8-30-2015

Setlist:

1. The Magits - Disconnect
2. Mobil-Mockingbird - I'm Waiting For The Man (VU Cover)
3. Ramleh - Leaving Here
4. Throbbing Gristle - Maggot Death - Live At The Rat Club
5. Michael Yonkers Band - Jasontown
6. Pissed Jeans - I Broke My Own Heart
7. Anode / Cathode - 立体お姫様

The Magits - "Disconnect"
Off the "Fully Coherent" EP released on Outer Himalayan Records in 1979.
An explosion of otherness, the one-off group known as "The Magits" consisted of Nick Blinko (later of Rudimentary Peni) and Martin Cooper. The "Fully Coherent" EP was the first release on Blinko's Outer Himalayan record label. The cover art features a paper mache (?)
"Magit," as Blinko and others would refer to them as.
The music is Outsider, yes, as is most of Blinko's other works. A more disturbed take on Synth Punk and Industrial, The Magits represent Nick Blinko's art better than Rudimentary Peni; I'd argue.

Mobil-Mockingbird - "I'm Waiting For The Man"

Off the "Basement D-Sides" CD released on Orange SLS Records in 2013.
Containing members David Montanye (covered on the 8/15/2015 show) and Mobil Joe, Mobil-Mockingbird are a folk rock duo (now trio) from up-state New York; as is most of the Orange SLS catalogue. Their first full length effort (well, it is only around 20 minutes) consists of Jeffrey Lewis sounding folk tunes coupled with some more "Punk" sounding songs and a Velvet Underground cover.
As you can tell, this is The Velvet Underground song. One of the better VU covers I've heard (of which there are many) in recent memory. 
I haven't been keeping up with Mobil-Mockingbird, but they're ready to release a new album.
Hopefully it's good!

>> Mobil-Mockingbird's Catalog <<
>> Buy, stream and download "Basement D-Sides" here <<

Ramleh - "Leaving Here"
Off the "Grudge For Life" LP released on Vis A Vis Video Arts in 1990.
Never wanting to stick to one thing or one idea, Ramleh started out as part of the UK's Power Electronics scene before shifting into Death Industrial and Drone in the late 80's. The 90's saw Ramleh fully shifting into a psychedelic Noise Rock mode: driving bass and warping guitar with no percussion, something that this album still gets alot of ridicule over. I think the lack of percussion was an educated decision: Power Electronics almost never has any sense of percussion or "beat," so I assume Ramleh was trying to do the same with Rock music. A beat gives you something to build your sound around, and who the hell needs that?
After the magnificent "Boeing" (1997) and "Elite Gymnastics" (1996) Ramleh would shift back towards industrial, but always doing a few Noise Rock live shows here and there. Ramleh very well could've started the micro-trend of UK 90's Noise Rock bands trying to sound like Rapeman and Albinicore in general, a bizarre trend forever encapsulated by Mclusky, Bodychoke and Mazey Fade.

Throbbing Gristle - "Maggot Death - Live At The Rat Club"
Off "The Second Annual Report Of Throbbing Gristle" released on Industrial Records in 1977.
Previously played on 8/9/2015.
One of TG's more out-rightly "bad ass" tracks, this take of Maggot Death is with out a doubt the best on Second Annual Report., without a doubt beating the other 3 versions. 
Much like when I played Slug Bait on the 8/9/2015 show, I should have to add much more. Chances are you guys are very familiar with Throbbing Gristle.

Michael Yonkers Band - "Jasontown"
Off the "Mircrominature Love" LP recorded in 1968 and released on De Stijl in 2003.
The opening track to Yonkers' 1968 LP (that didn't see a proper release until 2003), picking a track to put on here was insanely difficult - they're all gold! 
The Michael Yonkers Band was a short lived (but now somewhat reunited) act from Minneapolis, MN that was mostly active in the late 60's. Recording one album - Microminature Love - the group ceased to exist and Michael Yonkers went on to become a solo artist with a cult following. Hinting towards Noise Rock and Punk, (that ending to "Boy In The Sandbox" sounded like no other rock song in 68, not even Sister Ray got that vicious) Microminature Love would've taken the underground by storm if it was released in 1968.

Pissed Jeans - "I Broke My Own Heart"
Off the "Shallow" LP released on SubPop Records in 2004.

A definite change of pace from Michael Yonkers - Pissed Jeans is a more recent Noise Rock / Post-Hardcore group from Allentown, PA. Making intense, mid-paced noisey hardcore tunes is mostly what they specialize in - a drunken 20-something yelling over guitar feedback and repetitive bass-lines, Pissed Jeans certainly remind me of 80's noise rock more so than alot of other groups that have sprouted up in the last decade that, much like Pissed Jeans, want to be the next Drunks With Guns.

Anode/Cathode -  "立体お姫様"

Off the "PunkAnachRock" EP recorded 1975-1977 and released on Pinakotheca in 1981.

The entirety of the A-Side, (since I couldn't find names for individual tracks, and after looking at the liner notes, this is all one song) because I needed a good excuse to shove 9 minutes of Japanese proto-industrial noise rock down your throat. Weird, outlandish and unlike anything else in the universe, that's fer sure!

8-25-2015

Setlist:
1. Minneapolis Uranium Club - Black Semen
2. Bipolaroid - Efflorescent Adolescent 
3. The Cleptos - I'll Be Having The Last Laugh
4. Tapehead - What's The Story
5. Thin Yoghurts - Girl On The Bus
6. Skitter - Box
7. Tilth - Drisk

Minneapolis Uranium Club - "Black Semen"

Off "The Minneapolis Uranium Club Perform Human Exploration" demo tape released independently in 2014 and repressed on Fashionable Idiots records in 2015.

One of the weirdest bands to spring up in recent memory, MUC are from (surprisingly) from Minneapolis!

The aesthetic of Devo meets the goofier side of Hardcore, this club has by far had the best replication of 80's Art Punk than any other group around. Their 20 minute demo set the underground Minnesota scene on fire, and so, the Fashionable Idiots label was nice enough to bless us with a vinyl pressing. If you're at all interested in Art Punk and the modern "scene," then I'd recommend listening to the album in full.

Bipolaroid - "Efflorescent Adolescent"

Off the "Twin Language" LP released on Get Hip Recordings in 2013.

Bipolaroid's latest (well, as of now) and best LP, the throwback psych explosion that is "Twin Language" is the result of 50 years of evolution in psychedelic music. Primal blasts of snare drum beats and power chords with nonsense lyrics, Twin Language has to be one of the best releases of the 2010's.

Active since 2004, Bipolaroid hail from Louisiana, and until the release of Twin Language, Bipolaroid independently released all their material. Twin Language saw them being signed by the Pittsburgh label Get Hip Recordings, who have been releasing alot of good LP's and reissues recently. Although they did release the Nox Boys S/T LP, and that LP was shit; trust me.

In short, Bipolaroid rule and Nox Boys suck.

The Cleptos - "I'll Be Having The Last Laugh"

Off the "Demaro Demos" EP recorded in the late 70s/ early 80s and released in 2013 on Orange SLS Records.

Previously played on the 8/11/2015 show!

Another great 30 year old tune by The Cleptos, here we see a more overt Beatles influence as opposed to some of their more Folk and Reggae influenced tunes.

 Meat Puppets on Ambien? Sign me up!

>> Stream and download "Demaro Demos" here <<

>> Check out the label! <<

>> More Cleptos! <<

Tapehead - "What's The Story?"

Off "The Flexi" released on REEL Time Records in 2014.

Another Rochester, NY band; it's sad to say, but Tapehead is a little more dull and forgettable then say, Bad Taste or Brain Car. Although, unlike Bad Taste or Brain Car, Tapehead aren't disbanded! In fact, I believe they released a new single a couple months ago, which I still haven't heard! I should get on that.

I've given my words on the Rochester, NY Punk bands in the 8/11/2015 and 8/20/2015 shows, and I don't have much to add here. 

Hey guys

Buy this single and check out the label

Thin Yoghurts - "Girl On The Bus"

Off the "Girl On The Bus / Drink Problem" released on Lowther Street Runner Records in 1980.

A forgotten piece of British DIY, Thin Yoghurts are simply the new wave band that never hit it big. Never got a John Peel boost, never got to release a LP, it's a wonder they even got this single released. Quirky New Wave / Pop Rock, simple as that.

Skitter - "Box"

Off the Untitled 7" released on La Station Radar Records in 2009.

I know little to nothing about Skitter, the only reason I'm aware of this single is because I bought it on a whim a couple months ago - the presentation was very strange and the clear 7" seemed to hint that this was some outsider type music; and I was right! Funny how that works out. Most of their songs and releases are untitled, and all I know for sure if they have 2 other EP's and a LP, if I remember right. Oh, and a split tape; if I remember right.

Ethereal and haunting noise that builds up to a climax as it pierces your ears. This formula seems to be a recurring theme.

Tilth - "Drisk"

Off the "Angular Music" LP released on Soft Abuse in 2012.

In case you missed it, Tilth's latest LP was featured on the 8/11/2015 show.

Much like their latest LP Country Music, Tilth's 2012 debut Angular Music is a collection of transcendent drones that could be described as Ethereal or Metaphysical in aesthetic and mood. Drisk is an 8 minute drone of trance-inducing goodness. Not much else to say, as it needs to be experienced to be believed.

8-20-2015

Setlist:
1. Electric Eels - Accident
2. Specel Lesters Shoes - Untitled Frustration
3. The Fuckin Flyin A-Heads - Swiss Cheese Back
4. Bad Taste - Summertime Blues
5. Pets Or Food - L. Ron Hubbard
6. Primitive Calculators - I Can't Stop It
7. Bodysnatchers - Frantic
8. The Silver - Do You Wanna Dance?
9. Panther Skull - Transistor Owls

Electric Eels - "Accident"

Recorded in 1974/1975, Released in 1991 on the "God Says Fuck You" compilation on Homestead Records, repressed on 2014's "Die Electric Eels"comp released on Superior Viaduct Records.
A criminally over-looked Eels track, Accident was from the same studio sessions that birthed other Electric Eels classics, such as 'Agitated,' 'Cyclotron,' 'You're Full Of Shit,' and 'Jaguar Ride,' amongst other tracks. The sessions appear in full on Superior Viaducts 2014 compilation Die Electric Eels, along with a 1973 demo called 'You Crummy Fags.' 
I love the intentionally bad harmonies during the chorus, along with John Morton's way of turning glam riffs on their heads. Electric Eels always sounded like rock music committing suicide (or sewercide?), and this is a prime example of such.

Specel Lesters Shoes - "Untitled Frustration"

Off the "Love Is Coming For You (2)" released on Orange SLS Records in 2014.

Specel Lesters Shoes was the first (and founding) act on Orange SLS Records; in fact the SLS in Orange SLS means "Specel Lesters Shoes." 

The band, to my knowledge, was founded by Scotty Shoes and Gabe Shoes. They recorded plenty of stuff - studio takes, demos, live shoes - all that. Sadly, around 2011 or so - Gabe Shoes died. There's hints to suicide, but I'm not completely sure. Due to Gabe's death, Scotty, owner of Orange SLS, would go on to disband the group and release albums and compilations of previously unreleased demos, studio sessions and live tapes to fulfill a promise. 

The album "Love Is Coming For You (II)" is alternate takes to songs that appeared on "Love Is Coming For You," this time with amps and electric guitars; not acoustic.

You could argue whether or not Specel Lesters Shoes "started" rural New York's modern day folk punk / anti-folk / folk rock scene, but that's a debate that would keep very few people's interest.

>> View the Specel Lesters Shoes catalog here <<

>> Buy 'Love Is Coming For You (II) here <<

>> Stream 'Love Is Coming For You (II) here <<

The Fuckin' Flyin' A-Heads - "Swiss Cheese Back"

Off the "Swiss Cheese Back / Watching TV" single released on Otaro Records in 1980.

An atonal mess a la Flipper or Z, the A-Heads are Hawaii's first punk act, if you'd want to call this Punk. Taking influence from Motorhead, Blue Cheer, and the Mabuhay Gardens bands of the late 70's.

Despite having little success booking gigs, the A-Heads were able to record one of their few live sets; 2 tracks of which are featured on this single, 'Swiss Cheese Back' and 'Watching TV.' Both tracks are pretty atonal and garbled, but I'd say that the A-Side is the superior track; hence why it's here.

The label, Otaro Records, seems to be independently founded by the A-Heads themselves, or a good friend. The only releases is this 7" and the album "Street Songs" by Howard Nishioka; which A-Heads vocalist Eric Ishii did the artwork for. The label is most likely defunct, since this single was repressed in 2010 by De Stijl, not Otaro.

If you wish to know more, than read a interview with Eric Ishii here.

Bad Taste - "Summertime Blues"

Off the "I Was A Teenage Jack The Ripper" EP released on Feral Kid Records in 2010.

Another act from Rochester, NY; Bad Taste, much like their peers Brain Car, (who were on the 8/11/2015 post) Bad Taste take 80's Hardcore and refurbish it in order to not be 'another throw back band.' Unlike Brain Car, however, Bad Taste don't deviate too horribly much. Sounding quite a bit like early DRI or Government Issue, Bad Taste's only EP, I Was A Teenage Jack The Ripper, features 9 tracks that all sound the same. Due to that, I decided to put the longest song up, a sloppy cover of Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues. Atonal, sloppy and all over the place, Bad Taste makes it clear they couldn't be anymore apathetic.

Now broken up, Bad Taste remain as one of Rochester's most prolific 2010's punk act, although that history is still being written with bands like Tapehead and Harmonica Lewinski.

>> View Feral Kid's Catalog here <<

>> Buy 'I Was A Teenage Jack The Ripper' here <<

Pets Or Food - "L Ron Hubbard"

Off the "L Ron Hubbard / The Ghost Of Wigwam Vomit" released on Solfmormorkelse records in 2010.

Some of the best post-2000 'No Wave' I've ever heard, Pets Or Food are quirky yet brutal - the primal smashing sounds of early Swans coupled with the angular guitar work and shouts of DNA or Teenage Jesus and The Jerks, Pets Or Food are the modern No Wave band everyone aspires to be. The B-side, "The Ghost Of Wigwam Vomit" will probably be on a future post, as well. 

Primitive Calculators - "I Can't Stop It"

Off the "Do That Dance / I Can't Stop It" single released independently in 1979.

An all out oddity of the 70's underground, the psuedo-No Wave blasts of synth and guitar generated noise forms a wall of uncomfortable sound. The first release from the Australian group, the A-side and B-side of this 1979 single are a prime example of PC's sound. Initially active from 1978 to 1987 (only to reunite in 2009), they have become one of the most prolific bands in Australia's underground.

Bodysnatchers - "Frantic"

Off the "Frantic / Mystery" single released on Savage Music in 1979.

Also from Australia - Bodysnatchers are definitely an off-shoot of The Primitive Calulators - Bodysnatchers take the structure of feel good pop tunes and distorts it. Lo-Fi, catchy yet otherwordly - Bodysnatchers definitely could only come from Australia. 

The Silver - "Do You Wanna Dance?"

Off the "Do You Wanna Dance? / Popper" single released on Black Label Series records in 1980.

Every listener of The Silver has a unique "story" about how they came across the band and got into their mystique - and I will not delve into such. All I'll say on that is if you're part of a certain fan club, then it's been one hell of a ride. 

Extremely long story short - The Silver are a Finnish noise rock (although I doubt that was their intention) composed of pre-pubescent children that up until this year remained completely unknown. The 2 people banging away here are Harri "Angel" Englund (now an accomplished author, political activist and college professor) and another mysterious man named Steve Mink - whom remains unfound. This single was released in 1980 on Black Label Series (Leevi and The Leavings label) and repressed on "pop con" in the mid 2000's. 

And now to the music - holy shit!

Panther Skull - "Transistor Owls"

Off the "Transistor Owls" released on Tone Filth records in 2005.

Released on Minneapolis' now defunct Tone Filth, Panther Skull's one song, single sided LP is a 16 minute drone akin to Family Underground (as featured on the 8/15/2015 show) and other contemporary drone acts - especially the others on the Tone Filth label, until label founder Justin Meyers shut it down and started Sympathy Limited.

I know very little about Panther Skull - just that they released drone with clear death industrial influence; demonstrating some of the best Atrax Morgue and Maurizio Bianchi worship ever.

8-15-2015

Setlist:
1. Cleaners From Venus - Helpless
2. Willful Neglect - Outta My Mind
3. David Montanye - Time Wounds All Heals
4. Violet Hour - Decrepid Old Man
5. Stillbirth - The View Untangled
6. Sissy Spacek - Untitled 
7. Nihilist Spasm Band - When In London Sleep At The York Hotel  
8. Concrete - Farming Today
9. Family Underground - Valley Of 1X,XXX Smokes Pt. 1

Cleaners From Venus - "Helpless"

Off the "Cleaners From Venus" tape, released on Calypso Now and Man At The Off Licence records in 1981.

Lo-Fi to the max, Jangle Pop / Post-Punk legends Cleaners From Venus debuted with Blow Away Your Troubles, a tape recorded in Martin Newell's kitchen, composed of 19 tracks. I'd say this release is the most folk inspired and jangle pop prevalent release by Cleaners From Venus, on their next albums they'd delve more into post-punk and help build the sound of what would become Indie Pop. Cleaners From Venus are most commonly compared to Beat Happening, The Feelies and Daniel Johnston; and there's a good reason why. Not quite Twee Pop, but influences abound!

Blow Away Your Troubles was repressed by Captured Tracks in 2012.

Willful Neglect - "Outa My Mind"

Off the "Willful Neglect" 12" EP released on Neglected Records in 1982.

Saint Paul, MN hardcore punk group Willful Neglect was founded in around 1980 or 1981, for the most part coming out of The Reactors, Saint Paul's "first punk" group, mostly because Michael Yonkers was technically from Minneapolis. Willful Neglect pulled off the punch of Minor Threat with the melodic sensibility of Rites Of Spring, a band that wasn't even around yet. Inspiration? Possibly so! I have no clue what pedals the guitars are using, but it sounds amazing. Willful Neglect is the best Punk band Saint Paul had to offer us. Far surpassing even Husker Du! 

The first 2 12" EP's Willful Neglet made tend to fetch some decent money, ($50 to $100), so Havoc Records helped us all out big time and put their first 2 EP's on one LP. In around 1984, Willful Neglect set out to record a full length LP, but was never finished. The tracks that were recorded appeared on the 1982-1984 compilation.

David Montanye - "Time Wounds All Heals"

Off the "Cosmic LumberJack" album, released on Orange SLS Records in 2013.

Another act on the 'Orange SLS Records' label (the "other" act was The Cleptos, featured on the last show) David Montanye is a solo artist from rural New York that produces, operates and specializes in the world of Lo-Fi. Sometimes the only thing you need to make a great song is a tape recorder, and that idea follows on his album Cosmic LumberJack. Montanye also fronts another Orange SLS act, Mobil-Mockingbird, which seems to operate in the same niche as David's solo work. The style in which David and some other acts on the Orange SLS catalog operate and perform is best explained by the song Time Wounds All Heals. Montanye does have other solo work, so if this peaked your interest I'd recommend listening to his other albums.

>> David's Orange SLS Page <<

>> Buy The Album Here <<

>> Bandcamp link <<

Violet Hour - "Decrepid Old Man"

Off the "Violet Hour / VYV" split EP released on Bleak records in 1996.

Violet Hour made a split with their fellow Ontario Contemporaries VYV (who had shared membership with Violet Hour) in 1996, released on Bleak Records. 300 copies pressed, the insert wishfully says "This is the first pressing. Second pressing coming in the future!" There might've been a second pressing, but since these two bands are nowhere to be found on the internet, who knows. Bleak Records, the label, has managed to stay off the internet this long, too. There are other labels named Bleak Records; but I doubt they have any affiliation with this one here, mostly due to geographic's and time frames.

Now, let's actually talk about the musical content. The opener to Violet Hour's side of the split, Control Yourself, is forgettable at best. But the second track, Decrepid Old Man, is a winner. Booming that feedback squeals in the beginning and eventually flowing into their quirky punk style; it's certainly not normal! Canadian Punk always cracks me up. Their is a 3rd untitled tracks, which consists of a few normal grooves and 2 lock grooves of some decrepid old man (ironic) complaining. The 'song' ends in a lock groove, but the second lock groove is the end groove, the one up by the matrix etching. If Violet Hour think they can slip that by me, than they're wrong!

VYV's side also has an untitled track consisting of the same thing, this time with a British guy yelling at you. I might put up a track from VYV's side, it's purely instrumental; or "instruMENTAL" as the insert claims.

Since I can't find mention of this EP, the bands (or even the label) anywhere on the net, here's the download. Definitely the most obscure thing put on here yet!

Stillbirth - "The View Untangled"

Off "The Mirror Of Purification" split single released Semata Productions in 2009.

Stillbirth won me over with this one! This split features Prurient on the A-Side, and surprise-surprise, it's boring as all hell. Stillbirth's side is much more in line with the more drone side of industrial and noise, much like Etat Brut or late 80's Ramleh. Or late 90's Ramleh. Or Ramleh right now. It's much more subtle than Ramleh and much more rewarding than Etat Brut, however. The great thing about Prurient is he makes splits with artists much better than him, and usually much more obscure. Thanks Prurient!

Sissy Spacek - "Untitled"

Off the "Remove Control Whale" single released on Electric Human Project Records in 2003.

My introduction to Sissy Spacek, and I'd say I'm impressed. Very glitchy and in your face noise music, Sissy Spacek makes it clear on that they're done making Grindcore, which is even more clear and redundant now since they've been making Noise for 12+ years. The little sample of Lounge music is nice, since Lounge music emits an atmosphere that has such contrast to this, that it's kind of beautiful in a way. This single is pretty good, but I wouldn't recommend showing it to your mother anytime soon.

Nihilist Spasm Band - "When In London Sleep At The York Hotel"

Off the "No Record" LP released on the Allied Record Corporation in 1968.

AMM with a little more listen-ability? I think so! Formed in 1965, (around the same time AMM dropped their hot mixtape) the Nihilist Spasm Band formed in London, Ontario, Canada and performed very unhinged, improvised music with home made instruments. Straying away from any kind of commercial potential, NSB are as sloppy and apathetic as it gets - this isn't improv for the sake of being avant-garde or outsider (although it still is), this is improv for the sake of scaring the shit out of unsuspecting people. These dudes never officially disbanded, so look out! They may be coming to your nearest Tesco Disco!

Concrete - "Farming Today"

Off the "Ghoulish Practices" EP released on Concrete Productions in 1981.

Off the wall Post-Punk with elements of Jazz and Industrial never goes wrong. The visual aesthetic had me thinking it'd be Throbbing Gristle-esque Industrial but I was gladly surprised to hear something completely new. It follows the same concept as The Fall or The Pop Group but drags it more towards industrial. Concrete founded their own label for this release, Concrete Productions. Although Concrete never released another album, Concrete Productions would continue to release albums in the vein of Industrial and Electronic music. But until this day, Ghoulish Practices remains the ultimate ode to this brand of outsider music.

Family Underground - "Land Of 1X,XXX Smokes Pt. 1"

Off The "Familiar Places" LP released on Into The Lunar Light Records in 2004.

I chose a 10 minute song to make this episode longer, ha! Family Underground are an experimental noise group from Denmark. Their last couple of tapes and albums they've produced have embraced a much more psychedelic sound and sway heavily towards a more rock based sound. But here during their early years, Family Underground create challenging soundscapes a la COUM Transmissions.

8-11-2015

Setlist:
The Cleptos - She'll Never Give Me The Answer
Tilth - Cabin Bells
Squrl - Purple Dust
Cancers- Dig
DMPH - Oakland
The Imposters - Private Lives
Brain Car - Suburbia Sux
I'm Being Good - Coopers Farm

The Cleptos - "She'll Never Give Me The Answer"

From "Collection Volume 1" released by Orange SLS Records in 2015.

The story behind The Cleptos is a strange one. Fronted by Sid Demaro, the New York music group was active from the late 70's to possibly sometime in the 1980's, and even played gigs at CBGB's. The tapes they recorded went unheard until Sid Demaro passed away and the tapes were handed to one named Scotty Shoes; whom runs Orange SLS Records. Since then Scotty Shoes has been making The Cleptos music available towards the public. Sid Demaro recorded his own solo album, and if you like this you'll dig his solo album. Sid Demaro seemed like an interesting dude - recording music in his house with a primitive drum machine, singing about girls and getting into run-ins with the police.

Oh, and the songs good. Very influenced by pop rock and reggae, this basement jam, along with The Cleptos other songs, is a keeper.

>> Cleptos' Orange SLS Records Page <<

>> Buy 'Collection Volume 1' here <<

>> Stream 'Collection Volume 1' here <<

>> The Orange SLS catalogue <<

Tilth - "Cabin Bells"

From the "Country Music" LP, released by Round Bale Recordings in 2015.

Beautiful vinyl product from Round Bale Recordings; the first (and hopefully not last) LP to be released on the Minnesotan label. Tilth makes music that can most easily be compared to the music that was being made by Finnish Avant-Garde bands in the 60's and 70's, (i.e, The Sperm, The Silver, Pekka Airaksinen and Aavikon Kone Ja Moottori) drones with minimalist strings, ear punching horns and reel to reel textures. Tilth released an album prior to Country Music, fittingly called "Angular Music," which was released on The Soft Abuse label. 

Tilth's latest full length effort centers less on tape cuts (like Angular Music did) and more on Free Jazz sounding horns with dissonant instrumentation. If you enjoy either ambient, experimental, improv, minimal, drone or ethereal music, than this is for you. Tilth is purposefully impossible to label - metaphysical music for metaphysical people. 

>> Buy, stream and read about the LP here <<

>> Tilth's website <<

Sadly, their first LP "Angular Music" is out of print. I do own a copy however, so do plan on hearing that in the near future...

Squrl - "Purple Dust"

From "EP #2", released on ATP records in 2013.

Fronted by film director Jim Jarmusch, Squrl specializes in experimental noise rock that has a more spiritual and ethereal atmosphere than most of their contemporaries. At times, the band completely removes any type of "rock" from their sound. 

The band originally formed out of another project called "Black Rabbit," whom of which released one EP. Squrl however planned to release 3 collectable EPs, which seems to be successful, since some sellers are trying to sell their first EP for 80 dollars. Each EP has a beautiful picture disc, a photo in the form of a postcard, and a limited set of 1,000. Squrl has already met their ambition of releasing 3 conceptual 12" EPs, so I wouldn't anticipate any new releases from the band; but they still seem to be playing shows.

Cancers - "Dig"

From the "Dig / Moral Net" single released on Dead Broke records in 2014.

I had to throw in some punk music to keep you on your feet, and to stay true to this blog's ambitions! Cancers are a 2 piece band that performs music that isn't too unlike grunge. 80's noise rock and punk mixed into a more contemporary package, just for you. They released another single and even a full length, neither of which I've heard. But still, Cancers is a band I'd keep an eye on.

DMPH - "Oakland"

Off the "Oakland / Sacramento" released on Weird Forest Records in 2009.

I didn't know Tilth smoked meth! All jokes aside, DMPH is the same concept as Tilth; jazz and drone influenced tunes that slowly build up. Difference is, DMPH is Tilth's formula taken to the extreme. A chattering guitar, blairing Alto Sax and some angular drumming. I can't find any dirt on this band, so this'll have to be another half assed description.

Oh, and the youtube video that is pictured on the 7"s sleeve can be viewed here.

The Imposters - "Private Lives" 

Off the "Down By The Bay" single, released on Headcount Records in 2011.

The Imposters were a punk rock band from Hermosa Beach with one consistent member: Nickolai Preiss. The band formed in about 2004 and disbanded recently, the disbandment was announced in June of 2015. During their career they put out 4 albums, 1 EP, 3 singles and 2 compilations. Their weird style that mixes surf rock, garage, blues and punk differs from alot of the Hermosa crowd. They don't pull it off aswell as the Minutemen, but it's still something. The other 2 songs on this single are good (Jayne Daze and Down By The Bay) although the A side (Down By The Bay) is pretty dumb, and in more ways than one. If this peaks your interest than check out any of their albums from this time. They started out as a typical west coast punk band, so not all of it is the same.

Brain Car - "Suburbia Sux"

Off the "Rock N Roll Bologna" EP, released in 2010 by REEL Time Records.

I've got a bit to say about Brain Car and the scene they came from, because unlike 90% of the music I post here, I have some background knowledge. Brain Car came from Rochester, NY; which hosted a surprisingly vibrant Hardcore Punk scene in the 2000's and early 2010's. (Now, not so much. Guess all the punks grew up and got jobs. Ha!) In terms of sound, alot of the bands were taking the sound of 80's Hardcore bands and 60's Garage and updating it to fit a more contemporary context and aesthetic. Brain Car's guitar tone sounds more in line with Link Wray and Chuck Berry than it ever does Black Flag, although the propulsion and intensity of Black Flag and say, Circle Jerks and Urban Waste, is in play here. Hardcore for people that are sick of the same 3 notes and the same guitar tone. Rochester's scene had 2 labels, Feral Kid and REEL Time. Both put out, and still put out, great upstate New York punk; although there was much more NY punk a couple years, as opposed to now. I do know that Jacob Bliss, who was in Brain Car, Bad Taste, Love Pork and some other Rochester bands is now a full blown skinhead. Sad. If you're interested in getting into Rochester, NY's punk scene (which as a Minnesotan, I know so much about) then check out Feral Kid and REEL Time's catalog. Two great labels making history before our eyes.

I'm Being Good - "Cooper's Farm"

Off the "Gods With Proboscis" split single, released on Destroy All Music Records in 1994.

What would later go on to record with John Peel and reach a measurable amount of notoriety, I'm Being Good are still unknown at the point of this 1994 split release with the other band Small Things, who I know nothing about. Small Things's side is straight up avant-rock while I'm Being Good's side is a artsy, dreamy, Lo-Fi albeit noisey 6 minute tune that is pretty damn good. I'll leave you guys on that not; cuz I gotta go eat some bread.

Update: That bread was delicious.