11-27-2015

Setlist:
1. Zone Demersale - Il Fuori
2. 71 | 100 | 77 - 151012 - 000 - Fragile Drones
3. Paskal - Untitled 12-15
4. Troy Schafer - A
5. Family Underground - Feather Of The Sun
6. Rotten Youth - Does Suicide Hurts
7. Panabrite - Moongate

Zone Demersale - "Il Fuori"

Off the "Motore Primo" LP, released on Boring Machines in 2015.

Made up of Michele Ferretti (Nublium) and Pietro Riparbelli, (20 Buck Spin) the Italian duo have been collaborating under the name 'Zone Dermersale' since about last year. According to the duo themselves, all music is made by vintage hardware, using old radio receivers, 'Jen' brand synths, multi-tapedeck sample boards and old loopers. Very minimal, Zone Demersale's music has an aesthetic, sonic and philosophical aim towards "minimalism, transcendental spiritualism, and cosmic music," as they put it. The records packaging is pleasingly minimal, about 90% of the back being just a gray background. And at the end of the day, the Demersale excel at one thing: minimalism. 

71 | 100 | 77 - "151012 - 000 - Fragile Drones"

Released on the groups Soundcloud in 2015.
Fragile is quite a fitting name for this song, and at large, for many of 77's releases. Sounding like its a million miles away, 77's drones reflect imagery of Arctic snow storms, baron deserts and the middle of the ocean. In opposition to 77's soundcloud contemporaries that pride themselves on how harsh and dark the content is, 71 | 100 | 77 aims for the same feelings in a different way; lonely metropolitan streets and empty metro trains reaching their stop is the mental image, and it's as fragile as a feather.

>> Soundcloud <<

Paskal - "Untitled," Pts. 12-15

Released on the groups soundcloud in 2014.
4 tracks seamlessly interlocked into one drone, Paskal's "Untitled," series spans a ways, (as is the norm for this aesthetic and style) but Untitled Pts 12-15 take the same beat and put minimal sound-scapes over it, keeping the sound droning, familiar, flowing and somehow, captivating. After standing up from listening to this, you may feel like you're floating a few inches above the ground. Spectacular stuff.

>> Soundcloud <<

Troy Schafer - "A" 

Off the "Untitled, No. 1" 7", released on Signal Dreams in 2014.

Troy Schafer has been make the rounds of the Noise world as a solo artist since 2009 or 2010, using self-made set ups and production techniques to exhibit his unique sound. With his Untitled 7" from last year, Schafer has devised a complex system of mixers, machines and the like in order to help in produce his desired Violin sound. When spinning this for the first time, the composition and flow reminded me of Peter Brotzmann or AMM, reaching peaks of shrill sounds and calm down periods, and doing so in an unpredictable way. 
And make sure to catch Troy Schafer's upcoming release, coming out on Round Bale Recordings in the coming months.

Family Underground - "Feather Of The Sun"

Off the "Smittekilde #9" Compilation LP released on Smittekilde Records in 2005.
Previously featured on 8-15-2015.
European drone extraordinaires Family Underground have been at it for over a decade, and show little sign of giving up. The Danish trio have been one of the most consistent acts in Mid-European noise and experimental, releasing multiple albums a year since 2003 and appearing on some of the best drone V/A comps in recent memory. "Feather Of The Sun" is the second song on the D-side, and although many double albums have lackluster D-sides, the Family Underground really bring it here. More short-winded then most of their works, (I own 2 albums by them, 'Riven' which has 2 twenty minute drones and 'Familiar Places,' with 4 ten minute drones) the 4 minute 36 second song seems oddly short for them, especially in 2005. FU were a strict drone group until the past couple years, seeing them move into 4 to 7 minute songs; although this song shows that they have been capable of doing such for decade. Definitely a band that needs to be heard, their signature ominous whirring sound sculptures and disregard for listen-ability.

Rotten Youth (aka Non-Human) - "Does Suicide Hurts"

Released on the groups soundcloud in 2015.
A 12 minute power-drone with some 9/11 operator calls, (or at least that's what it sounds like) Rotten Youth takes the volume level of Whitehouse, the tape collages of Sotos, the rhythmic punch of Esplendor Geometrico and mixes it into noisy drones touching on the dark corners of 1st world society. A weird trend that can be analyzed is that Rotten Youth love to start a song with a rhythm, and within a few seconds cut to a period of silence; before the song actually starts. Don't know what that's about, but it works.

>> Soundcloud <<

Panabrite - "Moongate"

Off the "Illumination" tape released on SicSic in 2011.
An alias for Norm Chambers, the Seattle act constructs ambient synth-scapes, using progression and minimalism to hit a point of transcendence. Like Schafer, Panabrite has been making music out of self-made arrangements since about 2010, and has turned the heads of tape-based Record labels; and it's not hard to see why. 

11-22-2015

Setlist:
1. Art Guy - Where You Wanna Go
2. Children's Hour - Slaughterhouse 
3. Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft - Muskel Kraft 
4. Dawn Of Humans - Horse Blind
5. Occult - Slaughterhouse
6. Treatment - Watched
7. Alberich - Infrared Commando
8. Stephen Cornford - Pinched Tapes #1

 Art Guy - "Where You Wanna Go"

Off the "Teenage Millionaire" single released on Valiant Records in 1966.
Not-too-experimental Garage Rock from 1966, Art Guy is a group with no names attached. Only releasing one 7" in 1966 (which was marked as being promotional,) we may never know more about the group. Oddly enticing.

Children's Hour - "Slaughterhouse" 
Off the "Flesh" 12" EP released on Flying Nun Records in 1983.
New Zealand's 'Children's Hour' took the aestheticism of Death Rock and merged it with the budding genres of No Wave and Noise Rock. The result is a disorientating, atmospheric and confusing mixture of sound from 4 very strange men.

Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft - "Muskel Kraft"
Off the "Live Weisbaden Wartburg 18.6.1981" tape.

Cult band DAF, from Germany, have seen many bootleg tapes through the years but the "Live Weisbaden Wartburg" tape has to be the best.

Dawn Of Humans - "Horse Blind"

Off the "Slurping At The Cosmos Spine" released on Toxic State in 2015.
Quirky modern art punk a la Lumpy And The Dumpers or the Minneapolis Uranium Club Band. Fun while it lasts.

>> Buy here <<

Occult - "Slaughterhouse"

Recorded in 1985 and released on the "Occult / Agathocles" split on Not Very Nice Records in 2007.

I don't know what to say, really. A 1 minute track off their 1 minute and 30 second demo (the 30 second track being "Bloodthirsty,") Occult is a common band name in the metal world, but this is something far from common. Some weird type of Blackened, Grindy metal featuring a drum, what sounds like a bass and a VERY agitated vocalist is what makes up this recording. In the 30 second masterwork "Bloodthirsty," the vocalist yells "Hail Satan, Hail Satan... I want you to die!" 
Weird to think this recording is 30 years old. If only we knew where these gentlemen ended up.

Treatment - "Watched"

Off "Tape 1," released at an unknown date.
Most easily compared to The Coneheads, (featured on 9-22-2015) Treatment's aesthetic combines skate punk with late 70's art punk and the DIY. The sound is also similar. Playing shows yet remaining oddly distant and reclusive, who knows were treatment will lead us.

Alberich - "Infrared Commando"

Off the  "NATO Uniformen" LP, released on Hospital Productions in 2010.
Combining the flow and rhythm of EBM with the menace of Power Electronics and Death Industrial comes Alberich, a new-comer in the decade ole genre and somehow able to bring a new sound to the table. Minimal Synth beats between booming vocals and stirring mixers provide an outlandish, yet refreshing experience in an often stagnant genre. Alberich's creativity and visionary style have led some to call it "Heavy Electronics."

Stephen Cornford - "Pinched Tapes #1"
Off the "Pinched Tapes #1" tape released independently in 2009.
Merging a string recording by John Cage with a tape of Jack and The Beanstalk, Cornford's tape, limited to 6 copies, combines a weird feeling of nostalgia and loneliness. Something to be expected from Cornford.

11-11-2015

Setlist:
1. Jokers - All Wrong
2. Half Japanese - Girls Like That
3. The Silver - Popper
4. Wheelz Of Steel - Why Me / Thrills
5. Adjéèf The Poet And Friends - Iekk! I'm A ... Freak
7. The Shadow Ring - Basic Everyday Life
8. Z - Violence Action
9. Kaoru Abe - Alto 2

Jokers - "All Wrong"

Off their S/T LP, recorded in 1972, released on Fading Sunshine Records in 2011.

From Tehran, Iran - Jokers were a Heavy Psych trio with tripped out and crazed blues rhythms drowned in reverb and wah, backed by simple yet great bass and drumming. The record crowns them as "Iran's Psychedelic Treasure" - and I'd say they deserve that title.

The record itself is short on names, simply saying that the members are Vaheed, (guitar, vocals) Comran, (bass) and Afshin (drums) - looks like we may have another Silvers-esque manhunt on our hands!

Half Japanese - "Girls Like That"

Off the "1/2 Gentlemen / Not Beasts" album released on Armageddon Records in 1980.
Previously featured on 8/9/2015.
A cult band, Half Japanese have done everything in the book, well, nearly. Their early Noise Rock days in "1/2 Gentlemen / Not Beasts" would largely influence modern Noise Rock. Half Japanese - love 'em!

The Silver - "Popper"

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

Previously featured on 8/20/2015.
After my previous entry on The Silver, I'm afraid I don't have much to add. Weird, outsider and outlandish kiddy noise rock from Finland, ya dig? I know I dig it. Their happy and fun-filled A-Side, "Do You Wanna Dance?" meets a dark contrast in comparison to "Popper," the gloomy and somewhat Throbbing Gristle-esque B-side.

Wheelz Of Steel - "Why Me / Thrills"

Off the "Volume 1" LP released independently in 1983.

No clue what to think about this one - Wheelz Of Steel have a reputation in the deep corners of the internet as being "so horrible it's life changing" and "so mentally depraved it's actually scary." Consisting of 2 brothers from Milwaukee - Richard and Raymond Markowski. Also, both of them are dead - just too add more wood to the depressing fire.

Adjéèf The Poet And Friends - "Iekk! I'm A ... Freak"
Off the "Iekk! I'm A ... Freak" single released on Action Records in 1967.
Odd? Yes! Adjeef The Poet was a pseudonym for Ad Visser, from the Netherlands. His first recorded effort, Visser would later become a Media Personality in the Netherlands, recording educational and childrens albums in the late 80's and early 90's. Strange man! 

The Shadow Ring - "Basic Everyday Life"
Off the "Hold Onto I.D." album released on Siltbreeze Records in 1997.
A batshit mixer and an out of place mixer looms under Graham Lambkins spoken word dialogue. With the mood and atmosphere that lurked on songs such as "Persuasion," (Throbbing Gristle) "Grapefruit," (DNA) and such other classics, most notably "The Gift" (The Velvet Underground).
With a menacing and disassociative feeling, it's not quite hard to see why The Shadow Ring have become a cult band.

Z - "Violence Action"
Off the "Violence Action" Flexi-Disc released on Z Records in 1988.
A barrage of Noise and feedback, Z's output is small - one flexi, one split and one tape. The production seems to be a mishap, what was clearly aimed to be a Crust Punk / Anarchopunk EP came out as a collage of shredding noises. What sounds like a fire alarm harmonizing with a blow dryer, this strange relic of Japanese Punk is not something to be forgotten.

Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - "Veterans Day Poppy"
Off the "Trout Mask Replica" LP released on Straight Records in 1969.
Fitting, isn't it?

Kaoru Abe - "Alto 2"

Off the "Thursday Night / Live 1972.7.13" album, released on PSF Records in 2003.

Kaoru Abe (pronounced like Kaw-Ru Ah-Bay) was a Japanese Alto Saxophonist most known for his solo improvisational pieces. Dying quite young due to what is believed to be drugs, Abe's style was more desperate than Ayler and more endurant than Kirk, if you can believe such a thing. Well known for having 30 minute long pieces, this is a shorter one of his works.

11-5-2015

Setlist:
1. Blank Veins - First And Final Wash
2. White Suns - Clairvoyant
3. Slur - Crybaby
4. 19/Juke - Seated Woman
5. Solid Space - Spectrum Is Green
6. Ursula Bogner - Punkte
7. ##### - #####.2
8. The Smuts - Suicide
9. Reatards - Old News Baby
10. Damien Dubrovnik - The Peacock

Blank Veins - "First And Final Wash"

Off the "First And Final Wash / Bloody Thumb" Single released on UNC Records in 2011.

Previously featured on 9-17-2015.
Blank Veins are slowly becoming a favorite of mine - at least on a contemporary scale - Blank Veins' brand of shit-faced lo-fi jazzy rhythmic noise rock is some of the best around today; I'd never say that they're better than Butthole Surfers or Big Black, but they're much better than Raw Nerve and Total Abuse and slightly above Twin Stumps. According to their blog, their around the corner from releasing a full LP. Keep 'yer eyes peeled!

White Suns - "Clairvoyant" 

Off the "Totem" LP released on Flenser Records in 2014.
Recently catching attention for being reviewed by no other than Anthony Fantano, who gave it an 8/10 and put it in his top 50 of the year. Aggressive and in-your-face, White Suns have obtained a smashing, grating sound with booming drums, scraping guitars and most importantly, a tortured and agitated sound. Kind of like a darker form of Shoegaze (hear me out - ) White Suns have looming and seering guitar-generated noises swoop and muster, creating a certain kind of menace that is hard to come by.

Slur - "Crybaby"

Off the "Real Pain" EP released via Bandcamp in 2015.

First of all, BIG thanks to my friend James for cluing me in on this - great stuff!
Slur are a self-described gothic shoegaze band from Philadelphia. What sounds like a drum machine under 1 or 2 guitars and a bass, Slur's compositional style sits at a cross road of 80's Post Hardcore, Shoegaze, EBM and what they describe as "Devotional." We may never fully know what has gotten these musicians up in an emotional-stir, by they sure as hell ain't happy.

>> Bandcamp <<

19/Juke - "Seated Woman"

Off the Untitled EP released independently in 1981.
The Japanese ensemble of 19/Juke (I've also heard them referred to as Juke/19,) are a group I admittedly know little about. Kind of like a hellish combo of Chrome and Can, 19/Juke are something that needs to be heard to believed. 

Solid Space - "Spectrum is Green"

Off the "Space Museum" tape released on In Phaze Records in 1982.
An odd mesh of Post-Punk, Jangle Pop and Synth Pop (with some Spacey stuff thrown in) Solid Space reflect an utmost feeling of melancholy, sadness and an odd nostalgia for a time that may have never existed. An absolute Cult Classic, Solid Space's one and only album is one for the ages - the space ages.

Ursula Bogner - "Punkte"

Off the "Recordings 1969-1988" LP released on Faitiche Records in 2008.
Continuing on with our spacey theme today, Ursula Bogner is shrouded in mystery. While some say this is the actual music made by the old woman Ursula Bogner (from Koln, Germany) while some say this is a newer artist operating under her name. Most evidence points towards the former, although the latter wouldn't shock me much. If we go with the former as fact, then Bogner's music was recorded from the late 60's to the late 80's on Cassettes and Reel-To-Reel using self-made and rudimentary electronic equipment. Extremely atmospheric and reflective of its own mood, Bogner's music, aesthetic and history is among the most unique in all of music.

##### - "#####.2"

Off the "#####" Single released on "No 'Label'" (clever, ain't they?) Records in 2014.

Some "Outsider House" as the cool kids call it! Made by Aroy Lee, (you may know him as M>O>S) Lee is a Dutch producer and DJ, making dem fresh beats, yo. Sorry, I'm really stupid and I don't know how to review and critique House music, especially if it's weird and artsy.

The Smuts - "Suicide"

Off the "She Got Me Hot" EP released on Certified PR Records in 2001.
Quite the change of pace from #####, The Smuts are some super Lo-Fi garage punk that will rock the house down, as long as your speakers can play something mastered this low. The awkward (yet kind of awesome) production aside, The Smuts only released a couple of singles and EPs during their time as a band, but it's all essential for any Garage Punk band. Enjoy!

Reatards - "Old News Baby"

Off the "Teenage Hate" LP released on Goner Records in 1998.
Requested by my good friend Sam, thanks!

A stone-cold classic of modern Garage Punk, The Reatards first LP (released when they were 18 years old, and having formed when they were 15 or 16) is raucous, loud and doesn't give a damn about you or anyone else. Less is definitely more.

Damien Dubrovnik - "The Peacock"

Off "The Vanity Set" tape released on Jartecknet in 2011.
This guy's weird. Slavic Power Electronics? Hm. I actually know nothing about Damien, his name is clearly Slavic / Russian, yes, but he could live anywhere for all I know. His PE is like alot of modern PE - loud, cruel and ominous. Good vibes, fer sure.