Slug - The Out Sound

So I just realised that my last two posts on this blog have been Slug related ones and I may as well continue this by uploading another album, "The Out Sound". I'm not going to go too into depth for this one since Slug has been covered pretty well on these pages.

Can you dig it?

Inch - Stresser

Label: Seed

Year: 1994

This is a relic from the college days, and more specifically, the college radio days, and even more to the point, the music director of the college radio station days. Back then, in those college days, I was a real dick...who am I kidding...I am still a fairly immense dick, and have been my whole life. College or not, I am a judgemental prick most of the time, so I shouldn't try and frame this particular blog entry as, "oh, back in old days, before I matured...".

I'll try again.

I distinctly remember this record coming up for review at the radio station I alluded to before, and it was my job to listen to everything, evaluate it, and decide if it should be included in regular radio airplay rotation. Pretty good job for an asshole, huh?

Anyway, I specifically remember thinking, "m'eh". As in, it wasn't offensive, but it wasn't doing much for me either. It had some elements of Seaweed, who I really liked. It had elements of aMiniature, who I sorta liked. It had elements of Tanner, Garden Variety, Sensefield...a lot of stuff that I either liked, or thought was okay. I put it aside for a second listen and went about my day.

Then, some dude from "Seed Records" calls (as was his job to do) to ask if I had the album, what I thought, would it be an "add" that week, how many "spins" would it get, you know, annoying shit. He was especially amped to tell me that the band had actually hand screened some stickers, and that he would send me some. Neat? But, who cares? He's telling this to a dude who probably had no less than 6 different patches sewn onto his gas station jacket that had been "hand screened by the band". No big deal.

It also came to pass that he slipped up and admitted that Seed Records was actually a boutique label of some major label (that I know forget) set up to give younger bands more credibility or something. Until they were ready for 120 Minutes I suppose. Whatever the reasoning, it really rubbed me the wrong way (please remember, you're dealing with a self-proclaimed dick here), and I ended up telling the guy to forget it, Inch would never be played on that radio station, and neither would any of his other shitty fake-indie bands (Madder Rose [ugh], Ivy [who?], Fuzzy [huh?], or Daniel Johnston [wait, what? what was he doing there...oh well, if you're gonna be a dick, you gotta be willing to draw a hard line...sorry Daniel Johnston]). And that was that. Inch never was played, and rather than ever giving it a second listen, I promptly took it, along with whatever else was never getting played on the station, down to the record store (ha ha, remember those old dinosaurs?) to sell for a couple bucks. Enough for my fifth or sixth burrito of the week I'm sure.

Good night Inch.

Fast forward 16 years and lo and behold, look at what album I stumbled across on the internet? Maybe I was too brash? Maybe this has aged like a fine wine? Maybe it was really good all along, and I should have pulled my head out of my ass?

You tell me.

DL

Oaks - Bravo!

Label: Self released

Year: 2008

Big, big, B-I-G rock in the tradition of Karp. You know what I mean? And, it should not be surprising since the band features a member of Tight Bros From Way Back When, which also featured Karp personnel, and was produced by Toshi Kasai who is now in Big Business, which is made up of ex-you-guessed-it, Karp personnel.

It's full on boogie woogie rock and roll channeled by dudes who at one point in their lives had to turn their backs on that most beautiful music in order to not upset their fellow punkers, but who always had the radio dial tuned to the local classic rock station. When their buddies would complain about the Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes, they would have to quickly stammer an excuse to cover their tracks. "Oh, dude, yeah, Skynyrd sucks man, and their total racists and shit. For sure. Yeah, it's just that my Amebix cassette got stuck in the tape deck, so I'm stuck listening to this shit. Sucks man, totally sucks". Meanwhile, as they look out the window, a single tear rolls across their cheek in solidarity to their swamp rocking brethren.

I'm pretty sure Wantage USA is putting out their next record, or at least that's what I had heard somewhere, at some point.

DL

Slices - Slices 7" (mk II)

Label: Home Invasion

Year: 2009

Well, I felt that I was leaving you hanging by just posting the other self-titled Slices 7", and not this self-titled Slices 7". It didn't seem right did it?

So fear not, here it is, another puncture wound to the chest. This time the band takes their foot slightly off the gas to get a little more Die Kreuzen by way of Zeni Geva on that ass. I'm sure you won't mind, or at least you shouldn't, they're doing it out of love I'm sure.

Also, I will mention, they have a new lp out on Iron Lung, which is still in print (as opposed to this, and that other 7"), and you should go buy it. Today. Go and buy it today.

Furthermore, lest my terrible writing and ridiculous hyperbole has not already convinced you of Slices' greatness, I will offer up that the band features members of the wonderfully named Warzone Womyn, as well as the less wonderfully named Tusk Lord and Brain Handle (no offense gentlemen), so you can rest assured, it's quality stuff. Have I ever lied before?

Not that you know off.

DL

Slices - Slices 7"

Label: 16oh

Year: 2009

Here's the best parts of the old hardcore you love(d), updated with some fairly gnarled noise rock tendencies. Can't really fuck around too much with that combination huh? It's the proverbial peanut butter and chocolate mash-up, except with things that are rotten, foul, and spiteful, rather than things that are sweet, tasty, and delectable. But the point still stands.

If bands like Void, Corrosion of Conformity, and Black Flag beget the Vermiform Records roster, then think of Slices as the next step in that particular evolution. A little more noisy, a little more forceful, and a little more further off the road from straight hardcore.

I love, love, love this record, and this band. It's out of print, but you might be able to find it in some distros somewhere (Vacuum Mailorder...holla at ya boy!), or if you get in your car and drive to Pittsburgh, maybe the band has a couple in a closet in their practice space somewhere. You should try that route first. Go track down where the Slices practice space is, wait around until they show up, and then bug them for a copy of this record. I'm sure they won't be bugged out at all, it probably happens all the time, and certainly, they will give you the record and then invite you in to hang out, and eventually you'll all be the best of friends. Oh joy!

DL

Zeni Geva - Distorted Live

Label: Supreme Tool Supplies

Year: 1993

I tried to think of a "mother's day" angle to this post, but eventually gave up, as I realized that there is nothing about Zeni Geva that any of our mothers would find at all appealing. Most moms I know aren't too into the idea of being barked at over the incessant metallic grinding this band evokes. Maybe your mother is way cooler than mine, or I'm underestimating her tolerance for bludgeoning heaviness. If that's the case, I do apologize, and I should congratulate you for being birthed by what was apparently a 15 year old, drug addled, hesher. Otherwise, burn this one for your own mother, label it as "Leo Sayer" or whatever she's into, and give it to her today in a homemade card with a coupon for a free hug. She will love it!

Also of note, this was originally released on cassette in an edition of 100 in the Netherlands. Chances are, you weren't one of the 100 Dutch bastards to own it back in 1993. Or maybe I owe you another apology.

DL

PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED AT COACHELLA 2010

I gotta say..this performance blew me away... - Slander

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Angry Samoans - Back From Samoa

Label: Bad Trip

Year: 1982

Do you like to dig holes on a hot day? How about laying sod? Shoveling gravel? That sound fun? Cause it totally fucking is! It's awesome, about as awesome as unemployment! Yeah!

After a long, sweaty, dirty, shitty day of that crap I just mentioned, I really need to turn off the ole bean (you know, because I was doing all that heavy thinking while swinging a pick axe) and hear something as brain-dead as I feel.

Helloooooo Angry Samoans!

I contend this is some of the best, but for whatever reason ignored, first wave of hardcore shit out there. Rivals anything Circle Jerks, Adolescents, or Dead Kennedys were doing (please note: I did not say it rivaled Black Flag....because nothing rivals Black Flag!). If you don't have this (maybe you weren't born yet?), or haven't heard it in awhile, please do yourself the favor of putting on tracks, "Ballad Of Jerry Curlan", "Light's Out", or "My Old Man's A Fatso", and turning them shits all the way up, then close your eyes and bask in the awesome stupidity that only Angry Samoans can provide. Bask in it!

Now, get some rest, you got a long day of laying stone pavers ahead of you tomorrow.

DL

Slug - Demo Tape

With all the Slug love on this blog lately, I find it only appropriate to post this ultra rare demo from 1990. 9 cool tracks. Awesome noise rock. More Slug material. What else is there to say?

DL: "Slug Demo"

Black Eyes - Black Eyes

Label: Dischord

Year: 2003

Sometimes you forget that Dischord never stopped releasing good records, even after what seemed to be a dry spell in the very late 1990's into the 2000's. Certainly there must have been good records in that time period as well, but it seems that they had fallen out of my own fickle favor, and therefore I missed out on whatever they were or were not doing. Or at least I missed out on a lot of it.

Lately, out of some sense of allegiance to the label that provided so many great records in my younger, leaner days, I decided to check out some of those releases I missed out on a few years ago. And sure, some of it is...uh...bad? And yes, a lot of it carries a similar aesthetic, as in Black Eyes sound like Q And Not U, or El Guapo, or Faraquet, but that's not really all that different from the Dischord of the 1980's is it? And it should be noted that all of the bands I just mentioned still bear the sonic fingerprints of Fugazi, who's overarching shadow is a tough one to get out from under as a post-punk band playing in D.C.

So, if you are anything like me (and in my egotistical brain you are), take this opportunity to check back in on your former favorite record label, and maybe discover something you like as much as that Happy Go Licky record (and by the way, this is certainly better that Fidelity Jones, or Beefeater...just sayin').

DL