CELAN - HALO (2009)

Well since I mentioned Unsane before on the Haystack posts. HERE and HERE.  It reminded me of this. Only because of the involvement of Chris Spencer from Unsane. It also features members of Oxbow and Einsturzende Neubauten. And while it has parts of the Unsane sound, it is a bit different. Its still heavy and pummeling, but has some industrial / electronic parts and pieces.  Still... a solid chunk of music to blast out the neighbors with.
(Exile on Mainstream 2009)

DL: HALO

MELVINS - TRIBUTE TO VENOM (2013)

So its the Melvins... You know 'em... And this is their 2-song tribute to Venom, a 7" that they released this year on Amrep as one of a 9 part series of clown / tribute singles. These were pretty limited pressings, with uber-cool screen printed covers and super-snazzy multi-colored vinyl. (Record nerds go oooooooohhh.) This also features Scott Kelly from Neurosis on guest vocals. (More ooooooooohhhs.)
(Amphetamine Reptile 2013)

DL: TRIBUTE TO VENOM

HAYSTACK - RIGHT AT YOU (1996)

Promised an upload from earlier this year. HERE. So here's a holiday present for ya. For fans of Unsane or Cutthroats 9. (Outside Society Productions 1996)

DL: RIGHT AT YOU

THE RATS ARE COMING, THE WEREWOLVES ARE HERE - MEXICAN GRAVEYARD (2013)

Nice short name and easy to remember. So when I'm telling friends about this I can say, 'Yeah this cool band..uh..has something something rats. And something something wolfmen." That always sells it to people. Anyway, you the visiting reader, downloader, music lover, has it easy. Just click the link and viola!! Instant enjoyment. So after a quick looksy around the Google machine, I discovered the name comes from a campy, 70s B horror flick. Noise rock from Cleveland.

DL: MEXICAN GRAVEYARD

GNOMES OF ZURICH - WHERE POLAND MEETS AFRICA 7" (1995)

Gnomes of Zurich features of couple of dudes from Janitor Joe and formed after they broke up. This was their first single before being drafted to the Amrep roster.
(Sister Records - 1995)

DL: WHERE POLAND MEETS AFRICA

LADY PISS - STREAMING (2011)

You like Big Black... Birthday Party... Swans. Of course you do.

DL: STREAMING

HAND OVER HEAD - DADDY WAS A NAZI 7" (1992) & EVIL GURU 7" (1993)

Hand Over Head was Mike Hard and Co. band after the God Bullies and before Thrall. It's pretty similar to those projects for the most part...maybe a little closer to God Bullies style... So the version of 'Daddy' here is actually the second version with a different b-side and different cover. I have both versions, but couldn't find the digital version of the first single on my harddrive. I'll rip that later, but for now these are good to have for yer ugly, evil music collections.

(Daddy Was a Nazi - Tear It Up Records 1992 : Evil Guru - Sympathy For the Record Industry 1993)
 
DL: EVIL GURU

DL: DADDY WAS A NAZI

GIN MILL - PATRON (1994)

These guys have their booze mixed up. Patron is tequila, not gin. And this record sounds like they were swilling back cheap beer and whiskey.... So Wreck-age is primarily a hardcore label, but don't let that bit of knowledge throw you off. This has parts hardcore, with a whole lot of noise rock added for sweetener. Imagine a bunch of scruffy dudes playing Helmet and Unsane while fraternizing with old hardcore Neurosis...Ooof!... Whoa!... Kick to the teeth and a knee to the gut. You love pain and you'll love this.
(Wreck-Age - 1994)

DL: PATRON

WHITE DRUGS - HARLEM (2007)

So these fellas from Denton, TX have a newer record (2010) on that Amrep label that some of you may have heard of.  It kicks ass and I'll get that up here on the blog soon. But for now, I'm posting this one cuz... well, its my blog and I can do what I damn well want to. But also, cuz its less known and still a raw, nasty noise rawk punch to the gut. You can hear some 90s style noise squawking, with a heavy mix of late 70s/early 80s Detroit punk, and some almost southern rock kicking it up as well. Kick out the jams! (Kunstwaffe - 2007)

DL: HARLEM

BASTRO - RODE HARD AND PUT UP WET (1988)

David Grubbs has been in tons of bands. The Red Krayola, Gastr del Sol, Palace, Boxhead Ensemble to name a few later projects. This is his post Squirrel Bait and Bitch Magnet band. This is their first record and the only one with the use of a drum machine. If you like Big Black, you'll dig this.
(Homestead Records 1988)

DL: RODE HARD AND PUT UP WET

ANIMAL LOVER - FUNDANGO (2013)

In your face, aggressive, pounding stuff that you know and love. From the cold north popsicle of St. Paul, MN these dudes throw down from the start. Imagine bits of Unsane, parts Hammerhead, and odds and ends from Helmet and Jesus Lizard. I know I know. I throw these bands around as reference all the time. But I swear this time its really true!
This is their newest 5 song 12" which appears to be self-released. Couldn't find alot of info on these guys. It was kind of a fluke find for me actually. I was digging thru my hard-drive and was listening to their killer, earlier 4 song 7" from 2010 (that you can snag from their Bandcamp page as well) and was gonna post that. And then I stumbled upon this. Neat-O. 2 for 1 deal.  I like deals. Click that little DL link below and grin damnit.

DL: FUNDANGO

LLEROY - SOMA (2013)

Leroy is a badass name. I knew a guy named Leroy while growing up and he was a cool cat. The guy that everyone wanted to be seen with. Not sure if 'Lleroy' in Italian means something or not, or maybe they misspelled it on purpose. Crazy kids these days. Anywho, 3 piece Italian muddy noise rockers, blast out noisy, rattling and abrasive goodness. Distorted vocals and heavy riffs recall early Therapy?, Barkmarket, Glazed Baby and Halo of Flies. Wait for it...don't let the kazoo intro fool ya.

DL: SOMA

GEAR JAMMER - TWO TONS OF CHROME (1991) & HORSEPOWER 2000 (1994)

So this is kind of a cheat post. But also getting around to fixing some stuff around the 'ol staticfraction garage that needed fixing. When I was first trying to figure out the new direction to take this blog, I posted some Gear Jammer songs on shitty media players that I guess stopped working. Don't know if anyone actually noticed or not. But I did and I aim to do things right. So here's a proper Gear Jammer post. Both of their singles featuring Amrep head honcho Tom Hazelmyer (Halo of Flies), Bill Hobson (Killdozer), and Frank Thorpe (Like Hell). (Amphetamine Reptile 1991 & 1994)

DL: GEAR JAMMER

CONDENSE - GENUFLEX (1995)

Did you know that everyone on earth is born with the ability to wiggle their ears, but if you don’t learn how early on, the muscle atrophies and you can’t learn any longer? Another thing you might not know, is how great Genuflex by Condense is. The first full-length by French noise rockers Condense from waaaay back in the mid 90s. Its kinda obscure, but if you like Birthday Party, Tar, US Maple, Crain, Cows and Unsane, chances are you will like this. I told you about this record, but I can't help you with the ear wiggling thing.
(Pandemonium - 1995)

DL: GENUFLEX

HEROINE SHEIKS - SIAMESE PIPE (2002)

The 'Sheiks' 2nd record for those keeping score. I can only imagine what people not in the know would think with this album cover and a name to match. No its not trippy psychedelic at all, but it will get into your brain, ears and system, and mess you up faster than a bad acid trip in Vegas. It is in fact a gritty, dirty, ugly rock n roll record. And this album features Shannon Selberg from the Cows and ex-Swans/Foetus guitarist Norman Westberg, so you know what you're getting.
(Rubric Records - 2002)

DL: SIAMESE PIPE

GENTLEMEN - SEX TAPE (2013)

Good dirgy and ugly scumrock from Australia. Theres some Flipper in there, some Feedtime, some Drunks with Guns, some King Snake Roost. Originally released on cassette in 2012. Re-issued by Homeless. Dragged kicking and screaming into a higher-fidelty. (Homeless Records - 2013)

DL: SEX TAPE

BLACKLISTERS - BLKLSTRS (2012)

So I was thinking about a top 10 list for 2013. Not sure if I'll do one yet, but just pondering about it got me thinking about this record. Technically this came out last year (Brew Records) so it wouldn't be eligible for a proper 2013 list. But it was scooped up and released by Learning Curve Records this year so its sorta on the newish side.

Regardless of year released or top 10 lists and all that malarky...this record smokes! Its heavy. Its ferocious. Its anarchic. Its full-throttle and thunderous. It has all the aspects you love, combining Jesus Lizard, Killdozer, KEN mode, Unsane, Big' N. Happy 2012! (Learning Curve 2013)

DL: BLKLSTRS

YOUNG WIDOWS - OLD WOUNDS (2008)

Easily the best record of 2008, and probably one of the best noise rock records since the 90s. These lads from Louisville made a record that is so good its like jet skiing through ice cream in a furry pajamas til you get an full-body brain freeze. No? Just me?...So anyway, I'm not sure what happened, but in 2011 they released a record that was pretty awful. Talk about going from first to last. So, the rumor 'round town is they're back in the studio recording and all of my fingers and toes are crossed that they basically do an Old Wounds #2. Until then, listen to this. (Temporary Residence Limited 2008)

DL: OLD WOUNDS

SLUG - THE OUT SOUND (1994)

So with this blog, I try to mix new noise rock stuffs, with the classic, must-have stuffs in order to call yourself a noise rock lover. This is indeed one of those necessity albums to have in your collection. One of those albums which helped pave why you dig this crazy, beefed up, over-amped, nasty, unpleasant style of music in the first place. If you don't have this, you should, its a building block...one of the early influential records to all those other bands making the same clambering noise. Its from the 90s and they've done split 7"s with Unsane and Cherubs. 'Nuf said. Get it! (PCP Entertainment 1994)

DL: THE OUT SOUND

BUILDINGS / HAWKS SPLIT 7" (2013)

Limited split 7" by 2 of the best bands working hard and killing it today. 2 songs from each. Hawks being from hot 'ol Atlanta, and Buildings from cold-ass Minneapolis. They are kinda like the Heatmiser and Snowmiser of noise rock. If you don't know the reference, the holidays are around the corner so you'll see soon enough. Let's just say your mother would hate it if you put this on while the family is opening xmas presents.
(Cash Cow 2013)

DL: BUILDINGS HAWKS SPLIT

WHORES - CLEAN (2013)

You there, in the corner picking your nose. Listen to Whores!! 2nd record / EP from Atlanta's Whores. Their 6 new blasts of brutal low end, heavy noise rock has a stoner rock feel at times, and will leave you in a crumpled knot on the floor. But besides being crushing and noisy, its catchy at times as well. There are elements of Pissed Jeans, Helmet, Fight Amp and KEN mode, which is solid company to be in a group photo with. Grab a snot rag or wipe your booger under the couch and listen to this!
(Brutal Panda - 2013)

LISTEN: CLEAN

THE POPE - JAZZMAN COMETH (2006)

2 piece kamikaze bass and drums. 6 songs of spasmodic blasts of overdriven solid state power.
Imagine if you will... a mix of Godheadsilo, Karp, Lighting Bolt, Unwound and Hammerhead.
No jazz. 'Nuf said.
(Kill Shaman / Wantage USA - 2006)

DL: JAZZMAN COMETH

SUPERCONDUCTOR - HEAVY WITH PUPPY (1994)

Superconductor was a Vancouver noise rock band back in the 90s. They were known to play with 2 bass players and 7 guitars at a time. This was the band that started A.C. Newman's career, who later went on to form the New Pornographers. Don't let that scare you though, Superconductor was thick and loud as hell....the way we like it.
This is a 5 song single. They have 2 other full length albums that I'll post here shortly.
(Boner Records 1994)

DL: HEAVY WITH PUPPY

LOVE CUP - GREFUS GRONKS AND SHEET (1994)

First of all I've always hated the name of this band. Sounded like some hippy shit and may have been one of the reasons they weren't bigger. That being said, this record kills it for that early 90s heavy rock / grunge thing. 3 piece from Urbana / Champaign Illinois. Yep that area that spawned Hum. And these guys were basically making the same music at the same time but didn't take off like Hum did.
These guys could have / should have been on Sub Pop back in the day if someone would have discovered them. They put out this album on Twelve Inch records, but ironically, never did vinyl for this...as far as I know. You'll dig if yer into Hum, Poster Children, Sebadoh, Sunny Day Real Estate. Free download from their Bandcamp page.
(Twelve Inch Records - 1994)

DL and LISTEN: GREFUS GRONKS AND SHEET

QUITTINIRPAAQ - LET'S HANG OUT (2013)

This is the perfect example of band names that I hated trying to pronounce when I did my old podcast. (Now I just have to make sure I spell it correctly.)
First thoughts...the cover of this album reminds me of a Gwar character, but I assure you my friends, this sounds nothing like Gwar. No messin' around, this shit is pretty intense. Overblown-out, hyper-distorted, heavy as molasses dirge rock riffs for the most part from these dudes from Austin, Texas. There are a few industrial sounding moments in there, and even some trippy, looping sound-scapes, with feed-backing guitars dodging in and out between fizzing and popping electronics. For fans of Shit and Shine, Butthole Surfers, Merzbow, Boredoms, and a less chaotic Lightning Bolt.
(Rural Isolation Project 2013)

LISTEN/PURCHASE: LETS HANG OUT

GAY WITCH ABORTION - MAVERICK (2009)

So I was driving in my car today, trying to avoid the Black Friday insanity. I thought to myself, self...what sounds coming from my bitchin' car stereo could make this task a wee bit more tolerable? Naturally, I decided on... Gay Witch Abortion. Not only one of the best band names to come around in the past few years, the band ain't half bad neither. 2 piece craziness, cranking fuzzed out, chaotic, super intense, sweat soaked heavy noise rock ac-shun. You'll dig if yer into Lightning Bolt, Wizard Rifle, or Godheadsilo type schtuff.
(Learning Curve Records 2009)  

DL: MAVERICK

FIDDLEHEAD - DOD E (1993) & THE DEAF WAITER (1994)

This Atlanta, GA post-punk/indie/noise outfit put out only a few records in their short existence in the early to mid 90s, but they left us wanting more. They put out a single called Moneyman on Wuxtry records before releasing 2 singles and a 10" on John Yates Allied Recordings in 1993 and 1994 (posted here...Duh). The single Dod E (which is made up of 2 7"s) was named after their Dodge van which emblem was missing the 'g'. An abrasive mix of tightly wound hardcore and melody with some noise rock aspects, think early Helmet meets Fugazi meets Drive Like Jehu meets Crain.

DL: DOD E
DL: THE DEAF WAITER

SINKING SUNS - VICIOUS WORLD 7" (2013)

2 song single from Madison Wisconsin noise rockers Sinking Suns. Imagine Unsane with some Killdozer style vocals. Check out the other 7 song release on their Bandcamp page as well.

LISTEN: VICIOUS WORLD

NEW TONGUES - WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR (2013)

Drenched in reverb, propulsive rhythms, and a 90's midwestern aesthetic. There is some stoner rock and psych vibes in there. There are some Sabbath riffs. There are hints of Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes. A touch of Jesus Lizard. And some parts Shiner. Most of their songs sound as though they are primarily constructed out of steel girders but there’s also a sly wink thrown in for good measure.
The free download gives you side A complete and side B complete.


DL: WE ARE THE ONES

NEW BRUTALISM - PERSONAL RECORD (2009)

This is what happens when engineers make their own aluminum instruments. These guys are from Knoxville, TN, and the obvious sound right off the bat, is the Albini / Shellac sound. Bob Weston has even recorded these guys before, even though this one was self-recorded and sounds pretty damn good. Proceeds from the purchase of the digital files will go into making a vinyl record version. So do it. Check out their other releases as well.

Their description: New Brutalism, ethic or aesthetic? Neither, New Brutalism is 3 men, men with names that don't matter. New Brutalism is over 15 years of money lost, vans broken and bent, blood, sweat and never tears. New Brutalism is Hell made from aluminum; guitars, drums and amps. New Brutalism is by no means original, and New Brutalism is comfortable with that.


LISTEN/PURCHASE: PERSONAL RECORD

ENGINE KID - BEAR CATCHING FISH (1993)

So you like Slint? Of course you do. Everyone does. And since you there, the one with good taste because you like Slint, will like these guys as well. Because they sound very similar to them in fact. Which is a good thing nowadays. But back when this was released, there was a slew of other people with good taste, who had bands that sounded like Slint, and thusly, lots of these band got lost in the mix. I hadn't listened to this in a while, but still sounds great. So I guess what I'm saying is, now that there aren't a bagillion bands that sound like Slint...you can appreciate this more and add it to your good taste collection. (C/Z records 1993)

DL: BEAR CATCHING FISH

BITCH TEETH - FUKKSTORM (2013)

I really don't need to describe this. The records title, Fukkstorm, pretty much sums it all up perfect. But since I'm here, I'll scribble something. 5 piece spazzztic and chatic, noise rock from Denton TX, don't waste anytime here crawling up into you ear canals, through to the brain and scatter out thru the nervous system and down to foot for some Texas toe tapping tomfoolery.. Chaotic guitars, thudding bass, and a frenzied drummer who is busier than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. This has all components to lump them with the Skin Graft roster. Some Mama Tick, some Shorty, even at times, The Paper Chase. Released 2013

DL: FUKKSTORM

THUG - BROKEN / LOST IT 7" (1993)

First single from short lived noise rock mongers, Thug from Madison Wisconsin. This band features Sean Wipfli who runs the Bovine Records shack, a small label that put out a healthy batch of mostly noise rock and sludgy bands from the 90s. You'll probably recognize super-star hit bands on the label like Spazz, Mama Tick, Eyehategod, and Floor, just to name a few. Oooooh. These guys have 2 other 7"s, split records with Greenmachine and Apartment 213 on...you guessed it...Bovine Records. Bovine Records 1993

DL: BROKEN

SURGERY - FEEDBACK / FRIED 7" (1990)

Surgery was one the biggest bands for Amrep back in the '90s. They never got as big as Helmet, but they toured and shared comps with many of thee heavy hitters like Cows, Tar, and Helmet. This was their second 7" with Amrep, amongst a slew of other 7"s, 10"s and full lengths. Good classic 90s fuzz noise rock.
Amphetamine Reptile Records 1990

DL: FEEDBACK

SHELLAC - THE FUTURIST (1997)

Shellac's second album. Released in 1997 - limited to 779 on vinyl only, and for friends only. I'm sure they have more friends now, so that pressing would be a lot higher today for sure. And would Farcebook count?

DL: THE FUTURIST

CUSS - HEAVENLY (2013)

Brand new album from 4 member noise rockers from Portland Maine, but sounds like they could've come out in the 90's Chicago/Touch and Go heyday. Angular guitars, driving bass, and spazy vocals. The first 2/3rds of the album blaze along as shorter noise rock crunchiness. The last part of the album slows things down with longer, slower, math-rock style compositions ala early June of 44. For fans of Big'n, Shellac or June of 44.

LISTEN: HEAVENLY

STNNNG - FAKE FAKE (2006)

See what happens when you pick up an instrument, quit school to go on the road. You fail English and end up misspelling your band name. Heh heh... Stay in school kids. Actually this noise rock group from Minneapolis is so good, they just don't need vowels. Regardless, this is their second album, and if you like The Minutemen and Jesus Lizard / Scratch Acid kinda stuff, you'll like this. There's some Amrep sound there too which probably comes from drinking the same local water....

Kids today can spell check their band names on computers now I hear. What's the fun in that?
Modern Radio Record Label 2006

DL: FAKE FAKE

POWERTAKEOFF - PLOWSHARE (2011)

10 minute heavy beast of a song with gobs of distorted guitar and feedback. Comes off the compilation on Learning Curve Records called A Butcher's Waltz. A four way split featuring exclusive tracks by Gay Witch Abortion, PowertakeOff, Seawhores and Social Kodiak. These guys have a new full length that will be out in early 2014. Keep yer eyeballs peeled for that.


LISTEN: BUTCHERS WALTZ

LUBRICATED GOAT - PADDOCK OF LOVE (1988)

Noise rock from Australia. Abrasive and noisy. This album is a classic. A classic like David Lee Roth's assless leather chaps from 1984. You'll love it.

DL: PADDOCK OF LOVE

BLACK CONGRESS - THE UNFORTUNATE HUBRIS (2013)

Noise rock from Houston Texas. Everything is big in Texas right?  Including the first song on this 2-song EP. It clocks in at just under 18 min and moves from a spacey, ambient soundscape, into heavy, repetitive, rumbling bass, finally building into a full-on wall of distorted guitar. Some low screamy vocals and added electronics add a cool texture weaving into the wall of noise as well. Killer stuff. I'm gonna go eat some fruit now.

LISTEN: THE UNFORTUNATE HUBRIS

VENTURA FEATURING DAVID YOW 7" (2010)

7" record released in 2010. Ventura with vocal help from Mr. David Yow. Obviously it has that Jesus Lizard / Scratch Acid sound because of the vocals. The music is heavier and not as intricate as those bands, but still pretty darn good.
Notes about the recording: Vocals recorded in a place without toilets for ladies. Ok.

DL: DAVID YOW VENTURA

COWS - THE MISSING LETTER IS YOU 10" (1997)

You know the Cows. This is their 10" picture disc on Thick Records from 1997.

DL: MISSING LETTER

PHANTOM GLUE - A WAR OF LIGHT CONES (2013)

An avalanche of distortion, psychedelicized occult coloured howlings and roars on early colonial america colliding with mythology and surrealistic nightmares. Torche meets Sweet Cobra meets Doomriders.

DL: WAR OF LIGHT CONES

TORCHE - HARMONSLAUGHT 7" (2012)

Limited to 1000 7" from bubblegum doom band Torche.

DL: HARMONSLAUGHT

HAYSTACK - SLAVE ME (1998)

So I posted a song by these guys a while back when I was trying to figure what direction to take this blog. Now that I can fake my way around these parts pretty well, I'm gonna go back and right the ship on some of the mistakes.

This here band Haystack deserves a full post and another proper mention. One of those butt-kicking bands that just kinda flew under the radar. Swedish noise rock that basically sounds exactly like Unsane or Cutthroats 9. Its good shit for driving your car fast thru a police road block, or practicing for a hot dog eating contest.

They have another album (that I know of) that I will post here shortly.
(Slave Me - 1998 Music for Nation)

DL: SLAVE ME

BAMBOO DIET - IDIMMU (2013)

I prefer to consume Japanese Knotweed myself. Bamboo get stuck in your throat. Heh-heh...
Which is appropriate. Bamboo Diet is from Montreal Canada and play loud, manic, and spastic mathy, noise rock that gets stuck in your throat, ears, head and other places. They kinda meander all over, but in a good way. The first song has a slow lunge with long, spastic one note guitar sound. The next couple songs chug along that could be on an early Touch and Go / Amrep release. The last song has some reminiscent Soundgarden in there. Tidbits that recall Scratch Acid, Pissed Jeans, Tad and Metz. But don't take my word alone. Give 'em a listen. You'll thank me.

DL: BAMBOO DIET

FORK - PRODUCT / BALLOON BOY 7" (1996)

Imagine this conversation happening back in the '90s: So I'm really trying to eat this spaghetti with a spoon. But it's not working out so well. What's the best, coolest thing that would help out my situation? That I would love and feel so happy with? Fork! And we need a name for our band too. Something that would make me feel the same as eating these noodles with ease! Fork!!
Solid 90s noise rock / heavy punk.
Bovine Records 1996

DL: FORK