New Math

Drive Like Jehu released Yank Crime back in '94, on Interscope. I'm surprised it wasn't a huge sensation, but it wasn't until years later, after the band had broken up, that the majority of people began to recognize it's significance. And then, unfortunately, it was imitated and the sound was bastardized almost beyond recognition, giving birth to Emo. Eck! This is the re-release on guitarist John Reis' Swami Records, which includes three bonus tracks not found on the original release. Insane guitar work, unconventional time signatures, and driving rhythms make this a real beast of an album. It's really hard to sit still when listening to this one. Of course members also played in Rocket From The Crypt and Hot Snakes, both of which would overshadow this important project in the collective memory.

Yank.

Kill him. Fucking kill him. Kill him already... Kill him.

I'm terribly sorry. I've been sick/lazy/apathetic/uninterested. I even considered quitting this blogging business for a minute. But, I'm going to go ahead and keep chugging along. Why not, right? I'll try and get back onto a more consistent program. Here we go...

Oh, Steve Albini, when will you be content? In a way, I guess I hope the answer is never. I love your curmudgeonly ways. Always railing against the illogical approach of the mainstream music industry dick blisters. I hope you keep making uniquely menacing, heavy, abrasive music. Like, Shellac's 1000 Hurts (2000). Like being pleasantly raped by your stereo, this album is plenty full of rythmic pounding, grunting, and static. Try this: download this album, play it really loud at your crappy job, and punch yourself in the face. You'll feel awesome.

onethousandhertz

Post-Perversion

You know what I hate? "Dance Punk." But, like almost everything I hate, there's an exception. Just this one, though. I posted Holy Molar a little bit ago, but only two people were interested. So, in the spirit of disappointment, I'm bringing you another Mark McCoy project: Virgin Mega Whore's self-titled full length (Coalition Records). Errr, I mean VMW, as they were apparently sued for the original name. Even if you are not one of the two people that downloaded "The Whole Tooth...", I strongly urge you to check out this release. There's a ton of sentimental value, paid out in samples from hardcore records and horror movies on this CD. See if you can name them all! The tracks vary from slow, moody electro, to raging hardcore with snotty vocals. Good stuff. If you enjoy it, there's also a couple 7"s out there, try Youth Attack.

Sex and Death and Synths and Drum Machines

Alright, who threw that god damned chair at me?!?!

Sorry for the lack of music updates, school has been very taxing on my brain. I believe that I mentioned how fond I am of the Locust, yeah? Well, here we have one of their many side-projects. Holy Molar released this 2X3", "The Whole Tooth and Nothing but the Tooth",in 2003, on Three One G. The band includes Justin, Gabe, and Bobby from the Locust, Ron Avila from Heroin on Drums, and Mark McCoy of Charles Bronson on vocals. Of Course they have all been in a ton more bands, which I'm too lazy to list, but I think you get the idea. On a side note, most of the band pages I link to are Myspace pages, and I apologize. Personally, I want nothing at all to do with any 'social networking' sites, but I can see why a band would choose to put a page there. So, if you go to Myspace from here, tell NewsCorp to eat a bag of dicks for me. Um, oh... Holy Molar. Thrash, San Diego, keyboards, dentist outfits on stage. You'll probably hate it, because you are dumb. Not really, I'm just trying to get some comments going. I dig these guys very much. FYI: if you see that a band's name is highlighted twice in a post, both instances will lead you to different links, so go. Thanks.


The Whole Tooth...

With Full Of Smiling Fate...

I have to admit something... I have total Jap Envy. I know that reading this, some members of my family will be quite upset, because I come from a fairly racist clan (though they would never admit it). It seems that most Americans are split when it comes to the denizens of the Land of the Rising Sun. Either they feel that the Japanese simply steal our ideas, and sell them back at a mark-up, or, like me, they are blown away at the level of perfection the Japanese bring to their endeavors. Now, I'm not claiming to be an expert on Japanese culture. I don't speak the language, I've never been closer than California, I don't like Sushi (Though, I appreciate its aesthetic quality. Jennie makes adorable heart shaped rolls at home.), and I've never enjoyed the company of a Companion Girl. I am, however, a fan of many of their exports. Their groundbreaking animation, such as "FLCL", "Spirited Away", and "Paprika". All of which blow just about anything American out of the water, with the possible exception of Pixar films. I've read a few books on the Yakuza, and I highly recommend the book "Speed Tribes" for a look at the seedy subcultures us round-eyes are often unaware of. So, today I'm sharing with you a fine example of Japanese ingenuity: Melt-Banana. An almost perfect blend of Noise and Punk. Thrash and Studio-trickery. Cute and Spastic. "Charlie" is wholly original in its mashing of genres. In fact, I'd call them one of maybe twenty absolutely unique bands. Please to enjoy.




Ichiban!