Yep, you folks get another one from Texas this week, this time from the Houston area in the form of the debut single from Weird Party out on Sex & Death Records. Containing former members of Fatal Flying Guilloteens and Sugar Shack, I’ve seen them described as some sort of super group. I don’t know about that, but I sure as shit loved me some Fatal Flying Guilloteens, so knowing that certainly raised my interest some. I think I may have a Sugar Shack album somewhere too, but I honestly can’t remember a whole lot about it, sorry guys. But moving on, Weird Party bring a bit of straight up punk ‘n roll with the two cuts featured here that’s vaguely reminiscent of the earlier FFG material. But all in all this stays within the garagy punk roots that some of these guys have found themselves in and out of in the past. However, the overall vibe on this is more supercilious and one that especially comes through on the b-side “Sarah Palin”, not that I’m opposed to that in any way. Two solid enough tracks to be found, and ones that leave me holding out hope that they can hold it together long enough for an LP. We’ll see.
Weird Party – Honey Slides (stream)
Anyone interested in grabbing this single can currently do so by hitting up the Sex & Death webstore. Enjoy!
Although I really have no confirmation other than what’s already been written in other places, apparently DBCR stands for Drunken Belligerent Confrontational Rock. If that’s the case, I can certainly see why the band decided to go with just the simple DBCR. While the name does a nice job in basically summing up what they in fact sound like, it’s probably best to not really know what those letters stand for. But they no doubt live up to their self appointed description, with the two tracks residing on this single (a 3rd track is included with the digital download). The opener “Let Them Eat Bikes” blasts through with a simple set of rolling riffs that seems focused on decibels just as much as it does its message. On the flip is “Reverse Broken Window Theory”, which slows things down but maintains the same type of approach as the a-side, but without the pacing and immediacy, and doesn’t necessarily ever really get fired up. I would have liked to have seen the track that was included as the extra in the digital download to have been the actual b-side here, as “Minor Thoughts” while being roughly six minutes sort of accomplishes the bad vibe noise-rock feel that was kind of missing from “Reverse Broken Theory”. Despite the indifference toward the b-side, there is plenty that I am digging here and if there is more to come I sure hope to here it.
DBCR – Let Them Eat Bikes (stream)
Those that are looking to pick this up can do so by hitting up the band through their website. Enjoy!
Longtime readers probably recognize deep Snapper by this point. I’m pretty sure most of their albums have ended up on here at some time or another, releasing one I think pretty much every year since around 2006 when they initially formed. For a band as prolific as they are, their hit/miss ratio is fairly impressive. I know having a large enthusiasm for what you’re doing doesn’t always translate into positive results, but I like to think that as busy as these guys remain that truly enjoying making music plays into it some. In fact, on the bands website they already have ideas mapped out for an album following this one.
One of the most rewarding things for a listener I believe is to here a band grow over time. Having listened to practically every one of deep Snapper’s albums, it’s been pretty cool to hear their sound come together over the period of time. On Bipedal Disorder the upward trend continues with a sound that picks up where their previous album Pi on the Side left off, pushing further into a more melodic indie-rock based sound than before. Tracks like “Daughter Retention”, “Monsatano (Sung to the Tune of People’s Republic of Dairy Queen)”, and especially the albums closer “When the Sun Burns Out” all go heavily with this approach. The latter of the three has a bit of a Codeine thing going on, both musically and mood wise, although somewhat sped up. I’m not sure if this is just a natural progression on their part, or if it stems some from having more input with the recent addition of a second guitarist. Either way, the addition gives the band the freedom to be able to branch out some without having to worry about the consequence of being unable to pull off some parts live. That bit of increased confidence is certainly evident here. Overall Bipedal Disorder is more of a balanced effort than its predecessor, combining melody and the characteristically rigid side of the band fairly successfully. I imagine so long as these guys keep pumping out records, I’ll be listening.
Deep Snapper – Monsatano (Sung to the Tune of People’s Republic of Dairy Queen) [MP3]
If anyone out there is looking to pick this up, I recommend hitting the band up on Facebook. Or if you’re in the Denton, TX area it’s currently available at Recycled Books and Mad World Records.
Five song debut here from Houston’s Titan Blood, squeezing them in on this quick 7-inch at 45rpm’s. Although quite brief, the band manages to get across plenty of attitude and certainly aren’t watering it down for anyone either by declaring that “everyone here is fucking annoying” or simply with song titles like “Too Much Talk” or “Can’t Stand You”. Quite simply, I don’t think these guys are looking to be social butterflies. However, that approach spawns some pretty solid garage-punk that despite its bad vibes carries a very 50’s/60’s rock n’ roll and soulful type of swagger to it, even opting for a piano on a number of the tracks here. The vocals however remain overly snotty that defies that image some and instead reminds more so of early UK punk. The combo works though and really shines on a track like “I’m a Goon” that vaguely reminds some of The Stooges. Definitely like what this caustic bunch is doing.
Titan Blood – I’m a Goon (stream)
Anyone interested in grabbing this can do so by hitting up the TB Collective online store. Definitely worth it if you dig what you hear above.
Got this 7-incher in the mail awhile back along with a note basically stating to do what I please with it, even suggesting that I throw it in the trash if it didn’t float my boat. It raised the question as to whether I would even do that if this single did somehow suck shit and in the end I decided that I probably wouldn’t. Listening to this single didn’t force me to revisit that crossroads and in fact was pretty bowled over after throwing it on to the turntable. Powerblessings come from somewhere in Massachusetts and play a rather straight forward type of punk/post-hardcore that does much in the way of rockin’. The band reminds me a bit of current Pittsburgh group Kim Phuc, but probably more so because of the singers vocals than anything else. I certainly dig the guys approach. Rather than continually search for ways to describe this to you, I’ll borrow some from one of my favorite blogs on the internet right now, One Base On an Overthrow, who had the chance to see these guys live awhile back and came out thinking that they sounded much like the old (and greatly under appreciated) Merge band Pipe. And I think that works rather well as a reference point as opposed to anything John Reis related, which seems to be the go to for whatever reason with these guys. Regardless, this is one of the better singles that has made its way to me this year. Good stuff.
For the record, the MP3 below is ripped from the actual single, as I was unaware that it was available for free download. So if you hear some crackle, etc…that’s why.
Powerblessings – Wet Ones [MP3]
Those looking to grab this one can do so by simply hitting up Manhattan Chemical and Electronic or if you wanna give it a test run, it’s also available for free download via Bandcamp. Enjoy!
Having been around for a number of years now, mainly to those within the Boston underground, The In Out have found enough time to emerge once again to release their new LP The Venal Column. It’s been a lengthy period of time since the last release from the band, but it’s to no surprise really considering that the bands mentality has never really been about getting their name out there. At least that’s the way I’ve generally seen it. More or less The In Out is a project that occupies time for its various members and has built a relatively strong reputation/following amongst the Boston scene and that’s probably just fine by them.
With The Venal Column, it’s a rather intriguing blend of the bands notable past post-punk influences (often getting tagged as sounding like The Fall) and the sleazy vibe inducing style of rockabilly. While the two rarely spill into one another, they do a rather successful job as to avoid a bit of disjointed jump between the two from track to track. However, if there is one thing that often carries over for The In Out, it’s a noticeable amount of dance-ability that does well in subtly working in that bit of groove where bands like the magnificent Pylon did so effortlessly. The In Out aren’t necessarily on that level, but they aren’t slacking here either with The Venal Column. It seems to me that I like the albums slower and trashier sounding tracks rather than when they attempt to ramp things up some. I could also see this translating really well live, but alas I doubt I will ever get the opportunity.
The In Out – Do The Poacher (stream)
For those interested in picking this up, then just head over to their Bandcamp where it’s available on vinyl (limited to 200) or digitally. Either way, if you like what you hear then by all means grab this one.
There probably isn’t much to be said about NYC inhabitants Pop. 1280 that I haven’t already thrown on here before. A band that has consistently impressed me with their disgustingly warped brand of synth driven post-punk and one that has soaked in their surroundings to help emit the sort of pollution that they spill. Their latest offering is in the form of this two song single on Blind Prophet Records. Not a whole lot has changed here. While not essential, if you were a fan of bands previous LP The Grid then it probably wouldn’t hurt to get a hold of these tracks. As always, it’s solid. The b-side in particular actually slows things down more so than what I am used to from these guys; getting about as close to the meaty thud of straight up noise-rock that I’ve honestly heard them get. Kind of an interesting take when combined with the eerie hits of synthesizer and the characteristic plodding bass/drums combo. The band apparently has another LP on the horizon come early 2012, so if you don’t get around to listening to this then you have that to look forward to.
Pop. 1280 – Thirteen Steps (stream)
If you’re looking to get a hold of this one, then it’s still available through Blind Prophet and a number of other distro’s. Certainly recommended if you dig the band at all. Enjoy!
Boy this has been a long time coming. It’s been what, five years since Brief Candles put out an album? All the while in between feeding listeners with a two song single that was kind of hard to get a hold of unless you got out to a show. To be honest, after finally getting a chance to hear the two songs on that single I was a bit weary. They left me with some mixed feelings in that neither song struck me right away. That still didn’t sway my excitement for this album, as their previous LP They Live, We Sleep was a fantastic chunk of alternative throwback and wavy guitar tones/melodies that have their influence very heavily rooted in shoegaze. In fact, I think that album is one of the few that I still give spins to here and there out of the plethora of bands trying to make their way through some revivalist movement of the genre. Can I even still call it that? I mean this shit has been going on for awhile now and doesn’t seem to be lessening any. Whether or not that’s true, if it means that a band like Brief Candles can come along every so often then I won’t mind.
Fractured Days is the groups 3rd album and first for Guilt Ridden Pop. It would appear that the band has shied away some from getting as expansive as they did with the previous album. Things are tightened up here, but still feature much of the explosiveness that often capped a number of their tunes. They are quite good at pulling that string, and aren’t afraid to really make you wait for it. It didn’t take long to dispel any doubts that I had after listening to their preceding single for the album. One of the songs from the single, “Sink or Swim”, sits at #3 here on the albums track listing and sounds leaps and bounds better from the version I heard before. Not sure if it’s been re-recorded or not, but it is far more resonant than before and sounds much like what I would have expected from band. As a whole, Fractured Days doesn’t necessarily diverge much from their previous material, but as I mentioned before, they’d hit a winning formula then and really there isn’t much of a reason to mess with something that doesn’t really need it. It’s really a shame that they don’t get more love from those that seek out anything and everything that touches this sort of sound. No matter, this is another solid effort from these folks and one that I imagine will be hanging around the stereo for awhile longer.
Brief Candles – Bitter End (stream)
For those that are interested in grabbing Fractured Days, then it’s available through CD Baby. I know it was available on vinyl at some point, but it looks to have since sold out. If you poke around through, it might be out there somewhere. Enjoy!
I’ve fallen behind some over the past week or so due to a number of things, one being a nasty cold that I somehow picked up during that time. So now I have a backlog of stuff that I want to get up here, which is actually kind of a good thing I suppose. Anyway, I’m basically cold free now and hopefully can be a bit more productive in something other than generating snot at a great rate.
Apologies to Baltimore’s Multicult for having to follow the whole cold/snot rambling. If anyone was grossed out by that, trust me it gets better from here. This here two song single follows a twelve inch that the band put out earlier this year and is still available I believe. If you were to search around and make an assumption based on the very little information you can find about the band, then you’d think they were merely focused on some blunt forceful sounding noise-rock. Granted, the band is in fact a bit noisy, but their music is greatly beat/rhythm driven. Much more than I think they would lead you to believe, it’s almost as if they are selling themselves short. Both sides of this single combine some razor sharp guitar plucking with very strong rhythms that has a bit of a Skin Graft vibe to it, albeit not as damaged or arty. It’s a bit of a meeting between a lot of the noise that’s been heard out of Baltimore lately and the workman/technical side of things of the past Midwest. Really dig this.
Multicult – The Costume (stream)
For those that are interested in picking this one up, it’s available on their Bandcamp. I think they have instructions up there on how to obtain a physical copy of the single. It also comes with a digital download that includes a couple extra tracks. Enjoy!
