Monday, December 23, 2013

REVIEW: Poncutation - 27 Club LP (Bonsound)

Québec's Poncutation have a tough, raw, heavy approach to hooky garage pop.  The guitar is huge, the vocals howl, arrangements explode into psychedelic feedback loops, the drums pound away precisely yet primitively, each track reaches out of the speakers and pounds your skull with a rock...in short, really good shit.  Make you inner rock n' roll caveman happy and pick up this record.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel - Nico & Her Psychedelic Subconscious (Burger)

If you think you can win this guy over with a Nico reference in the title of your record you are...completely right, my freaky friend.  Well it takes a little more than that to impress me, but these guys back up their album title's mind-altering claims with the fucking goods.  They take their keyboard-driven, hard-psych-freakbeat sounds (the organ has a frickin' wah pedal on the opening track, for christ's sake!) very seriously and they sound good doing it.  The record is expertly arranged, recorded and executed.  Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel combine an undeniably vintage tone with a more hi-fi approach to the overall production.  The results are far-out, man.  Just roll a fatty, sit back in your favorite chair, spark that bitch up and melt into recesses of your consciousness.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Froth - Patterns LP (Lolipop!)

L.A.'s Froth are putting their own spin on the 60s-garage-psych-surf-r&b genre.  And like some other modern outfits that have taken on this classic format (The Spyrals, Uh Bones, Allah Las) Froth is doing a good job of taking a slightly different tact.  Like the aforementioned, this band boils things down to their core elements and rearranges those elements in a modern framework.  Its a formula that I rarely tire of though - I have a strong affinity for 60s groups in general...lets put it this way....I have more 45s in my living room then I have dollars in my savings account (that's actually quite sad and depressing).  But as long as bands are adding something different to this time-honored format I say, "THE MORE THE MERRIER!"  Get it here.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

REVIEW: Thee Dang Dangs - For The People full-length cassette (self-released, Grabbing Clouds)

Here's some more jangly psych-surf music for you kids.  Denver's Thee Dang Dangs definitely have their finger on the current underground garage pulse.  Their space echo-ridden tracks skip along the surface with ease yet hint at a dark murky world beneath.  The next time they're in Chicago they should play with our boys NE-HI...that would be a snappy pairing.  After all, they are on one of Chi-towns newest cassette labels- Grabbing Clouds (which is due to release Slushy's latest LP in a few months).  To be honest, I haven't heard too much out of Colorado that isn't bluegrass or jam band music...are Thee Dang Dangs just one in a silent army of denim-wielding, vintage-gear-crushing, cassette-tape-slinging punkers? or do they walk alone, ever vigilant, a solitary face in a sea of hippies?  Only time and a slight amount of effort on my part will tell.  Get it here.

Friday, December 20, 2013

WHY PICK ON ME?'s YEAR-END LIST FOR 2013!!!!

The holidays are upon us and that can mean only one thing for a feeble blog like ours...ITS YEAR-END LIST TIME, BABY!  I'm not a huge fan of numbering things or saying what's "better" or what's "worse" so I've decided to present my picks in no particular order.  Truth be told we haven't even been around for a year ourselves so it hardly seems like we're qualified to decide what was this year's best (we only started in February), but those of you who read our reviews regularly know that our lack of knowledge and/or wisdom has never stopped us from posing as experts in the past.

As you're perusing our selections you might notice how many Chicago bands/labels are represented.  And you're probably like, "Duh...this blog is Chicago-based so of course their gonna support their buddies..."  Sure I know a lot of these folks and I know them because I live here, but the reason I bring it up is because I happen to think Chicago has one of the best if not THE best rock/punk/garage/DIY scenes in the world right now (Brooklyn, Portland, Fullerton, Austin, Melbourne, Glasgow and Seattle be damned!!!!)  Y'all better recognize!

OK...I need to shut up...here's our list...

Fuzz - This Time I Got A Reason / Fuzz's Fourth Dream 7" (Trouble In Mind)


Tweens - Be Mean Demo (self-released)



Twin Peaks - Sunken (Manic Static)


Real Numbers - Only Two Can Play EP (Three Dimensional)


Slushy - All The Rad Dudes (Manic Static)


Solid Attitude - BB Gun Picnic LP (Rotted Tooth)


The Raw Nerves - Sunburn EP (1:12 Records)


Magic Ian - I'm Having A Problem cassette (Manic Static, Maximum Pelt)


Son Of A Gun / The Morons Split 7" (Lo-Fi Supply) 


Laughing Leaves - Everyday 7" EP (self-released, Why Pick On Me?)


The Future Primitives - Songs We Taught Ourselves (Casbah)


Native America - Bad Weed / But Still Weed casette EP (self-released)


Primitive Hearts - High and Tight LP (FDH Records, Resurrection Records, P. Trash Records)


Earring - Nunn Ones cassette (Manic Static)


Vacation Club - Daydream b/w Forest Babe 7" (Randy)


Wayward Ones - Catherine St. Demos (self-released)


Epicycle - You're Not Gonna Get It LP comp (Hozac) 


The Lemons - Hello, We're The Lemons (Tripp Tapes) 


Make-Overs - Surfbored b/w Will It Ever Change (Hozac)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

REVIEW: Bad Coyotes - Sex Punk Demos (self-released)

Yowza! Yowza! Yowza!  Step right up ladies and gentleman and feel the fucking noise.  Oakland's Bad Coyotes rip it up loud, fast and fuzzy.  This release has all the hallmarks of an awesome punk release...frantic energy, rough-yet-warm sounding recordings, danceable rhythms and hooks by the truckful.   While I can't say with any certainty that these guys are good live this recording definitely makes it sound like they are (their drummer is a goddamn maniac!).  Either way I'm definitely gonna catch them if they find their way over to Chicago and dance my muthafucking ass off (or huck beer cans at the stage...or both)  Get it here.

REVIEW: A.D. Skinner - A.D. Skinner? (self-released)

Melbourne hardcore punks, A.D. Skinner, keep it simple and play to the strengths of the genre...more fuzz, less thrash, monotone vox, not guttural screams, homemade sounding, not overproduced bro-core, loud, not hideous.  If you prefer your h.c. the way I just described it you'll probably dig these dudes, but if you're trying to piss off your mom you can definitely find something more menacing than this.  This band reminds me of why I really need to just buy a plane ticket to Australia and see all the great bands there.  Get it here.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

COMING SOON: ▲▼▲ WHY? TEE VEE ▲▼▲ - music videos, live footage, band interviews, comedy, news and more!!!

We are proud to announce our latest addition to the media juggernaut that is Why Pick On Me?....

WHY? TEE VEE

That's right folks!  Once a month (or so) we'll be compiling brand new video content for your viewing pleasure.  What sorts of video content? you ask...y'know...the kinda shit garage punkers are into...live video clips, band interviews, comedy, news, music videos and all-out-brain-dead-rock-n-roll stupidity.  Because, after all, doesn't the internet need yet another YouTube channel?  We say "Yes!" as long as it completely pollutes the minds of the unexpecting, overstimulated youth with dirty, fuzzy, loud, DIY rock n' roll shit!  Who's with us?!?!  We're not exactly sure when the first episode will "air" but rest assured it will be up and running before you can say I WANT MY WHY? TEE VEE!!!!!!

Monday, November 18, 2013

REVIEW: Dragster - Shit By Dragster (self-released)

Dragster, a two-piecer out of Rennes, France are keeping things simple and laying it down dirty.  The three songs that comprise this digital release all come in at about 2 minutes...each one its own little garage punk screamer complete with Dywer-esque yelping and echo.  Unlike Thee Oh Sees however, they prefer their ditties draped in a lo-fi filth which, I must admit, immediately endeared me to their music.  No wheel reinvention here, but that doesn't mean this shit doesn't rip.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Nombre De Banda - Mountain Hot (self-released)

I'm loving this quirky, lo-fi release by L.A.'s Nombre De Banda.  And just like their name suggests these guys have a sense of humor that shines through not only in their obtuse, sardonic lyrics, but also in their delightfully strange arrangements.  It all delivered via the band's rough n' ragged production style complete with cheap organs and buzzing guitars.  Its sounds like a children's album made for adults.  Its hilarious and brilliant.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Tummy - Flamingo Lightning cassette EP (self-released)

Available for pre-order is Tummy's Flamingo Lightning EP.  This Seattle garage-surf band sound fickin awesome...at least as far as I can tell from the one song that is available for streaming on their bandcamp.  However, "Ghost Planet" has pricked my interest enough to mention it here.  The song takes several interesting turns beginning with a two-chord, minimalist synth arpeggiation which launches into a punchy surfy groove.  The song changes gears toward the end desolving into a slow soul/r&b shuffle.  This band displays a unique blend of influences and still manage to fit them into the modern DIY-garage style.  Get it here.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

REVIEW: TV Freaks s/t cassette (Shake!)

Canada's Shake! Records has released a bunch of cool records and tapes thus far including this one from their fellow countrymen, TV Freaks.  This Hamilton band plays driving, full-force garage punk.  The vocals rarely dip below a scream, the riffs are tough and the band is noisy and tight.  Get it here.

Friday, November 8, 2013

REVIEW: Thommy Crimson & Kidd Rags - Leather Heroin digital single (self-released)

I haven't been freakin' the fuck out lately on some proper psych-garage jams and Thommy Crimson & Kidd Rags's "Leather Heroin" is making me regret it.  This recording is a swirling caldron of noise with a plodding back beat and a hypnotic, space-echo-ridden vocal.  Its heeeeavy, man...2 minutes and 59 seconds full of pure sassafras smoke.  Obey the golden titty!!  Get it here.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

REVIEW: The Lemons - Hello, We're The Lemons (Tripp Tapes)

Chicago's sunshine super group have officially arrived!  The Lemons's Hello, We're The Lemons is in the running for Most Charming Chicago Release of 2013.  Not only are the songs cute, funny, weird and quirky...they're also expertly recorded (and I mean that in the most DIY/lo-fi way possible) and instantly memorable.  The good times are palpable on these recordings and, just like their live shows, the sound of this band is like a pure nitrous oxide hit straight to the dome...it makes you smile, feel stupid and want to hug the next person you see (especially if the person is dressed up like a giant teddy bear).  Its bubblegum completely unleashed in the happiest, catchiest way possible.  Group vocals, tasty licks, infectious melodies shine through a veritable cornucopia of production styles.  Highly recommended!!!  Oh yeah...did I mention the band is comprised of members of Today's Hits, Slushy, Hollow Mountain, Skymaul and The Rubs.  Its pure Chicago pop, people.  Get it here.

REVIEW: The Brats - Be A Man b/w Quaalude Queen 1974 archival release (Hozac)

This the second Hozac archival release we've covered in the past month...its not due to laziness or hometown favoritism...this shit just rules!  One of the latest, and recently made available, is a dusty jam from The Brats - a tough, trashy glam band from the early/mid seventies.  If you listen close enough you can hear the sweat making the band's eye shadow run.  'Nuff said.  Get it here.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

REVIEW: Cramapel - 1974 digital track (self-released)

Nice! Just caught wind of this noisy glam punk band from Rio De Janeiro.  Cramapel have got a fantastic warm, fuzzy sound.  The song itself is hooky and melodic.  Just cause your head is trapped in a post modern malaise doesn't mean you can't put your hands together and dance the night away.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Ba'ad Trip - Beach Flower digital EP (self-released)

Ba'ad Trip play junky, lo-fi punk reminiscent of Stooges with a spooky twist...complete with ski masks!  These dudes have a really cool recording style too.  The instrumentation is muffled, fuzzy, dry and tastefully staged.  The vocals are warm and distorted with a little delay/echo that gives the whole sound its "spooky" rockabilly feel.  Which explains why this EP was released on Halloween last week.  The overall charm of their approach makes the few rhythmic hiccups completely forgivable.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Joujou Jaguar - Demo #2 (self-released)

Straight forward 2-man garage rock out of Paris, France.  This recording covers all the sonic bases that Joujou Jaguar's guitar-drums set up requires: treble-heavy, echoing guitar, round warm drums and some fuzzy lead vocals to fill in the resulting frequencies.  This track has a swing to it that reminds me of Madison's The Hussy.  If this is their second "demo" I can't wait to hear more.  Get it here.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

REVIEW: YORCHH s/t EP digital release (self-released)

Bring on the drone.  Fans of Chicago's premiere noise punk label, Manic Static, might want to sink their ears into this.  Spain's YORCHH not only make noise, but they've got a good ear for what their noise should sound like.  There's a low drone throughout which might be the result of a strummed bass guitar or a guitar plugged into a bass amp.  The tunes bop along and do so only as long as they need to.  Its hard to understand the lyrics, but I'm assuming they express some sort of deep anguish overcome by sheer force of will.  This EP is powerful, dark and toe-tappin'.  Get it here.

OLD SHIT: King Sin - The Fucking Amazing King Sin (1993)

Oh yeah...that's right...here's one of the weirdest things I've come across in a while.  King Sin is Ed Nehring from Cedar Rapids, IA and he might not be well, but like Antoine Newcomb once declared, "Thank God for mental illness."  Using only an acoustic and a voice King Sin leads us on a magical misery tour of his obtuse psyche.  After reading some of the song titles ("Put a Pickle in the Freezer", "Don't Clip My Pee Pee" and "The Violence In My Cock") I was certain I was in for a rare treat and damnit...I sure was right.  If Jonathan Richmond, Ian MacKaye and Daniel Johnston all fucked, had a baby, never loved it and gave that baby an acoustic guitar it might sound something like this.  Get it here.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

REVIEW: Dog Legs - Awkward EP cassette (TUFF ENUFF)

If you've been reading this blog with any sort of regularity you know I have a penchant for the girlie garage punk...especially if its the hooky, doo-woppy, booty-shakin' variety.  I guess you could say that Brighton, UK's Dog Legs diddles my proverbial clit just the way I like it.  In Februrary I wrote about a video they made for the song "Cobra Snake" which is featured on this release.  I'm pleased to say that the rest of the EP has not disappointed me in the least.  This band is so well put together and these ladies aren't afraid to let their music enter all areas: sensitive, ragged, tough, irreverent, poppy, humorous, folky, etc.  Throughout, they maintain a cohesive, lo-fi/hi-fi sound.  I'm giving them 420 out of 666 stars.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Drug Bond - Punk Damage digital single (self-released)

Got another raw hardcore jam for you people.  I really like the way this recording sounds: guitars up front with the rest of the band lingering in the acoustics of the garage/practice space and the vocals piercing through with just a hint of reverb.  Hardcore punk (especially straight edge shit) is definitely the providence of youth.  Admittedly, my interest in the genre wains considerably as the average age of the band creeps up past 20.  I may have just put my foot in my mouth- I have no idea how old this band is- but Drug Bond brings the correct spirit, energy and sound for this type of music.  Nice fucking work, dudes.  Get it here.

Monday, October 28, 2013

REVIEW: Epicycle - You're Not Gonna Get It LP comp (Hozac)

The archival wing of Chicago's Hozac Records has been busy lately, releasing the sort of rare, hard-to-find, forgotten artists that any dedicated reissue label would strive to attatch their imprint to.  The latest example of their fruitful efforts is an old hometown band, Epicycle.  These late 70s punk pioneers are as raw, interesting and preeminent as any of their Midwestern peers yet their legacy has been sadly lost to the dumpster of punk history.  This LP features selections from their brilliant, albeit brief tenure.  Pick one up and impress your punker-than-thou friends who're always scoffing at your "inobscure" listening choices.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Poolboy - Soda Kids EP (self-released, Grabbing Clouds)

Oklahoma's Poolboy play surfy garage pop and their latest, Soda Kids, is a well-produced demonstration of what these dudes can do. The songs are catchy and the arrangements are balanced and serve the songs well...I predict these young gentleman will be making more waves in the future.  Their sound is too focused and instantly appealing not too.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Food Court - Smile At Your Shoes EP (self-released)

Skating back and forth between hazy, grungey noise and Cali surf pop is Sydney's Food Court.  I guess you could say their music is sunny and cloudy at the same time.  If Thurston Moore had been a little less jaded and applied a modern-garage-styled spacial effect to his vocals he might have made music similar to these dudes.  All six songs are consistent in form and function and provide plenty of places for the audience to scream along.  Well worth a listen/scream.  Get it here.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

REVIEW: Wayward Ones - Catherine St. Demos (self-released)

Wowie zowie!  Feel like a fist full of hardcore straight to the dome piece?  Meet Wayward Ones, a Philly punk band that have released a handful of demos that I'm assuming they recorded themselves in their practice space.  The guitar tone is out front on these tracks and practically explodes through the speakers.  The band isn't reinventing the wheel here, but who gives a fuck?  These recordings are blown-out, gnarly, fast and brutal.  Its musical violence the way it was meant to sound.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Pores S/T cassette (self-released)

Like an intoxicated friend who shouldn't drive himself home but is so confident in their drunkenness that they drive themselves anyways, Pores weave and nod off at the wheel with one eye open, but they believe they can make it...and more importantly they convince the listener in the passenger seat that they can too.  This off-kilter west coast noise punk outfit have got some weird tunes, but its a "good" weird.  Each track takes unexpected turns and pit stops through a cavernous terrain as the vocalist, lackadaisical and yet assured, spits obtuse metaphors with bravado as the band holds fast to their dissonant aesthetic.  These dudes are chock full of...uh?..noise swag?  Get it here.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

REVIEW: Vacation Club - Daydream b/w Forest Babe 7" (Randy)

I'm not sure why its taken me so long to get around to reviewing this record...I've been rocking out to it since it came out in July and its on one of Chi-town's finest labels, Randy.  Vacation Club, out of Indianapolis, encapsulate a lot of what is great about rock n' roll: they're noisy, glamtastic, surfy, tough, hummable, danceable, etc...basically its a fucking party for your ear balls.  The cover ain't bad for your eye balls either.  Get it here.

REVIEW: Slushy - Pocket b/w Candy 7" (Randy)

While many eyes in Chicago were wet when Brent Zmrhal skipped town a few weeks ago we were at least left with a parting gift in consolation.  Brent is one half of our city's sunniest pop duo, Slushy.  Their latest [and only?] 7" out on Randy Records is frickin' sweet...literally.  Lead singer/songwriter Chris Kramer has a way with penning simple, catchy, infectious pop music that would probably give you a toothache if you listened to too much of it.  The saccharine tunes are offset by the band's dirty, lo-fi approach.  Get it here.

p.s. look out for an exclusive Slushy track on the next WPOM? mixtape!

NEW VIDEO: Panda Kid - Daltonic Eyes

Here's an example of a video that is perfectly paired with the music.  Panda Kid's Daltronic Eyes, a tune off of their forthcoming Summetry LP on ALREADY DEAD TAPES, is awkward, homemade, psychedelic yet oddly intriguing.  While the modalities and songwriting are different, I think fans of White Fence will dig this band.  Its a bit more Bolan-esque, but it has the same "outsider art" feel to it that works because...well...it just works.  Get it here.


REVIEW: The Leave Me Be's - We Used To Have Girlfriends cassette EP (Maximum Pelt)

Jackson, Mississippi's, The Leave Me Be's, have a laid back feel but yet still convey an overall feeling of raw power.  Their latest, We Used to Have Girlfriends, is a homogenous in its sound, production, song-writing and delivery.  Its breezy and heavy, conveying a youthful energy that is willful, pensive and looking forward.  I'm gonna take a stab at giving a point of reference as to the band's sound...kinda somewhere between Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees and Smith Westerns?  Oh well, who gives a fuck...this shit is cool.  Get it here or here.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

WPOM? RECORDS: THE RUBS - DEMOS cassette EP is out!!!

We are proud to announce the release of yet another new Chicago group...(its my group, actually)...The Rubs!!!  This recording has a homemade, proto-punk/power pop vibe minus drums, but I think it holds up OK without them (at least I hope it does).  These are "bedroom" demos that sound snarly and trashed-up, but in a listenable way.  And you can rest assured that the band has been fully assembled and features former/current members of Strychnine, Plastic Crimewave Syndicate, The Sueves, The Yolks, Uh Bones, Skymaul and Bigcolour...pretty sweet, eh?  Witness The Rubs for the first time this Saturday (10/19) at The Chicago Underground Music Archive Fund-Rager with Coffinships, Lil Tits, Foul Tip, PISSPISSPISSMOANMOANMOAN, The Lemons and The Chicagodrones.  While you're there, pick up a cassette..or just get it here.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Palmflower - Experimental Jazz full-length cassette (Loli Pop!)

Palmflower occupies a space somewhere between the precious and the trashy.  Y'know, like all those rocker girls with cute bangs and gnarly tattoos that make your voice crack and spurn you on to ingest more liquid courage than you should.  The song forms are simple, to-the-point and follow the old school rock n' roll road map.  You may have caught them opening up for Peach Kelli Pop a couple weeks ago...a fitting pairing.  Both bands have "cute", teeny-bopper aesthetic, but aren't afraid to blow your face off.  Palmflower is girlie rock done right!  Get it here.

p.s. catch them at the Burlington Bar tonight with Todd Novak (Hozac) DJin'! https://www.facebook.com/events/460902557360427/

Thursday, September 26, 2013

WPOM? RECORDS: Son of a Gun S/T EP cassette RELEASE DATE IS THIS SATURDAY!!!!! (9/28/13)

Holy Crap!!!  Our suburban homies, Son Of A Gun, just recorded five of the slamminest garage punk tunes we've heard in a while.  And guess what?...WPOM is releasing them on a limited edition cassette EP.  I'm not even joking...every single one of these tracks is a screamer!!!!

Come out to the Alpha Delta Phi (University of Chicago) fraternity house on Saturday (9/28) and be one of the first to get your hands on this most righteous artifact.  Here's the facebook event------> https://www.facebook.com/events/706739816009051/?ref=22

They'll be joined by Real Numbers and Teenage Moods all the way from Minneapolis as well as their home-town friends Uh Bones.  This show is 100% guaranteed to get your rock n' roll boner up!

Brought to you by your good friends at Why Pick On Me?...Seeya there, punks!!




REVIEW: Forests - Ego Bender / The Fall single (Gary Records)

Damn! Taiwan's got game.  If I didn't know Forests was from Taipei I'd have thought they were from the Bay Area or something.  Catchy hooks, cool production value and butt-shaking rhythms are the hallmarks of this killer new garage pop outfit from across the [big] pond.  And we have Gary Records- a brand new Chicago label founded by Robyn Chang and Kelley Scott- to thank for importing this fantastic music to The Second City.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

REVIEW: NE-HI - Public House single (self-released)

Like you're garage pop extra jangly?  Chicago's NE-HI's got ya covered.  12-string-esque pickin' abounds on this impressive debut that takes a fresh approach to the classic Byrdsian formula.  The songs are simple and dreamy, suspended in an modern echoy atmosphere. Deceptively catchy guitar hooks weave in and out of suspended harmonic structures gently hypnotizing the listener with bitter sweet introspection.  Fans of Smith Westerns and Twin Peaks are gonna love this shit. Just lay back and let NE-HI's sonic ennui wash over you.  Get it here.


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

REVIEW: The Sufis - Inventions LP (Burger, Ample Play)

The Sufis faithfully recreate 60s psych-pop laced with hooks, interesting arrangements, far-out breaks and solid musicianship.  Their latest LP, Inventions, is out now on Burger Records (and Ample Play Records in the UK) and the few tunes I've been able to hear off of it are quite pleasing to my aural cavities.  Plus they've got good looks t'boot (the dude on the right sorta looks like me).  Get it here.


NEW VIDEO: Crystal Stilts - Star Crawl (Sacred Bones)

4-chord psychedelia + colorized scenes of middle America.  Its not some art film starring The Monkees...its the new video for Crystal Stilts's "Star Crawl"- a track off their forthcoming Nature Noir LP available a week from today on Sacred Bones.  The vocals are processed and out-front over tremolo-ed guitar, Paul McCartney bass tone and herky-jerky drums.  The song has a raw-yet-well-produced sound.  The video is tasteful yet acidy.  Get the LP on 9/17 here.


REVIEW: Silkies - Never Tell A Lie EP (self-released)

Silkies combine surf and 60s r&b in a way that is, by now, quite common in the modern garage rock genre, but for me this band still stands apart.  Their music is hummable/hip-shakable and at the same time sort of dissonant/noisy/out of tune.  The juxtaposition really works to their advantage.  Also, the lead vocalist's style is straight-forward, cheerful, innocent and feminine- the same sort of formula that worked for all those girl groups and French ye-ye singers back in the early sixties (they actually do a great cover of Mary Jo's "Take A Word" on this release).  If you are a fan of Cincinnati's Tweens  or if you just like garage rock you can sing along too you'll probably dig Austin's Silkies.  Get it here.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

REVIEW: Night Beats - Sonic Bloom LP (The Reverberation Appreciation Society)

On September 24th, 2013 you'll have your first opportunity to get your filthy mits on a copy of Night Beats's new LP, Sonic Bloom.  Those already familiar with this band know they throw down somethin' fierce.  In a relatively short time they've managed to carve out their own unique brand of reductionist blues-psych-garage music...a decidedly difficult thing to do amongst the thousands of other bands trying to occupy this niche.  While I've only heard one track from the new LP so far it sounds like its gonna be another scorcher.  Get it here.


REVIEW: Jeffery Drag Records - Summer Sampler 2013

Here's a tasty treat to make the end of your summer that much better.  Included on this short compilation are tracks from The People's Temple, Useless Eaters, Natural Child, etc...from one of our favorite labels around...Jeffery Drag!


REVIEW: New Swears - Funny Isn't Real LP (Bruised Tongue, Dirt Cult, Bachelor)

Taking more than a few aesthetic queues from The Black Lips, Ottawa's New Swears play fun, eclectic, garage pop that's brims over with youthful, fuck-off-I'm-tryin-to-party attitude.  Lots of group singing/shouting over these unashamedly hummable melodies and hooks.  Not bad, ay?  Get it here.


Monday, September 2, 2013

REVIEW: Pink Mexico - Pnik Mxeico LP (self-released)

Take some Cobain chords, a dash of echo, a sprinkle of shoegaze and heaping spoonful of high-pitched male vocals and bam!  You've just made Pink Mexico.  And while they are borrowing heavily from the old Seattle sound this band is very tasteful in their application it's harmonic and tonal devices and update it just a bit for the young garage punks of today.  Let your hair fall over your face, give former president George H.W. Bush the middle finger and turn on this record.  Get it here.


REVIEW: Earring - Nunn Ones cassette (Manic Static)

Chicago's Earring know how to chill the fuck out.  Y'know...'cause sometimes punk rockers have to take a break from their own recklessness from time to time...like when their stuck in the "k" hole or going to bed at 10 in the morning or nursing a hangover while they're serving brunch at a vegan cafe.  If you're looking for something that's hypnotic yet fuzzy, slow yet trashy, ambient yet grungey, sad yet pissed...Earring's Nunn Ones is just what the rock n' roll doctor ordered.  Get it here.


Monday, August 26, 2013

REVIEW: El Sur - Neko EP (self-released)

El Sur's latest EP is decidedly dreamier and gazier their previous efforts...don't worry though... its brings the same primitive, visceral feel as the El Sur of yore.  The Argentinian duo have made the perfect soundtrack for your next "high as fuck" skateboarding tour of [insert name your city].  I suck at skateboarding, but if I didn't this would be the music I would want in ma' headcans.  Get it here.


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

OLD SHIT: Killed By Death: Rare Punk 77-82 Comp (?, ЯedRuM Records)

Need to get your mind right with some full-throttle punk rock?  Sure you do!  Well, look no further than this mysterious collection of lesser known punk anthems from the golden era of the genre.  Tracks from Nuns, Mad, Dogs, Authorities and others are artfully compiled for posterity by an [apparent] mystery label.  Its an amazing bootleg for sure.  I'd write more about this, but I've get back to scraping fragments of my own brain off the wall next to my stereo.


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

REVIEW: Mujeres - Soft Gems LP (Sones)

This LP is well over a year old, but I'm totally digging this shit.  Barcelona's Mujeres offer up their take on the 1960s garage, surf and punk on Soft Gems.  And just like the title suggests there is a soft, analog feel to these recordings.  The band is not necessarily playing "softer" but the recording sounds like they're draped in a gossamer blanket.  The songs howl and pound away, but the listener's ears are none the wiser.  This fact alone made this record stand out from the crowd, but you will be pleasantly surprised by how original and toe-tappin' the songs are.  Really fucking cool.  Get it here.


REVIEW: Cool Ghouls - Alright Cassette EP (Under The Gun)

Cool Ghoul's first cassette release has just been reissued today (I think its today, anyway) on Under The Gun Records.  This band is fan-fucking-tastic....vocal harmonies, hooks-a-plenty, even horns for god's sake!  Its like The Band/Neil Young via a modern garage milieu. This is your chance to get your hands on an amazing debut by this super sweet bay area band...only 150 copies available.  Get it here.


REVIEW: Absolutely Not - Mister Something LP (Chain Smoking)

Local garage rock mainstays, Absolutely Not, just released a new album last month on Chain Smoking Records.  Let me preface this review by stating that this music is not for the light-hearted...in fact, if you were planning on going out on a bath salt binge Mister Something might be the perfect music to listen too while you're chewing your next victim's face off.  The overall feel of this record is frantic, wild and sonically in-your-face...and isn't that what rock n' roll is all about?  See these dudes live! And get the LP here.