BEST OF 2014

I hate doing these things usually. There's way too much music out there to narrow down.
But I thought, fuck it, I'll throw the first few things off the top of my head into a list.
So, in no particular order, here's my lucky top 13:

Full Lengths:
 1) Godflesh - A World Lit By Fire (Avalanche) (funny, cuz I never posted this)
 2) hepa-Titus - Gettin' It On (Amrep)
 3) The Austerity Program - Beyond Calculation (Controlled Burn)
 4) Hands Up Who Wants to Die - Vega in the Lyre (Learning Curve)
 5) Cutthroats 9 - Dissent (Lamb Unlimited)
 6) Multicult - Variable Impulse (Sleeping Giant Glossolalia)
 7) Animal Lover - Guilt (Learning Curve)
 8) Beige Eagle Boys - You're Gonna Get Yours (Reptilian)
 9) Ultracoit - Sex Church (Rejuvination)
10) Hammerhead - Global Depression (Learning Curve)
11) Shellac - Dude Incredible (Touch and Go)
12) Moutheater - Passing Key (Anthems of the Undesireable)
13) Thin Privilege - Thin Privilege (Struggletown)

And some singles:
- Dope Guns and Fucking Vol 13 (Amrep)
- No Anchor with Haze XXL (Amrep)
- Volunteer - Goner (Triple Eye Industries)
- Madeincanada/Ex Wives Split (Cheap Satanism/Whosbrain)
- Buildings - It Doesn't Matter (Riot House)
- powertakeOff! - Unhinged (Self-released)
- Faking - Vices (Reptilian)
- Grizzlor - When You Die (Money Fire)

RIP THIS JOINT COMPILATION (2014)

Rip This Joint is a compilation of 10 ball-busting, ass-kicking, punch to the mouth, noise-rockin bands, most of which I was unfamiliar with. I know Econo and USA Nails, and that was about it for my, (embarrassing) sad lack of knowledge. You may know more:

Broker - Oh You
Shitwife - Golf GTI
Yokozuna - Sympathetic Magic
Econo - Disciples of Apprehension
Death Pedals - Plenty For All
Ghould - Dripper
USA Nails - This Sand
Heck Tate - Drip Dry
Silent Front - Perfect Cloth, Perfect Cinder
Cherry But No Cake - True Love Will Find You In the End

But don't let that deter you from jumping into the chummed waters with this noise rock shark cage. Fuzzed out and blown out man-eating, hungry noise rock beasts with razor sharp teeth are ready to tear you limb from limb. The adrenalin and danger are a blast!
(Rip This Joint - 2014)

DL: RIP THIS JOINT

BUSHPIG - SELF-TITLED LP & 7" (1989-90)

Bushpig was a project which was led by Peter Hill of King Snake Roost that released a 7" EP on Amphetamine Reptile, and a self titled LP on Hill's own PGK (Practical Goat Keeping) label. Bushpig has featuring members of King Snake Roost, No More Bandicoots, Feedtime, The Thrown Ups, Bloodloss, Lubricated Goat, Mudhoney & Monroe's Fur, so it's some kind of "Australian Grunge" jammed with "Seattle Grunge" super group.

DL: BUSHPIG LP
DL: BUSHPIG 7"

REPORTS - DINAMO CAMBRIDGE (2011)

Good 'ol fashioned fuck you up, sloppy, messy garage noise from Reports, a 4 piece from Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have a newer 4 song EP on their bandcamp page, but its pretty poppy. Ok, if you're into that stuff. This previous album, has some poppy-ish moments, but fits more of the raw and noisy vibe we like here at staticfraction. Similar to a Halo of Flies or a Pussy Galore/Boss Hog/John Spencer project.
Shake those arses!
(Ride the Snake Records - 2011)

DL: DINAMO CAMBRIDGE

DIS - SMALL FRY SESSIONS 1 & 2 (1993)

*So I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to a new friend and fan of the blog, who has both reminded me of bands that I forgot about (like Dis-), and has also introduced me to some new stuff too. Which I will share some of the great stuff here. Thanks Ralf!

So here's some essential alt/indie/noise that I forgot about from Dis- (Milwaukee, WI) that existed in the mid 90s, and definitely needs to be here on the blog. This was their first full length. They had 2 others after this as well as a handful of singles.
(Twelve Inch Records - 1993)

DL: SMALL FRY

LE SINGE BLANC - AOÛTAT (2013)

Freestyle headbanging and strange movements of the pelvis. Repetitive and prolonged listening can lead to an ecstatic state (dilated pupils and lightweight mesh drool at the corner of the mouth). -Loosely translated from Moncul.org.

Yeah this is some experimental, chaotic and spastic goodness from Le Singe Blanc of France. If Victim's Family, Devo and Lightning Bolt through a party, with flickering lights and crazy drugs everywhere, this is where you would be for the night (and early morning)... And probably not remembering much of the night the next morning.
(Musica Per Organi Caldi/Whosbrain - 2013)

LISTEN: LE SINGE BLANC
DL: AOUTAT

GIRL BAND - DE BOM BOM EP & LIVE AT KEXP (2014)

Here's some new stuff from Girl Band (Ireland). I've featured these guys here on the blog before.
2 different things for you...a new 7" single which is now sold out. But you can get the digital version at their bandcamp page for free.
And also included here is a full performance (20 min) live on KEPX back in November which sounds great! This is an audio rip. You can find the video on YouTube, and download the audio below. Neat-o!
(Any Other City Records - 2014)

DL: DE BOM BOM
DL: LIVE ON KEPX

USA NAILS - LIVE AT STA (2014)

I posted a great record by USA Nails a short bit ago, here. Here's a killer sounding live recording from these UK fellers. Recorded live at Smalltown America on Halloween night. Download available, so now you can listen back to the gig in your own kitchen, shed, or sofa-chair.
(Independent Music - 2014)

BANDCAMP: LIVE AT STA
DL: LIVE AT SMALLTOWN AMERICA

RUGGINE - ICEBERG (2014)

Full length from Turin, Italy's Ruggine called Iceberg. This contains all the cool off-kilter rhythms and indie-noise stuff that comes from cocktail mixer of Rodan, Don Caballero, Uzeda, and Shellac. Only with vocals in Italiano. Listen at the Bandcamp link below, or download at the other link. 
(Escape From Today - 2014)

RUGGINE BANDCAMP
DL: ICEBERG

SHELLAC - DUDE INCRDIBLE (2014)

Thought this would be a nice little xmas present for you fine folks out there. Figured most of you are getting coal or underwear. Not sure how long this will stay up before it gets taken down, so I would snag it up right quick.
Things are probably gonna be a little quiet here at the staticfraction whipping station for a few days while the holidays blow past us. Happy Holidays to all you awesome freaks!
(Touch and Go - 2014)

 DL: DUDE

DEAD - CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY (2014)

So head on over at the We Empty Rooms Bandcamp page, and check out the new full length from Dead called Captains of Industry. It's a heavy monster. If you've been paying at least a smidgen of attention to noise rock in the past year or so, chances are you've heard these guys. So go on and do it!
(We Empty Rooms - 2014)

DEAD BANDCAMP
DL: CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY

PSYCHIC BLOOD - DRRRTY 7" (2013)

Walls of feedback and blasts of noise is what you get from these 2 songs from Psychic Blood hailing from Massachusetts. For the most part its straight ahead in your face reckless cacophony, but there is some melody present there at close listen.
This is a free download from their bandcamp page, and I suggest you snoop around at the other releases they have there. I think this single stands out, which is why I'm telling all of you cool people out there about it. Go on now. Clicky click away.
(Nerve Hold Records - 2013)

DL: DRRRTY

MYSTIC INANE - DEEP CREEP (2014)

Originally I thought this band was called Mystic 'INSANE', and I thought what a dumb name. Ha! But alas they are Mystic Inane, which is not a whole lot better, but still not as hippy, nu-rap/rock as Mystic Insane sounds.
But as soon as you hear this 3 song EP from Mystic Inane from New Orleans, you forget about the name anyway. Kickass, dirty and sloppy noise punk the way you like it. Definitely mixing in parts Drunks With Guns, Fang, and Birthday Party with some booze and sweat.
(Self-released - 2014)

DL: DEEP CREEP

ALGER HISS - GRAFT VS HOST (1997)

(By request)
Noise rock trio from NYC that existed between 1994 - 2007. This was Alger Hiss' 2nd and last recording, (as far as I know), with an EP before this.  Lots of swirling and whirling guitar action happening here, very similar to mathy Sonic Youth. Throw in some Slint and weird early Butthole Surfers influences and you're cooking.
(Feldspar Records - 1997)

DL: GRAFT VS HOST

JARS - A MOVABLE FEAST (2013) & ARMS/SHELTER (2014)

Ok lets shift from the David U/ Distorted Pony stuff for a second.

So Jars are a killer noise rock 4-piece from the Russian Federation. They punch, kick and scratch at you with angular and thick rhythm sounds similar to Metz and/or Young Widows, and with a gruff vocal style similar to Shaved Women.
Check out 'A Movable Feast', which is a 6-song mini-album, and also their new 'Arms/Shelter' 2-song EP, which I've easily and conveniently made links to their Bandcamp for you below. Who loves ya?
(They Live! / Not Only One Side Records - 2013)

DL: A MOVABLE FEAST
DL: ARMS / SHELTER

DISTORMINAL DEADWAX - SELF TITLED (2012)

So sticking with the David Uskovich projects, here's one I just discovered.
A 6-song EP of sorts from Distorminal Deadwax.
It definitely has a Distorted Pony sound, but adds some experimental and avant-garde sounds, and almost has an industrial tinge at times. Collaboration features members that were in Alien Sex Fiend, Headcleaner, Terminal Cheesecake, Fire Pariah. You'll definitely dig this if you're into Distorted Pony.
(Gibbon Envy Recordings - 2012)

DL: DISTORMINAL DEADWAX

SWITCHHITTER - ACADEMY (1999)

So I posted a bunch of Distorted Pony earlier, and mentioned some of the other projects that David Uskovich was involved with. I've posted Sweet Pea which was almost directly after Distorted Pony. And then Switchhitter came about after that. It's noisy 90s rock goodness that will put smiles on all of those shit eating grins of yours.
(Framed! Records - 1999)

DL: ACADEMY

PAPER TARGET - PAPER TARGET EP (2013)

Blistering instrumental noise rock from Paper Target outta New York. This 6 song EP/album type thing is thicker and chunkier than Aunt Beatrice's homemade pancakes. Angular drums and rhythms, and feedback screeching all over the place. Yes!
Don't really know much else, but that shouldn't hold you back from checking this out. Do it!
(Schizorama - 2013)

DL: PAPER TARGET

HEROD - THEY WERE NONE (2014)

For a band to come from a country that is neutral on war and conflict, these guys sure are angry and make a power-violent ruckus... I'm into it. And they're making me crave some hot chocolate too.

Swiss masters of post-hardcore/metallic/sludge//noise (or whatever other names you want to throw in the pot), Herod, drop a devastatingly brutal and heavy debut album on this weak world. This thing is like a wrecking ball to the head and sternum. A crusher beast destroyer that recalls riffs found in a Neurosis, Cult of Luna, Brutal Truth or Burnt by the Sun record, while at times getting a little math-metal-y, reminding me of Meshuggah.

Probably a little more on the metal and super produced side of the spectrum for what you normally find here at the staticfraction blog-o-rino. But fuck it! Its good shit. Music to vacuum and clean your house really fast too.
Turn it up!!
(Mighty Music - 2014)

HEROD BANDCAMP

THIGHS - THIGHS (2012)

Have you ever had the urge to plop down right in front of a bunch of people running on the treadmill while you scarf down a big greasy pizza?
Well Thighs are from Toronto, Canada, who sound like a mix of Arab on Radar, Cop Shoot Cop, Pussy Galore, US Maple and Pissed Jeans, and would make a pretty good background soundtrack for you're eating your pizza and watching those people sweat, while they watch you eat your tasty pie.
Do you have any hot red pepper I can borrow?
(Not Unlike - 2012)

DL: THIGHS

ROUGH ROPE - DEMOS AND WIZARDS (2011)

Heavy-ass, sludge-punch to the gut, pigfuck noise rock to the extreme from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
If you like KEN Mode, Zoroaster, Moutheater, Eyehategod and Melvins, you should dig this.
(Self-released - 2011)

DL: DEMOS AND WIZARDS

HARD-ONS / MELVINS SPLIT 7" (2014)

It's the Hard-ons. You should know them.
And the Melvins. Now I know you have heard of these guys.
Split 7" which sold out faster than a fart in a fan factory.
But at least you can listen to it here.
(WeEmptyRooms - 2014)

WE EMPTY BANDCAMP
DL: HARD-ONS+MELVINS

USELESS CHILDREN - POST ENDING/PRE COMPLETION (2012)

With a drunk and dirty lumbering assault, Melbourne Australia's Useless Children smashes you down and drags you along a rough groove. They drown you with mashing drums, chunky bass, screeching drugged out and fuzzed out guitars, and crazed vocals, then thrown into a wood-chipper and spewed out into lump of muddy dust-chunks and noise.
You definitely hear your Flipper and Feedtime sounds in there, mixed with Brainbombs, Butthole Surfers, Killdozer and Ed Hall. This is probably not the definition of 'holiday party' music, but would be funny if you snuck it into the mix.
(Iron Lung - 2012)

DL: POST ENDING/PRE COMPLETION
BANDYCAMP

DON KIRI - SELF TITLED 7" (2014)

Found this nugget the other day with the Madeincanada/Ex Wives split. Don Kiri is from France.
2 Songs. 2 band members. 20 times the ripping instrumental noise madness ala Gay Witch Abortion, but with some electronic chaos thrown in. This is what being electrocuted sounds like.
(MonCul/Whosbrain - 2014)

DONKIRI BANDCAMP

DISTORTED PONY - PUNISHMENT ROOM (1992)

Well since I just posted that other Distorted Pony stuff, I had to post their first full length.
This recording moved away from the drum machine and brought a real drummer to the mix, ex-Dag Nasty/Samhain drummer London May. This was also recorded by Steve Albini. Yep. Grins all around.
(Bomp! - 1992)

DL: PUNISHMENT ROOM

MADEINCANADA / EX WIVES SPLIT EP (2014)

Killer 4 song, 2 band split between Madeincanada from Paris, France (not Canada), and Ex Wives from Glassgow, Scotland. I've posted stuff from both bands here before.
Madeincanada did a split with those awesome dudes, Buildings a couple years back.

All the songs kick and scream at you like the best Shellac and Jesus Lizard albums. With thudding and pounding bass, clanging guitars, and drummers you would think were possessed by Mr. Satan himself, these sounds will make you wear out your shirt collar from banging your head faster than a virgin on prom night.
Didn't know Satan could play drums could you?
(Cheap Satanism/Whosbrain - 2014)

DL: MIC/EW SPLIT

ANWAR SADAT - OBEDIENCE (2014)

This was sent my way via a visitor to the blog.
Anwar Sadat, from Louisville, KY was sent my way a couple of days ago for their previous releases, and one called 'Gold' which I was planning to mention here.  But when I went back to check the link, I saw this brand spanking new 4-song EP called 'Obedience' sitting there flipping me off. Some good, slimey, grimey rock for you, trudging heavily along with Australian noise rock fury ala Feedtime, Cuntz or Lubricated Goat, slammed together with vocals similar to that found on a Killdozer album.
Add a little ugly to your life and get this.
(Sick Room - 2014)

DL: OBEDIENCE
BANDCAMP: OBEDIENCE
BANDCAMP: GOLD

DISTORTED PONY - INSTANT WINNER (1994)

As promised. More Distorted Pony.
And this record is 'must have' material for anyone claiming to be a fan of the genre. This record definitely has to be in the top 10 list of most influential early noise rock bands. Essential shit. As essential as peanut butter with jelly. As Jack Daniels with Coke. As florescent colored clothing and big hair in the 80s. You get what I'm saying. So stop picking your nose and get this, nerds.
(Trance Syndicate - 1994)

DL: INSTANT WINNER

DISTORTED PONY - WORK MAKES FREEDOM (1991)

Can't believe there is no Distorted Pony on this blog yet. They were one of the first bands that I originally thought needed to be here. Well I'm putting a fix to this injustice right now.

Distorted Pony from L.A. were around in the 90's and made an industrial/ noise clammer similar, to Glazed Baby, Big Black, Season To Risk, and Cop Shoot Cop. They released a bunch of EPs (including this one) before putting a record out on Trance Syndicate. Which of course I'm gonna have to post here reeeeaaalll soon. David U. from this band was also in Sweet Pea, Switchhitter, and Red X Red M.

Damn, all kinds of bands listed right there that are going up here shortly. Enjoy this kiddies.
(Bomp! - 1991)

DL: WORK MAKES FREEDOM

WEAKWICK - FOR SHOW (2014)

Yes the cover is for a cassette. I don't buy cassettes anymore. I probably still have my old Van Halen and CCR tapes around somewhere. I always hated when one side of a cassette was longer and it ended. You always knew you would have dead air until you fast forwarded to get to the other side. Good for the car I guess.

Anywho, regardless of my anti-conforming behavior, cassettes are back in full force, and Weakwick has a new one. (I'm happy for Bandcamp for that). They are a duo from St. Paul, Minnesota and make a not-so-weak hoo-ha. If you dig the noisy and blown out psychotic style of godheadSilo, Dead, Gay Witch Abortion, Lightning Bolt...that sort of hullabaloo, then this should appeal to you. I like it. You should too.
(Fashion Fingers - 2014)

BANDCAMP

CHERUBS - SHORT OF POPULAR (1996)

Still waiting on news from the "rumoured" new album from the kings of noise rock, Austin's Cherubs, that was supposed to be released sometime in the winter. Haven't heard a peep though.
Until then, enjoy this collection of singles, comp songs and outtakes, complete with a twisted and blown out version of Blondie's 'Dreaming'.
A good life after Death begins with Cherubs.
(Trance Syndicate - 1996)

DL: SHORT OF POPULAR

MELVINS - 1983 & GAYLORD EPS (2012/13)

So these physical records on these new Melvins releases are on the pricy side and limited to pick up. But damn they're cool. I bought them up. The artwork and record combo is such a cool idea, and HazeXXL did a bang up job (as usual) on printing the covers and getting these packages together.
In case you didn't get a chance to pick these up, and don't want to pay those ungodly eBay prices, now you can have these killer tracks for your iThing. Great for the gym and working out those neck muscles.
(Amphetamine Reptile - 2012/13)

DL: 1983
DL: GAYLORD

BIG BLACK CLOUD - LESSONS IN FUCK YOU 2 (2014)

Portland's furious sci-fi psych punks, Big Black Cloud, are back from the lab with their latest dirty bomb. Tripling down on their intoxicating rarefied mix of punk, noise, garage, psych, surf, and rock for a dark trek that drives and swerves like a B-movie soundtrack through threat-level guitar attacks, groovy alien eviscerations, and goddamn-us-all-to-hell preaching. Lessons In Fuck You 2 finds the band in top form: frantic, pissed-off, and sinister as they further explore their own dark territory with off-balance grooves, instrumental street-race sex jams, and wild freakouts, jagged guitar and cracking drums glued together with rubbery bass overlain with can-you-hear-me-now yells.
Fuck you too, thank you very much. Please keep your head and hands inside the ride.
(Eolian Records - 2014)

BANDCAMP

THE JESUS LIZARD - MERD LIVE IN FRANCE (1998)

I know I know. I just posted The Jesus Lizard. And a live album at that.
Well this here is a really great sounding bootleg from France recorded back in '98.
You want it, you got it. You love it.
(Bootleg - 1998)

DL: MERD

ARNDALES - DOG HOBBIES (2009)

Arndales play angular and noisy, avant garde, post-rock goodness. Think Wire, Pussy Galore, The Birthday Party, King Snake Roost. Consisting of members from Country Teasers, Thrilled Skinny, Badgewearer, Gag, Montana Pete, Pregnant Neck, and more, this vicious and sardonic record is a driving and menacing record.
They have a new record which confusing enough is called Dog Hobbies USA, that is out on In the Red Records. So get this and then get that. Got that? Good.
(Self-released - 2009)

BANDCAMP

RASPBERRY BULBS - PRIVACY (2014)

So Raspberry Bulbs is not a psychedelic 60s pop group by any means, despite the name.
They are in fact a dirty and damaged, raw and gritty, lo-fi razor jangly blues-rock/garage-punk/noise rock 5 piece from NY. They consist of Marco del Rio, who is better known for his darker metal projects like Bone Awl. This project started as a solo one before scratching its way into more members. The pink art, which started on their previous record, has manifested from a deformed worship of pop music and America, the essence of black metal, transcending genre boundaries, a pink printer paper. Overall, a pretty great treat for us.
(Blackest Ever Black - 2014)

DL: PRIVACY
BANDCAMP