The Superior Viaduct label drops the bomb with these first-ever domestic vinyl issues of the legendary Hardcore Devo albums… The label will fill you in with all the vitals here:
"DEVO’s Hardcore documents the group’s beginning as pre-punk outcasts in the fertile Akron, Ohio, underground rock scene. Spawned at the nearby college of Kent State, site of the infamous May 4 Massacre, DEVO formed as a conceptual art project armed with the radical philosophy of de-evolution. Brothers Mothersbaugh (Mark, Bob and Jim) and Brothers Casale (Jerry and Bob) along with drummer Alan Myers soon whipped up an otherworldly brand of “devolved blues” that could hold its own alongside the beatnik groove of 15-60-75 (a.k.a. The Numbers Band) or the primal rock poetry of The Bizarros. Recorded on various four-track machines and in tiny studios, basements and garages between 1974-1977, Hardcore reveals their strikingly clear vision: rock ’n’ roll stripped bare of its collective cool and jerked back into propaganda fit for post-modern man. It’s no surprise that these transmissions would soon catch the eye and ear of Brian Eno, who later produced their landmark 1978 debut album. Noisy synth, strangled guitar chops and a primitive rhythmic thud power the early DEVO sound. Threaded beneath it all are lyrical themes of post-McCarthy paranoia, middle-class ephemera and DEVO’s long-running topic of choice: sex, or lack thereof. Few moments in pop music history can match the grinding, pent-up energy of “Mongoloid” and the spastic bounce and sputter of “Jocko Homo” (two anthems presented in their earlier and superior versions here). Cult favorites like “Mechanical Man” and “Auto-Modown” make Volume 1 essential listening. Superior Viaduct and Booji Boy Records are proud to present DEVO’s Hardcore to a new generation of spuds, lovingly packaged with Moshe Brakha’s stunning cover photography. As David Bowie said in 1977, DEVO is indeed “the band of the future."
!!!! We've long spun our CD versions of these Devo "demos" and to finally get these on wax is an absolute blessing. Akron, OH's favorite sons Devo's 4 track recordings of future hits and mutant pop have all been compiled here on two volumes; here you'll find early workings of their ever evolving genius and tracks that considering some were tracked as early as 1974 are flat out jaw droppers that'll bring a joy to your life that thus far was unknown. Dip into the larval stages of one of the greatest bands to ever grace this puny planet with its unyielding originality. Don't even balk at getting just one as both of these volumes are absolute must owns for any and all record collections. Beyond Recommended. Essential.
The Superior Viaduct label drops the bomb with these first-ever domestic vinyl issues of the legendary Hardcore Devo albums… The label will fill you in with all the vitals here:
"DEVO’s Hardcore documents the group’s beginning as pre-punk outcasts in the fertile Akron, Ohio, underground rock scene. Spawned at the nearby college of Kent State, site of the infamous May 4 Massacre, DEVO formed as a conceptual art project armed with the radical philosophy of de-evolution. Brothers Mothersbaugh (Mark, Bob and Jim) and Brothers Casale (Jerry and Bob) along with drummer Alan Myers soon whipped up an otherworldly brand of “devolved blues” that could hold its own alongside the beatnik groove of 15-60-75 (a.k.a. The Numbers Band) or the primal rock poetry of The Bizarros. Recorded on various four-track machines and in tiny studios, basements and garages between 1974-1977, Hardcore reveals their strikingly clear vision: rock ’n’ roll stripped bare of its collective cool and jerked back into propaganda fit for post-modern man. It’s no surprise that these transmissions would soon catch the eye and ear of Brian Eno, who later produced their landmark 1978 debut album. Noisy synth, strangled guitar chops and a primitive rhythmic thud power the early DEVO sound. Threaded beneath it all are lyrical themes of post-McCarthy paranoia, middle-class ephemera and DEVO’s long-running topic of choice: sex, or lack thereof. Volume 2 digs further into the band’s cranial bunker with the caveman hit “Be Stiff,” the space age surf-blues of “Clockout” and even a demented take on bubblegum pop, “Goo Goo Itch.” This 2xLP set includes four previously unreleased tracks: “Man from the Past,” “Doghouse Doghouse,” “Hubert House” and “Shimmy Shake.” Superior Viaduct and Booji Boy Records are proud to present DEVO’s Hardcore to a new generation of spuds, lovingly packaged with Moshe Brakha’s stunning cover photography. As David Bowie said in 1977, DEVO is indeed “the band of the future."
!!!! We've long spun our CD versions of these Devo "demos" and to finally get these on wax is an absolute blessing. Akron, OH's favorite sons Devo's 4 track recordings of future hits and mutant pop have all been compiled here on two volumes; here you'll find early workings of their ever evolving genius and tracks that considering some were tracked as early as 1974 are flat out jaw droppers that'll bring a joy to your life that thus far was unknown. Dip into the larval stages of one of the greatest bands to ever grace this puny planet with its unyielding originality. Don't even balk at getting just one as both of these volumes are absolute must owns for any and all record collections. Beyond Recommended. Essential.
LIMITED EDITION OF 300 COPIES, NUMBERED
COLOUR SPLATTER DOUBLE VINYL, GATEFOLD SLEEVE.
INCLUDES DOWNLOAD CODE TO REMASTERED VERSION.
COLOUR SPLATTER DOUBLE VINYL, GATEFOLD SLEEVE.
INCLUDES DOWNLOAD CODE TO REMASTERED VERSION.
Homeless Records out of Melbourne continues to up their game with a slew of new and shockingly essential releases for 2013! Bust out that dream journal, 'cuz Homeless has their in-depth analysis of synth/theremin duo The Night Terrors' double LP:
"Melbourne instrumental heavyweights The Night Terrors offer a mind-melting mix of dark synth magic, thunderous dreamscapes and other-worldly electronica. Featuring the haunting theremin melodies of Miles Brown (student of Russian theremin queen Lydia Kavina), vintage horror synths and a powerhouse rhythm section, The Night Terrors have earned a reputation as one of Australia's most unusual and original acts.
Following the release of two stellar EPs The Night Terrors and Lightless through Unstable Ape Records, The Night Terrors' debut full-length album Back To Zero was first released on CD in April 2009 through Australian label EXO Records. Back To Zero is now reissued for the first time on double 12" vinyl through Homeless Records, remastered by Mikey Young (Total Control, Eddie Current Suppression Ring).
Since the initial release of Back To Zero, The Night Terrors have toured the world with the likes of Hawkwind, Black Mountain, Melt-Banana, Serena Maneesh, and shared the stage with Goblin, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Boris, Bardo Pond, Marc Ribot, Pink Mountaintops, Nick Oliveri, Midnight Juggernauts and HTRK. The band has toured Europe extensively and appeared at international festivals such as VIVID Live (AUS), Polyhymnia (DE), Bracara Extreme Fest (Portugal), Denovali Swingfest (DE), Incubate (NL) and recently composed a 50 minute original piece for the Melbourne Town Hall’s Grand Pipe Organ as part of Melbourne Music Week 2012.
The Night Terrors new full-length album "Spiral Vortex" looms in 2013..."
This band was news to us (their releases never made it to our side of the pond, it seems), but MAN-O-MAN are they the butter for our bread! The description is right on the money - fans of Italo-horror soundtracks by Goblin or Fabio Frizzi (as well as U.S. synth-soundtrack pioneer John Carpenter) will find themselves lured into a drool-induced trance by the band's brooding, instrumental synth-scapes, and while these guys are directly in line with the new-guard of proggy, soundtrack-influenced musicians like (our own) Umberto, Xander Harris and Zombi, there's an experimental nature to the recordings that elevates this beyond the pastiché. Side four in particular cranks up the obtuse oscillations and thermin drones and gives our ears a real avant-analog workout! Don't trip over that box of patch cables! This one is beautifully packaged in a sweet glossy gatefold with 2 LPs of beautiful splattered color vinyl! CRIMINALLY limited to 300 copies and already sold out at the source - if you snooze, you'll most likely lose out on hearing a candidate for reissue of the year! SO GREAT. This one's RECOMMENDED, duuuuuuuuhhhhhhr! Can't wait to hear the new album! MORE PLEEEEZE.
We've got no shortage of Aussie skull-fuckery this week and the BRAND NEW 7-inch from Bits Of Shit is a welcome sight! Add to the fact that it's on the alarmingly consistent Total Punk Records (U.S.A.) and it's a win/win! Grab a wet wipe and prepare yourself for the Bits Of Shit on TP (eh? eh? See what we did there?) Read on:
"Bits of Shit are the toughest gang in town. Four jean vested droogs out for a good time who aren't scared to show some muscle if the situation arises. The club everyone wants to be a part of but no one wants to stand across from. Well the boys really delivers on this one. Two tracks of brain crushing punk. Ferocious, guitar damaged, and completely essential. Mid-era Flag with an unhinged loon as a front man who howls, growls, and sneers his way through both tracks. Equal parts Bonn Scott and Johnny Rotten. I don't know what cave they dragged this guy out of, but they're the better for it because he's got the best voice in the game. The living embodiment of every character Lee Ving played in the early 80's and just the kind of guy you want leading your club. TOTAL PUNK!!!!"
Just a good (maybe better) than their STELLAR full-length album (on Homeless) that cranks up the riffs in a major way! The guitars are relentless on both sides of this bad boy, like a diamond-tipped drill-bit headed straight for our cerebral cortex! If Fear were Australian and fronted by Doc Dart, this might be what it sounded like - fuckin' DANGEROUS. It's about time there was some REAL, palpable switchblade toting danger back in punk - it IS on Total Punk, so I guess we shouldn't be surprised! TOTALLY RECOMMENDED.
LIMITED TO 400 COPIES!
Homeless Records out of Melbourne continues to up their game with a slew of new and shockingly essential releases for 2013! They've done us vinyl-fiends a favor and pressed up the two albums by Melbourne scuzz-rockers The Stabs - their 2006 debut "Dirt" and the 2009 follow-up "Dead-Wood". Both are - to our ears - FUCKING ESSENTIAL. Read on to Homeless' examination of "Dirt":
"This is the limited edition (400 copies only) vinyl pressing of The Stabs 2006 album. Originally released as CD only by Art School Dropout, 'Dirt' sold out extremely quickly. We expect the vinyl release to go quite fast too as there's been a great deal of interest since a vinyl release was first mooted 3-4 years ago.
"The band’s website mentions that they are “in the tradition of bloody Australian swamp/noise bands like Lubricated Goat and Phlegm”. I’d add approving agreement to that, and add Venom P Stinger to the list too, along with NYC shouters Unsane. I’ve only seen part of a set by these guys live- my notes from that night are now lost but the photos do indeed show one of them with plenty of the red stuff running down his face following some sort of onstage guitar-to-forehead incident, so the bloody description is accurate, as is the noise. Unfortunately though they don’t seem to play live very often.
Regardless of the fairly short running time, with eight tracks clocking in at just over thirty minutes, they cover a lot of ground here on their first LP, from intense and urgent to slow and painful, with lashings of feedback and distortion to boot. Guitars are either shrieking and hitting the red at the front of the mix or muted under the huge drums and thick bass. The rhythms of these songs veer and shake, and “steady tempo” feels like an outdated concept. That short running time is really the only drawback with this– it just may not be quite enough material to get a proper grip on the Stabs
Deciphering the lyrics is fairly hard going- as I said earlier, there aren’t a lot of clues given here and they are often hard to hear under the (deliberately sludgy?) production. One common thread that can be gleaned is a sense of violence and creepiness, that’s more “Last House On the Left” than “Nightmare On Elm Street”, if you’re a cinema buff, more “The Collector” than “American Psycho”, if you’re a reader. “Never Going Home” seems to be set in a dark basement where serious games are played out- “I got your number/You’re lying on the floor/You take your last breath/While I go get the saw...”- though putting that down in black and white takes away the um, charm of the line as it is sung. This kind of attitude can easily veer into bad cliché, but trust me when I say that some of these tunes hold more menace in four or five minutes that suckers like Slipknot or Korn manage to distill into a whole LP.
It may not be as easy as it should be to find a copy of this- though I suspect that may be somewhat deliberate on the Stabs’ part- but it’s well worth seeking out. If you want something to relax to by candlelight while smoking opium and drinking white wine in your recently scrubbed and now sadly empty dungeon, this is it. - TJ Honeysuckle, 4 / 5 bottles of beer. (i-94 Bar)"
HOLY HELL. These guys are absolutely as the description implies; "For fans of The Scientists, Rowland S. Howard, Lubricated Goat and Venom P. Stinger" - we'll add feedtime, Birthday Party and even more modern day Aussie skumfuks like Cuntz, Witch Hats and Slug Guts (but these guys are a few years before THOSE bands). Dirgey, dirty, swampy grooves that are heavy on the loping rhythm section with squalling waves of feedback and spidery guitar licks that assault our eardrums in the most sinister way - and yeah... vocals schmocals. Who needs 'em? Do yourselves a favor and cop this quick - FUCK this rules! Limited to 400 copies, so don't wait too long or you may find yourself face down in tha' DIRT. RECOMMENDED x 10000000000000!!!! Damn.
LIMITED TO 400 COPIES!!!
Homeless Records out of Melbourne continues to up their game with a slew of new and shockingly essential releases for 2013! They've done us vinyl-fiends a favor and pressed up the two albums by Melbourne scuzz-rockers The Stabs - their 2006 debut "Dirt" and the 2009 follow-up "Dead-Wood". Both are - to our ears - FUCKING ESSENTIAL. Read on to Homeless' examination of "Dead Wood":
"This is the limited edition (400 copies only) vinyl pressing of The Stabs 2009 album. Originally released as CD only by Spooky Records, 'Dead Wood' sold out extremely quickly. We expect the vinyl release to go quite fast too as there's been a great deal of interest since a vinyl release was first mooted 3-4 years ago.
"As scuzzy as a cocktail party in a swamp that's knee-deep in alligator shit, "Dead Wood" finds The Stabs in major league form. This stuff is as hard to ignore as a dentist's drill and if you try, it's at your own peril.
The formula is seemingly simple: Rolling waves of bass propel most songs forward with dissonant, knife-edged guitar and black-eyed vocals. Brendan Noonan's precise but serrated six-strings don't so much draw blood as tear arteries on a song like the album stand-out, "No Hoper". Send royalty cheques to a squat on Desolation Row. As critics fall over themselves to anoint The Stabs as bastard successors to the Scientists and the Birthday Party, the band shrugs off comparisons and gets on with the job. There are elements of both those exalted acts in their sound ("The Hated One" especially recalls the Birthday Party) but it's clear that The Stabs have quickly carved their own place.
Although "No Hoper" is a favourite, "Split Lips" and the fuzz-bass careering "Family Trust" rank not far behind. They're recognisable as songs. "Blues in F#" is simply a pummelling. The appropriately maudlin "Funeral Waltz" saves its most venomous moments for the outro, applying a good minute's worth of white noise like vinegar on an open cut. Bassist Mark Nelson might be the unsung star. As well as his constant and consummate work on bass around which many of the songs revolve, he shifts to piano and vocals on the searing "Cabin Fever", adding fingernails-on-a-chalkboard guitar. Loki Lockwood added his usual deft production ear. The sound is crystalline yet beefy in the bottom end. In striving for dynamism, the middle-range hasn't been lost.
The Stabs have attracted attention from the likes of Mick Harvey (who put them on the inaugural All Tomorrows Parties Australian bill) and they've already toured Asia and the USA. Envelop yourself in their noise. It's cleansing. - The Barman, 4 1/2 out of 5 bottles of beer (i-94 Bar)"
Three years in between albums doesn't really matter to these guys who very nearly pick up right where "Dirt" left off! The songs are a bit catchier and the chaos is a bit more "controlled" (we use quotations, 'cuz this shit is still pretty dank), but the swampy, dirge still reigns supreme in the grooves of "Dead Wood". HEAVY Scientists vibe on this one in particular - one can hear the grand tradition of Aussie skullduggery wafting up - hell we even hear a bit of the 'angular', slasher riffage of Unwound or Unsane carving thru the din. If you're thinking of picking up either one of these records, just stop kidding yourself and grab 'em both, 'cuz chances are you won't see these again! Limited to 400 copies doesn't bode well for a restock! This one comes with our highest RECOMMENDATION, dudes.... GET IT.
So while we're waiting for the next Royal Headache LP and the debut Raw Prawn album, Australia's latest super group of sorts, Camperdown And Out, is here to the rescue with their new LP "Couldn't Be Better" out on Pop Frenzy:
"Formed out of necessity and a mutual appreciation of legendary acts spat out of 80s Australia/New Zealand, Camperdown and Out (featuring members of Royal Headache, Raw Prawn, Dead Farmers and Marf Loth) take their name from the inner-western suburb of Sydney, combined with a few tales of woe and redemption. The 4-piece have set out to salute their heroes in the Go-Betweens, Ed Kuepper, Paul Kelly, The Clean, along with the obvious slaps on the back to internationals such as Lou Reed and sunshine British wino Kevin Ayers."
"Couldn't Be Better" is gonna make some year end lists for sure. Its mash up of melodic Flying Nun love with stripped down rock n roll a la Modern Loves, Soft Boys and Television Personalities definitely hits our sweet spot. If you're a fanatic of all things Aussie like us, and especially if you've fallen into the grooves of a Woolen Kits, Dick Diver, Twerps, Boomgates, Living Eyes, Bitch Prefect and/or Royal Headache record, Camperdowm and Out is gonna be your new favorite band. We all agree that this record "Couldn't Be Better" and neither has it strayed far from our turntable. Get ready to start humming along. SUPER RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!
La Vida Es Un Mus Records lays out the glories behind this brain busting punk scorcher:
"Barcelona's UNA BÈSTIA INCONTROLABLE came out of nowhere a few months ago. Within a few weeks of their existence they had recorded a promising demo of experimental noisy hardcore, played a few shows in UK and Spain and started working on their debut album. Barely 6 months later they give birth to "Observant Com el Món es destrueix". A 9 track LP integrally sang in Catalan and with a psychedelic approach to their previous bands sound (GLAM/ ATENTADO/ DESTINO FINAL / INVASION/ CROSTA amongst others). Their primative anthems of nature seeking dreams are distorted, repetitive and heavy at times. With their boots firmly stuck in hardcore based while keeping the overall sound free of any boundaries and styles. The artwork by guitarrist Guillem el Muro reflects the spirit of the album perfectly. An explosion of hardcore between day dreaming of peace and nightmares of reality."
This Barcelona band takes their Hardcore template and expands it into new and exciting realms of psychedelic tinged punk. With hints of the Amebix, some throaty GISM style vocals, searing guitar noise and a lurching AmRep-y rhythm section Una Bestia Incontrolable blast out enraged molten punk rock that is both modern and timeless. This group has an utterly original spin on hard edged punk rock fury with subtle twists and artistic strokes hidden around every turn. They take all the fury and frustration of hardcore, strip it of all the BS machismo and infuse it with earnest, soul bearing conviction. Don't miss out on this one, we've been spinning this thing endlessly trying to wrap our heads around the simply marvelous noise stampeding out these grooves. Ridiculously Recommended.
Scavenger Of Death Records has compiled the must have document of all things punk and hardcore in Atlanta, entitled "Land Of Nod":
"This record is the feather in our cap, our raison d'etre, and it finally happened. This record is a snapshot of the recent vintage of Atlanta punk bands. About half of the record was recorded (sorta) Process of Elimination style -- A bunch of rockers getting drunk and barbecuing in Clay Kilbourne's backyard as the bands took turns recording in his basement. Anyways, the bands: GG King, Cops, Bukkake Boys, Gentleman Jesse, Vincas, Shaved Christ, Predator, GHB, Acid Freaks, Manic, Ralph, Wymyns Prysyn, Gods Balls. 19 tracks total. It comes with a newsprint booklet featuring band info/artwork/etc."
It's an exciting day at the shop whenever a new Scavenger Of Death release arrives, and "Land Of Nod" is for sure no exception. With loud, fast, feedback caked new jams from shop faves Wymyns Prysyn, GG King, Cops, Gentleman Jesse and VINCAS as well as a slew of relatively up-and-coming Atanta hardcore and punk bands to introduce yourself to, "Land Of Nod" is not only HIGHLY RECOMMENDED but cheaper than a flight down south. Or just like having a house show anytime you drop the needle on this record. Keep your ears peeled, cuz there's some killer sounds coming outta Atlanta in these days to come.
LIMITED RED WAX EDTION OF 100!!!!!!!
Obnox continues his sonic reign of terror with "Corrupt Free Enterprise", a double LP wallop out via 12XU Records:
"BIM THOMAS is a lucky bastard. Upon settling in Columbus-by-God-Ohio in the early '90s, he found himself neck-deep in a killer music scene, and soon ended up as the Ringo for the legendary blues-punk power duo THE BASSHOLES (ask the Black Keys who their influences were and that name will spring up, that's a promise). Drifting northward to Cleveland as the sun rose on the 21st Century, Thomas landed in the drum throne for spastic post-punk upstarts THIS MOMENT IN BLACK HISTORY, who even after ten years and a membership diaspora STILL rule the CLEpunk roost, while simultaneously keeping the pulse for other revered CLE outfits like THE DEATHERS and PUFFY AREOLAS. But now, with midlife on the horizon, when most ragers at least start to slow down if not skid to a halt, Thomas is revealing previously unseen musical gifts that far transcend the metronome. With his band OBNOX, of which he is the sole member (with heavy friends when he's feeling like some company), Thomas has shown himself to be a songwriter of astonishing depth, injecting punk with the soul and balladry it too often lacks. Having become a stay-at-home dad, Thomas began messing around with a guitar, teaching himself how to play and write songs, and damn, he really TOOK to it. 2011 debut, I'm Bleeding Now, was one of that year's finest albums, and sold out so quickly a reissue was necessary only a year later. His new release, the double-LP Corrupt Free Enterprise, is his 8th in only three years, and his strongest by miles. Featuring 17 scuzz-fi splatter gospel anthems-12 originals and 5 covers, including Tom Waits' theme from The Wire-that run the gamut from nasty punk flameouts to ardent slow-burners, CFE spans four sides, each of which plays as an E.P. in its own right. Thomas has never shied away from bold statements, but CFE is his boldest and most ambitious yet."-Ron Kretsch. Packaged in gatefold sleeves with download."
AMEN!!!!!! Lamont "Bim" Thomas is gonna save rock n roll even if it kills him and on his latest, "Corrupt Free Enterprise" he pulls out all the stops! It's full of the blown out, soul scorching rock n roll jams we've come to expect from the former Basshole and current Puffy Areolas drummer/noise monger/guitar-strangler extraordinaire. Picking right up where he left off on his "Canabible, Ohio", "Smoke Woody Haze" and "A Ragin' In The Sun" EPs, as well as his Permanent Records LP "Rojo", Obnox has concocted his no-fi punk blasted opus, refracting all of pop history into his own unique demented in-the-red, fuzzed up way--from garage to gospel, and from hiphop to R&B, topped off with some badass covers!!!!
There's probably not much need for convincing you to grab this one, but even if you've never dove head first into an Obnox LP, this one is surely the perfect introduction.
MOTHER FUCKING RECOMMENDED!!!!!!
LIMITED GOLD WAX EDITION OF 100 !!!!
12XU Records is back with another wild rock n roll ride, this time from Austin all star band, Gospel Truth and their debut LP "A Lonely Man Does Foolish Things":
Gold Wax Limited Edition - "Austin's THE GOSPEL TRUTH have been knocking around since 2007, but it's only been in the past two years that vocalist/saxophonist/keyboard player MARK TONUCCI's quartet have really caught fire. All-malicious-intent in a way that runs contrary to this city's party vibe, they've emerged as one of the town's top live bands in the process. Not only is it hard to come up with a regional precedent for The Gospel Truth, it's almost as tough to ID an album as out of time as A Lonely Man Does Foolish Things. The Flesh Eaters' A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die, the Toiling Midgets' Sea Of Unrest or maybe The Black Snakes' Crawl come to mind, but that trio stuck out like sore cocks in their respective eras, too. In this case, you've got a purposeful, unusually deft ensemble fronted by a singer who comes out of his shell in the best possible way when you put a microphone in his hands. Featuring an all-star squad of Austin rockers (PATRICK TRAVIS of THE GOLDEN BOYS and SSSERPENTSSS, JEREMY STEEN of THE FLESH LIGHTS and NAZI GOLD, ex-WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH drummer BRANDON BENNETT CROWE), The Gospel Truth are on tour shortly after this album's June release."
Man-oh-man the Austin scene never ceases to amaze us here at the shop, and Gospel Truth is yet another MUST HEAR band from an already hyper creative town way over crowded with killer bands. "A Lonely Man Does Foolish Things" touches on the influences of their associated bands the Flesh Lights, Golden Boys and Ssserpentsss, but wanders deeper into swampy dark garage rock territory--think Gun Club, Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds, the Deadly Snakes, 68 Comeback and/or Fireworks-- as well as taking some sinister post punk cues from Birthday Party, Chrome Cranks and the Scientists. YES!!!! Right up our alley, and most likely yours too!!!! Gospel Truth rockets through a set blown out burn yer garage down tunes that'll for sure have you guessing at their favorite records, while sounding all its own. So let's just say "A Lonely Man Does Foolish Things" is WILDLY RECOMMENDED.
Who woulda thunk it? Of all the Nineties acts reforming lately, Man Or Astroman? would have been low on our list of likely re-launches, but DAAAAAAMN are we stoked to see these guys back in action! Longtime fan Henry Owings released this one on his label, Chunklet Industries - the man's got good taste (and the wit to match it), so let's pass the mic:
"Man or Astro-Man? have returned to earth for the human masses and after years of hibernation they are now unveiling their finest recorded work to date. It has been nearly 12 years since the band last released their intergalactic sonic wave forms, and the new album, Defcon 5...4...3...2...1 is here now with a striking validity that the band is unquestionably as both tuneful and energetic as they ever have been. The record combines ever-familiar Astro audio tones and the well-established playing ferocity that MOAM? are known for, but yet now, there is an undeniably evolution to the band that is both intuitive, logical and well crafted. Defcon is here and is here with imminent purpose."
NINE albums in and these guys are still just as thrilling as the first time we dropped the needle on their debut back in '93! "Defcon 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..." separates itself from your usual MoAM release by augmenting the usual Dick Dale-cum-Joe Meek-soaked instrumental surf workouts with some more rockin' tunes that feature (gasp) VOCALS courtesy of guitarist Star Crunch! There's a more sinister vibe throughout the album that owes a real debt to MoAM's former label mates on Touch and Go, Six Finger Satellite - the tracks (featuring vocals) TOTALLY reek of their paranoid, dystopian, circuit-fried shivers and this time around the surfy instros (what few there are) are seemingly treated as accents to the dark, sci-fi patina covering the mood of the entire album. A surprising turn from this ever-challenging veteran outfit! Killer packaging and design courtesy of Henry Owings hisself - do we need to say this is recommended? Fine. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... RECOMMENDED!
The Bedroom Suck Records folks have released yet another stunner with their latest "Heavy Flow" from Absolute Boys. Get the label's say-so here:
"Absolute Boys are a dub band without the excess. Their focus is on quivering low-end, textural guitars, stripped percussion and drenched vocals, all moving in and out of focus beneath their signature, hazy outer.
Although ABZ have been hibernating of late in order to finish their sprawling, lush, debut album; the appearance of sporadic bedroom demos on the net and opportune live performances with the likes of My Disco, Xui Xui and during Melbourne Music Week have maintained a high buzz around these three Melbourne-via-Sydney boys."
"Heavy Flow" brings the blissed out sonics of hypnotic tribal beats, swirling reverbed washes of sound and heart rending vocal harmonies. All these elements combine to create a floaty cloud drift vibe that carries the listener on a pillow of euphoria. Absolute Boys gauzy tunes are perfect for summer nights of chillzone heavy hanging. Recommended.
The Light In The Attic gents continue with their reissue movement all things essential and this debut full length by P.I.L. is nothing short of a must own. Get the full details here:
"First Issue has been lovingly reproduced from the original UK 1978 release and this expanded reissue also comes with a clutch of post-punk era treasures. The CD edition is an expanded, two-disc set with an almost hour-long (unedited) October 1978 BBC audio interview with JOHN LYDON, plus rare B-side “The Cowboy Song” from the period, and two stickers. The LP release includes an archive replica fold-out poster, archive replica tabloid adverts, a set of stickers, and download card for the album, the archival BBC interview, and “The Cowboy Song.” All of which were approved and coordinated with John Lydon and his personal management."
"First Issue" is just the beginning of the post-punk lunacy that P.I.L. would inflict upon unsuspecting listeners over the course of many years. This deluxe reissue from the lovely folks at Light In The Attic Records is the first time this has been officially released in the US on vinyl. Get in on the ground floor of this legendary UK post punk act that would soon spawn a thousand imitators. Supremely Recommended.
Chicago music blog Why Pick On Me? is getting in the tape business, and they've compiled quite the rambunctious mix of garage, punk, pysch and rock n roll for their first release. Why Pick On Me? Mixtape Vol 1. contains tracks from Son Of A Gun, Laughing Leaves, Hellshovel, Real Numbers, Today's Hits, Cum Stain, Heavy TImes, Lazy, The Migs, El Sur And Uh Bones. All killer, no filler as the saying goes. Limited to 100 hand-numbered copies. Make yer boombox happy. SUPER RECOMMENDED!!!!
