10-31-2015 - Happy Halloween!

Setlist:
1. Twin Stumps - Scar
2. Skullflower - Solar Anus
3. The Pop Group - Snowgirl
4. James Chance and The Contortions - I Can't Stand Myself
5. Vox Pop - Cab Driver
6. Swans - Weakling (Live)
7. Noah Howard - Ole Negro
8. Little Women - Throat III

Twin Stumps - "Scar"
Off their S/T 12" released on Dais Records in 2009.

Previously featured on 9-12-2015.
One of the finest acts to come out of the recent influx of Noise Rock, (along with Blank Veins, Billy Bao, White Suns, so on...) Twin Stumps are / were based out of New York, New York - and their sound took influence from everything from The Velvet Underground to The Brainbombs - Twin Stumps are what you need in your life.

LIKE A SCAR! LIKE A SCAR! SCAAAAAAAAR!

The Live Sounds Of Twin Stumps

Skullflower - "Solar Anus"
Off their S/T LP released on Broken Flag Records in 1989.
A "super group" of sorts, Skullflower was a culmination of the British Power Electronics scene as it morphed into Noise Rock. You had Gary Mundy (Ramleh, Kleistwahr) Matthew Bower (Pure, The Hototogisu, Total) and Stefan Jaworzyn, (Whitehouse, Ascension) Skullflower is one of the more prolific UK-based noise rock groups, (there isn't as many as there should be - mostly just McLusky and Prolapse) constructing walls of vicious noise that are bound to clear out a lame party.

The Pop Group - "Snowgirl"
Off the "Y" LP released on Radar Records in 1979.
Held in surprisingly high regard, Pop Group's "Y" is one of the most challenging Post-Punk albums ever put to tape - free-form song constructs, often switching rhythms and melodies mid-song and forming new constructions and forms mid-song. An influence on much Post-Punk to follow, (we're lookin' at you, Nick Cave) "Y" still exists in its own weird world, sometimes even approaching Trout Mask Replica or Locust Abortion Technician's level of surrealist and cacophonic transcendence. 

James Chance And The Contortions - "I Can't Stand Myself"
Off the "No new York" VA Comp released on Antilles Records in 1978.
Here we see our No Wave heroes doing an off-the-cuff and totally unhinged cover of James Brown's 60's hit single, "I Can't Stand Myself." According to Pat Place, the guitarist, this studio recording was a "warm-up" and the band had never practiced it before-hand, but it sounded so awesome they threw it on for their appearance on the No New York compilation. The Contortions would later add this track to their live act - making it even more off the hook and crazy.

Vox Pop - "Cab Driver"
Off the "Cab Driver / Just Like Your Mom" single released on Bad Trip Records in 1980.

Somewhat of a Punk supergroup, Vox Pop contained members of 45 Grave, Angry Samoans, Germs, Nervous Gender and Dream Syndicate and soon became infamous for their crazed live performances and confrontational attitude. With a criminally small discography, Vox Pop had multiple studio recordings and radio appearances, but the only release that came out during their run was the 'Cab Driver' single - I supposed it's dedicated to Travis Bickle.

Swans - "Weakling" (Live)

Off the "Speed Trials" VA Comp released on Homestead Records in 1989.

Off the neglected (yet great) Speed Trials comp comes a crushing and amazing take of Swans' classic track 'Weakling' of their first LP, Filth. You can feel the tension as the music crushes and slams - some true Industrial Noise Rock!

Noah Howard - "Ole Negro"

Off the "Black Ark" LP released on Polydor Records in 1972.
Back when you could still call people "Negroes," Noah Howard releases an Avant-Jazz explosion onto all of out ears. With more force than Ayler and more listenable then Brotzmann, Noah Howard's The Black Ark is an all-time classic of the Free Jazz and Avant-Garde Jazz genre. The saddest thing is is how neglected his other works are, such as "Space Dimension" and "Patterns" - 2 other great albums.

Little Women - "Throat III"
Off the "Throat" LP released on AUM Fidelity in 2010.

A newer group to arise in the Free-Jazz realm, Little Women elaborately re-brand the time scales of 'Trout Mask Replica,' the Free Jazz blares of 'Spiritual Unity' and the uncompromising noise of 'Machine Gun' - Little Women may not be completely original, but they're pretty rad.

10-25-2015

Setlist:
1. Dean Carter - Jailhouse Rock
2. Satan's Rats - You Make Me Sick
3. King Uszniewicz And His Uszniewicztones - Doo Wah Diddy Diddy
4. Mirrors - She Smiled Wild
5. Les Yper Sound - Psyche Rock
6. Cromagnon - Caledonia
7. IRK - Painful
8. Jon The Postman - Louie Louie

Dean Carter - "Jailhouse Rock"

Off the "Rebel Woman / Jailhouse Rock" single released on Milky Way Records in 1967.
Dean Carter is / was a little known Rock 'N' Roll Personality best known for his song "Rebel Woman" and his use of the 12-String electric guitar. But what he's been known for in more obscure corners of the internet is a pioneer of modern Noise Rock - the absolutely unhinged playing and dubious production turns many of Dean Carter's songs into proto-punk / proto-noise rock blasts of energy. This aspect is best observed in his cover of Elvis' Jailhouse Rock - the punch of the guitar chords and the shrill sound of the synthesizers turn this once Rock 'n' Roll classic into a collage of amazing noise. 

Satan's Rats - "You Make Me Sick"

Off the "You Make Me Sick / Louise" single released on DJM Records in 1978.
A more well known UK punk single from the Evesham based act, are much less confrontational then their name promises. Most twisted love songs about ex-girlfriends and the like. With an overly dramatic and passive-aggressive attitude, Satan's Rats became one of mid-UK's most well known punk acts, despite only releasing 3 singles (2 of which had the same B-side, Louise) and 1 comp, which was released including 20 studio tracks, although the release date is unknown - looks pretty 90's / early 2000's to me.

King Uszniewicz And His Uszniewicztones - "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy"

Off the "Doin The Whoo Hoo With King Uszniewicz and His Uszniewicztones" LP recorded sometime in the early 70's, released on Norton Records in 1994.
Whatta cacophony! King Uszniewicz (pronounced You-Sneev-Itch) and his Uszniewicztones were a group of Polish-Americans (whether or not they were actual immigrants is unclear) that were the house band for "The Orbit Room" - a bowling alley in Detroit.
Forming sometime around 1969 and running until the mid 1970's, King U and his U-tones recorded some studio sessions with Cub Koda (from Brownsville Station) on production. He claims on the liner notes of the album that their sound was unintentional and wasn't meant to be ironic - and the drunken yelling on the songs agree.
The King in question is Ernie Uszniewicz - singing and playing atonal sax. I had trouble finding any updates on Ernie, but I did find a Flickr account baring his name - hope it's him!

Mirrors - "She Smiled Wild"

Off the "Shirley / She Smiled Wild" single released on Hearthan Records.
A classic of the Cleveland Proto-Punk scene of the early 70's, Mirrors wrote songs that had noisy, yet oddly poppy rhythms coupled with off-the-wall production and at times almost fell into the No Wave hole.
Sadly, like most bands of their scene (think Electric Eels, Rocket From The Tombs, The Styrenes...) Mirrors never saw their proto-punk and visionary recordings have a proper release until Punk had already started. Mirrors was activated from around 1972 to 1975, and their first release, this single, was released in 1977; 2 years after they broke up, 5 years after they formed and most importantly, 1 year after the Ramones debuted. If they got this released right after it was recorded Punk history would be forever different! What a shame.

Les Yper Sound - "Psyche Rock"

Off the "Too Fortiche / Psyche Rock" single released on Fontana Records in 1967.
A fun, loud but most importantly awesome tune made by this visionary French group. A psychedelic band playing under some stirring and buzzing electronics, this tune may sound strangely familiar because a remix of it was used as the theme song for the TV Show Futurama. Weird how that works!
Very little is known about Les Yper-Sound aside from what is included on their releases - a formation date and break-up date is unknown, and they only released 4 songs during their career. The most that is known is that it contained Michel Colombier, a French composer, and Pierre Henry, a respected French Musique Concrete / Experimental artist.

Cromagnon - "Caledonia"

Off their Untitled Debut LP released on ESP Disk records in 1969.

You can tell it's high art when there's 2 skeletons boning (pardon the pun) in front of Frank Zappa which is actually just an enigma formed by the cosmos which is flowing from under a river and a forest. What? I don't know either.
Cromagnon were an experimental Avant-Psych Folk project from New York City, a contemporary of the Godz and the Fugs.

IRK - "Painful"

Off the "Demos Vol. 1" tape released independently in 2015.

Whatta load of fuckin' wankers.
Somewhat-Long story short, I'm in this ensemble. And as the J-Card implies, this is the cadillac of free-form music!

>> Bandcamp <<

Jon The Postman - "Louie Louie"

Off the "Puerile" LP released on Bent Records in 1978.
Amidst UK's Punk explosion in 1977, there lied a man more interesting then the likes of John Lydon, Joe Strummer or Captain Sensible - and his name was Jon. Jon who? Jon the Postman!
His birthname was Jon Ormod, and yes - he was an actual postman, hailing from the bizzaro land of Manchester. You may not be familiar with Jon - but he had some important friends - such as Mark E. Smith, (who actually does backing vocals on this track) Pete Shelley, and has been described as an "omnipresent figure in Manchester's Punk and Post-Punk scene." Sadly, it was announced in July of this year that Jon passed away. Sad.
But to change gears, I'd like to inquire as to why they made a 2 minute Garage Rock anthem into a 12 minute jam? Well, someone had to do it! In fact, Jon quite liked long songs, he had 2 versions of Louie Louie, one 12 minutes and one 13 minutes, a song called Sengal at 11 minutes, and a Van Morrison cover of "GLORIA" which is 10 minutes long.

>> Read about out lord and Savior 'Jon' here <<

10-20-2015

Setlist:
1. Cosmic Rock Show - Psiship
2. Bulbous Creation - Having a Good Time
3. The Negatives - Stake Out 
4. Los Saicos - Demolicion
5. Les Blousons Noirs - Eddie sois Bon
6. Mukimukimanmansu - Type 7
7. Frantix - My Dad's A Fuckin' Alcoholic 
8. The Peter Brotzmann Octet - Machine Gun

Cosmic Rock Show - "Psiship"

Off the "Psiship / Rising Sun" released on Blitz Records in 1968.

Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, The Cosmic Rock Show housed 2 members; A keyboardist and a drummer, the keyboardist being no other then Michael Yonkers, (featured on 8-30-2015) and the drummer being his brother James. No clue which one of them is singing.

A vague insult and debasing of the whole Free-Love and Summer of Drugs thing going on then, the Yonkers brothers, isolated in Duluth, use their instruments to atonally destroy songs, not make them seem beautiful or accessible, as witnessed by the Keyboard feedback fuzz in the opening and the freely changing rhythms and melodies. 

Ride to the moon

On A Psychedelic Space Ship

Something Tells Me

It's gonna be another bum trip

Well, ain't so much free-love and flower power! Ol' Michael was always ahead of his time.

Bulbous Creation - "Having A Good Time"

Off the "You Won't Remember Dying" LP released on Rockadelic Records in 1994, recorded from 1969 to 1970.

The Heavy Psych cult band (Fast 'n') Bulbous Creation are one of Psych's best kept secrets. From Kansas City, (which is in Kansas!) Bulbous Creation wrote songs about Satan, Hard Drugs, and even more Satan. Peculiar riffs with equally peculiar production, Bulbous Creation were unable to cement a record deal (due to the musics nature,) and the master tape was left in the studio until it was unearthed in the early 90's and finally released for us all. The only aspect I don't dig is the Eddie Vedder sounding vocals - which probably sounded cool as shit in '69, but just sound dated now.

The Negatives - "Stake Out"

Off the "Stakeout / Love Is Not Real" single released on Look Records in 1979.

Previously featured on 7-22-2015

The A-Side off the classic (in my eyes, anyway) punk single from the Bradford group, this tune ain't as awesome and anthemic as the B-side, but it's still great. "Stakeout," in contrast to "Love Is Not Real," has a more confrontational attitude to it, a more disassociative beat and some vaguely political lyrics - as is punk.

Los Saicos - "Demolicion" 

Off the "Demolicion / Lonely Star" single released on Dis Peru Records in 1965.

Los Saicos, from Peru, have seen alot of attention lately, being dubbed the world's first Punk group. Although I'd say it's just flat out Garage Rock, alot of people want closure when it comes to the origins of Punk, so whatever.

Punk in attitude, 'fer sure, but next up we'll be hearing some "punks" that pre-date these gentlemen. The fascination and popularity of Los Saicos 50 years after their debut is caused by a mini-documentary by Noisey (a sub-set of Vice News) in which they throne Los Saicos as the first ever Punk band - although I am a bit critical of Vice News, the mini documentary is quite good - interviewing members, punk enthusiasts and the like about this great group.

Les Blousons Noirs - "Eddie sois Bon"

Off the "Hey Pony" EP released on Guilan Records in 1961.

If you really wanna go back, the farthest you can chase the proverbial Rabbit down the  Proto-Punk Hole is Les Blousons Noirs. Hailing from Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France; we have a group of 4 youngsters (ain't so young now) jamming their hearts out, despite having no talent. But let's be real - you don't need talent to make good music - music is expression, not showmanship. And these boys sure as hell know how to express themselves.

EDDIE SOIS BON! SOMETHING SOMETHING SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW FRENCH

good times.

Mukimukimanmansu - "Andromeda"

Off the "2012" CD released on Beatball Records in 2012.

South Korean Freak Folk may be a new obsession for me, I mean - listen to it! Very strange. Mukimukimanmansu have gotten some popularity recently after the Internet Hive-Mind turned a live performance of theirs into a meme. Don't you hate love the internet?

Sure - Mukimukimanmansu has it's presets - Fugs, Godz, Bernie Sanders Folk Record, Animal Collective, so on. But it sure is an odd experience - all Western contextualizations of East-Asian culture aside, the aesthetic, sound, and presentation is unique, even among other South Korean groups.

Frantix - "My Dad's A Fuckin' Alcoholic" 

Off the "My Dad's A Fuckin' Alcoholic" Single released on Local Anesthetic Records in 1983.
A complete change of pace, this classic KBD punk single amassed interest due to it's sludgy nature, great riffs, "fun" lyrics and some Mudhoney covers thrown in for good measure. The Colorado group got their first 2 singles, a demo and a live recording released on one LP via Alternative Tentacles - alot of good stuff on there. The guitarist is now dead, which is pretty sad - although he had some sick riffs while he was alive.

 The Peter Brotzmann Octet - "Machine Gun (Second Take)"

Off the "Machine Gun" LP released on BRO Records in 1968.

A fascinating LP and a great way to clear a room, Peter Brotzmann and his Octet bring it all on their one and only LP, (Brotzmann released and appears on hundreds of records, still recording fresh material well into his elderly years; although he is only 27 on here. The Peter Brotzmann octet however, only released one record as an ensemble.) is a Free-Jazz explosion of energy with unique movements, progressions and rhythms (or lack there-of) make for a one of a kind experience that would've blown people away in 1968 - even people that were big into Free-Jazz.

The album has seen some well-deserved respect from critics and listeners alike through out the years, (of course you still have the idiots who say it's just random noises) possibly being throned as the most popular Free-Jazz album - although I'd say I still like Little Women and The Sperm more, it's still a (un)pleasant experience.

10-15-2015

Setlist:
1. Butthole Surfers - Cowboy Bob 
2. Mannequin Neurose - Urabe
3. Angry Samoans - Lights Out
4. Rectal Hygenics - Suffocating
5. The Screamers - 122 Hours Of Fear
6. Total Abuse - Eunuch
7. Raw Nerve - Born Under A Bad Sign
8. Consumer Electronics - Fellatio
9. The Dead C - Three Years

Butthole Surfers - "Cowboy Bob"

Off the "Live PCPPEP" 12" EP released on Alternative Tentacles in 1984.
Previously featured on 9-17-2015.
Paul Leary (guitarist of the Butthole Surfers) has always expressed his disinterest in the Buttholes 80's studio albums because it never did their Live Show and their Live Experience justice. Live PCPPEP came after their first EP, Brown Reason To Live, and right before their first LP, Psychic... Powerless... Another Mans Sac - which are both spectacular studio efforts; but Live PCPPEP is probably the truest release of this era in their sound. The live versions crush the studio versions, (I mean, the 'Hey' and 'Something' versions on here are pure euphoria) and especially the amazing opener, 'Cowboy Bob,' which makes the already amazing studio version sound like a Fleetwood Mac song. Long Live the Buttholes!

Mannequin Neurose - "Urabe"

Off the S/T EP independent released in 1985.
A band I admittedly know nothing about, Mannequin Neurose are a Post-Punk band from Japan that released a series of 7"s through out the 80's, before disappearing, fading away just like how they had faded in. 
An absolute post-punk nightmare, 'Urabe' is some slightly atonal yet very groovy guitar bits with a sweet bassline (musta took lessons from the Pop Group) with some simplistic drums and a guy yelling in a language I can't understand. 

Angry Samoans - "Lights Out"

Off the "Back From Samoa" LP released on Bad Trip Records in 1982.
A some-what Hardcore classic, Angry Samoans are masters at short, catchy and oddly macabre songs that they push onto very short albums. Back From Samoa, clocking in at about 17 minutes, is a euphoric blast off hateful Punk energy. The Samoans hate towards posers, punks, stupid college kids, gays and you are expressed in full on this album.
'Lights Out' is one of the less hateful and well, idiotic, songs on the album. Here we see the Samoans express disinterest in the world so as the ultimate form of rebellion they gouge their eyes out. Emotional!

Rectal Hygienics - "Suffocating"

Off the "Ultimate Purity" LP released on Permanent Records in 2015.
Part of the "Nu-Hardcore Punk" thing were Hardcore bands mix elements of Noise Rock (and by noise rock I mean shotty production and guitar feedback) mixed with the aestheticism of Peter Sotos, (I mean, look at that cover) Rectal Hygienics (I don't know why they misspell 'Hygenics' - must be an aesthetic choice) are all about sheering noisy power chords, dudes yelling about edgy shit and plundering drums and bass. Yeah, you know hoe it is. We're all aware of this Nu-School Hardcore thingy. Thankfully most of these songs are short because this shtick gets real old real quick. 

The Screamers - "122 Hours Of Fear" (Live At Target Version)

Live version off the "Demos 77-78" LP, bootlegged at an unknown date, this version is taken from one of the many "Target Video" VHS tapes.
Previously featured on 8-9-2015
I'm putting the Target version up here because it is much higher quality and well, is just better. This version has seen quite an interesting fascination by the Internet Punk Community, amassing over 300,000 views on YouTube - much much more attention then they ever received in the 1970's, undoubtedly enthroning The Screamers as the world's most well known Synth Punk band.... or, at least second most.

Total Abuse - "Eunuch"

Off the "Mutt" LP released on Post Present Medium Records in 2010.
More Nu-School Hardcore, but much forboding and self interested than Raw Nerve (see below) and Rectal Hygienics. The sound is rather high produced, well - at least for what it is. And speaking of Eunuch, it sounds like the poor man's being castrated in the studio!
Total Abuse is part of a larger Noise Rock / Punk scene that's been coming out of Texas for the last decade, some stuff is good (stuff like Institute) and some stuff is near-horseshit.(y'know, Glue.) but, I guess that's just how life is.

Raw Nerve - "Born Under A Bad Sign"

Off the S/T demo tape released on Not Normal Tapes in 2009.

It was a really bad idea to put so many Hardcore bands on one show since all the descriptions will look the same, (kinda like Hardcore itself!) but Raw Nerve has a bit more aggression than Total Abuse and Rectal Hygienics - more drive, propulsion and speed. Raw Nerve has split up (to my knowledge) and has reformed with some of the same members under the name "The Bug."

Consumer Electronics - "Fellatio"
Off the "Public Attack 3" Tape released independently in 1982. 

Consumer Electronics' debut tape is infamous in every sense of the word - the Power Electronics group, at this time only composed of 1 person - 14 year old Philip Best. And, too make it even worse (or better) - this was taped at Philip Best's High School during a talent show. The tension gets pretty high at points - Philip and his schoolmates getting into yelling fits, the music reaching unreasonably high frequencies and the glorious Lo-Fi quality. It's almost as good as Ramleh!

The Dead C - "Three Years"
Off the "DR503" LP released on Flying Nun Records in 1988.
I don't know alot about The Dead C, (although plenty info is out there) just that it's 3 dudes from Dunedin, New Zealand that make sweet tunes. They ain't gunna be making any Top 40 Hits anytime soon, but most people aren't.

10-9-2015

Setlist:
1. Rudimentary Peni - Martian Church
2. Double Negative - Cancer Perks
3. The Itch - James Final Ride On The Night-Train
4. Pets Or Food - The Ghost Of Wigwam Vomit
5. Van Dyke Parks - Laurel Canyon Blvd (Down)
6. Swell Maps - Let's Build A Car
7. Node - Mind Generator

Rudimentary Peni - "Martian Church"

Off the "Death Church" LP, released on Corpus Christi in 1983.

A whirring and shifting wall of sound and dissonant shouting, Rudimentary Peni's Death Church deserves its reputation as one of Anarcho-Punks best albums - I myself would go so far too say its the best Anarcho-Punk album and possibly the best Punk album from the UK. Why? Something about Peni's aesthetic, ideology and music seems to give them a drive, an actual cause. While every other British Punk band was trying to sound like Crass or the Subhumans, Rudimentary Peni were disregarding every genre tag, every scene philosophy and setting out to do their own thing.
"Martian Church" is a common musical concept on Death Church, a discordant punk song with outsider vocal effects and frontman Nick Blinko singing near incoherent sentences.
An album for the ages, 'fer sure.

Double Negative - "Cancer Perks"

Off the "Hardcore Confusion Vol. 3 and 4" EP released on Sorry State Records in 2013.
A recent Hardcore band to receive notoriety for being "Old School" yet also being "New School." Double Negative is the result of Hardcore's 35 year evolution, a bit of thrashcore influence, a bit of powerviolence, a bit metal (and there's a reason you see very little metal on here) and a whole lot of hardcore. Sorry bud, but not everyone's guitar tone can be as cool as Greg Ginn's.
Yeah - DN are far from flawless. There are better modern hardcore bands out there - such as Raw Nerve, The Bug, etc. 

The Itch - "James Final Ride On The Night-Train"

Off the S/T EP released on Wee Rock Records in 2003.
One of the few notable acts from Montana, The Itch are either a complete joke band or really subtle satire. I'm pretty stupid, so I have no clue; but they don't sound like they're trying to make a point so I assume a former.
They seem to work a schizophrenic schedule, their first release, this EP, was released in 2003. The next year, the released their first full length. 2 years later, they released another LP. 2 years later, an EP. Then 5 years later, they released an LP straight outta leftfield. 12 years after this EP and they still sound exactly the same. Woo!

Pets Or Food - "The Ghost Of Wigwam Vomit"

Off the "L. Ron Hubbard / Ghost Of Wigwam Vomit" single released on Solformorkelse Records in 2010.
Previously featured on 8/20/2015.
The No Wave explosion of Pets Or Food is hard to meet in it's drive, force, and primitiveness. Nothing but a steady bass and drum beat, some Arto Lindsay sounding guitar-work and some dissonant shouts of anger.
The Swedish ensemble is all about songs that switch from structured Art Rock progressions to primal No Wave slams of energy, and very few singles can meet the vitreous this one possesses. 

Van Dyke Parks - "Laurel Canyon Blvd (Down)"

Off the "Song Cycle" LP released on Warner Bros. Records in 1968.
Avant-Garde Composition, Sound Collage or Baroque Pop? No clue. Van Dyke Parks quirky composition work and conceptual ideas are in high octane on his debut work, Song Cycle. One of the most ambitious works of the late 1960's, our favorite Beach Boy collaborator brings a concept album based off notable streets in Southern California. Ol' Van Dyke musta really liked Laurel Canyon Boulevard, because there is 2 songs named "Laurel Canyon Blvd" on Song Cycle. This is the superior B side version.

Swell Maps - "Let's Build A Car"
Off the "Let's Build A Car" single released on Rough Trade records in 1979.
I'd like to know how they got this sound - it's legendary! A punch across the face of Art Punk energy, Swell Maps are up there on the Brit-Punk scale, almost as good as Rudimentary Peni, but we know that's near impossible. 
The drummer calls himself "Epic Soundtracks" - no idea why. Must be a weird dude.

Node* - "Mind Generator"

Off the "Mind Generator" album released independently in 2015.
I wish my music skills in Audacity were this good. I make these episodes in Audacity, and since we all know how shitty this blog is...
Anyway, Node* is some dude that sits on his PC all day (I can relate) and makes really good drone music. What a way to exist! The tones and the way in which the transition occurs is rather transcendent.

>> Bandcamp <<

10-3-2015

Setlist:
1. Ramleh - FagEnders
2. Big Black - Kerosene
3. Residents - Explosion
4. Minutemen - Paranoid Chant
5. Negativland - Time Zones
6. Brainbombs - Wash In Blood
7. Russell Hoke - Haunted Brain
8. Will To Live - Will To Live

Ramleh - "FagEnders"

Off the "Homeless" CD, released Freek Records on in 1994.

Previously featured on 7/31/2015, 8/30/2015, and 9/7/2015.
In case you couldn't tell, I'm a pretty big Ramleh fan - but the main reason they've been featured on here at length is due to the ground they cover - the early Power Electronics period that spanned over the early 1980's, the Drone / Death Industrial era of the late 1980's, the crazed percussionless noise psych era of the early 1990's, and the structured, highly produced Oddball Rock era of the mid to late 1990's, which is what we see here. After 1997 Ramleh would go on a hiatus, only to reunite sometime in the mid 2000's, playing both Industrial and Rock shows on a schizophrenic schedule.
"FagEnders," (which I hope is about finishing a cigarette, and not killing gay people) is a very technical and highly produced track (produced by Ian McKay, and not the one from Minor Threat) with mixing guitars, percussion and bass, and Gary Mundy even gets a few yells in! Good job Gar-Bear, we're proud of you.

Big Black - "Kerosene"

Off the "Atomizer" LP released on Homestead Records, Touch an Go Records and Blast First in 1986.
I'm sure most of you are familiar with Big Black - some of you have heard the name, but hopefully most of you have listened to the albums. And, if you happen to like their LP Atomizer, then I got good news - its finally got reissued! Woo!
This amazing noise rock LP used to be quite rare, but now everyone (all 8 billion of y'all) can have a copy.

>> Buy here, here, or maybe even here. <<

Residents - "Lighting"

Off the "Santa Dog" EP released on Ralph Records in 1972.

Previously featured on 9/22/2015.
Strange percussion, strange progressions, strange rhythms, and that pretty awesome sample. "When everyone lives in the future... the present is Au revoir."
The Residents debut EP Santa Dog is legendary, pressed in limited quantities and sent to people like Frank Zappa and Richard Nixon, the EP was disguised as an insurance card, (which were much more prominent in the 70's.) fooling whoever got it. The Residents are infamous for their deceptive / satirical aesthetics, but this is a whole new level. The Residents would later record these songs in 1978 and sometime in the 90's, but they don't touch this level of transcendence - trust me.

Minutemen - "Paranoid Chant"

Off the "Paranoid Time" EP released on SST Records in 1980.
Like many other acts on SST, the Minutemen were more than happy to mock the Red Scare, as witnessed by the lyrics detailing a man to scared to live, his anxieties and fears amplified by corporate news and American Culture. Although everyone can look back and laugh at the level of anxiety and fear during these times, (unless your buddy stepped on a mine back in 'Nam) this must've been some touching and thought provoking lyricism back in 1980. But, everything gets dated eventually. Even the ever-fabulous D. Boon - who is forever singing the paranoid chant in the Rock 'n' Roll afterlife.

Negativland - "Time Zones"

Off the "Escape From Noise" LP released on SST Records in 1987.

To continue with the theme of the Red Scare, here is a more atmospheric tune by Negativland. A sound collage intro with a main-section that has an ominous instrument section with a chopped and screwed sample of a Conservative Radio Show segment. The song perfectly illustrates the bleak mood of the Cold War, that even young whipper-snappers like myself can understand. In a somewhat disturbing coincidence, the day I bought this was the day before Don Joyce (a member of this ensemble) passed away.

Brainbombs - "Wash In Blood"

Off the "Genius And Brutality - Taste And Power" LP released on Blackjack Records in 1994.
I feel as if I'm above featuring Brainbombs on here, but I just had to do it and throw them on here. A prolific (well, somewhat) Noise Rock group from Hudiksvall, Sweden (population 15,015) that aimed to be the "Whitehouse of Rock," and I think they achieved it; although I'd say Rusted Shut beat em by a hair. 
Without any melodic tendencies, serious ideas or contributions to society, Brainbombs have been equally praised and trashed. Why? Well, because this music is fucking dumb, that's why. But it's also pretty damn great - its a raw explosion of energy that keeps on going, whether you care or not. I respect that.

Russell Hoke - "Way Down In The Valley"

Off the "Haunted Brain" LP released on Unheard-Of-Records in 2014.

Thanks to Sam for the recommendation and Carl for the record! You guys are gnarly.
Russell Hoke is like alot of white Folk guys - he's been doing it his whole life, but now that he's (probably) having a mid-life crisis he's having these recordings released (whether they're new or old we may never know) so he can gain some form of audience and praise. And I'll give him that.
This record is pretty awesome - sounds like if the Godz got their shit together. Weird vocals, recording and instrumental arrangements that differ through out the album, and some weird Nick Blinko-esque cover. Actually, it looks to realistic to be Nick Blinko. And, since the cover itself is by Hoke, I guess we better thank him for that.
The only criticism I can muster his some of the lyrics, on songs like say, "Black and Blues," Hoke tries to create a philosophy of anti-industrialization, openly criticizing modern lifestyle and speaking for his preference of more tribal lifestyles, more specifically the Native Americans. He's singing, and he's got me interested, but out of nowhere, the line "A loin cloth on my ding" comes straight outta leftfield. Not really too bad, but Hoke sways between jokes and actual sentiments; and most times he pulls it off, but sometimes it lands on its ass.

Will To Live - "Will To Live"

Off the "Will To Live" EP released on FLESH in 1986.
Experimental Noise Rock Hardcore? Yes! This 6 track 12" EP chugs away with it's unique, yet similar style. Is it No Trend or is it Man Is The Bastard? I dunno, dude. It's pretty great though, since this only ran me 7 dollars I guess I can't complain.
The packaging is so DIY it'd make Ian MacKaye's head spin, the front cover and back cover are glued onto a 12" promotional jacket (y'know, these kind) that comes with 3 inserts that have their ideas and main philosophical points written in type-writer, with some odd photos from medical books and history books thrown in. The inserts reference Nietzsche, (he's referenced about 4 or 5 times, and every time his name is spelled wrong.) Stillborn Babies, and other weird shit. A catalog for FLESH is included, as are some Burroughs-esque collages and cut-ups. Cool stuff.