BLACKLEVEL EMBASSY - NEW VETERAN (2012)

So a big thanks to a visitor to the blog (in the comments)...pointing me in the direction of this record. Yesterday I posted Ricaine, and apparently the only member of the band still playing, is in this band, Blacklevel Embassy. It doesn't sound exactly like Shellac this time around, although there are elements sifting in there. If Jesus Lizard, Fugazi, AC/DC and Shellac made a baby robot machine, this would be the result.
(OSCL Records - 2012)

DL: NEW VETERAN

RICAINE - THE CLARITY OF DISTANCE (1997)

This is pretty solid Chicago 90's rock inspired noise from Australia. Now defunct, these guys once said, 'Hey we really like Shellac. Let's see how close we can sound to them.' They picked up the Shellac for Dummies book, and pulled it off. Complete with Steve Albini in his best Aussie accent. (Heh heh.) They have some Slint moments at times as well. Lots of off-kilter time changes, buzzsaw guitars, flailing noise and feedback and vocals that range from talking to screaming. You love this stuff. That's why you come here.
(Rubbber Records - 1997)

DL: THE CLARITY OF DISTANCE

MULE - MULE (1992) & WRUNG (1994)

DL: MULE

DL: WRUNG

So you just can't haul yourself out of bed and get the day started. Even though its the middle of the afternoon and you're wiped out from selling yourself on the streets all night for extra cash to buy cases of DayQuil for a cheap day buzz fix. Yesterday's Mule 7" post was just not enough Mule for your life, but more Mule just might motivate you to get the cycle going again. Sure, I'll help aid in your cheap addiction. Their debut Mule LP and their 4 song Wrung EP should give you the fix you need.
(Quarterstick - 1992 and 1994)

MULE - TENNESSEE HUSTLER 7" (1992) (By Request)

Debut single from ex-Laughing Hyenas dudes if anyone's keeping score. This is dirty, southern, blues style indie noise rock. 2 Songs here, after which they were picked up by Quarterstick and released 2 albums and a couple of EPs. They also did a split with Shellac soo...there's that.
(Nocturnal Records - 1992)

DL: TENNESSEE HUSTLER

HAMMERHEAD - ETHEREAL KILLER (1992)

So I posted some Hammerhead a while back, and promised more. I keep my promises. Here's their first record from Amrep. My socks were on the first time I heard this. By the end of the first song, I was staring at my bare feet.
(Amphetamine Reptile Records - 1992)

DL: ETHEREAL KILLER

DISASTERATTI - TRANSMISSIONARY (2011)

So Disasteratti is one badass noise rock posse. A 3 piece from Minneapolis, you would be doing yourself a big 'ol fat favor to pay some attention. They definitely attended the school of Shellac, Unsane and everything you love about Amphetamine Reptile, so you know it rips!!
And speaking of school, remember there was that smart-ass kid who was always stirring up trouble and had to sit in the corner? He was entertaining and pretty cool, you couldn't keep your eyes off of him. You wanted to hang and be seen with him. You end up being best buds. This record is like that kid. It stirs up trouble and you want to sit in detention with it.

FYI, Disasteratti have a new album coming out...soon...also on Learning Curve Records as is this. Which is basically Amrep's little brother who constantly teases his kid sister and burns insects under a magfying glass. Look for it.
(Learning Curve - 2011)

BANDCAMP
DL: TRANSMISSIONARY

SORE SAINTS - GENEROUS LOVER 10" (2014)

Here's another short EP for ya and another band I don't know much about. Sore Saints are a four piece from Brooklyn, NY and Philadelphia, PA and Generous Lover features 4 tracks of noise rock and sludge infused post hardcore. Imagine Coliseum or Doomriders with almost gothic elements. Not too shabby.
(Dullest Records - 2014)

BANDCAMP
DL: GENEROUS LOVER

EX NUNS - DEAD OF ZERO 7" (2013)

Don't know much about these guys. They're from Minneapolis and this is their debut. They play an Amrep style bulldozer, flurry of guitar noise and drums, with a melodic sensibility beneath their waves of brutal shoegaze. Metz meets Bronx, meets VSS. Take a listen for yourself.
(25 Diamonds - 2013)

EX NUNS ON BANDCAMP

GODSTOPPER - WHAT MATTERS (2012)

4-piece industrial doom math pop sludge noise from Toronto Canada, lunging dark, ugly, twisted riffs at you. You know how the Coyote always had the anvil dropped on him when he was chasing the Roadrunner? Its like if Eyehategod, Harvey Milk, Today is the Day, Buzzov-en, Swans and Torche were all dropping an anvil on you. Beep beep!
(Absurd Exposition - 2013)

DL: WHAT MATTERS

BACON WAGON - SAVANT (2005)

Bacon? Yes please. On a wagon? Ohh yeah!! Wait...is it a wagon full of bacon, or a wagon made of bacon? And is it a Radio Flyer or an old Pioneer covered wagon? Any way you slice and grill it, I'm ok with it. So naming your band Bacon Wagon, how can you go wrong? Swedish blown out crispy noise schtuff sizzling and popping in thick fatty oil for your arteries, Similar to old Hammerhead or godheadSilo. Vegetarians, you'll dig this too.
(Good Cause - 2005)

DL: SAVANT

BUILDINGS / MADE IN CANADA SPLIT 7" (2013)

Still can't get enough of Buildings? Yeah, me either. You can check out the greatness here. And while yer at it, check out this newer split 7" they did with a band called Made In Canada. Whammo!
(Exit Music Recording Company - 2013)

DL: BUILDINGS MADEINCANADA

GIRL BAND - LAWMAN (2014) & FRANCE 98 (2012)

DL: LAWMAN

DL: FRANCE 98

Pretty good noise-pop from this quartet outta Ireland. The songs weave in and out of screeching noise and feedback, and into tight hooks poppier than a faceful of zits on a teenage boy. This recalls everything you loved about Sub Pop in the 90s. Lawman is a 2 song 7" and France 98 is a 6 song EP. So you get 8 total romping blasts here, served up from their Bandcamp locale. Another thing to mention, is these were vinyl releases with super cool hand and screen printed sleeves. Very limited and sold out now as you can imagine.
(Any Other Records - 2014)

VAZ - HEY ONE CELL 7" (1998)

And since I just posted the new Vaz record, thought I should fling an oldie your way. This was their first 7" released in '98. Both songs rip, but the b-side, No Leaf Clover is a monster! Raaawwwwrrr.
(Reptillian - 1998)

DL: HEY ONE CELL

VAZ - VISITING HOURS (2013)

So I posted some Hammerhead, and by convention, probably should have followed up with more. But don't you worry yer pretty little heads, I'll get to it. For now I'm excited about the new Vaz record and had to share it with you, the fine folks with supurb taste. For those not in the know, Vaz used to be Hammerhead...Basically. Sorta. They're like Hammerhead but more space noise rock-y. This might get your parents asking..."Are you on drugs?". To which you could reply..."No...err...well...why, do you have some?".
(Sleeping Giant Glossalalia - 2013)

DL: VISITING HOURS
LISTEN: BANDCAMP

CHOOCHOOSHOESHOOT - PLAYLAND (2012)

Choochooshoeshoot. Say that five times fast with Saltine crackers in your mouth. 2 guitars, drums and female fronted vocals in this noise rock / post rock bunch from France. There's some Arab on Radar in there. Some Fugazi. Some Big'N. Some Uzeda. Some Dazzling Killmen. Salty.
(Rejuvenation Records 2012)

BANDCAMP: PLAYLAND

SIX HORSE - FINE BUSINESS, EXCELLENT (1995)

Noisy, math rockticians featuring fellers of Don Caballero. Reving the engine and grinding the gears in a most pleasing manner. They released this 8 song ep, as well as another 7", and were part of a 4 band split single with Mama Tick, Hedge, and Hula Hoop.
(Dubious Honor - 1995)

DL: FINE BUSINESS EXCELLENT

HAMMERHEAD - ANARCHO RETARDIST TERROR EXHIBIT EP (2011)

You know Hammerhead. Well you should anyway. This 4-song EP (also known as the Memory Hole EP) was a single-sided, limited pressing 12" from Tom Hazelmyer and Amphetamine Reptile. There were 100 12" x 12" lithocut, hand printed and assembled sleeves, 50 of which were at the Anarcho Retardist Terror Exhibit in Austin TX in 2011. This limited art/music release format was more or less part of the start of Amrep 2.0 and the badass direction they have been taking with its releases as of late.
(Amphetamine Reptile - 2010)

DL: MEMORY HOLE

TILE - WELCOME TO DITCHYOURFRIENDSVILLE (2009)

I posted some Tile about a week ago, and wanted to post more. Another anger and angst ridden record for your start of the week. I'm not sure what the 'shirtless dude' theme on their album covers is all about, but it sure generates some interesting looks when on the train and the album art pops up on my iPhone. Why do people keep smiling at me?
I was about to upload this, then saw they have it for free on their Bandcamp page. Neat-o.
(Limited Appeal - 2009)

DL: DITCHYOURFRIENDSVILLE

HEBOSAGIL - URA (2011)

Finnish noise rockers Hebosagil are crushing and brutal. The way it should be. 'URA' is actually an older record but I like it more. Its dirty, and grimey and ugly. They have a newer album, 'Lahto', that you can check out on their Bandcamp page when you check this out. Its good as well, but cleaned up, and at times, more metallic. Both are solid and if you're into Unsane you'll dig this.
(Verdura Records 2011)

DL / LISTEN: BANDCAMP

BUILDINGS - MELT CRY SLEEP (2011)

The album cover looks like it would fit with into a 90s Alt rock top 10 list next to PJ Harvey or something. But don't let that sway your decision whether to blast this through your earholes or not. If I didn't know better, I would swear this was a new Young Widows album. But dropping the band comparisons, this is a good goddamn record. Really good. Its been on heavy rotation with me...
I could go on and on with description stuff of this album, or how to remedy smelly shoes, but I just wanted to say, that these guys are doing a small tour right now, and are playing Chicago tomorrow night (Sat Feb 8). I'm pretty stoked.. So I'm gonna schlub my lazy, slacker ass out into the snow and cold and hopefully be warmed by whiskey and the soothing sounds of Buildings. Ahhhh.
(Cash Cow - 2011)

DL: MELT CRY SLEEP

ED HALL - ALBERT (1988)

Why of course, I'll have another heaping helping of Ed Hall. This is their first album. Songs about Bowling, Reading, and Poo Poo. More crazy hoedown shit shakin' for ya! Yeah!
(Boner Records 1988)

DL: ALBERT

ED HALL - MOTHERSCRATCHER (1993)

Are you into weird shit? Stuff that involves rubber jump suits, livestock, peanut butter, and clowns? I mean, who isn't right? Then you'll for sure dig this 3 piece 'weirdo' noise rock band that came outta the great city 'o Austin TX. Enjoy this slightly off racket cacophony, similar to early Butthole Surfers or Steel Pole Bath Tub with down and dirty riffs like Flipper. They were known for their bottom shakin' psychedelic, theatrical live show, painting themselves in blacklight...like I said, weird. And they featured Kent Whitley who was also in the amazing and incredible Cherubs. Take it in.
(Trance Syndicate 1993)

DL: MOTHERSCRATCHER

TILE - YOU HAD A FRIEND IN PENNYSYLVANIA (2013)

Tile is a three piece rat pack from Allentown, Pennsylvania. After cranking out a handful of singles and such, You Had A Friend In Pennsylvania is the band's first full-on LP, and oozes blown out, scuzzy, pissed-off rumblings. It has all the essential 90s noise rock components to make this a classic, similar to Hammerhead, Unsane or Floor, while fits snug in the toybox of newer noise rock bands that are killing it right now like Throat or Blacklisters. Ready to get walloped? What are you waiting for? Go on..dive in. Head first.
(Limited Appeal 2013)

DL: FRIEND IN PENNSYLVANIA
LISTEN: BANDCAMP

RECTAL HYGIENICS - EVEN THE FLIES WON'T TOUCH YOU (2012)

Sometimes living in a huge-ass city like Chicago has its downsides. The fact that there are way too many bands for my tiny brain to keep track of. But I guess its better than not having any bands to discover.
This is one of those 'local' bands, that I'd never heard of, but glad I discovered. Apparently they played the Rotted Tooth Fest last summer....knowing these guys played, makes me ever more angry that I missed it.
And speaking of angry, these guys bring the noisy/sludgy anger that puts a big 'ol crooked smile on my ugly mug. You'll dig this if you're into Eyehategod, Kowloon Walled City, Unsane, or being hugged and sloppy wet kissed by your fat aunt Tilda. You know, the one with the moles and beard and smells like rotten milk and dog farts.
(Depravity Label 2012)

DL: EVEN THE FLIES WONT TOUCH YOU