SULTAN BATHERY - FIREWORX

 So, this little release is a bit over a year old and we all know that if it is older than six months and younger than 20 years then it is no longer relevant. But that isn't going  to stop anyone from sharing it with you. Sultan Bathery is a groovy little three piece from Italy. These three gents seem to be making some splashes here and  there with interviews here and there and blog shout outs here and there and some facebook fans here and there and today we listen to the band's first EP, Fireworx - released in October of 2012. They have  since been touring throughout Europe and a quick  overview of the facebook doesn't say anything about  any US shows, but if you find something out that I  didn't bother taking the time to read (let's face it, google is for information and this blog is for  music) then please throw it in the comments.

The EP starts with the title track - a little ditty with beefy guitar tone, simple and effective drums, and the oooo and ahhh sort of vocal dissonance that so many of you listeners out there have grown to love since its popular re-emergence in the early 2000s. It is a great opener that will get your attention. The second track, 'River raw', does not stray far from the jangle and dance in the first track - the entire fucking EP follows suit. Fireworx dips its toes in a lot of seemingly 1950s inspired sort of western rock and roll on the berge of psychedelic breakthrough. And for the sake of not getting all meta with this and that - these are some good psychedelic garage tunes that are all under 2:30. Who can get enough of those short punch-you-in-the-mouth-songs?

You can snag the 7'' from Slovenly for 5.25 (I donated more than that - I just thought I would let you all know that because I take philanthropy lessons from Bono). Only con to ordering from Slovenly would be the occasional e-mail that I choose not to read and then have to take time to delete. Listen. Buy. Enjoy.

sultanbathery@gmail.com
sultanbathery.bandcamp.com/
facebook.com/sultanbathery
slovenly.bandcamp.com/

UH BONES - S/T

Although not the freshest piece in their arsenal, let's take a listen to the self-titled four track release by Uh Bones. This little goodie came out a bit over a year after their debut on facebook in 2011 (which, as you know, marks the birth of a band - that and the earliest release date on bandcamp). This three piece is currently rocking in the Chicago area and working on an LP to be released in the near future - duh. We might as well dive right on in with track number one, 'Amess'; if you carry any garage or psychedelic (god forbid psychedelic-garage) sensibilities you will immediately see the credibility of this band's sound. The song is an instant winner with repetitive high-mid guitar riffs and a low pulse'd bass line. The songs continue to follow suit with tight grooves wrapped around lazy and genuine vocals. If you are looking for something that takes root in yesterday (maybe today's yesterday or maybe 50-years-ago's yesterday) while still playing a part in our post-music era then look no further - it's right here. Even though we may not see Uh Bones putting out chart-topping-billboard-success-singles, the band knows what it is doing, how it wants to do it, and they sound great doing it.

I'll also put up this video the band has of a newer song of theirs - 'Drink to Sleep.' As the title suggests, the song is a bit dreamy and will get you in the mood to take off your socks, pour a drink, grab a woman, and dance on the kitchen floor smoking a filterless cigarette and waiting for the baby-making to happen.

The band is good, so if you like that 60s influenced blues-born garage noise then take a listen and maybe spend four bucks for four songs.






uh.bones@gmail.com
uhbones.com
uhbones.bandcamp.com

BAD INDIANS - ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE LP

Welcome back. it has been a year, but we are not dead around here. To get things going, let's give a listen to BAD INDIANS. This is the third time BAD INDIANS has seen these pages and if your band consistently released good music then you would be here three times, too.

This four-piece from Michigan are putting out a new LP, yes vinyl, titled Are on the Other Side. It's just in time for your last purchase before 'The End of the World.' There are probably a dozen bands looking to cash in on this fantastic release date, but let's ignore them - right now they do not matter. This gang just shared a stage with Moon Duo two months ago. They must be doing something right.

BAD INDIANS are sticking around. Consistency is key key key to keeping fans - to being any sort of artist. Find what you do and do it well. Chiming in on yester-year's grooving sound, BAD INDIANS have found what they do and they are doing it well. Although the full release is not available for listening, the band put up a four song cock-tease. Probably at the request of CQ Records - it seems as though they hold the digital and maybe physical rights to this album. Oh, forgot to mention they are releasing on CQ Records - a nice little independent label in Austin, Texas. In this sneak peek of the upcoming psych garage album we start with Love and a Shovel. It's a familiar sound if you are familiar with BAD INDIANS. The drums are simple and sweet, the vocals a perfect amount whining treble and shake, the guitar tone as shaking and surfing as the vocals - also with nicely placed slick finger licks.  The song is pretty short so there is no fucking around. It's all the meat with the fat trimmed off. Wherever this song is on the album, it will surely fit as a solid 60s influenced (up to interpretation) rock and roll jam. To be completely honest, and that is in the job description (someone pay me), the second song on the preview doesn't get my gears greased. It seems a bit out of place in the four songs - it's a grunge-pop tune with prominent keys. It is also a short one and fortunate for some listeners. This song seems to say 'hi' instead of 'hey.' (Personal taste gets thrown in from time to time.) The third song, Darkside, is a gem without a doubt. It's a slow down ballad sort of beauty. During a live set we could see this in the middle or towards the end when the band's energy banks have been deposited on fans' faces in previous songs. The recorded version as a prediction, is a bit more enthusiastic, attentive, and full than one could imagine the sweat drenched live version is. And then the fourth track puts a nice little cap on things as it is an amalgamation of songs one and two, making it a nice round, maybe oval, preview of a nice janky record you can add to your collection three weeks from now.

Who knows how much of pre-album or album sales actually goes to BAD INDIANS but BUY THE RECORD and fork over a couple greenbacks for the 'name your price' preview. You're supporting someone who's working hard.

PS Word through the grapevine is that DIE POP is developing a new look. Check back later. It's sure to be a breath of fresh air for 2013.

 


BAADINDIANS@gmail.com
http://www.cqrecords.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BAD-INDIANS/142006495812733

THE TRASH - GARAGE WOODS

The Trash is a rockin' four piece from Hamburg, DE. Their songs are giant tracks that showcase their rock and roll hearts. Full of angst and sorrow; yet upbeat and moving, The Trash will surprise you with their blues rock sound - and you thought the White Stripes rock? Slipping in elements of punk and garage these gents have shown their understanding of alcohol, cigarettes, black leather, dark shades, and unkempt hair. Broken Glas Records, of the same town, put out their tunes, so check that out as well. These 5 short and sweet tracks came out just a few months ago and the band has a couple new members, so we may be in for something new soon - keep your eyes peeled and DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE.

the.trash@hotmail.de
http://www.thetrash.de/
http://thetrash.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/trashtrash
http://www.facebook.com/broken.glas.records?sk=info

THE SINBUSTERS - SECOND COMING

The Sinbusters have been up here before, and we wanted to get you a listen to their second full length before it went on sale, but that didn't happen....oh well...forgetful minds. Well, these kids (who are like the cousins twice removed of the children that Thee Oh Sees and The Stooges had, despite the fact they are from different eras, age is justa numba babeh) are back with a most excellent sequel to their hard hitting, loud, and upbeat garage/punk. Remember how your grandmother listened to Buddy Holly? Take that and speed 'er up by a handful of BPMs, put in some feedback, drown those lyrics and throw 'em in the background, get your feet moving, and you got The Sinbusters.  Here's another perk to this release, all songs are under 2:15; perfect for a lively crowd with short attention spans and bursts of energy to expel. Though you aren't going to get this one for free, 4.99 is not a bad price for raw rock and roll energy! Plus these guys tour often; no reason not to support their efforts. BUY IT! LOOK FOR A LEAK! GET IT!

thesinbusters@gmail.com
http://thesinbusters.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/thesinbusters

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sinbusters/159998169137?sk=wall#!/pages/The-Sinbusters/159998169137?sk=info

THE SINBUSTERS - PRIME BLOWOUT

The Sinbusters' 7 track album is titled justly - a prime blowout for sure.Their first track, I don't want to be a slave is a excellent opening that displays the band's high energy showmanship and raw power. And with tunes like these, there is no reason to be anyone's slave. It's apparent that we have here another band that is not in the market for marketing to the Bieber Fever crowd. Their second track, maybe some veteran angst or a genuine love for Baghdad, showcases some nice rockin' organ work by the fourth/fifth? member (sorry, keyboard is number four, unless it's a keyboard band. no hard feelings?). Then just when you think you have ran into a fast one trick pony, much like that one girl you fucked at the show you played at in that one city, The Sinbusters throw in a slower blues driven 3 and a half minute track that even your mom would like...it's gotta nice stoner-rific 20 second guitar solo about two minutes in, too. If the first half of the album is up your alley, then you are bound to dig the collective 23 minutes of rockin' riffs and howlin' yelps; rock and roll is alive in this album.

thesinbusters@gmail.com
http://thesinbusters.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/thesinbusters

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sinbusters/159998169137?sk=wall#!/pages/The-Sinbusters/159998169137?sk=info

DEAD CITY

Dead City, a two piece from Brazil, rock and roll. They combine some western swingin' guitar and big beatin' backbone drummin' in some slammin' bluesy moaning garage rock tunes. If you ever had yo' baby left ya, then listen listen listen. Their first track, Derelicts, seeps 'dusty roads drifting from barn party to barn party crackin' rednecks in the head with a baseball bat' from it's pores. Dead City follow that track up with a short haunting rabble rousing highway cruiser that, at the very least, makes your toes tap. And if you think those two tracks are soething special, then the last two songs will blow your mind, actually, listen to those two songs first, actually, who cares what order you listen to them in. If you got some garage rockin' blues, Dead City will ache your pains. FREE DOWNLOAD - GET IT.

deadcity@designtodefeat.com

http://deadcity.bandcamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/deadcityinc

BLOODHOUSE

Got an earful of these guys from a very reputable source. The explosive sounds that come from  this band could fit into any this or that, or here and there. Bloodhouse sounds like a three piece/two-guitar outfit, but how sure can one really be? What is sure, is the gorgeous amount of delay, reverb, and distortion on yet another sexy and heavy garage band. Despite the band's name, it is hard to imagine a large amount of violence associated with these guys - more like rock and roll. Bloodhouse ride on a line that so many other burgeoning 'underground' bands are capitalizing - a powerful and loud mix of barre-chord'd-droney-punchy-guitar-riffs, amateur-primitive/tribal drumming patterns (that just might be MIDI...but don't let anyone know that secret), and forward translucent vocals. Definitely on the lighter side of the gloom scale, Bloodhouse makes the ideas of noise, drone, and rock and roll more accessible for the crowd that just isn't that extreme. The album itself is pretty standard to awesome;  Digital Village - a great introduction to the 6 song S/T cassette (that you can grab on their bandcamp) sets the bar with some high energy rock that is followed by possibly the best track on the release, Grave Mind. (But where's the tube-driven overdrive?! It sounds so creamy that way.) This is definitely a choppy rock release that you SHOULD get and CAN get for FREE...but share the wealth.

ourbloodhouse@gmail.com
http://bloodhouse.bandcamp.com
http://www.myspace.com/pampcamp

VOYAGEURS - NUDE VEGAS

VOYAGEURS; a three piece from Fayetteville, AR, are a current new crush. Having put out a few releases, all for FREE mind you, it's interesting to see the sort of lo-fi treasures this band is continually sharing with the world. Today we dive into their psychedelic space adventure titled NUDE VEGAS. This release starts, as though it seems, in mid song (thanks to a little post production magic) and though brash and crass, it slightly eases its audience into the pounding bass line and the noisy experimental guitar riffs. VOYAGEURS instantly bring a drugged-out psychedelic party to your brain, complete with hallucinations. Track after track; these three gentlemen lash out loud tunes that fit a mood/feeling that can be best described as a dreamy acceptance of the end of the world. Drowned-out in reverb and delicious feedback, this release will make anyone drool. How dangerous is it to create 7 tracks of epic livelihood and death slammed together like some sort of mutant created out of the green ooze from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II.....not very. Take yourself back a handful of decades and enjoy this band's celestial journey through your mind. After taking a look at their latest single-track release (ENVY IS INEVITABLE) and that green youtube video , it is sure that the direction this band is going is more than stellar.

 

http://voyageurs.bandcamp.com
http://www.myspace.com/spacevoyageurs

MOONHEARTS

Though we've seen leaks and reviews of the Moonhearts' self-titled release all over the internet, it is time to see another. In the same fashion as so many before and after, Moonhearts (much like Jay Reatard or Ty Segall-Mike Cronin from Moonhearts did a little number with Ty Segall) cross-breed elements of folk, psychedelic, surf, power-chord progression, and the genuine natures of lo-fi recording to create a high energy crunchy rock and roll. With the average length of each song coming in at about 2 minutes and 45 seconds these new age garage masters(Not new age the genre), get straight to the point; it's time to move to some fuckin' rock and roll. With the vocals pushed back and covered in cassette-recorded beauty, the flawless and dirty guitar riffs and rhythms leave it impossible to stay still. There are some bands that are staring to defy the way garage rock should sound in this decade, and this is one of the bands. Though we all essentially understand garage and rock and roll as borrowed progressions and stolen riffs, there is a strong movement of appreciation for the rock and roll's beginnings and is soon enough going to be known to the MTV world as some sort of post-garage-rock-revival, and it's bands like the Moonhearts who will be leading this style of music to a wider audience, but by then it will all be way too "(INSTERT YEAR)" to think that it was cool, and we'll all be stroking some other band or genre. Nonetheless, we are in the now, and right now you should listen to Moonhearts--they are garage rock.

Moonhearts - Moonhearts (DOWNLOAD)
Charlie and the Moonhearts - Thunderbeast (DOWNLOAD)

themoonhearts@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/charlieandthemoonhearts

BAD INDIANS - SOUNDS FROM THE BIG ROOM

In a time where smoking herb and riding the a-train are as regular as a cup of coffee BAND INDIANS is quintessential. Unfortunately, now a cup of coffee is as regular as a cup of coffee. BAD INDIANS, the four piece garage/psych/noise band from Michigan (Yes, it seems as though American Natives and the state of Michigan seem to be a popular theme here. I guess Michigan knows how to rock and roll; we might take that as an ...insult? Nah, it just means Michigan is cooler than you are), are a busy little band and have put out a handful of releases in the last five years. Like most bands, their earlier releases seem to tower in creativity and  raw genuine psychedelia, though of course, any muso would tell you that. The first release found on the web, LIVE FROM THE BURIAL MOUND (2009), is a spectacular force of noise and garage energy that was recorded on a cassette 4track in a basement, it creates a fantastic blend of the best (and only) qualities of drone, the nonchalance of underground rock and roll, all in a clever little Native theme. SOUNDS FROM THE BIG ROOM, the band's most recent release--literally 7 days ago--continues to build upon the their throwback tribute to a day when rock and roll was on top of the world. Though the BAD INDIANS have graduated to a more polished approach to their recording, it does not take from their art. In fact, SOUNDS FROM THE BIG ROOM creates the feeling of accidentally walking into a hazed-out room at a party circa 1960s when you were looking for the bathroom, but then decided to stay because the kids in that room are far too intimidating to leave, yet not intimidating enough to force you out. So you stay, burn a few, and plan a cross-continental motorcycle trip with your new friends and learn the harmonica. Check out the discography, WHEN you want this music in your possession buying physical copies of any release is as simple as shooting them a friendly e.mail, otherwise spend a few less sheckles and get the mp3s available on bandcamp.

 

BAADINDIANS@gmail.com

http://badindians.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/badindians

WILD INJUNS

In a classic fashion, WILD INJUNS have found a place on this fuzzed out shelf. Initially FROM THE SUN, WILD INJUNS burn a harmonious cry-baby-I-don't-care-I'm fucking-lazy-pout into the ear's pallet (metaphorically). Yes, harmonious. This 3 piece sound slings around some seductive trashy garage tunes. If you can't imagine it and just can't bring yourself to clicking on the iconic sideways triangle to the left, then picture your three year old cousin running circles around you and singing a taunting little diddy because you don't care enough to stop them from wasting all of their energy on a menial task. The band's front-man (another mysterious fucking band. You'd think that you'd give a little information in case someone wanted to write about you.) starts the release with a b grade horrorfilm scream, and continues to scatter his yelps and yips throughout the 7 tracks. The delay and echo in the second track, 'Dance With Me,' sends listeners to either a time when they themselves had a little pink or green echo microphone, or to a magical 50s high school dance underwater. In fact, the general attitude of WILD INJUNS - WILD INJUNS puts its audience in a greased-up hall with dirty floors, poodle skirts, and ducktail slicks; that is until you reach "OH Sophia." The mood changes from a sensible drunken time at the dirty-sock hop, to a grungy mod BYOB warehouse party where horizontal stripes and leather ankle boots become a blur across the beer, blood, and sweat stained cement floor.




PS The band has two separate uploads of this release, one at
http://fromthesun.bandcamp.com/album/wild-injuns
another at
http://wildinjuns.bandcamp.com/album/demo

DIRT EYES

Eyes seem to be a reoccurring theme, but in the interest of not giving a fuck...on to the next band. Sludgy like Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid' and bluesy like a contemporary favourite--The Black Keys--Dirt Eyes (not to be confused with LA's butt-rock enthusiasts Dirty Eyes) are an interesting drum and bass combo out of the glamorous Buffalo, New York. With an extraordinary amount of noise, Jono Benoit; bass and the barely audible screaming vocals; and Jordan Nittoli; the percussion, put out a stellar amount of sound that makes you feel warm, fuzzy, and somewhat.... sexy? Though, Dirt Eyes is not for light hearted easy listening/pop fans...actually, if you are keen on that scene, then I highly suggest their FREE 3track release 'You Are a Kind Magician, Indeed'; then maybe you'll learn to like real music. Dirt Eyes seems to be pretty elusive; one youtube vid and a bandcamp site. So, if you find yourself in the Buffalo area be on the look-out for a show of theirs. Their performance doesn't seem to rate too high on the energy scale (via the youtube video), but if you weren't such a stick in the mud you'd dance your little heart out to these groovin' psych/garage/doom tunes. You are now just a few clicks away from having new music.







http://dirteyes.bandcamp.com/album/you-are-a-kind-magician-indeed

BACK FROM THE DEAD - JAY REATARD

Raising from the dead, like the zombie so many of you assholes dream of becoming, Jay Reatard and Shattered Records have compiled a little post-death collection for all of you garage fanatics--if Nirvana, 2Pac, and Michael Jackson can, why not Jay Reatard.

This collection includes:

1 x 7'' pressing of 'You Get No Love' and 'I Am Growing'
(Two tracks recorded in Jay Reatard's home just days before his death)

1 x Full length live LP recorded at the 2008 Great Plains Festival in Australia.

1 x Shattered Records T-shirt, design by artist Nicholas Gazin.

AND

'Watch Me Fall' on CD or LP, mp3s of the 25-song 'Greatest Messes: The Shattered Club Edition,' The Reatards’ 'Teenage Hate,' Jeffrey Novak’s 'Home Sweet Home,' mp3s of the 7″ 'Hear/See' from Useless Eaters, and Hunx & His Punx's 'Teardrops On My Telephone.'

This is all available to you--the consumer--at www.jayreatard.com when you purchase a membership to the Jay Reatard Club for the low low price of 75$. Don't fret, you get all sorts of other Shattered Records goodies, but those 7s have not leaked and can only be purchased through the membership, and possibly on eBay. This all was projected to release on the anniversary date of his death 01.13.11, though as of 2.10.11, it will be 2-4 weeks before shipping begins.


GREAT PLAINS FESTIVAL 3.07.08(DOWNLOAD)
WATCH ME FALL (DOWNLOAD)
TEENAGE HATE (DOWNLOAD)
TEARDROPS ON MY TELEPHONE (DOWNLOAD)