Glamrock and
70s punk meet in the sounds of Mr. Human’s main band, Andy Human and the
Reptoids. Andy is one of the most prolific punk rockers in the Bay in recent
memory. This is the band’s second full-length and it's good. 10 new songs with
sarcastic and critical lyrics. I love the colorful artwork too.
Hear the thing here: https://andyhumanthereptoids.bandcamp.com/album/psychic-sidekick.
BB Eye is Martin
Meyer and Olivia Gibb making weirdo songs together. Synths, drum computers and
idiotic lyrics that make me laugh. What's not to like? If you haven't picked
this one up yet, this is your chance to make up for it. It doesn't contain a
hit as big as 'What is that pink stuff you keep in the fridge?', but
it's still very very good.
Hear the thing here: https://bbeye.bandcamp.com/album/headcheese-heartthrob.
Hear the thing here: https://bbeye.bandcamp.com/album/headcheese-heartthrob.
Brandy - Laugh Track 12" (Monofonous Press) (15 euro)
Debut
12" by this New York punk outfit on the now defunct Monofonous Press.
Mature, well written songs, with an aggressive sound. There's a connection to
Pop.1280, which you can perhaps hear. The sound is dense and sort of
futuristic. Most of these guys were also in Pampers, the band, but probably
also the nappies.
Hear the
thing here: https://brandynewyorkcity.bandcamp.com/album/laugh-track.
Contributors - 12" (Monofonous Press) (15 euro)
A collaboration between Spray Paint and Dan Melchior. Only 6 songs, but they're lengthy and more importantly very good. Dan's voice gives Spray Paint a completely different sound which works surprisingly well. I'm glad I was able to obtain some of these after Monofonous Press called it quits.
A collaboration between Spray Paint and Dan Melchior. Only 6 songs, but they're lengthy and more importantly very good. Dan's voice gives Spray Paint a completely different sound which works surprisingly well. I'm glad I was able to obtain some of these after Monofonous Press called it quits.
Hear the
thing here: https://contributors.bandcamp.com/album/contributors
Doctrina - Alimentar Su Final Lp (Mutant) (12,50 euro)
Anthemic and
melodic punk rock from Spain. This three-piece is new to me, but I like what I
hear. There are 8 songs on this 12”, all upbeat with an occasional tinge of melancholy.
For reference think some of the more bouncy punk rock in Spanish tongue in
recent memory such as Rata Negra and la urSS.
Far Corners - Onesided 12" (Limited Appeal) (12,50 euro) Five post-punk tracks with a garage bend on this one-sided 12" that looks DIY as fuck. You probably are not familiar with this band so give them a hear. You won't be disappointed. The opening song has been with me ever since I played it the first time. The label compares them to the Intelligence, but I’ve never consciously listened to that group. There's a slight tinge of A-Frames to Far Corners' sound too; kinda cold and futuristic.
Hear the
thing here: https://farcorners.bandcamp.com/album/ep.
Faux Départ - Vie Ordinaire Lp (Mutant)(12,50 euro)
Second album by these French punks. Describing this as simple and catchy punk rock, feels derogative, but is meant as a compliment. Vie ordinaire sounds good, looks cool and makes me feel like I'm slowly comprehending the French language better. I'll give it another spin for the purpose of self development: encore un fois!
Faux Départ - Vie Ordinaire Lp (Mutant)(12,50 euro) Second album by these French punks. Describing this as simple and catchy punk rock, feels derogative, but is meant as a compliment. Vie ordinaire sounds good, looks cool and makes me feel like I'm slowly comprehending the French language better. I'll give it another spin for the purpose of self development: encore un fois!
Hear the
thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yfSETr4TZg.
Foster Care - El Abuso Lp (Total Punk) (15 euro)
Second full
length by these cats from New York who also released a 12" Ep on Total
Punk before. Foster Care is perhaps the most hardcore band Total Punk has
released thusfar. High tempo and high energy. Steady and beefy drumming and big
riffs to which the vocals take a back seat. This record is over before you know,
but the good thing is you can play it again. And again. And again! For those
keeping score this is coming from people who brought you the Pampers and Ex
Humans before.
Hear the
thing here: https://totalpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/el-abuso.
Groinoids - Lost Lp (Limited Appeal) (15 euro) You should be familiar with This is Boston not L.A., the 1980's compilation Lp documenting the Boston hardcore scene at the time. Groinoids contributed one track to that record. Later on their Radiobeat Sessions would be released on 7", documenting the amazing 'Empty Skull', one of my alltime favorite hardcore bangers. This Lp consists of all previously unreleased material by this group of which members would later go on to form Upside Down Cross and Kilslug.
No link to
the record, but those who've heard the song Empty Skull know they need
this record in their life. Here's a liveset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IQyvMBIpnM.
Hallelujah! - Wanna Dance Lp (Maple Death) (12,50 euro)
Second 12"
by this Italian band. Feedback drenched punk rock incorporating synthesizers
and drum computers. Noisy yet catchy songs. I hate covers especially on record,
but Hallelujah!'s take on I wanna be your dog on this Lp is rad and
makes me think of that Lasters song 'I'm allergic to your face'. The
Lasters, anyone?
Hear the
thing here: https://mapledeathrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wanna-dance.
Hank Wood and the Hammerheads - 2018 Lp (Toxic State) (15 euro)
L.O.T.I.O.N. - World Wide W.E.B. Lp (Toxic State) (15 euro)
Second Lp by this New York band. L.O.T.I.O.N. sounds like a band from the future if the future was now. Industrial, mechanical and most of all violent. Destruction is the game. If you're into the sounds of Uniform, the one from New York, and White Suns, can't read enough Philip K. Dick books or watch the Terminator and Robocop on repeat this record is your jam. Play it loud as mankind's annihilation closes in on us.
Natural Man Band - Living in a Chemical World Lp (Lumpy Rex) (12,50 euro)
Debut Lp by this Kansas outfit that contains no less than 7 people. There are dual male/female vocals, a saxophone, a synthesizer. Think part Dangerhouse, part Devo-revival. This record is a lot of fun and should appeal to those excited about the World, the band not the planet.
Neon - 12" (Square One Again) (15 euro)
After a great demo tape Neon return with a 12". Disjointed and damaged art-punk with a lot of feedback and occasional no-wave elements. Thought provoking lyrics. Good Throb is not a bad point of reference. Cool artwork, obi-strip and insert. Killer record! One of my favorites of this batch.
One of the
first run of Toxic State bands. Hank Wood and the Hammerheads were rightfully
loved by everyone except those who didn't like chickens slaughtered on stage.
After two solid albums they quit. Then out of nowhere they returned with this
monster of a 12" in 2018. I expected more of the same, but it's not. This
is a great punk record, a contemporary classic if these times still allow such
terms.
Hear the
thing here: https://hankwoodandthehammerheads.bandcamp.com/album/s-t.
Second Lp by this New York band. L.O.T.I.O.N. sounds like a band from the future if the future was now. Industrial, mechanical and most of all violent. Destruction is the game. If you're into the sounds of Uniform, the one from New York, and White Suns, can't read enough Philip K. Dick books or watch the Terminator and Robocop on repeat this record is your jam. Play it loud as mankind's annihilation closes in on us.
Hear the
thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTo83qCkPy8.
M.A.Z.E. - 12" (Lumpy Rex) (12,50 euro)
Minimal and shambolic art punk without pretense brought to you by three Japanese ladies. Creeps need not apply. These 6 songs were originally released as a demo, but Lumpy pressed them to wax after some mastering. Playful and enjoyable tunes. They toured the States with BB Eye, which must have been a blast.
Minimal and shambolic art punk without pretense brought to you by three Japanese ladies. Creeps need not apply. These 6 songs were originally released as a demo, but Lumpy pressed them to wax after some mastering. Playful and enjoyable tunes. They toured the States with BB Eye, which must have been a blast.
Hear the
thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsaWEfsZft8.
Murderer - I Did It All For You Lp (Toxic State) (15 euro)
The first batch of this record was sold out in no time so here's a restock. Creepy hardcore punk from New York. All the songs seem to be about a secret love of which only one of the two people involved seems to be aware. Stalker vibes indeed. For those keeping score, this is one of Hank Wood's other bands.
The first batch of this record was sold out in no time so here's a restock. Creepy hardcore punk from New York. All the songs seem to be about a secret love of which only one of the two people involved seems to be aware. Stalker vibes indeed. For those keeping score, this is one of Hank Wood's other bands.
Hear the
thing here: https://murderernyc.bandcamp.com/album/i-did-it-all-for-you.
Natural Man Band - Living in a Chemical World Lp (Lumpy Rex) (12,50 euro) Debut Lp by this Kansas outfit that contains no less than 7 people. There are dual male/female vocals, a saxophone, a synthesizer. Think part Dangerhouse, part Devo-revival. This record is a lot of fun and should appeal to those excited about the World, the band not the planet.
Hear the
thing here: https://mutants4nuclearwaste.bandcamp.com/album/living-in-a-chemical-world-with-the-natural-man-band.
Neon - 12" (Square One Again) (15 euro) After a great demo tape Neon return with a 12". Disjointed and damaged art-punk with a lot of feedback and occasional no-wave elements. Thought provoking lyrics. Good Throb is not a bad point of reference. Cool artwork, obi-strip and insert. Killer record! One of my favorites of this batch.
Hear the
thing here: https://neonislife.bandcamp.com/album/neon
Quintron - Erotomania Lp (Mind Meld) (15 euro)
This man is supposedly a legend, but I know little about him except that he's from New Orleans, records a lot of good music and did keys on that soulful Oblivians release. This record is entirely instrumental. It sounds like the soundtrack to a '50s movie or the band playing in the back of the bar in a scifi movie that isn't some Hollywood production like Star Wars.
This man is supposedly a legend, but I know little about him except that he's from New Orleans, records a lot of good music and did keys on that soulful Oblivians release. This record is entirely instrumental. It sounds like the soundtrack to a '50s movie or the band playing in the back of the bar in a scifi movie that isn't some Hollywood production like Star Wars.
Hear the
thing here: https://quintron10.bandcamp.com/album/erotomania-quintron-at-the-chamberlin.
Sex Church - Flowers Lp (Limited Appeal) (12,50 euro)
Someone once predicted Sex Church would be my new favorite band. That turned out to be an overstatement, but I've been following the group from their first single on Sweet Rot. Sex Church is hard to describe, but their music is pretty depressing, draining in the best way. The band can produce the same dark melancholy a band like Pink Reason can. Not music for good times, but that's rather fitting, isn't it?
Urochromes - Trope House Lp (Wharf Cat) (15 euro)
The debut Ep by this duo from Massachusetts was a true kick up the ass with hits such as 'I don't want to be like me' and 'Stuck on a planet', the latter of which reappears on this Lp in a mellower version. On Trope House the band shows more diversity than I remember them showcasing on their first Ep, which I'd describe as stupid and stomping punk rock. Trope House is more dynamic. There are slow songs in which the Urochromes toy around with different styles as well as punk rock bangers. This is a real cool record with rad artwork. The sleeve is done by John Morton for those who know that is.
Warp - Traffic Control Lp (Thrilling Living) (15 euro)
Debut record by this new Bay Area punk band. These kids are solid songwriters. Traffic Control is a diverse punk rock record. The singer's got attitude. I have a hard time wrapping my head around her lyrics at times, but some crack me up. The words to 'Baby Chihuahua' for example are: 'Bark at the TV/Woof woof woof!' 'Cellophane' is catchier than... (you fill in the blank) and 'Makeup' is a witty take on the cosmetic industry. Cool record.
The World - First World Record Lp (Lumpy Rex) (12,50 euro)
This was one of my favorite records to come out in 2017. Although I was a bit on guard because of the horns at first, I came around and came to love this release. It's danceable, fun and smart. Late 1970's LA Punk like Dangerhouse Records is a good reference here again. Upset the Rhythm has been out of copies of this rager so I got some restocks from Lumpy for those who missed out on the first round.
Various Artists - House Music Lp (Self Released) (15 euro)
Sam of Feel It Records recommended me this record and I'm still thankful for that, because this is one of my favorite recent discoveries. This record is basically a recording project of Mike Thorpe, singer of the Bad Noids, with a bunch of friends. The songs are what you want from a Cleveland, Ohio compilation record: weird, funny, highly entertaining and catchy.
Scrap Brain - A Journey into Madness Lp (Thrilling Living) (12,50 euro)
Rudimentary and ugly hardcore punk with a shitload of feedback and catharthic lyrics. Both the music and lyrics have teeth. If one were to analyze the seperate elements of this bands, one could make the mistake to think there's not much special to be heard. Scrap Brain however is more than the sum of its parts. If you're looking for gritty hardcore on the verge of collapse, look no further.
Rudimentary and ugly hardcore punk with a shitload of feedback and catharthic lyrics. Both the music and lyrics have teeth. If one were to analyze the seperate elements of this bands, one could make the mistake to think there's not much special to be heard. Scrap Brain however is more than the sum of its parts. If you're looking for gritty hardcore on the verge of collapse, look no further.
Hear the
thing here: https://thrillingliving.bandcamp.com/album/a-journey-into-madness.
Sex Church - Flowers Lp (Limited Appeal) (12,50 euro) Someone once predicted Sex Church would be my new favorite band. That turned out to be an overstatement, but I've been following the group from their first single on Sweet Rot. Sex Church is hard to describe, but their music is pretty depressing, draining in the best way. The band can produce the same dark melancholy a band like Pink Reason can. Not music for good times, but that's rather fitting, isn't it?
Hear the
opening track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaC1o-XNgbk.
Taiwan Housing Project - Sub-Language Trustees Lp (ever/never) (15 euro)
Second album by this no-wave outfit from Philadelphia. Sub-Language Trustees is a very powerful record. Aggressive and chaotic with elements of free jazz. This is definitely not for the faint of heart. An obvious comparison would be Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. Harry Pussy maybe? Guess what? Mark Feehan of Harry Pussy plays guitar in this band. That should be reason enough to give this thing a shot!
Second album by this no-wave outfit from Philadelphia. Sub-Language Trustees is a very powerful record. Aggressive and chaotic with elements of free jazz. This is definitely not for the faint of heart. An obvious comparison would be Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. Harry Pussy maybe? Guess what? Mark Feehan of Harry Pussy plays guitar in this band. That should be reason enough to give this thing a shot!
Hear the
thing here: https://evernever-records.bandcamp.com/album/sub-language-trustees.
Timmy Vulgar's Genetic Armageddon - Music from the Other Side of the Swamp Lp (Mind Meld) (15 euro)
Rich started Mind Meld to release some more experimental stuff that doesn't fit the Total Punk banner. This Timmy Vulgar record is indeed a strange one. The music is wandering. Instrumentals and songs with vocals are mixed. The whole thing feels like a bedroom recording project, because it is. One done by Mr. Vulgar so you know you want to give it a shot. Music for weirdos, creeps and aliens. The artwork is done by Timmy too. I always like his drawings.
Rich started Mind Meld to release some more experimental stuff that doesn't fit the Total Punk banner. This Timmy Vulgar record is indeed a strange one. The music is wandering. Instrumentals and songs with vocals are mixed. The whole thing feels like a bedroom recording project, because it is. One done by Mr. Vulgar so you know you want to give it a shot. Music for weirdos, creeps and aliens. The artwork is done by Timmy too. I always like his drawings.
Hear the
thing here: https://mindmeldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/music-from-the-other-side-of-the-swamp.
Uranium Club - The Cosmo Cleaners Lp (Fashionable Idiots) (12,50 euro)
If you're not yet familiar with these cats, you've been living under a stone. This is the Uranium Club's third 12" and it's another winner. Simple as that. I'm ashamed to say I haven't played this one as much as their other records, but that has nothing to do with the quality. Bands like these keep punk relevant. If you missed out on the first batch of this Lp, here's another chance to pick a copy up.
If you're not yet familiar with these cats, you've been living under a stone. This is the Uranium Club's third 12" and it's another winner. Simple as that. I'm ashamed to say I haven't played this one as much as their other records, but that has nothing to do with the quality. Bands like these keep punk relevant. If you missed out on the first batch of this Lp, here's another chance to pick a copy up.
Hear the
thing here: https://staticshockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-cosmo-cleaners.
Urochromes - Trope House Lp (Wharf Cat) (15 euro) The debut Ep by this duo from Massachusetts was a true kick up the ass with hits such as 'I don't want to be like me' and 'Stuck on a planet', the latter of which reappears on this Lp in a mellower version. On Trope House the band shows more diversity than I remember them showcasing on their first Ep, which I'd describe as stupid and stomping punk rock. Trope House is more dynamic. There are slow songs in which the Urochromes toy around with different styles as well as punk rock bangers. This is a real cool record with rad artwork. The sleeve is done by John Morton for those who know that is.
Hear the
thing here: https://urochromes.bandcamp.com/album/trope-house.
Warp - Traffic Control Lp (Thrilling Living) (15 euro) Debut record by this new Bay Area punk band. These kids are solid songwriters. Traffic Control is a diverse punk rock record. The singer's got attitude. I have a hard time wrapping my head around her lyrics at times, but some crack me up. The words to 'Baby Chihuahua' for example are: 'Bark at the TV/Woof woof woof!' 'Cellophane' is catchier than... (you fill in the blank) and 'Makeup' is a witty take on the cosmetic industry. Cool record.
Hear the
thing here: https://thrillingliving.bandcamp.com/album/a-journey-into-madness.
The World - First World Record Lp (Lumpy Rex) (12,50 euro) This was one of my favorite records to come out in 2017. Although I was a bit on guard because of the horns at first, I came around and came to love this release. It's danceable, fun and smart. Late 1970's LA Punk like Dangerhouse Records is a good reference here again. Upset the Rhythm has been out of copies of this rager so I got some restocks from Lumpy for those who missed out on the first round.
Hear the
thing here: https://theworldband.bandcamp.com/album/first-world-record.
Various Artists - House Music Lp (Self Released) (15 euro) Sam of Feel It Records recommended me this record and I'm still thankful for that, because this is one of my favorite recent discoveries. This record is basically a recording project of Mike Thorpe, singer of the Bad Noids, with a bunch of friends. The songs are what you want from a Cleveland, Ohio compilation record: weird, funny, highly entertaining and catchy.
No links to
be found. It doesn't get more obscure than this kids.
