New Music Blog
7/23/06
Its that time again when I gather my thoughts and relay them to you, my loyal readers (yes, all two of you). Of course these incredible bits of neuron activity deal specifically with my favorite form of creative endeavor: the creation music. This week, Ive been able to procure some pretty decent material from both the Internet and the evil and time consuming web-monster known as MySpace. So, take the time to check them out and let me know what you think. This thing works better when I get feedback, kids, so get back to me when you get the chance. Youll help my fragile psyche feel less rejected that way.
The Latest Dish:
Bottles and Skulls (www.bottlesandskulls.com and http://www.myspace.com/bottlesandskulls) : It really bums me out when I find out about a band after their time has come and gone. Apparently that is exactly the case with the San Francisco outfil known as Bottles and Skulls. These guys were making some serious waves on the West Coast in the late 90s/Early 00s, but broke up some time either late last year, or early this year. I ran across their music late in the game after buying a newly released E.P. Scream Scream on Gearhead Records when I was ordering a new T-shirt from them (it was initially released in October 2005). From my first listen to the small piece of vinyl, I was hooked. It was seriously good enough for me to scour the Internet in order to purchase their 3 or so full length releases from their back catalog: Amped the Fuck Up, born in a Black Light, and Never Kiss the Wasp. The sound of Bottles and Skulls is a mix of early the more raw 80s Southern California Punk Rock bands (a la Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Germs, etc.) and the patented Chicago Rythmatic onslaught (ie, Jesus Lizard, Tar, and the like). The music of these Bay Area geniuses jus lain slaps you in the face with its ear bleeding goodness. And to make things more palatable, the Amped L.P. includes something like 10 live tracks, giving you a taste of what this band must have been like in their hey-day.
The Space Cowboys (www.thespacecowboys.com and www.myspace.com/spacecowboys666): I really am deeply confused as to why the Nordic/Scandinavian countries put out such goddamned cool music. Theyve dumped the cheesy bikini team mythos and have instead shown their expertise and mastery in producing the best in rock/garage/punk styled bands. The latest to capture my attention is the Swedish band The Space Cowboys. Take the pop-fueled of their well known countrymen The Hives and dump in some serious gutter punk attitude, and youve got the gist of what this quartet is all about. Their latest release Dead End Streets and Devils Nights is a 13 track smorgasborg of sound ready to be eaten and enjoyed with a big old bottle of whiskey.
Hillbilly Nightmare (www.hillbillynightmare.com and www.myspace.com/hillbillynightmare): Garage Punk thickly layered with 70s southern cock-rock is the best way to describe this Unholy Michigan based band. Their latest release Dirt Rock Demons is the anthem L.P. to whiskey swilling, tattoo sporting, cowboy hat wearing bad assess everywhere. Seriouslythis album was pulling double duty on my home stereo system and iPod for weeks after picking it up. Fans of the Supersuckers, MotorHead, and ear-bleeding will no doubt dig on this one.
Be Your Own Pet (www.beyourownpet.net and www.myspace.com/beyourownpetmusic): One of my good friends turned me onto Be Your Own Pet after seeing them perform on one of the late night talk shows. He was apparently blown away with their music, and the fact that theyre opening for the Gods of Indy Rock, Sonic Youth, its an indicator that a lot of other people feel the same way. After picking up their latest (and self-titled) release from Tower Records last week, I can completely understand what the hype is so damn abundant with this band. Not only did the L.P. cost me under 10 bucks, it was fucking brilliant. A real crossover sound, mixing the punk visions of such British bands as X-Ray Specs and the non-emo version of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Be Your Own Pet is fast paced, in you face, and a shitload of fun. Definitely worth your dollar, euro, or last case of beer.
The Bronx (www.thebronxxx.com and www.myspace.com/thebronx): OKwhen I first wrote my review for the latest album from the L.A. based band The Bronx (their self-titled one) I initially panned the crap out of it. SeriouslyI thought that it was a trivial piece of garbage that was a complete disappointment especially since their 2002 album White Drugs has a position on my all-time greatest list. In the four days since I penned the initial article, Ive had a serious change of heart, and all it took was another listen. Sometimes music does grow on you, I understand. But my second listen to The Bronx was so much a more pleasant experience than my initial take. Maybe I was too involved in my move to the new apartment, or maybe I was just in a pissy mood. Who really knows? All I can say is that the latest from the oddly named NYC borough band that is NOT from the city is a decent piece of work. The raw energy, loudness, and lyrical goodness that made White Drugs such a hit remains intact with this latest release, albeit not in the exact same vein. The Bronxs modern revision of the classic D.C. early 80s sound (a la Minor Threat) still exists for the majority of the album. However, theyve taken a few liberties with a few of the tracks to show some of their maturity in their writing and playing. Overall, not as good as their earlier work, but still a good album worthy of a listenor two, actually.
B.A. Baracus (www.myspace.com/babaracusband and www.sonicswirlrecords.com): Anyone that knows me personally understands that Im a sucker for the underdog or little guy. Thats true for sports, life, and even music. That line of thinking guides me to the bands more likely to play a 2-bit dive bar than the overpriced and overrated monster venue. Give me an original music playing bar-band any day over the bullshit at an arena show. Thankfully, the Columbus, Ohio group B.A. Baracus falls squarely into the previous category. There debut L.P. on Sonic Swirl Records was recommended to me by a few Ohio music enthusiasts, so I took the plunge and picked it up when it was released a little over a month ago, and Im happy to say it was worth it. Not only do I get the chance to help out an up-and-coming local band, but I also get the some good music in return. PunkN Roll flavored with a kick-in-the-balls is the best way to describe these guys without getting too misty eyed. Their music is a definite reminder of the early early days of the NYC and Detroit music scene, when bands like The Stooges, the MC5, and the New York Dolls ruled the music of the masses like a drunken European Emperor suffering from lead poisoning. I pity the fool that doesnt check out B.A. Baracustheyre missing out.
Well, thats it for now. Ive got to get back to sorting, packing, and painting for the big move. As usual, feedback is greatly appreciated. Let me know what you think of the music, lads and ladies.
-Grim
7/23/06
Its that time again when I gather my thoughts and relay them to you, my loyal readers (yes, all two of you). Of course these incredible bits of neuron activity deal specifically with my favorite form of creative endeavor: the creation music. This week, Ive been able to procure some pretty decent material from both the Internet and the evil and time consuming web-monster known as MySpace. So, take the time to check them out and let me know what you think. This thing works better when I get feedback, kids, so get back to me when you get the chance. Youll help my fragile psyche feel less rejected that way.
The Latest Dish:
Bottles and Skulls (www.bottlesandskulls.com and http://www.myspace.com/bottlesandskulls) : It really bums me out when I find out about a band after their time has come and gone. Apparently that is exactly the case with the San Francisco outfil known as Bottles and Skulls. These guys were making some serious waves on the West Coast in the late 90s/Early 00s, but broke up some time either late last year, or early this year. I ran across their music late in the game after buying a newly released E.P. Scream Scream on Gearhead Records when I was ordering a new T-shirt from them (it was initially released in October 2005). From my first listen to the small piece of vinyl, I was hooked. It was seriously good enough for me to scour the Internet in order to purchase their 3 or so full length releases from their back catalog: Amped the Fuck Up, born in a Black Light, and Never Kiss the Wasp. The sound of Bottles and Skulls is a mix of early the more raw 80s Southern California Punk Rock bands (a la Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Germs, etc.) and the patented Chicago Rythmatic onslaught (ie, Jesus Lizard, Tar, and the like). The music of these Bay Area geniuses jus lain slaps you in the face with its ear bleeding goodness. And to make things more palatable, the Amped L.P. includes something like 10 live tracks, giving you a taste of what this band must have been like in their hey-day.
The Space Cowboys (www.thespacecowboys.com and www.myspace.com/spacecowboys666): I really am deeply confused as to why the Nordic/Scandinavian countries put out such goddamned cool music. Theyve dumped the cheesy bikini team mythos and have instead shown their expertise and mastery in producing the best in rock/garage/punk styled bands. The latest to capture my attention is the Swedish band The Space Cowboys. Take the pop-fueled of their well known countrymen The Hives and dump in some serious gutter punk attitude, and youve got the gist of what this quartet is all about. Their latest release Dead End Streets and Devils Nights is a 13 track smorgasborg of sound ready to be eaten and enjoyed with a big old bottle of whiskey.
Hillbilly Nightmare (www.hillbillynightmare.com and www.myspace.com/hillbillynightmare): Garage Punk thickly layered with 70s southern cock-rock is the best way to describe this Unholy Michigan based band. Their latest release Dirt Rock Demons is the anthem L.P. to whiskey swilling, tattoo sporting, cowboy hat wearing bad assess everywhere. Seriouslythis album was pulling double duty on my home stereo system and iPod for weeks after picking it up. Fans of the Supersuckers, MotorHead, and ear-bleeding will no doubt dig on this one.
Be Your Own Pet (www.beyourownpet.net and www.myspace.com/beyourownpetmusic): One of my good friends turned me onto Be Your Own Pet after seeing them perform on one of the late night talk shows. He was apparently blown away with their music, and the fact that theyre opening for the Gods of Indy Rock, Sonic Youth, its an indicator that a lot of other people feel the same way. After picking up their latest (and self-titled) release from Tower Records last week, I can completely understand what the hype is so damn abundant with this band. Not only did the L.P. cost me under 10 bucks, it was fucking brilliant. A real crossover sound, mixing the punk visions of such British bands as X-Ray Specs and the non-emo version of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Be Your Own Pet is fast paced, in you face, and a shitload of fun. Definitely worth your dollar, euro, or last case of beer.
The Bronx (www.thebronxxx.com and www.myspace.com/thebronx): OKwhen I first wrote my review for the latest album from the L.A. based band The Bronx (their self-titled one) I initially panned the crap out of it. SeriouslyI thought that it was a trivial piece of garbage that was a complete disappointment especially since their 2002 album White Drugs has a position on my all-time greatest list. In the four days since I penned the initial article, Ive had a serious change of heart, and all it took was another listen. Sometimes music does grow on you, I understand. But my second listen to The Bronx was so much a more pleasant experience than my initial take. Maybe I was too involved in my move to the new apartment, or maybe I was just in a pissy mood. Who really knows? All I can say is that the latest from the oddly named NYC borough band that is NOT from the city is a decent piece of work. The raw energy, loudness, and lyrical goodness that made White Drugs such a hit remains intact with this latest release, albeit not in the exact same vein. The Bronxs modern revision of the classic D.C. early 80s sound (a la Minor Threat) still exists for the majority of the album. However, theyve taken a few liberties with a few of the tracks to show some of their maturity in their writing and playing. Overall, not as good as their earlier work, but still a good album worthy of a listenor two, actually.
B.A. Baracus (www.myspace.com/babaracusband and www.sonicswirlrecords.com): Anyone that knows me personally understands that Im a sucker for the underdog or little guy. Thats true for sports, life, and even music. That line of thinking guides me to the bands more likely to play a 2-bit dive bar than the overpriced and overrated monster venue. Give me an original music playing bar-band any day over the bullshit at an arena show. Thankfully, the Columbus, Ohio group B.A. Baracus falls squarely into the previous category. There debut L.P. on Sonic Swirl Records was recommended to me by a few Ohio music enthusiasts, so I took the plunge and picked it up when it was released a little over a month ago, and Im happy to say it was worth it. Not only do I get the chance to help out an up-and-coming local band, but I also get the some good music in return. PunkN Roll flavored with a kick-in-the-balls is the best way to describe these guys without getting too misty eyed. Their music is a definite reminder of the early early days of the NYC and Detroit music scene, when bands like The Stooges, the MC5, and the New York Dolls ruled the music of the masses like a drunken European Emperor suffering from lead poisoning. I pity the fool that doesnt check out B.A. Baracustheyre missing out.
Well, thats it for now. Ive got to get back to sorting, packing, and painting for the big move. As usual, feedback is greatly appreciated. Let me know what you think of the music, lads and ladies.
-Grim
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
And Astonishing X-men is incredible
Bday bash sounds good!