Thug - Everything Is Beautiful In It's Own Way

Label: Grudge

Year: 2001

First off, let's preface this by saying, this "Thug" is an Australian noise/rock band from the mid to late 80s, not the "Thug" that was associated with Bovine Records in the early 90s. Clear? Nice.

Also, I can't pretend to know much at all about this band, I had only heard of them in the context of Beasts Of Bourbon, as they share a member in Tex Perkins, who then (apparently) went on to minor fame in Australia as a member of The Cruel Sea. I happened upon a couple Thug releases and thought they might be of interest to you folks as well, this one being a compilation, that was put out on a Universal imprint no less, of their recorded output, which consisted of the Fuck Your Dad 7", Mechanical Ape/Proud Idiots Parade lp, and Electric Wooly Mammoth lp. Supposedly. I'm trusting the internet on this one (the internet doesn't lie).
Musically, it's within the realm of Boredoms, the Residents, Whitehouse, Chrome...maybe Captain Beefheart...maybe some Butthole Surfers. Noise basically. Fucked up, weird, seemingly cut and paste, noise. Sometimes that's more exciting than others, and this record has some hits and some misses, but ultimately it's an interesting listen to say the least. 

Like I said, I'm no authority on this band, nor am I an authority on this style, but I listened to it, and I liked it, so there's a good chance you will too. There's even some fart sounds that occasionally made me laugh. You like farts right?

*originally posted 03-10-09, reposted 07-23-16

DL

Cherubs - Icing

Label: Trance Syndicate

Year: 1992

I shouldn't have to say much about this one, because it seems that, even though Cherubs toiled in obscurity during their lifespan they have become widely popular among noise rock fans posthumously. Their records turn up on the internet to unanimous praise, so apparently, folks are into Cherubs these days. For good reason, they are one of the best at what they do. And they "do" relentless, rolling, thick noise rock with some of the more memorable vocals of that canon. Think of Helmet on cough syrup after a full night listening to Flipper. Are you thinking? Well, so like I said, their albums show up from time to time on these kinds of blogs, but I don't usually see this one, so, since I was listening to it myself, I thought I'd get it up (the record, not my dong mind you). 

They were from Austin, Texas (which I believe we have discussed it's magical early 90s qualities here already) and featured the talents of the bands Ed Hall, Butthole Surfers, Sugar Shack, Fuckemos, and Drain. If perchance you have not had the pleasure of acquainting yourself with this particular band, please remedy that situation post haste. Please.

*originally posted 03-03-09, reposted 07-23-16

DL

Slughog - Grit

Label: Wonderdrug
Released 1995

Noise...Rock. It's noisy and it rocks. Kinda ticks the box firmly in both categories. From the opening bassline you would be forgiven to thinking that you are listening to mid-era Unsane but then when the vocals cut in you are reminded of Tad. Dual mouth on this album which then remind me of Hell No on the later songs. As the pope would say "good shit!"

*originally posted 12-28-09, reposted 07-23-16

DL

Pre - Epic Fits

released 2007


these 4 gentleman and lady come from across the big pond (london)

sound-wise...it's melt banana and devo arguing about their favorite episodes of REN & STIMPY while black flag's DAMAGED gets played at the wrong speed

"what?!"

exactly.

the title of the album is very fitting...you can almost picture a room full of chubby children wearing helmets running around a room and holding their breaths because no one would give them a cookie

they have ex-todd guitarist john webb in their ranks

if you can tolerate aids wolf...no age...anything skin graft records puts out...crank this to I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHO'S IN THE ROOM

*originally posted 03-23-12, reposted 07-23-16

DL

Seven Foot Spleen - Boredom and Disease 7"

Label: Fuck Inane / Rhodhiss
Year: 1996

In the American Southeast it is currently the summer season (I cannot, nor would I want to vouch for which time of year it is in whatever hell-hole you live), which means it is far too hot, and far too humid for my liking. But, as they say, "them's the breaks", and you just have to crank up the air conditioning and spend as much time poolside with a twelver of the best Mexican beer you can stuff into a coozie. It's just what you do here. Else, you might as well die. Which you no doubt will want to do by about 5:30pm each day.
The other thing that I do, and now WE are doing, is commiserate the worst time of the year with our fellow Southern compatriots, and listen intently and at dangerous volumes to southern fried swinging sludge. Eyehategod, Buzzoven, Kilara, Cavity, Damad...
Seven Foot Spleen do it right. Just the way you want. Tune down, turn up, feedback, head down, and unleash fury. Slow and grooving, or bug eyed and raging...either/or. You get a bit of both.
Not to mention, Seven Foot Spleen are from my beloved North Carolina...so, they're extra special.


DL

Red Expendables - Factory Issued Sealed Packaged Printed and Pressed CD

Label: Grimmwerks

Year: 1997

I had not heard this record until very recently, so my take on it is not based on any historical significance in my own life, merely, it was a curiosity I had heard about but never sought out. I stumbled over it the other day, grabbed it, listened to it, and decided to post it. 

The story goes, at the end of Cop Shoot Cop, the band had spent about $150,000 of Interscope's money recording what would be the follow-up to the album "Release". The band had mixed feelings about the process and the songs, and group founder Tod A decided the music wasn't up to par and split. The rest of the band approached Interscope with the nine songs they had, but the label refused to release the album. That marks the end of Cop Shoot Cop, but the remaining band members polish off those nine songs, and add four more and release the record as Red Expendables. There is a connection to the previously posted Book Of Knots record, but frankly, that's just what I'm told, and I can't confirm or deny anything.

Bottom line is, if you liked Cop Shoot Cop on "Release", the more streamlined version of the band, then you will like this. If it weren't "ex-Cop Shoot Cop", then it probably would have been a well respected album, but in the shadow of one of the great noise rock bands of all time, it's a little flat. See for yourself.

*originally posted 12-01-09, reposted 07-06-16

DL

Dig Dat Hole - 13 Song Demo

Label: self released
Year: 1986

A thirteen song demo that does not actually include thirteen songs (apparently the tracks that rounded out the thirteen were 'by another band'). A demo that includes multiple unidentified tracks (4 'unknown', which means I can't vouch for the running order). Two strikes?
But.
It's a demo recorded on WFMU, which means it has a certain cache.
And.
It's a demo that is executed by Phil Puleo (Cop Shoot Cop, Swans, Red Expendables, Angels of Light), and Tod Ashley (Cop Shoot Cop, Shithaus, Firewater, Lubricated Goat), which also lends it a fair amount of gravitas.
So, for those reasons, it's important. "Important" is a relative term, but, to you this is important. It's the noisy lynchpin that connects Shithaus to Cop Shoot Cop...which is important.
The band recorded a seven song album, that Ruthless Records pressed a test pressing(s) of, but then never released. For whatever reasons. So, unless you find a bootlegged version of that album, this oddly named demo is the best you're going to get. At least today anyway.

DL

V/A - Shiny Grey Monotone Radio - Show 16

Label: n/a
Year: 2016

Has it really been almost a year since you've been granted privileged access into the dark recesses of my soul via the most exalted (by me) digital mixtape series ever? Really? Dang.
Sorry. That one's on me.
But look, to make it up to you, I present yet another volume of 200% guaranteed 5 star, Zagat rated authentic rock music experience. Carefully...wait for it...CURATED by yours truly for maximum potency. And when something is curated, that's essentially French for "impeccable tastes administered by overbearing ego", which you just can't put a price on. Try to...nobody would dare monetize this dispensation. I'm talking motherfucking gold, motherfucking frankincense, AND motherfucking myrrh. All that shit! Good enough for 'Lil Baby Jesus, sure as shit good enough for ya'lls crusty butts. No offense. My diabetes must be acting up. Got me all discombobulated and ornery. Pretty sure the doctor's gonna amputate my right foot, which is enough to get most man's dander up. It's the dander talking.
Please enjoy the compilation, and leave me to my misery.

The bands:
Hot Snakes
Tar
Bitch Magnet
The Austerity Program
Dead Meat
Snailboy
Shorty
Throat
Ligament
Kurt
Willard
White Shit
Rocket Fuel Is The Key
Volt
Slug
Germbox

DL

Kill Life w/ Dwid - Snake Kills Entire Family 7"

Label: Magic Bullet
Year: 2012

How was your day today? Good? Productive?
I'm glad.
My day was more stressful than it needed to be, and I lasted longer than it should (not trying to get all into space/time continuum shit...I know that 24 hours is 24 hours...). So, on my way home from work I wanted somebody to yell into my ear at a high volume over top of some noisy, crusty hardcore.
You know's real good at yelling? Dwid. Dwid is really good at it. So, he did. He yelled in my ear for all of four minutes or so. Whatever the length of these three dark, weird, blisters.
The band may or may not be members of Integrity (besides Dwid), Pulling Teeth, Magrudergrind, Fucked Up, Leaf Hound and Throwing Up.

DL

Fugazi - Live Athens, GA, 40 Watt - 02-19-93

Label: bootleg
Year: 1993

Brief history lesson: a few months ago I posted the sister show to this one, the show from the preceding evening in 1993. You may find that here.
Less brief history lesson: this show, and the accompanying one, were real game changers to me...which is important to you...probably. They demonstrated a band emerging from what I (and it appears, only I) considered a lull in their career, with such ferocity and controlled chaos that I was left to reconsider my previous opinions of what a band "can" and "could" do, if given the time and space to do so. In an era of awkward post-hardcore missteps by lots of bands, Fugazi managed to build on one of the strongest legacies in all of underground music, and challenge their listeners to evolve with them or risk missing out on some really, really good shit. It was a "eye opener" if you catch my drift. And I pride myself on some fairly heavy duty tunnel vision...so, I need a good eye opener every now and then. I should have never doubted Fugazi, that one's on me, but I did and it took a pair of performances so drum tight and invigorating that I would never make that mistake again.

I was just asked at work, "Gray, what's your favorite Fugazi record?" (literally...that question was literally asked of me on Thursday of last week...as luckily I work with a guy who happens to share a lot of my own impeccable musical tastes...seriously), to which I answered without flinching, "In On The Killtaker, no diggity". Which is my honest answer (no diggity), and that's because of the show linked in this very post. Fugazi lit a fucking fire under me those two nights, and I'll never forget them...or the burrito I had before the show, which also may have contributed to the fire


DL - part 1
DL - part 2