LIVE VIDEO: DRIVE LIKE JEHU is one those groups we all hear from so many good indie rock bands that they influenced their sound in some way. Your truly unthankfully included. Jehu existed at the same time as Rocket from the Crypt in the 1990s and we dug them both. And it’s funny we (i mean me) talk about the 90’s like we do the 1960’s like we do Hendrix, Zep and The Who. Not that there is any comparison with the notoriety or the level of world wide influence as lets say Nirvana got who existed at the same time as Jehu. In fact they over-shadowed 100 of bands and Interscope was never really able to cash-in on them when there was the free-for-all. But basically bands from the 90’s are the results of having heard those bands and going the complete other directon by disregarding harmony and infusing a punk ethos and getting the opportunity to record a major label album like Yank Crime at not have a radio hit in the conventional sense. At least in my humble opinion this is one of the bands that defines the energy of Southern California and I am thankful for their existence and can’t imagine part of musical landscape without them. Think about it for a little while and then leave a comment if you want.
Anyway, there were always two sides of the fence and resentment from fans that these guys didn’t get as much fame as lets say Husker Du or The Replacements who came before as the attention Rocket from the Crypt got but in their brief Hey Day they were prolific and continue in the formats of Obits, The Night Marchers and of course Hot Snakes where they continue on building their indie rock empire and chapters in history. I like them all and in partcular enjoy the guitar interplay between Jon and Rick and they happy they get to rock for a living. It’s a rare thing to see and hear. These two are the few who mastered the art of re-invention in exploratory and irritating noise guitar. We say it’s a nusance because they do it so well. Needless to say the grinding in this video has tons of energy and maybe would be a fun show to see at some dive bar since the stage they are playing on is huge but either wayt when Rick Froberg thanks the audience “for watching their retarded music.” That is basically a nice summary of their formula and something for new bands to take notice of. This could be your 1960’s.
The annoying hum you can feel underneath the music is driven by the organ piping in some crazy bass undertones from the GIGANTIC PIPES behind the band. Not sure if you can notice it because the regular bass and drums are not feeding back but for the most part this sounds great and its a compilation of all the people who shot the band from various angles. Some in focus and some not. Eventually the hum calms down and the sound engineer gets it under control. So almost like you are there. Youtuber Fabio Cunha took the time to edit and sync the audio so kudos to that guy. The last song in their set just kills what guitared indie rock is all about.
Finally the punk rock pseudo-punk Craig Evanhalen, a self-proclaimed “enigmatic genius” and leader of BANANAZZZ brings you into his version of reality. Not the life the rest of you posers live in. Incendiary (maybe) and semi limply heroic film is ready to put his spam all over the world. The 32 minute short film documents his world.The way he sees it and fights the injustices. In the end he even proves his parents wrong and erases the past fuck-ups by making it to SXSW. Yeah! SXSW fuckers! Can you believe it? That fucking music festival won’t just feature anybody. Talk about a total sell-out of a festival. Why tween boy bands like CUL8R find more success than him is beyond our comprehension. But we know he should and could have all of Vivivan’s Girls if he wanted them. Just like that. All New Brunswick millenials should know the myth and know why even gay boy band management wish they had a piece of him. Watch the film and find out before he does or brooklyn vegan does. Why he should just go goth before the 90s stop being the next big thing the youth is recylcing over and over again.
He’s Craig Evanhalen and he’s gonna change the fucking world.
His band has a bunch New Brunswick scensters in it who know they hop to ride his train to fame. It’s an idea long overdue not seen since Suburbia or any Dick Rude film for that matter.
BANANAZZZ.
The music below is not on the soundtrack but it’s actually good and should have been. And yes these are real band that we discover all the time. There is more music like this on our soundcloud fucking page.
SEMI FEMI
FAT GOTH
WHITE REAPER
BUCK KNIFE
THIS IS NOT OBITS
– This is actually a 4-track recording from 1984 by Kids For Cash, Sohrab’s high school hardcore band from ye olde fault. Which should clue you into the fact that the 80’s are way cooler than 00′ or 10’s will ever be.
SINGLE REVIEWS: Fuck, I know it was Bon Scott’s Birthday the other day but Rick’s voice is sounding a little blown out like he’s just had to many smokes or he’s on the whiskey. It’s a really gritty throbbing song and love it that way so we’re sincerely looking forward to Bed & Bugs (subpop) coming out on Sept 10th. This is quality rocknroll and just when you think it’s done it comes right back at ya! Long time coming…
Next up are Those Foreign Kids doming something special from Oslo Norway with a song called “Get Eaten” because we think you’re special. It’s a little punky like early Alice Donut or the soundtrack to the movie repo man/em>. You know like that is a fucking thing? It’s distant and big like it was recorded in a huge hall with tiny microphones. This is the First single off their upcoming debut album called Zero Gravity Somersaulting Craze coming out this fall on Geertruida: www.geertruida.net. Enjoy.
SINGLE REVIEW: We like our jangle garage psyche and this track by Black Manila called “Fiasco” is right in the sweet spot of all groovy things 60’s. Naming their top 5 influential bands as The Velvet Underground, Captain Beefheart, T-Rex, The Stooges and John Lee Hooker. These are some pretty big corner stones that Liam Ramsden, Conrad Armstrong and Gareth Hoskins aka Sun King are taking on but would also say something a little New Wave is ingrained too. This new track by them is less drone than the VU with more of a sculptured song as there is an actual guitar solo to beef it up. Repetition is form in itself and they apply this keenly. We also thought the kids were afraid of guitar explorations, whilst J Mascis he is not (none are honestly) there is enough original guitar slang here to bring this track to the next level. Way above the haze for the acid test. They say this song is about being on a higher plane when imbibed with drink. Been there so we appreciate this so cheers and beers we say to this unsigned band. These grooves will be available 30th April for download & safe keeping with a UK pride B-Side called “England”.
Here’s one from their previous release called Hazy Daze MP3 by Black Manila
Tour & Holiday stops:
4/20 Buffalo Bar, London
4/28 The Finsbury, London
5/16 Capanno Blackout, Prato (Italy)
5/17 Caffe Del Teatro, Aradeo (Italy)
5/18 Villanova, Pulsano (Italy)
5/19 Blue Dhalia, Marina Di Gioiosa Ionica (Italy)
5/20 Chromazone, Atripalda (Italy)
6/4 Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, London (Gibson showcase)
6/8 Green Door Store, Brighton
Some hand picked songs by Black Manila: Death Letter Blues MP3 by Son House from The Delta Blues of Son House (Liam likes this) Hedi’s head MP3 by Kleenex from Liliput (Gareth Likes this) England Made Me MP3 by Selfish Cunt from English Chamber Music (Conrad likes this noise- thumbs up on this one)
Starting this Friday Octo 28th through Sunday the 30th at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan (125 W. 18th St) WFMU is hosting their annual Record Fair. It’s been an amazing trip to see all sorts of young folks thinking it’s cool to own a piece of music and not just digital copy. All weekend they will be spinning 45’s and featuring the recent Italian documentary Vinylmania by Director Paolo Campana. I hope to attend on Friday to rummage the crates of records. A bunch of bands will be playing like The Black Hollies and Sediment Club. This is a real NY experience so if you’ve never gone before and you’re going to be in the city put it on your agenda. Dust off that turn table . While you are chewing on this also think that you will be supporting the station that gives you most by being totally comercial free. Sp consider giving them a spin and a pledge of support. They do great things for a free form spirit and bring you programming like none other on the planet. oh and they plays songs.
Run With Me Run MP3 by The Black Hollies from Softly Towards The Light (2009)
Cooking Cherries 2011
Lollipop MP3 by Nimbus on BASF 7″ Germany (1971). This track is from a 31 song marathon DJ premium from Terre T who is just one of the amazing nutball DJs on WFMU who go through the stax to bring you amazing obscure punk and rarities. This particular comp has somewhat delicious food themes.
Light Sweet Crude MP3 by Obits live on Evan Funk Davies Show (4/21/2009)
Here’s a couple random finds from my local jersey shop the Sound Station. Bold Soul Sister, Bold Soul Brother MP3 by Black on White Affair from this great comp Wheedle’s Groove – Seattle’s Finest In Funk & Soul 1965-75. Tameyawt MP3 by Tinariwen from Tassili. This has some of the TV on the radio guys. It’s sung in a african dialec. Has a Nick Drake feel.
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