GIRL DRINK DRUNKS

 

Every time I pop this one in, it completely changes my outlook on the day. The energy flies in the face of every aspect of this grim fucking reality, and I find a certain pep in my step...even if I'm not walking. Just the right amount of snot, just the right amount of hook, just hit after hit after hit. It's like an early '00s SOVIETEES / OBSERVERS fireball manifested as a battering ram trying to break down the wall to the new century. The jerky proto-robotic chorus of "Eat The Static." The simple stomp of "Ain't Gonna Make It." The addictive punk of "Pills" (pun intended). You've been warned, this fucker just won't quit. 

GIRL DRINK DRUNKS

STORM THE TOWER

Fourteen songs from one of the most overlooked Texas exports of the 2000s. While the DIY hardcore world was obsessing over sonic tonnage and relentless Scandinavian DBeats or 'who can play faster' and relentless blasts, these fellows were delivering indescribably powerful and energetic punk led by a guitar that confidently took Mould's proven formula into the new century. Chris was well known for his prowess behind the drum kit (SEVERED HEAD OF STATE, J CHURCH SIGNAL LOST, CRIATURAS and many many more), and I think that STORM THE TOWER was all too frequently described as his "other band" by people who didn't really take the time to dive into the songs. Their loss. All of the fury of the era is there (jam "Ice Age" at volume and tell me I'm wrong), but these songs stick with you for days, and Chris's guitar truly stands out. Two recording sessions on this tape, the 2003 recording that would become the J CHRUCH split (plus a killer INSTIGATORS cover) and the 2002 recording that would become the  Song For FM EP and four more songs that I don't think were released elsewhere....pretty much everything before the 2006 EP on Little Deputy (which is, not surprisingly, also very awesome). I used to fucking love this band. I still love them, but I used to too. 

A NATION IS ONLY AN EXCUSE FOR A CRIME

MENORES POSEÍDOS

This one is an absolute screamer - feels the chills on the opening of "Diktadura" and listen to Chile's MENORES POSEÍDOS just unload on your ear holes. These owe a debt to the primitive fury of '80s Spanish punk to be sure, but from the gallop of "Determinacón Para Matar" to the lumbering intensity of "Lota," every moment on this tape is pure and wild. A little out of tune maybe, which is going to be the least of your concerns as soon as you feel that guitar slicing through your skin. There are only four tracks here, and I can't think of a time when listening to a band's demo made me feel thirsty when it was over. 

MENORES POSEÍDOS

HIGHWAY STACY

 

Covid-era mindfuckery from Chicago's HIGHWAY STACY.  Shit-fi drum machine mania crashes into experimental bedroom punk with full and relentless force...this is what happens when there's no one around to tell you you shouldn't do something. And this is why you should do things when there's no one around to tell you that you shouldn't. Because clearly you should. Listen to HIGHWAY STACY. 

IS THAT ALL?

THE EXSENADORS // ANINOKO

 

Earlier today I saw that the folks at Aklasan Records updated their distro with some essential releases from the Philippines, and figured it was an excellent time to remind myself (and you) how excellent this short split tape from 2016 sounds. Two absolute burners from ANINOKO - I've said before that they may be the might be the most important band in the Bay Area and I'll say it here again. And "Tanginamo Trump" may have been written at the beginning of the collapse, but it serves as a searing warning gone unheeded half a decade later - and 2018's Ugat was absolutely one of the best records I heard that year. Long running Filipino band THE EXSENADORS drop two killer bombs of their own, wildly catchy street punk that delivers the hooks of DEAD HERO with the churning fury of bands like MANKIND? or THE PIST with a nice noise piece at the end of their side. Not surprisingly, the new tape is one of the essentials I'm about to grab from Aklasan...one of many. Punk is important, and it's nice when something punches you in the face to remind you. 

THE EXSENADORS // ANINOKO 

BL'AST

 

1991 recording from Santa Cruz's best known export (until SIEZED UP, that is)....(I'm working on the assumption that TE visitors don't need a BL'AST primer). This was maybe the last shit they recorded with Cliff, and you can hear them venturing into territory that might have made them fucking huge in the 1990s when the general "heavy" music landscape started to shift. A version of these songs was given a more proper release after Clifford left, but this was the booking/promo copy sent to 924 Gilman. 

BL'AST DEMO 91

BABAJI

In under the wire. Breathe......breathe. One very primitive SRI HAIDAKHAN BABAJI field chant from 1979 followed by a slightly more complete mantra with a death march to peace vibe, appropriately recorded just before his death in 1984. The closer is a celebration, presented in full force. Take it all in and then, hopefully, let it all out. 

HAIDAKHANDI ARATI WITH SRI BABAJI SINGING MANTRAS