, sociology
and philosophy. Leonard Cohen's section is not just about his work, but covers
religious imagery and sex. Sleater-Kinney's looks into feminist politics in
the post-9/11 world. Laurie Anderson's chapter focused on language in our society.
Devo's... what else? De-evolution. The underlying theme of the book is that
each artist's work was heralding, or rejecting, some version of an end to the
world (at least the 'human world'). If you're looking for light reading and
lots of pretty pics: go elsewhere. Now, I may not agree with many of the conclusions
the authors come to, but I find their work to be thoroughly entertaining and
thought-provoking. (Aug
21, 2009)
SHELTER RED - Strike A Mortal
Terror CD (Sound
vs. Silence) I'm surprised... no, shocked
that this is a duo. Formed in 2003 in the city of Portland, OR, and releasing
their debut, Masters of the Universe (also available on Sound vs. Silence
Records) in 2007. These two chaps produce a solid array of instrumental and
technical metal the likes of Don Caballero or The Fucking Champs, with touches
of the Neurosis school of trippy guitar and drum play. In a little over an half
hour, these seven tracks are exciting from start to finish. Polished and well
produced, the punishing riffs rarely end, and when they do take a break it's
to show off some guitar wizardry or tribal drum beats that capture the listener,
wondering why it takes Pelican or similar bands so many members to do the same.
Interesting that a label like At A Loss, or even Relapse Records hasn't picked
up these metalheads yet, but the future looks bright. Give these two a little
time, and I'm positive you'll be equally impressed. (Aug
21,
2009)
VENNT - s/t CD (Housepig
/ Hear More!)
Housepig Records, a label that's known to me more for noise than
doom, threw me for a loop upon this release. First off, I wish I had reviewed
this earlier, as being limited to only 400 copies, it may be sold out already.
Now, on with the review... Halifax, Nova Scotia's Sandy Saunders of noise project
Torso, Divorce Record's Darcy Spidle and Jordan Hines make up this Canadian
three piece. Vennt play a duo vocal attack - one high pitched squeal, another
deep in growl - over doom-ladened drone metal not far off of the likes of The
Goslings (without the insane needle-in-the-red histrionics). Now, they change
the pace, and challenge the ear by throwing in a bit of power electronic mayhem,
which happens to blend in well with all the riffage. The US edition was co-released
with Hear More! Records, in a minimalist two-panel poly sleeve, with shinny
copper-colored silk-screen artwork, and all are hand-numbered - I got # 212.
Hurry folks! (Aug
21,
2009)
RADIO SILENCE: A SELECTED
VISUAL HISTORY OF AMERICAN HARDCORE MUSIC - Authors, Nathan Nedorostek and Anthony
Pappalardo BOOK (Mtv) Fuck big money, culture destroying Mtv
Press - that's why there's no link, but seriously this book is worth talking
about. While not as good as Steven Blush's American Hardcore: A Tribal History,
or Going Underground: American Punk 1979 - 1992 by George Hurchalla,
Radio Silence is worth a spot on any hardcore fan's bookshelf. Mostly
made up of images, it has live and practice-space photos, as well as bands just
hanging out, pics of original handwritten lyrics, 7" sleeves, demo tape
covers, flyers, and t-shirt designs. You'll find in the back of the book a collection
of record covers that will blow your mind. Hell, the collection includes the
New Age Record's 7" release of south Florida's Powerhouse. That laugh alone
made me want to own this book. Oh, and fuck Mtv Press. (Aug
21,
2009)
STANDING IN TWO CIRCLES - Author, Boyd Rice / Editor, Brian M. Clark BOOK (Creation)
I've waited a little over a year for this book to come out, and
all the waiting was well worth it. This book is a collection of almost every
article - 1986 through 2007 - written by Boyd Rice (except for a few missing
from Vessel of God and Dagobert's Revenge), some of which have
been previously unpublished. There are also lyrics from his musical output.
Plus, the book contains many photos of both Boyd and his artistic works (experimental
photography, abstract paintings and fetish pinups). Also, the book opens with
a 30+ page bio (by editor Brian M. Clark) for those who want a better look into
Boyd Rice's past, present and future. Standing In Two Circles (a title
taken from something Manson said about Boyd) turned out to be a great read.
The pieces all range in topic: pranks, bath soap from the 60s, exotica and outsider
music, tiki culture, the sacred bloodline of monarchs, alcohol, ideas for TV
sitcoms and movies, meeting Charles Manson, mondo film, meeting the Church of
Satan's Anton LaVey, tales of his journeys (music tours, vacation travels, and
the quest to study his genealogy), as well as personal anecdotes from his youth
and early career. The lyrics included are mostly for his work as a solo artist
in NON, but also included are lyrics to collaborations he's done with Death
In June, Current 93, Luftwaffe and others. All in all, it's a fun literary find
for the fan, or just for someone looking into something a little under the radar.
(March
06, 2009)
KRAFTWERK AND THE ELECTRONIC
REVOLUTION DVD (Sexy
Intellectual / MVD)
This DVD is a great watch! Clocking in at three hours, it's almost
three documentaries in one. First several musicians (Tangerine Dream's Wolfgang
Siedel, Klaus Schulze of Ash Ra Temple, Dieter Moebius from Kluster and others)
and journalists (Sounds' Diedrich Diedrichsen, David Stubbs from Melody
Maker and more) cover the German rock and psychedelic scene. Next, a worthy
look into what is commonly referred to as Krautrock. Lastly, it's all about
Kraftwerk - from their days as Organisation (1969) to their Krautrock beginnings
(1970 - 1973) and further on (1974 - present) to the electrofunk they coined.
Featuring interviews with ex-members, music videos, live performances and rare
photos, this doc shows that along the way Kraftwerk inspired thousands - including
David Bowie, Afrika Bambaataa, Juan Atkins and a million synthpop acts. Kraftwerk
and the Electronic Revolution has a few extras as well, so if you're not
worn out by the end of the documentary you can continue. The extras include
a mini-documentary on the Dusseldorf and Berlin scenes, plus a full interview
with ex-Kraftwerk member (1975 - 1991) Karl Bartos. If you're into Kraftwerk,
German psychedelia or electronic music, chances are you already have this. If
you haven't seen it, it's a great way to check out a lot of bands you may never
have heard of, as well as reimmerse yourself in one you should know rather well.
(March
06, 2009)
NICK'S MYTH - He Never Goes
Anywhere CD (Somber
Atlantic) Like The Scarecrow Frequency, Nick's Myth
is another project off the Somber Atlantic roster that's a solo musician rather
than just another band. Nick's Myth is actually San Diego, California songwriter
Nicholas Smith, though he's backed on He Never Goes Anywhere by several
guest artists. The music is a lyricless, dreamy alt-pop, which bears no resemblance
to any true genre. The music seems to be tailor made for
lazy afternoons or a walk through grassy hills with a set of headphones.
Spaced-out, slowed-down surf music? Ambient British indie-rock?
Quiet shoegazer doom-dirge? Either way, if you are looking for something hooky
and vibrant, yet lullful and somewhat psychedelic, this is the CD to check out.
(March
06, 2009)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - 910 Noise
V.3 CD (910
Noise) I really liked Volume 1. I missed Volume 2.
Gladly, Volume 3 found it's way to my mailbox. This is the third of this series
that promotes experimental noise projects from the southeast area of North Carolina
(area code 910). While there are a few acts that graced the first disc, much
of this volume are fresh faces and new sounds. The opener - Jeff Chapple - fits,
but this particular track would be better off on an alt-country sampler. Mr.
Stonecipher bashes in the head of ambient music with some harsh electronics.
Subterrene (a highlight of Volume 1) this time around sound even more like IDM
or what one would find on a 'chillout' comp. Baby Daddy provided a scraping
of your auditory system. Authorless return with quiet hums of a Tibetan-like
ritualness. Somnaphon deliver totally tweaked out electrobabble. Jason Ward's
track is a mix of lullful acoustic guitar and scratchy tape loops, while Carl
Kruger's "Hard Times for Soft Targets" is a Masonna-like explosion.
Mindcrosser return and quiet things for a bit, until Toys R Me Toys R U kick
into a drum-n-bass / jungle rhythm. Steph Dig It then bring it back down, and
the following collaboration between Mr. Stonecipher and Somnaphon will destroy
the speakers. Uva Tena produce an almost classical music piece with "End
Theme". The work of Donovan Quixote brought aboriginal music to mind (using
whale sounds). U-Gene dreamily plucks and pics, while One Lifeless Eye closes
it all out with a live recording of spacey atonal dirge. Once again, 910 has
brought the listener another great sample of the area's noise, ambient and experimental
artists. (March
06, 2009)
DAVID E. WILLIAMS - Every Missing Duck Is A Duck Missed CD (Disques
De Lapin) David E. Williams has been challenging musical
borders from his Philadelphia studio since the late 80s, with releases such
as Pseudo Erotica (1986), the Hello Columbus EP (1999), Hope
Springs A Turtle (2004) and now Every Missing Duck Is A Duck Missed.
As usual, his musical style is hard to describe, ranging from near-neo-folk
compositions to synthpop stylings, and sultry duets to singalongs. Without calling
his work 'outsider music', his musical output really is out there. While much
of the LP's tracks have a witty lyrical nature, darkness is around every lit
corner, since much of the record is based on David's grief, due to his girlfriend
Jennifer Bate's death from cancer. "Save A Chair for Jennifer" and
"Here Comes the Cold Narrator" are truly heart-tugging pieces, but
they're often offset by more upbeat numbers like "Kill Yourself in Cape
May" and "Hymn to the Genius of Idi Amin". Even with the emotional
back-and-forth, David E. William's newest work flows well, and leaves the listener
with a little more clearer thoughts on the ebbs and flows of life. A few cover
songs let you in on where Mr. Williams is musically coming from, such as Ludwig
Uhland and Friedrich Silcher's "Ich Hatt Einen Kameraden", "Lather"
from Jefferson Airplane, and "Hello Young Lovers" from the Rogers
and Hammerstein musical The King and I, though the true gems are the
originals which show where DEW is currently at. Since "Summer Wasn't Made
for You and Me", you should pick this up now. (March
06, 2009)
BLACK METAL SATANICA DVD
(Music
Video Distributors) A pretty cool documentary
here. Eighty minutes of in-depth talk with the newest school of European black
metal. Between song segments, live footage and photos, you get interviews with
members of Mordichrist, Vreid, Ondslapt, Rimsfrost and others. They cover topics
from the beginning of the musical movement, Satanism, the murder of Euronymous,
church burnings, the joke that is Xtian black metal, the current state of what's
going on in the scene, and my favorite, the segment on Shining which is known
as a 'suicide metal band'. The band advocates extreme violence and other acts
like suicide. Oh yeah, the singer is all scars, as they slash themselves with
razors during live sets. Good job! Though they shouldn't pull stunts like the
old 'our lead singer died' just to get publicity, cause The Dwarves did with
that the best with HWCBN and Maximum Rock-N-Roll a decade ago. Anyhow,
if you've already read The Lords of Chaos you'll already know a lot of
what's said, but it sheds some light on what's still going on the black metal
world. (March
06, 2009)
SKULLFLOWER - Desire for
Holy War CD (Utech)
This will be a quick review for several reasons. A) You should
know who and what Skullflower are. B) It's limited to only 750 discs, so it's
gone, gone, gone. And C) Oh what the hell... Skullflower was a band that influenced
hundreds of industrial metal acts, who later morphed into the solo guitar acrobatics
of Matthew Bower. Desire for Holy War is seven tracks which were recorded
in West Yorkshire from November to December, 2007. The disc is presented with
a cover painting by artist Stephen Kasner. Start your eBay search engines!
(March
06, 2009)
THE SCARECROW FREQUENCY
- Terminal Eclipse of the American Heart CD (Somber
Atlantic) The Scarecrow Frequency is actually just
a single musician John Argetsinger (from Seattle, WA). However, from one man
can come many sounds. I've never heard of this artist nor any of his projects,
but I'm pretty happy to finally be introduced. The music is a blend of lullful
ambient the likes of Ice Cake, and dreamy shoegazer ala My Bloody Valentine,
with trippy beats, lush keyboards, and a smooth flow. Most of the tunes are
either vocal-less or peppered with samples, though when there is it's provided
by John or coconspirator Erica Sherman. Twelve tracks that are best played on
the ride home after a black metal show, or the following Sunday evening just
before sunset. By the way, if you find that you want more after listening, track
down their first CD (also on Somber Atlantic), download their unreleased track,
"The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" for free, or check out Argetsinger's
other project, Red Dunes... I know I'm going to. (March
06, 2009)
THE EVOLUTION OF A CRO-MAGNON - Author, Jon Joseph BOOK (Punkhouse)
Another book I've been waiting about a year for has finally surfaced.
Jon Joseph was the singer of 80s New York hardcore legend Cro-Mags. This book
isn't just about the band, but about Joseph's entire life until now. Jon starts
with a brief family history and the tales of why he was taken from them by state
authorities. A large amount of the book covers his early years in foster homes
and youth centers - all the while dealing with abuse and getting lost in the
cracks of the system. While much of it is quite sad, it's good to see he's come
out of it all so well rounded. The book continues with running away, joining
the military (navy) and then finding punk rock in the very late 70s. After going
AWOL the book centers around his life in punk music, the Lower East Side of
Manhattan, and finding his path to the religion of Krishna. I found it great
that while he's on the subject of religion, he never tried to convert the reader,
other than occasionally asking that we all try to live a more positive life.
It's then off to touring with Bad Brains, leaving Krishna for cocaine, and finding
his way back on top from hitting rock bottom. The size of the book is huge,
as the stories just seem to pour from his pen, so I can see why it's so thick,
but lucky for the reader it was never boring. Jon Joseph is currently coming
out with a vegetarian cookbook, and he's also filming a movie he wrote about
boxing, so he's definitely still keeping his nose clean. Look out for future
projects, but every hardcore kid should pick up a piece of his past.
(March
06, 2009)
THE MEATMEN - The Devil's
In the Details Volume 1 DVD (Music
Video Distributors) The Meatmen are sophomoric,
sick, juvenile, perverted, childish, morbid, racist and blasphemous - and that's
why I love 'em. This newest outing by the newly reformed - er - I mean, reunited
band is packed with stuff (three hours worth) , and it's only the first volume!
Of course there's footage of the band. Live shows from the early 80s to throughout
the 1990s, with songs like "Tooling for Anus", "I'm Glad I'm
Not A Girl", and "War of the Superb Bikes". A few covers are
tossed about, including The Pagans' "Shit Called Love" and Gang Green's
"Alcohol", where GG singer Chris Doherty is brought up on stage for.
There are also music videos, like the hilariously cheap (at $20,000) "Centurions
of Rome", which was interrupted by... I mean, which featured a cameo by
Courtney Love. In between each musical number is a skit (like the VH1 spoof
Behind the Nonsense) or an interview with the Dutch Hercules himself,
Tesco Vee. Be sure to look for the segment where Tesco is on a public access
TV show for board games and reveals where his name comes from. Lastly, the true
highlight of this disc is Way USA; Tesco Vee's Mtv show, which only aired
two episodes (at 2am on Sunday). Here we get the Baltimore episode and it's
complete with deleted segments and more. I'm already looking towards Volume
2, just hoping they'll put the Niagara Falls episode on there. Now, in true
Meatmen fashion I say, you bet it's time for all you wicked wing-dingers to
stop your mindless moronic mayhem and grab an eye-full of visual viscera of
those that are the Drum Majors in the Squadron of Doom. Dig it? (March
06, 2009)
CULT OF YOUTH - A Stick
to Bind, A Seed to Grow 12" LP (Dais)
A Stick to Bind, A Seed to Grow is the newest release
from Brooklyn, NY's Cult of Youth. No CD yet, but this is a limited editioned
(500 copies) 12" slab. The music is a mix of neo-folk and darkwave synth,
a little similar to Death In June, before Douglas P directed it towards becoming
a full neo-folk outfit, and hadn't yet shaken off his Joy Division influences.
Some
songs are dark and somber (like "Torch of Man" or "Brick By Brick"),
while others have a pub singalong feel ("Cold Black Earth" or "A
Question of Will"), there are also tracks where I hear moments of British
pop-psych (such as on "Loss of Innocence"), and even Dadaist composition
("To the Floor!"). The vocals on the
record are a bit different from their live shows, where here, songwriter Sean
sings in a raspier basstone, where live he has an higher pitched, uncontrolled
rage going on. The packaging is top notch, as the LP comes in a gatefold sleeve,
with gold embossed printing and runic imagery. They also have available a self-titled
7" on white vinyl, and there are only 325 made of those, so get going...
for both. (March
06, 2009)
RICHARD KERN - Extra Action (and Extra Hardcore) DVD (Music
Video Distributors) I have to say that I looked
forward to this DVD release for two reasons. First, as a collector of underground
cinema and short films Extra Action (and Extra Hardcore) contains previously
unreleased works by Richard Kern. Secondly, my girlfriend was a Kern model and
I thought she might be on this disc somewhere. Well, I didn't have to say that,
but I was proud to. The 'Extra Action' segment is an hour of photographer /
filmmaker Richard Kern videotaping sixty amateur beauties and gorgeous girls,
all placed to music by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. Though I do love tits and
ass, my pick of the two would be the 'Extra Hardcore' segment, which contains
six of the Kern films that weren't available on the Hardcore disc (available
from Music Video Distributors), including The King of Sex, Catholic, Nazi
and Scooter and Jinx. Whether you're a fan of the Cinema of Transgression
or you just want to sexually relieve your aggression, this is the one disc you
must own. Oh, and by the way, my chick isn't on this release. I get her all
to myself, so good for me / bad for you. Actually, with all the other flesh
on here, I'm sure you couldn't care. (Aug
13, 2008)
FACTORIA - The Longest Summer
CD-R (Factoria)
Factoria is the brainchild of Washington state native Joan Devitt
Hacker. Her debut five song EP, The Longest Summer, was self-recorded
in Sydney, Australia and New York City on a home computer, over the course of
two years. She played all the instruments herself, including acoustic and electric
guitars, viola, and keyboards. The tunes are an ethereal mix of dreamy neo-folk
(similar to Current 93 or Nature And Organization) and lush low-fi pop (not
far off of Mazzy Star), which tell the listener tales of broken hearts and personal
trials. The CD-R is limited to a mere 37 copies, and each is handmade - every
disc being painted, with the layout personally silk-screened by the artist herself.
Gaining in popularity, the track "Don't Come Around Here Anymore"
was featured on Australian radio, and she even has her own fan flub (The Highest
Order of the Owl). If this sounds like your trip contact her personally and
see if she has any left. I doubt it, but she may hook you up somehow. (Aug
13, 2008)
CROSS EXAMINATION - Menace
II Society CD (Organized
Crime)
I loved the first EP, The Hung Jury (also on Organized
Crime Records), and what I said about them that time around still sticks - late
80s
Cryptic Slaughter, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, M.O.D. / S.O.D. or "Possessed
to Skate"-era Suicidal Tendencies. Fast-paced
hyper-thrash, with high-pitched vocals that will scream your poor little ears
off. Singalong chants, hook-filled riffs... and did I mention tons of metal?
Oh yeah, there's a lot of metal.
This St. Louis, MI five piece will flip you out with quick songs about rockin',
food, parties and - of course - beer. "Necropolis" is an insane track.
Actually, while that one's catchy, every song on this disc is insane. They haven't
lost their edge, nor their sense of humor, so while it's still hard as nails,
it'll make you giggle like good weed. Cross Examination's new LP is available
on CD or 12". Now, either format you get this on, the first pressing comes
with a 12-page comic book (Tales from the Keg) created by the band, with
full color cover. Don't miss out on the tunes, and the art. (Aug
13, 2008)
THE OUT_CIRCUIT - Pierce
the Empire With A Sound CD (Lujo)
What a dreamy record! First, some history. The Out_Circuit is
more a collective than an actual band. It's basically a District of Columbia
chap named Nathan Burke (ex-Frodus), who settled in Seattle, and on his newest
work he's helped along by Thrice's Dustin Kensrue and Teppei Teranishi, Sean
Ingram from Coalesce, Beauty Pill's Rachel Burke, Andy Gale of Haram and Matt
Johnson of Roadside Monument. TOC's first release, Burn Your Script, Boys
(in 2003 also on Lujo Records) was hailed as Mogwai meets Built to Spill. The
newest LP is Gregor Samsa on some sweet ecstasy, or if Radiohead's testicles
descended and played some real post-punk. Ten tracks clocking in at a near fifty
minutes, and while the songs fluctuate in styles, they blend together so very
well without the album getting disjointed. There are moments of screaming backed
by fuzzy guitar or menacing keyboards, as well as hypnotic numbers filled with
ambient soundscapes, quiet piano and lullful vocals. Pierce the Empire With
A Sound is a pretty fresh escape into the many realms of indie-rock that
will leave the listener hoping it never ends. (Aug
13, 2008)
FIGHT AMP - Hungry for Nothing
CD (Translation
Loss) This quartet raise their ugly heads out from
New Jersey, to riff and stomp their way through dark clubs and concert halls
of this nation (and soon enough abroad). Starting somewhere around 2004 and
originally called Fight Amputation, these four guys bring you up against a wall
of riff were you have no choice but to worship at the altar of volume. They
released a few split records on Reptilian Records (with Günna Vahm), Kordova
Milk Bar Records (with Exodus), and others, plus a few self-released ditties
under the Knifehits Records banner (Ugly Kids Doing Ugly Things 7",
etc). Mixing an Amphetamine Reptile Records dirty dirge with the guitar work
and wild beats of Mastodon, they inflict a pleasurable pain on your audition.
If this sounds good to your ears, pick it up, and if you can't get enough check
out the new 7", Jerseys Best Cancer, a split record with fellow
NJ band Cash In, on Assassinated Records. (Aug
13, 2008)
SAILOR WINTERS - Parker
Volume 1 & 2 DOUBLE CD-R (Witch
House) Sailor Winters is the sometimes sinister /
sometimes darling work of Ryan Cox from the state of Georgia. He's released
a 7" (Monolith on Tsunami Records), an LP (Red At Morn on
Stickfigure Records), as well as many CD-Rs on his own label, Black Noise (including
his sophomore effort, Owe). His music varies in style, but is always
cohesive. There are times when his playful numbers bring to mind Aphex Twin,
Necropolis-era DJ Spooky or very early Xiu Xiu. There are other times
when his raging sounds will remind me of The Grey Wolves, Merzbow or Bastard
Noise. I'm going to have to say that while I've really enjoyed previous SW works
(especially the Red At Morn: The Movie DVD), this is by far his
best work. The first disc is forty-five minutes (nine tracks), the second forty
minutes (also nine tracks), and both are excellent experimental ditties, ranging
from menacingly quiet ambient to pleasantly punishing drone, tribal-like tunes
to bass heavy hypnotics, some peppered with vicious vocals here and there. Witch
House Records presents 'em in a DVD case with minimalist artwork and liner notes,
which leaves way more for the ears, but you won't be sorry... unless you miss
out. (Aug
13, 2008)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Earache
My Eye DVD (Earache)
In the late 80s and early 90s Earache Records was probably the
biggest metal label around, and rightfully so. In 1989 Earache released a VHS
tape to show off some of their band's wares, as Mtv's Headbanger's Ball
didn't play much of their stellar roster. Strangely, and sadly, it hasn't seen
the light of day since. Of course, until MVD got around it it... as usual. Thirteen
music videos from the best of Earache's stable. There's industrial metal godfathers
Godflesh's "Crush My Soul", "Wolverine Blues" from Entombed,
"Greed Killing" from death metal daddies Napalm Death, Sleep's stoner
"Dragonaut", Fudge Tunnel, Brutal Truth, the amazing At the Gates,
and more. While I really enjoyed getting to see this, and I'm happy to own it,
I really wish there were some extras thrown in. Well, there's always Immortalized
and iCRUSHER Complete to watch afterwards. (Aug
13, 2008)
PERTH EXPRESS - s/t
CD (Teenage Disco
Bloodbath) I won't lie to you. I never knew who Perth
Express was. With that said... thanks Teenage Disco Bloodbath Records. Thanks
for enlightening me. Perth
Express' music is a smattering of grinding metal meets stoner rock mayhem -
not far off from the likes of Mastodon. This German
outfit has been around since 2003, and if you have missed out on them until
now (like I have), this just might be the place to start. This self-titled release
is a discography of the band. You get all four tracks from their demo, two from
a split 7", a bunch from their self-titled 10" and even more from
their self-titled 12". Altogether equaling twenty-three tracks coming out
to a near hour of riff after riff. The layout is pretty nifty too. It's done
on a black foldout recycled sleeve with hand printed silk-screened artwork,
along with a folded poster insert. Very minimalist, yet very striking. I find
it odd that the band doesn't title their releases, but who cares when the songs
are this metallically memorable. (Aug
13, 2008)
IRON MAIDEN AND THE NEW
WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL DVD (Sexy
Intellectual / MVD)
I love documentaries, and being a self-confessed music nerd,
I love music and band docs more so. When I was about thirteen, just before getting
into punk rock around fifteen, I was a huge fan of Iron Maiden, so this release
was right up my alley. Though focusing on the band that pretty much started
it all - Maiden - it goes heavily into the genre known as New Wave of British
Heavy Metal, also known as NWOBHM (pronounced 'new-ob-hum'). The story is mostly
told by a narrator, but also by many of those that lived it themselves, featuring
IM's Paul DiAnno, Diamond Head's Brian Tatler, Tino and Chris Troy of Praying
Mantis, and many more, including other musicians, DJs, promoters and music journalists.
This document goes deep into all the issues, so much so that it clocks in at
two hours and forty minutes! And, I wasn't bored for a second. DVD extras include
a mini-documentary on the practice of 'air guitar', an interview with Tony Wilson
covering his years at BBC Radio One's Friday Night Rock Show, over fifteen biographies,
and an interactive quiz (even after watching this - twice - I failed!). If you
once banged your head to killer guitar licks, this disc is one for you. If you
didn't... then please fuck off. (Aug
13, 2008)
SIRHAN SIRHAN - Blood CD
(Anodyne)
This trio formed in San Diego, California only a few years ago
(late 2005), and feature a former member of Molly McGuire. They're pretty new
around the block, only previously self-releasing a six-song EP, but either way,
they get a big thumbs up from me. Twenty-five minutes (eleven songs) of twisted
hyper-metal not far off of Melvins buggering Butthole Surfers, as Mastodon watches
in a backroom while drinking with Black Flag. Sometimes fast and pounding, sometimes
playing a steady groove, and other times all over the metal map. The vocals
range from distorted screaming - the kind where the singer tastes blood - to
a raspy singing, and even a few almost spoken tracks, while the tunes are noisy,
blasting, and in-your-face hardcore metal. By the way, for you vinyl junkies
out and about there's also a limited 12" version on Hi-Speed Records. Whether
5" plastic or 12" wax... the sounds will pummel you silly.
(Aug
13, 2008)
ONE WIN CHOICE - Never Suspend
Disbelief CD (Jump
Start) Do you like fast paced hardcore? Sing-a-longs?
Catchy guitars? Well then, you may want to check out New Jersey's One Win Choice
who serve up a new record of twelve tracks that clocks in at a little over half
an hour. Hardcore it is, with a near-street punk flavor, but admittedly, there's
a bit more here. 300
beats-per-minute verses, moshy breakdowns, and hooky choruses - it's all there
for you... and then some. Like a heavier Lifetime,
or a more pop-influenced Kid Dynamite, these five kids deliver a passion-filled
core that will make a dancefloor go nuts. If this record isn't enough for you,
check out their 2004 EP, All the King's Men (on Scorpion Records), or
the 2005 split album with Heartfelt Discord (on Eternal Hope Records). I know
I'm going to. (Aug
13, 2008)
CELESTIA - Frigidiis Apotheosia:
Abstinencia Genesiis CD (Paragon)
Celestia
is a melancholic black metal band from Avignon, France. Forming around lead
member Noktu Geiistmortt (who also plays in Mortifera, Genocide Kommando and
Gestapo 666) in 1995, they soon released their Evanescence demo and then
the sophomore EP effort, A Cave Full of Bats (on
Drakkar Productions in 1999). The next few
years saw the band producing a handful of demos, their first LP CD (Apparitia:
Sumptuous Spectre in 2002 on Full Moon Productions, and re-released on Paragon
Records), a live release, and a few split releases with Draugwath, Inferno,
Evil and Goatfire. Frigidiis Apotheosia:
Abstinencia Genesiis is the latest release
and we hear the sound maturing, as the album is a bit more intense than their
usual minimalist black metal. This time around you get eight songs (45 minutes)
of atmospheric, yet menacing guitars, mixed with a little bit of keys, acoustics
and pipes.
The music stays fast paced throughout most
of the songs, but they do slow things down without getting too deep into doom.
A nice addition to Paragon's roster, as well as earlier work with the band.
(Aug
13, 2008)
T. S. O. L. - The Early
Years Live DVD (Music
Video Distributors) When I first got into punk
rock, I was a bigger fan of the West Coast style of hardcore than any other.
Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Minutemen, Circle Jerks, Bad Religion and - of course
- TSOL. This newest release by the band (check out TSOL: Live From OC
also on MVD) is a true gem from better days gone by. Days when hardcore and
punk were fun, and dangerous; challenging, and inventive. Not for mall-rats
and rednecks, but for outcasts and rejects. Two shows on this disc, a Flipside
show and a TargetVideo77 show, both recorded around 1983. While the Target show
is way shorter, it's filmed better (camera work and the feel of the show), but
the band and the music set for both shows are intense, energetic and ball-out
punk rock. All the classics are played too - "Darker My Love", "Superficial
Love", "Code Blue" and more. The disc extras are excellent additions,
including an interview from 1983, a hilarious live shot of "Abolish Government
/ Silent Majority" from The Vault 350 taped in 2007 (I'd like to see more
of this show), and an audio-only reading by Jack Grisham of a segment of his
new book, An American Savage Reformed (can't wait to pick that up).
(Aug
13, 2008)
ANDUIN - Forever Waiting
CD (SMTG Limited)
Anduin is a side-project of Jonathan Lee of Richmond, Virginia.
He should be familiar. Well, maybe not to you, but definitely with me, as he's
a member of a band that released one of my favorite LPs of the last few years
(An Ocean Without
Water by Souvenier's
Young America on
Crucial Blast Records). This new output is mostly solo
work, though there are collaborations with Miasmah's Jasper TX, Xela of Type
(both doing remixes), and guest appearances by Kenneth Yates (of Caustic Castle)
and others. Forever Waiting is a well-flowing forty minutes of hypnotizing
atmospherics and ambient soundscapes. Dark and haunting, bringing to mind lonely
country hills just a little after dusk. If you want more after these eight tracks,
be on the lookout for future colabs with Noah Saval and J.TX. Oh yeah, listen
up wax hounds, there's also a 12" LP format limited to only 300 copies,
with each a slightly different color than the rest. Happy hunting!.
(Aug
13, 2008)
DEAD BOYS - Return of the
Living Dead: Halloween Night 1986 DVD (Music
Video Distributors) There are a lot of punk
bands from back in the day that I wish I had seen live. Good for me, Dead Boys
was one band that I did catch. Yeah, it wasn't back in their early days, but
during their mid-80s reunion tour. Lucky me, right? Hmm, lucky... or just old.
Whatever. For those of you that didn't get around to catching this seminal Ohio
outfit you have Dead Boys: Live at CBGB 1977 (also released by Music
Video Distributors), and now there's this disc to boot. Captured on Halloween
night of 1986 in front of a packed house at NYC's Ritz, the Boys blast through
fourteen originals (fifteen of you count that they play their classic"Sonic
Reducer" opening the show and closing it out), and two cover tracks, but
not before being introduced by Joey Ramone. The show is documented all on one
camera, though not stationary, as it pans around, zooming in and out throughout
the action. Sad that Stiv Bators is no longer with us, as I'm sure they'd still
hold as much aural attitude today as they did during this set. The disc includes
an extra of Stiv's appearance on a Youngstown morning talk show, where they
air (unedited) a rare music video for "Sonic Reducer". This is a great
addition to any fan's collection, but for newbies, try Dead
Boys: Live at CBGB 1977 first . I'm sure once
you check that out, you'll be running out to get this one soon enough.
(Aug
13, 2008)
G.G. ELVIS AND THE T.C.P.
BAND - Back from the Dead CD (Mental)
This is a pretty funny release. I can't say that's it's 100%
original, but it ranks as one of the better punk takes on Elvis. Actually, does
Danzig-era Misfits count? Anyhow, this project features members of NOFX, Jughead's
Revenge, Aggression, Dr. Know, Ill Repute and other hardcore stalwarts, and
began under the name Punk Rawk Elvis. The music is a mix of classic punk tracks
and Elvis Presley songs. Vocally,
Eric Lara, who's playing GG Elvis here, sounds a lot like Choke of Slapshot,
so imagine early Slapshot playing humorously punked-out Elvis covers, and you're
close. "Blue Suede Shoes" goes back
and forth between the Elvis original and TSOL's "Code Blue". "Viva
Las Vegas" is Black Flag's "Six Pack" with the King's lyrics
attached, as "A Little Less Conversation" is BF's "Nervous Breakdown".
"Suspicious Minds" is Descendants. You get the idea... well, some
are done like the originals - kinda. See if you can pick out what's what. Fun
for the whole punk rock family. As an extra, Back from the Dead comes
with a DVD disc, which holds a skit done as a talk show, interviews and tons
of band photos. A blast to listen to, as well as watch. (Aug
13, 2008)
SLINGSHOT DAKOTA - Their
Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is the Golden Ghost CD (Slingshot
Dakota) Originally a trio, Slingshot Dakota is now
a duo, and while I'm not familiar with their earlier sound (2004's Kenner
Sighs on Immigrant Sun Records), the loss of their third party doesn't hinder
their new LP in the least. The Long Island, NY pair (Carly on vox and keys /
Tom on drums) play a sincere mash-up of punk-influenced indie-pop. The keyboards
are normally fuzzy and sometimes near-psychedelic, though they clean up in parts
peppered about. The drums range from steady to frantic, and is what mainly gives
the songs their punky edge. The numbers on this release deal with personal issues,
but ones we've all dealt with, I'm sure. I can relate to the lyrics in "I-78".
Plus, as a trucker I drive on that sucker almost daily. I love that this disc
is an effort released by the band. I wish every musical outfit could be so self-reliant.
While I'm no enemy of record labels, I think many acts are better off cutting
out the middleman. (Aug
13, 2008)
PLAN 9 - Manmade Monster
CD (Nickel
and Dime) In 1997 a group of fiends... I mean friends,
decided to do a Misfits tribute band, and things went so well that they kept
the idea going and added originals. Their shows sold out, and even drew members
of big named bands just to watch. 2004 saw the release of their limited, red
vinyled debut 8 Hits From Hell, and got them even more notice. On this
new LP, when the intro hit, I thought it was going to be a Metallica-ish outfit
that played a creepy dress-up, but I couldn't be more wrong. It's straight-up
Danzig-era Misfits-esque songs with heavier guitars (check out the track "Blood"
for pure proof). Now, Aaron Fuller is no Glenn Danzig, but he pulls the vocals
off well enough. Ten originals, two Misfits covers (three if you count the hidden
lounge version of "I Want Your Skull"), and two Samhain covers. If
you'd like to check them out first - by all means - go see them live, or search
out the video for "Undead" on You Tube. Like me, you'll be hooked.
(Aug
13, 2008)
RAMMING SPEED - Brainwreck
CD (Teenage Disco
Bloodbath) Like the Cross Examination debut last year,
this CD couldn't have
come by at a better time. Lately, I've spun to death all my D.R.I. and Cryptic
Slaughter albums, so this has been one of my current faves. Late 80s
thrash ala M.O.D. / S.O.D., Cryptic Slaughter, or Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, with
a touch of grindcore and crustcore thrown in for total mayhem. This Boston madhouse
feature ex-members of Backstabbers Inc, Inheritance and Cyanide Breed, formed
in 2006, released a 7" EP (Full Speed Ahead also on Teenage Disco
Bloodbath Records), and have toured the US leaving behind many a strange tale
to tell (arrests for suspected kidnapping!), besides leveling unsuspecting mosh
pits. At times Brainwreck sounds off like an awesome throwback to early
American thrash, other times they remind me of a more frantic Napalm Death.
The lyrics are a blast, and while the standard
fare is here (dickhead ex-friends, politics, etc), there are plenty of weird
ones involving zombies, great guitarists and Thor's hammer - though not all
in the same song. The disc is presented in its deserving manner, as a stylish
foldout digipack whose color scheme will catch the eye almost as quick as the
band catches the ear. If this five-piece doesn't get your ear, trust me... they'll
rip it off your pretty little head. (Aug
13, 2008)
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