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.
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. <<
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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