Pop Dr(((O)))nes

Sandra Electronics "It Slipped Her Mind" Untitled 10" (Downwards) 2010

DOWNLOAD Episode 47 here (right click link, then Save As)

Wounded Lion "Dagobah System" s/t LP (In The Red) 2010
Rayon Beach "Wave Poll Ether" Memory Teeth EP 12" (Hozac) 2010
Broken Water "Mother" s/t 7" (self released) 2009
Mode Moderne "Real Goths" unreleased mp3, 2010
Thee Oh Sees "Warm Slime" Warm Slime LP (In The Red) 2010
Sex Church "Ghost" 6 Songs LP (Convulsive) 2010
Grand Trine "Catatonic State" Sunglasses EP 12" (Divorce) 2010
Charles Albright "Young Woman" I'm Happy, I'm A Genius 7" (Permanent) 2010
Teenanger "Carole Pop" Give Me Pink LP (Telephone Explosion) 2010
Anals "She's The Man (live)" split w/Shearing Pinx (Isolated Now Waves) 2010
Mongst "Follow The Messenger, Kill The King" De-Colonisation LP (Isolated Now Waves) 2010
Naked On The Vague "Wrong Room" Heaps Of Nothing LP (Siltbreeze) 2010
Moon Duo "Catch As Catch Can" Catch As Catch Can 7" (Permanent) 2010
Magic Lantern "Dark Cicadas" Platoon LP (Not Not Fun) 2010
Peaking Lights "untitled" Space Primitive LP (Fuck It) 2010

DOWNLOAD Episode 48 here (right click link, then Save As)

Apologies for the lack of updates. We're back up to speed and have lots of catching up to do...

First off we have the long awaited 12"er by local faves Sex Church, released on the fledgling Convulsive Records label. 6 Songs By is one moody record that veers from proto-punk shredders (Mistaken, Ghost) to tense, early Velvets-style buildups (The Floor), while lead singer/guitarist Levon (ex-Ladies Night, Master Apes) switches from a Mark E. Smith mumble to outright howling. No fuzz overloads or lo-fi shields, these are talented musicians leaving every note crystal clear on this expertly produced record. 6 Songs is a breath of the fresh stuff after hearing one too many local bands trying to become the next Animal Collective. This should hopefully be hitting the shelves in the next couple weeks, so hit up yr local grocer and demand they carry this.

Vancouver has been ripe with local vinyl releases, and Defektors have just added to the wealth with their debut LP on Nominal. After over two years of existence and two well received seven inches, Defektors finally dish out the long player and make it worth the wait. A few tracks here are re-recorded from those earlier releases and definitely jump out of the speakers with a lot more urgency. In fact, Bottom Of The City screams it, demanding your attention with a non-stop, chugging rhythm section and lead singer Ben Phillips' desperate, from-the-gut vocal style. This one should be just about everywhere by now and it's well worth tracking down.

The same label that us the amazing Tropic Of Cancer record is back with another 10 inch, this time for the long dormant Sandra Electronics project helmed by Karl O'Connor. This time around O'Connor gets a hand from Juan Mendez, who is one half of Tropic Of Cancer and also goes under the name Silent Servant. Much like the Tropic Of Cancer release, Mendez has steered Sandra Electronics into a similar throbbing and rhythmic goth-y trance, complete with echoed vocals and layers of swirling industrial drones and tics. Much like the packaging on the other Downwards releases, this one is on a clear ten inch that's tucked into a thick polyvinyl sleeve with a simple insert as the cover. Excellent eye and ear catching aesthetic from this burgeoning label. Watch out for a a new 10 inch by Dva Damas to be released very soon

One last record to mention this week is the outta-nowhere Whines LP released on the Meds record label, which is run by the cats at the amazing Exiled Records in Portland. Classic three piece rock lineup--vocals, bass, guitars and drums--led by singer/bassist Karianne, Whines definitely bring to mind the recent records by Little Claw and Magik Markers, though the trio's sound is a little rougher around the edges. Hell To Pay flits easily between space-y bedroom tracks and full-on, distortion heavy stompers. This is a sprawling, heavy listen and comes with the highest recommendation. This one may be difficult to track down, but interested parties should get in touch with me for copies.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 46

White Fence "I'll Follow You" s/t LP (Make A Mess) 2010
Pens "Love Rules" s/t 7" (De Stijl) 2010
Huckleberry Friends "Testing" s/t 6.5" lathe cut (Scotch Tapes) 2010
The Bitters "Wild Beast" East General LP (Mexican Summer) 2010
Hanoi Janes "Summer Of Panic" Year Of Panic LP (Captured Tracks) 2010
Twerps "Good Advice" s/t CS (Night People) 2010
The UV Race "I Go Blank" s/t LP (Aarght!) 2010
Deaf Wish "Backwards" Reality and Visions LP (Exo) 2009
Defektors "Bottom of the City" The Bottom of the City LP (Nominal) 2010
Daily Void "Psychic Violence" The Eclipse of 1453 12" (Sacred Bones) 2010
Grand Trine "Radio Frequency" split 7" w/Black Feelings (Blue Skies Turn Black)
Rayon Beach "Memory Teeth" Memory Teeth 12" (Hozac) 2010
Gary War "Hollow Failures" Reality Protest 7" (Sacred Bones) 2010
Blank Dogs "Carry It Well" Leaves CS (Captured Tracks) 2010
Sun Araw "Beat Cop" On Patrol 2LP (Not Not Fun) 2010
Sandra Electronics "New Purpose" It Slipped Her Mind 10" (Downwards) 2010
Nurse "Mountain Sickness" unreleased mp3

Reviews coming later...

In the meantime, get a hold of that White Fence LP. 2010 contender.

DOWNLOAD Episode 46 here (right click link, then Save As)

Monday, April 12, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 45

Not a ton of time for reviews this week, so we're sticking to the essentials...

Two brand new ones this week from Pop Drones faves The Fresh & Onlys. The twelve inch on Captured Tracks is the band in fine pop form, while their one-sided seven inch on the Hell Yes! label is a much darker affair. Not sure why Hell Yes! released a one-sided seven inch for these guys, especially considering the vast amount they've released since their inception. You figure they coulda come up with another track. Kind of expensive once the euro and shipping is involved, so I can only recommend this to the die-hard fan. The F&O's have another seven inch due soon on another small-run European label, Plastic Spoon Records, based out of France. Pre-order that here. Of course, the long awaited LP on In The Red is due soon, as well. Vancouver fans can catch them with King Khan at Venue on April 11th.

Though it's not out for a few weeks, Matt K. Shrugg's new LP on Tic Tac Totally is shaping up to be one of those great summer records that stick with you until the bitter cold of winter arrives. Buncha new tracks dropped on his myspace, so if you've been following this cat's seven inches for the last few years, this full platter full o' amped up garage anthems is gonna hit the right spot.

In case you haven't heard yet, Blank Dogs is making his first appearance in Vancouver this coming Friday. I got a pair of tickets to give away on the show this Wednesday (the 14th), so tune in between 10am-113oam for yr chance. Gonna be a must-see show.

A note for all the Vancouver bands who are still looking to play Music Waste this year. Deadline for entries is April 15th, so get yr shit together and send some basic info here

submissions (at) musicwaste (dot) ca

Still looking for volunteers for this as well. Email the above to help put on Vancouver's best fest.

On to Episode 45...

Ty Segall "Caesar" Caesar 7" (Goner) 2010

The Fresh & Onlys "Garbage Collector" August In My Mind 12" (Captured Tracks) 2010

The Fresh & Onlys "Witchy Woman" s/t one-sided 7" (Hell Yes!) 2010

Matt K. Shrugg "Freak Out" Gone Ashtray LP (Tic Tac Totally) 2010

Crystal Swells "James" unreleased mp3, recorded 2009

Teenager "Louisiana Lounger" Show Me Pink LP (Telephone Explosion) 2010

Unnatural Helpers "Sunshine/Pretty Girls" s/t 7" (Hardly Art) 2010

Blank Dogs "Heat And Depression" Phrases 12" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Black Bug "Inside Out" s/t LP (FDH) 2010

Balaclavas "Roman Holiday" Roman Holiday LP (Dull Knife) 2010

Heather Leigh Murray "untitled" Jailhouse Rock LP (Not Not Fun) 2010 *reissue of Fag Tapes CS from 2007

Sun Araw "The Stakeout" On Patrol 2LP (Not Not Fun) 2010

solars "Flagstaff (live)" Mist CS (Prairie Fire) 2010

Infinite Body "Out To Where I Am" Carve Out The Face Of God LP (PPM) 2010

James Ferraro "F-150..." Last American Hero LP (Olde English Spelling Bee) 2010

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 45 here (right click link, then Save As)

Friday, April 9, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 44

Thanks to the always vigilant ear of DJ Rick over at Art For Spastics, I was recently hipped to another great band from the San Fran area--Baths. Darkly woven psych-garage that's sure to impress some fans of like-minded bands from that scene (think the Fresh and Onlys' somber moments), though they certainly stand tall on their own legs. Sure enough, after Rick urged someone to press these guys to large-format wax, Woodsist has announced they'll be putting out an LP later this year, and Hozac will be releasing a seven inch, too. For now you can grab a self-titled cassette from Wizard Mountain, but I bet we can expect some of these tracks to appear on the forthcoming LP. Also, the band have a seven inch available on the hard-to-track-down Rad Key Records label.

Night People has been busier than ever, releasing over a dozen of cassettes over the last few months, not to mention the outstanding Broken Water LP. The Pheromoans follow up two well received seven inches with a tape of hissy, ramshackle DIY punk songs that sound like they fell off a Messthetics compilation. Definitely not as "polished" as the songs heard on those previous seven inches, but well worth the investigation nonetheless. Keep an ear out for an EP on Sweet Rot, and lathe cut split seven inch with Dan Melchior on Scotch Tapes and their debut LP on Convulsive.

Despite releasing a lot more vinyl than ever before, LA's Not Not Fun still have time for new cassettes, with two new notables by Dylan Ettinger and Edibles. Ettinger, who runs the El Tule label, had an earlier cassingle and seven inch on NNF and half a dozen cassettes on various labels, releases his most cohesive and streamlined effort yet. New Age Outlaws is a slow build of vintage synths that eventually mold into a laidback cruise through cities previously envisioned in William Gibson novels. There have been a long line of releases like this from Ettinger but this is easily his magnum opus and apparently his last statement in this style of futuristic soundtracking.

If Dylan Ettinger is in cruise control in the clouds of a fictional future city, then Edibles (aka Dewey Mahood of Eternal Tapestry and Plankton Wat) is drifting down a hazy, sun-speckled river of content. Crazy-echoed guitars slither around deep bass hits and pitter pattering bongs, evoking a stoned reggae seance far from urban annoyances. Definitely not what you'd expect to hear from the shredding guitarist who's best known for throwing down with heavy psych juggernauts Eternal Tapestry. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Ducktails or the lighter, reggae-tinged side of Sun Araw.

One last cassette to mention here is the recent Gnod release on NNF. Gnod have been slaying the UK with their intense bouts of hammering psych for several years now, meanwhile, they've released a few cassettes (most sold out) on psych-minded labels like Sonic Meditations and Sloow, not to mention a few self-released CDRs. Now Not Not Fun have managed to wrangle them in for two side-long blasts that'll blow yr scalp off by the end of each side. Look out for a 2LP release with White Hills due next month on Rocket Recordings.
This is probably the type of band that really needs to be seen live, so check the youtube clip below for an apporoximation...

Broken Water "Say What's On Your Mind" Whet LP (Night People) 2010

Baths "Sitting In My Room" s/t CS (Wizard Mountain) 2010

Pheromoans "Mock The Week" s/t CS (Night People) 2010

Guinea Worms "Drunk In Yr Uggs" Sorcererers Of Madness (4rd Year In A Row) 2LP (Columbus Discount) 2010

Virus "Nothing" split w/Dots 7" (Depression House) 2009

Lamps "I've Been On A Lot Of Camels" s/t 7" (Dull Knife) 2010

Rot Shit "Local Band Forever" s/t 7" (Columbus Discount) 2010

Nice Face "Garbage Head" Immer Etwas LP (Sacred Bones) 2010

Pink Noise "The Hallow Gods" Birdland LP (Sacred Bones) 2010

LA Vampires "untitled" s/t cassingle (self released) 2010

Tracey Trance "Fountain 1" Fountain CS (Night People) 2010

Terrorbird "We Were Monsters" We Were Monsters CS (Scotch Tapes) 2010

Edibles "Lazers" Super Space/Mind Peace CS (Not Not Fun) 2010

Dylan Ettinger "City Lights, City Streets" New Age Outlaws CS (Not Not Fun) 2010

Robedoor "untitled" Flatliners CS (Jerkwave) 2010

Gnod "Deadbeat Disco In Paper Error Shocker!" Science and Industry CS (Not Not Fun) 2010

Download Episode 44 here (right click link, then Save As)

Friday, April 2, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 43

Tons of great new music this week, including an out-of-nowhere surprise by a new band from Olympia called Broken Water. They had one under-the-radar self-released seven inch to their name, so this new LP on Night People is sure to garner them more attention. The band consists of two ex-members of Sisters and a member from Congratulations, both of which now seem to be defunct. This three piece continue the current trend of late80s/early 90s revivalism, with easy comparisons to Sonic Youth, Unwound, Eric's Trip, and Dinosaur Jr. Much like their forbearers, they manage to flit easily between the grinding noisy end of guitar rock and the woozier, atmospheric side. The comparisons to SY and Dino will probably follow these guys for some time because Jon Hanna's vocals are tapped into the laid back drawl of J. Mascis and the snotty cool of Thurston Moore. I don't really want to spend too much time dissecting the record-- the proof is in the puddin'. This one's a contender for favorite of the year so far. Seek it out asap!

After two years of teasing us with seven inches, NYC's Nice Face finally release their debut LP. Thirteen tracks of noisy and electro-damaged synth punk that's sure to whet the appetite of fans of bands like Feeling Of Love, Amber Alerts, Dead Luke, and Blank Dogs first year, though the singer has a distinct sneering vocal style that helps separate them from the rest of the pack. Immer Etwas, unlike the quick stabs of the seven inches, flip the switch on and off between the alarmist synth punk we've come to know and anthemic fuzzy punk rock that would've fit in well with the late 70s punk heard in NYC. Essential listening for '10.

Italy's Avant! Records caught my attention about a year back with the release of a seven inch by Mexico's Los Llamarada, which, alongside their excellent LP on S-S, received a ton of play at the homestead. Avant! has recently released a brand new from one of Metz's finest, Feeling Of Love, who already had a packed few months with a single on Sweet Rot and an LP on Kill Shaman. This single's A side is "Waiting for the cheerleaders to get drunk" and contains some real creepo lyrics about lurking under bleachers waiting for, well, you get the idea. A hypnotic strum 'n' bleep that is easily the most restrained and cleaned up I've heard the band. On the flip they take some classic Zombies lyrics and give 'em the FOL treatment. Avant! has just recently snatched up another winner from France and released an LP by Cccandy. Look out for the in a future episode...

Excellent new batch from Olde English Spelling Bee, who have been on a bit of hypnagogic roll the last few months. OESB has a keen ear for releasing vinyl for groups that would normally disappear into the cassette underground. In fact, Rangers and Forest Sword both had their start releasing limited cassettes. Rangers traverse the same territory as their previous Not Not Fun tape, which has been dubbed as "mirroball funknagogic pop". Basically it's a much more upbeat version of the cheese-infused soundtracks created by Skaters, Lamborghini Crystal etc.

Forest Swords has two previous cassette releases on Woven Tones and Leftist Nautical Antiques, and Dagger Paths features revamped tracks from both, so if you missed those tapes, now's yr chance. Stuck in the middle of northern England, Forest Swords creates hallucinatory dubscapes by apparently using the coastline as inspiration (interview on that here). Languid guitar lines on repeat alongside dubbed 'n' screwed bass with the occasional vocal sample slipped in, riding somewhere between the warmth of Burial and the shamanic simplicity of Pocahaunted. Highly recommended and limited to 500...

Speaking of Pocahaunted, the band's mainstay, Amanda Brown, has ventured into solo territory with her new L.A. Vampires moniker. Having released a track on the outstanding crimson wave comp My Estrogeneration, and a recent self released cassingle (grab that from the NNF site), L.A. Vampires drop a side of wax, splitting it with the like-minded Psychic Reality. Brown drops some hip-hop inspired Robitussum beats and adds flourishes of horns, flutes, a shit ton of EFX, and then douses every track with layers of her trademark Siren vocals, making for one of the strangest and hardest-to-define releases of the year.

Psychic Reality takes over the flip of this record and manages to outweird L.A. Vampires with her hall of mirrors vocal shrieks and decayed disco and dancehall beats. There's also a middle eastern feel to the whole side, too, making this incredibly hard to pin down, requiring several listens to soak up. Limited release on this one, too...

Zola Jesus "I Can't Stand It" Stridulum EP 12" (Sacred Bones) 2010

Dum Dum Girls "Throw Aggi Off The Bridge" Blissed Out CS (Art Fag) 2010

The Pink Noise "Oh Caroline" Birdland LP (Sacred Bones) 2010

Nice Face "I Want Your Damage" Immer Etwas LP (Sacred Bones) 2010

Feeling Of Love "Respect Exotic Love" s/t 7" (Sweet Rot) 2010

Feeling Of Love "What's Your Name Who's Your Daddy?" s/t 7" (Avant!) 2009

Lamps "Niels Bohr Was An Excellent Ping Pong Player" s/t 7" (Dull Knife) 2010

Rot Shit "Hipster Grandma" s/t 7" (Columbus Discount) 2010

Heavy Chains "Dumbed I, Witch" unreleased mp3, 2010

Broken Water "Memory" Whet LP (Night People) 2010

Dirty Beaches "Coast To Coast" s/t CS (Night People) 2010

Yves/Son/Ace "Bitter Pill" Parade Of Thoughts/Can't Sleep LP (Night People) 2010

Dead Luke "People Are Freaky Then You Die" Cosmic Meltdown CS (Night People) 2010

Teepee "D.R.O.N.E.S." s/t CS (Night People) 2010

Pocahaunted "All Of Is Of" Make It Real LP (Not Not Fun) 2010

LA Vampires "Acid We" split w/Psychic Reality 12" (Not Not Fun) 2010

Psychic Reality "Seela/See" split w/Pocahaunted 12" (Not Not Fun) 2010

Forest Swords "Miarches" Dagger Paths LP (Olde English Spelling Bee) 2010

Rangers "Bear Creek" Suburban Tours LP (Olde English Spelling Bee) 2010

Empress "untitled Side B" s/t 2xCS (Soldier Pumps) 2010

**sorry, having some issues with this week`s podcast. Check back in a few days...

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 43 here (right click link, then Save As)

Passing along some upcoming local shows, including a rare appearance by Mecca Normal at Fake Jazz on the 14th...

SUNDAY APRIL 4th:
BLEEDER, FORCED LAUGHTER, STAMINA MANTIS
ALF HAUS

WED APRIL 7th:
BLEEDER + FUCK NO! tour kickoff show with HARI LEGS and PHONECALLS
THE ASTORIA
5 BUCKS
10PM

FRIDAY APRIL 9th:
STONED EYES, AHNA, NOMAD (Victoria)
PAT'S PUB
7 BUCKS
10PM
(night of doom/sludge/drone - Victoria band NOMAD play FIRST, right at 10:15 SHARP)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 14th:
MECCA NORMAL, TWIN CRYSTALS, AHNA
LICK (Fake Jazz)
5 BUCKS
10PM

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 42

Couple of previews from some upcoming records, including the Dum Dum Girls LP, Woven Bones debut full length on Hozac and Indian Jewelry's 4th LP on We Are Free. First up is the DDG record, which I've had the opportunity to preview over the last month and I definitely foresee that it's bound to elicit some naysaying criticisms from those who were "there first, man". Yup, the sound is definitely cleaned up compared to those early lo-fi tracks that had over eager bloggers wetting themselves (myself included) early in 2009. But, if anything, the songs here are allowed to breath a little with the improved production, proving that Dee Dee doesn't need to hide behind a wall of fuzz to mask any shortcomings. Apparently, Vancouver will get their first opportunity to see the DDG at Venue (worst "new" venue in the city?) with Girls (don't even get me started), but their myspace says they'll be in Europe. Confirmation anyone?

It's still a couple months away, but I'm pretty juiced up for the Woven Bones LP on Hozac. The tinny MP3's I received will never do this record justice. No surprises here for those that've been following their spat of excellent seven inches over the last year, there's just more music to go through. The one exception on the record is album opener Blind Conscience (played in this episode), which is played at a quarter of their typical speed. The rest of the record rips out the gate in their normal white-knuckle, leather jacket cool. The LP is still a ways off, due May 28, but I'll be sure to play a few more tracks leading up to the release date.

After more than ten years and a handful of seven inches and CDRs, Columbus Ohio's Guinea Worms release their debut LP, and they made it well worth the wait with two LPs worth of unreleased material, which was apparently culled from over 12 CDRs worth of music. Of course, when you consider that Sorcererers is drawn from ten years worth of music, you end up with a mixed bag, revealing an almost schizophrenic band. And, like the range in topic and tempo, the genres seamlessly hopped across here flow from stumbling country bar band to overt Fall homage and back to barely-holding it together punk rock. Fans of Country Teasers-style rockinroll revisionism is urged to grab a copy asap (1st press already done but a second is on the way...)

Peaking Lights release their first piece of music since the much-loved Imaginary Falcons LP on Night People, and this time it's in cassette form on the recently re-ignited Fuck It Tapes label. If you were hoping for more of the Cluster/Eno and dub-inflected ambience, then you might be a bit caught off guard by Space Primitives. This one-sided cassette has a bit of everything; amped up and fried junk-boogie that makes their lo-fi LP sound downright professional, and super hissy grooves via beat up drum machine, complete with squealing guitars/FX and dank synth drops. These guys are all over the map on this release and remain impossible to pigeonhole.

Disgustingly limited to 100 copies and sold out within days, so try Fusetron or Scoop it here.

**update** this is to be reissued this year on 12" by Night People, so save your ebay funds for soemthin' else.

For over five years Kyle Bobby Dunn has been quietly releasing some of the best modern ambient music on labels that are, sadly, barely a blip on anyone's radar. This trend should, however, be remedied with this 2CD release on the higher profile Low Point label, collecting two hours worth of material recorded by KBD and co over the last five years. Twelve tracks of subtle and soothing ambience that definitely reminds me of the pre-orchestral days of Stars Of The Lid. Most of the tracks have a slow build, usually beginning with low-flying tones that are soon engulfed by subtle drones and lightly bubbling electronics. Perhaps my favorite piece from the entire set is a solo piano track that nears the end of the second disc, which is a heartbreaking work of melancholy. Fans of ambient music are highly recommended to seek this out.

Though there is no physical release as of yet, Vancouver's Heavy Chains (pictured at the top of the post) sent some MP3s my way of some recent recordings. The band features Andrea of Nu Sensae, Brody of Mutators and Anne Marie of White Lung, so you know they're probably coming up with something brutish. And brutish we get. The few songs I've heard so far are an intense mix of Brainbombs-style grooves and slashy metal/punk guitars, all topped off with what sounds like distant vocals run through half a dozen pedals, or are those just some noise generators? Well, you can find out for yourself out on the first night of the Fake Jazz Fest, March 24th at Lick. Speaking of that...

In case you haven't heard yet, Fake Jazz is having its first ever festival starting this Wednesday and heading through right to Sunday. Local favorites THE RITA (performing his Snorkel piece while submerged in a wading pool), Aerosol Constellations, V. Vecker (debuting a Branca-esque guitar symphony!), Josh Rose (aka Sick Buildings), Magneticring, Empress, and tons more play across several venues, including Lick, the Secret Location and The Western Front. Full passes are a mere $25 or you can pay to get into each individually. Details below....

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Wednesday March 24 / Lick 10 PM-1 AM Aerosol Constellations Heavy Chains Broken Sleep Empty Love Shipyards

Thursday March 25 / Western Front 8-11 PM Glaciers Archipelago Rachael Wadham + Shane Krause Scant Intone THE RITA

Friday March 26 / Western Front 9-11 PM The Sorrow and the Pity Flat Grey Whip of the UFO

Saturday March 27 / Western Front 8-11 PM Magneticring Empress V. Vecker Glass Armonica Giorgio Magnanensi, Kedrick James, Chad MacQuarrie

Saturday March 27 / Secret Location Doors 11 PM Monarch Shearing Pinx AHNA Josh Rose Catwrangler

Sunday March 28 / Casa del Artista Pancake Breakfast 1 PM Music 6 PM – Midnight Haunted Beard Stamina Mantis Twin Crystals Black Mage Diadem Coingutter Ejaculation Death Rattle

Cloud Nothings "Another Man" s/t 7" (Group Tightener) 2010

Wetdog "Tidy Up Your Bedroom" Frauhaus LP (Captured Tracks) 2010

Dum Dum Girls "It Only Takes One Night" I Will Be LP (Sub Pop/Hozac) 2010 *due Mar. 30

Woven Bones "Blind Conscience" In And Out And Back Again LP (Hozac) 2010 *due May 28

Nothing People "Enemy With An Invitation" s/t 7" (Permanent) 2010

Guinea Worms "Bugged" Sorcererers Of Maddness (4rd Years In A Row) 2LP (Columbus Discount) 2010

Guinea Worms "Haymaker" Sorcererers Of Maddness (4rd Years In A Row) 2LP (Columbus Discount) 2010

Rot Shit "Dead I" s/t 7" (Columbus Discount) 2010

The Spits "Planet Failure" s/t 7" (Slovenly) 2010

El Jesus De Magico "Dave Songs" Ragtime Hors CS (Goaty) 2010

The Factorymen "Blank Dream" Shitman LP (Richie) 2009

Balaclavas "True Believer" Roman Holiday LP (Dull Knife) 2010

Indian Jewelry "Oceans" Totaled LP (We Are Free) 2010 *due May 11

Heavy Chains "Kids In Heat" unreleased MP3, 2010

Trudgers "We Only Come Out At Night" Bedrooms On Fire CS (Goaty) 2010

Peaking Lights "untitled" Space Primitive CS (Fuck It Tapes) 2010

Sam Goldberg "untitled, Side A" Current LP (Weird Forest) 2009

Kyle Bobby Dunn "Empty Gazing" A Young Person's Guide To Kyle Bobby Dunn 2CD (Low Point) 2010

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 42 here (right click link, then Save As)

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 41

Pocahaunted has done a major line-up change over the last year and It's Real showcases the band revamping their sound almost completely. Cameron Stallones (aka Sun Araw) has joined the band and added his sun-dappled touch, and they've also added Britt Brown (Robedoor/NNF headmaster), Diva Dompe (Blackblack), M. Geddes Gengras (who also produced the LP), and, of course, Phaunt's mainstay Amanda Brown. Anyone who has been paying attention to the few live tracks that've leaked since the rebirth back in 2009 will notice them in a new and cleaned up form. If you haven't checked out the new lineup and maybe weren't a fan to begin with, then now might be the time to re-investigate. Pocahaunted now spew a mighty funk-laden and groove heavy rhythm, complete with actual lyrics. That's right, long gone are the days of the hypnotic chant'n'drone. Fans of Sun Araw and his otherworldly reggae riddims will have plenty to eat up. One of 2010's early highlights. 500 pressed on LP and sure to be gone soon...

Goaty Tapes has just dropped a nice batch of sonic intrigue and, as usual, the packaging on these cassettes is top notch. First up is Columbus Ohio's El Jesus De Magico who are quick to follow up on last year's excellent LP on Columbus Discount. If you were diggin' the basement scuzz and deranged motorik garage moves of that full length, then this here cassette will be a nice follow up. Two separate editions of 100 that'll surely be gone in a flash.

Trudgers hails from Murrieta, California and this tape on Goaty appears to be one of several recent releases (cassette already released on the up and coming Hi Shadow). This appears to be a one man affair and he covers the same goth-y/industrial soundscapes as Cold Cave (the early years) and Blessure Grave. Hell, there are even some Flux Information Sciences moments here (check the track played in this episode) .With a deep baritone and a backing of industrial tics, plodding bass and an assortment of warped synths, Trudgers is a fitting addition to the recent wave of neo-goth musicians.

I've been championing HNY on this blog for some time and her newest cassette on Goaty is more cause for spreading the faith. This is fairly distanced from the more mystical and lighter affair that earlier had me drawing comparisons to Grouper. The vocals are usually clear and raw rather than shrouded in delay and grey effects, though some creepy layering is used to flesh everything out. Ominous drum machines and metallic scrapes and stabs commingle together to create an (occasionally) horrifying soundtrack. Nice to see HNY has some flex in her. Excited to hear the next left turn...

Higuma is the duo of Evan Caminiti of Barn Owl and his musical associate Lisa McGee, who have previously released a CDR on the Root Strata label. And, much like their first release, this new LP on Digitalis is painfully limited. Sadly, you'll have to seek this one out on ebay or an MP3 blog to get a hold of this, as this sucker was out of print within a week. Anyways, fans of the desert-y folk side of Barn Owl will be primed for this release.

Mist are the duo of Sam Goldberg (head of Pizza Night tapes) and John Elliot (Emeralds), who have released some limited cassettes in the past. This time, however, Amethyst Sunset, for their second release, dropped this on LP, which is housed in a beautiful gloss cover with a fitting cover shot. The A side is a one-long track of near-ambient synth work, while the B-Side is several tracks of percolating analog bubblebaths. Head to AQ immediately for one of the last copies available.

Pocahaunted "Save Yourself (It's Nice)" It's Real LP (Not Not Fun) 2010

Veronica Falls "Starry Eyes" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Bare Wires "Artificial Cool" Artificial Cool CS (Southpaw) 2010

Bare Wires "Keep Your Cool" s/t 7" (Southpaw) 2010

Nothing People "Marilyn's Grave" Soft Crash LP (S-S) 2010

White Hills "Three Quarters" s/t LP (Thrill Jockey) 2010

El Jesus De Magico "Half Face/Our Sweden II" Ragtime Hors CS (Goaty) 2010

Trudgers "Star Crossed Klutz" Bedrooms On Fire CS (Goaty) 2010

HNY "Strange Medicine In The Dark" Dead In A Year CS (Goaty) 2010

Street Drinkers "Sickness" Circles CS (Goaty) 2010

Higuma "The Ocelot" Den Of Spirits Lp (Digitalis) 2010

Mist "Taking The Mist" s/t LP (Amethyst Sunset) 2010

Passenger "612" s/t 7" (self released) 2010

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 41 here (Right Click Link, then Save As)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 40

Veronica Falls "Found Love In A Graveyard" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Wetdog "Lower Leg" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Hanoi Janes "Skeleton Girl" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Dignan Porch "The Day Things Changed" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Beach Fossils "Daydream" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

Cosmetics "Soft Skin" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2010

The Babies "Caroline" s/t 7" (Wild World) 2010

Ora Cogan "Daughter" The Quarry LP (Isolated Now Waves) 2010

Grouper "Hold The Way" split w/ Roy Montgomery LP (self released) 2010

The Art Museums "Oh Modern Girls" Rough Frame LP (Woodsist) 2010

The Wicked Awesomes "Nowheresville" Punk Holograms LP (Psychic Handshake) 2010

Eat Skull "Don't Leave Me On The Speaker" Jerusalem Mall 7" (Woodsist) 2010

Dadfag "Hangover Head" Scenic Abuse LP (Broken Rekids) 2010

AFCGT "Korin" s/t 7" (Sub Pop) 2010

Von Bingen "The Futility Of All Effort, The Vanity Of All Plans" s/t LP (Amen Absen) 2009

Emeralds "Diotima" s/t LP (Gneiss Things/Wagon) 2009

The Passenger "Sometimes Dreams Can Trick You" s/t 7" (self released) 2009

Ed Sunspot "Landline" (Resonant Hole) 2010

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 40 here (right click link, then Save As)

Holy shit, Captured Tracks! Slow down for a minute. My wallet has been takin' a severe hammering for the past few weeks, as they quickly unveil each new batch of releases, and this here new one is the best they've delivered in this young year. CT's infatuation with the UK continues, with top notch releases by Wetdog (post-punkin' in the vein of Raincoats, Slits etc), Veronica Falls (lovely pop with a nice bent angle...PS where's the single for the much beloved Beachy Head?) and Dignan Porch, who have an LP to be released on the label soon. CT has also cast some love to our own neck of the woods by releasing the first Cosemtics seven inch, with another coming soon. Cosmetics will also be playing with Blank Dogs in a loft/living space somewhere along West Hastings on April 16th. Details forthcoming. CT also has a new twelve inch by ETMS faves The Fresh and Onlys due soon...

Edmonton's Wicked Awesomes have escaped my grasp since their inception, but a copy of their LP on Psychic Handshake was sent my way and the ears have finally been opened. Not sure what is going on in Alberta but there has been a serious renaissance in their punk/fucked-up-rockinroll department for the last year or so. Bands like The Famines, Moby Dicks, Grown Ups, Sharp Ends, and Myelin Sheaths have been steadily releasing seven inches and cassettes on local labels and even some higher profile labels like Hozac in Chicago and Bachelor in Germany. Wicked Awesomes are actually the perfect archetype for the weird waves emanating from our neighbor province. Punk Holograms is a slapdash rave up of demented punk suitable for those who still think the genre is dead. Weird Canada summed it up best-- "It's a beautiful pawnshop display case of wastoid punk. Highly recommended stuff. Grab it here. For more Albertan flailing head to the Honey Lounge this Thursday, March 11th for the Grown Ups.

Though I've raved about it in the recent past, I'd like to spread one last bit of love for the AFCGT LP. As I mentioned before, the album only comes in LP format and is limited to 550 copies. The best part is it comes with a bonus seven inch that has what is easily the most interesting piece I've heard from them. Korin is a 4 minute industrial-funk workout that totally stands out from the rest of the muscular sound record. Well worth the price alone. Plus, this package is one of the best I've seen in recent memory. Four panel fold-outs for the LP and the bonus seven inch! Check that shit out.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010